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Christmas Morning
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 03-07-12 16:19
"Daddaddaddaddaddaddad," Tristan urgently intones, prodding his father's shoulder with every utterance before he finally resorts to lifting up one of Griffin's eyelids, going in for a close up view to see if there's any sign of life.
Griff cracks one eye, automatically squinting against pale morning light only to realize there is no pale morning light. There is no light of any kind save for the dim illumination of a night light he leaves on in the hallway should Tristan get up in the middle of the night.
"Go back to bed, Tristan."
"But the little hand is on the five and the big hand is on the one two. It's MOOOORNING. Time to open presents. Can my kitty breafed in the box?"
Griff reaches out and in one motion grabs hold of Tristan while rolling on his back, causing the boy to giggle. Griff mock frowns at him. "What presents? What kitten?"
"Daaa-ad." Tristan somehow sounds exasperated even though he's still giggling.
Griff tickles Tristan whose giggles turn to full on laughter. When he finally lets go, the bed covers are in tangles and Tristan is splayed out, spread eagle, trying to quell his laughter in between catching his breath. Griff leaves him there with Seeayetee who's taken the opportunity of Tristan's position to settle herself on the child's chest, purring loudly.
He takes a quick shower, five minutes at most, emerging back into the bedroom wearing his pajama bottoms and toweling off his hair. Tristan is still there, giving Seeayetee attention, telling her all about how he's certain one of the presents under the Christmas tree has a kitten in it and hoping it can breafed in its box.
"Let's go fix breakfast."
"It's not time for presents?" a crestfallen Tristan asks.
"Not quite. Mummy and Great Grandad aren't up, are they?"
"No."
"You don't want them to miss anything do you?"
Tristan has to think about this for a second before replying, "No."
"Do you want pancakes or waffles or eggs or something else?" Griff asks though if Tristan is true to form, he already knows the answer to that.
"Pancakes."
By now Tristan is climbing on Griff's back for a ride downstairs to the kitchen. "Do you want them plain or with something?"
"Ummm. Bamanas."
"Banana pancakes it is."
A short time later Tristan is seated at the kitchen table filling Griff in on what he thinks is in each of his presents, which in his mind are all of them. Tristan firmly believes if it's under the tree, it must be his and they are just teasing him that some of the gifts belong to others. Griff has coffee going and Tristan's banana pancakes cooking on the griddle, leaving most of the batter plain in case Carys or Alun, or Ruth when she arrives, want something other than banana.
Either the noise Tristan and he had been making or the aroma of percolating coffee, bacon frying, and pancakes cooking woke Carys because just as Griff is putting a plate in front of Tristan along with a glass of juice, she walks into the kitchen. "Something smells good. Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas!" Griff greets as Tristan says, "Mummy! Can my kitty breafed in its box?"
"I'm sure if you are getting a kitty, it's breathing just fine." She replies, giving him a kiss on the top of his head. "What are you eating?"
"Bamana pancakes and bacon. Dad, can I give Seeayetee some?"
"You may give her a bite of the bacon. She probably wouldn't eat a bite of pancake. Carys, what would you like? Coffee?"
"The same if it's no trouble and yes on the coffee, but I'll get it."
Carys tops in her progress from table to coffee to kiss Griff good morning. Tristan, Alun, and she have been in the process of moving in but are still spending as much time at the other house as this one. For the time being Carys and Griff aren't sharing a bedroom. They've not slept together since she was a student at Hogwarts and he was on an undercover assignment there. Sharing a bed with him was never part of the moving to Newcastle-under-Lyme though things have been going well enough between them that each knows it's only a matter of time.
Alun soon joins them and about ten minutes after that Ruth arrives with a wink and a nod to Carys and Griff. He'd taken the kitten to her house and she brought it with her this morning, sneaking into the house. It's now in its carrier under the tree.
By the time breakfast ends Tristan is fairly quivering with impatience to go attack what to a five year old boy's eye must be a mountain of gifts. Alun and Ruth go in where the tree is and get settled. Carys and Griff take Tristan to the closed door where he dances from one foot to the other. They open the door with a flourish. Tristan's eyes hone straight in on the cat carrier. He runs part of the way to it then does a skidding slide on knees across the waxed wooden surface of the floor.
"KITTY!"
Griff helps him open the carrier door, telling his son, "Seeayetee may need some time to get used to kitty, so don't go shoving him in her face, okay?"
"Okay, Daddy."
Tristan is enthralled enough with the kitten that they have a few minutes of peace while Griff and Carys locate packages not for Tristan, setting those for Alun and Ruth at their feet. A few not yet delivered to friends are taken to the dining table for the time being so that Tristan doesn't decide to make sure none of them are actually for him. In those few minutes, Tristan has named the kitten no less than twelve times.
When the five year old does start on the other gifts, it's like a shark having a feeding frenzy. Several times he's reminded to slow down so that anything from someone other than Mummy and Daddy can be noted for a written thank you later. When it looks as though all the gifts are open, Tristan says, "Mummy, you have one still."
"No, baby, we got everything."
"Nuh uh. See. There." Tristan points to a small wrapped gift nestled in some of the Christmas trees branches.
Alun nods, "I'm pretty certain that one has your name on it, Carys."
Puzzled, she rises to retrieve it. "I don't remember seeing it before. It does have my name on it but the tag doesn't say who it's from."
Standing at the tree, Carys removes the wrapping paper to find a jeweler's box. She opens it to find a ring set with a sapphire. "It's gorgeous but who ?"
"It's from me," Griff says, moving to take the small box from her before dropping to one knee. "Carys Hanham-Beauvais, will you marry me?"
Best Christmas Ever
Author: Carys
Date: 03-07-12 18:32
An engagement ring was the absolute last thing Carys was expecting. She knew that things had been going well between her and Griffin, but they'd definitely been taking things slow compared to last time, when they'd seemingly done everything backwards. She couldn't say she wasn't overwhelmingly happy, though, nor that she didn't want to marry him. She did. She really, truly did.
"Yes," she breathed, unable to hold it in any longer. "Yes, I'll marry you!"
Ruth and Alun started clapping, and Tristan, who'd been surprisingly quiet the whole time Carys was staring at the ring, began clapping too. He yelled out in exultation and then got up and ran circuits around the room, startling his new kitty. It dashed back into its carrier, where it cowered in the corner.
Alun caught Tristan around the middle to settle him down for a moment, while Griff slid the ring onto his new fiancée's finger. Carys stared at the sparkling sapphire and knew she had the biggest smile on her face. She looked up and met Griffin's eyes.
"Thank you," she told him.
"Thank you," he said in reply, and then he leaned in to kiss her.
She kissed him back, but gently, since they did have an audience. Tristan exclaimed that kissing was yucky and wriggled out of his grandfather's grasp to coax the kitten from the carrier. It did and settled into his arms, where it started purring loudly.
The happy couple broke away and smiled at each other. Then Griff got up and sat down next to Carys. They both watched their son cradle his kitten.
"Have you decided on a name yet?" Carys asked him, wondering which of the dozen or so he'd already mentioned had won out.
"Snowy."
"Why Snowy?"
"Because he's white, like snow, and there's snow outside. See. Look. Look outside. There's snow."
Everybody dutifully looked out the window, where it was, indeed, snowing gently.
"Are you sure you want to name in Snowy?"
"No."
"No?"
"I mean, yes."
"You're pretty sure?"
Tristan thought about it really hard. "Yes. His name is Snowy."
"It's a fine name," Alun decided. "Perfectly suitable."
"Yes," Ruth agreed.
Tristan nodded. "I know." He sat down on the floor and cuddled with Snowy, whose internal motor only seemed to get louder and louder.
Carys leaned against Griff. "Best Christmas ever," she whispered.
Fine
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 03-07-12 20:31
Phin knocks on his mother's bedroom door. "Mom? Are you okay?"
"Fine, just give me a minute."
Flanking him, Bogart and Bacall look expectantly up at Phin, not understanding why the door is shut with their mummy on the other side and them in the hallway. Phin rests his forehead against the cool wood of the door, eyes closed. Six or seven seconds pass. He turns his head to press an ear to the door, listening for any sounds of crying. He's relieved when there are none.
Backing away until he's at the opposite wall, Phin slides down it to sit on the floor. Phin interprets the look Bacall gives to Bogart as Humans are so weird sometimes.
The one minute is closer to five. Phin knows his mother is nearing the door because the dogs are fully body wagging pressed up against it. Furnella opens the door only to be nearly bowled over by the two dogs estatic that the evil barrier blocking them from Mummy is gone. She bends to affectionately pet both of them, only then noticing Phin.
"Why are you on the floor?"
"Waiting for you."
"I'm fine."
Phin sounds more sarcastic than he means to be. "Sure you are."
"Really. I am."
"Mom, tell that to everyone else, just not to me."
"Does that mean you're going to admit you told a fib this morning?"
"What are you talking about? Wait. Don't answer that. This is about you, not me."
Furnella leans against the door jamb, arms cross, giving him that stern maternal gaze that mother's have down to an art form. "When it comes to telling others we're fine, yes, it's about both of us."
"Okay, so I told a little white lie when Dad asked how I'm getting on without Emerald. Your turn."
"There aren't words. Furious doesn't seem to do it. Devastated is a bit on the pale side."
"There's a very good chance Forest's memories will be fully recovered."
"I know that here," Furnella points to her temple.
"He's with his family and they're searching for that woman."
"What if she's never caught? We never get full answers? What if No. I'm not going to go down that road again. Not today. We should be going. Are the others ready?" Furnella asks. The others being Phin's father Vernon, step-mother Vivian, half-sister Cassandra, step-sister Jewel, brother-in-law Bailey, and their baby Bonnie.
"They've already left."
"Why didn't you tell me? Now everyone's going to think something's wrong."
"They all already think that, Mom."
Furnella gives him that look again then makes a shooing gesture. "Well. Come on then."
They go to the fireplace in the sitting room and Floo to Hogsmeade where the Hodfuffer clan is gathering for Christmas gift exchange and meal.
An Apology
Author: Jet
Date: 03-08-12 16:52
Everyone expected at the home of Gethin and Robbie Obsidian for a Christmas Day gathering arrived awhile ago so walking to the front door to answer the clacking of the knocker, Jet can't imagine who's dropping by. He would have expected most everyone to be with friends and family today. As he turns the knob to pull the door open he supposes it could be a friend of his parents or one of the neighbors popping by. The last person he's expected to see standing on his parents' front porch is Emerson Reed.
He's not seen or spoken to Emerson since the end of November when she got worked into a tizzy, became nasty, and stormed out of his flat. Jet kept expecting Emerson to contact him or come see him to apologize for behaving as she did. When that didn't happen he thought perhaps she was waiting for him to make the first move, maybe even expecting him to be the one making the apology. In his opinion, he neither did nor said anything that required one.
By way of greeting, instead of blurting out, "What are you doing here?" Jet sticks with the simple, "Emerson."
Emerson, looking somewhat relieved that it's Jet who answered the door, offers him a tentative smile. "Hello, Jet. Um, I know that I am probably interrupting you with your family but could we talk for a minute? Here on the porch is fine."
Jet looks back over his shoulder down the hallway from where the sounds of voices drift out from the den then to Emerson again. "Yeah. Okay. Just a moment."
Jet grabs his coat, shrugging it as he cross the threshold, pulling the door shut behind him. Hands shoved in pockets, he mutely waits for Emerson to say something more.
"I thought you might come chasing after me," she begins, "but then I wondered why you'd want to with the way I acted. I was embarrassed and ashamed; I still am. The more days that went by, the harder it was to bring myself to come see you. Then, when getting this scarf that my gran gave me last year - hideous isn't it? - I found the Christmas present I'd bought you a week or two before my meltdown. I started feeling embarrassed and ashamed and guilty all over again. I knew I couldn't put it off any longer; so, here I am."
Waiting to see if she's done talking, Jet doesn't break his silence.
"Well, aren't you going to say something?"
"What, exactly, is there for me to say?"
"I don't know. Call me an idiot? Ask what the hell my deal was that night? Am I always so bitchy when things don't go how I want? Where's the Christmas present that brought me over here?"
"You were more than just bitchy, Emerson. You were nasty and vile."
Emerson's already pink cheeks redden more. "I know, and I'm sorry. You really were trying, I do know that. I got so frustrated but there's no excuse for lashing out at you and accusing you of not being supportive and purposely refusing to be hypnotized. I'm so, so sorry. Look, here's your gift. I'll leave you alone now and, besides, I'm supposed to be somewhere else. Happy Christmas."
Emerson's taken a small box from her coat pocket and thrusts it at Jet. As she turns to descend the steps he puts a hand on her arm. "If you can spare another minute, I had actually gotten you something as well. Do you want to come in?"
"No, I'd better not, but thank you."
Jet gives a nod then goes inside to get Emerson's gift. The only reason it's even here at his parents' and not at his flat is because yesterday morning Jet had put gifts in shopping bags and brought them here to wrap, not realizing one of those gifts was the one he'd gotten her, most likely about the same time she'd been buying him something.
He's quick about it, returning with a flat, rectangular box containing a jumper and blouse that she'd been drawn to when they'd seen the set in a shoppe one afternoon. "Happy Christmas, Emerson."
"Thank you. Maybe I'll see you later in the week."
"Yeah, sure."
Emerson turns again to go, looking once over her shoulder at him, that tentative smile back in place. Jet watches her until she's disapparated from a spot in the middle of the walkway then goes back inside, confused about whether whether seeing her again, even if just in a friendly, non-date setting, is a good idea or not.
At The Valentines'
Author: Briar Rose
Date: 03-08-12 20:16
Briar is counting the number of chairs around the scattering of tables in the large room where Lisette is having their afternoon Christmas lunch. A few more people showed up than what Lisette was expecting based on the responses she'd been given. Briar is making sure there are enough places set. She'd made one count then was double checking herself only to get a different number. She hates when she can't do something as simple as count chairs.
Just as she's finished counting again, finally satisfied she's got the right number and knows how many more places need to be set, Grace comes in. "Mummy, Xavier smells like a poo."
"With all the people here, you come and find me for this?" Briar asks with a laugh.
"You do nappies better and Xavier likes you lots."
Grace skips away, Briar following. Xavier does indeed need a new diaper, cooing at her while she gets him cleaned and changed. Xavier and Jasmine have only been with Julian, and his parents, for about a week now but already both look healthier, plumpier, and more active and interested in what's going on around them. The healers think they may have been born addicted, one of them expressing surprise they either of them lived through the withdrawals without medical assistance. It's somewhat of a mystery how overly thin, long time addict Vanessa even got pregnant much less carried the twins long enough for them not to be considered premature.
Xavier taken care of, Grace starts engaging him, making him laugh as Briar checks the sleeping Jasmine's nappy. "You don't want to play with your other cousins and Caerwyn, poppet?"
"Not right now. My babies need attention."
Briar smiles, patting Grace on the head. "They'll both probably be hungry soon. Are you going to help feed them?"
Briar can hear the Duh, Mum in her daughter's voice when Grace, eyes rolling slightly, replies, "Yeah, I mean, yes, ma'am."
Another head pat and Briar leaves, sticking her head into the next room to make sure the other children are playing nicely, then returning to see about getting those extra place settings added. As rich as the Valentines are, most who don't know them well would think that Lisette would have a number of either human servants or House Elves doing this sort of task. On certain holidays or ocassions that would certainly be true but when hosting Christmas, Lisette likes to be more hands on. Her human staff are given a nice bonus, gifts, and the day off as well as Boxing Day. Briar has never been able to get a straight answer about why Lisette doesn't have any of her House Elves around.
As if knowing Briar is thinking about her, Lisette walks in carrying two dishes to set out on a long buffet table. "Thank you, Briar."
"I think I've got places for everyone. Is there any particular order you want the food laid out?"
"No, other than I think we should put the vegetables together, the meats together, you get the idea."
Together they walk to the kitchen to get more of the steaming platters and serving bowls of food. "Briar, I keep forgetting to ask."
"Yes?"
"That picture you showed me of a Christmas party from years ago, did you ever find out who the man is that you were trying to identify?"
"Yes, I was. Albus Dumbledore actually was able to help. The man's name is Kellen Fitzmorris."
"Kellen Fitzmorris?" Lisette goes quiet, searching her memory. "I have no idea who that is; but, I would have had to know him if he was at that party."
"I should follow up with Kristen Leach on what she's learned."
"I'm going to ask Tiberius if he remembers the name and the Stratfords too. We were there. I can see not recognizing a face after all this time but surely one of us has to remember the name unless "
Lisette goes quiet again so Briar completes the sentence. "All of your memories were tampered with."
Christmas Dinner at Hogwarts
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 03-09-12 17:58
Because only a handful of students had remained at Hogwarts over the holidays, only one, modest-sized table occupied the floor in the Great Hall. A red, silky table cloth stretched from one end to the other, and a real Christmas wreath made up the centerpiece. Four white, flickering candles decorated the wreath. Each place setting consisted of the china and stemware used during the Hogwarts feasts, and the dishes made by the house-elves were just as extravagant. In addition to turkey and goose and all the side dishes were Christmas pudding and biscuits shaped like Christmas trees, reindeer, and snowflakes.
Professor Dumbledore sat at the head of the table and engaged everyone in conversation in turn. Currently, he and Errol were discussing the differences between American holiday traditions and British ones.
Professor McGonagall wasn't the only other staff member there, but many of her colleagues were spending this evening with their families or friends. She had spent most of her days since the end of Fall Term at the castle, but she had also spent some time with Madoc and his immediate family. She had known that in doing so she would risk meeting Menelaus again, but as he had been rather civil towards her lately, she'd not been overly concerned that they'd disrupt what ought to be a pleasant family gathering.
Last night, they'd met for Christmas Eve supper. Professor McGonagall did not exactly feel comfortable or relaxed in his company, nor did she particularly like him, but at least she could act amicably towards him. He'd been rather sociable, asking questions or discussing various current events. Professor McGonagall had given him answers and participated in the discussions, but she'd done so cautiously and in few words.
"Professor, would you pass the cranberry sauce?"
Professor McGonagall blinked. She realized she'd been so thoroughly distracted by her thoughts that she'd completely tuned out the conversations around her at the table.
"Certainly," she told Mildred, reaching for the bowl that contained the cranberry sauce.
"Thank you," Mildred said, accepting the bowl.
"Ah, Miss Campbell! When you are finished with the cranberry sauce, do pass it this way. I would delight in another helping!" Professor Dumbledore exclaimed.
The bowl soon made its way to the head of the table.
Professor McGonagall knew that most of the students stuck at Hogwarts over Christmas felt sad and lonely, but she could also tell that they appreciated the efforts the staff, and Dumbledore in particular, were making to make their Christmases away from home as pleasant as possible under the circumstances. She smiled across the table at him, and he winked back at her, as if he'd read her thoughts.
An almost great Christmas!
Author: Lilac Middleton
Date: 03-09-12 19:44
The presents Lilac had received for Christmas lay about her room, while Rosie tumbled about in the left over paper. Chewing up the Christmas paper like a dog might a chew toy, making Lilac truly wonder if her piggy was supposed to be a dog instead of a pig. She laughed when her pig buried herself inside a big pile of paper and couldn't find her way out. Lilac scooped the piggy up and twirled around the room in her new dress that her aunt had made for her.
"Isn't this just the best Christmas ever? Well. . . Almost the best Christmas ever? 'She asked, the piggy.
"is it better now?" Will asked coming into her bedroom. Lilac turned around, it was her fault that she had left the door open. She smiled.
"Almost." Lilac replied softly.
"You want something else?" Will asked. Lilac nodded.
"Sometimes, I miss them. Sometimes I think about them. Especially on days like this." Lilac said and shrugged.
"Lilac, it is good to miss them, but no sense in wishing things that you can't have."
"I know. But I can't help it. You wouldn't understand."
"No, I don't understand, but you have people who care about you. That's what matters."
"It is." Lilac said and smiled at Will.
"And you have friends too."
"Yes. Friends are always good. Will?"
"Uh-uh?"
"Thanks for coming. I'm glad my aunt let you."
"Well, it seemed like she wouldn't let you stay for Christmas. Despite my mother's pleading."
"Christmas has always been special to her I guess. My mother's favorite holiday."
"Do you remember your parents much?"
"Yes." Lilac said, noting wanting to talk much about them, she snuggled Rosie back into her. Will took the cue.
"It's alright; you don't have to talk about it. Until you are ready."
"Thanks. Hey, let's go see if there is any desert left. Hopefully my cousins didn't eat everything up. I want some Butterbeer." Lilac said taking Will's hand and leading him down the stairs while holding onto her piggy.
Saint-Tropez For The Holidays
Author: Lucius Malfoy
Date: 03-09-12 20:55
Lucius had taken such a liking to the Saint-Tropez manor, he's been loathe to leave it and having no real reason to, has stayed on. It's been a wonderfully warm location, compared to others this time of year, for spending the Christmas holiday. Gathered with Carina and he, arriving on Christmas Eve, are Draco, Draco's fiancé Asteria Greengrass, Asteria's family including her sister Daphne who had been in class with Draco, Asteria's young man, Bellatrix, and Barty Crouch, Jr. As Bellatrix and Barty are not yet ready to announce his return to the world, thanks to Polyjuice Potion, Barty is wearing the guise of a Muggle tourist Bellatrix "accidentally" bumped into while the man was gaping slack jawed in Piazza San Marco in Venice.
With nightfall, there's a bit of chill in the air so they have a lovely fire going outside, the rolling surf providing a nice backdrop of soothing noise. Carina long ago wore herself out between the Christmas repast and energetically playing with all her new toys, including those from Father Christmas. That Father Christmas is based on a Muggle creation is one of those things they tend to pretend to have no knowledge of since it meant fewer gifts when they were children and because Father Christmas has meant, at least this year, additional gifts for all the adults present. The entire day Lucius has denied all knowledge of where those gifts came from, pointing out that he too received something and a very nice something at that.
Lucius gets up, of a mind to refresh his drink and to have one of the House Elves make a pass through offering snacks. As long as he's up, he decides he'll also put Carina into her bed. Upon his return, Bellatrix thrusts a newspaper at him. "Did you see this?"
"Marvin and Twyla Thompkins of Essendine, Rutland, announce a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary party for New Year's Eve, beginning at 7 o'clock. All friends and relatives are invited to attend. Are you particular friends with the Thompkins, Bellatrix?"
She gives him a don't-be-an-idiot glare. "You know I quite dislike when you are being deliberately obtuse, Lucius."
He hands the newspaper back to her. "So Potter got married yesterday. Why would I care? Do you think he's expecting a wedding gift from me? I have nothing to send. Oh no! Whatever shall I do?" Lucius feigns shock at the thought of having no wedding present for Ginny Weasley and Harry Potter.
"Don't make me use the Cruciatus on you, Lucius."
The others gathered around the fire snicker, some of them a trifle nervously. Some of the Greengrass contingent, while they have no real qualms at having someone as notorious as Bellatrix in attendance, they aren't sure if she would actually carry out her threat.
Lucius gives a one shouldered shrug. "Even in all seriousness, Bellatrix, I'm not sure how you are expecting me to react to this inconsequential tidbit of news."
"Honestly, I'm not sure either. There just seems to be something wrong with the world that Harry James Potter is still breathing, carrying on with a normal life, being happy, getting married." She casts a glance around the fire at the others. "Forgive me if I've shocked you, but I cannot help how I feel about him."
Daphne gives a rather unladylike derisive snort. "Potter was always so full of himself. I never minded the thought of him being taken down a peg or two. I remember how happy some of us were when he vanished from school for a time."
Bellatrix sits back in her beach chair, a satisfied, nostalgic smile on her face. "That was such a nice time. Dierna ni Ciaran AND Potter were Lord Voldemort's prisoners. We never did figure out exactly how they managed to escape their rooms they were held in and get past the Dementors guarding them."
At the word Dementors Barty, who has been introduced around as Lloyd, visibly shudders. Lucius can't blame him there. Lloyd suggests, "As it is Christmas, why don't we talk of things far more pleasant than upstart brats like Harry Potter?"
"Excellent suggestion," Lucius heartily concurs.
The group begins talking about their various New Year's Eve plans. Lucius and Bellatrix join in the conversation but Lucius is also watching Bellatrix. She's got a particular look on her face he knows all too well. It's her scheming expression. The only questions are what is she scheming and when will she deign to fill Lucius in on her plan?