"John, have you completed your History of Magic assignment?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah, here have a look" John handed Hermione a parchment.

"Thanks, I just wanted another perspective. I'll return this to you tomorrow." John and Hermione soon left the library, and on their way to the Gryffindor common room, they saw Harry and Ron coming towards them.

"Hi, Harry, Ron!" said John.

"Hi Harry!" said Hermione.

"Hi, did you find anything about Nicholas Flamel?" asked Harry.

"No" replied John, as Hermione stared at John. "Did you guys have any luck?"

"No, we looked at a lot of books but didn't find him anywhere. The guy could literally be anyone" replied Ron. John and Hermione left for the common room as Ron and Harry went to the library to try their luck again.

"You never looked for Flamel, why did you lie?" asked Hermione as she abruptly stopped on the way.

"I didn't lie. I did look for him, just not today. I have tried my luck, but couldn't find the guy in any of the books I checked. I know I have heard of him somewhere, just can't seem to think where." he replied.

"Do you want my help?" she asked.

"No, but if you come across his name anywhere, just tell me."

A couple of hours passed and Ron was getting bored now. He felt this whole search operation was pointless. But he wanted to give Harry company, and so stayed with him.

"John and Hermione seem awfully close, don't they?" he remarked.

"What do you mean?" asked Harry.

"Well, they spend a lot of time together. They sit in class together, they eat together, they study together."

"She is a muggle-born, he grew up a muggle. Of course, they are going to spend a lot of time together. Also, they are the best students in our class, it makes sense why they study together." replied Harry nonchalantly.

"Yeah, I suppose."

"He helps in our homework too, without him there is no way we'd be getting through our work."

"That's true. Also, nowadays Hermione is a lot more bearable" said Ron.

"She saved my life during our quidditch game, don't forget. I was thinking I should get her something for Christmas." replied Harry.

The days before Christmas went by rapidly. The Christmas holidays were nearing, and everybody's spirits seemed high. The day before the holidays, Hermione and John were sitting by the lake after class.

"So, what are you doing for Christmas?" asked Hermione.

"I… I uh, I will probably stay at Hogwarts." he replied.

"Oh! Why?"

"I like it here. Plus, I wouldn't have much to do back home anyways."

"Don't you want to be with your Aunt for Christmas?"

"She's going to her Mom's place for Christmas."

"What about your Uncle?" she asked.

"My Uncle?"

"Yeah, you never talk about him."

"My Uncle, I uh... I mean my uncle is, he is sort of out of the picture." he said and looked awfully uncomfortable. "Bad Marriage" he added.

"Oh! That's sad." she replied.

"What about you Hermione?"

"I'm just going home for Christmas, no plans as such." Just then a Hufflepuff boy came towards them and spoke,

"John Smith? Professor McGonagall wants to see you." John and Hermione looked at each other wondering what it could be.

"I'll see you later" said John, got up and went with the Hufflepuff kid. They reached Professor McGonagall's office and she greeted them at the entrance, almost as if she was waiting for them to arrive.

"Thanks, Mr Diggory" she said. The boy left, and John was left wondering what was going on.

"Mr Smith, something has happened. Headmaster wants to have a word with you."

"Professor Dumbledore? Why what happened?" he asked. She didn't say another word and they both made their way to Dumbledore's office. To John's surprise and mild shock, Severus Snape was walking towards them, having just left Dumbledore's office.

"Professor Snape!" John remarked.

"What have you done this time?" asked Snape as he sneered.

"I have no idea." said John and turned his head towards Professor McGonagall. "Can you please give me a minute with Professor Snape?"

"Sure Mr Smith" she replied.

"What is it? I haven't got all day."

"Professor, thanks for saving Harry!" said John and gave a weak smile. Severus looked taken aback but said nothing, nodded at him and left. John made his way up the staircase and saw Professor McGonagall who was standing in front of the Gargoyle.

"Orange Marmalade" said Professor McGonagall. The Gargoyle sprang to life, and the wall behind him split in two. They stepped on what looked like an escalator, which took them higher and higher until a gleaming oak door with a brass knocker in the shape of a griffin became visible.

Harry was sitting at the Great Hall, while Ron was sitting on his right, Hermione on the left. They weren't talking though. Hermione was stirring her cup mindlessly, while Harry seemed to be lost in a world of his own thinking about 4, Privet Drive, Daisy, Dudley and Christmas. Ron was eating sumptuously and wasn't bothered by what was going on around him. And then John came, he strode down the hall with the same confidence as he always did.

"What took you so long? You've been gone for nearly 2 hours." asked Hermione.

"Guess who I just met" he asked with a smile on his face. Harry, who till then hadn't noticed the conversation, looked at John.

"Who?" he asked. Hermione looked at John curiously.

"Dumbledore"

"What?" asked Ron, and all 3 of them were curious to know.

"Yeah, apparently Professor McGonagall had been told by Professor Flitwick and Snape that my charms work and potions were extraordinary. Dumbledore told me that I was going to be given special training after the holidays." he lied.

"Woah! That's brilliant" said Ron.

"Snape said you were great?" asked Harry.

"Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. I guess, he didn't hold a grudge after all for what I said earlier this year."

"That's unbelievable, you are probably the first 1st year to be given special training." said Ron and Harry nodded. Hermione all through this was silent. She was hurt that she couldn't also get this training. But was happy for John and gave a quick hug and congratulated him.

Later that evening, the common room was full. Ron, who was tired and sleepy after dinner, came to what he thought was the empty dormitory but heard some faint voices.

"... did he find out?"

"He's Dumbledore"

"John! What are you doing here? Who are you talking to?" John turned quickly and stared at Ron.

"Ron! Hi! This? This is a 2-way mirror. I was telling my Aunt about the training."

"Oh! Okay" said Ron in a drowsy voice, and went to his bed and dosed off. John heaved a sigh of relief.

The next day at breakfast John caught hold of Harry before Harry left for Christmas.

"Hey, Harry! I wanted to ask, rather tell you something."

"Yeah"

"You should probably not keep this a secret from Daisy."

"Why?"

"Well, you were telling me about how you'd rather not keep it a secret from her but did so because your Aunt told you to. I was thinking that, if you decided to continue lying, you'd have a lot of trouble doing that, right? I mean, details and all."

"Yeah, I suppose that's true. But how am I supposed to tell her? This would sound absolutely crazy. It did to me when I first found out."

"That my friend" he paused for a second and continued, "is your problem. I was just giving friendly advice."

"I'll think over it" replied Harry.