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Special Delivery and Giving a Gift Early
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 11-18-07 12:04
Lawrence looked over the stack of beautifully wrapped presents he'd purchased for the Beck family. There was something for everyone, he'd made certain of that, including the newest member Bronwyn, Toby's wife and an old friend of Lawrence's.
He nodded, looking over the packages once more, ensuring that everything was there. Gathering them up in a large, red velvet sack he would sling it over his shoulder and with flash of green, caused by floo powder in the fire place, he was off, flooing to the Beck's to deliver the gifts and hopefully spend some time with Ariella.
"Hello Lawrence." Toby said coming out of the kitchen, the scent of lunch wafting out.
"Hello Toby. Help me unload these please?" Lawrence had the gift he intended on giving Ariella early tucked within his coat pocket. Toby helped him get the brightly wrapped gifts out of the sack and beneath the tree, then they headed back into the kitchen.
"Hello everyone." Lawrence said, and moved over to wrap his arms around Ariella who was putting the finishing touches on a plate of food for herself. "Hi hon." He pressed a kiss to her cheek and held her to him for a moment, relishing in the fact that he could, for a little longer, do such a thing before they were back at Hogwarts.
"I didn't know you were coming today, wasn't expecting you until tomorrow." She said, setting the plate down and turning into him and letting out a soft sigh. "Want something?" She asked, but Josefine had already gotten a plate together and placed it next to Ariella's at the table.
"Thank you Josefine." Lawrence said and settled down at the table with the rest of the Becks. The conversation centered on things other than the Ministry, the new rules in the wizarding world, and at Hogwarts. Lawrence volunteered to help do the lunch dishes, and Ariella stayed to help.
"Oh! I've a gift I want to give you early. Here." He stopped his work for a moment and pulled out the tickets to Sydney.
"What are these?" She looked at them and then at him.
"Two tickets to Sydney. For New Years. Unless you would rather not since..." He didn't want to rush her into anything, he knew that their relationship was still new, and that they'd been tested and stretched by the new rules and the fact that he was still her teacher at Hogwarts, for another term.
Lunchtime on Christmas Eve
Author: Griffin Price
Date: 11-18-07 15:25
Ruth's Christmas tree isn't overly large nor are there many gifts under it. What are there grow in number when Griff adds two more. Ruth calls from the kitchen, "Is that you, Griff, or am I talking to Seeayetee again?"
"It's me though Seeayetee is here too. I don't think she'll ever get over her fascination with the fairy lights on the tree."
"I've made sandwiches to go with soup."
"Sounds good," Griff says turning away from the tree. Ruth and he are going to a party in Hogsmeade tonight at The Imperial Crown & Cauldron, invited by Forest Woods and his friend Furnella Hodfuffer, one of the restaurant owners, so they're eating light for lunch but do want to eat something to tide them over until the party.
"Admiring the tree again?" Ruth asks as she puts two bowls of soup on the table while Griff gets them each a drink.
"Putting a couple of gifts under it."
Ruth laughs, "You're going to spoil that child."
"They aren't for Tristan," Griff grins in reply. "One is for Carys and the other is for you."
"I've told you a dozen times you didn't have to get me anything," Ruth chides, "and now that makes three with my name from you."
Griff's grin broadens, "Technically, one is from Tristan and one is from Seeayetee."
Ruth flicks her napkin at Griff. "Has anyone ever told you that you're cheeky?"
"I can't imagine why anyone would," Griff says with a straight face.
"What's the Carys gift? I thought you had ones to her already."
Griff nods. "The ones from Tristan that he and I got when he was here on the 15th," Griff says referring to the Saturday that Tristan last slept over. "I decided to get Carys something from just me."
Ruth arches an eyebrow but doesn't say anything. Griff goes on to say, "I also got her grandparents something."
"You mean in addition to what you made with Tristan?"
That same Saturday, nine days ago, when Tristan was here, Tristan had had great fun getting into paints, with Griff's help, and making an apron for Mairwen Hanham that has Tristan's name painted on it along with Tristan's handprints and footprints. For Alun, there's a gardening type work apron that also has Tristan's name, handprints, and footprints.
Griff nods again, ladleing soup onto his spoon, "Yes, in addition to those. "For Mariwen there's a charm bracelet with birthstone charms for her daughter, Carys, Carys's brother, and for Tristan. For Alun, there's a vintage book he was talking about not long ago."
Ruth nonchalantly asks, "And what about me? What are my gifts?"
"You'll find out soon enough, " Griff laughs, changing to subject to say, "Good sandwich and this soup is great."
Christmas Eve at the Burrow
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 11-18-07 19:17
I smiled from my corner as I watched Sirius across the room talking animatedly with Remus who had his arm wrapped possessively around his beaming newly wed wife. The Weasley gathering had turned into an outright reunion with so many people attending. From the look on Molly’s flushed face, I could tell even she was surprised by the amount of people in her house. Although, in all fairness, just her family alone tended to change any intimate gathering into a full blown party.
The twins, Mira and James, were trying to play with the other children in the room although the older ones were often too much for the younger mob. But with so many children packed in the room there was no difficulty in finding playmates to keep the children occupied while the parents enjoyed themselves.
I was enjoying myself immensely. Having ended up in the inevitable ‘women’s corner’ I found myself talking enthusiastically about the twins and their daily antics with the other moms. I listened when they exchanged their own stories, desperately hoping to pick up on some tips in order to handle the twins as they quickly approached the terrible-two stage.
Throughout the evening my gaze would often lock with Sirius’s. His warm appreciative eyes warmed my skin. I thought I was being discreet with these exchanges, but soon Molly’s sharp eyes caught on.
“Things are going well with you and Sirius.”
She stated it more than asked, but I nodded my head anyway blushing slightly.
“It’s good to see him happy again.”
I swallowed nervously before making myself say, “He wasn’t happy before.”
Molly sighed softly before patting my arm in a motherly fashion. “We all go through it. The first years of marriage can be a hard blow on some couples. There are so many things that we do not realize beforehand. And there was so much stress on you and Sirius that most couples don’t have to deal with on top of everything else. It isn’t surprising that things were…”
Molly fumbled for words, so I supplied them for her. “Things were bad.”
She pursed her lips, but nodded.
I looked at Sirius as his laugh carried across the room. “I think he’s happy now,” I said softly.
Squeezing my arm affectionately Molly said, “I know he’s happy. Just look at the way he looks at you.”
I looked at Sirius as he looked over at us and smiled broadly. Patting Remus on the arm, he kept his gaze on me and headed towards us.
“And that’s my cue to bring out more food for the guests,” chuckled Molly as she discreetly left for the kitchen.
I almost grabbed her arm to stay, suddenly feeling like a nervous teenager instead of the grown woman that I was. As Sirius got closer, I could see the look of contentment in his eyes. When he finally was standing in front of me, I could feel my heart beating so loudly I swore Sirius would be able to hear it too, standing so close.
“Having fun?” he asked as he bent his head close to mine so I could hear him over the noise in the room.
“Very much so.” My voice sounded breathy as if I had just ran from Hogsmeade all the way to the Burrow. “And you?”
“Very much so,” he repeated with a mischievous look on his face. “Dru, do you realize where you are standing?”
I looked around, feeling confused. What did he mean, where was I standing? I was standing in the Weasley’s home of course.
Chuckling softly, Sirius pointed up.
Glancing up at the strange plant above my head, I was taken completely by surprise as Sirius bent down to brush a soft kiss across my lips.
“Mistletoe,” he whispered close to my ear.
“Oh.” Which was all I could really say at that exact moment since the kiss had rendered me pretty much speechless.
Lawrence's Gift
Author: Ariella Beck
Date: 11-19-07 06:48
Ariella was speechless. She took the tickets tentatively and studied them, as if not uncertain whether they were real. She finally looked up at Lawrence and asked, "Really?"
"Really," he replied softly.
It had grown silent in the other room. Somehow Ariella knew that the silence wasn't because the room had suddenly emptied but because everyone was eavesdropping to the conversation in the kitchen.
Ariella was a legal adult and capable of making her own decisions, but as long as she lived under her grandparents' roof, she willingly played by their rules. A part of her felt she needed to ask permission to take the trip with Lawrence. It wasn't so much the need to get permission to go to Australia but rather the need to get permission to go to Australia with a boy––no, a grown man.
When Ariella hesitated, she saw Lawrence's face begin to fall. She smiled and touched his arm to reassure him. Of all their living grandchildren, Ariella was the one they probably trusted the most, though none of the Beck children were particularly rebellious (as far as they knew, at any rate). Ariella realized she could make this decision on her own and make it so they had no reason to worry about her.
"I'd love to go," Ariella said. She stepped into his embrace and felt his chin drop lightly onto the top of her head.
"I'm glad. I want to show you where I grew up. I want you to meet my old friends."
"I want to do all of that with you."
Soon, they weren't the only ones in the kitchen anymore. Toby came in, grinning from cheek to cheek. He plucked an apple from a basket and then left the room, his smile even visible from the back of his head.
A quiet time alone
Author: Cailyn Spicer
Date: 11-19-07 07:40
Christmas, was Cailyn’s favorite time of the year. She loved the bright, colored lights, presents and carols. The best thing about Christmas was that she got to spend the time with her father. She usually had her father all to herself. However, this Christmas was different; she was with Alex’s family. And so far, she was having a blast. She was a little disappointed that she couldn’t spend the time with her father. But, Alex’s mother made sure Cailyn had little time to think about that.
In fact, the whole time, Cailyn was in the house, she hadn’t been left alone expect to shower, sleep and go to the bathroom. She didn’t really know what to think about this, as most of the time, Cailyn was alone. The house was so full, she could hear people laughing and talking in the room below. But, for the moment, Cailyn was enjoying just being alone. Even if, she knew it wouldn’t be for long.
She sat down in front of the window as music played from some unknown source and watched the tiny snowflakes fall down from the sky. She loved winter. She loved watching the first snow and she loved the way the world looked under a moon light sky. Most of all, she loved Hot chocolate and warm cookies. A small smile escaped Cailyn’s lips as she watched everything from her little perch.
Cailyn took out her sketch pad and slowly began to sketch out the scene below her. She drew the world covered in a blanket of snow and snow falling from the sky. She even added herself, twirling around in circles under the sky. She didn’t even notice what time it was, or that someone was standing behind her watching her.
Sending Out Gifts
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 11-19-07 16:58
Isma had been up early this morning, wanting to send off the rest of her Christmas gifts. Eric, Blake and Adella wouldn't be coming in until closer to New Years, so she needed to send theirs out. She'd sent a gift to Orei as well, because she wanted to thank the sixth year for being so nice to her through out the nightmare her first term at Hogwarts had been.
With everything sent, she flopped down upon her bed eyes sliding closed. She'd sent the things via Owl, because otherwise they'd never make it there if she'd sent them via Muggle post. On the bright side Charlie was supposed to be home today and he would be no doubt spending every waking moment here at Isma's.
There was a knock on her bedroom door and she didn't even bother getting up. "Come in..." She called, from her sprawled position.
"Wow, some greeting for your best friend." Charlie said, pouting as he stepped into the room and moved to sit on the edge of her bed. "I'm home!" He said and she pounced him, hugging him tight.
"About time too dang it!" She leaned against him. "Every one will be here in about five days or so, and staying through the new year. So, how long are you here?" An answer she was dreading, because it would seem that every year his vacations got shorter and shorter.
"Am here until the seventh of January."
The two talked and then were called down to dinner.
Last Minute Gift Wrapping
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 11-19-07 18:53
Orei sat in Aussie and Yuri's house in Hogsmeade making the final decorative adornments on the three presents that were going to be going under the tree. One for Brett, one for Aussie and one for Yuri. She hoped that Aussie and Yuri would like the gifts she had found for them. She'd gotten Aussie a Celtic knot work quilt, made out of Celtic Dragons. For Yuri, his also held a dragon theme. A snow globe being held by a dragon. Each were wrapped in bright red paper with green and yellow ribbons. A bit of sparkle added to the paper and the ribbon, along with a card labeling who the gift was for and who it was from.
Brett's she wrapped in a dark blue paper with white and pale blue ribbon to contrast the dark blue. His gift was a chess set, based off one of Orei's favorite Muggle stories, "The Wizard of Oz." While she worked she'd had a few Muggle Christmas carols playing, quite simply because Christmas was her favorite time of year and she wasn't going to let the edicts by the Ministry hamper her love of the season. Though, the carols went off the moment she was finished wrapping. She'd owled off Mum and Dad's gifts shortly after she'd gotten out of school for the term, to ensure that they'd be in Japan by Christmas morning. She'd gotten Mum a pretty Celtic knotwork necklace and Dad a book on Muggle sports because he'd been watching some of them while in Japan.
Once she was done, it was nearly noon, grumbling stomach signaled that she hadn't had anything to eat since earlier that morning. Padding into the kitchen she would make a quick sandwich and flop back down at the table. Brett would be home soon from running his errands and hopefully so would Yuri and Aussie, and the house would be full of loving noise as the four readied for a simple Christmas.
By the time Brett returned from his errands Orei had drifted off next to a plate with a half eaten sandwich and half a glass of pumpkin juice. "Wake up sleepy head." He whispered in her ear and she nearly jumped out of her skin, wide eyes falling upon his face. "I hadn't expected you home yet..."
"I'd only gotten home. What have you been doing all day?" He asked, sitting down across from her.
"I wrapped your present, Aussie's and Yuri's and put them under the tree. Anything to distract me about the fact that I'll have to return to Hogwarts in a couple of weeks, and that I most likely cost Gryffindor a dozen and a half points because of the defying the rules thingie we did that last day of the term." She didn't regret it, not one bit. "Snider can't seriously think that we will continue to sit by and let her and the Ministry enforce these stupid rules does she?"
"I don't know Orei. Maybe she does, maybe she doesn't. Now, let's forget about Snider and everything going on at Hogwarts. It is break and you need to enjoy yourself." He grinned and tugged her into his lap. Where she proceeded to curl and nuzzle against him. He turned on the WWN and they shifted to the couch so that they could snuggle all the more. Two steaming mugs of hot cocoa they were content to simply enjoy each other's company and the warmth of familiarity.
"Thank you Brett..." She said, snuggling against him. She'd stressed herself so much lately, that she'd not been sleeping right and was soon dozing against Brett's shoulders as the Weird Sisters played on the WWN.
A Wonderful Christmastime
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 11-20-07 01:24
Lawrence had expected her to say no, expected her to yell at him, for thinking that they should take a trip like that, where they would be alone so early in their relationship (not that he had any intention of doing anything). Her pause, her hesitation had sent butterflies crashing about in his stomach and he started to look a bit crestfallen.
"I'd love to go," Ariella said. She stepped into his embrace and felt his chin drop lightly onto the top of her head.
"I'm glad. I want to show you where I grew up. I want you to meet my old friends."
"I want to do all of that with you."
He held her close, even as Toby came in grinning like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland to grab an apple. "Something tells me everyone knows that we are going away..."
They both laughed and headed out to join the rest of the Beck family once the lunch dishes had been finished. They spent the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening talking. Lawrence rose and headed toward the fire place. "I'll be back in the morning. Have a good evening." He kissed Ariella and with that flooed back to his flat and collapsed into the chair.
Eloise appeared at his side with a glass of hot chocolate and Lawrence spent the rest of the evening thinking about New Years in Sydney with Ariella, before heading to bed so he could be back at the Beck's for Christmas in the morning.