The Winter Holidays.
The castle had transformed overnight into a winter wonderland. Snow blanketed the grounds, icicles hung from the towers, and the Great Hall shimmered with holiday enchantments. Twelve towering Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and golden baubles stood proudly in the hall, filling the air with the scent of pine.
Most students had gone home for the holidays, leaving the castle quieter than usual. But Harry had chosen to stay. The idea of returning to the church—or worse, the nuns—was not something he wanted to entertain.
Ravenclaw Tower was nearly empty, save for a few upper-year students. Even Luna had left to spend Christmas with her father. But Harry didn’t mind. The solitude was… peaceful.
Christmas morning arrived, bringing with it a surprise.
Harry awoke to a pile of presents at the foot of his bed. He blinked at them, feeling an odd warmth in his chest. He wasn’t used to receiving gifts—his birthdays had always been ignored, and Christmas at the Dursleys had meant watching Dudley tear through presents while he got nothing.
Curiously, he reached for the first one.
A hand-knitted sweater in deep blue and silver. There was no note, but he suspected it was from Mrs. Weasley. He had spoken to Ron a few times in passing, and perhaps the twins had mentioned him. He smiled as he ran a hand over the soft wool.
Another package contained a box of Chocolate Frogs from Hermione, along with a small book titled The Mind’s Labyrinth: Unlocking the Power of Memory.
And then there was the final gift. A long, wrapped package.
He unwrapped it carefully, and his breath hitched.
A shimmering cloak of pure silver fabric spilled over his lap. It was beautiful—the way the light hit it made it seem almost liquid. As he ran his fingers over it, the material seemed to melt into his skin, blending with the bed beneath him.
An Invisibility Cloak.
There was a note.
"Use it well."
No name. No explanation. But somehow, Harry knew—this was important.
Something deep inside him told him that this cloak would matter.
That night, when the castle was silent, he draped the cloak over his shoulders and stepped into the shadows.
And for the first time in his life, he truly disappeared.