Ch. 19 Winter Break

*Third person POV*

"Well, Now that our fist term is concluding I would like to announce our usual meeting in session. How has everything gone so far?" Asked Dumbledore as he spoke to all the professors.

They begun talking about the day-to-day events and activities in the castle for a while until a Professor McGonagall brought up a more serious subject.

"We have had a few examples of bullying gone too far already. Some Slytherin students took for granted the light punishment you have implemented Albus and caused real harm to a few students." Said Professor McGonagall.

"Hmph. I was told that on the first occasion the other party casted the first spell." Said Snape in response.

"Because the poor child was getting physical harassed by the students of your house Severus!" Replied Minerva angrily.

"Minerva, you know why this policy was put in place. I cannot just let the other houses attack those in Slytherin because of what the Death Eaters have done in the past." Said Dumbledore cutting into the argument.

McGonagall wanted to argue, but she respected the man too much and held her tongue.

"How have classes been then?" Said the Headmaster diverting the subject.

"Oh it's been a delight! I have a small group of first years who are just brilliant." Said Flitwick in a very excited tone. "I've only been able to get young mister Calaway to join the Charms club, the others didn't seem to have much interest in it sadly."

"Yes, two from your house Filius have shown a remarkable aptitude for Herbology. Young mister Ward and Bones are simply in there element when in the greenhouses." Said Professor Sprout in a delighted tone.

"Yes, mister Bones seemed extremely adept at Transfiguration and mister Calaway as well. Miss Travers seems to hold some kind of rivalry towards mister Bones, but he seems to have little interest towards it as when he finishes, he helps those around him who accept it." Said McGonagall.

"Oooh, he does the same thing in my classes. I'm very proud to have such a student in my house. He does not seem to discriminate between houses as well." Added Flitwick excitedly.

"He does seem to spend a lot of time guiding others in my class as well. Shame he wasn't put with my badgers." Then said Sprout.

"Hmph, Bones is an arrogant child. He never reads or follows instructions, believing himself above the matter. He does as he pleases and simply shows off by assisting others instead of focusing on his work." Then added Snape with displeasure on his face.

"Then why have I not seen deductions of points Severus?" Asked Dumbledore with curiosity. "You've never had issues with it before."

Snape looked like he ate a fly at the question.

"He appears to be a competent potions maker as he constantly adjusts them as he pleases." Said Snape with an even more pronounced frown on his face. "And they are valid improvements making it impossible to take points from."

"Oh ho. A boy his age modifying potions, truly a talent!" Said Flitwick almost squeaking due to excitement.

But in the corner Dumbledore's eyes seemed to focus a little.

"He does seem awfully distracted during my class though." Said Professor Sinistra while thinking of the boy. "But his homework and answers are always superb."

"Yes, the boy has a knack for melding advanced theories and ideas into simpler spells. His homework assignments truly make you think at times." Added McGonagall with a slight smile.

Snape on the other hand grew even more upset at the thought of the Bones child assignments. "He does not follow simple instructions and writes whatever he sees from books as a means of showing. I assign three feet and he gives eight on the subject."

"He seems to be particularly enthusiastic about your class Severus." Said Flitwick with a chuckle.

"Thank you for your reports everyone." Said Albus with a small smile on his face. "Let us hope everything continues to function well during the following term. Minerva, Severus please do stay behind."

The other professors then took their leaves to prepare for their winter break.

"What is it you wish to discuss Albus?" Asked McGonagall.

"How has mister Bones been outside of class?" Suddenly asked Dumbledore.

Surprised at the question, but she still answered. "I've heard he spends a great amount of time studying on his own, and the rest of his time is spent with mister Calaway and his housemate mister Ward. They seem to either enjoy looking for things that peek their interests in the library or exploring the grounds."

"He also seems to be helping Miss Tonks to prank other students and has been actively participating in some cases." Added Snape.

"Hhmmm. All right. I wish for the both of you to keep observing him. You both know what he's been through and I don't want him falling onto the wrong path." Ordered Dumbledore.

"You can't be serious Albus. Mister Bones has shown nothing but a positive attitude towards those who do not reject him and is actively helping others." She McGonagall in disapproval.

"That is precisely why we must watch over him Minerva. He has experienced the dark side of our world, he cannot fall to its temptations due to what he has gained from it." Stressed Dumbledore in response.

"It will be difficult Headmaster. Bones possess extremely powerful Occlumentic defenses. He is also cautious. He will know if we pay too much attention to him." Said Snape carefully.

"I know. This is just a precaution, nothing drastic. No need for anything serious." Said the Headmaster to reassure the two.

"Now I have wasted enough of your time." Said Dumbledore standing up. "I hope you both have pleasant holidays."

*Back to Aedan POV*

"Brother!! You are back!!" Yelled out the human shaped rocket named Susan as she tackled me.

"Yes, yes I'm back little sis. And I've got treats." I said with a smile while pulling out some candies I bought on the train.

"You're the best!" She replied with starts in her eyes and snatching her treat.

"Hi Aunty, hi Tilly. It's good to see you two." I then said while giving them a hug each.

"It's good to see you too Aedan." Answered Amelia with a warm smile on her face.

"Young Master!!!" Squeaked Tilly in shock at getting a hug too.

"Let's get you home Aedan." Aunt Amelia said with an almost motherly smile on her face.

"Yeah."

The holidays served as a good break for me. I paused my studies to spend some time with my family. I checked in on the garden that Susan has been taking care of with Tilly for me and found that they've been doing a pretty good job. Since this is a registered wizard home I'm allowed to use magic without any trouble, and use magic I did to entertain my precious little sister by enchanting some snow to dance or make a snowman 'come to life'.

Christmas itself was a very warm affair, just the four of us. Since Susan really took an interest in Herbology because of me, I got her a nice Dittany plant to grow on her own. It's an expensive plant due to its restorative effects, and a delicate one, but Susan looked at it with shining eyes and hugged me from the happiness. Tilly seemed to be very fond of objects related to the Bones family, understanding that it appears to be an honor to receive such things for a house-elf. So i ordered a badge with our family crest and motto she could pin to her cloths, needless to say Tilly fainted from happiness. And for Aunt Amelia, I was able to find very old book of wizard laws from Merlin's era and when she understood what she held I saw how a giddy aunt looked like for the first time. She looked like she tried very hard to maintain her image in front of us, but she kept fidgeting and looking at the book in her hands making it really hard to hold in my laughter.

As for me: Aunt Amelia actually got me a copy of the Auror training manual, which I didn't expect from my straight-laced aunt. 'Susan' got me a book on Phoenixes and Tilly brought out a new set of winter clothes she had made herself. With hugs all around and happiness in the air, it made for a wonderful time.

Outside of the family I received some gifts from my friends. James sent me some of the Sherlock Holmes series, which I had found out that i quite liked. In response a had sent him a small book of useful and interesting charms I had found and learned in my studies. Christian sent me a book on lesser known magical creatures and their habitats signed by its author, even I never heard of some of the creatures in it. I actually sent him a homework quill like mine, because I know how much the guy absolutely loathes homework since it takes away his freedom, truly made to be wild. Tonks sent over some prank objects from Zonko's and I sent her personally created potions recipes and samples for her to use as she wished. The only weird part was that there was a bunch of packages with my name but no senders name filled with chocolates. It took Tilly a while to check them all, but nothing harmful was found so I ended up just getting a lot of chocolate and some weird looks from aunt Amelia.

And so I spent my break in relaxation and warmth around my family. The only matter of importance was that I checked how my investments were going and moved some money around. While I was there I also took my chance and ordered a ring made of the same materials as my knife because I had learned that by linking them together I could control the flight through the ring, and resonance between the two would be easiest when they are made of the same materials.

And so my small break was over and it was time to head back to Hogwarts.