Ch 13: Christmas Break
"Fuck, that hurt like a bitch!" I shouted, clutching my arm.
Nymphadora Tonks stood over me, her wand still raised and a triumphant smirk plastered across her face. "Engrave it in your head, kid: never—and I mean never—call me Nymphadora."
"But it's your name!" I protested. "No need to be such a bitch about it!"
She didn't hesitate. Another Stupefy hit me square in the chest, knocking me on my ass.
"Stop! I'm a child! This could be considered assault!" I groaned, glaring at her as I tried to get back on my feet.
"Well, maybe you should've thought about that before, smartass," she quipped, twirling her wand. "And don't go crying to your mom about it."
I glared at her. "I'm an orphan, dumbass."
The smirk vanished from her face instantly, replaced by a look of awkward regret. "Oh... shit. Sorry, I forgot."
"Forgot, my ass," I muttered, brushing the dirt off my robes.
---
After a few more minutes of me sulking and Tonks awkwardly apologizing, she finally called an end to our training session.
"Alright, that's it for today," she said, tucking her wand away. "See you after Christmas."
"Yeah, see you," I mumbled, still nursing my bruised pride.
As I turned to leave, she called out, "Hey, Arthur."
I glanced back, raising an eyebrow.
"If you want, you could, you know, celebrate Christmas with us," she offered, scratching the back of her neck. "No need to look so sad about being alone."
I sighed, shaking my head. "Thanks for the invite, Tonks, but I'm good. I'm not sad—just thinking about stuff. And don't take pity on me."
"Alright, fine," she said, holding up her hands in surrender. "Jeez. See you around, Arthur."
"Yeah, see you."
---
With most of the students gone for the holidays, Hogwarts became eerily quiet. The bustling Great Hall was nearly empty, with only a handful of students staying behind. The absence of noise and chaos felt strange, almost unsettling, but I found it oddly peaceful.
Garuda seemed to enjoy the change, too. I let him roam freely around the castle, and he quickly became a familiar sight among the remaining students and staff.
One morning, I even caught Hagrid feeding him scraps of meat near the pumpkin patch. "That's a fine bird you've got there, Arthur," he said, beaming.
"Yeah, he's something special," I replied, watching as Garuda snatched the meat from Hagrid's hand with precision.
---
With so much free time and so few people around, I decided to explore more of the castle. The Room of Requirement became my sanctuary, as usual, but I also spent hours wandering the hidden corridors and forgotten chambers of Hogwarts.
One day, I stumbled upon an old, dusty classroom filled with broken desks and faded chalkboards. In the corner of the room, I found a cracked mirror that seemed to hum with faint magic.
Curious, I approached it cautiously. The moment I looked into the mirror, my breath caught in my throat.
It was the Mirror of Erised.
---
The reflection in the mirror wasn't what I expected. I didn't see my parents or some grand vision of power and glory. Instead, I saw myself surrounded by different people—friends, family, and a sense of belonging that felt foreign yet comforting.
For a moment, I couldn't tear my eyes away.
"Don't get too attached to what you see," a voice said behind me, startling me out of my trance.
I turned to see Professor Dumbledore standing in the doorway, his piercing blue eyes twinkling with understanding.
"It shows you what your heart desires most," he explained, stepping closer. "But remember, Mr. Wayne, not everything we desire is what we need."
I nodded slowly, not trusting myself to speak.
Dumbledore smiled gently. "Use this time wisely, my boy. The holidays are a time for reflection, after all."
With that, he turned and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
---
Christmas morning arrived quietly. I woke up early, as usual, and found a small package waiting for me at the foot of my bed.
It was wrapped in simple brown paper with a note attached.
"To Arthur, Merry Christmas! - Tonks"
Inside was a set of enchanted dueling gloves, reinforced with protective charms. I couldn't help but smile.
---
Despite the holiday, I didn't let up on my training. The Room of Requirement provided me with everything I needed—a simulated dueling arena, practice dummies, and even enchanted targets to improve my aim.
I also started working on a few side projects. Using the knowledge I'd gained from the White Room and my classes, I began experimenting with creating enchanted items. My first successful creation was a pair of boots that muffled footsteps, perfect for sneaking around the castle.
---
On the last day of the break, I was surprised to see Tonks waiting for me in the Undercroft.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, genuinely surprised.
"Figured you'd be lonely, so I thought I'd return early and see how you're doing," she said casually, leaning against the wall.
We spent the afternoon sparring and talking about everything and nothing. It was a nice change of pace, and for once, I didn't feel like an outsider.
---
As the break came to an end and the other students returned to Hogwarts, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I wasn't just here to coast through school or follow the plot of some preordained story.
I was here to carve my own path, to train, to grow, and to prepare for whatever challenges lay ahead.
---Note
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