On Christmas morning in Cokeworth Town, a thin mist clung to the cold, beading into tiny droplets on the windowpanes.
Inside the small house at Number 4, Privet Drive, however, it was warm and cozy. The firewood crackled in the fireplace, its orange-red flames licking the hearth, casting a warm glow on the living room carpet.
A typical Muggle dwelling, not large, but filled with warmth.
The sofa was covered in a faded-check slipcover. Uncleared breakfast plates sat on the coffee table, their rims still smudged with a bit of jam. In the corner stood a modest Christmas tree, wrapped in colorful paper streamers and tiny fairy lights.
Lily sat cross-legged on the carpet, a small pile of variously wrapped packages before her.
She wore a red sweater, her red hair tied back. Her cheeks were flushed from the fire's heat, and her fingers were already impatiently tracing the edge of a package.
Petunia sat on the sofa, hugging her knees, her gaze fixed heavily on the packages beside Lily, her lips pressed into a thin line.
Since childhood, she had always found something different about Lily, and now it was even more pronounced. Her sister had entered a world she could not reach.
Lily's parents sat on the sofa opposite. Her mother was knitting a sweater, and her father held a cup of hot tea. Both their gazes were fixed on their younger daughter.
"Take your time unwrapping, Lily. Surprises are meant to be savored slowly," her mother said with a smile.
Lily acknowledged her and first opened her parents' gift: a thick book of fairy tales and a knitted scarf, blue, a perfect match for her eyes.
"Thank you, Mum and Dad!"
She looked up with a smile, wrapping the scarf around her neck. Turning to share her joy with Petunia, she saw her sister had turned her face away, pretending to look out the window, her eyes unable to hide their loneliness.
Lily's smile faded slightly, a flicker of helplessness passing through her heart. She knew Petunia had always resented not being able to enter the magical world like she could, and it meant they could never return to the closeness of their childhood.
But there was nothing she could do about it. After all, she wasn't the Principal.
Lily said no more and turned to the other packages. Most were simple cards and small snacks. As she reached the last one, an exceptionally exquisite package caught her attention.
This package stood out from the rest. The wrapping paper was a deep green, embroidered with intricate silver thread patterns.
It felt luxurious to the touch, its edges neatly trimmed. Even the tied ribbon was silk, clearly expensive.
Lily's heart skipped a beat. She didn't need to think to guess who the sender was.
Petunia's gaze was also drawn to the package, her eyes a mix of curiosity and envy.
Her parents leaned in closer. "Who's this from? The wrapping is so beautiful," her mother asked softly.
"It's… a classmate from the magic school," Lily replied vaguely. Though there was no name or mark, she just knew it was from Regulus.
Even the wrapping exuded a noble, elegant, yet restrained air, a true aristocratic style.
Inside was a small shoulder bag. The main body was a light purple, made of soft, supple leather that felt smooth and delicate. The design was exquisite yet cute, just the style a girl would love.
A folded note lay beside the bag.
"Wow!" Lily couldn't help but exclaim, her voice full of delight.
She picked up the bag, gently pulling open the flap. She discovered the space inside was far larger than it appeared, easily able to hold her textbooks and wand while maintaining its small, compact appearance.
"What is this?" her father asked, leaning over to examine the bag curiously. "It looks so small. How can it hold things?"
Lily unfolded the note. Neat handwriting explained simply that it was a shoulder bag with an Undetectable Extension Charm, convenient for storing her items, and included clear instructions for use.
She read the note's contents to her parents, emphasizing the bag's preciousness.
"In the magical world, items with space charms are very rare, especially ones made so exquisitely. Most young wizards never get something like this."
Her parents listened with astonishment. Her mother reached out and gently touched the bag, a note of concern in her voice. "Isn't it too valuable? That classmate… why would they give you something so nice?"
Holding the bag, Lily fell into a brief silence, inwardly surprised by the lavishness of Regulus's gift. She suddenly felt the knitted scarf she had prepared was somewhat inadequate in comparison.
But all she could say was, "He's a good friend. I'll accept this gift, and I'll make sure to help him properly in the future."
Since it had already been given as a gift, there was absolutely no reason to return it. She then rallied her spirits; she wasn't the type of girl to feel inferior just because she received an expensive present.
She thought of what Regulus had said about his family exploring some ancient external potion formulas that required stable carriers and materials for the slow release of specific magical effects.
She secretly resolved to be even more diligent from now on.
In truth, Regulus had given some thought when choosing the gift, but for him, it wasn't particularly precious. Once given, it was given. He had put more care into selecting the bag's style.
Seeing her firm attitude and genuine delight, her parents said no more, simply reminding her to thank the person properly.
Lily nodded in agreement. Turning to share her joy with Petunia, she found her sister had already stood up and returned to her room without a word.
Lily sighed softly and carefully placed the bag beside her.
Meanwhile, in an apartment in Paris, France, Andromeda also received a gift from the Black family.
The apartment was tidy, bright, and warmly furnished. Outside the window was a Parisian street scene, already adorned with Christmas decorations.
Andromeda was sitting by the window reading when she heard a faint noise at the door. Looking up, she saw Kreacher standing there, holding a black velvet box, his expression respectful.
"Miss Andromeda," Kreacher bowed and presented the box. "This is the Christmas gift the young master asked me to deliver."
Andromeda set down her book, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, then accepted the box.
She had not yet been completely disowned by the Black family and still had a blood connection, which was why Kreacher could come directly to her.
She opened the box. Inside lay a small golden key engraved with the Gringotts emblem, along with a note with information about a vault at the Paris Gringotts.
"The young master says, if no one asks, don't tell," Kreacher added before disappearing instantly.
Unlike the warmth of Cokeworth Town and the calm of Paris, Christmas at the Potter family home was full of noise and energy.
James Potter wore a garish Christmas sweater, a wand in his hand, performing in the living room. He turned an apple into a singing bird, eliciting cheers from those around.
Sirius sat on the sofa, laughing heartily, a mug of Butterbeer in his hand.
He had completely immersed himself in life with the Potter family. Here, there were no Black family rules, no mother's scolding, only the company of friends and the air of freedom.
The smile on his face was genuine. The gloom in his eyes had long been dispelled by the sunlight, and his whole being radiated a vibrant energy.
Mr. and Mrs. Potter sat in the main seats, watching the children play, their faces full of contentment.
Sirius reveled in this happiness, playing alongside James.
Meanwhile, in a small house on Spinner's End, Snape sat at a cold table, unwrapping the only Christmas gift he had received besides Lily's.
The gift had been delivered by owl. The wrapping was simple, with no markings, containing only two pieces of parchment.
Snape's fingers were somewhat stiff as he opened it. Inside was a handwritten potion recipe and another parchment recording a basic Dark Arts spell.
Snape's eyes lit up, and he clutched the recipe and parchment tightly.
There was another line on the note: "Effort has its reward; knowledge requires accumulation."
He instantly knew this was Regulus's payment to him, for passing on information.
Snape looked at these words, a strange feeling welling up inside him.
Previously, he had proactively passed messages for Regulus. Those messages seemed trivial to him, and he even thought Regulus might not pay them any mind. He never expected to receive anything in return.
He had always thought Regulus was like other pure-blood nobles—arrogant, aloof. He hadn't expected the other to have a sense of fairness.
Snape believed Regulus saw him as an equal collaborator, exchanging knowledge for his efforts.
Even though his efforts, in his own view, were negligible.
He carefully stored the recipe and parchment away, placing them within his most treasured potion book. Then he picked up his wand, ready to attempt practicing the Dark Arts spell on the parchment.
But then, as if remembering something, he set the wand down again.
The Trace. Can't practice.
Shift!
… The moon hung high. The Malfoy family's banquet had finally ended.
Orion Apparated back to Number 12, Grimmauld Place with Regulus. As soon as they entered, Kreacher came forward, bowing. "Master, young master, supper is prepared."
The fireplace in the living room was still burning. Kreacher had already set the dining table, laying out steaming cream of mushroom soup, truffle-baked snails, and a fresh fruit tart.
Regulus and Orion sat facing each other. Picking up a spoon, Regulus took a sip of the thick soup, warmth instantly dispelling the chill from his body.
The food at the banquet had been exquisite but served in small portions, hardly enough to fill one up.
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