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Guess the person at the end of the chapter? And the reason for visit?
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Chapter 32 — End of First Year
Before leaving Diagon Alley, I went to the Eeylops Owl Emporium. I had to have an owl to contact my friends from Hogwarts during the holidays.
As soon as I entered the shop, every owl and animal looked towards me in unison. I liked animals so my head hurt when it came to choosing one among so many adorable and majestic creatures. But one owl seemed a little different among them.
He was an eagle owl that had just reached adulthood. His feathers were brown with black patches, and he had thin streaks of red around his wings. He looked alert, strong and majestic. I liked him the moment I saw him. So I bought him along with its perch and other necessities.
I named him Drein, which meant "a druid's bird." The name sounded suitable for my situation. I told him the name, and he blinked slowly as if accepting it. We were bonded just like that. After bonding with Drein, I let him fly. The shopkeeper had said that he would find me easily once the bond formed. I trusted him as I could also feel a resonance betweenmy soul and Drein. He circled once above the Alley and disappeared into the sky.
I also bought a few items for Christmas. Some were from the Alley and some from markets in the muggles world. I hoped they would make good gifts.
It was already evening when I returned home. The sky still held a little colour, but most of the light had turned soft and faint. I felt tired but was happy for the new knowledge and companion gained. I had spent the whole journey thinking about my conversation with Ragnok.
On the way home, I thought about everything Ragnok had said. His words clicked with me more than I expected. The more I thought about them, the more clear my thoughts became. And many previous informations clicked together.
Now I wanted to celebrate Christmas as we always do but I also wanted to bring Yule into our home. I would keep the old ways where possible while keeping in my mind our family's circumstances.
The house smelled of dinner before I even walked through the front door. Dad looked up from the table, already home from work. Mum smiled warmly. Harry and Dudley ran in from the living room and we were soon having fun.
During dinner, Mom and Dad asked about my visit to the Alley. I told them everything, starting with my gifts, then the owl, and finally the conversation with Ragnok. They listened closely. Dad tried to look calm, but his chewing slowed down.
I explained about the old festivals, Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Beltane and the others, and they both sat a little straighter. I also told them about the connection between different civilizations in the way they celebrate similar things around the world.
When I finished, Mum had a thoughtful look on her face. Dad leaned back, sighing, as if a weight had lifted from his back, and he said, "Well that is much more logical and easier to accept than all the freakish magic thingy."
He waved his fork as he talked about magic. It seemed like he had not yet come to terms about being father of two, or rather three, young wizards.
I could not hold back a laugh. Harry and Dudley laughed too. Mum tried to hide her smile but failed. Dad looked confused for a moment, then laughed because all of us were laughing. The tension in the room disappeared.
After dinner, I introduced Drein properly. He had returned earlier and waited on the windowsill as if he knew this was his new home. Brigid, our cat, approached him slowly. I watched carefully in case she reacted badly, but she sniffed him once and then rubbed her head against his wing. Drein stayed calm and let her. Then both of their heads rubbed against each other. They were like old friends within minutes.
Harry and Dudley stared at Drein in amazement. Dudley asked, "Are owls supposed to be that big? It is more like an eagle " I shrugged and said, "He is an eagle owl." Drein hooted proudly as if he enjoyed being admired.
--
The holidays passed peacefully. We celebrated Yule in a simple way, but it still felt meaningful. We lit candles and kept a quiet hour together. I could feel magic and the world aligning with the celebration and it soothed me to the core. We also celebrated Christmas as always, with decorations and warm food and cheerful noise. Dad tried to understand the idea of Yule and asked many questions. Some sounded serious, others sounded like he was trying not to mix up the customs. Mum handled the practical parts. Harry and Dudley enjoyed both celebrations without any concern for the differences.
I sent small gifts to my friends with the help of Drein. He carried them easily. Each time he returned, he landed neatly on his perch and gave a soft hoot as if reporting his success.
Aunt Marjorie came again on Christmas Eve. She entered the house with her usual confidence, but her eyes widened when she saw the garden.
"Petunia," she said, "why is your Christmas tree outside? And why is it… planted?"
Dad spoke before Mum panicked. "The children wanted it. Something about keeping it alive."
Aunt Marge stared at him for a long moment. Then she nodded. "Oh Lord, Children have strange ideas these days," she said. Luckily, she did not question it further.
Her dogs behaved very well this time. They came to me, sniffed my hands, and sat beside me calmly. They were good to even Dudley and Harry. Aunt Marge raised an eyebrow in surprise seeing this.
I knew the dogs reacted differently because the environment in our home was peaceful now. I suspected that the dogs, as described in books in my past life, had sensed both the Dursleys' anger, hatred and the Horcrux on Harry. Animals were sensitive to danger, so their behaviour back then made more sense. But now, that filth was gone, along with the lingering darkness in the house.
Aunt Marge stayed only two days, then left in her usual hurry.
--
In what felt like a blink, the holidays ended. I boarded the Hogwarts Express again. The train ride felt familiar and warm. I sat with my friends and exchanged greetings for Christmas and the New Year.
When I wished "Happy Yule" to some of the wizard-born students, they looked surprised. Some blinked twice before answering, but they all replied with polite smiles. Even Slytherins smiled when answering. One boy said, "My grandfather celebrates Yule too. Not many do it these days. People just hold Yule balls."
Back at Hogwarts, school life restarted quickly. The days moved fast. Classes filled the weeks, and the castle felt normal again. The months passed quietly, without major surprises. When exams came, I did very well. I ranked in the top five students of the year, even when I had held back a bit.
My friends also performed well but I was the top among the first year Hufflepuffs. It put me in more spotlight than I wanted.
At the end of the term, I bid goodbye to my friends and professors and went home. I reached my house that night. Harry and Dudley were waiting at the door, too excited to hide it. Even Brigid jumped into my arms as if she had been missing me the most. I gave her a long cuddle until she purred loudly.
I kept Drein's perch near the window. I never used a cage for him. I wanted him to come and go freely, and he seemed happy with that arrangement.
After two peaceful days at home, I received a letter. The handwriting was neat but quick. It gave an address, a date, and a time. I had expected it because I had planned this visit while at school. I told Mum I would be visiting a friend. She asked a few questions but trusted me.
The address was in southern England, not far from Surrey. It was a quiet area with simple houses. I walked through the neighbourhood until I reached the right door. I took a breath and knocked.
At once I heard tripping and fumbling from inside, followed by a muffled "I'm fine!".
The door was opened by a girl about fifteen or sixteen. She smiled brightly when she saw me and as she moved, her hair shifted colours until it turned pink and blue.
End of Chapter 32 — End of First Year