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Two Christmases
Author: Fritz Schnackenpfefferhausen
Date: 03-23-13 10:23
Fritz and Coco always have an easy time celebrating the holidays together since their families celebrate Christmas on different days. The Schnackenpfefferhausens celebrated on Christmas Eve, while the Nutts and Bolts celebrate on Christmas Day.
Yesterday afternoon, the Schnackenpfefferhausens, plus Coco and Fritz's maternal grandparents, who are visiting from Germany, went to mass at St George's German Lutheran Church in Whitechapel. The Schnackenpfefferhausens and Schnitzelpusskrankengescheitmeyers are not particularly religious and don't even make a habit of attending church on Christmas. It was simply on a whim that they decided to go.
After church, they went home and had a light supper consisting of smoked salmon, deli meats, various cheeses, dark bread, and fruit, followed by Rote Grütze* for dessert. Then they sat around the Christmas tree and nibbled on Lebkuchen*, Pfeffernüsse* and Dominosteine* while they opened presents.
For Coco, Fritz had picked out a couple of different gifts, including a necklace with a small, oval opal for a pendant, a silk, Chinese-style shoulder bag, and two boxes of treats specially ordered from Germany: one containing an assortment of fruit teas and the other various Christmas treats like the aforementioned and others like Marzipankartoffeln* and Spekulatius*.
Fritz even got something for Cash, Coco's dog. Fritz knows that Coco still misses Pea and that she will probably always feel the little dog's absence, since he'd been small enough to always go wherever she went. Cash, being a Basset hound, couldn't fit in Coco's pocket.
For the dog, Fritz had picked out a big bone, a stuffed animal in the shape of a Mallard duck, and a bag of doggie treats.
Now it is the next morning, Christmas Day, and Fritz is at the Nutt house, playing fetch with Cash using the new duck toy. The dog's floppy ears sway back and forth as he trots after the duck, which has a too-long, skinny neck perfect for gripping with a firm set of jaws.
"The 'children' are always the happiest at Christmas," remarks Papa Wal with a chuckle, watching Cash play with Fritz.
Coco grins. "Do you mean Cash or both?"
"Cash, but maybe I do mean both," Papa Wal answers with a laugh.
"The waffles are ready," Mitzie Bolt announces. "Who is hungry?"
Since none have eaten since waking up that morning, they are all starving. Besides, the waffles smell delicious. Fritz kneels to give Cash a loving scratch on top of his head before going to wash his hands and join the others at the table, which is laden with a big plate of waffles stacked very high, several bowls of fresh fruit including strawberries and blueberries, and syrup, honey and various types of jam. There is also coffee for those who drink it, tea, milk and orange juice.
"Happy Christmas, everyone," Mitzie says, once everyone is seated. "Tuck in!"
And they do.
(Ariella) Christmas Day in Manchester
Author: Beck
Date: 03-23-13 11:43
Ariella used her wand to sweep up all the torn and discarded wrapping paper from the floor, which she sent into a large, black trash bag. Since the house was full of family, there had been a lot of gifts to open, and a lot of trash as result. The Becks weren't the sort of family who carefully opened up gifts. They tore into them wildly and madly, leaving destruction in their wake in the form of torn paper, bows and ribbon, and bits of spellotape.
"Need a hand with that?" Lawrence asked, coming up to Ariella while wearing a Santa hat Maggie had given him as a gag gift last night.
"I've got it," Ariella replied, smiling at him. He looked so silly.
One trash bag wasn't enough, so Ariella filled another and carried both out to the large bins on the patio out front. At least they were light, even as bulging as they were.
Last night with Maggie had been nice and cozy. A completely different scene to the loud and crazy Beck household on Christmas morning. Maggie hadn't come with Ariella and Lawrence when they'd set out for Manchester, but she had said she might turn up later.
Ariella stepped back inside where it was infinitely warmer and moved into the living room, where Toby and Anthony were playing with a train set that the elder Tobias and Josefine had given Alex for Christmas. They looked like little boys themselves as they put the track together.
Ariella went up to Alanna and Gillian, who were staring at the wizard Katherine had invited to the gathering. He was drop dead gorgeous.
"Do I need to bring you both drool buckets?" Ariella asked them, giggling.
"Yes," Alanna said without taking her eyes off of the handsome stranger. Apparently he and Katherine had started dating a few weeks ago. He was extremely polite but hadn't really said much so far. He was probably a little overwhelmed from meeting Katherine's entire family.
"You don't think he's attractive?" Gillian asked Ariella, surprise registering in her voice.
"Oh, he totally is," Ariella replied, taking in his perfect appearance. "I'm just teasing you both."
"Have you decided about New Year's?" Alanna asked, referring to the question of whether or not Ariella and Lawrence were going to Australia to celebrate their anniversary.
"I think so," Ariella said. "We were just there to visit his uncle in the hospital, and we so rarely spend New Year's here. I should like to stay and celebrate with you or just have a quiet night at Hogwarts."
"Good. I think we should party. Jared said something about procuring an arsenal of fireworks."
"Boys and their toys," Ariella remarked with a laugh. She tore her gaze away from Katherine's handsome stud and looked at Anthony, Alex, Toby and now Lawrence, who were kneeling around the train track with big smiles on their faces.
Unforseen Result
Author: Abdul Hazrat AlGunud
Date: 03-23-13 17:20
The only source of light was a brazier. It cast a ruddy red light that concealed the two figures as much as it illuminated. One of the few objects within the radius of the light, a massive chair constructed of elaborately carved pieces of ebony, cast a grotesque shadow in the dancing light. The ivory and silver inlay of the chair gleamed like blood stains in the reddish light. Beyond the circle of illumination, there was only inky blackness. Occasionally there was a suggestion of movement in the darkness, but nothing crossed into the circle of light.
The two figures, clad in dark robes, were crouched over an esoteric series of symbols inscribed on the floor. The light made their outlines indistinct, leaving an observer unable to tell the two apart. The only noise was the faint muttering of incantations. The sounds carried into the darkness like sibilant hisses of snakes. Gradually, so very gradually, another sound became evident. At first it was so faint that it merely seemed to be part of the chanting. The sound grew steadily louder, becoming distinct from the incantations. It sounded like a voice but the words and intonations were subtly wrong, as if the speaker's vocal cords were not equipped for human speech.
The two figures lapsed into silence, but the voice continued. It seemed to have no distinct source, coming from the very rocks of the earth as much as anywhere. Then, abruptly, it ceased. The two figures tensed, waiting. Suddenly there was a sharp cracking noise, as if a stone had been struck by a sledgehammer.
The light wavered for a brief moment and shadows seemed to converge over the inscriptions on the floor. Then the reddish light returned, revealing something sprawled in the very center of a six point star that had been carved on the floor. One of the hooded figures gave a hiss of surprise. Both slowly stood and moved toward the object sprawled upon the floor. They examined the object, careful not to cross the circle which had been drawn so as completely enclose the six point star.
Warmth. How long had it been since he had felt warm? He was conscious of light and something else. Noise. Sounds that were familiar. The sounds of speech reached his ears, penetrated his consciousness. He was vaguely cognizant of the language. Somehow he recognized the words. He struggled to comprehend their meaning.
"What have we caught?"
"Caught!?! We were not fishing! You assured me that the spell would work!"
"If you will recall, I said the spell would summon a denizen from the void. I did not guarantee exactly what it would be nor what form it would take. Although, at first glance, it does look disappointing."
A brief period of silence followed, then, "Ho ho, look at that. Perhaps this fish is not so worthless after all."
"Hmmph. I hope so. I do not fancy wasting all of this effort."
"Let us secure our catch, then we can examine it further."
He trembled, suddenly conscious of the weakness of his body. How long had it been since he had slept? Overcome with fatigue, he slipped towards unconsciousness. He heard nothing further, as blackness overtook him.
Intriguing Theories
Author: Cassandra Catesby
Date: 03-24-13 04:01
As Cassandra had half-expected, Christmas Day started early; Valeria might be a Mockridge with distinct Parkinson tendencies, but she was still an eleven-year-old girl, insistent on everyone getting up so that she could open her presents. It had been oddly charming, although Cassandra had been happy to fade into the background as much as possible. This was, after all, fundamentally a family occasion and despite Cloris Mockridge's fond hopes, she was not family.
A few hours later, after the gift-induced exclamations had subsided and everyone had changed ready for Christmas dinner, Cassandra found herself coming face-to-face in the parlour with the lady herself. She pinned on a polite smile and nodded.
"Mrs Mockridge," she said.
"Miss Catesby, it's such a pleasure to see you," Cloris answered, her public smile on, though a hint of curiosity rested in her eyes. She had indeed heard of Kirley's frequent visits to Cassandra's Knockturn Alley bookstore, and of the other's visits to the Townhouse.
"Nephele was kind enough to invite me," Cassandra replied neutrally; the literal truth since Nephele had written the invitation. The speculative gleam in the older woman's eyes made her glad she and Kirley had had their little chat the night before. At least she knew they were on the same page as to how to respond to such curiosity.
"It is good to see Nephele and Kirley both being more sociable," the Mockridge Matriarch replied, keeping the same neutral tone. She'd have been disappointed if either Kirley or Cassandra had admitted to anything, or if they had been obvious about any possible attachments.
"I'm glad to be able to remain in contact with them," Cassandra said. "Nephele, my sister and I were good friends at Hogwarts. It is nice to be able to retain that into adulthood."
"I do remember her talking about you both, but then we all became rather wrapped up in Valeria after..." Her voice trailed off, certain Cassandra knew about the events of Nephele and Kirley's final year at Hogwarts. "And then, of course, with your sister's legal troubles, it must be difficult for you to see much of her." It was a statement, yet there was a thinly veiled question there as well.
A cool, thin smile curved Cassandra's lips. She inclined her head. "Just so," she said. "Despite Rita Skeeter's occasional speculation to the contrary when she has no juicier gossip to report, I have no knowledge of my twin sister's whereabouts."
"Skeeter's a pest, she always has been. The chit was a horrible gossip in our Hogwarts days as well," Cloris said, nodding slightly at Cassandra's answer. "I keep hoping I'll hear that she's choked on one of her ridiculous Quick-Quotes Quills."
"We can but hope," came the dry reply. The world, in Cassandra's opinion, would be a lot better off for the absence of Rita Skeeter and her acid-filled quill.
"I'm sure we are not alone in that," Cloris added with a slight smile. She liked this one, she was cagey enough to keep Kirley's secrets, but not afraid to give glimpses behind the curtain too. It was a good mix for her son, though she wouldn't admit it easily.
"Undoubtedly," Cassandra said. "Most of the teaching staff at Hogwarts must be in agreement for starters. If the rash of headlines carrying Skeeter's byline are to be believed, the school is a hotbed of incest, adultery and all other forms of vice."
"Yes. Unfortunately, I had to write to Minerva recently. Even with knowing it's Skeeter, the grains of truth behind the stories are concerning, both as a grandmother and as a member of the Board of Governors. Given that many of the choices for staff were Dumbledore's choices, it seems as if she's setting up to question his sanity in recent years," Cloris said, a thoughtful tone entering her voice. The thought had just occurred to her, but it seemed like something Skeeter might do.
A dark brow arched over midnight-blue eyes. It was an intriguing thought. "Dumbledore is highly regarded in many quarters," Cassandra observed slowly.
"Yes, but I seem to recall rumors in my youth that there were secrets in his past. Of course, everyone has secrets, but if Skeeter's stumbled on the truth behind those? It would make sense that she lead up to it with trying to make the public question his more recent decisions, particularly the ones affecting their children and other innocents," Cloris said. "It's what I would do."
Cassandra kept her lips severely straight, no trace of a smile twitching at the corners of her mouth as she said solemnly, "Yes, I am sure it is." Of Cloris' deviousness nature, she was in no doubt.
"But it is an interesting idea," she continued. "There are those who revere all Dumbledore's works. Even more so now since his death. Death does seem to turn even the most dreadful sinner into a saint, doesn't it? But no-one reaches that level of power and influence through sainthood."
"No, and if you wish to turn someone's feet to clay, it makes the most sense to begin with what you can. Use small things to plant doubt before you create larger doubts," Cloris said.
The younger woman nodded. "Exactly. Little drops of acid to erode away certainty... and acid is Rita Skeeter's stock in trade."
"Exactly," Cloris said, a slight smile of approval on her lips. "It should prove interesting to observe what comes next, and possibly beneficial, depending on how things go."
Cassandra inclined her head in acknowledgement. "Yes," she agreed. "It should." She had no great love for the Ministry of Magic, despite Kirley's position at the Minister's elbow. Hogwarts as an institution she had many fond memories of and continued respect for. Professors came and went, some more fallible than others, but the institution remained.
Kirley came up, a slight hint of apprehension in his eyes that they were getting along so well. "Mother, I believe Valeria is wanting to show you what she's learned so far this year," he said, interrupting smoothly. "Would you like another drink, Cass?" he asked.
Their eyes met. That flicker of apprehension made Cassandra's lips twitch fractionally.
"A drink would be lovely, thank you," she said smoothly, deciding the uncertainty would do him good. He was too self-confident for his own good at times.
He offered his arm, to escort her to the table where she could choose what she liked. Bending his head to her ear, he murmured quietly, "it's a little scary to see you getting along with Mother."
"Your Mother and I were having an interesting discussion about whether Rita Skeeter knows something more about Dumbledore's past than she has so far let slip and whether her current ploy of raking up the murkier secrets of the Hogwarts Professors is a long-term strategy design to demonstrate that Dumbledore had feet of clay," came the cool reply. "The tactic of eroding away certainty via little drops of acid was mentioned."
"It's an intriguing theory, and certainly explains why we haven't had as much to deal with from her in the Minister's Office, although if she wants to demonstrate Dumbledore's feet of clay, Kingsley may well be a target," Kirley said. "It's certainly not outside the realm of possibility." He grinned and held out a hand toward the table. "Anything catch your fancy, Milady? Or would you prefer some wine?"
"Wine, please," she replied. She lifted an enquiring brow. "Have you had any success in tracking down your leak?" she asked.
He shook his head as he poured her a glass of wine. "No, I'm starting to suspect there is something more devious at work, but short of monitoring everyone's mail, I'm not sure what else we can do. The Minister seemed hesitant to take that step, to invade everyone's privacy in such a way."
"So much mail must come and go from the Ministry too," she observed. "Most of it entirely mundane. It would be horrendous to police."
"Yes, it's a huge task, and with so many Aurors being devoted to the hunt for Adriana Fairchild, as well as the wrapping up of the St. Emrys investigation, it's a resource drain that the Minister can't justify, which I understand, much as it bothers me that that woman is going to get away with whatever she's been up to," Kirley said with a shrug of his shoulders.
"You may solve the riddle eventually," Cassandra said. "Her focus is currently on Hogwarts. If that changes and returns to attacking the Ministry, she may let something slip."
"An excellent point, and I can be patient, when I must," he murmured, a hint of something else slipping into his voice.
She cast him an amused look. "I would say that patience was a virtue, but I struggle to cast you in the role of the virtuous."
"Oh, you wound me," he teased her.
"I have yet to draw a wand, let alone blood," she teased back. "The absence of hexes is nearly a miracle. Although their day may still come. You would make a very cute ferret."
He smirked. "A ferret might be small enough to slip into some rather intriguing places," he murmured. "Although, you did draw blood once," he reminded her.
She tilted her head. "So I did," she said. "This is what comes of toying with a Catesby." She leaned wickedly on the first syllable of the name. "We cats have claws."
His smirk turned wicked. "I have a secret for you," he whispered. "I wouldn't like you near as much if you didn't have claws."
Cassandra gave a rare laugh. "That, Mr Mockridge, is no secret," she retorted.
Unexpected Guest
Author: Marzipan
Date: 03-24-13 10:31
"Where did you learn to cook like this?" asked Marzi of her mother Georgia, who wore a floral-patterned apron over her skirt and silk blouse. A Christmas goose was basting in the oven, its skin already a golden brown. A mouth-watering odor filled the kitchen and caused Marzi to feel hungry all over again, even though she had eaten a very large, late breakfast a couple of hours ago.
"I've had a lot of practice over the years," Georgia replied, pulling off her oven mitts and setting them on the counter. "Constantius wanted a Christmas goose every year. I can't seem to part with tradition, even though he's no longer with us."
Marzi said nothing in response. The topic of Constantius was still somewhat taboo. If not for him, then her father might still be alive. If not for him, then perhaps Georgia never would have left in the first place. She was saved from having to comment or change the subject when the doorbell rang.
"Are you expecting company?" Marzi asked her mother. The house in South Kensington was already filled with every family member she knew.
"No," Georgia said with a shake of her head. She took off her apron and hung it on a peg inside the pantry door before following her daughter out of the kitchen.
They found Weston in the foyer with none other than his grandmother, Redberga Fawley. Weston was in the process of taking her cloak, hat and handbag.
"I hope you don't mind that I invited my grandmother, Georgia," Weston said to his stepmother/mother-in-law.
"No, the more the merrier," Georgia said, stepping forward and extending a hand to the older witch. "Welcome to my home."
Redberga took Georgia's hand and queried, "And just what is the appeal of living in the Muggle world?" There was an underlying current of disapproval evident in the older witch's voice, as if she would never sully herself with living below her means, which was to say in a Muggle home vs. a wizarding one.
Georgia took back her hand and tried to keep her voice light. "My husband conducted business with Muggles and found it more convenient living in an area where he was accessible to his clients. I've lived here so long I couldn't possibly imagine living anywhere else."
Redberga pursed her lips together and then noticed Marzi, whom she had yet to meet in person but recognized from the photograph Weston had given her. Her eyes zeroed in on the pendant Marzi wore on a chain around her neck. It was the cute planter Basil Wynbourne had given her for Christmas.
Marzi stuck out her hand. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"And you," Redberga said, more kindly but only somewhat. "Where are the children? I should like to see them."
The boys were in the living room with their uncle Marius, who was helping them put together building blocks. All three looked up at the sight of the newcomers.
Weston made the introductions, but only Marius was old enough to provide Redberga with his undivided attention. Carter and Vallon kept knocking down the blocks, which resulted in uncontrollable laughing on both their parts.
Marzi slipped an arm around her husband's middle. "I didn't know you asked her to come," she said only so he could hear.
"I didn't think she would accept my invitation. She didn't give me any indication that she would," Weston answered, just as quietly. "I invited Mum too, but she declined."
"I suppose it's nice that she's making an effort to get to know you and yours," Marzi said.
"Yes, but let's hope she keeps her blunt comments on the down low. I don't want your mother getting offended by anything Redberga says or does."
Georgia had left the room to fix a pot of tea, which she brought into the living room on a tray along with several cups and saucers. She offered one to Redberga, who accepted without so much as a thank you. Weston slipped away from Marzi at that point to have Vallon talk to his great grandmother. Weston tried explaining who Redberga was, but whether it sunk in or not remained to be seen. Vallon was much more interested in playing with the building blocks some more and didn't at all like that Carter had them all to himself at the moment.
Marzi moved to the arm of the chair in which her mother had seated herself and put an arm around Georgia's shoulders. Georgia relaxed under her touch and looked up at her first born daughter with a smile.
"Happy Christmas, Mum," Marzi said.
"Happy Christmas, Marzipan. I'd best check on the goose. It should be ready soon. Would you be a dear and set an extra place at the table?"
"Yes," Marzi replied. Both women got up, Georgia for the kitchen, and Marzi for the dining room. They left the boys and Redberga in the living room, where the happy sounds of laughter and blocks being knocked over continued until everyone was called to the table for lunch.
Christmas Visit
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 03-24-13 12:16
Most of the Ministry of Magic offices had shut down for Christmas, but a few, like the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, never took a holiday. Despite that fact, the different offices staffed today did not look especially busy and seemed to play host to Christmas parties for those unfortunate enough not to be at home with their families.
Rowan walked through the Department of Magical Law Enforcement behind the Finches and with Willow at her side. The girls were going to visit their father, who remained in a holding cell and whose fate had yet to be determined by the authorities investigating his case. They had seen him only once since returning home from Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays and only twice since his discovery at Westwick Grove.
Linden Westwick had appeared to look to them the way they remembered before the curse that Anton Dolohov had afflicted upon their family, though a little bit worse for wear. He'd had dark circles around his eyes and his hair had gone gray in the short amount of time he'd resumed his human form.
But, his whole appearance changed each time he saw his daughters. He hadn't thought he should be so lucky as to have some of his family returned to him, though he wished most of all that his son and wife could join in on the reunion. He was also eternally grateful for the Finches, since they had taken in his daughters and helped to restore the old family home.
The Finches stopped to sign the guest registry and then stepped aside for Rowan and Willow to put down their names. After a short while, the four were admitted into a small room, where they sat and waited for a guard to bring Linden to them. He arrived after only a five minute wait, and embraced both his girls in a simultaneous hug.
Elgiva and Cyrus stayed only for a few minutes and then excused themselves to give Linden some time alone with his daughters.
Rowan was the first to speak after the Finches left the room. "Will they really send you to Azkaban?"
Linden's brow furrowed, causing deep lines to etch across his forehead. "It's possible, Rowan. Before your mother and I left the fold, we behaved very badly. I do not think I will be excused for having a change of heart."
"But surely your sentence won't be as long as someone who had remained a Death Eater all along?" Rowan asked.
"Surely not," Linden agreed, "but that doesn't mean I will be in and out before you both can blink. Let's not talk about me, anymore. It's Christmas, and I want to know if you received any nice gifts. I'm sorry I don't have the means to give you anything."
"We don't care about presents," Willow said, which wasn't entirely the truth. Both girls like presents very much, as most children did, but they were happiest simply being in the presence of their long lost father.
Linden smiled. "Well, what did you get?"
Rowan held out her wrist. She was wearing the bracelet she had gotten from Alastor Jenkins for Secret Santa. The necklace was nice too, but it was a bit heavy and didn't go with the neckline of the top she wore, so she had left it at home on her dresser next to the portrait of Laurel.
"There was this thing at Hogwarts this year, something that didn't exist when we were first there," Rowan explained. She told her father about Secret Santa, about the gift she had gotten Alexa Wenlock and who Alexa even was, and about Alastor, who had gotten her her nice gifts.
Then it was Willow's turn to show off the boots she'd gotten from Professor Miller, the Muggle Studies teacher at Hogwarts. They were on her feet and felt really warm and comfortable, perfect for a snowy, chilly day like today.
All too soon their visit was over, though they all noticed that they had gotten extra time together, maybe because it was Christmas Day.
The girls said goodbye to their father, promised they would see him at least one more time before they had to return to Hogwarts, and then left the Ministry of Magic with Elgiva and Cyrus Finch for home.
On the Horizon
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 03-24-13 23:23
I smacked the alarm clock just in time to hear Orion growl from the other side of the bed. So much for snoozing…
"What time is it?" Orion mumbled.
"Wake up time…" I replied hazily.
"Why do we have to get up so early?" Orion asked.
"Going to my parents, remember?"
Orion groaned a response as he got up. After a little bit of time, not sure how long cause I started drifting back to sleep, Orion pulled the blankets. He pulled them completely off the bed! "Up!" He commanded.
"Fine!" I sighed. Bloody cold…
Orion and I got ready, and gathered the gifts that had collected in the guest room. I could tell Orion was a little confused since it was mid-morning, and Seattle was eight hours behind us. I didn't answer his unspoken questions, as we headed out. As soon as we entered into the alley, I wrapped my arm through one of Orion's.
Orion sighed, "I hate when we do this…" right before we disappeared with a pop. He looked around a moment before he said, "This looks like London still…"
"Hammersmith to be exact." I informed him. "Come on."
We walked up to the door and knocked. After a moment, the door opened revealing Wotan Dewhurst.
"Hi Dad," I said, ignoring Orion's completely confused expression.
"DeeDee!" Came an excited voice from somewhere inside. It was followed by rapid little footsteps. Wotan moved out of the way in time for Wolfie to come running out of the house, right into my arms.
"Wolfie!" I said as I picked him up, "Wow, you are heavy. You get anything good?"
"I dunno. We were waiting for you."
"Come in, its cold outside." Aemilia said over Wotan's shoulder. Wotan moved to let Orion and me inside. We walked in, and I put Wolfie down, who promptly ran towards the living room.
"Mum, Dad," I started, "This is my boyfriend, Orion. Orion, these are my second parents, Aemilia and Wotan." Greetings were exchanged as Orion and I removed our coats. I grabbed the gifts we brought for them, and Wolfie, before moving into the living room. Wolfie, as expected, was hovering over the gifts under the tree trying to find his.
When we sat down, Mum said it was ok for Wolfie to open his gifts. He tore into them with gusto.
"You missed Bronwyn, she came by last night," Wotan said, watching Wolfie throwing paper all over the room.
"Not surprised. Our families are so big, one day just doesn't work anymore."
"It has been a while since Christmas has been small for us. It's actually nice," Aemilia said, "A lot less cleaning… Well, in the rest of the house…" As a piece of wrapping paper landed on the table next to her.
Wolfgang had finished tearing his gifts open before anyone else. He started playing with his new treasures as Desi and Aemilia moved to the kitchen. Orion and Wotan were left in the living room to watch Wolfie.
"Desi, are you really going to Seattle?" Aemilia asked as she started breakfast.
I sat down as I thought about what she asked. "I… don't really want to…"
"I understand. It was difficult when I was found, then learned about what happened between Wotan and Annabelle. Meeting Wolfie…" She fell silent for a little bit. "What I'm trying to say is that the hardest thing you can do is forgive someone."
"Yeah…"
"Go, talk to her. You may be surprised. She's not the same young woman I met years ago. At the very least, give her a chance."
"Maybe…"
"Desi, listen to her. That's all I'm asking. Ok?"
"Ok…" I sighed.
"Good, now get the boys, breakfast is ready."
The Storm
Author: Desdemona Diamond
Date: 03-25-13 01:26
I hugged Aemilia and Wotan goodbye, then it was Wolfie's turn. Orion held the bag with the gifts going to Seattle, as well as the presents that had already opened. After the goodbyes the floo powder was thrown into the fireplace.
I stood there, holding Wolfie's hand, but I didn't move. "I can't, I'm not going." I said and took a step back. Right into Orion.
"Desi…"
"Yes Mum..." I stepped into the fireplace. With a few words and a few moments later we came out in my home in Seattle.
"Desi! Wolfie!" Called an excited voice.
"Mommy!" Wolfie called out and ran over to her. She picked him up and brushed some of the soot off. She put him down and he ran off into the living room.
"Mom, Orion. Orion, my mom Annabelle." They exchanged greetings before my mom turned to me.
"I'm glad you came. To be honest, I didn't think you would show up." She pulled me into a hug.
"Almost didn't," I admitted to her, "Orion and Mum kinda forced the issue."
Mom looked Orion over, "Really?" She asked him, more than me.
"Wasn't hard," He told her. She nodded in approval.
"Desi has always had been stubborn when it comes to emotional matters."
"Mom…"
"It's true. Besides, I'm sure he already knew that."
"I figured as much," Orion chimed in, "Just got to learn when you can push and when to duck."
I sighed as my mom nodded her agreement. Before they could continue, we were joined by Her. The Evil One. She saw me and smiled, "Dee! You're here!" She walked over to hug me.
"Touch me and I will break your arms," I said coldly.
"Desdemona!"
I sighed, and closed the remaining distance between my sister and me, and let her hug me. The earliest I could, I pulled away, but was kept from moving too far by Orion, again having moved behind me.
"Desi," Bianca said uncertainly, "We… can talk later."
"Fine."
"Good," Mom said, breaking the tension, "We should go in the living room before Wolfie starts to destroy it." The four of us left the den and went into the living room, Bianca leading the way. I felt Orion's hand on my shoulder just before we walked into the room.
"You sure you're ok?" He asked quietly.
"For the moment," I answered keeping my voice down.
"If you want to leave, we can go any time."
"Like now?"
"No." He took his hand off my shoulder. We walked into the living room, that's when I realized my mom had been bringing up the rear.
My dad came over and gave me a hug, before saying hi. As he did, I saw Bianca leaving with another guy. He was very failure, but I couldn't place him. Orion was introduced to my father while Bianca was with the other guy.
"Mom?" I asked, moving over to her, "Who was that?"
"Hmm? Oh, that was Jay," She answered.
"Jay… Jay…" I thought a moment, "Wait, the overweight kid that grew up with us?"
"Yeah, he ran into Bianca a little bit ago."
"Huh… I don't remember him being…like that…" I said. Bianca came back into the room, and moved over to Wolfie. I sat down next to my mom and watched her. If I didn't know she was the devil incarnate, I would swear she was actually a nice caring person.
"This is normal," My mom said quietly, "Wolfie is less than three and a half years old, and has healed both people and families. He's already done great things without even knowing it."
"Perhaps…" I said not really paying attention too closely to her.
After another round of flying paper, we separated out. Orion and I ended up in my bedroom. Of course, he said it explained a lot.
Bianca walked in to the room and announced, "Orion, my Mom asked to see you in the kitchen."
"Sure," he said. He paused before slowly walking out of the room. Not sure what he would come back to.
"Did she really ask to see him?"
"Yeah. Since dinner is going to be really late for you, she is making it early so you can take some home with you." There was a moment before she said, "Also, so we could have a chance to talk in private."
I sighed, "It would figure… I think they're both in on it."
"Both?"
"Mom and Mum. They've been trying to get me to listen to whatever it is you have to say."
She walked into the room, and sat down on the bed. She took a deep breath before starting. "I wanted to tell you I'm sorry. I know I've apologized, but I wanted to do it again. I've come to greatly regret my actions. I've actually lost sleep over them."
"Why are you telling me this? You think it's going to change anything?"
"I'd like for us to be sisters again, so we can be a family. When was the last time Wolfie has been in the same room with all his siblings?" She waited, but I didn't have an answer for her. "Wouldn't it be nice if he could be with all of us, at the same time? And all of us have fun?" I didn't answer her this time either.
A long silence passed between us before I finally asked, "Why? Why did you do it?"
"It's complicated. Basically I was taking care of Wolfie, which made me want to have a child of my own, and I saw how great a guy Xavier was…."
"No, not that, I know about that."
"Then…what?"
"Everything? What happened?"
"Oh… Well that's really complicated. The roots go back way back, but it started to be a problem after we turned ten. Remember?" I slowly nodded in response. "That was when you started wearing the darker colors, started wearing heavier boots..." She paused but kept going, "I felt like Mom and Dad were letting you get away with stuff they'd never let me get away with. I began to get jealous.
"Then a couple years later, you start dying your hair all kinds of crazy colors. Blue, red, whatever… My jealousy just got worse. What made you so special? I'd never get away with stuff like that…"
"Have you talked to Mom and Dad about all this?"
"Yes, and they helped me realize that they were supporting you, and they would have supported me should I have changed my appearance like you did."
"So…"
"So, it was stupid of me to make things a living hell for you."
This wasn't what I expected. Bianca actually changing? The therapy actually working? I could see any hidden plots, or agendas or falsehoods in her face, voice, or anything. Maybe everyone was right, and she really is becoming a better person.
"I have one more question." I told her.
"What is it?"
"I could have sworn I had more clothes here."
"Oh… umm… Funny story…"