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Christmas Miracle
Author: Bill Weasley
Date: 10-09-08 18:19
Bill and Fleur arrived at the safe house in Créteil, where the majority of the members of the Order of the Phoenix convened at regular intervals, either for meetings, interrogations, or to just hang-out. Compared to most members, Bill had done relatively little in the movement to find out about places like the Mews and to determine a way to combat the injustices in the world. He desired to change that, however, and make an active commitment to help the cause.
Fleur supported Bill's plans and even wanted to do more herself, if only from the sidelines. She took his hand in hers and beamed at him in the doorway of the house. Although the world seemed such a grim place to live in, they hoped things would improve in short order for future generations of witches and wizards, as well as for themselves.
They moved deeper into the house and separated to greet various people with exclamations of "Happy Christmas" and warm hugs. Bill found two of his five brothers and joined them by the petite Christmas tree in the living room.
Fleur hugged Hermione and then Ginny and then embraced Molly.
"You look lovely, dear," Molly remarked kindly, studying Fleur for a long moment. Many of the individuals in the room showed the wear and tear of living on the run or with less amenities than they were used to after all these months, but not Fleur. She looked just as stunning as ever, if not more. There also seemed to be a mysterious quality about her, one that seemed to emphasize her loveliness even more.
Molly raised an inquisitive eyebrow and quirked the corners of her lips into a mischievous smile. "One might almost say you've got a secret."
Fleur lowered her lashes and smiled demurely. "Eef you are tryeeng to find out what your present eez, you will 'ave to wait just a little bit longair."
Bill and Fleur had gotten only a few gifts this year to dispense to some of their family members and closest friends. With money being what it was these days and presents perhaps the last thing on anybody's mind this holiday season, they hadn't tried to get something for everyone they might normally have put on their list. Just being with friends and family seemed like a blessing, particularly since the majority of the British wizarding world no longer had that luxury. They didn't have anything tangible for Molly yet, but in time they hoped to give her a most perfect gift.
Bill excused himself from his brothers to slip one arm around his mother and the other around Fleur.
"My two favorite ladies," he stated, grinning.
Molly leaned her head on Bill's shoulder. "Your wife was just mentioning my Christmas present..." she teased playfully. She didn't expect or want a gift from anyone. She only wanted Percy and Harry safe and sound again and would give up Christmas presents for the rest of her life to see her wish come true.
Bill grinned. "Oh, really?" He glanced from his mother to Fleur and after correctly reading his wife's expression, turned back to Molly and said, "It will be a miracle."
"I'm hoping for a lot of miracles," Molly murmured, thinking back to Percy and Harry and all the other troubles the world had faced.
Bill rubbed her back. "I know, mum. I know." He sighed. "So am I."
Unhappy Christmas
Author: Carys
Date: 10-10-08 18:01
Carys trudged through the snow, arms wound tightly around her chest in a futile attempt to keep warm. Her shoes had worn out and made it possible for water to seep in and wet her socks from toe to heel. She couldn't remember the last time her feet had been dry. Wearing wet socks was a most uncomfortable feeling, especially in the cold.
She sighed softly to herself, thinking about how it was Christmas Eve, her son's third, and the first that she wouldn't celebrate with him. Wherever he was, she hoped he was safe. She hoped her grandfather Alun was faring well without his Mairwen––Oh! How terrible it was that he had no way of knowing that she no longer lived. But perhaps he was better off without the fact of the matter.
Carys thought about Griffin too. She knew he doted on their son and hoped that he had taken over caring for Tristan full-time. She didn't doubt Alun could handle the child on his own but knew that he had plenty of worries to keep him occupied and that it would be best for him to have help from someone like Griffin.
She continued on her path and nearly slipped on some sludge near the spot where she had thrown herself onto Professor McGonagall more than a week ago. The warden had requested her presence after supper, and after he'd finished with her, he'd sent her on her way back to Building A. She'd not realized he'd been following her and to this day didn't know why. Surely hadn't wanted to see her safely "home"?
She recalled how she'd felt upon nearing the dementor. Dozens of horrible images had formed in her mind, memories and fears all centered on her family members. She remembered finding her mother's body on the stairs in The Leaky Cauldron after Lord Voldemort had raided Diagon Alley with some of his followers. She remembered Owain's abduction and ghastly murder. She remembered Tristan's own kidnapping and imagined that he, too, hadn't come back alive. Carys pictured her father dying in prison. She recalled seeing her grandmother dead in the square there in Goen Bren. She saw Alun die of heartbreak, and strangely enough, she even saw Griffin get hit with the Killing Curse. She could hear screaming and crying and all the sounds associated with stumbling upon the death of a loved one. It had felt so real.
Seeing Minerva cowering before the dementor caused Carys to spring into action, despite the terrifying images that played in her head. She literally threw herself at her former teacher, not at all thinking about how she had just put herself in the creature's path and how she had sealed her fate with the impulsive movement.
But then the patronus came and the dementor fled into the darkness and Carys didn't have to worry about accepting its kiss.
She shook her head. She didn't know why the warden had chosen to save her, when he could just discard her and find a new plaything, if that's what he really wanted. She had no idea why he'd picked her anyway.
She eventually came to the dining hall and quickly stepped in through the kitchen door. It was only marginally warmer inside than out, and then only because of the stove and oven. Carys longed to take off her shoes and dry out her socks but knew she risked punishment if she dared to do so. Instead, she buried herself in her work, trying to forget her cares and think of today as just another day and not the holiday it actually was.
Christmas Eve
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-10-08 18:39
About a week ago, Lawrence and Ariella had apparated to Sydney again, Alanna would be following on her own because of her desire to limit ties to her family while finishing her last year at Hogwarts, preparations got underway for the trip to Sydney where the big to-do ceremony would be held for Lawrence and Alanna's wedding. Kathrine, unfortunately would be the only Beck unable to attend because at this point in time, no one knew exactly where she was. They'd all left London at various times and were now safely in Sydney. They were staying at a house just outside the city limits that Lawrence's parents had left to him (much to his surprise when he'd gone over his finances at the closing of Great Britain's Gringotts branches).
Toby and Bronwyn and Desi were there as well (it was a large house!). Right now, everyone was sitting around the hearth, lights glimmering on the christmas tree and a cauldron of mulled cider still warm near the fire. Lawrence had Ariella in his lap, his arms wrapped around her waist as they discussed final dates for the wedding. "New Years Eve I think. Give everyone a bit more time to relax and allow the final details to be ironed out." He'd already owled Briar's to have her delay the shipment of the cake for a few more days, allow her to finish with the holiday rush and not have to be swamped with that and making the wedding cake.
Everyone seemed pretty much in agreeance, though there was still a touch of disheartenment at the fact that Kathrine couldn't be in attendance as well. "There are gifts for everyone beneath the tree, even Kathrine..." Lawrence said and felt more than saw the bittersweet smile on his wife's features.
"Thank you.." She murmured and pressed a kiss to his lips.
"My parents used to let me open one gift on Christmas Eve and the rest had to wait until after breakfast on Christmas morning. Shall we use that tradition tonight, or is there one you would prefer we do instead?" He asked Ariella, sipping his cider and relaxing with her in his lap.
All I want for Christmas...
Author: Drucilla Eternal
Date: 10-11-08 16:47
I stared out the window, trying to focus on the snowflakes as I took a moment to regroup. It was Christmas Eve. I wondered if James was running around the Christmas tree, mischievously trying to pull the ornaments off the tree. I wondered if Mira was watching James in that grown-up manner of hers with disapproval of his antics while she calmly brushed the hair of her favourite dolly. Closing my eyes I could almost see them, almost feel their soft hair under my hand. I longed to wrap my arms around both of them, and hold them close.
Hugging myself, I pictured Sirius in my head. Sirius coming up from behind and wrapping his strong arms around me as he dipped his head down to nuzzle my neck. A warm kiss, a soft groan…
I shook my head sharply and tried not to freeze up as Sebastian pulled me closer into his hot body. I desperately tried to make sense of his words before the overwhelming situation became too much for me. I had to concentrate. I had to do this for the Order! But most importantly, I had to do this for my family.
“I have to go,” he groaned softly as his hands moved over my hips restlessly. “My wife will be waiting. And the kids. It’s Christmas Eve, you understand?”
I swallowed the bile building up in my throat before turning in his arms to face him. I gently rested my hand on his cheek and replied in a lyrical voice, “Of course, darling.”
His hand reached up to cover mine. “I won’t be able to get away tomorrow. Christmas things, you understand.”
I forced a pretty pout onto my lips. “I guess I can understand that too,” I murmured as I played with his shirt buttons with my free hand. “But you’re going to have to make up for it.”
“Your wish is my command,” he said, before adding roughly, “And if that wish involves a Healers outfit even better.”
His lips came down roughly on mine, and I tried to match his intensity. He finally broke the kiss, let his eyes sweep one last time over my body, before turning to grab his robe and leave.
As the door closed behind him, I sank shakily onto a chair, letting my tears flow freely now. I was getting so close! I almost had Sebastian under my complete control, but his strong personality was proving tougher to break through. Any other man would have been completely smitten at this point, but not Sebastian. He wanted more, needed more, before he would let go of his control. But I wasn’t sure how much further I could go with him before losing myself. It was a delicate balance, holding onto my humanity without succumbing completely to my Veela nature. It worried me that as each day passed I was becoming more and more like my former self.
“Oh Sirius,” I sobbed as I buried my face in my hands. “Will you still be able to love me when this is all over?”