A Taste of Magic

Chapter 40: 40th Course - Chills and Flamels

"Hello Professor," Harry said, seeing Dumbledore walking into the common room.

"Hello Harry," Dumbledore said warmly. "How are you today?"

"Doing great. Finished all of my homework and just relaxing."

"Well done." He looked about the common room. "Is Hedwig out?"

"She's visiting the Browns," Harry smiled. "Playing with Lavender and Clover and Marigold and messing with Mr. Brown too."

Dumbledore chuckled. "That is kind of her and you. I do apologize for not allowing you to leave the school for the holiday. Under more normal times I would have liked to."

"I understand, Sir," Harry sighed. He really did and that was small consolation.

"That said, remember that pleasant surprise I had for you? Well it has come to the castle. Come with me."

"Oh, that sounds great." Harry eagerly followed after him. "I hope you didn't go through a lot of trouble for it."

"I did not," Dumbledore laughed. "But it has brought some trouble." He winked at Harry's concerned look. "You will understand soon." He led the boy to his office and Harry could hear voices coming down the circular stairwell.

"I cannot feel my toes! Dear Merlin and the Almighty, I have gotten frostbite!"

"Because you are touching my toes! Let go! And we were not even out on the grounds so you cannot claim you have frostbite!"

"Oh thank the powers! Why are your toes so cold?"

"Because I did not think I needed the thick socks inside, but now I know different. I am going to fix that right now."

"I hope Albus does not mind your bare toes in his office."

"As long as they are attached, I do not mind at all," Dumbledore laughed, leading a laughing Harry as well. Nicolas and Perenelle looked up and smiled when they saw Harry.

"Harry my boy!" Nicolas said exuberantly. "Good to see you!"

"It's good to see you too!" Harry smiled back.

"How do you feel about hugs?" Perenelle asked, pulling on some thick red socks.

"Oh I like them a lot," Harry said.

"Wonderful!" Perenelle hugged him firmly and he hugged her back shyly but warmly and did the same to Nicolas.

"Are you here for something important?" Harry asked.

"Fairly important yes," Nicolas said. "For you, of course."

"For me?" Harry asked, eyes wide.

"We came to visit you and spend time for the holiday," Perenelle said with a wide smile. "Albus told us you generally spend time here during the holidays and so here we are to spend time with you."

"You are? With me?" Harry was flabbergasted. "Why?"

"Because we want to and we like you," Nicolas said. "Though I will admit that we thought you should have come to us where it is not snowing and freezing and where things are nicer and warmer and with better fashion and all that-"