Disclaimer: *sings to the tune of Yellow Submarine* WE ALL LIVE IN JKR'S WOLRD, JKR'S WORLD, JKR'S WORLD!
A/N: Thank you all once again for being so wonderful. Your responses are what keep us alive, so keep them coming!
Music filled the air, a soft, haunting melody. The scene changed around him as Jordan stepped closer to the light, straining to hear the harmonious chords. It seemed; however, that the more he walked, the farther the light seem and the louder the music.
He was about to scream in frustration, when the music abruptly cut off. Startled, Jordan bolted up in his bed as the last vestiges of the dream faded away.
"That, " he paused, trying to catch his breath, "was one messed up dream." Looking at his bedside clock, he noticed that it was only a few minutes past midnight. Deciding that it was a good time for a bathroom stop, he climbed out of bed.
As he neared his door, the same haunting melody from his dream floated into the room; invading his senses. Confused, he opened the door, but as he did so, the melody once again broke away.
"That's weird." he whispered, but shrugged it off as a figment of his wild imagination. Finding himself in the bathroom, he began to ponder upon his dream. Wondering where such a sound could have come from, he proceeded to turn on the faucet and splash cold water on his face. After drying it with a nearby washcloth, he made his way slowly to the door. As soon as he opened it, the music filled the room. Wondering if it would stop when he left the room, he took a tentative step forward.
Much to his delight, the music continued; intrigued, he followed it downstairs and into the study. When he arrived, he saw his grandfather sitting on the couch, holding an odd looking muggle object, which the music was emanating from.
"What's that?" he asked quietly, effectively stopping the music once again. Tom looked up, studying his grandson closely.
"I didn't know you were here." he replied, smiling warmly. Patting the seat beside him he signaled for Jordan to join him. "It's called a guitar." he pointed to the device. "Can't sleep, eh?"
"I heard the song in a dream and woke up." Jordan explained, reaching forward to stroke the guitar softly.
"I'm sorry." Tom frowned, averting his gaze to his guitar. "I should have been more quiet"
"Nonono! It's all right!" Jordan grinned, looking up at the older man. "I thought it was amazing." Tom laughed, strumming out a few chords on the instrument. "How do you do that?"
"Would you like me to show you?" Jordan nodded, excitement replacing any trace of tiredness. Shifting closer to his grandfather, he watched attentively as the man instructed him on where to place one's fingers for certain chords and how to strum and finger pick.
Not too long after, Tom had Jordan switching between three chords without much difficulty.
"You're pretty good at that." Jordan's eyes lit up at the praise.
"You really think so?"
"That I do, that I do." Tom smiled warmly at his grandson. Jordan held out the guitar.
"Will you play me another song, Grandpa?" Tom laughed, taking the offered instrument and setting it in his lap.
"Oh, all right. One more." He started strumming a beautiful Irish song. "But after this, off to bed." Jordan closed his eyes, soaking in every note, every rise and fall of his grandfather's strong tenor. It was enough to drive a bitter man to redemption.
'Father should listen to this...' he thought to himself, smirking inwardly. When the song was done, he opened his eyes; surprised to see his grandmother standing in the doorway and smiling.
"All right boys, bed time." Jan took the guitar from her husband, kissing him softly on the lips and leading him out of the room. Jordan stayed for a few minutes, staring longingly at the muggle object, before dousing the lights and returning to bed.
~*~
At breakfast the next morning, Taryn and Jordan got to watch food being cooked for the first time. Sure, they'd learnt about the process, but not being allowed into the kitchens put a hamper on the visual stimulation of the whole experience.
Jan was sipping her coffee and reading a thick paperback romance novel, while Tom sat opposite her, reading that mornings newspaper. Jordan was eating his food slowly, savoring the homemade meal and Taryn was reading the Daily Prophet that Wisdom had dropped off only minutes before.
Noting that everyone was finished with their food, Tom folded his paper and set it aside.
"We have more shopping to do today." he said, staring across the table at his wife. Jan placed her book on the counter and gazed quizzically at her husband.
"We do?"
"Yes." he replied, pointedly. "We do."
"Well." Taryn spoke up, glancing back and forth between her grandparents. "We still need to get something for our parents."
"Yeah." Jordan nodded. "Mum could use some new robes." Jordan winced as his sister's foot came into sharp contact with his shin. "And we need to get him something."
"Him who?" Tom asked, confused to say the least. Jan reached across the table and whacked him upside the head with his rolled up newspaper. 'That answered that question.' he thought wryly.
"J refers to Dad as him or he." Taryn explained, receiving a swift kick to her own shin under the table.
"Your father is still your father, no matter what happens." Jan smiled half-heartedly at her grandchildren. Jordan scowled, averting his gaze to the table top.
"If that man paid the boy any attention, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Tom scoffed, folding his arms over his chest.
"Will you stop it Thomas? You always have to keep the subject going, don't you?" Jordan smirked, leaning closely over to his grandfather.
"And woman always need to change it, don't they?" Tom and Jordan laughed, while Jan and Taryn glared at them.
"Isn't that just like a man, to talk behind a woman's back!" Jan huffed, addressing Taryn. Jordan laughed, standing to give his grandmother a warm hug. Taryn rolled her eyes.
"Don't enjoy it, Gram." she advised. "He's just sucking up. Get's Mum every time."
"It's all right." Jan laughed, patting Jordan on the back. "Why don't you two go in the living room and watch the telly?"
Brother and sister looked at each other uneasily, but followed the orders non-the-less. Jan turned to her husband, frowning.
"They came here to escape their parents." she said, standing and placing the dishes in the sink. "We shouldn't be bickering about them." Tom sighed, moving to stand behind his wife. Embracing her from behind, he planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
"You're right, love." he smiled, closing his eyes. "I'll be a good boy from now on." Jan laughed, turning and hugging the man close. Taryn and Jordan chose that moment to come bursting into the room. Each had a wild expression in their eyes, their faces the look of pure terror.
"There are people trapped inside a box!" Jordan exclaimed, pointing wildly into the livingroom. Taryn nodded frantically, trying to catch her breath. Jan and Tom looked oddly at their grandchildren, wondering what they could be talking about.
"Come on! You have to help them!" Taryn grabbed hold of Tom, dragging him into the living room. Jordan ran forward, Jan on his heels. Crouching before the telly, he frowned at his grandparents.
"Is there anything you can do?" he inquired, worried. Tom and Jan glanced at each other before breaking out into fits of laughter. "Why are you laughing!?"
"Oh dear! It's all right!" Jan exclaimed between laughs. "It's the television." She went on to explain the purpose of a television and what it does. Taryn looked sheepishly at her feet, trying to hide the blush.
"Don't worry about it, Taryn." Tom hugged his granddaughter, trying to ease her embarrassment. "It happens to the best of us."
"Why don't you two run upstairs and get ready." Jan instructed, shooing the teens out of the room. "We'll leave for London in an hour." As they were leaving, Jordan glanced behind his shoulder.
"Wow." he murmured, staring at the telly. "I want a box with people in it."
~*~
"What should we get him?" Jordan was standing beside his sister on the snow-lined sidewalk of London. He was staring through a shop window at a leather jacket that was on display. Pointing it out to Taryn, he smirked. "It would definitely look better than that old drab set of robes he wears every day."
"Somehow, I doubt he'd go for it." Taryn laughed, pulling her brother inside a large building where their grandparents had told them they'd meet.
"So this is a mall?" Taryn asked, turning in circles to survey the endless floors of boutiques, toy stores and other such stores.
"Sure is, Tare." Tom whispered in his granddaughter's ear, startling her. Stepping back, he stared intently at the two teens. "I'm glad to see you two made it back here in one piece."
"Did you get what you were looking for?" Jan asked, spying a large bag in Jordan's hand. Jordan shook his head 'no.'
"We got Mum's with no problem." he said, waving the bag in front of him.
"But we're having trouble deciding what to get Dad." Taryn finished, frowning slightly.
"What's his favorite color?" Jan asked, looking between the two. Taryn rolled her eyes.
"Black."
"Oh."
"Well, what are his interests...hobbies?" Tom raised his eyebrows, mimicking his wife's movements. Jordan smirked.
"Potions."
"Oh."
"I've got it!" Jordan exclaimed, grinning madly.
A half hour later found the quartet standing in the streets of Diagon Alley. Jordan led them all to a clothing store that specialized in muggle wear. Moving to a secluded rack in the back of the store, Jordan rummaged around intently.
"I saw a shirt here a while back that I thought he might like."
"oh?" Taryn raised her eyebrows, while Jan and Tom looked on; not quite comfortable in the magical setting.
"Ah ha!" He exclaimed, returning to the group. In his hand was a black t-shirt. Upon the t-shirt, in silver and green lettering, was the phrase 'I love Potions.'
Taryn eyed him warily.
"Right." she nodded, turning to leave the store. "You can get him that, and I'll go get him a book. I'd rather not spend the next few years of my life pickled in a jar in his classroom." Jordan rolled his eyes, placing his purchase on the counter. Paying the old wizard, he left; finding the rest of his family in a nearby bookstore. Taryn was just paying for a rather large tome on ancient potions.
"Now who's the suck up?" Jordan mocked, sticking out his tongue in a juvenile fashion.
"Shoosh."
"If you're done, kids?" Jan looked at the two. "Let's go home."
~*~
Christmas morning was upon them in no time. After waking his sister up, (in a very rude manner), he ran down the stairs and into the living room. Grinning at the mounds of presents under the tree, Jordan yelled for everyone to get their 'lazy behinds' downstairs.
"Is he always this crazy on Christmas?" Tom yawned, addressing Taryn who had just entered the room.
"Mmmhmmm."
"Oh joy."
"JOY TO THE WORLD MRS. NORRIS IS DEAD! I BARBEQUED HER HEAD!" Jordan belted out the only muggle 'Christmas Carol' he knew. Peeves; however, had purposefully changed around a majority of the words. Something Jordan didn't know even to this day.
Taryn ruffled her brother's hair, plopping down into one of the many plush chairs.
"Need coffee." she grumbled, trying to keep her eyes open.
"No you don't." Jordan sang out.
"Yes I do."
"No you don't."
"Yes I do."
"Yes you do."
"No I don't."
"HA! I told you so!" Jordan cackled insanely, poking Taryn several times in the arm. Tom and Jan laughed from their positions on a nearby couch.
"Since you're so awake, you can hand out the presents." Tom pointed to the tree. Jordan obliged happily, saying 'Happy Christmas' to each as he passed them out.
Tom and Jan were extremely pleased with their animated snow globe of Hogwarts that Jordan had made. (With the help of his mother of course.) Inside, miniatures of the Snape family sat in a horseless carriage, waving to the onlookers.
"The best part about it is, anyone else who looks at it, will only see a snow globe of a castle." Jordan grinned proudly, puffing out his chest. Jan laughed, moving to place the present on the mantle.
Taryn had put together a scrapbook of pictures from the past 18 years. From the day she was born until the most recent Quidditch match that Jordan had won for Gryffindor. The elderly couple watched with awe as the occupants of the pictures moved around, talking and laughing with each other.
"I figured, since you didn't get to see us growing up, this might help a little." She explained, smiling shyly.
"It's wonderful!" Jan wiped away a tear forming at her eyes.
"Now yours." Tom pointed to a large box behind the tree. Jordan heaved the heavy object over to his sister. Taryn ripped off the wrappings, tearing open the box underneath. Smiling, she stared into her reflection.
"My word! Aren't you the cutest little thing!" The mirror exclaimed, causing Taryn to blush.
"Thank you." she mumbled to the mirror, before offering a warmer thanks to her grandparents for the gift.
"My turn!" Jordan exclaimed, ripping the wrapping off of an equally large box. When he tore of the cover, he stared at the contents in disbelief.
"Well?!" Tom grinned much like that of an excited toddler. Jordan glanced up at his grandfather, tears in his eyes.
"Thank you..." he whispered, wiping the tears away. Turning back to the box, he pulled out a hand crafted acoustic guitar. Strumming a few chords, he closed his eyes and let the sound wash over him. "It's beautiful." he added. Setting it down carefully, he returned to the pile of presents.
Spotting an envelope nestled in the tree branches, he snatched it out. Seeing Taryn's name on it, he handed it over. She opened it, read its contents, and blushed wildly.
"What is it!?" Jordan grinned.
"Nothing." she mumbled, trying to stuff it in her pocket. Jordan was too quick for her; however, and had the letter in his hand in no time. Reading the letter, he smirked.
"Dinner with Galvin?" he handed the letter back to Taryn. "That should prove to be quite interesting." Tom and Jan chuckled quietly, watching Taryn turn an amusing shade of red.
"Shoosh."
"Ok, ok." Jordan threw his arms up in surrender. Returning to the tree, he withdrew another present for Taryn. "It's from Mum and him." he said, handing her the package. Inside was a brand new copy of Hogwarts: A History, as well as a note.
"They got me a 3 year subscription to Flourish & Blott's Monthly Bookworm Book club! A new book every month for three years!" She squealed, jumping around in her chair. Jordan rolled his eyes.
"Bookworm Book club...sounds like they made it just for you."
"Say another word and kiss your precious Firebolt goodbye." Taryn threatened, eyes narrowing. Jordan laughed, returning to the tree. Withdrawing a rather small package, he realized it was for him; also from his parents. Opening it, he picked up a silver necklace.
"It's his Family Crest." Jordan's eyes furrowed in thought as he contemplated the family heirloom in his hand. The chain was pure silver, thin -- but magically unbreakable. Dangling from it was a small charm, the Family Crest. A silver Serpent wound three time around a tiny emerald. The Snape Family Motto was inscribed in the serpent's flesh. "I wonder why he gave this to me."
"See, maybe he does care after all." Taryn smirked knowingly at her brother.
"Bloody hell." He mumbled, fingering the charm.
"Watch your language." Jan gently scolded, not taking her eyes off the necklace in her grandson's grasp.
"Sorry." Jordan apologized absentmindedly. An awkward silence filled the room as everyone gazed at the mysterious gift. Finally, Tom cleared his throat.
"Why don't we clean this up and go have some breakfast." Jordan didn't move. Everyone watched him expectantly.
"I don't like green." he said after a while, throwing the necklace back in it's package and the package on top of the table.
"J..." Taryn moved towards her brother, but he shrugged her off and ran up the stairs, slamming and locking the door to his bedroom. Tom was smirking.
"Are you just going to sit there?" Jan asked her husband. "Or are you going to go upstairs and talk to the boy?" Tom smiled reassuringly.
"I'm going." he started walking in the direction of the kitchen. Taryn and Jan eyed him warily. "After I make some of my special hot chocolate."
"Don't you dare use all of my cinnamon, Thomas Granger!" Jan scolded, folding her arms over her chest.
"Mind your business woman." he called back. "Desperate times call for lots o' cinnamon." Jan rolled her eyes, placing a hand on Taryn's shoulder.
"Your grandfather is going to be the death of me." She whispered. Turning back to the doorway, she called out after her husband's retreating back. "You're just using that as an excuse to make your hot chocolate."
"It's working, isn't it?" Tom called back, laughing. Jan sighed, looking at her granddaughter.
"He does make a wonderful cup of hot chocolate." She stated, pulling Taryn in the direction of the kitchen. "I remember when he made me my first cup . . . "
~*~
A/N: Thank you all once again for being so wonderful. Your responses are what keep us alive, so keep them coming!
Music filled the air, a soft, haunting melody. The scene changed around him as Jordan stepped closer to the light, straining to hear the harmonious chords. It seemed; however, that the more he walked, the farther the light seem and the louder the music.
He was about to scream in frustration, when the music abruptly cut off. Startled, Jordan bolted up in his bed as the last vestiges of the dream faded away.
"That, " he paused, trying to catch his breath, "was one messed up dream." Looking at his bedside clock, he noticed that it was only a few minutes past midnight. Deciding that it was a good time for a bathroom stop, he climbed out of bed.
As he neared his door, the same haunting melody from his dream floated into the room; invading his senses. Confused, he opened the door, but as he did so, the melody once again broke away.
"That's weird." he whispered, but shrugged it off as a figment of his wild imagination. Finding himself in the bathroom, he began to ponder upon his dream. Wondering where such a sound could have come from, he proceeded to turn on the faucet and splash cold water on his face. After drying it with a nearby washcloth, he made his way slowly to the door. As soon as he opened it, the music filled the room. Wondering if it would stop when he left the room, he took a tentative step forward.
Much to his delight, the music continued; intrigued, he followed it downstairs and into the study. When he arrived, he saw his grandfather sitting on the couch, holding an odd looking muggle object, which the music was emanating from.
"What's that?" he asked quietly, effectively stopping the music once again. Tom looked up, studying his grandson closely.
"I didn't know you were here." he replied, smiling warmly. Patting the seat beside him he signaled for Jordan to join him. "It's called a guitar." he pointed to the device. "Can't sleep, eh?"
"I heard the song in a dream and woke up." Jordan explained, reaching forward to stroke the guitar softly.
"I'm sorry." Tom frowned, averting his gaze to his guitar. "I should have been more quiet"
"Nonono! It's all right!" Jordan grinned, looking up at the older man. "I thought it was amazing." Tom laughed, strumming out a few chords on the instrument. "How do you do that?"
"Would you like me to show you?" Jordan nodded, excitement replacing any trace of tiredness. Shifting closer to his grandfather, he watched attentively as the man instructed him on where to place one's fingers for certain chords and how to strum and finger pick.
Not too long after, Tom had Jordan switching between three chords without much difficulty.
"You're pretty good at that." Jordan's eyes lit up at the praise.
"You really think so?"
"That I do, that I do." Tom smiled warmly at his grandson. Jordan held out the guitar.
"Will you play me another song, Grandpa?" Tom laughed, taking the offered instrument and setting it in his lap.
"Oh, all right. One more." He started strumming a beautiful Irish song. "But after this, off to bed." Jordan closed his eyes, soaking in every note, every rise and fall of his grandfather's strong tenor. It was enough to drive a bitter man to redemption.
'Father should listen to this...' he thought to himself, smirking inwardly. When the song was done, he opened his eyes; surprised to see his grandmother standing in the doorway and smiling.
"All right boys, bed time." Jan took the guitar from her husband, kissing him softly on the lips and leading him out of the room. Jordan stayed for a few minutes, staring longingly at the muggle object, before dousing the lights and returning to bed.
~*~
At breakfast the next morning, Taryn and Jordan got to watch food being cooked for the first time. Sure, they'd learnt about the process, but not being allowed into the kitchens put a hamper on the visual stimulation of the whole experience.
Jan was sipping her coffee and reading a thick paperback romance novel, while Tom sat opposite her, reading that mornings newspaper. Jordan was eating his food slowly, savoring the homemade meal and Taryn was reading the Daily Prophet that Wisdom had dropped off only minutes before.
Noting that everyone was finished with their food, Tom folded his paper and set it aside.
"We have more shopping to do today." he said, staring across the table at his wife. Jan placed her book on the counter and gazed quizzically at her husband.
"We do?"
"Yes." he replied, pointedly. "We do."
"Well." Taryn spoke up, glancing back and forth between her grandparents. "We still need to get something for our parents."
"Yeah." Jordan nodded. "Mum could use some new robes." Jordan winced as his sister's foot came into sharp contact with his shin. "And we need to get him something."
"Him who?" Tom asked, confused to say the least. Jan reached across the table and whacked him upside the head with his rolled up newspaper. 'That answered that question.' he thought wryly.
"J refers to Dad as him or he." Taryn explained, receiving a swift kick to her own shin under the table.
"Your father is still your father, no matter what happens." Jan smiled half-heartedly at her grandchildren. Jordan scowled, averting his gaze to the table top.
"If that man paid the boy any attention, we wouldn't be having this conversation." Tom scoffed, folding his arms over his chest.
"Will you stop it Thomas? You always have to keep the subject going, don't you?" Jordan smirked, leaning closely over to his grandfather.
"And woman always need to change it, don't they?" Tom and Jordan laughed, while Jan and Taryn glared at them.
"Isn't that just like a man, to talk behind a woman's back!" Jan huffed, addressing Taryn. Jordan laughed, standing to give his grandmother a warm hug. Taryn rolled her eyes.
"Don't enjoy it, Gram." she advised. "He's just sucking up. Get's Mum every time."
"It's all right." Jan laughed, patting Jordan on the back. "Why don't you two go in the living room and watch the telly?"
Brother and sister looked at each other uneasily, but followed the orders non-the-less. Jan turned to her husband, frowning.
"They came here to escape their parents." she said, standing and placing the dishes in the sink. "We shouldn't be bickering about them." Tom sighed, moving to stand behind his wife. Embracing her from behind, he planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
"You're right, love." he smiled, closing his eyes. "I'll be a good boy from now on." Jan laughed, turning and hugging the man close. Taryn and Jordan chose that moment to come bursting into the room. Each had a wild expression in their eyes, their faces the look of pure terror.
"There are people trapped inside a box!" Jordan exclaimed, pointing wildly into the livingroom. Taryn nodded frantically, trying to catch her breath. Jan and Tom looked oddly at their grandchildren, wondering what they could be talking about.
"Come on! You have to help them!" Taryn grabbed hold of Tom, dragging him into the living room. Jordan ran forward, Jan on his heels. Crouching before the telly, he frowned at his grandparents.
"Is there anything you can do?" he inquired, worried. Tom and Jan glanced at each other before breaking out into fits of laughter. "Why are you laughing!?"
"Oh dear! It's all right!" Jan exclaimed between laughs. "It's the television." She went on to explain the purpose of a television and what it does. Taryn looked sheepishly at her feet, trying to hide the blush.
"Don't worry about it, Taryn." Tom hugged his granddaughter, trying to ease her embarrassment. "It happens to the best of us."
"Why don't you two run upstairs and get ready." Jan instructed, shooing the teens out of the room. "We'll leave for London in an hour." As they were leaving, Jordan glanced behind his shoulder.
"Wow." he murmured, staring at the telly. "I want a box with people in it."
~*~
"What should we get him?" Jordan was standing beside his sister on the snow-lined sidewalk of London. He was staring through a shop window at a leather jacket that was on display. Pointing it out to Taryn, he smirked. "It would definitely look better than that old drab set of robes he wears every day."
"Somehow, I doubt he'd go for it." Taryn laughed, pulling her brother inside a large building where their grandparents had told them they'd meet.
"So this is a mall?" Taryn asked, turning in circles to survey the endless floors of boutiques, toy stores and other such stores.
"Sure is, Tare." Tom whispered in his granddaughter's ear, startling her. Stepping back, he stared intently at the two teens. "I'm glad to see you two made it back here in one piece."
"Did you get what you were looking for?" Jan asked, spying a large bag in Jordan's hand. Jordan shook his head 'no.'
"We got Mum's with no problem." he said, waving the bag in front of him.
"But we're having trouble deciding what to get Dad." Taryn finished, frowning slightly.
"What's his favorite color?" Jan asked, looking between the two. Taryn rolled her eyes.
"Black."
"Oh."
"Well, what are his interests...hobbies?" Tom raised his eyebrows, mimicking his wife's movements. Jordan smirked.
"Potions."
"Oh."
"I've got it!" Jordan exclaimed, grinning madly.
A half hour later found the quartet standing in the streets of Diagon Alley. Jordan led them all to a clothing store that specialized in muggle wear. Moving to a secluded rack in the back of the store, Jordan rummaged around intently.
"I saw a shirt here a while back that I thought he might like."
"oh?" Taryn raised her eyebrows, while Jan and Tom looked on; not quite comfortable in the magical setting.
"Ah ha!" He exclaimed, returning to the group. In his hand was a black t-shirt. Upon the t-shirt, in silver and green lettering, was the phrase 'I love Potions.'
Taryn eyed him warily.
"Right." she nodded, turning to leave the store. "You can get him that, and I'll go get him a book. I'd rather not spend the next few years of my life pickled in a jar in his classroom." Jordan rolled his eyes, placing his purchase on the counter. Paying the old wizard, he left; finding the rest of his family in a nearby bookstore. Taryn was just paying for a rather large tome on ancient potions.
"Now who's the suck up?" Jordan mocked, sticking out his tongue in a juvenile fashion.
"Shoosh."
"If you're done, kids?" Jan looked at the two. "Let's go home."
~*~
Christmas morning was upon them in no time. After waking his sister up, (in a very rude manner), he ran down the stairs and into the living room. Grinning at the mounds of presents under the tree, Jordan yelled for everyone to get their 'lazy behinds' downstairs.
"Is he always this crazy on Christmas?" Tom yawned, addressing Taryn who had just entered the room.
"Mmmhmmm."
"Oh joy."
"JOY TO THE WORLD MRS. NORRIS IS DEAD! I BARBEQUED HER HEAD!" Jordan belted out the only muggle 'Christmas Carol' he knew. Peeves; however, had purposefully changed around a majority of the words. Something Jordan didn't know even to this day.
Taryn ruffled her brother's hair, plopping down into one of the many plush chairs.
"Need coffee." she grumbled, trying to keep her eyes open.
"No you don't." Jordan sang out.
"Yes I do."
"No you don't."
"Yes I do."
"Yes you do."
"No I don't."
"HA! I told you so!" Jordan cackled insanely, poking Taryn several times in the arm. Tom and Jan laughed from their positions on a nearby couch.
"Since you're so awake, you can hand out the presents." Tom pointed to the tree. Jordan obliged happily, saying 'Happy Christmas' to each as he passed them out.
Tom and Jan were extremely pleased with their animated snow globe of Hogwarts that Jordan had made. (With the help of his mother of course.) Inside, miniatures of the Snape family sat in a horseless carriage, waving to the onlookers.
"The best part about it is, anyone else who looks at it, will only see a snow globe of a castle." Jordan grinned proudly, puffing out his chest. Jan laughed, moving to place the present on the mantle.
Taryn had put together a scrapbook of pictures from the past 18 years. From the day she was born until the most recent Quidditch match that Jordan had won for Gryffindor. The elderly couple watched with awe as the occupants of the pictures moved around, talking and laughing with each other.
"I figured, since you didn't get to see us growing up, this might help a little." She explained, smiling shyly.
"It's wonderful!" Jan wiped away a tear forming at her eyes.
"Now yours." Tom pointed to a large box behind the tree. Jordan heaved the heavy object over to his sister. Taryn ripped off the wrappings, tearing open the box underneath. Smiling, she stared into her reflection.
"My word! Aren't you the cutest little thing!" The mirror exclaimed, causing Taryn to blush.
"Thank you." she mumbled to the mirror, before offering a warmer thanks to her grandparents for the gift.
"My turn!" Jordan exclaimed, ripping the wrapping off of an equally large box. When he tore of the cover, he stared at the contents in disbelief.
"Well?!" Tom grinned much like that of an excited toddler. Jordan glanced up at his grandfather, tears in his eyes.
"Thank you..." he whispered, wiping the tears away. Turning back to the box, he pulled out a hand crafted acoustic guitar. Strumming a few chords, he closed his eyes and let the sound wash over him. "It's beautiful." he added. Setting it down carefully, he returned to the pile of presents.
Spotting an envelope nestled in the tree branches, he snatched it out. Seeing Taryn's name on it, he handed it over. She opened it, read its contents, and blushed wildly.
"What is it!?" Jordan grinned.
"Nothing." she mumbled, trying to stuff it in her pocket. Jordan was too quick for her; however, and had the letter in his hand in no time. Reading the letter, he smirked.
"Dinner with Galvin?" he handed the letter back to Taryn. "That should prove to be quite interesting." Tom and Jan chuckled quietly, watching Taryn turn an amusing shade of red.
"Shoosh."
"Ok, ok." Jordan threw his arms up in surrender. Returning to the tree, he withdrew another present for Taryn. "It's from Mum and him." he said, handing her the package. Inside was a brand new copy of Hogwarts: A History, as well as a note.
"They got me a 3 year subscription to Flourish & Blott's Monthly Bookworm Book club! A new book every month for three years!" She squealed, jumping around in her chair. Jordan rolled his eyes.
"Bookworm Book club...sounds like they made it just for you."
"Say another word and kiss your precious Firebolt goodbye." Taryn threatened, eyes narrowing. Jordan laughed, returning to the tree. Withdrawing a rather small package, he realized it was for him; also from his parents. Opening it, he picked up a silver necklace.
"It's his Family Crest." Jordan's eyes furrowed in thought as he contemplated the family heirloom in his hand. The chain was pure silver, thin -- but magically unbreakable. Dangling from it was a small charm, the Family Crest. A silver Serpent wound three time around a tiny emerald. The Snape Family Motto was inscribed in the serpent's flesh. "I wonder why he gave this to me."
"See, maybe he does care after all." Taryn smirked knowingly at her brother.
"Bloody hell." He mumbled, fingering the charm.
"Watch your language." Jan gently scolded, not taking her eyes off the necklace in her grandson's grasp.
"Sorry." Jordan apologized absentmindedly. An awkward silence filled the room as everyone gazed at the mysterious gift. Finally, Tom cleared his throat.
"Why don't we clean this up and go have some breakfast." Jordan didn't move. Everyone watched him expectantly.
"I don't like green." he said after a while, throwing the necklace back in it's package and the package on top of the table.
"J..." Taryn moved towards her brother, but he shrugged her off and ran up the stairs, slamming and locking the door to his bedroom. Tom was smirking.
"Are you just going to sit there?" Jan asked her husband. "Or are you going to go upstairs and talk to the boy?" Tom smiled reassuringly.
"I'm going." he started walking in the direction of the kitchen. Taryn and Jan eyed him warily. "After I make some of my special hot chocolate."
"Don't you dare use all of my cinnamon, Thomas Granger!" Jan scolded, folding her arms over her chest.
"Mind your business woman." he called back. "Desperate times call for lots o' cinnamon." Jan rolled her eyes, placing a hand on Taryn's shoulder.
"Your grandfather is going to be the death of me." She whispered. Turning back to the doorway, she called out after her husband's retreating back. "You're just using that as an excuse to make your hot chocolate."
"It's working, isn't it?" Tom called back, laughing. Jan sighed, looking at her granddaughter.
"He does make a wonderful cup of hot chocolate." She stated, pulling Taryn in the direction of the kitchen. "I remember when he made me my first cup . . . "
~*~