Christmas. Mid Winter. Hanukah. Yule. Even 'Kwanzaa'. There were a dozen or more common names for the season, and nearly all of them included bright lights, gifts, and parties. When you have a great many friends, and business connections, it was important to keep straight just who was celebrating what!
Ginny had her gift ideas. At least, she had a perfect idea for her mother, and it expanded well to all of her female relatives and close friends. She prepared her list (including herself) and made a stop at Cellini's. She HAD noticed which Jeweler Harry seemed to favor. Perhaps she could find something appropriate for the rest of her list while she was there?
Cellini himself saw her come in, and hurried out to wait on her. Of course he knew who she was! "Holiday shopping, Miss? How can we help you? Would you prefer to come back to my office for some tea, or look around out here?"
Ginny began to explain as they went to the office. "I have heard of an amusing gift idea called an 'Add-A-Pearl-Necklace', usually given to small girls who recieve an added pearl every year for a chosen Holiday, often their Birthdays."
Cellini nodded. "We make a great many of those, with a wide selection of chain designs and pearls of assorted qualities. Most parents choose to set it up as a subscription, and we deliver the additions automatically."
Ginny continued, sipping the Green Tea with honey, "I want to combine that idea with a Mother's Ring, or Grandmother's in this case. I want one for my Mother with the standard 21 for herself, then ones for Dad and each of us seven children, AND our spouses, AND our children, and it needs to be expandable as we are, after all, young and just starting our families. I am sure there will be a great many more!"
Cellini was already deep in thought. "The best design for that will probably be in layers, a series of loops descending from the main chain. The main chain will need to be sturdy to securely hold the weight, but we can certainly make it decorative. We could intersperse medallions of flowers or symbols of things important to your mother, and those medallions would be secure anchors for the smaller strings. What metal do you want to use?" He pulled over a sketchpad and pencil.
ChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmas
Harry did go to the next Den Night, held at the dark of the moon. Ginny, Teddy, and the Tonks went as well. Harry drove up Friday afternoon after Ginny's practice, in a camper. It was small and very ordinary-looking, but was spelled like the popular tents. Inside it was a generously comfortable six-bedroom house. Harry and Ted had no trouble making the power and plumbing connections, and setting up outdoor furniture under the awnings. Teddy took off with the other children almost as soon as they parked, heading for the playgrounds. The elves, dressed exactly as the children were in heavy quilted clothing, were quick to carry their contributions to the outdoor picnic tables in front of the campers. Harry's group had brought no Lycans, since they didn't have any, but almost everyone else did. Not everyone came on Friday, so supper was casual. The children played until it got dark, ate their dinners, and were bundled into pajamas. Then everyone broke out musical instruments and gathered around the small camps to sing. It didn't take long for even the Lycans to be howling, an eerie sound that the Hosts knew was only the dogs at the camp, but left shivers going up their spines.
Because the campground hosts were Mundanes every effort was made to keep anything magical disguised, with generous use of notice-me-nots, and a clever charm that encouraged them to think nothing was odd. The Lycans were never leashed, but stayed close to their families to maintain the illusion of trained dogs. Most of them wore leather harnesses with pockets. Those that worked as guard dogs had bullet-proof vests, but didn't wear those here.
It was a popular Summer camping destination, but almost deserted in the Winter. The campground management was delighted to have such a large group rent the cabins at this time of year. The Pack explained themselves as training and breeding Alsatians as Service dogs. They needed room for their training exercises. They also mentioned that many of their families adopted special needs children, and asked the hosts to 'not notice' that many of the children would not look normal. It was sort of a combined interest; training Service Dogs meant a great awareness of special needs, and having Special Needs children brought you naturally to the subject of Service dogs.
The Hosts thought this was fascinating. Since campground managers were frequently in contact with other campgrounds, word of the Pack got around, and the Pack had no trouble finding suitable meeting places. The Pack rotated the main Den Nights around the country, as even with easy transportation not every one could get away from jobs or other duties every month. Individuals began arriving on Friday, making sure the cabins were ready, and building the huge bonfire in the grassy natural amphitheater for Saturday night. It was going to be a cold but clear weekend, with the stars shining brightly.
The campground they had rented in the Forest of Dean led down to the bank of the river, which curved around it in a great bend. The main buildings clustered around the parking area at the top of the slope, near the management buildings. They included a two-level dormitory with showers, where most of the single females would stay, over a small refreshment stand with a large indoor game room. There was a separate dining hall with a modern kitchen suitable for feeding large groups. Across the way was a pavilion, roofed but open on all sides, with benches and a platform. The Pack really didn't plan to use those two, since the weather was expected to be clear. There were spaces (and plug-ins) for families bringing their own campers or tents. Then there was a large wooded area, with a dirt road leading to the second part of the campground. This area, closer to the river, had 8 bunkhouse cabins in a block around a shared bathhouse, which included an outdoor pool (closed for the season.) Most of the single males would be sleeping here.
To the other side of the dirt road the land fell away in two levels, in a large natural amphitheater. This was the site for the bonfire, built close to the river. There was plenty of room on the slopes for chairs and blankets. On the middle ring tables were set to hold the expected abundance of food. On the top level they built an obstacle course for the Lycans and the children to play on. Well, they looked like wolves, but these were true-born Lycans, born of wolf mothers and were fathers. Their minds were human, though still wolf, and they were equal members of the Pack, living with the families of the Dens. Many had been feral, lone wolves who simply didn't fit into wolf packs. When the Pack had discovered they existed, they had made a project of finding them. These were the opposites to children like Teddy. As a matter of fact, many of the Lycans DID choose a child to take care of. Others worked as guard dogs, mostly for the Black Trucking Company.
Late at night, the now-sleeping children were gathered and tucked into their beds. The small fires were banked down, and musical instruments tucked back into cases. Even the Lycans snuggled into their soft beds, and the elves into theirs. One of the bedrooms in Harry's camper was set up with bunks for a dozen elves, though he had brought only two. Everyone would be up with the dawn for breakfast, as most of the Pack would be arriving before 8, when the exercises would start.
All Saturday there were training exercises; trainers and Lycans running trails through the woods, search-and-rescue drills with scent trails that had been laid on Friday by the first arrivals; timed runs through and over the log-built obstacle course. In the surrounding meadows there were Obedience and Field Trials, and furthest out the men in padded suits working Guard Drills. On the lawns close to the playground were the training rings for the Service Dog exercises, teaching the children how to work with their Lycan. This was all aided by the intelligence of the Lycans - they could not talk, but all of them could understand human language, read, and use Sign. This was serious work! The Pack had not been lying about the need for room, or that they were really training.
Harry and Ted were busy, even though they did not have Lycans. There were plenty of hands needed for carrying logs and tables (lightened), and working as timers and helpers at the training.
Andi was sitting near where Teddy was playing, doing embroidery while talking with the other children's minders. After Teddy got the first burst of energy out of his system, she took him around to each of the training areas. When he was grown he would be the Head of Black Transportation, and he would need to know what the staff were capable of. Even as a child, and not a Were himself, he had inherited much of his father's unusual speed and strength. His reflexes were quick, and his senses sharp. It was one of the reasons he was already a good Quidditch player. Presently, it made him aware of the training details in a way that most almost-6 year olds would not be. He could smell the anise drag trails through the woods. He could smell differences in the sample training bags the SAR dogs were tracking, though he really wasn't sensitive enough to follow those through the woods. He could, and did, run fast enough to follow the teams working the trails. He could, and did, race through the log-built obstacle course, climbing higher and jumping further than older children who were attempting it. The true Weres and the Lycans sailed over and under and through at blinding speeds. Most of the children like Teddy were younger than he was, but were also sailing through the challenges. There were a few adults, like Bill Weasley, who were not Were though they had been bitten by untransformed Weres. Bill and his family were not with them this trip, but there were others.
Ginny slept late, and woke up alone in the camper. She indulged in a luxurious bath, and did her hair and nails before eating a Spanish Omlette Daisy produced. She pulled on a quilted white Satin pantsuit with a feather-lined hood, and matching white suede boots and gloves. It was stylish, it was warm, and completely inappropriate for the event. Daisy following, completely covered in a cherry-red snowsuit, hooded, with tiny boots and gloves, looked exactly like every other child following its minder. Ginny looked around outside, and spotted a small row of trailers and awnings with bright banners.
Offered for sale were thick sweatshirts, mostly in black, with the picture of a wolf's head outlined against a full moon. They also took orders. Ginny bought a dozen of the wolves in children's sizes, for her nieces and nephews, and a dozen in large mens sizes; and ordered one made with a large white stag on the back. She had these delivered to her home address.
The next tent offered jewelry and assorted art. While Weres and Lycans could handle silver in small ordinary ways, such as money or utensils, they usually avoided it if they had a choice. None would wear it as jewelry. The jewelry offered here was mostly carved wood or stones, strung on leather thongs with gold or brass fastenings. There were lovely semi-precious stones set as eyes in wooden statues. There were wall plaques of fitted wooden or stone shapes. She chose a large wall mosaic which she ordered delivered. She took a dozen colored stone rings engraved with wolves as stocking-fillers for the children.
A third tent offered all sorts of leather work for both men and beasts. There were vests, harnesses, and backpacks of all descriptions, wallets and purses, shoes and boots. There were gloves and hats and belts. Most of the offerings were sturdy, working supplies, but there was a section of stylish womens apparel. Ginny enjoyed herself buying accessories!
The fourth tent got barely a glance from Ginny, though it was doing brisk business with the Weres. It was an apothecary and potions shop catering to the Were with specially formulated medicines. Primarily this meant silver-free, including not prepared in silver cauldrons or with silver tools. Sometimes this meant changes in the recipes or preparation. There was Wolfsbane, as well as other medications adapted for their slightly-different metabolisms. They had also brought a medic and a vet in case of injuries. There was always a chance of injury, from scrapes and cuts to a chance of a broken bone, and all of the standard vaccinations were available. Having a medic on-site was a requirement of the campground, who had offered to arrange one if the Pack didn't have someone available. Andi was available in an emergency, but she wasn't here to work.
The fifth tent had supplies for the training exercises, training journals, books and toys and bags of rewards (aka 'treats'.) Lycans enjoyed balls and chews and even stuffed animals just as much as any other animal, and these had their own money to spend! The tent was doing a brisk business in brightly colored ropes for spontaneous tug-o-war games today. There was also a large rack of toys available for human children, including stuffed wolf pups and soccer balls. Ginny bought a floppy wolf pup for Teddy, and charmed it shades of blue with gold eyes. Noticing Daisy looking at it, Ginny quickly bought a second and charmed it shades of gold, with blue eyes, and gave it to the overjoyed little being.
As the Sun set, families collected their children from the playgrounds and made their way to the bonfire area, setting their chairs and blankets in position before gathering for the meal. A full Baron of beef was placed at each of four tables. You could choose from very rare all the way to well-done, spicy or smoked. Other tables had trays of boneless roast chickens, or whole salmon. Interspersed along and between were trays of every sort of side dish imaginable. Whole tables contained nothing but salads, or assorted fruit dishes and trays of cheese. Elves assisted those whose hands were busy, such as mothers of small children, and Lycans, carrying drinks and filling plates for them. As the dishes finally began looking picked-over, the elves replaced them with puddingss and pies and plates of biscuits. Overstuffed people settled in family groups on the slopes. The children were all brought to the front, where elves were handing out biscuits to settle them down, well lit by the growing bonfire.
"Look ye well, men and Lycans of the Pack! Look ye well, for these are the pups of the Pack, and our future! Look ye well, know them and protect them wherever you meet them, for the strength of the Pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the Pack!" The Pack Alpha had walked down close to the fire, climbing upon the stack of spare logs to address the Pack. Shadows slipped down the slopes and between the playing children, Lycans making sure they would know each of these children anywhere. Kisses and cuddles were exchanged before the Lycans went back to their seats. The elves had finished slicing the meat off the roasts, and laid the huge bones out for gnawing. By morning they would be nothing but splinters. The food properly dealt with, the elves joined their families, carrying pitchers of cocoa for the children being brought back from the fire. Ginny gave the toy pup to Teddy, who grinned when he noticed Daisy also had one dangling out of her pocket.
The Alpha spoke again, "Tonight's thought comes from the Book of Job, 'Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.' verse 5:7,
King James Version (KJV). Look upon the fire tonight. Pick a spark and follow it upward, thinking of a sorrow. Release it to go, to rise, to flicker and blink out. That is exactly how important the problem is. Long or short, our sorrows, our joys, our troubles and hopes and lives are only sparks in the night. But, some of them will rise among the stars above, some will land in suitable tinder and start other fires, other hopes and other dreams. Some will land in wilderness, starting uncontrolled fires of destruction. Release your stresses, your heartbreaks, your angers in safe ways. Help the young who need guidance." He stopped speaking, and there was silence for a few minutes while everyone watched the fire and considered his words. Logs settled, and a jet of sparks shot high into the air, blazing like a firework. The highest sparks truly did appear to mingle with the bright stars above. Far from the cities like this, the stars seemed huge and bright and almost low enough to touch. "Enough," came the shout from the Alpha, "We come together to sing, to dance, to play!" A sweep from his hand started the band at the side playing, and laughing couples came down to dance in the firelight.
In the space behind the obstacle course, there was growling and yapping as the Lycans finished their tug-o-war championships. Snapped bits of rope lay along the sides, while three-dog teams snarled over inches gained or lost. Side-bets were active and changing, while an Odds Book was being kept. Bets were accepted from anyone.
Harry took Ginny's hand, and she nodded. They followed Ted and Andi down to a flatter spot, and began to dance. Around them children, elves, and Lycans were dancing, laughing, and whirling in the firelight. Above them the stars wheeled, telling the time for those who could read it, chiming with falling stars. When the children fell asleep, they were wrapped in the blankets and laid ready to carry back, watched by tired elves. The adults gathered on the lower slopes and sang with the band as the huge bonfire burnt down to embers. Finally torches were lit from the embers to light the paths. The band packed up, and the children were collected. The Lycans gathered in the shadows at the top and raised their snouts in one last howl to the stars above, singing their friends to bed. The last men there, certain the mundanes were back in their own cabin, siphoned water from the river to be sure the fire was completely out.
Things were very quiet in the morning. Most people slept late. The elves laid out the picnic tables with drinks, fruit, and sweet breads, but had few takers. Harry was one of the early risers, having never gotten over his childhood habits. He helped clean up the bonfire area, setting useable logs in neat order for the next group while the elves collected the chairs and tables. The Lycans were asked to make a sweep of the entire campground and return mislaid items to their owners, resulting in small piles of toys, training gear, and the occasional jacket or child's mitten at each doorway. The obstacle course was dismantled and loaded onto trailers for use at the next Den Night. Finally, only the marks in the grass were left. The vendors were the first to actually leave, since they had packed most of their remaining things yesterday. Harry and Ted packed their outdoor furniture back into the compartments under the camper, and rolled up the awnings. Andi got up and had some fruit and coffee, but Ginny and Teddy slept on. Ted unhooked the water and Harry pulled the electric connections, and they coiled them into place. With a last look around and a few 'goodbyes' to neighbors, Ted backed the camper around and took it down to the dump tank facility. Harry pulled the dump connection out of the bumper and set it up as Ted took the water hose into the camper and put it in the toilets, one by one. Then he pulled the plug on the grey water tank, and while that dumped he turned off the water heater and drained it. He turned the water off, coiled the hose back to the stand, and helped Harry thread the drain back into the bumper. They left the connections open. As Harry pulled out onto the highway, Ted reached under the couch and opened the plug on the fresh-water tank. They left a trail of (clean) water going down the highway for the next several miles, just like all the others. There was no point to lugging water home with them. It was heavy and reduced their gas mileage. They were home by Noon, and the elves fixed roast beef sandwiches and pudding for lunch.
Back at the campground, the Hosts had also been making their rounds. They were amazed at how clean the camp was! Most large groups left a mess, with trash and litter and even still-burning campfires. This group had not only collected their trash, they had taken it with them. All of the campfires were out, and even the big bonfire had been properly drowned and tidied up. They couldn't find any lost gear or clothing, either. What really got their attention was that there was no dog waste, not anywhere. There had been hundreds of big dogs. The trainers must have cleaned up every time. (Actually, the Lycans were completely housebroken, which in this case meant they knew how to use a toilet!) They would certainly be glad to have this group come back, anytime, and would pass the word to the other camps.
=====relevant to nothing but a funny thought-
"We'll have to pull that newest CRT platform offline and re-program it. It's got a glitch."
"That newest set on the highway up by the Forest of Dean? Why? What's it doing?"
"It's losing vehicles, just dropping them out of the images. Only thing I can figure is that it is randomly freezing up. Here, watch this clip of the tunnel."
Silence, watching vehicles going in one end and out of the other of a rather long tunnel.
"So, what am I looking for?"
"See that camper going in? Watch for it to come out. Note that red truck behind it, too."
Watching. Watching. Here comes the red truck. Wait! Red truck?
"Wasn't that camper supposed to be in front of the truck?"
"NOW you see the problem! As far as I can tell it is every camera in that whole section, which means it has to be in the programming. It's freezing, dropping a couple of seconds of image. I only noticed because I have the same camper. Then I started looking at the other cameras. I could run images of the appearing and disappearing vehicles, but it would do nothing. It isn't any particular type. Campers, cars, trailer trucks, even a logging wagon are there one second and gone the next. We've had this sort of freeze-frame glitch before, all over the country, but it's really bad in this set."
