A few kilometres away, unaware that they were being chased, the group formed by the beavers, Hermione and the three children, was walking toward the frozen river.
"Faster!" Mr. Beaver said.
Peter sighed, and took Lucy on his shoulder.
"If he tells us to go faster one more time, I swear I'll turn him into a hat!" He complained.
"Faster!" Mr. Beaver immediately repeated.
Both Lucy and Hermione let out a laugh, and Peter himself couldn't hold a smile. Suddenly they heard the sound of jingling bells.
"The witch!" Mrs Beaver warned. "Run!"
Lucy got down her brother's shoulder, and they all started running as fast as they could. They sound found shelter in some kind of burrow, where they all tried to squeeze in, and tried to stay silent. They soon saw the shadow of a stocky man above their hiding place. The shadow stayed there for a moment, and then went away.
"Do you think they left?" Lucy whispered.
"I'll go and check." Mr. Beaver offered.
"Be careful!" His wife implored.
And he left the burrow. The others wouldn't dare to move a finger. After the longest minute of their young lives, the Pevensies were taken by surprise when he came back quite brutally.
"I hope you've been good, kids, because you have a visitor!"
Intrigued by his joyful tone, the kids got out, followed by Hermione and Mr. Beaver. There was four different reactions by the humans regarding the visitor. Lucy, for one, was smiling with stars in her eyes, while her sister was shaking her head as if she couldn't believe her eyes. Peter, as for him, was trying to understand how it was possible. Finally, Hermione was currently laughing, a laugh that was both nervous and liberating.
"Told you he was real!" Lucy said, giving her sister a light elbow.
Indeed, in front of them was no other than Santa Clause. Hermione tried to take her nerves back, and then asked:
"I will only have one question, sir. For a very long time, I thought you were just a legend. So, are Crumple-Horned Snorkack real as well?"
"Of course, they're real! The man in red replied with a laugh. I once offered a pair to a lovely guy from your world. Newt Scamander."
Hermione had a moment of shocked silence.
"So you can cross worlds. Of course, you can, why couldn't you? You're Santa Clause."
And then she started laughing uncontrollably, and why joined by Santa.
"Hold on a minute!" Susan exclaimed. "I thought the White Witch had banished you. Always winter, never Christmas."
"It's true. But your presence changes everything. Her power is growing weak. Winter is leaving. And now, let's get down to serious business."
And he took a humongous bag from the back of his sledge.
"Presents!" Lucy exclaimed.
And the bearded man had a friendly laugh.
"For you, Lucy Pevensie. In this bottle is a cordial made of fire flower. One single drop can heal any wound, even the most serious ones. As for this dagger, I hope you'll never have to use it."
"I think I would be brave enough, sir...3 Lucy said in a timid voice.
I don't doubt it. But battles are ugly places, and it's better not to get involved into them.
Lucy nodded, and stepped back.
"Susan: trust this bow, and you will never miss a target."
"What happened to "battles are ugly places?""
"you're a bright young girl." the old man said with a laugh. "Blow this horn if you are in danger, and help will always come to you."
Susan thanked him, and then it was Peter's turn. He received a sword and a shield.
"I'm afraid you might have to use it sooner than you expect." Santa said.
The beavers gift was that they would find their dam fully repaired and upgraded when they would come back home. Then:
"Hermione Granger."
Hermione had a moment of surprise.
"Me, sir?"
"Come closer, my child."
She did as she was asked, and he took a thin golden necklace out of his sack.
"I think you know what this is, young lady."
"It's a time turner..."
"This one is a little different from the one you and your friends "accidentally" destroyed at the ministry of magic."
She had a shy smile, and he smiled in returns.
"Activate it, and it will take you where you need to be. But be careful! Your body will be left behind during your travel. Make sure you're in a safe place before using it."
"Yes, sir."
"Now. Two people are missing in this company... Edmund is not responsible for his absence. It would make no sense to punish him for that."
He took out a vial, inside which a bright light was burning.
"This light comes from a star named Pandora. It will guide him even in the darkest place. However, it can only work if he or his soul-mate is holding it. As for your friend, Miss Granger... the choices he made, he made for the sake of Edmund, and for the sake of balance. This is for him. This necklace will protect the person he will give it to against any kind of magic. But it will only work for one person. And now, I have to go. There is work to do when you have been away for a hundred years. Long live Aslan. And merry Christmas!"
And on these world, he snapped his reins, and left at high speed.
"Did you hear what he said?" Peter suddenly reacted. "Winter is leaving. Do you know what this means?"
"No more ice..." Hermione whispered. "We have to cross that river before the ice is gone."