The Great Hall was almost empty that morning. The long tables, normally filled with students, now barely held a few who, like Aurelian, had decided to stay at Hogwarts during the Christmas holidays. Outside, snow swirled down, covering the castle in a white blanket.
Aurelian was finishing breakfast when he heard a cheerful voice behind him.
"Mr. Gaunt!" called Professor Flitwick, approaching with a smile and climbing into his seat. "I'm glad to see you. I suppose you decided to stay at the castle this year."
"That's right, professor," Aurelian replied, smiling slightly. "Hestia and Flora decided to return home, but I preferred to stay. Hogwarts can be lonely at this time of year, but I don't mind."
Flitwick looked at him intently, clasping his hands on the table, a broad smile on his face.
"I'd like to know... How have you felt about the year so far?"
Aurelian was silent for a few seconds, reflecting before speaking.
"I'd say it's been a year of change. Not just for me, but for all of Hogwarts. The arrival of Harry Potter, for example... everyone looked at him as if he were a living symbol."
The little professor nodded enthusiastically.
"Very perceptive. Mr. Gaunt, although you also seem to follow a particular path. I see that you are always training, always studying. Sometimes I wonder if you even know how to rest."
Aurelian let out a small laugh.
Flitwick's eyes showed a slight concern.
"Your determination is admirable, but remember... you must learn to trust, to enjoy what you have, that strengthens our hearts."
Aurelian looked at him silently, surprised by the depth of the advice.
Flitwick continued in a lighter tone.
"Anyway, I can assure you of one thing, your progress this year has been extraordinary. I'm not just referring to your magic; I see that you are learning to relate to others. I still remember when you were a quiet, reserved student. Now... your classmates respect you."
Aurelian bowed his head slightly.
"Well, I don't really think I've changed."
Flitwick laughed, tapping the table.
"You've done it. Believe me, boy, if you continue on this path, your name will be remembered."
Aurelian nodded slowly.
"Thank you, professor."
Flitwick smiled warmly.
"How about I accompany you to the library for a while? I'm sure we'll find something to read to keep you busy this Christmas."
Aurelian laughed.
"That sounds... quite like me."
They both stood up, walking together toward the exit of the great hall, their silhouettes fading into the white light filtering through the windows.
Hogwarts at Christmas was different... more intimate. The Great Hall, decorated with garlands, golden stars, and Christmas trees so tall they almost touched the ceiling, radiated a cozy warmth that contrasted with the cold gently beating against the windows.
Aurelian made his way to the Gryffindor table, where two unmistakable figures waved their hands energetically when they saw him.
"Aurelian!" Fred shouted, with his mischievous smile. "You finally deign to join the lions."
"We thought you had become part of the decor in the Slytherin common room," added George, causing several nearby Gryffindors to laugh.
Aurelian raised an eyebrow, suppressing a slight smile.
"Don't get me wrong, I just tend to have better conversations in silence than surrounded by so much noise."
"That sounds like... a compliment!" laughed Fred, helping himself to a piece of turkey.
"Or an insult, depending on how you look at it," added George, nudging his brother.
The table was much emptier. The students had gone home. Aurelian watched as the plates filled themselves with roast beef, baked chicken, Yorkshire puddings, and pumpkin pies. Hogwarts knew how to compensate for the absence of families with a feast fit for kings.
The twins bombarded him with stories about their recent antics, plans for the coming year, and even the occasional idea for a new invention that, according to them, would revolutionize the market. Aurelian listened patiently, responding occasionally with a laugh or a dry comment that only made them laugh more.
As he bit into a piece of bread, Aurelian felt a gaze fixed on the back of his neck. He turned his head discreetly. At the same table, a few seats away, Harry Potter was sitting next to Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. The three of them were watching him with a mixture of curiosity and caution.
Hermione in particular, her eyes shining, almost as if she were facing a living mystery, analyzed him with an interest that Aurelian found uncomfortable. Harry looked at him suspiciously, while Ron was more focused on devouring his food.
Aurelian held Harry's gaze for a moment, a smile playing on his lips. Then he calmly returned to his plate, ignoring any reaction.
Fred noticed and quickly broke the silence with his usual joking tone.
"Wow, looks like the famous Harry Potter is checking you out, Aurelian."
Aurelian shrugged with apparent indifference.
"It's inevitable to attract attention when you're someone like me," he replied mockingly.
Fred whistled.
"That sounded pretty conceited."
George smiled from ear to ear.
"But coming from you, it makes sense."
The three laughed softly, enjoying the feast and the warmth of the great dining hall.
At the same table, a few seats away, Harry couldn't stop glancing at him. There was something about that boy that unsettled him, something he couldn't explain.
Finally, leaning toward Ron, he lowered his voice so as not to be heard.
"Ron... What do you know about him? The one with your brothers."
Ron looked up from his plate, surprised by the question, and followed Harry's gaze.
"Aurelian Gaunt?" he asked, as if it were obvious.
Harry nodded, pressing his lips together.
"Hagrid told me to be careful around him. He said he's a Gaunt, a descendant of Slytherin, and... well, that he's dangerous."
Ron was silent for a moment, thinking about how to respond. Then he leaned toward Harry.
"I can imagine what Hagrid said. But... honestly, I don't think he's a bad person." He paused, taking a bite of his meat pie before continuing. "Mom always speaks highly of him. She says he's polite, well-behaved, and that despite his last name, he's a great guy."
Harry frowned, confused.
"So you know him well?"
Ron shook his head.
"Not much, he's friends with the twins. Fred and George respect him a lot, believe me, my brothers don't give their trust away easily."
Hermione, who had been silent until then, rested her elbows on the table and spoke for the first time.
"That's interesting... I've read about the Gaunts, although very little, there are hardly any accessible records. His family has a terrible reputation," her eyes fixed on Aurelian, "but he... seems different. At least, from what I've seen here."
Harry sighed, the doubt still weighing heavily on his chest.
"I don't know. He may seem friendly, but something about him doesn't quite convince me. He's too... perfect. As if he's hiding something."
Hermione bit her lip thoughtfully, while Ron shrugged, clearly less concerned than his friend.
"Well, I say he's not a bad person," Ron repeated firmly, though without sounding completely convinced. "Mom has good instincts about people, I believe her."
Hermione looked back at Aurelian, watching him talk with Fred and Georg.
"Whatever it is," she finally said, "he's not someone ordinary. It's best not to lose sight of him."
Harry nodded silently, gripping his fork a little tighter, unable to shake the feeling he had about that mysterious Slytherin student.
Ron pushed his empty plate aside and took a piece of bread. With a smile, he commented.
"Well, it's not just him... Have you noticed those two girls who are always by his side?"
Hermione nodded immediately, looking thoughtful.
"Yes. Hestia and Flora Carrow. You can tell they come from an old and influential family. What's curious is..." Her gaze sharpened, intrigued. "They're very close to Gaunt, I'd say too close."
Harry frowned.
"What do you mean by 'too close'?"
Hermione frowned slightly, remembering something.
"The first time I saw them was on the train, when I was asking about Neville's toad. Remember? I tried to talk to Gaunt... but they got upset. Really upset. It was as if I had done something unforgivable. No one had ever looked at me that way before. I felt like a bug."
Ron, on the other hand, chuckled, though not without a hint of envy.
"Well, to be honest, I'm a little jealous." He took a sip of his pumpkin juice before adding, "Fred and George say that from day one, they've been attached to him. They follow him everywhere."
Harry frowned, even more uncomfortable.
"And no one else thinks it's weird?"
Ron shrugged, nonchalantly.
"Weird, yes, but... it's impressive. Come on, Harry, don't tell me you wouldn't be a little pleased to have two witches following you everywhere."
Hermione rolled her eyes, indignant.
"Ronald, that's ridiculous. It's not something to brag about."
"Maybe," Ron replied, shrugging again, "but still... it's incredible, you have my respect."
Harry remained silent. Elsewhere at the table, Aurelian smiled slightly as he listened to something Fred had just told him.
A chill ran down his spine.
"Whatever it is," Harry finally said, his tone firm, putting an end to the conversation, "Gaunt is no ordinary person, and until I know what he's really after, I'm not going to trust him."
Hermione and Ron exchanged a quick glance. Neither of them replied; they knew Harry wouldn't stop watching him.
The afternoon was fading behind the tall windows of Hogwarts, tinging the stones with a golden glow that would soon vanish into shadows. Aurelian walked silently toward the dungeons, his steady footsteps echoing in the nearly empty hallway. He was the only Slytherin who had decided to spend Christmas at Hogwarts.
He was about to utter the password in front of the enchanted wall guarding the entrance to the common room when a voice stopped him.
"Mr. Gaunt."
The tone was soft, almost drawn out. It made him tense immediately. Aurelian calmly turned his head and saw Professor Quirrell waiting a few feet behind him, his eyes fixed on him.
"Professor?" Aurelian asked, raising an eyebrow.
Quirrell approached slowly, his hands clasped behind his back.
"I was wondering... if you would have a few minutes to talk with me. In private." He spoke calmly.
Aurelian thought about declining the invitation, but he knew that this conversation would be inevitable sooner or later.
"Okay, professor," he replied with a slow nod.
A brief sparkle flashed in Quirrell's eyes.
"Perfect," he murmured. "Then, please accompany me."
The professor turned around, his robe brushing the floor as he walked in the opposite direction. Aurelian followed him in silence, his mind on alert, thinking about every possible word his father might want to say to him.
That's how the day ended: with Gaunt following Quirinus Quirrell into the shadows, not knowing what revelations awaited him.
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