Christmas Charm

At Shelby Manor, Artel's room was a festive haven adorned with a colourful heap of Christmas presents, transforming the space into a magical wonderland. The air was filled with the excitement and warmth of the holiday season as he delved into the delightful task of unwrapping each carefully presented gift.

The first offerings he unveiled were from Harry and Ron, who had thoughtfully sent him a selection of candies, invoking the spirit of sweetness that Christmas always carried. Neville, known for his love of magical creatures, contributed small wizard toys that added a playful touch to Artel's collection. Surprisingly, even Malfoy and his minions joined in the holiday festivities, presenting him with collectable souvenirs.

Pansy Parkinson, typically associated with a certain level of sophistication, surprised Artel with a delicate wizard robe. The unexpected gesture left him amused, realizing he hadn't prepared a gift in return for her. As he pondered this, his attention was drawn to another package—a meticulously wrapped pink one that hinted at the care and consideration put into its presentation.

"Lavender Brown... Isn't that Hermione's scheming roommate? I've never spoken to her, and she's actually giving me a present?" Artel mused, his curiosity piqued as he eagerly unwrapped the gift.

To his surprise, the contents mirrored Pansy's contribution—an elegant wizard robe. It seemed that Lavender and Pansy shared similar tastes or perhaps had collaborated on selecting identical gifts for Artel. The coincidence made him amused.

Setting the wizard robes aside, Artel continued to explore the array of Christmas gifts that adorned his room. The surprises didn't end with his fellow students; practically every Hogwarts professor had contributed to the festive ensemble. Professor Snape, known for his stern demeanour, had a surprise of his own—a self-stirring cauldron, a practical and innovative addition to Artel's magical inventory. Professor Flitwick, on the other hand, presented him with a book filled with invaluable tips on wizarding battles.

However, it was the gifts from the esteemed Dumbledore and McGonagall that resonated with profound thoughtfulness. Dumbledore shared notes from his early years studying Transfiguration, providing Artel with a glimpse into the Headmaster's own magical journey. 

On the other hand, McGonagall gifted Artel a best-selling storybook in the wizarding world. The tale within spoke of a wizard teetering on the edge of darkness who ultimately embraced the light.

As Artel immersed himself in the treasures of paper and ribbon, he couldn't help but marvel at the diversity of the gifts that surrounded him. 

Artel's musings continued as he carefully packed away the diverse array of wizarding gifts, each holding a story and sentiment of its own. The whimsical atmosphere of the Christmas season lingered in his room. However, amidst the wizarding presents, Artel noted a separate category waiting to be explored—gifts from the Muggle world, characterized by their distinct nature.

He acknowledged the lack of time to delve into these particular gifts immediately, recognizing that they typically consisted of the latest toys, firearms, weapons, or gold items and judging by the shape of a specific gift, that may even be a bazooka. 

.....

In the following days, Artel seamlessly resumed his regular routine, splitting his time between academic pursuits at Hogwarts and his clandestine activities in the underground laboratory at Shelby Manor. The latter served as his haven for potion refinement, and thanks to the ingenious automatic stirring crucible provided by Professor Snape, Artel could now efficiently work on two potion bottles simultaneously. 

As the days flowed towards the end of the year, the anticipation of New Year's Eve heightened. December 31st arrived, marking the culmination of the year and heralding new beginnings. On this significant night, Artel's summoning authority, a unique aspect of his magical journey, was renewed once again.

A cascade of notifications resonated in Artel's mind.

[Ding! Congratulations to the host; Saruman's world acceptance has reached the standard.]

[Ding! The mall opens the main character - Saruman's redemption permission! Monthly summons - Saruman's permission unlocked.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing the sideline ''Legend of Saruman'' and getting plot points 1000.]

[Ding! Congratulations to the host for getting the item reward Saruman's Experiment Notes II]

These unexpected system prompts illuminated Artel's consciousness, unravelling a series of achievements and rewards that left him pleasantly surprised. Artel couldn't help but revel in the pleasant surprise that the magical system had bestowed upon him.

As he absorbed the significance of these developments, Artel felt a renewed sense of purpose and excitement for the adventures that lay ahead in the enchanting world of magic and redemption. The countdown to the New Year took on a whole new meaning, marking not only the passage of time but the continuous evolution of his power.

Artel's reflective moment transformed into a decisive action as he took a deep breath and decided to summon another item, hoping to continue the streak of good luck that had blessed him in the previous summoning. With anticipation coursing through him, he declared, "Summon the Lord of the Rings item!"

The familiar and reassuring "Ding!" echoed in response, signalling a successful acquisition. This time, Artel found himself in possession of the coveted [Elessar Jewel].

The [Elessar Jewel] was a marvel to behold. A gem as green as a leaf adorned an eagle-shaped brooch crafted from the precious material mithril, radiating a gentle and enchanting light. This gem held extraordinary powers, capable of healing all ailments, restoring withered beings to their original state, and even reversing the ageing process, bringing the elderly back to their youth.

As Artel absorbed the information provided by the magical system, he learned that the Elessar gem was a dowry bestowed upon Aragorn by Princess Arwen of the Gladden Fields. Intriguingly, the possessor of the gem could mend the wounds of all things through touch with both hands. The most captivating revelation, however, was the potential for accumulating two Elessar gems, which bestowed upon the collector the gift of endless life.

In his hand materialized a silver eagle brooch, the aquamarine gem gleaming brightly. Artel couldn't help but marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship and the immense potential encapsulated within this magical artefact.

"Excellent item, let's keep it!" Artel declared with satisfaction, his gaze fixed on the gleaming gem in his hand. The acquisition not only granted him a potent proficiency in advanced healing magic but also positioned as a valuable asset for the challenges that lay ahead. 

.....

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