Emmeline Vance, who had been listening quietly to everyoheories, spoke up.

  "Professor Dumbledore, don’t you think we’re stretched a bit thin? The Ministry of Magi’t have many people avaible at that time either."

  Dumbledore’s gaze shifted to Gideo, as if he had just settled on a pn.

  "In that case, I’ll vihe Longbottoms to spend Christmas with the Potters. I’ll also speak to Marlene; perhaps she and her family could join everyo the Burrow."

  Gideon nodded with a warm smile. "I’m sure Molly would wele them with open arms."

  Moody griapping his wand on his hand. "Well, that leaves only two key pces to guard. We eve up a few ambush points in advahey’d better show up, or I’ll be blowing cold air all night for nothing."

  "Agreed," Edgar Bones added. "But let’s not tell them why we’re setting this up. We might cate Death Eaters by surprise or even root out the traitor."

  Seeing the general approval of his pn, Dumbledore nodded. "Then it’s settled. Moody, Emmeline, I’ll need you to look after the Potters and Longbottoms. Edgar, help guard the Slytherins. I’ll be ready to step in if Voldemort himself makes an appearance."

  Everyone agreed, and one by ohey left, leaving Dumbledore deep in thought. As he stared into the flickering fire, he murmured to himself, 'Tom, would you really harm a newborn child? How far you’ve fallen into darkness…' He frowned, his mind on the prophecy. 'Potter or Longbottom? And Snape… you’d better not fail me.'

  Meanwhile, back at Sirius’s pce, Sirius dropped onto the sofa with a heavy sigh, worry creasing his brow as he tapped his foot anxiously, clearly still preoccupied with thoughts of the Death Eaters.

  Alex, however, wasn’t overly worried. He trusted Dumbledore’s precautions and didn’t believe anything serious would happen if they were on high alert.

  "Sirius, I want to head out," Alex said suddenly.

  Sirius snapped out of his thoughts, looking startled. "Out? It’s already te! What if you run into trouble?"

  Alex rolled his eyes. Sirius was always on edge tely. "Rex, Sirius. I just o pick up some Christmas gifts. Besides, if the Death Eaters are pnning something for Christmas, we’re safe until then."

  Sirius frowned, still hesitant. "Christmas presents? You sound like a kid. If Dumbledore decides to cel the gathering, all of this might be for nothing."

  "Maybe, but if the Death Eaters know we're prepared, they might call off the attack altogether. I’m just going to the Muggle shopping distriyway, not Diagon Alley. It'll be fine."

  Seeing Alex's determination, Sirius sighed, finally relenting. "Fine, but I’m ing with you. Don’t even think about running off alone."

  Despite his protests, Alex couldn’t shake Sirius. Together, they headed to London’s Muggle shopping areas, where Alex could shop in peace.

  First, they stopped at the market. Alex wao pick up some ents. Ever since Hagrid discovered his stash of spices, he had nearly wiped out his supply. He also bought a big copper hot pot, the kind used for traditional mutton stews. It would be perfect for a cozy winter meal with friends.

  , they wahrough the nearby shopping mall. Alex chose a lovely music box that pyed a soothing lulby for little Harry, along with several children’s storybooks. For Professonagall, he selected a finely crafted brooch carved with a lion, and for Professor Flitwick, he found a detailed meical clock he khe Charms professor would appreciate. For Slughorn, Alex picked out an aged bottle of whiskey, knowing his fondness for fine drinks.

  Frid, he found a rge c engraved with mythical creatures—a bit decorative, but he was sure Hagrid would use it every day. And for his friends Charles and Vivian, he bought each of them a new set of Poker cards. Acc to Vivian, the Slytherins and Gryffindors had all but worn out the old set with their stant games.

  When it came to Sirius, Alex decided on something unique: a gramophone and a stack of vinyl records. He could already picture Sirius listening to musid unwinding, and thought it would suit his godfather's ofteless spirit.

  Alex also bought a rge supply of greeting cards, ing paper, and boxes, ready to pack everything up ter. Finally, he bought himself a new set of formal wear for the occasion.

  With all the shopping bags in hand, Sirius grumbled, hauling a rge cardboard box as they left the mall. "ime, remi to e along," he muttered, but Alex just grinned.

  Over the few days, Alex stayed at Sirius’s house. Sirius was either out on Order business, sprawled out on the sofa, or fiddling with the gramophone like a big kid. During one quiet evening, Alex asked him about the mysterious way wizards unicated through firepces.

  Sirius expihat, simir to Floo powder, the Floo work linked firepces, allowing them to unicate. His firepce ecially modified by the Order to allow for private unication. They couldn’t travel directly with Floo powder, but it ehem to stay ected safely.

  Alex listened, fasated by the cept. He was already thinking of how he could use this knowledge iure.

  Seeing Alex’s i in magical unication, Sirius gifted him a copy of tact Rune Application for Christmas. With the establishment of the Floo work, the book held all sorts of teiques that fasated Alex.

  While flipping through one of Sirius’s old photo albums, Alex paused. "Is this… Snape?" He poio a picture of a young Severus Snape in a group photo, clearly from a school event.

  "Yep, that’s him," Sirius said, leaning over. "This was taken at one of Professor Slughorn's Slug Club gatherings. You’ll want to remember these faces: that’s Avery, this one here is Dolohov, and of course, that’s Snape. Keep a for them; you might cross paths one day."

  Alex paid particur attention to Snape’s image. He knee had a potion book sighe Half-Blood Prince, and based on the plex spells and potion tips scrawled throughout, he was fident it was Snape’s handwriting. The young Snape in the picture had slightly longer, dark hair and a somber, almost mysterious expression.