author's notes: written for hogwarts (challenges and assignments). prompt(s) will be at the bottom.
p.s. this is a forum fic, so if you're not familiar with alecto the biting, mentally-regressed account, you will most likely question my sanity.
home for christmas
"Les?" Alecto was lying on her stomach on the floor, scribing her Christmas letter to Santa.
"Yes, Alecto?" In the kitchen, Les opened the oven door and popped a tray of sugar cookies in, setting the timer for eleven minutes. She'd been entrusted with Maisie's precious Alecto for the weekend before Christmas because Maisie and her husband were in Mazatlán celebrating their three month anniversary. It was Sunday evening — Les only having babysat for two days yet — and she was already tired of her job.
"I don't know what to ask for for Christmas."
Les knew this was all she was going to get out of Alecto. The stubborn grown woman-child didn't ask anyone for help except Maisie, Amycus, Bellatrix, and sometimes Dragon. "Would you like some help with it?" she offered, as if the idea was completely her own and she didn't know why Alecto was telling her this.
"Mhm."
Les dusted her flour-covered hands off on her apron and walked into the living room. She sat down next to Alecto. "Well? What do you want for Christmas?"
"I don't know!" Alecto said, voice shrill. "I've been thinking about it since my birthday and I don't know what else to ask for that someone didn't already give me!"
"What would you like to wake up to find under the tree on Christmas morning?" Les pressed. "Surely you can think of something." Les was positive Alecto would figure out at least she wanted.
Alecto started to cry. "I DON'T KNOW!" she shrieked through her tears before running out of the room. Les could hear her heavy footsteps on the stairs, gradually becoming fainter and fainter.
•
"Why don't you ask Santa to talk to your mummy about not making you wear pants?" Little Gellert was doing his very best to help Alecto out, but he and the other children were only making her more upset.
Alecto looked thoughtful. "Would he do it?" she asked. "I don't like pants..."
"I don't either! But mummy says I have to wear them for 'the greater good.'" Gel made a face. "Whatever that means."
"I'll think about it," promised Alecto. "It sounds like a good idea."
•
Christmas Eve. Maisie and Amycus were supposed to have been home by now. Alecto paced in front of the window, wet hair wrapped in a towel and wearing a bathrobe of Modesty's that barely covered anything on Alecto.
"Where are they? They should be here by now! We've got cookies and everything."
The doorbell rang — once, twice — and the door opened. "We're ho-ome," Maisie called, right before being tackled by Alecto. "Oomph! Oh, I'm so happy to see you darling!"
"I missed you," Alecto told Maisie's shoulder as she buried her head in the crook of her mother's neck. "And I know what I wanted to put on my Christmas list, but I have it now." She smiled sleepily first at Amycus and then at Maisie. "I just wanted you to come home."
•
Dear Santa,
My friend Gellert says that I should ask for you to talk to my mommy about her making me wear pants. I don't want to wear pants. You should try not wearing them! It's so much more comfortable. Although I suppose it's rather too cold up where you are.
I have my main Christmas present, but I still want:
- Rice
- Shinies
- A new chew toy
- NO MORE PANTS. ABOLISH THE PANTS.
Sincerely yours,
Alecto Carrow-Malfoy
word count: 578
prompts
assignment 10: muggle music — "santa baby" task eight — write about someone writing a santa a letter or writing a christmas wish-list
