Hogwarts Study Panel

Chapter 165: Adoption Order
Sending and receiving gifts is the most important thing on Christmas Eve.

At this point, no one at Hogwarts could concentrate on the lessons anymore; even Hermione excitedly copied the wizard ukulele incorrectly as "eureka."

Hagrid, carrying his fir tree, entered the auditorium. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were just about to leave, having hurriedly finished their task of decorating for Christmas.

"Ah, Hagrid, the last tree has been brought in—can we put it in that corner over there for now?"

The auditorium looked beautiful and magnificent. The walls were covered with cascading ribbons made of holly and mistletoe, and twelve towering Christmas trees stood all around, some with sparkling icicles and others with hundreds of candles twinkling.

"How many more days until the holiday?" Hagrid asked.

"one day."

Hermione, who was next to Sheehan, answered.

At that moment, Sheen silently placed the package on his owl's claws and watched it fly away quickly.

Sheen began to think about whether he should give it a name.

The wizards will deliver all the gifts before dawn tomorrow, because the journey of longing is always long.

But the wizards don't start opening presents until Christmas Day.

This can be considered a small tradition.

Sheen was just one Apprentice-level alchemical creation away from unlocking the entry-level alchemy title, so he spent a long time that day thinking about which animal to choose for the final creation.

Justin and Hermione were leaving that afternoon; they had tried for a week but hadn't been able to convince Sheehan to spend Christmas at their house.

Ron had wanted to do the same after learning some news, but unfortunately, he couldn't go back himself—because his parents decided to go to Romania to visit his brother Charlie, who was working there.

Needless to say, Harry probably felt the same way as Sheehan, wishing he could stay at Hogwarts Castle forever.

The list of students allowed to stay at school for Christmas was finalized in the second week of December, so the young wizards already knew who could give their gifts in person and who couldn't.

So when Sheen arrived at the auditorium, there were already some extra things in his seat.

Although he didn't know who sent them, he carefully placed them in his dormitory and meticulously checked each name to make sure he would receive a return gift.

As he counted names in the Great Hall, Hogwarts Castle erupted in cheers.

"Hurry up, Jazz!"

The fat lady looks quite large, but she runs the fastest in the portrait.

"Madam—Madam—"

Sir Cadogan could only dream of such a thing.

"Fat woman! You're so fast now!"

Mrs. Violet, holding up her white underskirt, called out in a slightly anxious whisper.

"At such an important moment, even if I can only run this once in my life, I have to use it!"

The fat lady quickly passed through the third portrait frame in the second-floor corridor, while the knight and Lady Violet were still in the first portrait frame.

"Madam, how many times have you said this before?"

The jazz man was somewhat puzzled.

"It's a metaphor! Ah, what a blockhead!"

The fat lady's voice faded into the distance.

Below their stairwell was the auditorium, adorned with cascading ribbons of holly and mistletoe.

Sheen looked at the signatures on several letters, but still couldn't find it...

For some reason, he picked up the letter from Roland Terra, the daughter of that kind old lady:
Whether or not your big event will happen...

Although the professors' seats were empty, and even Headmaster Dumbledore was nowhere to be seen, the Great Hall became lively again at lunchtime.

Before leaving, Hermione received a package from Professor Flitwick. Although she didn't know what was inside, it was hard to imagine that it contained notebooks, quills, or something similar.
Justin also received a package from Professor Sprout, and he chuckled, saying he probably had a new recipe. Of course, no one received a package from Professor Snape, though; the young wizards might even doubt whether Professor Snape would send a package for Christmas.

As Sheen dined in the auditorium, the snow melted on the windows, turning into transparent glitter.

He walked beneath the silken curtains of the Hogwarts Great Hall, breathing in the fresh, crisp air.

Hogwarts has given him so much, what more could he possibly want?

"Magic is the best gift..."

His eyes sparkled.

Unexpectedly, when he put all the letters in the dormitory, an owl broke through the right window.

Debris was scattered all over the floor, and Sheen was stunned because the left side of the window was open.

Ten minutes ago. Outside the window, the snow-covered Scottish Highlands made the castle look like something out of a fairy tale.

The principal's office, however, was warm and inviting, with a fireplace burning with golden-red flames.

Albus Dumbledore stood opposite several people, his blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles revealing a mixture of gentleness and cunning.

Beside him, Professor Felius Flitwick stood atop a stack of thick books, looking exceptionally excited, while Professor Sprout held a pot of snowdrops, which were now in full bloom.

Even Principal Blake remained silent in the office portrait, for beside him stood the ladies with blurred vision and the knight tightly holding onto his ponies.

An owl flew away in their sight until it reached Ravenclaw Tower and smashed Sheen’s window.

"Reparo. (Restored to its original state.)"

Sheen had just finished repairing the window and was about to deal with the strange owl when it acted as if nothing had happened, standing tall and pointing at the table with its claws. Sheen guessed it was trying to point at the letter, but had just bumped its head and was dizzy.

Curious, he picked up the thick letter, but after just one glance, he was completely paralyzed:
[Jointly issued by Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic]

[Special Adoption Order]

The two lines of gilded text seemed to possess a magical power, compelling Sheen to look downwards:
We solemnly inform Mr. Sheehan Green:

Given that:

Sheehan Green meets the requirements of the exception clause of the International Secrets Act (newly amended) and the Protection of Minors Act (newly amended).

Furthermore, given that:
Ms. Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of Gryffindor House; and Mr. Severus Snape, Professor of Potions at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and Head of Slytherin House.
They jointly expressed their firm willingness to undertake the sacred responsibilities of raising, educating, and protecting.

It is hereby decided that:
On Christmas Day of this year, a formal adoption ceremony will be held in the office of the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, presided over by Headmaster Albus Percival Woolfrick Bryan Dumbledore, and witnessed by Professors Philius Flitwick and Pomona Sprout.

This ceremony and the final establishment of the adoption relationship are governed by the following core terms:

The adoptee, Sean Green, has the inalienable and free right to choose. He must be of sound mind, fully understand the meaning of adoption, and express his "consent" or "refusal" based on his own true will.

If he agrees, the adoption relationship will officially take effect from the time the ceremony is completed.

Ms. McGonagall and Mr. Snape will officially become his legal guardians and family, enjoying all the rights and responsibilities of legal guardians. He will have a permanent home, and his personal safety and mental development will be under the strictest protection.

If he refuses, this adoption order will be immediately void. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and the Ministry of Magic will make appropriate arrangements for his placement and ensure that his well-being and magical education are not affected.

His attendance will determine whether the ceremony takes place.

Therefore, we hereby notify you:

Location: Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts Castle
Time: On Christmas Day

"Oh my God!"

The fat lady's screams in the Ravenclaw Tower were stopped by Lady Violet, who quickly glanced at the silent little wizard not far from the portrait.

Enraged, he forcefully stuffed an apple into the fat lady's mouth.

Sir Cadogan was holding his pony, his eyes brimming with tears:
"Yes, they all did it. This is the moment that will decide their fate. But I think that the cold winds of fate sometimes have to blow some warm seeds into my heart, right?"

(End of this chapter)