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Whole Family - Missing Four
Author: Cai Pembroke Carter
Date: 01-31-15 10:35
With Secret Santa gifts having been left beneath the tree in the Commons back at the Castle, aside from Cai's gift for Aderyn, the Carter girls had headed home for the winter break. The bulk of the Carters would be at the house, save for Broderick, who was still spending time in India with the children he was helping. He'd sent pictures and letters back and forth with Cai, and gifts for the family.
"When did he say he was coming home?" Aderyn asked, dropping down onto the sofa next to Cai, who was currently reading over the latest letter from their brother.
"He'll be home for a week in the Summer, but has decided that he is going to be there for another year. The orphanage he's helping at, is being rebuilt and he intends on staying to help get everything set up."
"Very nice, am definitely looking forward to seeing him in the summer."
"I know, I'll get to see him right before I have to start buckling down and getting ready to attend classes at St. Emrys in the fall," Cai said with a grin, leaning into her sister.
"Girls! Time to set the table, and then everyone will get to open one gift before bed." Avalon called from the kitchen, brushing her hands on her apron.
"Yes Mom..." Aderyn said, pushing herself up and waiting for her sister and step-sister to follow her into the dining room. They passed the sitting room where everyone else gathered. "Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes..." Aderyn offered for a light grin, before ducking into the dining room with her sisters so they could quickly get the large table set for everyone.
As the plates and silverware were set upon the table, Cai and Angharad took the time to ensure that everyone had their drink of choice poured into their glasses, it marked their spots at the table. Uncle Barc, Uncle Ceron both had coffee with a bit of Irish Creme added to it. Grandmother Delyth had a glass of ice water, and a small glass of white wine. Grandfather Caradoc, a glass of red wine, and a glass of ice water. Aunt Cariad had a glass of white wine. Ceron's girlfriend, a lovely witch named Elizabeth Norman had a glass of red wine. Avalon and Beynon both had a glass of red wine at their places. Evan, a glass of white wine. Aderyn, a glass of pumpkin juice. Angharad a glass of pumpkin juice. Cai had a small glass of white wine, and a glass of pumpkin juice.
Soon after the meal was called, all twelve bodies were seated around the festively decorated table and Grandmother Delyth offered the prayer over the meal. Time was taken to remember those who had departed in years past: Guinevere Cardin, Angharad's mother; Dilys Celyn Darling and Yestin Dillon Darling, Avalon's parents who had died shortly after their daughter's marriage into the Carter family.
Chatting With One Of The Grans (Justin)
Author: Plum
Date: 01-31-15 18:26
Amorette Alonzo slides an arm around her youngest grandson. "Nice vest, dear."
"Thanks, Gran. Got it in a Secret Santa."
"I belong to a woman's group that does something like that only we call it Secret Sister and it's for a full year."
Justin asks, "For a year? How does that work?"
"We usually meet twice a month. At our last December meeting we bring a gift for our last Secret Sister and reveal to each who her sister was. In January, we draw names again. Throughout the year, at random times or for special occasions, you send your sister a gift."
"Sounds cool but figuring out just one gift is hard enough."
"It can be a challenge. Tell me, what did you give this person for whom you are Secret Santa?"
"A pair of earrings."
Amorette smiles, "At one time I could presume the gift to be for a female but these days I see as many men wearing earrings as women." She squints, face drawing closer to Justin's. "Do you have pierced ears?" only to immediately chuckle. "Doesn't matter if you do or not."
Justin returns her smile before saying, "The earrings were for a woman, a professor in fact. Her name is Josie Fanshawe and she teaches Alchemy."
"Is that one of your courses?"
"Not until next year. I'll probably sign up for it. Sounds interesting."
"Oh, alchemy most certainly is. I studied it one year when I was in school and a little when first out and still unsure of what direction I wanted to take. I wish there'd been university when I was a girl. I could have used the extra time to decide. You know, I've actually been thinking of signing up for a few courses, just for the fun of it, at the university that opened two years ago. It's so convenient having it right there near Darwin."
Justin inquires about the sort of courses his maternal grandmother might take, glad she has not quizzed him on whether he's ready yet to leave Hogwarts and return to school in Australia.
(Malden) Christmas Eve
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 02-01-15 08:40
Malden opened the front door to his house and saw his grandfather standing on the doorstep, dressed festively in dark red robes and a fur-lined winter cloak. Several wrapped packages hovered in the air next to him. Malden's eyes were drawn to the largest package, which he hoped was his.
"Will you let your old grandfather into the house?" Menelaus good-naturedly asked, "Or am I to freeze to death in the cold?"
"Sorry, Grandfather," Malden said, opening the door wider and stepping aside to let his grandfather and the packages enter the house. Malden secured the door firmly behind them, shivering slightly from the winter air that had also slipped inside the house, and then watched as his grandfather sent the packages over to the Christmas tree, where they settled amongst the others already there. Malden wanted to check the tag on the biggest package but was intercepted by his father.
Myron greeted, "Happy Christmas, Dad. Something hot to drink?"
"Please!"
"Malden, go get your brother," his father said to him.
Malden turned to go down the hallway where the boys' bedrooms were, while Menelaus went into the kitchen with Myron. Madoc was stretched across his bed, reading a well-worn and yellowed paperback book.
"Grandfather is here," Malden announced from the doorway.
Madoc finished the paragraph he was reading and then turned to look at Malden. "Okay."
"Dad said you need to come out of your room."
"Okay."
"Dad said now."
"No he didn't," Madoc said, putting the book down and getting up from the bed. "He said, 'Malden, go get your brother.' Nowhere did the word 'now' come into play."
"If you heard him, why didn't you come already?" Malden asked, feeling childish and petulant even though he was old enough to know better.
Madoc walked up to him and then moved past him to go down the hall. "Because I was reading."
"I don't know why you would," Malden said, following. "School's out for the holidays."
"So?"
The boys stopped their bickering as soon as they entered the living room, where they found their parents and grandfather seated on the sofa and loveseat, drinking spiced cider or egg nog. Platters of finger foods and sweets covered the coffee table.
"She's not coming?" Menelaus asked his son.
Myron shook his head. "No," he calmly replied. "She said she would be at Hogwarts this evening and spend tomorrow with Robert's family. It's just the five of us tonight."
Menelaus seemed pleased and looked over at Malden. "Did you have a successful term? Did everything go to plan?"
Malden smiled and said, "I didn't fail at anything, if that's what you mean."
"But Slytherin lost the Quidditch match," Madoc cut in, "the one against Gryffindor." He shot his brother a grin, knowing that the loss hurt Malden more than it would have Madoc, had the score been reversed.
Malden glared at his brother and then changed the subject. "I received a really wicked Secret Santa gift. I left it at the castle, though. It's a box with a secret compartment."
"How useful," Menelaus said.
"Yes, I think so," Malden agreed.
He had only just sent off his Secret Santa gift, even though he had purchased the gift during the last Hogsmeade trip at the beginning of the month. The owl carrying the gift would know where to find Marlow MacDougal, be she at home with her family or on holiday somewhere else in the world, or even stuck at Hogwarts like some students undoubtedly were.
He had gotten Marlow a set of bath bombs, which Malden had never heard of before and could only imagine how they worked. The idea he had in his mind was an explosion of soap bubbles and fragrances as soon as the bombs hit the bath water, but he wasn't sure the effect was all that dramatic. Maybe one day he'd try it himself, if he found a scent that wasn't too girly.
Christmas in the Sand
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 02-01-15 14:37
Lysander lounged under an umbrella on the beach and watched as Charlotte and Grace built a sandcastle a few feet away from his chair. Baby Dylan, wearing a tiny hat and plenty of sunscreen, napped on Lysander's chest.
As in some years past, the Valentines were celebrating the holidays on their island in the South Pacific. Before joining them overseas, Lysander touched bases with the Ministry of Magic to see if there were any restrictions with respect to taking Dylan out of the country. The mystery of the baby's arrival on Lysander's doorstep had yet to be solved, but there were absolutely no reports of missing newborns either.
To his utter delight, Lysander learned that law enforcement planned on closing the case and that the legal division would fast-track the adoption process. He hadn't yet told Charlotte that her dreams were more than likely coming true in case the rug unexpectedly slipped out from under them both, but it seemed cruel to keep the secret… especially on Christmas!
He looked at his daughter, who had her tongue sticking out of her mouth as she concentrated really hard on making a perfect tower for the sandcastle. Grace noticed someone down the beach and waved. Lysander turned and saw that Julian, Briar, Caerwyn, and the twins were making their way over, having gone for a walk along the shoreline.
Caerwyn dropped into the sand next to the two girls to inspect their handiwork, with the twins following suit and reaching for the towers and walls with eager fingers, while Julian summoned a round of fruity drinks for everybody and Briar took the sleeping baby.
She sank into the recliner next to Lysander's and remarked, "He's such a good sleeper."
"Isn't he?"
Briar glanced at her daughter, who was trying not to get upset with the toddlers. Xavier had already caused one of the castle walls to crumble after putting both his hands into the packed sand.
"It seems like only yesterday that Grace was this small," Briar said, "but in half a year, she'll be starting at Hogwarts."
"I know what you mean." Charlotte would be nine in exactly one week.
They fell into companionable silence, sipped their drinks, and watched the kids rebuild the sandcastle again and again.
Special Gifts (AJ)
Author: Furnella Hodfuffer
Date: 02-01-15 15:01
Searching under the tree for two particular gifts, AJ remembers they're wrapped in the same paper they'd used for Arielle Kent's Secret Santa from him. She's not a student of his but her brother Asher is. AJ has the impression from Asher that he's not often overly keen on his twin so AJ had asked her father, who's also one of his Hogwarts colleagues, for some information on Arielle, such as favorite color, and if she has any hobbies. Armed with this information and with Mariposa's helpful input, AJ had gotten Ariella a cloth purse that looks like an owl.
Spotting the two presents, he pulls them out. One is for his mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law, Paloma and Cesario, and the other is for his father-in-law, Nolan, and for Zabrynna as well in a way. AJ holds them up, waggling them at Mariposa to let her know he's got them whenever she's ready. She nods and gestures him to come join her.
AJ comes around to stand by her. She takes the two gifts and handing one each to her mother and father explains, "We were going to wait until tomorrow but we decided to give you these now. You have to wait and open them at the same time."
Nolan and Paloma look puzzled as do Cesario and Zabrynna but Zabrynna's expression changes from that to one of possible understanding, which then turns to excitement though she holds her tongue. Paloma and Nolan start opening the gifts, pausing here and there to make sure neither is ahead of the other. When the wrapping is off, they remove the box lids on a count of three. Nestled in each box is a small blanket, the type often called a receiving blanket.
Both of his in-laws sit in silence, taking in the small pieces of cloth. Cesario, sitting beside Paloma, starts grinning even as both Paloma and Nolan jump up to hug Mariposa. This is followed by hugs and handshakes for AJ as well and more hugs for Mariposa as well as questions of when and do they know yet what they're having and have they begun considering names?
As the first grandchild for both Paloma and Nolan, this is big news. It's huge for Zabrynna as well as the aunt-to-be. Cesario is just as happy as his none of his children from his first marriage have children as yet. AJ isn't putting his in-laws ahead of his parents it's just that they have so many grandchildren already that the news will be big for them but not as enormous as it is for Paloma and Nolan.
Everyone now in a very exuberant mood, the six of them leave for a Christmas party being given at the Crown & Cauldron, Paloma unsure of whether she'll be able to keep the news to herself with Mariposa and AJ both assuring her it's all right if she does slip.
Mad Money
Author: Alaia Rothstein
Date: 02-01-15 18:17
Alaia and Lee sat in her parent's living room opening presents when her mother handed her a small folder.
"This is for you and Lee. I hope you enjoy."
Alaia opened the folder and looked inside and there were two tickets to The Phantom of the Opera. She looked at her mother and said, "isn't this a Muggle production?"
"Yes. Julia told us about it. Your father and I went to check it out and it was wonderful. We thought you two might like it so we went back and got more tickets."
"Thank you, Mum and Dad."
"Yes, thank you." Lee said with a smile.
"Also here." Alaia's mother handed Lee a velvet bag that jingled.
Lee looked inside and smiled, "What's this?"
"This is a little mad money. You can get a place in London when you go to the play or you can use it for something else....just have fun with it."
"Thank you." Alaia and Lee both said and Alaia got up and hugged both of her parents.
"You're welcome, Darling." Her mother smiled at her and Lee. "We are so happy that you've found someone who makes you happy."
"He does." Alaia said with a grin and a blush in her cheeks.
The rest of the presents were opened and Alaia and Lee headed home. It had been a good night and both were tired and ready for a little alone time.
Christmas Eve At The Castle
Author: Dante Knight
Date: 02-01-15 19:17
Dante enters his quarters, stripping off the jacket he'd worn while running, tossing it into the hamper once in the bathroom. A short while late he's stepping from the shower, getting ready for Christmas Eve dinner in the Great Hall. It will be a small, almost intimate meal with the small number of students remaining at Hogwarts for the break and not even a handful of staff.
Sitting to read the evening edition of the paper before going down to supper, he's slightly startled by a tapping on the window by an owl. Opening the window, a treat ready to give the bird for whatever its brought, Dante expects it's been sent with another hate letter. He's been getting them sporadically since that unpleasant lunch encounter. Each is anonymous and each has spelled out exactly what a horrible person Dante is simply because of who his parents are. The letters are threatening but not in direct ways. He's turned each one over to Israel, who in turn has taken them to the Ministry.
To Dante's surprise, the bird carries a package. There's a card attached. Given the nature of the hate mail, rather than opening the package immediately, he checks the card. His surprise turns to shock, speechless shock if anyone had been around to notice. The card is marked from Sunshine. There is no possible way for the anonymous letter writer to know his family's nickname for his sister.
Her missive is short. A simple wishing him a Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year and a promise to contact him once Hogwarts is back in session.
Dante starts to open what he takes to be a Christmas gift but then stops, adding it to the few under the tiny tree he's got on a table. One of the gifts is from his Secret Santa, Hope Hyland, so he doesn't yet of the fun, but very warm, monster feet slippers she's given him.
He'd had Franciscus Vanderbilt's name for this year's Secret Santa. Dante got the fourth year Ravenclaw a trapper hat that can come in very handy around here as the weather turns even colder. He also gave Franciscus another hat, one that can also serve to protect his Franciscus's head but also is one that's for fun and a laugh. When wearing it, Franciscus will appear to have a crazy mohawk.
Realizing it's later than he thought, Dante grabs up a cloth bag from the table with the tree. The bag contains stocking stuffer type gifts to give to each of the students and even the staffers joining in this evening's meal. Leaving the newspaper for later, Dante exits his flat, wonder if his sister had picked up the gifts he'd left for the family. Sunshine's short note doesn't say and it's not as if he can easily owl them and expect a response.
Soon, Dante is in the Great Hall, greeting those few already arrived, garnering a few grins as the silly holiday hat he's wearing.