48

Chapter 48: Everyone Else Has It

After a while, the Friend Account gradually quieted down, suggesting they might be busy creating other chat groups.

Among the Christmas gifts Wade distributed, besides his own Book of Friends, there were also blank parchments for two, three, four, and five people, along with an additional stack for ten people, collectively making a thick booklet—a "BOOK."

In Wade's vision, future Hogwarts students would all possess a Book of Friends, exchanging parchments with friends and family to form chat groups of various sizes. Perhaps Hogwarts would soon enforce a rule—no accessing Friend Accounts during class, with penalties for violations. Wade even imagined students comparing the thickness and value of their Friend Accounts, some embellishing theirs with blank parchments to save face, pretending to be part of numerous groups.

However, Professor Murray advised him against selling the Book of Friends for now.

Realizing his "road to riches" was blocked, Wade sighed dejectedly. He put away the Friend Account and began opening his own gifts for the year.

Underneath the Christmas tree, most gift boxes came from Ferdinand's employees. Wade had accompanied his father around the toy factory since childhood, endearing himself to many old employees with his intelligence, charm, and cuteness. Despite not seeing him for over half a year, they sent various gifts—popular toys, elegant pens and notebooks, children's books, and more.

Also included were gifts from Wade's Muggle elementary school classmates—simple items like candies, greeting cards, and small toys.

These were annual offerings Wade reciprocated in kind.

Then came gifts from the wizarding world.

Unlike Wade's uniform gifts, everyone's presents to him varied—books.

Professor Murray gifted him a handwritten alchemy notebook, which Wade set aside to peruse after dinner.

Professor Flitwick presented him with "The Encyclopedia of Spells"—a book requiring library approval at Hogwarts, which Wade planned to read during the holidays.

Michael gifted "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them"; Hermione, "The Alchemist"; Padma, Gilderoy Lockhart's "Wandering with Werewolves"; Theo, "The World's Oldest Magic Plants"; Ryan, "The Beauty of the Starry Sky"; Neville, "The Secret of Transfiguration."

Clearly, his reputation as a book lover was well-established among his peers, each selecting volumes they believed he'd enjoy.

It appeared Wade's holiday would be quite occupied.

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**Hogwarts**

Upon waking, Dumbledore found even his bedside shoes buried under gifts.

Having served as a Hogwarts professor for nearly a century, educating countless wizards—80% of Britain's magical populace—ahead, Dumbledore held prestigious titles: Chief Wizard of the Wizengamot, President of the International Confederation of Wizards, and acclaimed as the greatest wizard and Hogwarts headmaster, though he humbly dismissed such accolades. Nonetheless, these titles mattered greatly to others, fostering worldwide connections.

Thus, each Christmas inundated Dumbledore with gifts, almost overwhelming the Headmaster's Tower.

Thankfully, he expertly used the Traceless Stretching Charm.

Dumbledore spent the week after Christmas unwrapping presents—a pastime he relished.

Gift value mattered less to Dumbledore than the insight they offered into people's growth, desires, and occasional surprises—a curse or benign prank.

Unfamiliar with him, many gave books, both wizarding and Muggle—a gesture of respect. Despite having read many, Dumbledore accepted with gratitude.

Known affectionately, he had a sweet tooth, receiving cakes, chocolates, cockroach clusters, fizzing whizbees, and sweets laced with potent potions—a playful challenge for Dumbledore.

Even less familiar acquaintances—leaf, parchment, even unsightly wool socks smelling of sheep—Dumbledore treasured with equal care.

Midway through unwrapping a gift half his height, an owl swooped through the window, dropping a small package in Dumbledore's lap.

Was this a belated gift from someone's morning revelation?

Dumbledore wondered, setting down the large box to inspect the smaller one first.

Inside, a parchment and a note awaited:

**[Dear Albus: This is the creation of my student, Wade Grey! I am immensely proud to share his accomplishment with you! Best wishes. - Morey]**

Even Dumbledore, the "all-knowing," puzzled over this brief yet cryptic note. He unfolded the parchment, scrutinizing both sides—only Morey's name graced it.

Before he could cast a revealing spell, a visitor arrived.

Filius Flitwick stood at the doorway, clutching a similar parchment, beaming. "Ah, Professor Dumbledore, here's mine. I knew Wade would achieve remarkable things, but so soon! He's only been studying magic for three and a half months?"

"-Wade Grey?" Dumbledore inquired cautiously.

"Who else could it be?" Professor Flitwick replied, strolling away, humming a tune.

Dumbledore glanced down at Flitwick's parchment—like Morey's, it bore only Flitwick's name.

Next came Pomona Sprout.

"Who better than you for this?" the witch smiled warmly. "I look forward to staying in touch."

Then Minerva McGonagall arrived, noticing Dumbledore already had a small stack. Handing him hers with mock annoyance, "Oh, I thought I was first—Pomona beat me to it!"

In truth, she had opened her other gifts first, finding this one a bit delayed.

Lastly, Snape handed over a notebook.

"Hmph," the Potions master sneered, "I kept one for myself; the others are unnecessary—superfluous communication wastes my time."

Dumbledore: ...

Everyone seemed to have one—except he remained oblivious to its purpose.