Rai_jin
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#57 WSWW
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 16:01:12 +0000 UTCTed received the mission of social embarrassment, but he didn’t expect he’d have to gather the props himself.
Just like the greedy merchants in Diagon Alley, always making you pay for everything!
Ted was about to get up and prepare his "Santa Claus outfit" when he noticed a pile of gift boxes at the foot of his bed.
"Ah, the system distracted me, and I almost forgot about Christmas presents."
He picked up the first one, which turned out to be from Ron’s mother, Molly Weasley.
Ron had written home about Ted and Jerry before, and Molly, being the warm-hearted woman she was, had immediately taken them under her wing.
She even invited them to visit over the holidays.
Ted hadn’t expected a gift from her, though.
Opening the package, he found a cozy white-striped sweater with a big "T" embroidered on the front.
Trying it on, he found it fit perfectly and was wonderfully warm.
"Thanks, Mrs. Weasley." he muttered with a small smile gracing his lips.
Later, he learned that she had also knitted Jerry a sweater—yellow-striped, with a big "J."
As for Harley and Neville, she had gifted them a large box of homemade fudge.
Judging by Harley’s later reaction, the taste was apparently… quite an experience.
Coincidentally, Ron’s present to Ted was his mother’s homemade toffee.
Poor kids really have to stick together!
Despite being distracted by Ravenclaw’s legacy over the past few days, Ted had still managed to get gifts for his friends.
Anzu had flown back and forth so many times that he was practically skin and feathers now.
Ted had given Ron a box filled with an assortment of Muggle candies—over twenty kinds, from gummy worms to fruit drops.
He was sure Ron had never tasted half of them.
For the notorious pranksters, Fred and George, he got a Muggle joke book, something he figured they’d appreciate.
Ted continued opening his gifts, quickly covering his bed in wrapping paper:
—Neville had sent him a book from the Longbottom family library: "Legends of Wizards in the 16th Century," a collection of stories about legendary witches and wizards.
—Ironically, Ted had given Neville a book as well—one he had written himself: "Braveheart." The story followed a blacksmith named Wallace, who, after his wife was unjustly persecuted by a lord, led a rebellion against tyranny before meeting a tragic but heroic end.
He had even written a note on the title page: "People become brave when they have something to protect."
What Ted didn’t know was that after reading the book, Neville had been so moved that he cried.
His grandmother, Augusta Longbottom, upon seeing the handwritten manuscript, had nodded approvingly and said,
"I must meet this child someday."
—Hermione’s gift was a magical, self-refilling fountain pen.
Ted chuckled as he turned the sapphire-blue pen in his hands.
No wonder Hermione had been acting suspiciously before the holiday.
She must have spent ages figuring out how to enchant a pen properly.
Right before the break, they had all signed the Ministry of Magic’s "Regulations Prohibiting Underage Magic During Holidays."
Once signed, their wands would be monitored, making it impossible to cast spells without the Ministry noticing.
Later, when Ron found out Hermione had given Ted a pen for Christmas, he had been utterly baffled.
"Ted, don’t be upset. I’m sure Hermione didn’t mean to give you such a lame gift."
Hermione, overhearing this, instantly bristled.
"Don’t talk nonsense, Ron! That pen is amazing! And besides, Ted doesn’t even like candy!"
In truth, Hermione had given candy to everyone else—Harley got a big box of Chocolate Frogs, Ron a licorice wand, Neville a Chocolate Cauldron Cake, and Jerry some Super Bubblegum.
Ted’s gift to Hermione, however, was something special: a small book containing the details of a spell he had "created"—Arcane Intellect.
What better present for Hermione than a spell that enhances intelligence?
—Harley’s gift was a book titled "The Encyclopedia of Hexes," supposedly from the Black family’s collection. It had once been a favorite of Sirius Black’s—back when he used it to prank(bully) Snape.
—Ted had given Harley something a little more practical: a magical alarm clock. A mechanical, brass-cased wind-up clock he had bought for three pounds, enchanted to dodge any incoming objects when it rang.
Ted had heard that Harley had a bit of a problem with oversleeping…
—Jerry’s gift to Ted was a thick winter cloak, apparently hand-stitched by his mother.
—Ted’s gift in return? A massive wheel of Italian cheese—about the size of a human head!
—Mr. Jiggers had even sent a gift: a book titled "Potion Tips." Ted also received "Wizarding Adventures" from Old Tom at the Leaky Cauldron.
Ted was pleasantly surprised.
The fact that even Mr. Jiggers and Old Tom had taken the time to send him a gift meant he had made quite the impression.
As a thank-you, Ted sent Mr. Jiggers a homemade bottle of anti-itch potion, along with a heartfelt letter expressing his gratitude for his guidance in potions.
—Because without it, Snape would have tormented him to no end!
For Old Tom, Ted had picked out a small bottle of high-proof whiskey.
Hopefully, the old barkeep wouldn’t drink it all in one sitting.
Additionally, he sent Old Tom’s granddaughter, Hannah Abbott, a blue quill as a small token.
But what truly shocked Ted was the sight of another present.
It was from Professor McGonagall.
And there were two items inside—a brand-new set of wizarding robes.
Ted glanced down at his second-hand clothes, sighing at the visible wear and tear.
He had intentionally picked a larger size when he got them, but somehow, they were already feeling snug.
"Guess I’ve been growing faster than I thought."
Along with the robes, there was another book—"Quidditch: Technical Analysis"?
Ted tilted his head.
Maybe McGonagall had noticed his flying skills and was trying to encourage a love for Quidditch?
If so, that was going to be a bit of a disappointment.
Besides, Quidditch wasn’t exactly on his priority list.
Still, he appreciated her kindness.
She had taken him in from the orphanage, and he hadn’t forgotten that.
To show his gratitude, he had prepared a gift—a beige wool scarf, simple but warm.
He had also, for a brief and rather mischievous moment, considered giving her a cardboard box.
Maybe she would find it amusing?
Then again, he didn’t want to risk being transfigured into an animal and sent to the Forbidden Forest for detention.
For his head of house, he found a Muggle flea market monocle with a silver chain—something quirky yet dignified.
He even gave Snape a present, though he had no idea if the man would even acknowledge it.
Beyond that, Ted had sent £50 to the orphanage through Anzu, which left a significant dent in his pocket money.
"You’d think Ravenclaw’s legacy could’ve included a bit of gold or treasure," he muttered to himself.
After finishing up the gifts, he realized it was already close to nine.
Time to get his Christmas costume ready.
If you needed something at Hogwarts, the best place to go was the kitchens. The house-elves could find anything.
Ted strolled in and called out, "Excuse me, could any fine gentleman assist me with something?"
No sooner had he spoken than five or six elves turned their heads toward him.
Before he could even finish his sentence, he was surrounded by a crowd of them.
"Me! Me, sir!"
"I’ll do it! Let me help!"
"Monsieur Epifani, I can find anything you need! Anything!"
"I can find it twice as fast!"
Ted blinked, taken aback by the enthusiasm.
"Whoa, no need to fight over it! It’s nothing weird, I promise. I just need a Santa Claus outfit—clothes, hat, and a beard
—to spread some festive cheer in the castle. It is Christmas, after all."
Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he smacked his forehead.
"Oh! Almost forgot! I brought you all a gift—Muggle candies in different flavors. Give them a try!"
The moment the elves heard "Christmas gift" and "Muggle candy," their huge eyes began to shimmer with unshed tears.
"Oh no, don’t cry! Please! Just try the candy first!" Ted begged, frantically waving his hands.
Within moments, the kitchen erupted in cheerful chaos, and before long, Ted had his Christmas suit.
It wasn’t perfect, but nothing a little shapeshifting magic couldn’t fix.
By noon, as the Christmas banquet was about to begin, the students staying at Hogwarts found an unexpected sight beneath the largest Christmas tree in the Great Hall.
A man in a red coat trimmed with white fur, a matching hat, and a fluffy beard stood there, holding a shiny black raven that sat perched on his arm.
One of the Muggle-born students gasped. "Santa Claus?!"
Santa Claus, a figure from modern folklore, wasn’t exactly common knowledge in the wizarding world.
Most pure-bloods had no idea who he was. They didn’t even recognize the name!
So, of course, they found it fascinating.
However, Ron and Jerry exchanged knowing glances, quickly spotting Ansu.
Ron: "What is Ted up to now?"
Jerry: "No clue. But I bet it’s gonna be fun."
Ted, fully embracing the role, picked up a guitar and began playing.
The first song was a classic Christmas carol—"Jingle Bells."
His lively performance had the whole hall clapping along, and by the time he finished, a wave of cheers and applause rang through the air.
Not content with just one song, Ted grinned mischievously and switched to another tune, a much more upbeat one—"Jingle Bell Rock."
As expected, Christmas at Hogwarts had never been livelier.
