The Boy Who Watches

MrRev: 

Okay, let's take it in order. 

1) what makes you think that I will follow some canons in MY fanfiction? 

in my fanfiction, I even changed the location of the battle with the troll not in the toilet, but in the dungeon, and if you noticed, I changed the Canon, during halloween Hermione did not appear in the great hall, but just cried from what she heard from Ron in the morning, I wrote that Malfoy threw a pie at her (copied a move from a Lego game)  

2) yes, she is the voice of reason I don't argue (I even left her as the only one who noticed something strange) but in my fic Itachi is kind of....Smarter than Hermione in terms of studying, which is reflected in the Students, Gryffindors (especially Ron) think that Itachi is worse than Hermione, which is what brought them together earlier. 

3) What makes you think Hermione doesn't consider Itachi a rival? 

If you read carefully, you should have noticed that I tell the story from different points of view, I will have more to write, I leave little loopholes for the readers to guess, but nothing more. 

4) What are you talking about? I only described three teachers, McGonacle is impressed by Itachi's abilities and wants to watch him develop. 

Flitwick-he was impressed that itachi was not interested in what the spell could do, but in WHY it worked. 

and lastly Snape, I think it's 100% his reaction, he sees the unprecedented talent of a first year student who got into SLIZARINE (ambition and all that) and he knows he's being bullied because of his filthy blood, Snape thinks Itachi can become a dark wizard and not just "like that". 

Any other complaints? 

There are many more teachers at Hogwarts, but I've singled out only three. 

Dumbledore is the exception, he only trusts his colleagues. 

 Time flew by like the pages of an old book that someone was hurriedly turning. Autumn leaves were replaced by the first snowflakes, and the smell of pumpkin lattes gradually gave way to the aroma of ginger cookies. Hogwarts was preparing for Christmas, and the atmosphere in the castle was filled with anticipation of festivity and magic. 

In the time that had passed, Itachi and Theodore had continued their training, trying to hone their skills and become stronger. Theodore became more and more agile and precise each time, and his spells became more and more powerful. Itachi, in turn, taught him not only magic, but also tactics, how to control his emotions and make quick decisions. 

Their plan to spy on the Gryffindors wasn't standing still either. The two of them, separately or together, kept a close eye on Harry, Ron, and Hermione, trying not to draw too much attention to themselves. They saw the Gryffindors constantly discussing something as they tried to solve the mystery of Nicholas Flamel and his connection to the Philosopher's Stone. Itachi and Theodore, through their own research and observations, already knew that the stone Dumbledore was guarding was the Philosopher's Stone, and that it belonged to the legendary alchemist Nicholas Flamel. This discovery not only confirmed their suspicions, but also multiplied their interest in the events that were taking place and made them wonder who was trying to get the stone that gave immortality and why. 

Christmas was approaching, and Hogwarts was decorated with garlands and Christmas trees. Holiday music was playing in the Great Hall and the students were busily discussing their plans for the vacations. Everyone was looking forward to the holiday, and even Itachi and Theodore, despite the seriousness of their intentions, felt the anticipation of something special awaken in their hearts. They knew that the holidays could be a good time to do something. 

 December 25. 

Christmas wrapped Hogwarts in its warm, magical glow. Snow fell softly outside the windows, creating a cozy atmosphere, and Christmas carols played in the Great Hall. The students, dressed in their best holiday outfits, were happily enjoying a Christmas feast. Itachi and Theodore, though not participating in the general hustle and bustle, still couldn't help but feel the holiday spirit. 

After the feast, both of them, tired from the holiday hustle and bustle, headed to their rooms. Theodore opened the door with a yawn and immediately froze, staring at his bed. On it lay a small but nicely arranged gift. It was a roll tied with a green ribbon, and attached to it was a card with a Christmas greeting. 

"Wow," Theodore muttered, looking at the gift in surprise. - Who sent this to me?" He picked up the card and read it aloud: "Merry Christmas, Theodore! I hope your holiday is as wonderful as you are." He smirked. "Well, this is clearly some kind of groupie. There's a reason I spend so much time in the library, now everyone loves me." 

Itachi, for his part, opened the door to his room, and froze for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. His bed, or rather his entire room, was littered with gifts. Dozens of wrappers of different sizes and colors lay on the floor, on the windowsill, and even on the table. Some of them were tied with gold and silver ribbons, and some were decorated with flowers and glitter. 

"What the...?" - It came out of his mouth as he entered the room. He looked around, trying to realize what was happening. He picked up one of the gifts and read the name on the card. "From Natalia, from Elena, from Amanda, from Giselle..." - He listed the names, his eyes growing larger and larger with each new card. 

"Wow!" exclaimed Theodore, peering into Itachi's room. - Wow, you've got a whole warehouse of gifts in here! Looks like you're the most popular guy at Hogwarts. And for good reason." Theodore stepped closer and looked at the cards. "Looks like you have a whole harem of groupies here. Yes, Itachi, you certainly are quite the Casanova." 

Itachi sighed heavily. "I don't know what to do with them," he said, shaking his head. - I never asked for it." 

Theodore laughed. "Well, you're probably just too good to go unnoticed. But you're not going to throw them away, are you? Let's at least see what's inside. Maybe you've been given something valuable." 

Itachi, realizing he had no other choice, began opening the presents. Some of them were full of all sorts of sweets, others were full of jewelry and trinkets, and some were even some homemade items. All of them were made with love, and Itachi, despite his reticence, couldn't help but feel grateful for the attention. 

Theodore, meanwhile, was already busily unwrapping his gift. Inside was a small magical compass that pointed in the direction of where his favorite place at Hogwarts was. He smiled enthusiastically and immediately started checking it out. 

Christmas at Hogwarts was filled with magic and surprises, and even Itachi, despite all his serious plans, couldn't stay away from the festivities. He knew he still had a lot to do, but for now he could at least relax for a moment and enjoy the warmth of Christmas night. 

Going through the mountain of presents, Itachi, though he kept his outer calm, felt a growing curiosity inside. Most of the gifts were from his many female admirers, and he set them aside with a slight sigh. However, amongst the usual sweets, jewelry, and trinkets, his gaze caught on a few names that made him wary. 

Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, Polumna Lovegood... These names were familiar to him, and not just because they belonged to his classmates. He knew that these girls came from noble and powerful pureblood families whose views on blood purity were very specific. The Greengrasses, Parkinsons, and Lovegoods were known for their adherence to old traditions and intolerance of muggle-born wizards. 

Itachi frowned, taking these gifts in his hands. They were different from the others. They were more carefully and tastefully made. Their packaging was more elegant, and the cards were written in an understated but elegant manner. He couldn't help but feel that there was more than a simple show of affection behind these gifts. Itachi remembered that these families had strict rules and that their gifts could have hidden meanings. 

He carefully set these wrappers aside, deciding to open them later and with extra caution. 

He didn't want to underestimate his "suitors" from noble families, and he realized that they might try to use him for their own purposes. He knew he had to be prepared for any eventuality. 

As he continued to go through the gifts, Itachi suddenly came across a package that was different from all the others. It was wrapped in heavy, brown paper, and was tied with simple twine. There were no decorations on it, and the card had only one word written on it, "Family." Itachi's heart trembled for a moment. He realized it was a gift from his parents. 

He slowly unwrapped the roll-up, and his eyes widened with surprise and emotion. Inside was an old but very well-preserved photograph. It showed his parents when they were still young. They stood hugging each other, their faces glowing with happiness and love. Itachi had never seen this picture before, and it sent a wave of warm feelings and nostalgia through him. 

Next to the photo was a small letter written in his mother's neat handwriting. In the letter she wished him a Merry Christmas and told him that she and his father were very proud of him. She wished him all the best and asked him to take care of himself. At the end of the letter, his father added a few words wishing him success in his studies and admonishing him to always be honest and fair. 

Itachi carefully took the picture and the letter in his hands. He clutched them to his chest and tears came to his eyes. He loved his parents deeply, despite his reticence, and this gift was the most precious and most precious to him. He knew that despite all the hardships and trials, he would never be alone as long as he had his family. 

Theodore, looking at his magic compass with fascination and going through the sweets given to him, suddenly noticed that Itachi was quiet. Normally, even when he was brooding, there was nothing in his demeanor to cause concern. But right now, Itachi looked different. He was leisurely going through the presents, and Theodore noticed the expression on his face changing from calm to thoughtfulness, and then to something resembling sadness. 

Theodore set his compass aside and looked at Itachi, frowning. He saw that he had stopped, going through some cards, and his gaze froze on one of the rolls that was different from the others. He saw Itachi set that roll aside and then find another one, and his face immediately softened and his eyes filled with something very touching. 

"Hey Itachi, is everything okay?" - Theodore asked, trying to hide his excitement. He got up from his chair and walked closer to his friend. "You've been kind of quiet. Is something wrong?" 

Itachi flinched when he heard Theodore's voice and broke away from his thoughts. He quickly hid the picture and the letter, and tried to return to his usual composed state. 

"It's okay," he replied, his voice sounding a little quieter than usual. - It's just that I've been thinking." He looked at Theodore and smiled slightly, trying to hide his feelings. "I was just going through some presents, and it was nothing special." 

But Theodore didn't believe him. He knew full well that behind Itachi's outward equanimity lurked deep feelings and worries. He could see that something had hit him, and he wanted to know what it was. 

"No, Itachi, don't lie to me," he said, his voice sounding serious. - 'I can see there's something wrong with you. What were those rolls you put aside back there? And why did you look at that last gift you held so tightly to you?" He crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Itachi expectantly. "Come on, tell me, don't be languid." 

Itachi hesitated for a moment. He wasn't used to sharing his feelings, much less showing his weakness. But he knew that Theodore was his closest friend, and that he would always support him. He realized that he couldn't hide the truth from him. 

He sighed heavily and looked again at the photograph that lay in his hands. "It's a picture of my parents," he said, his voice quiet and a little hoarse. - They sent it to me for Christmas." 

When Theodore heard the word "family," his mood changed dramatically. He had always been cheerful and full of energy, but this subject tugged at something painful in him. He grew up without a mother, and his father had to pull the burden of upbringing alone. 

Theodore had never seen his parents together or felt the warmth that was between them. So as he looked at Itachi holding a picture of his happy family, he involuntarily felt a prick of envy. 

He quickly suppressed the feeling, not wanting it to ruin his friendship with Itachi. Theodore realized that envy was foolish and that everyone had their own destiny. He tried to focus on supporting his friend and pushed the gloomy thoughts away. 

"That's... that's great, Itachi," Theodore said uncertainly, trying to hide his true state of mind. His voice sounded a little quieter than usual, and there was some stiffness in it. He took a step back from Itachi, trying to hide his sudden sadness. "You must have wonderful parents. I... I'm sure they love you very much." 

He fell silent, trying to find the right words. He didn't know how to express his feelings properly, or how to support Itachi without giving away his own pain. He looked at his friend, and his eyes read a mixture of sympathy and uncertainty. 

"So... what are those other mysterious gifts from the groupies?" - Theodore said suddenly and somehow too loudly, trying to shift the conversation and change the atmosphere. He even tried to portray his usual carefree smile on his face, but it didn't work very convincingly. "You said there was a mountain of packages. Maybe there's something really interesting among them? Maybe some kind of magic mirror that shows the future, or a flying broom with turbo acceleration? Come on, Itachi, don't languish, come on, open them!" 

Theodore realized that his words sounded strained and unnatural, but he didn't know how to act otherwise. He didn't want to show Itachi his jealousy, and he didn't want his friend to feel guilty. He tried to cheer him up, move the conversation to a lighter topic, and hide his true feelings as deeply as possible. He hoped that Itachi wouldn't notice his strange behavior, and that things would go back to normal. 

He stared at Itachi expectantly, hoping that he would be able to distract his friend from his gloomy thoughts and turn the conversation to a more positive direction. But Theodore continued to feel a prick of envy in his heart, and he realized that he needed time to deal with his emotions and return to his usual cheerful mood. 

Itachi, as immersed in his own thoughts as he was, still didn't miss the change in Theodore's mood. He noticed how his usually bright eyes faded, how his smile became strained and his voice a little hoarse. he decided not to bring it up now. He knew Theodore would tell him himself if he wanted to. 

Instead, Itachi decided to distract his friend by turning the conversation to another topic. He pretended not to notice his sudden stiffness and began to talk about the strange gifts he had received from noble families. 

"Yes, you're right," Itachi said, his voice sounding even and calm, but there was a slight concern in it. - There is indeed a mountain of packages in there. But it's not so much the gifts themselves that worry me, but who sent them." He picked up one of the envelopes, tied with a silver ribbon, and held it out to Theodore. "This is from Daphne Greengrass, for example. You know that family, don't you? They are very famous for their purity of blood." 

Theodore took the gift and looked at it, frowning his eyebrows. "The Greengrasses? Yes, I've heard of them. They're obsessed with blood purity, and consider anyone who isn't pureblooded to be dirt underfoot. I wouldn't be surprised if they put some potions in there." He cast a glance at Itachi and added: "And why are they sending you presents? Did they like you too?" 

Itachi puckered his lips slightly. "I don't think it's about liking," he replied, shaking his head. - It's more likely some kind of political move. They probably want to get me on their side, and lure me into their net." He picked up another gift, this time from Pansy Parkinson, and twirled it in his hands. "The Parkinsons, the Lovegoods... They're all from the same circles. It's all very suspicious." 

Theodore frowned even more. "So it turns out these aren't groupies, but potential spies?" - He asked. "Wow, how confusing. I thought these noble families were just boring and nerdy, and it turns out they're also schemers." 

"Exactly," Itachi replied, nodding. - And that's what worries me. I don't want to be someone's puppet, and I don't want them using me in their games." He sighed heavily and added: "But they can be useful sources of information. If we're careful, we can find out a lot of interesting things before they realize on their own that we're up to something too." 

Itachi looked at Theodore and tried to smile. "In any case," he uttered. - Let's not think bad thoughts just yet. It's probably just a sign of attention. 

Itachi, as if reading Theodore's thoughts, added one more important detail to finally clarify the situation and explain his concern about the gifts from noble families. 

"Also," Itachi continued, his voice flat but with a slight note of irritation in it, "don't forget that I'm only a freshman. Yes, I may be talented, but I'm still a student. And I come from an ordinary family with no influence or connections. I can't afford to openly disrespect pureblood families yet. It could have bad consequences not only for me, but for my parents as well." 

He looked at Theodore and emphasized: "I can't just take their gifts and refuse them. That would be taken as an insult and they might try to retaliate. At this point, I have to be careful not to draw unnecessary attention to myself. Otherwise we won't be able to find out all that we need to know." 

Theodore nodded, realizing the rightness of Itachi's words. 

"Yeah, you're right," Theodore said, sighing. "I've forgotten something. We're still children, and we can't openly defy the old ways. We need to pretend to be nice boys for now and look out for them. But then what do we do with these presents? Just pile them up and forget about them? Or are we going to use them somehow?" 

Itachi thought for a moment. "I think we should look them over," he replied, "and see if there's anything interesting in there. Maybe they did send some useful things, or even some encrypted messages." 

Itachi and Theodore, determined, began inspecting the gifts with the one Pansy Parkinson had sent. Itachi carefully unwrapped the package, and his eyebrows crept upward in slight surprise. Inside was a small but elegantly wrapped package tied with a black ribbon. It was accompanied by a card with a fairly standard set of wishes for a happy and prosperous Christmas, but in the bottom right corner was a distinctive scarlet lipstick print. 

Itachi frowned, showing the card to Theodore. "Well," he said with a touch of sarcasm, "looks like I have another fan." 

Theodore grinned. "Yeah, and what a fan! That Pansy Parkinson seems to be quite a catch. And her lipstick is definitely not cheap." 

Itachi set the card aside and unwrapped the gift itself. Inside was a thin, delicate bracelet woven from fine silver threads. On it hung a small, neat pendant in the shape of a black serpent. The bracelet looked simple enough, but at the same time it had a sense of magic. 

"And what is this?" - Theodore asked, leaning over the bracelet. 

Itachi took the bracelet in his hands and scrutinized it. He felt a slight tingling sensation in his fingertips, as if the bracelet was filled with some kind of magical energy. He noticed that attached to the bracelet was a small card with some words written on it. 

"Looks like this isn't just a piece of jewelry," Itachi said as he read the card. "It says here that the bracelet is enchanted with protective charms. It can sense magic directed from behind, and because of that, it creates a magical shield to protect the wearer. But the supply is limited, only three times." 

Theodore stared at the bracelet, and his eyes rounded with surprise. "Three times?" - He interjected, not believing his ears. "Do you realize what that means? That's real armor! It must be worth a fortune. And Pansy Parkinson gave you such a thing for nothing?" 

Itachi looked at the bracelet thoughtfully. "Yeah, that's pretty weird. Why would she give me such an expensive thing? It's not like she hardly knows me." 

Theodore shook his head. "Wants to impress me. Or she has some ulterior motive. 

He looked at the bracelet again, feeling its power. He realized that Pansy Parkinson was a very complicated girl, and that there might be something more behind this gift. 

Putting aside the bracelet that had struck them both, Itachi started on the next gift, from Daphne Greengrass. The packaging was neat and tidy, uncluttered, and in keeping with the character Itachi had come to expect from the girl. The card was simple, with the usual greetings and wishes printed in an elegant font. Inside the card, however, was a small envelope sealed with the Greengrass seal, the family crest being a silver serpent coiled around an oak branch. 

Itachi, sensing that this letter was more than a simple greeting, carefully opened the envelope and unfolded the sheet of parchment. Theodore watched him with undisguised curiosity, waiting to see what it said. 

Itachi ran his eyes over the text of the letter, and a look of thoughtfulness and then slight irony appeared on his face. "So that's it," he uttered, setting the letter aside on the table. "It seems Daphne has decided not to beat around the bush." 

Theodore frowned. "What does it say? A marriage proposal?" 

Itachi chuckled slightly. "No, nothing like that. But it's almost as straightforward. Daphne writes that she'd like to meet me and talk about future plans. Purely political talk, since she's, quote, 'noticed a great talent in me that could be useful for the common good.' She doesn't seem to intend to hide her intentions, and speaks at once of what interests her." 

Theodore thought for a moment. "Well, that's at least honest. She doesn't waste time with empty compliments or trying to get you to like her. She tells you right away what she wants from you. It's even a little refreshing, after that lipstick bracelet." He shrugged. "But still, it's pretty weird. She wants to use you for political games? What nonsense!" 

Itachi nodded, agreeing with Theodore. "That's right. It seems that Daphne and her family see me as a promising mage that they can use to further their interests. They probably think they can control me." He grinned. "But they're wrong if they think that." 

"So, are you going to meet with her?" - Theodore inquired. 

"Perhaps," replied Itachi, "to find out exactly what she's up to. And maybe this meeting will even do us some good. We'll be able to elicit information from her that we can use. But either way, I'll be careful not to fall for her tricks." He glanced at the letter again and shook his head. "At least her forthrightness puts me at ease. I don't like going around and not telling my true intentions." 

After the letter, Itachi set about examining the gift itself from Daphne Greengrass, expecting some sort of trick or hint of her political games. However, instead he discovered something quite unexpected. The gift was flat and hard to the touch, and when Itachi unwrapped it, he saw that it was... a map. But not an ordinary geographical map, but something like a ticket. 

"What is this, a bus pass?" - Theodore asked in surprise, peering over Itachi's shoulder. "Where can it even take us?" 

Itachi examined the map carefully. It was made of thin but sturdy parchment, and it was covered with some delicate patterns and inscriptions. He noticed that the map showed some sort of coat of arms, similar to the one on the letter, but more intricate and detailed. 

"Looks like it," Itachi replied, "but it's not a travel card in the usual sense. It says it's a ticket card with an unlimited annual pass for admission to an upscale restaurant owned by the Greengrass family." 

Theodore's eyes bulged with surprise. "An elite restaurant? Are you serious? Why would they give us such a useless gift?" 

Itachi shrugged. "I don't know," he said, "but it's pretty weird. Why would they invite us over for dinner? Or is this a way to lure us into a trap?" 

He carefully read the description on the back of the map. It said that this restaurant was very popular with pureblood wizards, and that it was a gathering place for the elite of the magical world. It also talked about the exquisite cuisine, and the atmosphere of luxury. 

"Well," Theodore pronounced, scratching the back of his head thoughtfully, "it's certainly not a magical artifact or a way to capture us, but... it's at least a tasty gift." He grinned. "Maybe Daphne just wants to feed us to the brim, and learn all our secrets at the same time. That's pretty clever, come to think of it." 

Itachi looked at the map thoughtfully. "You're probably right. It's a way to make us feel good, and at the same time build rapport with us. But either way, it's a pretty useless gift." He wrinkled his nose slightly. "And I, to be honest, am not particularly eager to dine with the pureblood elite. This talk of blood purity and politics always bores me." 

"Well, it is what it is," Theodore said, "but free food is always good. Especially if it's delicious. And if they want to poison us, we'll feel it anyway. And if they give us some valuable information at the table, it'll be even better. So let's not be so picky." He looked at Itachi and winked. "Anyway, no one's ever turned down free food before. Oh, and if anything, we can always go there and sit if we want to." 

Itachi, after thinking for a moment, nodded. "Yeah, you're right. We shouldn't dismiss all possibilities in advance. In any case, it's an unusual gift, and we should be grateful to Daphne for her consideration." He set the card aside, but decided not to forget about it. He realized that even the most seemingly useless item could be useful if you knew how to use it. 

Finally, Itachi and Theodore got to the last of the remaining gifts, the one from Lumna Lovegood. The packaging, unlike the strict elegance of the gifts from Greengrass and Parkinson, was somewhat eccentric: the paper was decorated with colorful patterns, and the ribbon tying the roll was made of thin threads, in different colors. The card that came with the gift was also very peculiar. There were strange creatures on it, like a mixture of a hare and a butterfly, and the wishes were written in uneven, childish handwriting. 

"Well, there goes Lovegood," Theodore muttered, looking at the card. "I wonder what she has in store for us this time?" 

Itachi shrugged and carefully opened the card. Inside, in addition to the congratulatory words, was another envelope, plain and unremarkable at first glance. It was unsealed, and Itachi pulled out a folded sheet of parchment from it. 

"Looks like there's a letter here too," he said, unfolding the sheet. He began to read the letter aloud, and with each line his eyebrows rose higher and higher. "Gee..." 

"What's in it?" - Theodore inquired, looking at his friend curiously. 

Itachi fell silent and reread the letter once more before speaking. "Looks like it," he replied, slightly stunned. "Here she writes... that she thanks me. But not for anything in particular, just for having me. She writes that she sees in me... something special and that, quote, 'my aura radiates the light of truth.' She also mentions that I, quote again, 'will not succumb to the onslaught of rhinos' and that 'barmaglots cannot deceive me'." 

Theodore opened his mouth in surprise. "Wow, that girl... What is she even talking about?" 

Itachi shook his head. "I don't know either," he said. - But what follows is even more interesting. She writes that she wouldn't mind getting to know me better and forming a bond of friendship, and that she hopes we can find common ground, quote again, 'because our magic dances to the same rhythm and our souls soar in the same direction'." 

Theodore chuckled. "Well, that's certainly out of line. She must have read some silly fairy tales. Friendship bonds, dancing souls, barmagloths... I never realized she had such a rich imagination." 

"And how's that?" - Theodore asked with a chuckle. "Are you ready to be friends with a girl who communicates with barmaglots?" 

Itachi shrugged. "We'll see," he replied. - It might make some sense. I'm not ruling out that possibility." 

Putting aside the strange letter from Lumna Lovegood, Itachi shifted his gaze to the gift itself, and his eyes widened slightly in surprise. The packaging, though done in a peculiar manner, seemed suspiciously familiar. The shape of the package resembled a long, narrow cylinder, and Itachi had a vague suspicion as to what might be inside. 

"Well, it's obviously not a magic cauldron," Theodore muttered, examining the coil. "Maybe she gave you a sword?" 

Itachi, without answering, carefully began unwrapping the gift. With each turn of the colored paper, his suspicions became more and more certain. Finally, the wrapping was removed, and before them stood... a broomstick. Not just any old, shabby broom, but a brand new, shiny Nimbus 2000. The wood of the handle was polished to a shine, and the broomsticks were smooth and resilient. It was one of the best broom models available at the time, and it couldn't help but impress. 

Itachi blinked in surprise, looking at such an unexpected gift. Theodore whistled with delight. "Wow! - he exclaimed. - It's a 'Nimbus 2000'! You're a lucky man! Now you have your own lightning bolt!" 

Itachi remained silent as he continued to examine the broom. He was indeed impressed, but his mind had already begun to analyze the situation. Why would Polumna give him such an expensive and generally impractical gift? He picked up the broom and found that there was another note tied to the handle, written in the same uneven but recognizable handwriting. 

He unfolded the note and began to read aloud: "Didn't know what you were into, but I know you're a great broom handler and were even invited to join the team, but you didn't accept. Sorry, I talk a lot. I hope you enjoy it." 

Itachi frowned, rereading the note again. 

Theodore shrugged. "But anyway, it's a nice gift. She seems to have a pretty good sense of what you might like." 

Itachi nodded, agreeing with Theodore. "Yes, she does. But it's still strange that she chose a broomstick specifically and not something more... magical. And why would she give me such an expensive model? ." He was silent for a second, then added with a slight chuckle: 

"But, I won't deny it, the 'Nimbus 2000' is a really nice gift. It's a good one to fly around on when I'm bored." 

He looked at the broom and sighed quietly. This gift was probably the nicest surprise after his Parents that he had gotten for Christmas. But he realized he couldn't just take it for granted, and he needed to figure out what really drove this mysterious girl. 

When Theodore and Itachi had finished scrutinizing and analyzing all the Christmas presents, they felt tired. The hustle and bustle of the holidays, the intense thinking and studying the letters had worn them both out. The sun had long since risen, and they realized that there wasn't much time to rest, but they were determined to take advantage of every spare minute to get a good night's sleep. 

"Well, I guess all the presents have been analyzed," Theodore said, yawning with a full mouth yawn. "My head is already buzzing from all the riddles and messages. I'm ready to sleep for ten hours, at least." 

Itachi nodded, agreeing with his friend. "Me too," he pronounced. - I'm more tired than usual. Christmas seems to be a tiring holiday." He looked at Theodore and added: "Tomorrow night, if you don't mind, we can practice. We need to practice what we've learned and prepare ourselves for possible trouble." 

"Agreed," Theodore replied. - Tomorrow we will prepare for battles. For now, let's get to bed! Let's give ourselves a little break to regain our strength." He yawned once more and stretched. "The festivities don't end until twelve, so we can safely sleep until dinner." 

Itachi smiled slightly. "Yeah, you're right. I don't mind sleeping through lunch." 

They both gathered up the gifts and cards scattered around the room and put them into neat stacks. Itachi put the Nimbus 2000 in a prominent place, deciding that as soon as he had time, he would be sure to test out the new broom. 

After that, they turned out the lights and crawled under the blankets. Itachi, despite being tired, couldn't help but think about what had happened during the day. He pondered on the mysterious messages from the noble families until he fell asleep.