First of all, I'm SO sorry this took so long. I had no idea how hard it is to write a Christmas scene just as summer hols start - so I'm really sorry if this chapter is shite. In fact, I had so little idea how to write a Christmas scene, I fell back on 'A Child's Christmas in Wales', my absolute favourite children's book. I'm going to be traveling around for the first bit of the summer, so idk if updates will be faster or slower.
IMPORTANT: In this story, I may write about things that are not healthy, emotionally, physically, socially, or politically practical/correct. Just because I write them in does not mean I entirely approve of them. There will be drinking, smoking, cursing, gambling, and dangerous/old-fashioned children's games.
All rights go to JK Rowling, except for my OCs.
Yule and Christmas were coming. One morning in mid-December, Hogwarts woke to find itself in several feet of snow. On Thursday night, Hagrid (wrapped even more tightly in his winter coat) had to smash a hole in the iced-over lake in order for Bella to swim. The Weasley twins were punished for bewitching several snowballs so that they followed Professor Quirrell around, bouncing off the back of his turban. The few owls that managed to battle their way through the stormy sky to deliver mail had to be nursed back to health by Hagrid before they could fly away again.
No one could wait for the holidays to start, especially Bella. The classes were becoming more demanding, and she was still slightly behind in Transfiguration, even without her extra classes. She missed home more than ever now, and she kept on getting little flashes of longing for the ocean.
The castle was also horridly cold. While the Slytherin common room had its roaring fire, and the Great Hall's many fireplaces were always lit, the drafty corridors had become icy, and a bitter wind rattled the windows of the upper classrooms. Worse of all were the dungeons; the moment you walked out of the Slytherin common room, you would expect to see your breath. The dorms were, of course, heated (who could expect the children of high ranking Ministry workers and investors to stand with being frozen in their beds?), but all the while, Bella could see why they were provided with so many blankets.
The whole of Slytherin house was disgusted at their Quidditch defeat, and many of the Council meetings consisted of strategy sessions for their next game. None was more angry than Draco Malfoy. He had been even more unpleasant than usual towards the Gryffindors, and most especially, Harry Potter. For a whole week, the other first years had to endure his horrible attempts to get everyone laughing at how a wide-mouthed tree frog would soon be replacing Potter as Seeker for Gryffindor. Once he'd realized that no one apart from a few Slytherins found this funny, he'd gone back to taunting Potter about having no proper family.
After a few days, it began to get to Bella as well. She couldn't help it - even though she knew that she had Auntie Elena, Grandmother, Uncle James, Aunt Hannah, Liam and Fable, and all her seal-aunties and cousins, sometimes, she felt like they weren't there. Bella wasn't sure if her cousin Liam was avoiding her or not, considering as he hadn't spoken to her in the entire term; his little sister, Fable, was still at home, and Bella missed her dearly. She owled Uncle James occasionally for advice on little Slytherin formalities and the like, but he was busy with work, and Aunt Hannah was busy with their pub, The Crow's Nest.
She only saw Auntie or Grandmother once a month, and only just to take her to the island, and there, she had her Selkie relatives, but they weren't her mother.
Potter's mother came up regularly - the fact she was a muggleborn, her death, and so on.
To be entirely honest, Bella was surprised Potter hadn't hexed Draco. It seemed like a very Gryffindor-ish thing to do, hexing someone. She'd seen the older Lions do it, and she'd even been on the receiving end of a few - for being in the way, mainly, or just for being short, or a Slytherin - it didn't really matter.
After a very long Potions class of Draco's viciousness, Daphne and Bella headed tiredly to the common room. A few moments later, they were sat against the hot water heater with their books spread around them. Soren, who was still recuperating, was curled up on Bella's shoulder, under her hair.
The heating system in the Slytherin dungeons was entirely ingenious, Bella thought. Apart from the fireplaces, thin pipes brought in the lake water, and heated it with a series of charms, then pumped it through a complex system that warmed the dorms and common room floor. Periodically, along the walls, the pipes swirl around themselves tightly, quite like muggle radiators. According to the Prefect Daphne had asked, this was to build up water pressure to preserve the heating charms. Whatever it was for, they were perfect places to dry towels or do homework by.
"You're not actually doing homework before the hols, are you?" Bella asked Daphne, who had a large book in her lap.
"Are you mad? Me? Before hols?" Daphne poked Bella's shoulder. "Of course not! I'm still looking for whatever's on the third floor."
Bella grinned. "Again?"
Daphne shrugged and turned back to her book.
Being friends with Daphne Greengrass, Bella had eventually learned, included being a part of Daphne's constant 'projects'. She had four ongoing ones that Bella was aware of: teaching Bella how to be a proper 'highly society girl' (whatever that meant), learning how to cast the Conjunctivitis curse, understanding what had happened during the Quidditch game and how Granger had affected things, and figuring out what was in the forbidden third floor corridor.
The last one made Bella feel particularly bad about herself, considering that she already had a vague idea of what was there. The Slytherin Council had, of course, begun to examine the third floor corridor - along with a group of upper year Ravenclaws - and they had already surmised quite a bit. Firstly, something was obviously being hidden or protected there (that was just common sense, as Daphne had figured that much out very quickly), secondly, there was something, or many somethings, protecting the hidden object. A pair of sixth year twins, Jak and Ayeisha Roberts, had been listening at the door, and were certain that it was a large, aggressive, creature that growled. Then, they'd narrowed it down to five magical creatures known for guarding treasures: a dragon, a manticore, a chimaera, a cerberus, or an nuckelavee.
The problem was, Bella hadn't told Daphne about her part in the Slytherin Council, mainly because she wasn't entirely sure she was allowed to tell her friend. Because of this, Bella had just been pointing Daphne in the right direction for her research (subtly, she hoped).
On the last day of term, the dorm was a mess. Bella had most of her things packed, except for her pictures and decorations around her bed. She had once again found the strange little room at the top of that stairwell, and borrowed a small wooden birdcage for Soren. He sat on the tiny perch, wings around him and head tucked down like some strange, hairless bird. His washcloth was tucked around the bottom of the cage.
All of the other girls were going home as well, so they were packing, rummaging through their desks, exchanging hastily wrapped gifts, and so on. Bella was very glad for Daphne's help on this, as she would have never thought to buy gifts for all the girls in her dorm (as she wasn't on very good terms with all of them), but apparently, it was basically obligatory. Lucy had helped as well, and Bella had gotten six beautiful little necklaces for her dorm mates - depriving her of quite a bit of pocket money - and got them all by owl order. The necklaces were all identical, with thin silver chains and a small emerald pendant, with a note attached, reading: A necklace for our shared noble house. Merry Christmas, from Bella.
The words had been Lucy's idea.
In return, Bella received a pair of gorgeous pearl earrings from Rachel, a nice hawk-feather quill from Tracey, a simple but beautiful (and probably expensive) silver bracelet from Pansy, and large boxes of candy from all the other girls. The real reason for all the gifts was for them to show off their money and taste, but it seemed absolutely absurd to Bella.
Lucy told her to expect a present on Christmas day when she gave the older girl a necklace as well, and Daphne gave her a heavy parcel that she was ordered to wait to open.
Later, as Bella and Daphne pulled their magically lightened trunks through the front hall, they stopped for a moment to look into the Great Hall. It looked spectacular. Festoons of holly and mistletoe hung all around the walls, and no less than twelve towering Christmas trees stood around the room, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with tiny candles. The professors were still decorating; Flitwick was making golden bubbles blossom out of his wand and trailing them over the branches of the last partially decorated tree.
"Oh, wow!" gasped Daphne.
Bella was gaping as well. "Now I wish I was staying!"
"I don't think even Malfoy Manor could top this!" Said Daphne, smirking across the crowded hall towards Draco, who seemed to have shaken off Crabbe and Goyle, and was instead talking to Blaise, Theodore, and Samuel. Turning back to Bella, she asked,"Were you invited, by the way?"
"To what?" Said Bella bemusedly.
"Oh, bother. The Malfoy gala? The Winter Gala? For the Ministry -" at Bella's confused expression, Daphne stomped her foot. "Bat dung! It was part of my plan- getting you involved in society. Does your grandmother have no say? She's the head of your family, isn't she? I've seen her at some of the Ministry events mother's dragged me to."
"No…" Said Bella, a bit offended. "Aunt Elena and Grandmother are both my guardians, but I've always lived with Auntie, and I went to muggle primary school instead of having a tutor. I bet if Grandmother had more say I'd have half an idea what your talking about!"
"Sorry…" Muttered Daphne. "The Malfoy gala is this Ministry event at their Manor where-"
There was a shout from one of the side doors. "Firs' years, firs' years - yeh've gotta go back across th' lake now - com'on!" It was Hagrid, wrapped in his coat.
As they headed towards him, Daphne continued in a lower voice, "It's really just a political war ground disguised as a gorgeous winter ball. I've been going since I was nine - social inception for girls in high society, you know -" Bella didn't know, and like many of their conversations, she felt a deep urge to go home and demand Grandmother teach her everything about the world of Slytherins. "- and it's always wonderful. I hardly ever really have any idea what's going on with the adults, but marriage contracts and betrothals are arranged around now, and there's older students, and apprenticeship opportunities, and all sorts of people."
They had made there way down a long set of stairs, and were now boarding a open sleigh pulled by four perytons*.
Daphne continued. "Getting to the point-"
"Finally!" Muttered Bella.
Scowling playfully, Daphne tapped the front of the sleigh and the perytons began to move, the sleigh gliding after. "I was hoping that you'd be invited, so I could get you better connected, but I 'spose that Draco hasn't told his father about you - and by extension, your uncle."
"Ah." Said Bella. "It's always about Uncle James, isn't it."
Daphne shrugged. "It is, sort of. Anyway, if your not going to the gala this year, we're going to get your family invited next year."
"They probably used to go; my family, that is…" Mused Bella, fiddling with the seat cushion. "Before, you know… That."
"The war." Said Daphne bluntly. "There's something else - either you don't talk at all, or you talk badly! Imagine if you were talking to the French Minister for Magic - you can't just stay silent, and you can't stumble with your words; you've got to articulate."
Bella, who was starting to feel rather attacked, scowled. "I get it, Daph - you don't have to make me feel bad!"
"Sorry." Said Daphne, actually looking somewhat cautious.
She quickly changed the subject. "Have you seen that article in Witch Weekly? The one about the -"
"- the new part-kneazle breed? Yeah… They're gorgeous!"
They managed to keep a less political conversation going for a long while, until they joined Lily and Padma (Parvati was sitting with Gryffindors) on the train, and began to gossip about Lord Rosier's 'scandalous affair'.
The train ride passed quickly in a jumble of Cauldron Cakes, hot cocoa, and gossip. Daphne led Bella to the Slytherin compartments, to say polite goodbyes to the girls again, and then the boys.
When they got back to their compartment, the small group changed out of their school robes as the houses flashing by became closer together. Bella changed from her school clothes to what Aunt Elena had bought her of the latest wizarding winter style: a faded pink skirt with stockings, proper witch's boots, a thick, woolen, navy blue coat-cape that was just long enough to cover her skirt at her knees, and a pretty grey hat with a smaller brim and a hooked point.
As the train pulled into the station, Bella retrieved her trunk as well as Soren and his cage, then hopped down to the station with Daphne, Lily, and Padma close behind.
It took her only a minute to locate Aunt Elena through the bustling station - she was by the wall with an empty trolley for Bella's luggage, waving wildly.
"Auntie!" Bella shrieked, dragging her luggage to her aunt.
Aunt Elena enveloped her in a tight hug that smelled of vanilla. "Alright, darling? I've missed you!"
"'Missed you too." Bella said into Auntie's shoulder.
She extracted herself after a moment to say, "Let me introduce you to my friends!" She looked around for Rachel or Daphne's dark hair.
A soft voice stopped her. "You must be Elena Dagworth-Granger! I had the pleasure of attending school with your brothers."
Bella spun around. Daphne was smiling perfectly next to a woman who could have only been her mother - the same dark hair and eyes, fair skin, and willowy frame. And, next to her, must be Astoria - a twin of her mother and sister, only with lighter hair.
Aunt Elena smiled and extended her right hand, resting it on her left, in a formal offering of greeting. Bella barely stopped herself from gaping as Lady Greengrass took the offered hand, shook it, and said, "Blessed be. I am Lydia Greengrass - Daphne and Astoria are my youngest, and Eleanora is my eldest, though she's still on the train. Daphne has mentioned your niece quite a lot in her letters." She turned to Bella, who had been halfway hidden behind Auntie. "And you must be Bella - blessed be."
For a second Bella froze, until Daphne raised her eyebrows expectantly from behind her mother and Bella somehow remembered what to do. "Bless'd be, Lady Greengrass. It's a pleasure to meet you." She bowed her head slightly and pulled out the left side of her cloak in a half-curtsy. "I am Sabella Dagworth-Granger."
Daphne's mother smiled prettily. "While I cannot extend an invitation you this year, we'd love to have you and your family at our Yule dinner, on the twenty second, next year."
"We'd love to." Said Aunt Elena. "I'll inform James."
"I hope to see the Dagworth-Grangers more often -" Lady Greengrass looked at Bella importantly. "We'll certainly see you around, I think. Ah - excuse us, I believe I see Elenora."
"We hope to see you again." Said Aunt Elena.
Bella nodded agreement with a polite smile.
Daphne stepped forward and they hugged quickly, wishing 'Yule Blessings' and 'Merry Christmas' to each other.
So quietly that Bella barely heard, Daphne murmured, "We'll put in a good word with the Malfoys, and some others - get your uncle back into some old circles."
Bella inclined her head, feeling very much like an undercover Auror - telling secrets and whispering messages.
She loved it.
0 0 0
They Flooed directly home, and Bella was welcomed back by the smell of pine and and Poppy's almond cleaning-potion.
She stepped into the warm sitting room to see that the Christmas tree was already up, enchanted candles and golden baubles adorning it. Most of the paintings had tinsel sat on top of their frames, a candle flickered from each windowsill, and there was a handfull of gifts already set under the tree.
"I'm home!" Bella said, to no one in particular.
"Yes you are." Said Aunt Elena from behind her. "And you've got some settling in to do - Poppy!"
There was a snap like a whip crack, and Poppy appeared.
"Missy Bella is home!" The elf squealed. "Has she been learning all the magics at Hogwarts School?"
Bella dropped her bags and hugged the house-elf. "I've been trying to learn, but things keep getting in the way!"
Poppy was practically bouncing with excitement, her huge ears flapping like wings.
"What's happened at home? Have you made sure Auntie eats? She works so hard sometimes - you know of course - has Emily called? I've been owling her every other day, but I wish I could just talk to her. And, oh - how's the garden? And the painting of Great Uncle Hattie? Has it been restored? And - are we actually getting a goat? Auntie said in her letters - we can't name it Tabitha - that's a horrid name for a goat!"
"Oi! I think Tabitha's wonderful name!"
Bella looked up from Poppy's enthusiastic nodding, to see -
"Emmy!"
With a shout, the two girls jumped into a hug.
"It's been so boring without you - I thought I'd go mad." Emily said after a moment.
"It was horrible without you." Replied Bella. "Are you on hols?"
"Yep! Got out mid-yesterday - year eights and up got out day before, though."
"Privilege." Bella said, without thinking. "All the upper years at Hogwarts get a different uniform and get to go down to the village on weekends."
"Ooh!" Gasped Emily. "Tell me everything!"
For the next two hours, they sat in Bella's room and talked. Bella told Emily about everything she could think that she hadn't put in her letters: descriptions of people, places, and things, explanations she'd got from the upper years about hexes and jinxes, and how far she'd gotten with her extra Transfiguration lessons.
Emily told Bella about her family drama, the new twins at school, and one of her older brother's sudden obsession with playing the drums (very loudly - at night).
Bella introduced Emily to Soren, and they spent a long while making his borrowed cage more comfortable.
It was the most relaxed Bella had felt in a long while.
Eventually, Emily had to go home for dinner, and Bella bounced down the stairs to the kitchen with Soren on her shoulder.
Poppy was enthusiastically preparing a large pot of pasta, and Aunt Elena was sitting in the dining room, reading the Daily Prophet.
Auntie looked up from her paper as Bella entered the room. "Aha! Is this the famous Pennamus?" **
"Sorry?" Asked Bella.
"I looked it up - that's what he's called - a Pennamus. Do you want to introduce us?"
With a grin, Bella extended her arm so Soren could run down it, then explained, ~This is my aunt; my father's sister. She is pleased to meet you.~
To her surprise, Soren hopped off her hand and walked across the table to Aunt Elena, before placing his right paw forward and extending his wings flat against the table in a kind of bow.
~I am pleased to meet the caretaker of Sah'belæ, and would like to thank her for the large warm-place.~
When she translated, Aunt Elena burst out laughing. "We're going to need to buy food for him!" At Bella's face of confusion, she added, "You're keeping him, aren't you?"
"I can?" Exclaimed Bella.
Auntie grinned. "It saves the bother of buying you an owl or something, and he seems very polite - and anyway, if you can survive in the same house as Hector, I think you can take care of a mouse!"
"Thank you! Thank you!" Bella jumped around the edge of the table and hugged her aunt from behind the chair. "You're the best!"
"I am, aren't I?" Said Auntie smuggly.
Leaning back, Bella shrugged, that said teasingly, "Oh, only some of the time… The rest of the time it's like having a manticore as an aunt!"
"I'm not that grumpy!"
Bella grinned. "Example A!"
"Oi! I will get grumpy if my dear little niece-y poo starts teasing me!" Aunt Elena poked her cheek. "Now sit down - Poppy's bringing out dinner."
Soren hopped back up her arm and sat quietly on her shoulder again.
There was a few minutes of quiet as Poppy hopped around, serving them pasta and vegetables, filling Bella's glass with her favorite goat milk, and Aunt Elena's with a bit of elf-wine.
"So," said Auntie, breaking the silence, "the Greengrasses seem nice."
Bella smiled. "Yeah. Daph's the only person in my house who's explained things properly to me. She's the best - I think her and Emily would get along really well."
"Except for the fact that Emily's a Squib-born -" began Auntie, before Bella cut across:
"I don't think Daphne cares as much about that, you know. She's really smart, not necessary book smart, but really smart, and she already knows about my 'half-breed-iness' anyway." Bella said with a grin.
To her surprise, Auntie frowned. "Already? You've only known her for a few months - not even! Are you sure you should have told her?"
"Well, I can't really help it now, can I?" Bella shifted in her seat, feeling uncomfortable. "And anyway, she doesn't know about the Slytherin Council yet, so I can't have two big secrets from her!"
Aunt Elena shrugged and made a 'it's your problem' face, but changed the subject. "Who was the other friend you talked about? You didn't mention her very much - Rachel? Was it?"
"Yep! Rachel Avery -" Bella broke off at her aunt's deep scowl. "What?"
"I don't like the Averys." Auntie muttered resolutely.
"Why?" Snapped Bella. "Because they're 'all' Death Eaters? Rachel's father has twelve siblings if you weren't aware, all with varying degrees of connection with You-Know-Who, and d'you know how many cousins she's got? No? About Ninety-two!" She poked a brussel sprout angrily. "Something I've learnt at school is that, no matter their family, someone isn't necessarily bad, or mean, or evil!"
Auntie nodded. "Fine, you're right. I had forgotten how big the Avery family is, and was, but it still doesn't change … doesn't change that they were involved in your parents' deaths."
Bella sombered immediately, but continued anyway, "Did Rachel kill mum and dad? No. She was the same age as me - five. I don't think that she has any blame for mum and dad."
Aunt Elena was looking at her with a strange look on her face.
"What?" Muttered Bella. "It wasn't her fault."
"No, no, no…" Auntie shook her head. "I just don't know if you're a much better person than I am, or if the Slytherins have already corrupted you."
Bella didn't honestly know if she should laugh, smile, or frown at that.
There was a moment of awkward quiet, only broken by the sound of forks on plates, before Aunt Elena spoke again. "I'm sorry, Belle."
Bella looked up from her plate. "It doesn't matter." She mumbled. "I shouldn't have argued."
"No - you had every right to. Listen to me Belle, you have every right to be friends with whoever you want, you - you should just know a bit about their... background."
Bella had to look back down at her plate to hide her scowl. "If I'd had a magical tutor, I'd've known all about family trees." She spoke in barely a whisper, and a moment later, she was glad of it.
"I'm sorry?"
"Nothing." Said Bella in her normal tone. "I was just wondering if, maybe… Grandmother could tutor me. Etiquette, history, family stuff, you know."
To her surprise, Auntie nodded. "I was going to ask you about that actually - mum's been going on and on about it."
"Really? When can I start?" Exclaimed Bella.
"Well… I've been fending her off for years - I didn't think you'd actually want fancy traditional lessons, but I guess you might actually need them now you're in Slytherin."
"Oh." Was all Bella managed.
"I hated them, you know - lessons. She and dad had all three of us tutored." She grinned crookedly. "Mrs. Pembridge, that old hag. I have no doubt she's still alive - spite being the only thing keeping her going."
Bella looked at her aunt for a second before bursting out laughing. "If she's that bad, I can see why - why you'd hate lessons!"
By the time they'd finished dinner, they were both in much better spirits, and they retreated to the sitting room as Poppy cleared up.
Auntie sat by the fire in her armchair, reading the Prophet, with her cat, Hector draping himself partly on her lap and partly on the armrest. It was very cozy in the warm-rugged room, as the radio crackled with music, the Christmas tree twinkled, and outside the cold-frosted windows, darkness began to fall.
Bella was having good fun with Soren helping exercise his wing as Hagrid had instructed (closely watched by Hector). She would help him up as high as she could on the shelves, then run back to an increasing distance and catch him after he half-glided, half-flew into her hands.
He was quickly gaining confidence, exhibited in the constant loops and flips he was performing in midair.
After they both tired themselves out, Bella sprawled out on the couch and tried to teach Soren to sing. In theory, the fact that he spoke and could be heard should have meant that he could sing, but in reality, it came out sounding like a high-pitched, slightly melodious kazoo. It was very mouse-like, and extremely amusing, especially paired with the out of tune radio.
Gods rest ye merry hippogriffs,
Let nothing you dismay,
For Merlin will protect you
Apon this Christmas day,
So pass around a Butterbeer
And take the time to say:
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!
It was midway through the second verse, as Bella sang the high note with a flourish and head whip that she noticed that it was snowing.
The entirety of the world (it seemed) had already been coated in a dusting of snowy slush, but this was real snow - the small, fast falling flakes of lasting snow, packing snow, snowball making snow - true snow.
"It's snowing!" Yelled Bella.
Hector slowly raised his head and blinked his eyes in acknowledgement, while Aunt Elena gave a noncommittal 'hmn' around her glass of wine.
Soren, on the other hand, jumped up from his perch on the radio and squeaked, ~Snow-fall?!~
~Yes! Snow!~ replied Bella.
~Oh, snow is the most useful!~
Using his newly exercised wings, he fluttered to the window, perching a cautious distance from the candle.
Bella quickly followed him over and began fiddling with the window latch. ~Is it? I would have thought that you wouldn't like it, what with being frozen and all.~
~Oh no~ the mouse said earnestly, ~If there had been snow when I fell, I would not be here! In snow, one can burrow, and in a burrow there is warmth.~
"Hm!" Said Bella. ~I never would have thought. It does make sense, though.~
With a click, the latch came undone, and Bella pushed the window open. She stuck her arms out, palm up, to catch the snowflakes - they were the soft kind of bitter cold, and she could feel their spirits.
0 0 0
It was still snowing when she woke the next morning. The floor was sharp and the windows were frost-blown, so Bella stepped gingerly to the window to look out. It was the sort of snow Bella had grown up with. This snow was not only shaken from the whitewash heavens; it came shawling out of the ground and swam and drifted out of the arms, hands and bodies of the trees; snow grew overnight on the roofs of the houses like a pure feathery moss, minutely white-ivying the walls and settling on the postman, like a dumb, numb thunderstorm of white, torn Christmas cards.
Bella stepped into her slippers, wrapped herself in her bathrobe, and opened her door. Soren, who had moved from his place on her pillow to under the still-warm sheets, let out a mumbled complaint.
~Don't you want breakfast?~ asked Bella.
He mumbled something else then unfurled himself, stretching his wings and tail. After a running leap, Soren flapped clumsily across the room before landing untidily on her chest and crawling into her pocket, making Bella giggle.
"Good morning to you too." She muttered.
She started down the hall, dodged a swipe from Hector (who was miraculously perched on Auntie's open door), flicked the mirror frame before it could say something about her bed-head, and headed for the kitchen.
In Bella's mind, it was the best Christmas Eve she'd ever had. After a steaming hot breakfast and a rousing cup of Poppy's strongest tea, Bella wrapped herself in her muggle warm clothes and stood patiently as Auntie coated her in warming charms. Then, she went stumping through the snow to Emily's house, only to have another breakfast there, provided by a bustling Mrs Merkel.
Bella and Emily spend a good portion of the day skidding dangerously down the hill-to-mainstreet on borrowed bicycles.* Bella's bicycle belonged to Lukas, the second oldest, so in order to even pedal, she had to stand up off the seat.
Henry and some of his friends came out too, and made a sport of throwing snowballs at the girls as they flew past. When one of them hit Bella in the head (very painfully), causing the bicycle to slide out from under her, she lay on the ground and pretended to cry. Henry came rushing over to see if she was all right, and stood poking her in the back saying, "Are you all right? Don't say anything to my mum - you can't be that badly hurt -"
Bella jumped up and shoved him by the shoulders, sending him bum-first into the snow.
"Ha! Twat!" She yelled, jumping on her bike and hurtling after Emily.
She heard the boys raucous laughter, but didn't see Henry's grudgingly appreciative smile.
After tea, Bella and Emily took Cassie (Emily's little sister) down to town to buy eggs and flour, and to window shop in the tiny little stores that lined the street. After a chat with Randal, the grocer, about how school was going, they continued down the street to the corner store and all piled their pocket money for some sweets.
They walked up and down the streets, eating and playing, occasionally meeting one of Bella's old classmates.
By the end of the day, they were all thoroughly exhausted, frozen, and happy.
0 0 0
On Christmas morning, Bella woke up with a start and a strange sense of familiarity. She lay in her bed for a moment and for a second, felt two warm hands touch either of her cheeks.
She sat up slowly, and Soren gave a dissatisfied chirp. Hanging from the foot of her bed, her stocking was stuffed full.
She poured it on the bed to sort through the candy canes, chocolates, miniature Cauldron Cakes, nectarines, walnuts for roasting, and little toys.
Soren quickly filled himself on crumbling Cauldron Cakes, but Bella only allowed herself a nectarine, saving herself for the delicious pancakes she could smell Poppy making. Leaving Soren flopped on the bed, stomach rounded, she got dressed quickly and brushed her hair.
The snow had piled up on her windowsill, and the ever burning candle was very slowly melting an indent from inside. The snow still fell lightly, but Bella could see out, over the town and into the storm-cast waters on the lake.
She leant on the sill, staring at the frosted edges of the lake and the angry white-capped waves still thrashing in the center.
~Happy Christmas, mother, father.~ she whispered.
The chilly quiet of the waking house felt suddenly felt deafening.
Then, a soft voice added, ~And a Blessed Yuletide.~
Soren had managed to fly (even with his added weight) to the sill, and sat next to her, his wing pressed against her arm.
~Did you ever know your parents?~ she asked him.
~I did.~ he ruffled his wings and looked more intently out the window, his small breaths making a tiny fog on the pane. ~My father, I barely remember, but I did know him - at some point. My mother took care of my siblings and myself until I was almost two season-cycles of age.~
Bella nodded. ~And you said you are six years old? Sorry - six season-cycles old?~
The mouse nodded.
~When I first woke up,~ Bella murmured, ~I felt for a moment that they were with me… My mother and father.~
Soren nodded again. ~When the boundaries between worlds are weak, spirits of great meaning can sometimes visit. Yule is such occasion.~
"Yeah." Said Bella.
She hesitated, then said, ~I saw my mother on Samhain.~
He looked up at her. ~It scared you? Or it hurt you?~
~No. Well… yes.~ she frowned.
~It hurts for those who have left us to leave us again.~
Bella scowled. ~You are far too wise for one so small.~
~I am not especially small!~ the mouse said indignantly.
Her lip quirked up. ~Oh? Last time I checked, you fit in my pocket!~
~Size is relative!~ he exclaimed.
Bella allowed herself to smile.
~If you say so.~ she extended her hand to him. ~Let's go to breakfast.~
Breakfast was a loud, warm, and excited affair. Poppy was even more excitable than usual, and so was everyone else. The pots and knives were flying about, preparing Christmas meals, the pancakes were being flipped from pan to plate, and Bella and Auntie couldn't help speaking loudly.
After breakfast, relatives were coming, as Christmas was to be held at their house that year. First to arrive was Grandmother, who Flooed in at nine o'clock sharp. Then came Aunt Hannah with Liam and Fable, then Great Auntie Florence and her husband, Barron. Great Uncle Linus also appeared with his wife (a surprise to everyone).
To Bella's delight, a few of her seal-sisters appeared: Auntie Serinelle (one of her mother's half-sisters) and her two of her daughters, Niahm and Sylvia, and finally, Aunt Hetysta and her human husband, Charles.
When everyone except for Uncle James (who would arrive for dinner) had assembled, they gathered in the sitting room, talking and exchanging gifts.
Bella got a very large pile of presents: sweets from all the Great Aunts and Uncles, an etiquette book from Grandmother, a polished seashell from Aunt Hestia, a handmade card from Fable, a scarf from Liam, a silver snake pendant from Uncle James and Aunt Hannah, a beautiful and strange necklace of shells and glass from Niahm and Sylvia, and 'The Lord of the Rings' from Auntie Elena. From Emily and the Merkels was a handful of slightly suspicious potions in tiny portable vials, 'Alice in Wonderland', as well from Emily, and a set of bracelets. She also finally opened her present from Daphne, which was three books: Madame Ferella's Etiquette', 'A Practical and Arithmantic View of Transfiguration', and 'European Wizarding Family Lines Throughout History'. To her surprise, she also got a dark blue knitted jumper, as well as a worn edition of 'The Essential Guide to Prankmaking' from Fred and George.
Dinner was spectacular. Three courses, followed by flaming pudding and a good deal of fire whiskey and eggnog. Bella was allowed a tiny cup of sweetened eggnog that burned it's way down her throat, warmed her stomach, and made her face and neck feel rather warm. The Uncles (now including James) were loudly talking about the latest Ministry mess-ups, and Bella got to catch up with all her cousins, as the children were all sat at one end of the long, crowded table.
There was Christmas crackers and singing, more alcohol for the adults, laughter, games, and more.
An hour or so after dinner, the Great Uncles had reclined into the large chintz armchairs, stomachs bulging, coats unbuttoned and ties undone, rather like walruses. Their cigars smoked up the sitting room with the warm smell of nutmeg; they all had a particular way of smoking - they'd inhale, cough, then hold their cigar out at arms length, as though to examine it, and then repeat.
The Great Aunts perched on the edges of their chairs, sipping tea, looking fragile, and almost afraid to break. Uncle James and Charles were still arguing, while Aunt Hetysta had had slightly too much elderberry wine, and was in the garden, singing like a big-breasted robin - a song about lost love and clouds - as the other aunts tutted at her.
The darkness began to gather, and the family gathered in the now warm, sent-filled sitting room. Uncle Linus (who had continued through two entire bottles of mulled mead) treated them all to a spirited edition of 'Little Drummer Boy', with a dance and drum included, and Aunt Hetysta followed, singing another soulful song about love.
Bella, still feeling slightly warm-headed from the eggnog, introduced Soren and sang 'Gods Rest ye Merry Hippogriffs' with him until everyone had joined in and the mouse stood on top of her head, conducting with his wings.
Snowflakes began to fall again outside the ice-brittle windows, and they gathered around the piano to sing 'On to Bethlehem Town'.
It was ever so warm that Bella wanted to simple stay in the moment forever; with the slight untuned piano, the mixture of voices and smells, the crackling fire, and the snow.
As the song finished and they began 'All Through the Night', Bella quietly kissed her Aunties and cousins goodnight, picked up a candle and headed upstairs. The snow was falling harder now, quieting the window with its soft sound. And, as Bella got into her warm bed, the muffled voices carried up and rang around her:
Sleep, my child, and peace attend thee,
All through the night
Guardian angels God will send thee,
All through the night
Soft the drowsy hours are creeping
Hill and Dale in slumber sleeping
I, my love, my vigil keeping,
All through the night
CUT! End of the chapter! Please leave a comment, tell me what I did wrong (or right?). Thanks for reading. Please also check out my new story: ANOTHER PLANE OF MAGIC (THE PHYSICIAN'S APPRENTICE) Its a crossover; Harry Potter/Merlin, and is based on the concept of Luna Lovegood losing her ability to believe once the war is over. She is brought back into the hustle-bustle of Merlin/Arthur age Camelot. Trying to also make it semi-historically accurate, so, go check it out! I've only got one chapter up.
Please read-
NOTES:
Bella's family is as follows:
Grandmother has two sisters and a brother, all of whom are married. Uncle James (Grandmother's first son & Bella's father's brother) is married and has two children. Bella's mother, Elizabella had numerous siblings/half-siblings simply because of the way that Selkie families work. Selkie families are traced maternally.
Merkel family is made up of:
Mrs Merkel - busy, warm stay at-home
Mr Merkel - distant but very kind and caring, works the post office
Oma Merkel / Grandmother Sara - witch, potions, strict but kindly
Geoffrey (Jeff)- 19, eldest, long, floppy hair, headed for uni
Lukas - 15, the drums player, loud and tall, takes up a lot of space
Susan - 13 - tall, pretty girl with black hair, smart and amazing at potions
Claudia - 12, follower of her older sister, popular at school, twin to Henry
Henry - 12, loud, playful, teasing but kind, funny, twin to Claudia
EMILY - 11, Bella's best friend, average height, intelligent, funny, "omnivert" - can be outgoing OR more introverted
Cassie - 7, energetic, gambling
James (Jamie) - 6, tall for age, quieter, reader
Roger (Rogie) - 2, the baby of the family
*A peryton is a stag/bird hybrid. While they are sometimes portrayed as vicious and evil, in my experience with myths they only attack when threatened and are the basis for the whole 'flying reindeer' thing. In my mind, they just look like a large stags with brown feathered wings. Plz correct me if I've got my facts wrong.
** Idk if I've mentioned Soren's species' name, but it's pronounced (PEN-ah-moos). It literally means 'feathered mouse', so it seemed a proper name for a species of flying mice.
*** I BY NO MEANS ENDORSE THIS - PLEASE NEVER DO THIS! When I was younger my friends and I would do this every winter, and I lost a tooth, a large chunk of my knee, and very nearly my tongue.