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The gift that Pandero had "procured" from Father Christmas was truly an enigma. At first glance, it was nothing more than a simple paper-wrapped box, yet it inexplicably radiated an air of absolute invulnerability.
No wonder Pandero had looked so smug at the ti, his expression practically declaring, "If Ian doesn't plead with , he'll never get this present open." The young wizard, indeed, found himself utterly helpless in his attempts to unwrap it.
"What in rlin's na is inside?" As the old adage goes, the more unattainable sothing is, the more one obsesses over it. At this mont, Ian felt as though ten thousand Animagus-transfigured Professor McGonagalls were clawing at his heart.
However,
Both his hands and his magic proved utterly useless against Father Christmas's present. Ian even attempted to use a severing charm strong enough to slice through enchanted iron, but the box remained resolutely intact. Its colorful ribbons remained pristine, unruffled, as if silently mocking his efforts.
By now, Ian was no longer concerned with the actual contents, he simply had to know what was inside.
"Am I really going to have to beg Pandero?" Ian muttered under his breath, wiping sweat from his brow as he disdainfully tossed aside the vial of corrosive potion he had been considering. Even a concentrated dose of acid, potent enough to eat through solid stone, had failed to so much as smudge the wrapping paper.
The potion was still bubbling where it had splashed onto the floor, eating through the flagstone with alarming efficiency. The present, however, remained unscathed, looking as though it had rely been sprinkled with a few drops of water. While the surrounding area was now riddled with pits and reeking of burnt minerals, the gift sat undisturbed, looking elegant, untouchable, and maddeningly perfect.
This gift was proof that so things in the magical world simply did not abide by conventional rules. If one had enough of these, Ian mused, they could probably build an unbreakable tower stretching up to the stars.
"I don't even want it anymore!" He huffed, giving the present a frustrated kick before hesitating, sighing, and carefully retrieving it. With a defeated expression, he dusted it off and tucked it back into his enchanted pouch. His attachnt to the gift now resembled that of an emperor with a harem of three thousand, yet obsessing over the one beauty he could never claim— his unattainable 'white moonlight.'
The room was filled with an assortnt of other presents, all of which Ian had painstakingly gathered from beside his dormitory bed. Despite the relatively small number of students who had remained at Hogwarts over the holidays, he had received an impressive number of gifts.
The belated Christmas had certainly lived up to expectations. The sheer number of presents stacked before him ford an awe-inspiring sight, one that could easily be described as a small mountain.
At the very least, it was larger than three or four Ians combined.
"This is undeniable proof of my excellent social standing," Ian muttered to himself, carefully sorting through the packages. Not only were there gifts from his fellow Ravenclaws, but several had also co from students in other Houses.
This was likely a result of Ian's habit of casually offering magical advice to his classmates. One particularly bold Hufflepuff had even sent him a packet of magically enhanced Chomping Cabbage seeds which is clearly the result of a successful experint inspired by his guidance.
Evidently.
Ian's advice had been useful to her. Who said Hogwarts lacked brilliance outside of Ravenclaw? If things continued this way, he believed Hufflepuff might soon produce another Newt Scamander— though this ti, in the realm of magical botany.
Of course.
That was assuming the ambitious young witch, who had an alarmingly reckless imagination and a tendency to ignore his warnings, didn't end up as dragon fodder when she inevitably attempted to befriend a Welsh Green after graduation.
"Slytherin House only sent one gift? Unbelievable! They truly are incorrigible. My compensation hasn't even arrived by Christmas!" Ian muttered, making a ntal note of this grievance before returning his attention to unwrapping the rest of his presents.
Christmas presents must have been the inspiration for blind box designs. Regardless of whether he needed them or not, the anticipation before unwrapping them truly allowed Ian to revel in the festive spirit.
The largest present ca from Hagrid. He hadn't used traditional wrapping paper but had instead placed Ian's gift inside an enormous wooden barrel.
"Please don't let a magical creature jump out of it," Ian thought nervously as he pried open the lid. Fortunately, Hagrid had refrained from such surprises— this ti.
Inside the barrel was a trove of raw magical materials. Among them were incredibly rare unicorn feathers and, to Ian's delight, a collection of frog brains, sothing he had repeatedly pestered Hagrid for.
The half-giant's gift was as rugged as his outward appearance, but it was clear he had put considerable thought into it. Gathering such an array of materials from the Forbidden Forest was no small feat.
Ian could almost picture Hagrid sneaking into the forest at odd hours, carefully collecting supplies just for him.
"I hope he likes my gift too," Ian mused as he carefully stored each item. The present he had prepared for Hagrid was a complete set of enchanted dragon figurines.
Though each figurine was only the size of a palm, they could not only move but also breathe fire and interact with their surroundings. Out of personal interest, Ian had even included a few fantastical dragon models beyond those known to exist.
There was a frost dragon that could exhale icy breath, a skeletal dragon that spewed eerie blue flas, and a comically small dragon with exaggerated, cartoonish features. He was certain Hagrid would be overjoyed.
"When I refine my enchantnts, I'll sell magical battle pets in Diagon Alley and revolutionize the future of wizarding duels!" Ian had made sure to send gifts to nearly everyone he knew— any student he had exchanged nods with at least three tis had received one.
It wasn't that Ian was particularly generous, but minor alchemical trinkets cost him virtually nothing to produce. It was an easy way to hone his craft and foster goodwill— a triple win for him.
He gained twice, and his classmates gained once. Compared to Hagrid's generous barrel of rare materials, the other students' gifts were largely symbolic.
Still, Ian took great pleasure in opening them.
The Weasley twins had sent him a bundle of sweets. Ian, however, didn't dare eat them. This gift, along with the rather questionable "Elder Sister's original undergarnts" from a mischievous night-class student, was promptly stashed in a hidden chamber within the Room of Requirent. Perhaps, years from now, so unsuspecting soul would stumble upon the relics he had conveniently "forgotten."
"It's not that I dislike them," Ian reasoned. "I just have a strong sense of self-preservation."
He continued unwrapping his gifts. Compared to the dubious offerings, the complete set of collectible Chocolate Frog cards he received from the factory heir was an impressive show of generosity.
For soone who often seed strapped for cash, so much so that he once tried using Chocolate Frogs as tuition for night classes, he had given away an astonishingly valuable collection. It was like discovering a wizarding version of the legendary Spicy Prince's hidden fortune.
"The Ravenclaw students mostly sent books. I appreciate that," Ian noted, already opening his seventh volu. The ever-enthusiastic Penelope Clearwater had gifted him a copy of 'The Legend of rlin'.
His two roommates had also given him books. One was 'Magical Creatures in the Cauldron', and the other was 'The Secret War: Following That Man's Struggle'.
Both were rare volus, not even available in Knockturn Alley.
(To Be Continued…)
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