Chapter 16 - Christmas gifts part 2 (1/2)

While Neal was sorting out the gifts, Malfoy went back to his room to use the cast-a-spell kit. Then, he took out the letter from his pocket and started to read after revealing the second part Edward wrote with invisible ink.

”I should warn you one thing. Don't showcase your talent too much. Ilvermorny School is investigating that person's death. And also regarding the first-person who contacted you, I'm still not sure what his identity is and how did he know your identity and address of the Orphanage.

Anyway, you and Isle should be careful. Especially Isle. You should never let Isle's venom secret out of Hogwarts. Dumbledore and the professors can be trusted. But not the Ministry. They are corrupt in and out even including the minister.

Lie low and study diligently for a few years at least until you have the power to go against a professor. It's best if you don't use the advanced spells you learned from me. They are all higher-level spells you learn during your sixth or seventh year.

Also, don't ever try to look for the chamber of secrets even though it's your right to open it but still please don't search for it. I hope you keep your promise. Don't reply. I might not receive it. I'll contact you when I'll return to London”.

He burned the letter after reading it. Then, he pulled out the brown suitcase and remembered the name ”anonymous Santa Claus”.

Three and a half years ago, Galway, Ireland.

Eight years old Little Neal was standing alone in the park while everyone was playing together. His 2nd-grade classmates didn't play with him even on his birthday while calling him a freak.

Ignored by his classmates and friends from Orphanage, he ran away from there while crying. After it became very dark, eight-year-old Neal got scared as he doesn't know where he was or how to go back to Orphanage.

As the city has a low population even below fifty thousand back then, it's hard for him to even find a person at these dark streets with no lighting. He started to walk aimlessly with the help of moonlight.

As Little Neal reached a harbor where he can see lots of boats, he ran towards it, so that he may find some ȧduŀt who can bring him back to Orphanage and thought Ms. Anne might be worried and was looking for him.

Just then, he heard footsteps in the silent night. He turned back to see an old man laughing heavily, ”ho ho ho, it seems there's an interesting little creature here”. As it was dark, Neal wasn't able to see his face.

While taking him back to the Orphanage, the old man asked several questions and said a lot of non-sensical things like never heard animal names and also told him, ”do you know my philosophy is that worrying means you suffer twice. So, stop worrying about the things you don't understand and enjoy the things life offers”. After reaching the Orphanage, the old man said, ”today is your birthday, right?”.

As Neal nodded, the old man pulled an egg out of his pocket, ”consider this as a gift from an anonymous Santa Claus. Happy Birthday, Neal”. As Neal looked at the egg, The old man vanished from there.

Just when he was wondering whether he should eat Omelet, The egg cracked and a little snake came out of it.

Back to the present, Neal asked Isle, ”do you think he's the same person? It might not be a coincidence”.

Later after freshening up, he wore the sweater Malfoy's mom gifted him on top of casual clothes and wore the bracelet on his right arm. He left Isle in the room and went downstairs to the common room and found Draco did the same.