Coming out of Grimmauld Place No. 12, it's the streets of London. Vid reached out to hail a taxi, and Lupin helped him open the car door.
"Are you sure you don't need me to see you off?"
Holding onto the car door, Lupin asked.
"No need." Vid said, "There's a lot to handle after the funeral! I can go back by myself."
"Alright... Be careful on the road." Lupin said.
"Don't worry."
The Magic Wand peeked out a bit from Vid's sleeve, then retracted.
With his abilities, even without the Magic Wand, it's hard for ordinary people to harm him unless they launch a surprise attack.
"Stop worrying, Remus!"
Sirius pushed Lupin aside and leaned over to Vid to say, "Stay home for a few days then come over. It's inconvenient to practice Magic at home, right? You're always welcome here, you can read any book in the study."
Vid smiled, "Thanks. The books I brought this time are enough to last a while."
Everyone knew that at home, using Magic would be restricted, and several people had invited him over for the holidays.
Steven and Professor Morry, Sirius, Lupin, Harry, Michael, Theo had all mentioned it, even Machioni invited him several times, with an intensity that made Vid suspect that if he refused again, Machioni might cry.
Vid had already made plans for a fulfilling holiday.
The taxi slowly accelerated, considering the snow on the road, the pace was not fast. Through the window, Vid could see the figures of those two gradually receding.
He smiled, turned back, and felt a very special sense of accomplishment.
In the original plot, Sirius was still locked in Azkaban at this time, and it would be over half a year before he escaped and lurked around Hogwarts, living off rats.
And Lupin was wandering impoverished until he heard news of Sirius's escape and returned to the school he had been away from for long.
Witnessing firsthand how he had changed others' destinies little by little, this sense of achievement and fulfillment even surpassed the moments he saw thousands of Galleons fall into his vault.
…
On Christmas morning, Vid woke from a dream to hear chattering sounds.
He opened the curtains and saw several gray sparrows hopping outside the window, pecking at the millet and seeds spilled on the windowsill.
Vid smiled, pointed his Magic Wand at his heart, recited a Spell as usual, then put on the thick plush pajamas and got out of bed.
A large pile of gifts was already stacked at his bedside, Vid took out an art knife and started opening the presents.
New electronic toys, books, Quills, candies, clothes and hats, Magic Wand maintenance oil, Alchemy Tools...
Vid unpacked enthusiastically.
The gifts to some extent also reflect what others think of him.
Some thought he was still a child who likes toys, some gave a perfunctory gift, and some gifts were clearly thoughtfully selected and carefully prepared.
Halfway through, Vid suddenly heard a scream from his parents' bedroom that couldn't be identified as surprise or fright, he immediately ran over.
As soon as he entered, Fiona hugged him tightly.
"Oh my, is this my gift? Is this the Magic Pet you made?"
Fiona exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes." Vid asked, "Do you like it?"
"Of course, it's so surprising! It's the best gift I've received!" Fiona announced happily.
Ferdinand raised an eyebrow, "Darling, isn't the best gift my engagement ring?"
"How can that be the same, Ferdi~"
Fiona turned to kiss her husband's face, watching his feigned displeasure instantly vanish.
Then the couple went together to see Vid's gift.
What he gave Fiona was a large box half a person's height, which, when opened, revealed a replica dollhouse like those little girls love, complete with three palm-sized dolls inside.
Initially, Fiona thought Vid had made a mistake, believing this was intended for another girl, but while examining it, she saw the little figures inside suddenly start moving.
This is what prompted the earlier scream.
Vid introduced his gift to his mother.
"There's Coco, Ali, and Reina. They can guard, remind you of the time, and clean. If you're bored, they can chat with you."
"Hello, beautiful lady," Reina lifted her small skirt and curtsied, saying softly, "Sorry it startled you."
Ali took off his hat and bowed, while Coco directly ran over to hug Fiona's finger, saying gently, "Are you okay? I can sing for you."
"How cute—"
Fiona was charmed, smiling broadly.
Her pet hamster had recently entered old age and was gradually reducing its activity, eating much less. Although Fiona had always known hamsters live short lives, she was often saddened by it.
The three little dolls quickly dispelled this sadness.
They were all meticulously selected by Vid, diligent, capable, gentle, kind-hearted, and good at conversation, quickly capturing the hostess's attention and earning her constant praise.
Ferdinand suddenly felt a sense of crisis.
He looked at his son, and asked suggestively, "Aren't your Magic Pets all in animal form?"
Vid said, "Mostly they are, but humanoid ones are more flexible."
Ferdinand pondered for a good while, then gently suggested, "…They talk a bit much."
Vid helplessly looked at his father, saying, "When they're busy, they won't chat."
Ferdinand promptly found an excuse and sent the three dolls to clean the attic.
The Gray family's attic was used less than twice a year and was full of clutter, which the three little guys would probably take one or two weeks to sort through.
Then Ferdinand contentedly opened Vid's gift to him.
"—Beetles?"
Several beetles with different colors quietly lay in a transparent box, although their colors were as beautiful as gems, the slender antennae and three pairs of curved legs clearly identifiable as beetles.
Vid tapped the box, and the beetles curled up, nearly indistinguishable from gemstones.
"You can wear them as cufflinks," Vid said, "They'll be quiet most of the time, but when danger arises, they can protect you."
"This one can spray gas to make the enemy dizzy."
"This one, when it bites the enemy, causes severe pain."
"This one will make you itch all over."
"This one is the most dangerous."
Vid pointed to the last black beetle, saying:
"It carries deadly poison, so don't use it lightly. If accidentally used, you have to squeeze the green liquid from its rear was the antidote, which must be taken within three minutes."
Ferdinand was silent for a while, then asked, "Vid, is Magic School that dangerous?"
"No," Vid said, "I'm just afraid you might encounter danger when I'm not around."
Ferdinand patted his shoulder, feeling both gratified and saddened.
He was acutely aware that he had shifted from being his son's protector and guide to a role in need of protection.
At least in Vid's mind, that's how it was.