Magnolia's first week home was so relaxing, no worries of homework or papers being due. The days before Christmas filled with baking and preparing other sweet. Her mother was working a few extra shifts around the restaurant she waitressed for, leaving Magnolia to take over the kitchen and get herself in the holiday spirit.
The first few days the girl spent her alone time cutting out paper snowflakes and taping them to their windows, popping open the small tub of decorations they saved year after year. It took several hours to unravel the tinsel her mother had bought, but by the time her mother got home for the weekend, Magnolia had the flat decorated for Christmas.
She managed to lean from the edge of the loft bed and attach a few paper snowflakes to their ceiling. The twelve year old sat back on her heels admiring her work. Magnolia wanted to make the most of the holiday stuff, she loved the memories she was making at Hogwarts but being with her mother pained her. She would never tell anyone at school or her mother but Magnolia worried about her. In her twelve years the girl rarely saw her mother date or make many friends even.
Elizabeth had one person she went to talk to on a regular basis and that was Elliot from the shop down stairs. Once Magnolia left for school the young mother found herself feeling lonely without her daughter there. Elliot provided her some comfort, he was the manager of the shop and spent extra time downstairs. Elizabeth moved back to sleeping in the bed but it still lingered of her child's strawberry scented shampoo. Her long hair leaving small strands even after months of her being away. Her mother was hiding it all though. The bed was well made and the house looked untouched.
Magnolia didn't waste time busting open the recipe box and messing up the kitchen. The girl went on for days, watching the tv as she went. She tried to savour being home but her mother still spent the days working. Magnolia didn't take long to start missing her friends, the excitement and mischief. It wasn't the same when she was alone.
On the 23rd, Magnolia brought down a plate of chocolate fudge and a batch of chocolate cookies to the bookstore beneath them. While she had been away at school the dark haired girl had managed to break out her shell and got to know so many different kinds of people, it was quite a shock for the shop workers when she bound down the stairs and into the shop early that morning.
When Magnolia pushed the door open in December, the smell of ink and parchment filled her nose and she was home again.
"Miss Magnolia the Baker!" Elliot beamed from behind the counter.
Magnolia set the plate of treats down and his eyes got brighter, "A special delivery. Don't forget to leave at least one cookie for Santa tomorrow night." She reminds pushing the plate closer.
He passes her the paper wrapped package. She carefully undoes the folds and sets the paper on the counter revealing a book.
"Your mum told me you'd like this one for I figured I'd add it to your own library." He says nodding to the book. "Good story for a growing girl."
Little Women. The title read.
Magnolia took a longing look at Elliot and scanned back to the book in her hand. She pulled the older man into a side hug from around the counter. He awkwardly patted her back but let her nuzzle into his side. Magnolia pulls away and catches a rough blush on his cheeks.
Elliot was taller and broad shouldered. He was very different from what you'd expect in a bookstore. He had a youthful smile and bright blue eyes. His light brown hair flopped across his head. She sat on the counter and watched Elliot work for a while. He moved around the store effortlessly, he talked to customers with ease and a hint of charm.
After some time Magnolia took one of the usual spots in the shop, taking up the nook in the window. She spent time watching heavy flakes of snow flutter down, thickening the blanket in the ground outside. Frost sparkled the edges of the window. She cracked the spine of her new book and cozied up the window. Magnolia spent her entire day in the small bookstore, she almost forgot what she loved so much about it here. The library at Hogwarts was a good place to read for a little while but something or someone always came by.
The sun fades into night seamlessly, the street lights flicker on and they empty. Business men and women arrive at their homes, the shop emptying.
"What plans do you and Lizzy have for the holidays ?" Elliot asks dusting a nearby shelf.
"Mum said she had some special dinner planned for Christmas night, and then I usually make a big breakfast for us before gifts. How are you spending the holidays?" Magnolia shrugs flipping to the next page.
Elliot looks down, "First Christmas alone since my gran passed. So I told Malcolm I'd come in and work for a few hours. Prep for inventory, that kind of time. Get stuff deep cleaned maybe." He shrugs.
"Come up and have dinner with us." The younger girl invites. She didn't hesitate but just hoped her mother would be okay with another guest.
"Not that I wouldn't love to have a home cooked meal, I don't want to intrude." He picks a few books off the top of a shelf replacing them on the shelves around them.
Magnolia closes her book and swings her legs around. "I insist. No one should spend the holiday alone besides you'll be right here anyways." She stands to her feet.
"Your mum won't be bothered." He looks down at the girl with an arched brow.
Magnolia gives him a grin and pats his arm, "Mum practically loves you." She admits.
Probably not the best way to phrase it, Magnolia notices a blush creep on his cheeks. She tucks her book under her arm.
"Supper will be at 6. But I suggest coming by at 5 with a bottle of wine. Mum likes white with roast chicken." The young girl calls as she grabs her coat from the rack by the door.
Once Magnolia has herself bundled back up she waves Elliot goodbye and exits the shop. She turns around the corner, just as her mother is walking down the street. Elizabeth walked up to Magnolia and pulled her into her side and up the stairs.
••••••
Christmas Day came and Magnolia woke up before sunrise. She made sure a small fire was lit and her mother's gifts tucked under the bed. She managed to convince Demi to pick a few things at Hogsmeade she thought her mum might like. She decided on a pair of enchanted knitting needles. Demi only brought them back in the promise she got a pair of mittens made for her before she returned to Hogwarts.
She decided that her and the girls could exchange gifts when they returned to school. Although they had only been friends for a short time Magnolia felt a strong bond forming with her dorm mates. Christmas Eve the girl and her mother ran to a few shops a few streets over for some last minute gifts for her new friends; Demi and Juniper each got mittens, along with a pair for Roxy as well, the twins a few things from a Muggle joke shop, Magnolia made her and her dorm mates beaded matching bracelets with their initials. She also made sure to pack plenty of muggle sweets to bring back for everyone else to try. Already planning to bring back fresh chocolate chip cookies and peppermint brownies for the train ride back to Hogwarts.
There was a sense of intrigue that came with Magnolia, all her friends becoming with her muggle lifestyle and her with their wizard lifestyle. The twins would ask her as many questions as they could in between their classes. They didn't always meet her at the doors like they promised, not that it mattered to Magnolia, she knew her way well enough around the castle. Especially after memorizing a few of the twins' short cuts.
The young witch pulled her black hair back into a messy pony with the scrunchie on her wrist. Pulling down the flour dusted apron she had always wore when baking. Magnolia pushed her small footstool up to the kitchen counter and pulled flour down from the cupboard above her head. She was careful not to wake her mother who was asleep in the bed. While Magnolia had been gone her mother went back to sleeping in the bed, it didn't seem fair to take the bed back if she was only there for a short while.
She tiptoed around the kitchen prepping everything, gathering all the other ingredients she needed to make cinnamon rolls. She was quick to mix the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Magnolia fell into a soothing flow as she prepped the dough. When she had finished and placed a dry kitchen towel over the bowl, she let the dough rest. Her mother is still sleeping peacefully in the loft.
Magnolia climbed up into the nook of their window, the street covered with a fresh blanket of snow. In the early winter morning untouched by human feet. She pulled the book she got from Elliot off the small table beside her. Magnolia spent a lot of time here. She loved looking at the sky and enjoying the view. Before her mother trusted her home alone while she worked, Magnolia went across the street to Mrs.Sheffield's house.
Mrs.Sheffield was a stocky 70 year old woman who claimed to be an actress from America but really Magnolia thought she was a loon. Mrs.Sheffield gave Magnolia's mother a hard time about being a single mother despite her own mishaps in love. She told interesting stories though, her tales of being a circus performer in a past life. Before Hogwarts this nutter of a woman was the most magic Magnolia had seen. Her accent alone was enough to pull you in. She had a thick flare in her inflection. She moved away a year ago, moving back to the states, she wanted to spend her last years with her children.
Mrs. Sheffield actually taught Magnolia to cook and bake, always telling her if you want to get your way to a man's heart, get to his stomach first.
"Darling, men are simple creatures. You're a lucky girl. The dating pool is much better here than in Brooklyn, trust me on that." Her accent dripped on each word.
Magnolia didn't understand the point of the lesson because she was only nine. The young girl nodded along anyways.
Magnolia smiled at the memory as she stared off at the woman's vacant house. She wondered if she would ever move somewhere else with her mum. She loved their cozy flat but now that she's gone to Hogwarts she yearned for more. Magnolia pictured herself padding around on a wood floor, wrapped in a clean wool sweater, envisioning the baking she could get done in a larger kitchen. How she would decorate a room of her own. How she could live somewhere she could stare and not see houses or other buildings. Just a home tucked away from the world. Soft meadow flowers surrounding the outside.
Her mother stirred up in the loft turning around in the covers. Magnolia turned back to her book and rested her head up against the window. Snowflakes sprinkle down to the ground, dancing down to meet the snow blanket beneath. She read about Jo March and her sisters. The girl stayed like this for a few hours watching the sunrise behind the city buildings.
Once the cinnamon roll dough has risen, Magnolia got her filling ready and rolled out the dough. She greased a round glass dish and began cutting out rolls. Magnolia stood back and was admiring her work before she put them in the oven. As they baked and smell of cinnamon began filling the flat, Magnolia prepped the icing.
"You been up long?" Her mother's voice distracts her.
She takes the bowl with her to the bottom of the loft steps and nods softly, "Wouldn't want to settle for the can?" Magnolia responds whisking at the clumpy mixture.
"Add more milk," her mother gets to her feet, she moves to the kitchen grabbing the milk pitcher and pours it into the bowl Magnolia held.
Magnolia watched the mixture thin and become pourable. Her mother took the bowl from her hands and set it on the counter. Magnolia's eye met her mother's, they were bright blue with hues of green around the edges. The younger girl reflected the differences between her and her mother, although they looked so similar there was nothing hiding the differences between their eyes.
Elizabeth took Magnolia's smaller face in her hands and stared into her dull toned eyes, "I love you," she says pressing a kiss on her forehead. Her mom squishes her cheeks.
"Love you too, Mum." Magnolia mumbles through her squished cheeks.
Her mother's mouth cracks out in a smile. Magnolia loved seeing her smile. Despite them being on their own Elizabeth worked her hardest to keep a smile on as long as Magnolia was around. She learned to grow up quickly, to do whatever she needed to make sure Magnolia had what she needed. The two stood in an easy silence soaking up this time with each other.
••••••
Dinner was approaching and Magnolia couldn't help but feel a bubble of excitement. She just finished the book Elliot had got her just a few short days prior. She packed it away into her trunk to go back to Hogwarts with her so she could read it again. Magnolia couldn't wait to share her thoughts on the book with Elliot.
Although Elizabeth wasn't thrilled with Magnolia inviting someone over without asking first, she had grown a soft spot for Elliot. While Magnolia was gone he was one of the only people she spent her time with outside of her work. They'd grab lunch or a coffee on her days off.
At 5 o'clock there was a prompt knock at the door. Magnolia abandoned her peeling potatoes to grab the door. Her mother still elbow deep stuffing the chicken. She opened the door to Elliot holding a bouquet of poinsettias and a bottle of white wine just as the young girl suggested. She took the bouquet and waved him inside.
Magnolia was quick to put the poinsettias on the window ledge to make sure it got sunlight. Elliot awkwardly stood by the door. Elizabeth finished up her stuffing and placed the chicken in the oven.
She washed her hands and took the bottle of wine from Elliot. "I hope this works, Maggie suggested this one." He shrugs nervously.
"This is perfect. Thank you for coming. We can catch up in the kitchen while I finish getting dinner ready?" Elizabeth asks nodding to one of the empty stools.
"I can help, since I'm crashing supper anyways." He smirks.
Magnolia stood by the window noticing an unfamiliar blush sweep across her mother's cheeks. Elliot washes his hands at the sink, once his hands are dried he picks up the potato Magnolia had begun peeling. Magnolia watched the two laugh and skip around each other in the kitchen. Magnolia bites her lip to hide a smile. Her mothers laughter made her feel home. However something was missing. The young girl struggled to figure it out but seeing Elliot in the kitchen with her made Magnolia realize what she was wanted.
All Magnolia knew about her father was that he was just as young as Elizabeth was when she was born. He was a musician and he didn't want to be tied to magic so he left. The mother and daughter didn't talk about him a lot but after Magnolia was accepted into Hogwarts she couldn't help but grow curious. Her mother described him as a whirlwind of excitement. When she met him she was working at a small shop at the edge of town, he swept her up into the waves. She told her about the places they snuck around. The head rush he made her feel, she thought they were in love. He suggested they weren't and then Magnolia came along and he was gone before she was even born.
The only thing he left her with was her pale eyes. As the time for dinner trickled away. She helped set plates at the small dining nook by the kitchen. Once the last fork was set down, Elizabeth was pulling the chicken from the oven. Magnolia sat down at the table and waited while Elliot helped her mother move everything to serving dishes. As the food was brought to the table Magnolia had memories of the feasts at Hogwarts.
After the first night Magnolia was shocked that every meal at Hogwarts was a filling as it was. She never got tired of it either. Demi poked fun that the small girl must have a hollow leg. Her mother walks beside her and grabs her hand tenderly, then gives her a warm smile.
"Happy Christmas, Mags." She grinned and pressed a light kiss on her head and took her seat at the table.
"Happy Christmas, Mum," Magnolia says, glancing across the table with a smile, "You as well, Elliot."
He returned the smile, "Thank you for inviting me, I'm looking forward to digging in."
Magnolia nodded eagerly looking at the small feast in front of her. Her eyes were big and her belly grumbled.
Her mother waves her forward, "Dig in!" She prompts.
As she begins to fill her plate and dive into a chicken leg, Elliot pours a glass of wine for Elizabeth.
"What'd you think of the book?" He asks Magnolia.
The girl with a chicken leg hanging in her grip, she nods in acknowledgement before gulping down water from the glass in front of her, "Really good, you'll have to suggest more before I go back to school. The books aren't really the same there." She responds.
He gives a questioning look, "What kind of fancy boarding school doesn't have classics?" He laughs.
The girl feels awkward not wanting to elaborate just shrugs. Her mother notices her change and switches the subject.
Dinner plates empty and Magnolia clears the table and bring the dishes to the kitchen. She puts them in the sink and washes her hands off. She turns to a cupboard and nudges her footstool closer and pulls out three plates. Magnolia pulls a pumpkin pie from the fridge along with a can of whip cream. She sets it down and carefully cuts three even slices. Magnolia serves Elliot and her mother each a slice with an artful spread of whip cream. They sit chatting cheerful on the couch. Magnolia notices their knees touch and a glint her mother's eye, her cheeks have a youthful glow about them. She takes the empty wine glasses in front of them and puts them on the kitchen counter.
The young girl takes her own slice of pie and takes it to the window ledge. She tucks her feet under her bottom and watches the snowfall. She listens to the crackling fire, her mother's laughter, and just faintly hears the soft fall of snowflakes. The night fades and the streetlights illuminate the snow.
As Elliot goes to leave for the evening Elizabeth tells Magnolia she's going to walk him to his car. Magnolia nods and begins cleaning the dishes. Magnolia thinks back to the evening as the warm water rushes over her hands, she couldn't remember the last time her mother laughed or smiled that much. Magnolia liked Elliot, he was always friendly and complemented what she made for him to try, but he was honest letting her know what it needed or where she had gone wrong.
When Magnolia is nearly done with dishes her mother returns, her cheeks and nose pink from the cold. Her face painted in a wide grin. She turns to her daughter and wraps an arm around her.
"Leave them for the morning. Let's just enjoy the rest of the night. I'm sure there's a movie we can catch on the telly still?" She offers.
Magnolia nods smiling, she dries her hands off and leaves the last few plates in the sink. She follows her mother to the couch. Her mother plops comfortably and stretches her legs onto the coffee table in front of her sinking into the material and pats her lap, Magnolia lays her head in her lap and props her legs up beside them. Elizabeth laces her fingers into Magnolia's hair soothing down the tangles and lightly pulling away the knots. Magnolia reaches out grabbing the remote and flicks in the tv, she doesn't take long to settle on A Year Without A Santa and snuggles into her mother's side.
Magnolia feels herself grow tired from today's events. Elizabeth continues to play with Magnolia's hair, the young girl allowing the hum of the tv and the crackling of the fire along with the touch comfort her to sleep. She lets her eyes flutter shut and sleep sooth her.
