Quidditch Game , THE MIRROR OF ERISED and NICOLAS FLAMEL

The Next Morning

The next morning dawned very bright and cold. The Great Hall was filled with the delicious smell of fried sausages and the cheerful chatter of everyone looking forward to a good Quidditch match. However, Harry felt terrible. In an hour's time, he'd be walking onto the field, and he was not feeling up to eating. Hermione, noticing his unease, suggested they visit Void in the hospital wing.

Harry agreed, and they made their way to see Void, who was confined to the hospital wing for a while to recover from his injuries. As they arrived, Harry and Hermione recounted what Harry had seen and heard between Snape and Filch in the staff room.

Void listened carefully, then said, "You don't know the whole story. From what you told me, if Filch is an accomplice to Snape, it could ruin him. Filch is a Squib, and if it's found out he's helping steal something from the school, he'll be out of a job, and no one will hire him."

Hermione nodded, understanding the logic. "That makes sense. But Harry, you need to eat something. You'll need your strength to catch the Snitch."

Harry, still feeling nervous, tried to argue, but Void insisted. "Hermione's right, Harry. You can't forfeit your first match by collapsing on the field because of hunger."

Hermione went to ask Madam Pomfrey if they could eat there. Meanwhile, Void encouraged Harry. "Just eat something small. You need energy."

A few moments later, Hermione returned with permission from Madam Pomfrey to eat in the hospital wing. Void called out, "Deek!" and with a pop, a house-elf appeared.

Deek bowed slightly. "What does young master require?"

Both Harry and Hermione were surprised. Void asked Deek to bring them something to eat, explaining that Harry needed his strength for the game. Deek nodded and popped out, returning shortly with six sandwiches—two for each of them.

"Who was that?" Harry asked, astonished.

"That was Deek," Void replied. "He works here at Hogwarts as a caretaker of the castle. He and the other house-elves make the food and clean the castle. It's their job."

Hermione, intrigued, wanted to know more, but Void said, "We can talk about it later. Right now, you need to eat."

Harry managed to eat one and a half sandwiches, while Hermione ate one, and Void finished the rest, needing the energy to heal.

After eating, they headed back to the Gryffindor common room to prepare for the Quidditch game. Harry felt a bit better with some food in his stomach and the encouragement from his friends.

Void wished Harry good luck, saying, "You've got this, Harry. Just focus on the Snitch, and you'll do great."

With that, they parted ways, Harry heading to the Quidditch pitch with a renewed sense of determination, ready to face his first match.

The Quidditch Game

Gryffindor's cheers filled the cold air, mingling with the howls and moans from the Slytherins.

"Budge up there, move along," Hagrid's voice boomed as he made his way through the stands.

"Hagrid!" Ron and Hermione squeezed together to give Hagrid enough space to join them.

"Bin watchin' from my hut," said Hagrid, patting a large pair of binoculars around his neck, "But it isn't the same as bein' in the crowd. No sign of the Snitch yet, eh?"

"Nope," said Ron. "Harry hasn't had much to do yet."

"Kept outta trouble, though, that's somethin'," said Hagrid, raising his binoculars and peering skyward at the speck that was Harry.

Way up above them, Harry was gliding over the game, squinting for some sign of the Snitch. This was part of his and Wood's game plan.

"Keep out of the way until you catch sight of the Snitch," Wood had said. "We don't want you attacked before you have to be."

"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the — wait a moment — was that the Snitch?"

A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear.

Harry saw it. In a great rush of excitement, he dived downward after the streak of gold. Slytherin Seeker Terence Higgs had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch — all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch.

Harry was faster than Higgs — he could see the little round ball, wings fluttering, darting up ahead — he put on an extra spurt of speed —

WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below — Marcus Flint had blocked Harry on purpose, and Harry's broom spun off course, Harry holding on for dear life.

"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors.

Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goalposts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again.

"Dunno what Harry thinks he's doing," Hagrid mumbled. He stared through his binoculars. "If I didn' know better, I'd say he'd lost control of his broom . . . but he can't have. . . ."

"Did something happen to it when Flint blocked him?" Seamus whispered.

"Can't have," Hagrid said, his voice shaking. "Can't nothing interfere with a broomstick except powerful Dark magic — no kid could do that to a Nimbus Two Thousand."

At these words, Hermione seized Hagrid's binoculars, but instead of looking up at Harry, she started looking frantically at the crowd.

"What are you doing?" moaned Ron, grey-faced.

"I knew it," Hermione gasped, "Snape — look."

Ron grabbed the binoculars. Snape was in the middle of the stands opposite them. He had his eyes fixed on Harry and was muttering nonstop under his breath.

"He's doing something — jinxing the broom," said Hermione.

"What should we do?"

"Follow me," Hermione instructed. "We need to get under the stands."

Ron and Hermione slipped under the stands, trying to remain inconspicuous. Hermione pulled out her wand, pointing it at Snape.

"Incendio," she whispered, setting Snape's robe on fire. Snape yelped in surprise, frantically trying to extinguish the flames, and in the commotion, he accidentally elbowed Professor Quirrell in the face. With the jinx broken, Harry regained control of his broom just in time to spot the Snitch.

Harry dived and, with a spectacular catch, ended the game, clutching the Snitch in his hand. Gryffindor had won.

Back in Hagrid's hut, the cozy warmth and the smell of freshly brewed tea did little to calm Harry, Ron, and Hermione's nerves as they recounted the events of the Quidditch match to Hagrid.

"I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong about Snape," Hagrid insisted firmly, setting down a teapot with a loud clatter. "He'd never try to kill a student. Now, promise me yeh won't meddle in this anymore. It's dangerous, what yeh're doin'."

Harry frowned, his forehead creasing with worry. "But Hagrid, we saw him. He was muttering something and staring right at my broom. Hermione set his robe on fire to stop him, and that's when I got control back."

Ron nodded vigorously. "Yeah, Hagrid. We saw it with our own eyes. Snape was cursing Harry's broom, I'm sure of it!"

Hagrid shook his head, pouring them each a cup of strong tea. "I don' know what yeh think yeh saw, but Snape's a teacher. He'd never do somethin' like that. He might be a bit rough 'round the edges, but he's no killer."

Hermione looked uncertain. "But Hagrid, what about the three-headed dog? Harry saw Snape with a bite on his leg, and we know he was trying to get past it on Halloween. Why else would he be there?"

Hagrid's eyes widened, and he nearly dropped the teapot. "How do yeh know about Fluffy?" he demanded, looking both alarmed and exasperated.

"Fluffy?" Ron repeated, eyebrows raised.

"Yeah, Fluffy," Hagrid confirmed reluctantly. "He's mine. Bought him off a Greek chappie I met in the pub las' year. I lent him to Dumbledore to guard the —"

"Yes?" Harry said eagerly, leaning forward.

Hagrid clammed up immediately, shaking his head. "Now, don't ask me any more. That's top secret, that is."

"But Snape's trying to steal it," Harry pressed on.

"Rubbish," Hagrid repeated, more forcefully this time. "Snape's a Hogwarts teacher. He'd do nothin' of the sort."

Hermione's eyes flashed with determination. "Then why did he try to jinx Harry's broomstick, Hagrid? I know a jinx when I see one. You've got to keep eye contact, and Snape wasn't blinking at all. I saw him!"

Hagrid sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "I'm tellin' yeh, yer wrong! I don' know why Harry's broom acted like that, but Snape wouldn' try an' kill a student. Now, listen to me, all three of yeh — yer meddlin' in things that don' concern yeh. It's dangerous. You forget that dog, an' you forget what it's guardin', that's between Professor Dumbledore an' Nicolas Flamel —"

"Aha!" Harry exclaimed, eyes widening in realization. "So there's someone called Nicolas Flamel involved, is there?"

Hagrid's face turned crimson, realizing his mistake. "I shouldn'ta said that. Forget I said anything. Just promise me yeh won't go pokin' yer noses into any more trouble. Leave it to the grown-ups."

The trio reluctantly nodded, but as they exchanged glances, they knew this was far from over. They had a new lead and more questions than ever. Harry's mind was racing as they left Hagrid's hut, determined to find out more about Nicolas Flamel and what he was guarding at Hogwarts.

The Trio's Visit to Void

After leaving Hagrid's hut, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the hospital wing to visit Void. They found him propped up in bed, reading a book on advanced charms. He looked up and smiled as they entered.

"Hey, Void," Harry greeted, pulling up a chair. "We've got something to tell you."

Hermione and Ron quickly filled Void in on the events of the Quidditch match and their conversation with Hagrid.

Void listened intently, his brow furrowed in thought. When they finished, he leaned back against his pillows. "You know, a counter-jinx works the same way," he said thoughtfully. "If Snape was truly jinxing Harry's broom, why not just jinx it to go up fast and dive into the dirt or stands to get Harry injured or worse?"

Harry blinked, considering this. "You think he might have been trying to help?"

"Maybe," Void replied. "You said your broom was fighting you in different directions, right? That sounds like it could be a counter-jinx. Snape could have been trying to keep your broom from going completely out of control."

Ron looked sceptical. "But why would he do that?"

Void shrugged. "I don't know. But if he was really trying to jinx you, he could have done it in a way that would have guaranteed you got hurt. And at least now we know the Cerberus' name. Fluffy, huh? Kinda fits him. He was fluffy."

Void laughed, and despite themselves, Harry and Ron joined in. "Cerberus?" Ron asked, looking puzzled.

Void nodded. "Yeah, Cerberus. It's from Greek mythology. He was Hades' guard dog that guarded the entrance to the underworld."

Hermione's eyes widened with understanding. "So, maybe that trapdoor is an entrance to the underworld?" she suggested with a half-laugh.

Void chuckled. "Not literally, but it's probably guarding something really important or dangerous."

Harry looked thoughtful. "So, Snape might not be the villain we think he is?"

"Maybe not," Void agreed. "But we need to be careful. There's a lot going on that we don't understand yet."

Ron sighed. "Great. More mysteries."

The group fell silent for a moment, each lost in their thoughts about Fluffy, Snape, and what might be hidden beneath the trapdoor. Despite the uncertainty, there was a sense of camaraderie among them, and they knew they could rely on each other to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As they continued discussing Fluffy, Hermione suddenly remembered something. "Oh, and there's something else. Hagrid mentioned someone named Nicolas Flamel."

Void's eyes widened at the mention of the name. He fell silent, his mind racing as memories flooded back. He saw flashes of what happened when the Trio in the original timeline went to the trapdoor and the challenges they faced inside. His vision blurred as he tried to process the information.

"Void, are you okay?" Hermione asked, concerned. She noticed his sudden daze.

Void shook his head to clear it. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, I guess."

Harry and Ron exchanged worried glances but said nothing.

Void considered whether he should tell them what he knew about Nicolas Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone. He knew that if they went now, while he was still recovering, they might face dangers they weren't prepared for. After a moment of contemplation, he made his decision.

"Listen," Void began, looking at his friends seriously. "I think it's best if we wait until I'm better before we do anything about this. In the meantime, try to find out more about Nicolas Flamel. There's something important about him, but I can't quite remember everything right now."

Hermione nodded, her expression determined. "I'll check the library. There must be something about him there."

Harry and Ron agreed to keep an eye out for any information they could find as well. The three of them looked at Void, their concern evident.

"Don't worry about me," Void said with a reassuring smile. "I'll be up and about soon enough. Just stay safe and don't do anything reckless."

The trio nodded, promising to be careful. As they left the hospital wing, Void lay back, feeling a mix of frustration and relief. He knew he needed to recover quickly, not just for his sake but to help his friends with the challenges ahead. For now, all he could do was rest and prepare for what was to come.

Void's Recovery and Academic Excellence

Void was still recovering, even though he had been fine for the last week and did not need to stay in the hospital wing. Dumbledore insisted, and he was forced to stay there until a few days before the holidays. Despite his confinement, he kept up with his homework, which was brought to him by Hermione. She also took his completed assignments to the teachers.

Since he couldn't participate in Potions, Herbology, Transfiguration, or Charms classes, Void was made to write essays. As a result, he had become quite proficient at essay writing. He hadn't looked at his status in a while, as he was quite busy with homework.

One afternoon, Hermione visited Void with a stack of books and parchment. "Here's your homework for the week. Professor McGonagall was quite impressed with your last essay on Transfiguration theory."

"Thanks, Hermione," Void replied, taking the stack from her. "At least I'm keeping up with the coursework."

"You're doing more than that," Hermione said, smiling. "You're practically mastering these subjects. Professor Flitwick even mentioned how thorough your essays are."

Void laughed softly. "Well, I've had a lot of time to practice."

Hermione nodded. "How are you feeling? Are you ready to be out of here soon?"

"Definitely," Void said. "I can't wait to get back to classes and, you know, move around freely."

Hermione glanced at the window, where snowflakes were gently falling. "Christmas is almost here. It's going to be magical."

Void smiled, feeling a bit of the holiday spirit despite his situation. "Yeah, it is. Thanks for bringing my homework, Hermione. I really appreciate it."

"Anytime," she said, standing up. "I'll see you later, Void. Take care."

Void watched her leave, feeling grateful for her friendship and support. As he settled back with his books, he felt more determined than ever to make the most of his time at Hogwarts, no matter the challenges.

Mid-December at Hogwarts

One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself covered in several feet of snow. The lake froze solid, and the Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs to follow Professor Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly off again.

No one could wait for the holidays to start. While the Gryffindor common room and the Great Hall had roaring fires, the drafty corridors had become icy, and a bitter wind rattled the windows in the classrooms. Worst of all were Professor Snape's classes down in the dungeons, where their breath rose in a mist before them, and they kept as close as possible to their hot cauldrons.

"I do feel so sorry," said Draco Malfoy during one Potions class, "for all those people who have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas because they're not wanted at home." He was looking over at Harry as he spoke. Crabbe and Goyle chuckled.

Harry, who was measuring out the powdered spine of a lionfish, ignored them. Malfoy had been even more unpleasant than usual since the Quidditch match. Disgusted that the Slytherins had lost, he had tried to get everyone laughing at how a wide-mouthed tree frog would be replacing Harry as Seeker next. Then he'd realized that nobody found this funny because they were all so impressed at the way Harry had managed to stay on his bucking broomstick. So Malfoy, jealous and angry, had gone back to taunting Harry about having no proper family.

"Keep it up, Malfoy," Ron muttered under his breath. "Void's getting out of the hospital wing soon, and then you won't be prancing about anymore."

It was true that Harry wasn't going back to Privet Drive for Christmas. Professor McGonagall had come around the week before, making a list of students who would be staying for the holidays, and Harry had signed up at once with Void who was now ok but still in the Hospital wing. He didn't feel sorry for himself at all; this would probably be the best Christmas he'd ever had. Ron and his brothers were staying, too, because Mr. and Mrs. Weasley were going to Romania to visit Charlie.

When they left the dungeons at the end of Potions, they found a large fir tree blocking the corridor ahead. Two enormous feet stuck out at the bottom, and a loud puffing sound told them that Hagrid was behind them.

"Hi, Hagrid, want any help?" Ron asked, sticking his head through the branches.

"Nah, I'm all right, thanks, Ron."

"Would you mind moving out of the way?" came Malfoy's cold drawl from behind them. "Are you trying to earn some extra money, Weasley? Hoping to be gamekeeper yourself when you leave Hogwarts, I suppose—that hut of Hagrid's must seem like a palace compared to what your family's used to."

Ron was about to dive at Malfoy when he was stopped by Void, who appeared from behind Hagrid. Void held Ron's arm firmly, preventing him from acting on impulse.

Snape arrived just in time to see Void holding Ron back. "Potter, you have detention for fighting with Weasley," Snape declared.

Hagrid tried to explain, "Malfoy was insultin' Ron's family."

Void stopped Hagrid with a calm but firm tone. "Of course, Professor," he said, accepting the detention without argument.

As Snape turned to leave, Malfoy sneered and started to follow. Void called out, "Next time you insult someone's family, Malfoy, you should look at your own first. Your father was a Shiteater of Voldemort and is only out of azkaban because of the twisted legal system of wizarding Britain"

The corridor fell silent. All the students, including Hagrid, gasped in shock. Even Snape, who was a little farther away, turned sharply at Void's audacious use of the Dark Lord's name.

Void sneered at their reactions. "Afraid of a dead man, are you?"

Ron and Hermione stood in stunned silence, and even Malfoy looked pale and unsettled. Hagrid, shaking his head slightly, managed to push the large tree forward. "C'mon, let's get this tree to the Great Hall," he muttered, breaking the tension.

As they walked away, Ron whispered to Void, "Blimey, you've got guts."

Snape added, "Careful, Potter. You're making powerful enemies."

Void just shrugged. "If they can't handle the truth, that's their problem."

Harry, who had been quietly observing the entire exchange, felt a surge of respect for Void. The upcoming holidays certainly shaped up to be more interesting than he had anticipated.

A Christmas Spectacle

"Come on, cheer up, it's nearly Christmas," said Hagrid. "Tell yeh what, come with me an' see the Great Hall, looks a treat."

The three of them, joined by Void, followed Hagrid and his tree off to the Great Hall, where Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were busy with the Christmas decorations.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree — put it in the far corner, would you?" Professor McGonagall directed, her eyes twinkling as she oversaw the transformation of the hall.

The hall looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls, and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles.

As they entered, several students approached Void, greeting him warmly.

"Good to have you back, Void," one of the students said, smiling.

Another added, "We heard about what you said to Malfoy. Calling him out like that, and even saying Dark Lord's name? That took guts."

Void, taking in the praise, nodded appreciatively. "Thanks, everyone. Just felt it needed to be said."

"How many days you got left until yer holidays?" Hagrid asked, turning to the group.

"Just one," said Hermione. "And that reminds me — Harry, Ron, Void, we've got half an hour before lunch, we should be in the library."

Ron groaned, "Do we have to? It's Christmas!"

"Yes, Ron," Hermione insisted. "We need to finish our assignments."

Void chuckled, "You know Hermione's right. Besides, it's better to get it out of the way so we can enjoy the holidays without any stress."

Harry, not wanting to argue, nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's go."

As they turned to leave, Hagrid called after them, "Don't spend all yer time in the library, now. Make sure yeh have some fun!"

"We will, Hagrid," Harry assured him, waving goodbye as they made their way towards the library.

On the way there, Hermione couldn't help but talk about the decorations. "Did you see the candles on the trees? They must be enchanted to not burn out."

Void nodded, "Yeah, it's really impressive. I wonder if they use a specific charm for that."

Harry, still marveling at the sight of the Great Hall, said, "I love Christmas at Hogwarts. It's like something out of a storybook."

Ron, who was less enthused about the library trip but still in good spirits, added, "I just hope there's plenty of food at the feast. Mum always says I eat like a dragon."

They reached the library, and as they settled into their work, the festive spirit lingered. Void glanced at his friends, feeling a sense of contentment. Despite the challenges and dangers they had faced, moments like these made Hogwarts feel like home. And with the holiday season in full swing, there was a lot to look forward to.

As they sat down, Void mentioned, "By the way, I've already finished all my assignments. I had plenty of time to read and do homework while I was in the hospital wing."

Harry and Ron groaned in unison. "Lucky you," Ron said. "We've still got loads to do."

Hermione smiled, "Well, at least Void can help us if we get stuck."

Void nodded, "Of course. Let's get to it so we can enjoy the rest of the holidays without any worries."

Holidays and Gifts

As Hermione and the rest of the students left for the holidays, Void found himself busier than ever. Even in the snow, he dedicated himself to rigorous training after healing in the hospital wing. Despite the cold, Void continued to improve his strength and magical abilities.

Harry and Void would receive gifts from their friends. However, Void hadn't yet gotten gifts for his friends, planning to give them gifts in the new year. He thought about contacting Griphook through Ragnok or perhaps asking Kuro to contact Griphook for the gifts.

One evening, after an intense training session, Void returned to his room in the dorm and sat down to write a letter to Griphook. He wanted to ensure that each gift was thoughtful and personal.

Letter to Griphook

Dear Griphook,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request your assistance in procuring gifts for my friends and a few others who have been important to me. Here are the details for each gift:

Hermione Granger: She loves to read, particularly about history and rare subjects. Could you find a book about the founders of Hogwarts or any other rare and safe books that might interest her?

Daphne Greengrass: Daphne is interested in travelling and taking over her father's business. A gift that could help her in her future endeavours, perhaps something related to business or rare travel destinations, would be ideal.

Tracey Davis: Tracey enjoys reading about obscure things and creatures. A rare book about magical creatures or obscure magical theories would be perfect.

Ron Weasley: Ron is passionate about Quidditch and chess. Could you find something related to these interests, perhaps a rare chess set or something unique related to Quidditch?

Harry Potter: For Harry, a picture of his parents would be a deeply meaningful gift. If you could find something like this, it would be perfect.

Fred and George Weasley: The twins love mischief and pranks. Anything they can use for their pranks, especially if it's something they can use for a long time, would be great.

Hagrid: Hagrid loves dangerous creatures, but since I cannot give him a dangerous creature, a book about caring for difficult and dangerous creatures would be the next best thing.

Professor Flitwick: I think a rare book on charms, hexes, and curses would suit him well.

Madam Pomfrey: She has taken great care of me, and I'd like to thank her with a gift. Perhaps a book on healing difficult injuries and curing dangerous curses and diseases would be appreciated.

Please let me know if these gifts can be arranged, and any associated costs. I appreciate your help.

Best regards,

Void L. Potter

 Satisfied with his letter, Void sealed it and sent it off, hoping that Griphook could fulfil his requests. With the holidays in full swing, he looked forward to giving these gifts to his friends and expressing his gratitude. The gift for Flitwick may confuse others and McGonagall may get jealous of not getting a gift but he was my favourite from the movies and books and from the way he reacted to Ron's incident with Hermoine he may be able to help in the future with Luna's situation when she gets here.

The following days were filled with training and quiet moments of reflection. As the snow fell outside, Void focused on his recovery, determined to come back stronger than ever. The prospect of the new year and the gifts he would give filled him with a sense of anticipation and warmth.

Back in the dormitory, Void lay on his bed, thinking about his friends. The gifts would not only show his appreciation but also strengthen the bonds they had formed. He smiled, knowing that these small tokens of gratitude would bring joy to those who meant so much to him.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning dawned crisp and cold at Hogwarts, and the castle was blanketed in a layer of pristine snow. Harry woke up to find a pile of presents at the foot of his bed—a rare and joyful sight for him. He quickly sat up, pulling the gifts closer with eager hands.

"Happy Christmas, Harry!" Ron called from across the room, already tearing into his own pile of presents.

"Happy Christmas, Ron!" Harry replied, his face lighting up with excitement. Void, who had returned to the dormitory the day before, was already awake, observing the scene with a smile.

Harry opened his first present, a hand-knitted sweater from Mrs. Weasley, along with homemade fudge. "Wow, look at this, Ron," Harry said, holding up the green sweater.

"Ah, Mum's been busy again," Ron said with a grin. "She always makes us sweaters. Mine's maroon, as usual."

Void chuckled as he unwrapped his own gift from Mrs. Weasley—a dark blue hand-knitted sweater and some of her famous fudge. "She really is wonderful, isn't she?"

"Absolutely," Harry agreed, still beaming.

Next, Harry opened a box of Chocolate Frogs from Hermione. "These are great!" he exclaimed, immediately unwrapping one and popping it into his mouth.

Void followed suit, opening a similar box from Hermione. "She knows exactly what you like, Harry."

Void then unwrapped a gift from Daphne and Tracey—a set of beautifully bound books on various magical creatures and ancient spells. "These are fantastic! I'll definitely enjoy reading these," Void said, clearly pleased.

Harry's next gift was a wooden flute from Hagrid. Harry blew into it experimentally, producing a soft, melodious note. "This is brilliant! Hagrid's really thoughtful."

Finally, Harry unwrapped an anonymous gift. Inside was a shimmering, silvery fabric. He pulled it out, realizing it was an Invisibility Cloak. There was a note attached, which he read aloud: "Your father left this in my possession before he died. It is time it was returned to you. Use it well."

Harry's eyes widened in amazement. "This was my dad's!"

"That's incredible, Harry," Void said, examining the cloak with interest. "An Invisibility Cloak is a rare and powerful item."

The twins, Fred and George, who had been eavesdropping, popped their heads around the door. "Happy Christmas, Harry! Happy Christmas, Void!" they chorused.

"Happy Christmas, Fred, George," Harry replied, still holding the cloak.

Fred's eyes twinkled mischievously. "An Invisibility Cloak, eh? Imagine the possibilities, George."

George grinned. "Endless pranks and sneaky adventures."

Ron laughed. "You two would think of that first."

"Of course," Fred said, pretending to be offended. "What else would we think of?"

Void shook his head, laughing. "Just remember to use it wisely, Harry. There's a lot we can do with this, but we need to be careful."

"Agreed," Harry said, smiling at the thought of the adventures to come.

The festive spirit continued as they shared their gifts and stories, each appreciating the warmth and joy of friendship during the holiday season at Hogwarts.

Christmas Feast

The Christmas feast at Hogwarts was a grand event. The Great Hall was decorated beautifully with towering Christmas trees, glittering icicles, and enchanted candles. The atmosphere was magical and festive, with a ceiling enchanted to look like a stormy night sky. Students and staff gathered around tables laden with a variety of magical and delicious foods, including roasted turkey, honey-glazed ham, Christmas pudding, and much more.

Void joined Harry, Ron, and the twins for the feast, enjoying the day with laughter and camaraderie. The magical Christmas crackers provided extra entertainment, releasing enchanted items like wizard hats, chess sets, and even a few live mice that scurried across the tables, causing bursts of laughter and excitement.

"This is amazing," Void remarked, looking around at the decorations and the joyous atmosphere.

"It really is," Harry agreed, a wide smile on his face. "Christmas at Hogwarts is something special."

Fred and George were busy pulling crackers with everyone, delighting in the magical surprises. "Look, George! A set of exploding snap cards!" Fred exclaimed, holding up the cards.

George grinned. "Perfect for our next prank."

After a satisfying Christmas dinner, the friends spent the rest of the day enjoying the festivities and each other's company. As the day turned into evening, the Great Hall slowly emptied, and the students returned to their common rooms.

The Mirror of Erised

That night, after Ron had fallen asleep, Harry decided to try on his invisibility cloak. The cloak fit perfectly, rendering him completely invisible. Quietly, he made his way out of the Gryffindor common room and down to the library's restricted section.

Once there, Harry opened a book, but it started screaming immediately. Panicked, he quickly shut the book and fled the library. As he passed Filch, he hid in an old classroom marked with an inscription that included the word "Erised." Inside, an old mirror stood in the center of the room. Harry approached it and was astonished to see many people standing behind him. Realizing that the people in the mirror were his dead mother and father, he felt a mix of joy and sorrow. He lingered there, trying to speak to them, but they could only wave back.

The next night, Harry couldn't resist returning to the mirror. This time, he brought Ron and Void with him.

"You have to see this," Harry whispered excitedly as they donned the invisibility cloak and made their way to the room.

When they arrived, Harry positioned Ron and Void in front of the mirror. Ron, looking into the mirror, saw himself holding a Quidditch cup. "Blimey, Harry! I look amazing!" Ron exclaimed.

Void then took his turn. He saw himself surrounded by a happy, safe family, and he was a powerful person not just as a wizard but in all aspects of life. "This is... incredible," Void said softly.

As they marveled at the mirror, Mrs. Norris, Filch's prowling cat, noticed them. Startled, they quickly retreated, managing to avoid being caught.

On the third night, Ron refused to go back. "I don't want to push our luck, Harry. We almost got caught last time," he said nervously.

Determined to see his parents again, Harry decided to return alone. Once more, he stood in front of the mirror, his heart aching as he saw his family. This time, however, he wasn't alone for long.

"Back again, Harry?" a voice said softly from behind him. Harry turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing there, his eyes twinkling with understanding.

"Professor... I... I just wanted to see them," Harry stammered.

Dumbledore nodded. "The Mirror of Erised shows us nothing more or less than the deepest, most desperate desire of our hearts. But remember this, Harry, it does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

Harry was relieved to find that Dumbledore was not angry. "Yes, Professor. I understand."

"Now, let us return to our beds before anyone realizes we're out of bed," Dumbledore said with a gentle smile.

Harry followed Dumbledore back to the dormitory, feeling a mix of emotions but also a sense of comfort knowing that someone understood his longing.

Detentions with Snape and the Students' Response

Void was back with his training in the morning and doing his detentions with Snape, who found some reason to give him detention every day. Harry, Ron, and many of the students from all houses saw this as clear bullying and made complaints to their house heads about Snape targeting Void for standing up to Malfoy's bullying. Slytherin students like Daphne made anonymous complaints via letters to the professors. The overwhelming support for Void reached Dumbledore.

Unbeknownst to Void, who was enduring his detentions and bombarding Snape with questions about potions and spells, the complaints were piling up. Snape, visibly annoyed, would deduct points for each question, but Void didn't care. He knew Dumbledore's bias would ensure Gryffindor's victory in the end.

As the break was about to end, Dumbledore realized he had to act. The involvement of parents from influential wizarding families could tarnish Dumbledore's image. Therefore, he ordered Snape to cease the detentions without a valid reason. The professors were surprised by the overwhelming support for Void but understood it when they considered how helpful Void was in class, always assisting students regardless of their houses.

Searching for Nicolas Flamel

Harry heeded Dumbledore's advice to stop visiting the Mirror of Erised. After Christmas break, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Void resumed their search for Nicolas Flamel, though Harry's time was increasingly consumed by Quidditch practice. One day at practice, Harry learned that Snape would be refereeing the next game.

"I can't believe Snape is going to be the referee," Harry said, looking worried. "What if he tries to hurt me during the game?"

Void shook his head. "He wouldn't dare try anything in front of the whole school. He might be biased towards Slytherin, but he won't hurt you. Not with Dumbledore watching."

As they were talking, Neville hopped by; Malfoy had cast a spell on him that locked his legs together. "Help," Neville said, struggling to move.

"Malfoy again," Ron muttered angrily.

Harry turned to Neville. "You need to learn to stand up to Malfoy, Neville."

Void helped Neville undo the spell. "Here, Neville. You should train with me sometime. It'll help you feel more confident."

Neville nodded, grateful but nervous. "Okay, Void. Thanks." He handed Harry a Famous Wizard card for his collection before leaving.

Harry stared at the card, realization dawning on him. "Nicolas Flamel! That's where I've seen the name before—on the back of the Albus Dumbledore Famous Wizard card Ron gave me on the train!"

Hermione's eyes widened. "Stay here!" She dashed to her room and returned with a large book. "Nicolas Flamel is the only known maker of the Sorcerer's Stone. It can turn any metal into pure gold and produce the Elixir of Life, which makes the drinker immortal."

Void nodded. "The fierce dog on the third floor must be guarding Flamel's stone."