Chapter 292: The Longbottom Family and Christmas Gathering
Just as Harry struggled frantically, wondering how Aiden's seemingly delicate frame could possess such overwhelming strength, the distinctive sound of knuckles rapping against wood echoed through Grimmauld Place. Sirius, who had been lounging on the worn velvet sofa watching the two wrestle with obvious amusement, instantly straightened and drew his wand with practised efficiency.
He pressed a finger to his lips, signalling for absolute silence, then approached the heavy front door with the cautious movements of someone who had survived too many surprise attacks to take any chances.
Aiden had sensed the visitors' approach long before they knocked, but seeing an opportunity to make his usually unflappable companion experience genuine anxiety for once, he deliberately remained silent, his lips curved in the faintest hint of mischief.
The ancient hinges creaked as Sirius opened the door, revealing two familiar faces that made his entire expression transform with joy.
"Frank! Alice!" Sirius exclaimed, immediately embracing the couple with the enthusiasm of someone greeting family members returned from the dead.
"How... I heard you were..." Sirius caught himself mid-sentence, realising the impropriety of his words, his face flushing with embarrassment.
"My mother insisted we should thank the Prewett heir properly," Frank explained with a warm smile, lifting the elegantly wrapped package in his hands. "Hearing he's staying here, we brought gifts and hoped to pay our respects in person."
"Come in quickly, please," Sirius urged, stepping aside and ushering them into the warmth of the house, away from London's biting winter air.
Inside the newly renovated interior, the sound of approaching guests caused Aiden to instantly transform his posture from casual sprawl to dignified composure. The dramatic change was so complete and sudden that Harry's eyes widened in genuine surprise, his mouth falling slightly open.
After all, having received extensive training in proper wizarding etiquette from Lady Rowena during his time at Hogwarts, Aiden could display the refined bearing expected of an heir to one of the most ancient magical families when circumstances required such formality.
"Good evening, Mr and Mrs Longbottom," Aiden said, offering them a perfect bow that would have made his etiquette instructors proud.
"Please, there's no need for such formality," Frank replied with genuine warmth, carefully placing his packages on the polished oak table. "We should be the ones expressing our deepest gratitude for your extraordinary assistance."
Harry found himself irresistibly drawn toward the mysterious gifts, but Sirius intercepted him with movements even more eager than the teenager's curious advance.
"Today's visit is perhaps somewhat presumptuous," Frank continued, touching the brim of his hat with unconscious nervousness, "but being able to see our benefactor's face in person is already more than sufficient reward. I believe we should take our leave now."
"Wait just a moment, Frank," Sirius interjected quickly, his voice carrying hopeful enthusiasm. "Since you've already made the journey here, why not stay and spend Christmas with us? It would mean a great deal to have you here."
"But Neville and my mother are still waiting at home," Frank replied, his expression showing genuine conflict between politeness and family obligation.
"Then I'll fetch them myself," Aiden announced, rising gracefully to his feet with fluid movements that seemed to defy ordinary human limitations.
After exchanging a meaningful glance with his wife, Frank's face brightened with genuine pleasure. "That would be wonderfully generous of you."
"My home is located at..." Frank began, but Aiden was already sensing the location through the subtle ripples in the collective unconscious sea that connected all magical minds.
"It's perfectly fine; I already know the way," Aiden replied with casual confidence, then vanished from the room in a barely perceptible flicker of displaced air.
"What in Merlin's name was that?" Frank asked, blinking at the spot where Aiden had been standing just moments before.
"Most likely a highly skilled Legilimens," Alice answered thoughtfully, her healer's training making her more familiar with such rare magical abilities.
At the cosy Longbottom residence in Godric's Hollow, Aiden materialised silently at the front door and knocked with polite restraint. The immediate sound of excited footsteps racing across wooden floors came from within the house.
"Aiden!" Neville burst through the door, his face absolutely radiant with delight at this unexpected visit from his friend and mentor.
"Hello, Neville. Is your grandmother available? I'm here to escort you both to Grimmauld Place for Christmas celebrations. Your parents have already given their enthusiastic approval," Aiden explained with a conspiratorial wink.
"Oh, this is absolutely wonderful news! Grandma!" Neville called out as he practically bounced back into the house, his voice echoing through the comfortable rooms.
After several minutes, an elegantly dressed elderly woman wearing her signature vulture-topped hat emerged alongside a beaming Neville.
"I do apologise for any inconvenience, Mr Prewett," Mrs Longbottom said with the gracious dignity of old magical nobility, though her eyes sparkled with genuine warmth.
"Not inconvenient in the slightest. Neville and I are close friends, so please don't feel any need for such formality," Aiden replied with sincere friendliness.
He gently took hold of both their arms and Apparated them directly to Grimmauld Place with the smooth precision of an expert.
By pure coincidence, the Weasley family, who had spent the afternoon shopping for Christmas feast supplies in Muggle London, arrived at the square at precisely the same moment, their arms laden with bags and packages.
"Aunt Molly!" Aiden called out cheerfully, and the entire expanded group entered Grimmauld Place together, filling the normally quiet house with laughter and animated conversation.
The historically gloomy Grimmauld Place found itself unexpectedly hosting its most heartwarming and joyful moment in decades. Sirius had spent hours decorating the ancient house with countless Christmas ornaments that twinkled with magical light, transforming the oppressive atmosphere into something approaching festive cheer.
The Longbottom couple had brought a magnificently huge Christmas tree that completely covered the offensive Black family tapestry, its pine scent filling the air with holiday magic.
Arthur distributed colourful Christmas hats to everyone present, then, with characteristic enthusiasm, he stuffed the remaining hats onto the heads of the preserved house-elves mounted on the walls, creating a bizarrely cheerful gallery of decorated creatures.
This place, which had held nothing but Sirius's painful childhood memories for so many years, now offered him the precious gift of genuine familial warmth and belonging.
As evening settled over London, everyone gathered in the Black family dining room, which Aiden had thoughtfully expanded using an Undetectable Extension Charm to accommodate their enlarged party comfortably.
"Allow me to say a few words," Sirius announced, standing up with his wine glass raised high, his voice thick with emotion.
"My godson has given me the gift of family once again. To Harry!"
"To Harry!" came the enthusiastic chorus from around the table.
Mrs Weasley waved her wand with practised efficiency, and an incredible array of delicious dishes automatically filled every inch of the long dining table. Perfectly roasted turkey emitted the most enticing aroma, while pumpkin pies were stacked impressively high, accompanied by various magical candies and festive beverages that sparkled with enchantment.
The Weasley family clustered together in animated high spirits, their red hair catching the warm candlelight like flames. Ron excitedly discussed innovative new Quidditch tactics with Harry, gesturing wildly as he described complex aerial manoeuvres, while Hermione watched her two dearest friends with obvious happiness radiating from her face.
Arthur engaged Sirius in fascinating conversation about his adventures shopping in the Muggle world that day, their shared laughter echoing warmly through the grand hall and bouncing off the ancient stone walls.
The Longbottom family sat nearby, forming their own island of contentment. Neville was no longer the timid, frightened boy who had once cowered from his own shadow. He wore a confident smile that transformed his entire appearance, enthusiastically discussing recent discoveries in advanced Herbology with his grandmother. Alice Longbottom gazed at her son with tender pride, her eyes reflecting years of recovered love and hope.
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill of the magnificent feast, Mrs Weasley ceremoniously brought out the Christmas gifts she had lovingly knitted by hand throughout the autumn months.
Ron received a brand new sweater embroidered with his initials in gold thread. He pulled on the sweater with an expression of fond helplessness, accepting this annual tradition with good grace despite his mock protests.
Hermione and Harry received wonderfully warm scarves that felt like gentle hugs around their necks. They both understood that these handmade gifts represented Mrs Weasley's deep maternal love and acceptance of them as family members.
Aiden produced gifts he had prepared weeks earlier, presenting each person with exquisite bracelets topped with what appeared to be perfectly crystal-clear gemstones that seemed to contain swirling depths of captured starlight.
"What exactly are these?" Ron asked with fascination, turning his bracelet to catch the candlelight in its mysterious depths.
"Protective talismans," Aiden explained with casual understatement. "When the person wearing this accessory receives what would normally be a fatal injury, the crystallised dream contained within will substitute itself and absorb that deadly attack completely."
After all, alchemical items created by combining his unique abilities with concentrated magical power had surprisingly potent effects that rivalled the most legendary protective artefacts.
The moment he finished his explanation, everyone's expressions transformed as they truly comprehended the incredible value of what they held in their hands.
"Isn't this far too precious a gift?" Frank Longbottom asked with genuine concern, clearly understanding the immense magical skill and personal sacrifice required to create such items.
"It's simply a Christmas gift, something practical and useful. Besides, they're not really that precious since I crafted them myself," Aiden replied with deliberate casualness, downplaying the bracelets' true extraordinary worth.
After hearing Aiden's modest words, everyone accepted the gifts with deep gratitude while secretly resolving to find something equally valuable to give him in return next year.
Hermione presented Aiden with a leather-bound notebook that would automatically offer encouraging words and useful advice whenever opened, the pages filled with her careful handwriting and thoughtful magical enchantments.
Mrs Weasley's gift was her traditional hand-knitted scarf, this one in silver and blue with intricate patterns that seemed to shift and move in the light.
Arthur gave Aiden a complete and impressively comprehensive toolbox, though judging by his slightly guilty expression, this particular gift would probably be borrowed back by its giver within the week.
Harry's contribution was a set of expensive cologne in an elegant crystal bottle...
"Seriously?" Aiden asked, raising one eyebrow with amused scepticism.
"I honestly couldn't think of what to give someone who seems to have everything," the earnest boy immediately confessed, "so Ron suggested cologne and assured me you'd appreciate it."
"Really? I absolutely love it," Aiden replied, flashing Harry a brilliant smile, while Ron suddenly felt the unmistakable sensation of impending doom approaching from behind.
Just as the celebration reached its peak of joy and warmth, Errol came crashing through the window with his characteristic lack of grace, carrying a package that made everyone's hearts sink. Percy had coldly returned the Christmas gift Mrs Weasley had lovingly sent him, without even a note of explanation.
This cruel rejection made Molly break down crying during what should have been the most festive moment of their holiday gathering, with Arthur constantly trying to comfort her while his own heart broke watching his wife's pain.
Aiden's eyes narrowed dangerously as he sensed the deliberate cruelty behind this gesture. Someone known as the Prefect quietly separated from the warm gathering, walking out into London's cold streets and arriving silently at Percy's residence near Parliament, where the lights burnt late into the night.