Chapter 58
Chapter : Winter Breaks and New Beginnings
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Harry’s POV
The end of term exams were finally over. I could barely remember half of the questions, and I wasn’t sure if I had written my answer in the correct column in History of Magic. But none of that mattered right now—I was finally going to spend Christmas with Sirius and Marlene. The idea of having a real family celebration made me feel... excited. Nervous, too. It would be the first time I’d have a proper holiday, and it wasn’t just Christmas; they also celebrated Yule, an ancient magical tradition.
I had been over the moon when I received Sirius’s letter inviting me to their house. The thought of spending time with them, learning more about my parents, and actually feeling like I belonged somewhere filled me with warmth I hadn’t felt in years. No more cold Dursley holidays spent in the cupboard under the stairs or getting hand-me-down socks from Dudley. This would be real.
But there was a slight snag in my plans. When I went to Dumbledore to inform him about my Christmas break, he seemed... concerned.
"Harry, my boy, I must insist that your safety is of the utmost importance." His blue eyes twinkled as they peered over his half-moon spectacles.
"With all due respect, sir," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "I wasn’t exactly safe at the Dursleys either."
He frowned at that but didn’t press further, something in my words making him pause. I left the meeting feeling both victorious and slightly unnerved. Was Dumbledore really that worried about me staying with Sirius and Marlene? Or was it something else?
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Later that Evening – Gryffindor Common Room
I met up with Hermione, Ron, Neville, Daphne, and Tracey by the fire and told them about the conversation with Dumbledore.
"I don't understand why he's so concerned," I said, sinking into one of the armchairs. "Sirius is my godfather. Why wouldn't I be safe with him?"
Hermione, ever the logical one, tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Maybe Dumbledore's worried about what happened with... well, you know... Voldemort."
Ron winced but said, "Still, mate, I'd pick Sirius over the Dursleys any day. It’s family."
Daphne, with her usual calm and slightly detached demeanor, added, "Old family magic can sometimes complicate things. The Black family—Sirius, I mean—is powerful, and there could be ancient wards or expectations Dumbledore might be concerned about. But you're Harry Potter; no one’s going to let anything happen to you."
"Yeah, and besides," Neville said with a small smile, "you deserve a proper Christmas."
Tracey leaned back in her chair, smirking. "I’m more interested in this Ministry Yule Ball Sirius mentioned. What’s that about?"
I groaned. "That’s the part I’m dreading. Apparently, it’s some big fancy event, and Sirius thinks it’ll be ‘fun’ for me to attend. I hate dressing up like that."
Ron chuckled. "I can’t wait to see you in those fancy dress robes."
Hermione gave him a stern look. "It's not about the clothes, Ron. It’s a big deal for Harry. You’ll be representing the Black family, right?"
I nodded, still feeling uneasy about it. "Yeah, Sirius mentioned that. I don’t even know what I’m supposed to do. I’m rubbish with all that formal stuff."
"Just be yourself, Harry," Daphne said, surprising me. "That’s all anyone can ask."
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The Train Ride
The Hogwarts Express was as lively as ever as we boarded for the trip home. Most students were excited about the holidays, but my thoughts were preoccupied with the idea of spending Christmas with Sirius and his family.
On the train, I sat with Ron and Hermione, as usual, but Daphne and Tracey popped by, along with Neville and Susan Bones. Our little group had become something of a fixture now. It was nice to have friends from other houses.
"Are you nervous about the ball?" Hermione asked.
I sighed. "A bit. It just feels... strange, you know? I barely know Sirius and Marlene, and now I’m supposed to be paraded in front of the entire Ministry? Feels like I’m pretending to be someone I’m not."
Ron patted me on the back. "You’ll be fine, mate. If anyone gives you trouble, just remember what the twins always say—pranks solve everything."
We all laughed, though Hermione looked like she might object. The rest of the train ride passed with more light-hearted conversation, the tension of exams finally leaving us as we chatted about our plans for the holidays.
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Alex’s POV
While Harry was off dreading his Ministry Yule Ball, I had other things on my mind. I wasn’t going home for the holidays—I had too much to do. For one thing, there were the shrinking trunks I had acquired from the Room of Hidden Things. I had collected a fortune’s worth of artifacts, old magical items, and ancient books, all packed neatly into those trunks. My plan was to discreetly sell them, funneling the gold into my own projects.
I had also taken it upon myself to continue my magical studies, diving deeper into the Ravenclaw library. The more knowledge I could gain, the stronger I could become. Strength was necessary—not just for my own survival but for what was coming. This world wasn’t just about Voldemort; there were bigger threats on the horizon, and if the wizarding world wanted to survive, they would need people who could lead and fight.
The Room of Hidden Things had been particularly useful in finding old, lost magic. I spent hours experimenting with spells I had never seen before, some of which were ancient and potentially dangerous.
The Time-Turner I had found—while only a prototype—had proved useful in giving me extra hours to complete tasks, study, and prepare for what lay ahead. I kept a close watch on certain events, using the house-elves to keep track of important figures like the Starks, ensuring they were well-protected.
I knew the Philosopher’s Stone I had hidden away at home was genuine; now it was only a matter of figuring out how best to use it.
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Harry’s POV – Arrival at Sirius and Marlene’s
Stepping into the Black family estate felt like walking into a whole new world. The house was grand but welcoming, filled with the warmth of a family I had never known I could have. Sirius greeted me with a wide grin, and Marlene pulled me into a tight hug.
"Welcome home, Harry," she said, and for the first time in my life, I believed it.
I wasn’t just a boy living under someone else’s roof—I was family.
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The winter break was shaping up to be unforgettable.
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End of Chapter