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Hosting Christmas
Author: Lee Sickleby
Date: 01-17-16 10:29
Lee emerged from the kitchen with a large Christmas casserole just removed from the oven and set it down on the trivet in the middle of the table. It had been Alaia's idea that they host Christmas at their home this year. Lee, who normally was good at coming up with excuses not to do something, couldn't think of a single reason why not to have both sides of the family over on Christmas Day. It wasn't so much that he didn't want them congregated in his home––they were family, after all, and he loved every single one of them––but in his line of work, privacy was always at the forefront of his mind.
"Is this Granny's recipe?" his mother asked.
"Yes, but I can't promise it will taste the way hers does," Lee replied, smiling. He removed the potholders on his hands, tucked them under one arm, and then picked up a knife from the table. Lee handed it to his mum, followed by a lasagna server, and then he went back into the kitchen to put away the potholders. Lee returned to the table with a pitcher of freshly squeezed orange juice and a bottle of champagne.
"Mimosa, anyone?"
Alaia held up her champagne flute. "Please!"
Lee poured her a mixture of orange juice and champagne.
"May I try some?" asked Kaycee.
Lee looked at Kaycee's guardians, their aunt and uncle. Aunt Secunda nodded and said, "Yes. Just one glass."
Kaycee beamed. She was the youngest at the table, the only child, in fact. Kaycee didn't know what a mimosa was but she understood it was a grown-up drink. She wasn't sure she would like it, but then she did like orange juice.
Lee poured her a glass that was mostly orange juice with just a smidgen of champagne.
After making sure everyone else at the table had a drink, be it mimosa, coffee or something else, he sat down at the head of the table. Alaia had already put a piece of casserole on his plate and was spooning some mixed fruit into a small side bowl.
"Thanks," Lee said, grinning at his wife.
Last night, the newlyweds had celebrated Christmas Eve with Alaia's family. Her parents were at the house now with all the Sicklebys. They had spent the morning opening up presents and now it was time for brunch.
Lee's gift to Alaia was something special to mark their first Christmas a married couple. He cut a copy of their wedding invitation into strips and stuffed it into a clear ornament. The strips were curled ornately, and though not all the words were visible, a few were, like their names and the date of their marriage. The ornament was hanging on their Christmas tree now.
Lee also gave Alaia a mint-colored teardrop pendant and tiny golden charm with the letter A on it, which she wore around her neck.
"Happy Christmas, everyone!" Lee announced, and then he tucked into his breakfast.
(Mark) Knutby, Sweden
Author: Isolde
Date: 01-17-16 13:17
It was cold in Knutby, Sweden––far colder than in London, but at least the sun shone and reflected brightly off of the snow-covered evergreens. Mark stood at the window of his uncle Torsten's house and drank his third cup of coffee. He had arrived in Sweden early that morning but hadn't imposed on his family till a more respectable hour. It was upon arriving that Mark found his mother also at the house, which didn't really come as a surprise since Torsten was her brother.
His mother and the other relatives on that side of the family hadn't expected Mark, though an invitation had been extended. They were nevertheless pleased to see him, especially since Mark didn't visit often and hadn't in years, due to his on again-off again estrangement with his mother.
Eviene Farnon put a hand on her son's arm and said, "You did the right thing."
"I know," Mark said, "but I can't help but feel bad about Zoe."
"She's too young to remember you," his mother reminded, "and you owe her nothing."
It was true. Mark owed Zoe nothing, and he didn't owe Capri anything either. Now that Capri had support from another source, Mark didn't need to stay with her, and since things hadn't been good between them for a long time now, he felt he could finally leave and not feel guilty about it.
Last night, he had been at the Brycin family gathering. Capri was still somewhat at odds with her parents, who had never liked Mark, so it hadn't been the most pleasant Christmas Eve. Mark had remained polite throughout the evening but had begged off early, claiming he had a headache and wanted to get some sleep.
When Capri decided she wanted to stay a bit longer because of Amyas being there, Mark went home alone and impulsively packed up some of his stuff. He left the same night before Capri and Zoe ever made it home.
Mark didn't leave a note, but he figured Capri would figure out that he wasn't coming back. He might not even get the rest of his stuff. None of it seemed to matter to him anymore. The only thing Mark did set aside was the Christmas gift for Zoe. It was a mobile to hang over her crib and consisted of little broomsticks, a snitch, a quaffle, and two bludgers. Hopefully Capri would actually hang it up and not toss it into the rubbish bin.
Eviene tugged on the sleeve of his cardigan and changed the subject by saying, "You should talk to your cousins. They hardly know you."
Mark turned his head slightly to look at the two girls. Antje and Dietlind were nine and six, almost seven. They were kids, and he was an adult. What could he possibly have to talk to them about? Besides, they regarded him warily. To them, he seemed like a moody, scary man, not a friendly relative.
Mark turned away from them and drained his coffee cup. "I'm going to get another. Would you like one?"
"No. You should go out and get some fresh air. Maybe build a snowman with the girls."
Mark sighed and resigned himself to the fact that his mother was trying to distract him from his leaving Capri and Zoe behind by integrating him into the side of the family he hardly knew.
"Fine. Snowman first, then another cuppa. I'll get my coat."
Eviene brightened and turned to her nieces. "Do you want to build a snowman?"
The girls grinned at that and nodded their heads vigorously. Eviene helped them into their coats and even donned her own before they all went outside to play in the snow. It didn't take long for Mark to truly relax and for the girls to grow used to their older cousin.
What's the Deal?
Author: Griet
Date: 01-17-16 15:56
"I can't believe you've been harboring Gervaise all this time," Griet commented, as she set plates in front of every chair around the table, which had been spelled with an extension charm and stretched from the dining room part of the way into the living room.
It was late morning, and the Vanderbilt family house was mostly empty. Because most of the kids were adults with significant others, it was decided that the big family Christmas celebration would take place in the early afternoon, so that those with other obligations could do so in the morning or evening. It wasn't a perfect arrangement, since someone was bound to miss out, but it was the best the family could do.
Griet herself had celebrated Christmas Eve with her boyfriend's family. Valentijn was visiting with other relatives this morning but would come by the house in Canterbury for the Vanderbilt luncheon.
Cornelia, who had spent Christmas Eve with Cassander's family, set a carefully folded cloth napkin next to each plate. "You make him sound like a fugitive."
Griet shot her sister an annoyed look and said, "You know what I mean. Why didn't you mention that he's been sleeping on your couch since the summer?"
"He asked that I not talk about him with you, so I haven't," Cornelia simply replied, "and you haven't visited the flat since we first moved in, so I thought his secret might be safe at least for a little while."
"He's still angry, then?" Griet asked, bewildered. She had found out about Gervaise when she stopped by the flat and found him sprawled out on the couch wearing nothing but long-johns. Days-old stubble had been on his face, his eyes had been bloodshot, and his speech had been slurred.
"It wasn't my decision to let him go," Griet went on. "I just did what I was told."
"I know, Griet," Cornelia replied. "Deep down, I think Gervaise knows it too, but he's stubborn, and sacking him is just another disappointing thing you've done to him."
Griet's annoyance doubled at that. "I'm so sorry that I didn't reciprocate his feelings," she said sarcastically. "Cassander knows he's your ex, right?"
"Of course he knows," Cornelia calmly replied. "We talk about everything."
"He's not bothered that someone you've had sex with is under the same roof as you?"
"Gervaise and I never had sex."
"No?"
"No."
"Oh." Griet put another plate down and asked, "Well, how long is he going to stay with you? It's been months."
"Till he gets back on his feet," Cornelia said. "He's applied at other distilleries, but he was half drunk at his last interview. Cassander and I have gotten rid of all the alcohol in our flat. I'm trying to convince Gervaise to go to counseling. He needs to stop drinking."
"Probably shouldn't work in a distillery then," Griet muttered.
"Probably, but it's all he knows right now."
Griet set down the last of the plates and then went to fetch the silverware. She wished that Gervaise didn't blame her for the troubles in his life, but she couldn't stop him from doing so. He would think whatever he wanted to, whether she deserved it or not. She still thought it strange that Cornelia and Cassander were helping him, but there was nothing she could say or do about that either. Maybe they would get him back on his feet and off their couch, but how long would it take?
Russian Blue for Christmas
Author: Jordan Thompson
Date: 01-17-16 19:15
She sat in the window seat in her bedroom, legs curled beneath her as she played with the fluffy Russian Blue kitten that she'd gotten for Christmas. The kitten was currently tumbling and attempting to lay claim to a bit of ribbon that Jordan had repurposed into a cat toy for the time being - mainly because the kitten, who had yet to be named had enjoyed attempting to capture it when it had been tied to the thin sapphire collar with a delicate silver bell.
She was currently waiting for the rest of the family to show up, as well as Essie and Jacob's family because they were going to be having a huge family dinner at the Thompsons in the barn that had been converted to a space where they could host the whole family as well as the Harpers on holidays, birthdays, or just random get togethers where the whole lot was invited.
Most everyone had arrived, Jordan just wasn't ready to head to the barn yet. She wanted a few more moments peace before she had to deal with the throng of family members and answer the same questions she'd answered already from others about her first experiences at Hogwarts...and in turn hear about their own stories at Hogwarts or other schools. She just simply wasn't ready to deal with the questions - though she was curious to know what other presents she would get from the family that was recently arrived. Even the bulk of the presents were waiting until after dinner had been eaten.
"Jordan, Essie and Jacob are here!"
Jordan grinned and pushed herself up, cuddling the kitten she'd gotten. The small animal immediately perched itself upon her shoulder and the pair headed downstairs to greet her friends.
"Finally! I was wondering when you'd get here!" she said with an impish grin as she hugged them both carefully - mindful of the kitten perched upon her shoulder.
"Aww! You got a new kitten! Awesome! So cute and fluffy!" Essie gushed as she reached to pet the kitten, and was greeted with a gentle headbutt against her palm and a soft, contented purr.
"Let's head to the barn. There is my gran's spiced cider and I've not had near enough of it since yesterday," Jordan linked arms with her two best friends and the trio headed out along the path that connected the main house to the barn that was set up as a party area.
At Home
Author: Rowan Westwick
Date: 01-18-16 07:42
"It's strange to think that you don't have as much time off for the holidays as we do," Rowan said to Ash as they walked around the grounds at Westwick Grove. Sister and brother were bundled up warmly against the cold.
Ash chuckled and said, "That's the price you pay for growing up. No more automatic three-week holidays at Christmas."
"How is it to be working anyway?" Rowan asked.
Her brother shrugged. "Better now that things are more or less back to normal." He abruptly fell silent, though, upon thinking about his run-in with the Death Eater during the attack at the Ministry. Ash hadn't heard from or about the Death Eaters in connection with himself or his family since that day. Maybe that Death Eater's taunts had been all talk, but Ash still felt deeply concerned that there'd been something more to it.
Rowan didn't notice her brother's look of worry and said, "I have no idea what I want to do after I graduate. None whatsoever."
"Do you think you might go to St. Emrys instead of straight to work?"
"It's crossed my mind, yes. I can delay the inevitable that way, and Beatrix and I have already discussed being roommates."
"It's good you two are friends again," Ash commented.
"Yeah."
"Will she be coming around for a visit?"
Rowan shook her head. "She has a family thing today."
"New Year's, then?"
Rowan shook her head again. "Pablo invited her to a party at his house."
"I see," Ash stated. He remained contemplative for a moment and then asked, "Who is Pablo?"
Rowan's eyes lit up. "Oh, I guess I didn't tell you. He's a boy in our year, Ravenclaw like me. Very good-looking. A little bit exotic. I had the grand idea to set him and Beatrix up, and it worked! They can't get enough of each other."
"I see," Ash said again.
After a turn in the frosty gardens, the pair reached the house again and stepped inside where it was almost overwhelming warm compared to outside. They shed their cloaks and winter boots and went into the family room, where they unintentionally startled Willow. She practically jumped out of her seat and snapped shut the new diary she received that morning at Christmas.
"What?" she accusingly asked.
Rowan and Ash exchanged amused looks and shook their heads. They correctly guessed that Willow had been writing something secret in her new diary, but they didn't know that she had also been writing Mrs. Justin Hodges over and over again with a heart instead of a dot over the i in Justin. She immediately got up and took the diary to her room, where she stashed it beneath her pillow, and then rejoined her siblings in the family room.
Whims
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 01-18-16 12:44
Tiberius had offered himself to work during Christmas day. Titus had decided to spend the holidays at Hogwarts instead of visiting his brother, Casper and Cecelia for a day or two, and then stay all the other days at the place he had spent summer at. Since Tiberius had no one to spend Christmas with, he decided that going to work was better than to lock himself at home all alone, where he would feel tempted to open a bottle of fire whiskey.
The hospital had been decorated for the holidays, and above Tiberius' desk there was a small Christmas tree, its lights happily flickering. It was quieter than usual, but there had been a few new patients, such as a young wizard who had been stung by a billywig, his brand new and illegal Christmas gift, a man that had drunk eggnog at a Christmas party that was filled with a poorly brewed love potion, and two little children, who had broken a few bones, when their grandmother used a spell to triple the size of the Christmas' tree decorations, and not holding its weight, the tree had fallen over their grandchildren who had been closer to it, to admire their grandmother's spell.
Some people who had relatives still at St. Mungo's went to visit their loved ones, but most of them didn't need to ask Tiberius for information, since they already knew their way around the hospital. With nothing to do, and no one to speak with, Tiberius entertained himself with the last edition of the Daily Prophet.
"Good day," a voice greeted and he raised his eyes from the newspaper.
He recognized Elphaba Evercreech, with her dark hair pinned up in a severe hairstyle, her round glasses, and brown eyes. She was holding her pointy black hat on one of her hands. They seemed to be inseparable.
"Tiberius! I had no idea you worked here," she said.
"I do. Are you injured or feeling unwell?" he asked. She looked all right to him, but it was part of the protocol to ask, when someone arrived at the desk and didn't ask for information right away. It wasn't uncommon for people not knowing where to go to, to often try the information desk first. Last month there had been a wizard that was bleeding from his nose, but he stayed in the line waiting for his turn, insisting on keeping his gentleman manners.
"No, I feel perfectly fine. I just wanted some information about Mr. Johnson."
Tiberius consulted some scrolls in front of him. Carl Johnson had been the wizard poisoned by the love potion.
"He's at room number 12, third floor. I believe the healers had just finished cleaning up his stomach and he is resting now."
Relief invaded Elphaba's face, softening her expression.
"Thank Merlin," she muttered. She didn't ask if she could visit him and a thought passed by Tiberius' mind.
"Did you put the love potion on his drink?"
Her eyes became charged with fury, and she seemed truly offended with his question.
"I have spent almost a year in your company, Mr. Nott, teaching you several things, including the Amortencia potion. If you do not recall, I have brewed it in front of you, without a flaw. And I am not desperate to the point of giving someone a love potion so they can go out with me. I am happy on my own, thank you very much!"
She adjusted her glasses, put on her hat, and walked away, her steps echoing all around the hall. Tiberius stood there, looking like a fool. He wasn't trying to imply that Elphaba needed to use magic to find a date. He had asked if she had brewed the potion out of curiosity. Of course if she acted in a suspicious way, he would have to report it to the hospital security, and if the case was serious, they would warn an Auror. But indeed he had seen her brewing potions and he was sure she was not behind Carl Johnson's poisoning. The time they had spent together, when she was tutoring him, made him at least know that Elphaba would not use a love potion to conquer a man. She was intelligent and she would use other methods. But he had no idea which. She had resisted to his charms, when he tried to win her over at first, so she would not give him too much homework and reduce their classes schedule.
He returned to his reading, reaching to the conclusion that there was no point in trying to understand women and their whims.
Serious Conversation
Author: Eoghan
Date: 01-19-16 19:09
The Riordin house has been a hive of activity much of the day. Both Parlan and Keavy come from large families and with six children, some of whom are married with children of their own, have their own large family. The hosting of major holidays and family events rotates among a number of the extended family. This year, Keavy and Parlan have had Christmas day hosting. Thankfully, in Keavy's opinion, most everyone brings a dish or two so the bulk of the cooking was not on her shoulders.
Everything had been set up as a buffet with each person sitting at whichever table he or she wanted. Lunch began near one this afternoon though there had been a few latecomers, most of them unable to arrive any sooner because of other, mostly familial, obligations. After the meal, anyone wishing to stay was welcome to do so and anyone who had to leave was welcome to come back because starting around six leftovers were heated and put out for those desiring supper.
Not quite ready for another round of excellent food, Parlan sits on the patio puffing a pipe, something Keavy never allows him to do inside. Eoghan steps outside into the quiet, zapping a chair with his wand to warm the seat a little. The patio is charmed against the December chill but the metal chair still seems cold to the touch.
After he's settled into a slouch, legs stretched before him, Parlan asks, "You decide you want to talk about whatever has had you so preoccupied?"
"I haven't been preoccupied," Eoghan protests but only halfheartedly so.
"Something has been weighing on your mind for too many weeks to bother counting. Is it work?"
"No, work's fine." More or less but Parlan has no idea what Eoghan actually does so he has to be careful what he says when it comes to anything work related.
"A relationship woe then?"
"Not that either."
"There's something. We've all noticed."
Eoghan is trying to think of something to say that will put his father off the topic when he blurts, "Was my birth name Hyperion?"
Parlan says nothing for a moment, giving the appearance of concentrating on relighting his pipe. Eoghan waits him out. When Parlan at last speaks it's a simple, "Yes."
"What of the rest of the name?"
"I believe your middle name was Nigellus."
"Surname Lestrange," Eoghan states rather than asks.
Parlan visibly starts but to his credit he doesn't attempt to lie. "Yes. How did you find out?"
Eoghan decides he will also be truthful, or somewhat anyway. "Rodolphus Lestrange approached me one day when I was having lunch out one day. He didn't outright tell me, if you're wondering. He knew who I was, that I'm adopted, and mentioned the name Hyperion."
"Your mother and I were told he had no knowledge of your existence."
"Obviously, he found out."
"Even so, he shouldn't have known the name we gave you. Shouldn't have known who you are to approach to say anything."
"You and Ma never made a secret that I'm adopted so why not tell me who my birth parents were?"
"You didn't need the stigma of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange hanging over your head."
"Why would you want their child when you already have five of your own?"
"We were wanting more children but we learned we couldn't have them on our own. We were open to adoption."
"But why you and Ma?"
"Why not us?"
"Because you already had five and some people looking to adopt might not have had any."
"I don't know why we were selected. As far as I know, Keavy doesn't either. We were approached by someone we knew at the Ministry who knew we were looking into adoption. We were told a baby had been born under unusual circumstances and asked if we would be interested in taking him. We said yes, only after being told the unusual circumstances."
"How is Bellatrix Lestrange being my birth mother an unusual circumstance?"
"It's not so much who as where. Do the math."
Eoghan thinks a moment. "She was in prison."
"Not just prison but Azkaban."
"I was born in Azkaban?"
"Yes, and at a time when the Dementors ran the place. It was crucial to get you out of there and those few who knew of your birth were also wanting to get you placed with a family as soon as possible. Both of the Lestranges were expected to be incarcerated there for life. Bellatrix never told Rodolphus she was expecting. A decision was made not to inform him or anyone else in case members of either family tried to lay claim to you. The Ministry felt it was in your best interest to be disassociated with either family."
"There are family members on both side who didn't, don't, follow the dark arts, who weren't associated with Voldemort."
"I'm just telling you what we were told. Initially, we weren't even going to be told anything about you beyond newborn boy in need of a home." Parlan is quiet again, expecting Eoghan to say something more. When he does, Parlan asks, "Are you going to approach either of the Lestranges to get to know them better?"
"I have no plans to purposely have contact with either of them."
"Are we going to tell your mother of this discussion?"
"We probably should, but maybe not tonight."
"I won't say anything until you're ready." Parlan empties his pipe and puts it in a pocket in preparation of rising. "I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm hungry again. I'm heading in to see what leftovers there are."
Eoghan stays a moment longer, lost in thought, before he too gets up to go in and stuff himself even more.