Chapter 165: Adoption Order

Receiving and sending gifts is the most important thing on Christmas Eve.

At this point, no one at Hogwarts could pay attention in class anymore; even Hermione excitedly miswrote “wizard ukulele” as “Eureka.”

Hagrid carried his fir tree into the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick had just finished their task of decorating for Christmas and were about to leave.

“Ah, Hagrid, the last tree’s in—could you put it over in that corner for now?”

The Great Hall looked magnificent. Ivy and mistletoe garlands hung from the walls, and twelve towering Christmas trees stood all around, some adorned with glittering icicles, others flickering with hundreds of candles.

“How many days until break?” Hagrid asked.

“One.”

Hermione, beside Wizard Sean, answered.

At that moment, Wizard Sean was silently placing a parcel onto his owl’s talons, watching it swiftly fly away.

Wizard Sean began to wonder whether he should give it a name.

Before dawn tomorrow, wizards will deliver all their gifts, for the paths of longing are always long.

But wizards won’t begin opening their presents until Christmas Day.

It’s a small tradition, too.

Wizard Sean needed just one more Apprentice-level alchemical creation to unlock the entry-level alchemist title, so for much of the day, he pondered what animal he should choose for the final one.

Justin and Hermione were also leaving that afternoon; they had spent a full week trying—and failing—to convince Wizard Sean to spend Christmas at their homes.

Ron had also wanted to do the same after hearing some news, but unfortunately, he couldn’t return either—his parents had decided to visit his brother Charlie, who worked in Romania.

Harry, of course, was no different; he likely wished to stay in Hogwarts Castle forever, just like Wizard Sean.

The list of students staying over Christmas had been finalized in the second week of December, so the young wizards already knew—who could receive gifts in person, and who couldn’t.

So when Wizard Sean entered the Great Hall, his seat already held several new items.

Though he didn’t know who had sent them, he carefully carried them to his dormitory and meticulously checked every name, ensuring he would send proper replies.

As Wizard Sean counted names in the Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle erupted in chaos.

“Hurry up, Sir!”

The Fat Lady looked large, but she was the fastest runner among all the portraits.

“Madam—Madam—”

Sir Cadogan couldn’t catch up.

“Fat woman! You’re suddenly this fast now?”

Madame Violet, holding up her white underskirt, whispered urgently.

“On such an important occasion, even if I only run once in my life, I must use it for this!”

The Fat Lady had already passed through the third portrait frame on the second-floor corridor, while Sir Cadogan and Madame Violet were still at the first.

“Madam, how many times have you said that?”

Sir Cadogan asked, puzzled.

“It’s a metaphor! Oh, really—wooden head!”

The Fat Lady’s voice grew fainter and fainter.

Below their staircase lay the Great Hall, its walls hung with garlands of ivy and mistletoe.

Wizard Sean read the signatures on several letters but still couldn’t find…

For some reason, he picked up the letter from Mrs. Roland Tera—the kind old grandmother’s daughter:

【No matter whether your great event arrives…】

Though the staff table was empty—even Headmaster Dumbledore was gone—the Great Hall buzzed again at lunchtime.

Before leaving, Hermione received a package from Professor Flitwick; though she didn’t know what was inside, it was surely something like notes or a quill.

Justin received a package from Professor Sprout; he laughed, saying he probably had a new recipe coming.

Of course, no one received a package from Professor Snape; the young wizards even doubted whether Professor Snape would send Christmas gifts at all.

As Wizard Sean ate in the Great Hall, snow melted on the windows, turning into glistening transparency.

He walked beneath the silk drapes of the Hogwarts Great Hall, breathing in crisp, cold air.

Hogwarts had given him so much—what more could he possibly hope for?

“Magic… is the greatest gift…”

His eyes sparkled.

Yet as he placed all the letters in his dormitory, an owl suddenly crashed through the right window.

Shards scattered across the floor; Wizard Sean froze, for the left window was open.

Ten minutes earlier. Outside, the snow-covered Scottish Highlands cast the castle in a fairy-tale glow.

Inside the Headmaster’s office, warmth filled the room as a golden-red fire blazed in the hearth.

Albus Dumbledore stood across from several others, his blue eyes behind half-moon spectacles glowing with gentleness and cunning.

Beside him, Professor Filius Flitwick stood atop a stack of thick books, visibly excited, while Professor Pomona Sprout held a pot of snowdrops, now in full, lush bloom.

Even the portraits in the office, including Headmaster Black, remained silent, for beside him stood blurry-eyed ladies and knights clutching miniature horses.

An owl flew steadily into view, growing smaller until it reached Ravenclaw Tower and smashed through Wizard Sean’s window.

“Reparo. (Restore to original condition.)”

Wizard Sean had just repaired the window and was about to deal with the strange owl, when it stood tall and proud, pointing its talon at the desk as if it meant to indicate the letter—only its head had been dazed by the collision.

Curious, Wizard Sean picked up the thick letter—and at a single glance, he was utterly frozen:

【Issued jointly by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic】

【Special Adoption Order】

Two lines of gilded text, pulsing with magic, compelled Wizard Sean to keep reading:

【We formally notify Mr. Wizard Sean Green:】

【Whereas:】

Wizard Sean Green meets the exceptions under the International Statute of Secrecy (revised) and the Minor Wizard Protection Act (revised).

【Whereas further:】

Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of Gryffindor House; and Professor Severus Snape, Potions Master of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of Slytherin House,

Have jointly expressed their firm willingness to assume the sacred duties of raising, educating, and protecting.

【It is hereby decided:】

On Christmas Day of this year, in the Headmaster’s Office of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, under the presiding authority of Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, witnessed by Professors Filius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout, a formal adoption ceremony shall be held.

The final establishment of this adoption and its relationship shall abide by the following core provisions:

The adoptee, Wizard Sean Green, possesses the inalienable right to freely choose. He must, in full consciousness and complete understanding of the adoption’s meaning, clearly express “consent” or “refusal” based on his true will.

If he consents, the adoption relationship shall take effect immediately upon completion of the ceremony.

Professor McGonagall and Professor Snape shall become his legal guardians and family, entitled to all rights and bearing all responsibilities of legal guardianship. He shall gain a permanent home, with his physical safety and emotional growth under the strictest protection.

If he refuses, this adoption order shall be immediately void. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic shall arrange an appropriate placement for him and ensure his welfare and magical education remain unaffected.

His presence or absence shall determine whether the ceremony takes place.

Therefore, notice is hereby given:

Location: Headmaster’s Office, Hogwarts Castle

Time: On Christmas Day】

“Oh—my goodness—”

The Fat Lady’s scream from Ravenclaw Tower was silenced by Madame Violet, who quickly glanced at the silent young wizard nearby.

She angrily shoved an apple into the Fat Lady’s mouth.

Sir Cadogan, clutching his miniature horse, wept softly:

“Yes, they’ve done it—this is the moment that decides fate. But even the cold wind of fate must sometimes blow warm seeds my way, don’t you think?”