The days leading up to the winter holidays were very slow and boring. After class, Harry and Ron visited Hermione, and sat with her almost until the end of the day. Potter even refused to go to Snape until his girlfriend was well. Sometimes, much to their surprise, they ran into the Potions Professor in the hospital wing.

"Have a nice day, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley," he muttered and left the room.

"What did he want this time?" Harry asked as he sat down on the bed next to him.

"Said he had to place an order for potions for Madam Pomfrey. He also brought me potions homework." The girl waved the parchment in front of the boys.

"Looks like he's afraid his evil bat image will burst at the seams," Weasley sighed, turning his chair around and leaning on its back.

One evening, on their way back from Hermione's, the boys noticed something strange as they passed the girls' restroom.

"Look."

"Moaning Myrtle flooded the toilet," Harry and Ron decided to look around. There were sobs in the far corner.

"What happened to you?" Potter asked carefully. But even this simple question did not affect him in the way the guys wanted.

"What happened to me? Throwing things at Moaning Myrtle is not scary, she is still a ghost and does not feel anything," she squealed furiously, from which the teenagers' ears were stuffed, and dived into the nearest toilet.

"She reminds me of Malfoy," Ron snorted, making Harry chuckle.

"Look at this." The scarred boy picked up a black diary from the floor. He was half in the water, but it didn't seem to hurt him much.

"I wonder whose it is." Potter opened it impatiently, but there was nothing inside.

"It's empty," Harry flipped through the notebook, but all the sheets were completely blank.

"Oh, I don't like it," Ron shook his head.

That same night, when all the students were already asleep. The young magician tossed and turned all the time and could not sleep. The recent discovery disturbed him, the diary seemed to pull him towards it. In the end, he could not stand it and took out a notebook from under the mattress of his bed. He lit a candle and began scribbling furiously. And suddenly his inscriptions disappeared, being replaced by others. The diary spoke to him.

"I'll show you my time."

The bright light blinded the boy and in the next moment it seemed to him that he was falling. Finally, he landed on his feet in the familiar corridors of Hogwarts. But they seemed to be different. People around did not notice him, but he could see. The dead girl, Dumbledore and the boy. He looked vaguely familiar to Harry. But what scared Potter the most was the end of the memory. Hagrid couldn't open the secret chamber, could he?

Harry didn't sleep well that night. He was tormented by terrible images of a monster from a secret room. Around six in the morning, he stopped trying to sleep and just stared at the ceiling until it was time to get up.

As soon as he had such an opportunity, he told everything to Ron, and then to Hermione.

"What you said. It's like a bewitched memory," Weasley explained. He seemed tired, apparently tired of all this damn thing "sometimes wizards put important memories into things. But this is not so easy to do."

"Have you tried to find out whose diary it is?"

"Yes, but I couldn't find any clues."

"This is strange. The past owner of the diary was Tom Radle, but he had studied here since Hagrid's time."

"We need to find out who threw out the diary yesterday and why? Maybe then we'll understand something."

"Also Hagrid, we need to somehow ask him about what happened at Hogwarts when he studied here."

"One thing I'm sure of is that Hagrid didn't open the chamber of secrets."

"Sure? Have you forgotten about Hagrid's love for all kinds of monsters? Norbert, who bit me and I lay in the hospital wing for several days, or Fluffy, who almost tore us to shreds last year."

"Hagrid may love animals, but he wouldn't do anything like order a monster to kill a man."

"I'm not saying that Hagrid is the killer, maybe it was an accident and..."

"Don't say that, you..."

"That's enough for you two," Hermione interrupted their heated argument, "I'll be discharged tonight, and tomorrow morning we'll go and ask Hagrid. That's all," the girl's voice was imperious, not giving the opportunity to continue the argument.

"Okay," both Harry and Ron sighed at the same time. Suddenly, the desire to argue completely disappeared, "But you have to go home tomorrow."

"Not anymore," the girl sighed and handed the letter to her friends, "mum and dad are stuck at a symposium in Washington. I'm afraid I'll stay at school this holiday."

"Oh, we're sorry," Harry sat down on the bed next to his girlfriend and put his arm around her shoulders. Ron on the other side did the same.

"Nothing, at least I'll spend this Christmas with you."

The three of them went down to the great hall and sat down next to the rest of the Weasleys and Oliver. Woodd and the twins chatted about new brooms and Quidditch. Percy was focused on a book on defense against the dark forces. The breakfast of a sixth-year student stood aside, it seemed that a plate full of food did not interest him at all. Ginny was picking at the oatmeal, the girl looked tired and somehow sickly pale, as if she had not slept for ages.

"Are you okay?" Harry looked worriedly at the Weasley's only daughter.

"Yes, everything is fine. I just didn't get enough sleep," Ginny yawned widely, "I had bad dreams," Potter nodded understandingly, he knew better than anyone else what insomnia from nightmares was.

"Percy, are you going to eat?" Ron asked. But the headman did not answer, continuing to look at the textbook.

"Pers. Hey, Pers," only after Oliver hit a fellow student on the shoulder, he came to his senses.

"What?"

"I asked you, are you going to eat? Breakfast time is over. How can you learn so much?"

"I just thought we could visit Silver this afternoon. Most of them are leaving today and we are unlikely to be noticed." Percy seemed terribly thoughtful, as if he was still at the mercy of the book.

"Oh, brother, are you overheated?" George touched his older brother's forehead, pretending to check the temperature "Yes, no, it seems everything is fine," the older Weasley growled gutturally.

"OK OK. You don't have to growl at me."

"You don't have to act like an idiot," Percy snorted.

"Calm down, guys," Oliver smiled soothingly, "But you really rarely break school rules. What got into you?"

"I just want to get some rest." That explanation was enough for everyone present.

They agreed to meet in the great hall and go visit Silver after dinner. The company said goodbye and the golden trinity wandered towards a small forester's house.

"Oh, is that you?" after several knocks, the door slowly opened, "What brings you here?"

The trio slipped inside. The house smelled pleasantly of trauma and something terribly sweet. The guys weren't sure how to start this conversation. Still, Harry took a deep breath to say the first word, but was distracted. There was a small box on the table, and inside something rustled and hissed barely audibly.

"What is it, Hagrid?"

"Oh," the giant took the box and lowered it to the level of the children's eyes, "I found this baby in the forest. He was early and hungry, so I took him in."

There was a snake inside the box. He was still quite small, his white scales shimmering with silver in the sun. The snake lifted its head and Harry thought his eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Hello," the serpent hissed, raising the tip of its tail. The young magician shuddered, the snake spoke to him, but no one else could hear it.

"He's harmless, you can pet him," said Hagrid. Potter nodded quickly and carefully took the kite out of the box, "In the meantime, I'll make some tea for you."

"I understand him," Harry whispered to his friends when the giant was a good distance away. His friends looked at him with mild concern.

"So you understand me?" - the snake immediately perked up, - "I like you."

"So what brings you here?" Hagrid returned with four cups of tea.

"Well..." Potter looked at the bike and sighed softly, "we missed you. We haven't seen each other for so long."

"I am glad, I have so much to tell you," the forester smiled. The trio felt uneasy, twitching their legs on the overly high chair. Harry tried to return the kite to the box, but it deftly wriggled out of the boy's arms and crawled onto Ron's shoulder. Weasley couldn't help but scream.

"I like him too, he's so warm," the snake lost his nose on the young wizard's cheek. Potter almost managed not to laugh at his friend's pale face.

"Don't worry, Ron. It seems he liked you," the giant also had fun. The young man snorted softly and carefully removed the reptile from himself.

"He's too fast," the boy muttered, and handed the snake back to Hagrid.

"He is a very sociable boy." The man returned the reptile to the box and continued to chat with the trio.

The guys did not manage to ask the bike about the Chamber of Secrets, but they did not regret anything. Hagrid was happy that the trio of friends came to visit him. They came to their senses already when they felt a terrible hunger.

"Looks like it's time for you guys, it's almost time for dinner." They said goodbye and hurried back to the great hall to meet the others.

"You owe it." The rest of the Weasley family and Oliver were already waiting for them. The tables were almost empty. This year, the students tried to leave because of mysterious incidents.

"We were at Hagrid's, we wanted to chat a little," Ron shrugged. They finished their lunch in a matter of minutes and slipped out into the corridor.

"It would be better if we split up. Ginny, I and Oliver will go first. Then the twins, and then you three. It will be bad if anyone sees us, so be careful." The seven nodded quickly. When Percy, along with his sister and best friend, disappeared behind thick trees, Fred and George slipped in after them. The golden trinity waited a little longer and moved after them.

The glade was covered with snow, and the river that flowed through it was frozen. A herd of unicorns rested on the other side. As soon as Silver noticed them, he neighed happily and rushed to the children.

"Hello, buddy. How are you doing?" Silver greeted each of the eight with a cheerful snort and hugs.

"We came to play a little, what you say?" the unicorn grabbed the older boy by the sleeve of his robe and pulled gently.

"You can't hide anything from you," the sixth-year student shook his head, taking a ripe apple out of his pocket.

"You always carry treats for him with you," the twins giggled.

"Not funny," the older Weasley muttered angrily.

"Of course not, our serious, never caring brother."

"Enough for you. Let's play better?" Ginny suggested, caressing Silver's soft fur.

"I wonder what?" The golden trio tilted their heads to the side in silent question. Everyone else thought too. And suddenly the twins clapped their hands.

"How about a ride?" They nodded towards the frozen river.

"But we don't have skates."

"Don't worry about it."

"Now we'll do everything," Fred and George took out their sticks, "Skates," at the same second; skates appeared on the twins' feet instead of boots.

"How about this?" The boys stepped onto the ice.

"Not bad," Percy snorted. He took out his wand and did the same with his shoes.

"Cool!" Ginny and Ron exclaimed in delight. The older brothers helped the younger ones do the same.

"Well, let's go soon," Ron impatiently urged his friends, already standing on the ice. The rest of the Weasleys were already riding.

"Actually, I can't," Harry muttered in embarrassment, lowering his head.

"Me too," Hermione sighed.

"Come on, it's just…" the younger Weasley had no time to finish when Percy stopped beside them.

"What happened?"

"We don't know how to ride…"

"It's not a problem. Simply, Hermione, give me your hand," Ginny held out her hand to the girls, "It's not difficult."

Hermione nodded weakly and held tightly to the younger Weasley. On the other side was Oliver.

"You know, it's not difficult. Just bend your knees a little," he explained, holding the junior's hand.

"What do you think?" Percy took Harry's hand and pulled him gently towards him. Ron held his friend on the other side.

"That's fun," the scarred boy smiled. He would never have thought that he would have people who would hold his hand so tightly so that he would not fall. They rode for a long time. The twins ran to race with Silver, nearly knocking the others down a couple of times. Because of which Wood and Percy cursed at them. Sometimes they changed. The twins taught Harry and Hermione how to skate while the others circled around them.

Then they decided to play in the snow. More precisely, Fred and George threw some snowballs at their brother. He got angry and responded in kind. Thus began an unforgettable snow battle. Their laughter seemed to reach the darkest corners of the forest. Finally, they just fell exhausted to the ground, breathing heavily.

"It was..."

"Something," the twins breathed. Silver fell next to them, rolling in the snow.

"Oliver, get off me at last!" the sixth-year student shouted at his friend, who clung to him and did not want to let go.

"I don't want to, you're so warm," Wood shook his head categorically and clung to his friend even tighter.

"Idiot," Percy snorted, "we should be heading back soon." He looked up at the sky. It's already evening. It was dangerous to stay until dark.

"Let's take a walk to the castle," the girls were seated on Silver. And Ron and Harry walked side by side, but they became too slow in the middle of the way, so Percy and Oliver took them on their backs.

"Come on, Percy, I can go on my own." Harry pouted. He couldn't admit that he was comfortable enough on the older boy's back. Because she was so warm and he was cold.

"Just relax, Harry."

"But..."

"No, but. Consider this the captain's order," Wood interjected. He corrected Ron. The boy was so warm, from which a barely noticeable shiver from the cold instantly disappeared.

When they reached the edge of the forest, they had to say goodbye to Silver. He seemed a little sad, but after promising to return, he visibly cheered up.

The twins took on Ginny and Hermione. They walked slowly towards the castle. It was very quiet around. The sun slowly disappeared below the horizon, and in its place came the moon and stars. All of this was simply mesmerizing.

The corridors were empty, there were almost no people left in the castle. On the way to the tower, they met no one at all.

The fire in the Gryffindor common room was on fire. The seniors moved four huge chairs closer to the fire.

"I'll make some chocolate," Percy gently pushed Harry towards a large chair and handed him a red blanket.

"I'm with you!" Ron jumped up to his brother.

"Is it possible for me to try the famous Weasley hot chocolate again?" Oliver smiled, flopping into a nearby chair. Hermione rested her head on Fred's shoulder while George covered himself and Ginny with another blanket. Even though they were not cold, these blankets were so cozy.

A few minutes later the Weasley brothers returned with trays in their hands. The smell of chocolate spread throughout the room and Harry couldn't wait to taste it.

"Brother is so caring," the twins giggled as Percy approached them.

"One more word and you'll be out of chocolate," the older brother said without malice, pushing the tray away from them as they reached for their portion.

"Uuu… Don't be so mean."

"We're just joking."

"All right, just drink quietly."

"It's so delicious."

"Percy and Ron have always been the best."

"I just love it."

"I missed my mom's chocolate so much."

After exchanging compliments, the sixth year slid next to Potter with his cup. And Ron fell down next to Oliver.

Harry felt truly happy, he would never have thought that he could spend the Christmas holidays somehow differently than in a dusty closet watching the old clock strike midnight or playing with broken soldiers. What could be better than a cup of hot chocolate that warms you from the inside, the sounds of crackling fire, the warmth of a woolen blanket and people who care and love you? The boy could safely say that it was one of the best days of his life. He rested his head on Percy's shoulder and felt the senior's hand slip through his unruly hair. Nothing could ruin his Christmas break, that's for sure.

Draco stood under his father's office and watched the sun slowly set. It took him almost all day to talk to Lucius. He slowly raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" Malfoy Jr. turned the doorknob and weakly pushed the door open. Father, as always, was sitting at an expensive oak table and was busy with some papers, - What happened, Draco?

"I wanted to ask: is Severus coming for Christmas?"

"I think yes. And what?"

"Then I have a request for you, dad. I have to do something. In fact, I already did something terrible and I need help to fix it..."