Christmas at the Manor
"Are you ready to talk about it?" Draco asked.
They were sitting in the kitchen of the manor, mugs of hot mead steaming in front of them. Draco had been eyeing Olivia curiously since their arrival but he hadn't asked her a direct question. She supposed it was because he wanted to make sure she was up for the conversation. Although she had anticipated it, her mind still felt fuzzy, she wasn't ready to open up.
When Olivia chose to look out the window, instead of responding, Draco stood up and kissed her gently on the forehead. He knew better than to pressure her into a talk so he left it alone.
"Perhaps tomorrow?" he asked.
She nodded slightly.
When he was out of the room Olivia broke down into tears once again. The events were still plaguing her but she didn't want her father to worry so she kept them bottled inside. It would take her a few days before she was able to sleep through the night without the interruption of unwanted nightmares and even longer before she was able to talk about it, without crying, with her father.
"Oli," cried her father from behind the bedroom door. "Wake up, it's Christmas morning!"
Olivia's long, slim body was sprawled out on the bed. There were a number of text books laying open on her sheets and a few crumbled pieces of parchments. She opened up a weary eye and looked around her brightening room. Lazily she sat up on and pushed her homework out of the way. It seemed that the only thing that kept Olivia occupied was her schoolwork, that and the various messages she had received from her friends.
"I'll be down in a minute," she called to her patient father.
As she got dressed for Christmas breakfast Olivia thought about the comforting words her friends had offered her. Sylvia expressed warm words of concern over her and James' well being. Leticia wrote mostly about the anger she felt toward the "Notts character," as she referred to him. Then there was James, whose first letter revealed nothing but genuine concern, regret, and anger over his inability to stop the event from escalating. At that, Olivia responded that if it weren't for him and his valiant efforts she might have been harmed beyond repair. His letters after that were softer, with words of affection and hope of seeing her soon. It was with the help of James, her friends, and her father that she was finally able to put the situation, somewhat, behind her.
The formal dining room had been set up for Christmas breakfast. The chandeliers were lit to the fullest. Rows and rows of holly hung around the room. A second tree had been decorated and set up at the edge of the room. Icicles hung from its branches and twinkled in the soft light of the roaring fire. It was a grand affair, and even though it was only the tree of them, Draco had insisted that Boscos join them, it was a wonderful meal.
In the den, under a rather large Christmas tree was a pile of presents waiting silently to be opened. It was hard for Olivia not to squeal in delight as her father handed her box after box of gifts. She received a color changing cloak from Leticia, a set of peacock quills from Leslie, and a big box of chocolates from Rodrick. James had sent her a package with a blank piece of parchment and a beautiful wooden jewelry box. She put them aside as Draco approached her with a small gift in his hands.
"This is for you," he said as Olivia took the box. "Happy Christmas, Oli."
"Thanks, Daddy," she said excitedly as she tore open the wrapping. In a silver pouch was a white gold locket. The family crest was engraved on the front of its oval shaped charm. She opened it up and found a picture of her father and mother waving up at her.
"You're mother was pregnant when we took that picture," he added.
"Oh Daddy, It's stunning," she walked over and put her arms around his neck. "Thank you."
"Thank you for the photo album it's wonderful," he said as he turned the leather bound book in his hands. Olivia had spent the last few days adding pictures to the album. Most of them were of her and Draco and a few of them included her mother.
"Look," she said as she took the album from her father. "I found some pictures of you, from when you were younger and I put them in there, see? Boscos helped me."
She turned to the first page of the album and pointed to the pictures of her father. They were taken in his time at Hogwarts the small crest was visible on his dark robes. At first she had not recognized her own father in the pictures. It seemed strange and unnatural, that pose after pose, he wasn't smiling. And even when she stared at it, the miniature figure of her father just sulked and crossed his arms, but never once cracked a smile.
Draco looked down upon the album and for a second Olivia was worried that he was upset. A shadow had crossed his face reminding her of the sulking boy in the pictures. But as soon as he turned to the pictures of her mother Draco was smiling once again.
"I love it," he said kissing her gently on the forehead.
"Happy Christmas, Daddy."
After all of the gifts were opened they decided to take a quick stroll through the garden. The sky was a clear, crisp blue and there was a fresh blanket of snow covering the grounds. Although the Manor was beautiful during the spring, with its green gardens full of fragrant flowers, there was a beauty to be found in the gleaming whiteness of the snow. It reminded Olivia of the night she had spent outside of Hogwarts with James, the same stillness, the same winter wonderland.
"Are you happy, Oli?" her father asked after they had walked a short distance.
The question might have been sudden but it did not catch Olivia by surprise. Ever since she had returned to the Manor she had been thinking a lot about how much her life had changed in such a short period of time. And she often caught her father watching her intently, as if trying to get insight into her thoughts. Olivia thought that her father's curiosity over her feelings was well warranted. So much of her life had changed. She had gone through a new school, new people, and a new perspective of her father.
Throughout her life she had known her father only to be a kind and loving individual. He loved her and did everything he could to make her happy. But slowly, Olivia was beginning to realize that the possibility that her father was hiding something was probable, or highly likely. His childhood had been rocky, that she had found out first hand from him, but even so, Olivia felt as though it had not been the whole truth. And then there was his association in Slytherin house, which she was slowly learning, had a warranted reputation.
Although the thoughts on her father were disturbing, Olivia drew strength from the fact that she did not have much more to complain about. She had a social life, an increasing education, and people who loved her. She thought about all of that and held on to it tightly. It was only by doing this that she was able to answer 'yes' honestly.
After a wonderful holiday dinner, Oli sat in the den looking over her gifts. The cloak that Leticia had given her was draped over her shoulders. When she had put it on it had turned into a deep blue color that matched the ribbon on the dress she was wearing. It was an incredible gift. It would be an extremely versatile piece of clothing. She was running a hand lazily over its velvety texture when she saw the piece of parchment James had given her sitting on the table in front of her. Picking it up she examined it closely, to make sure there really wasn't anything written on it. It was completely blank. Unwilling to believe it had been a mistake on James' part Olivia had decided to contact him when something in the fireplace caught her eye. For a brief second, it looked as though she had seen the head of Leticia smiling at her from the flames. Olivia blinked, and looked once again, the face reappeared, realization hit her and she got down on her knees for a closer look.
"Tish?" she laughed. "How are you?"
"Happy Christmas, Olivia!" Leticia's floating head squeaked with excitement. "I just wanted to say thanks for the mirror. It's spectacular! It makes me look positively amazing. Or at least that's what it told me a few minutes ago when I looked through it!"
"I'm so glad you liked it. I figured you needed a little reinforcement in the morning. Oh I've missed you so much! Have you heard from Sylvia?" she asked.
"Yeah, she's still in Canada with her parents. Listen I actually wanted to talk to you. Do you have any plans for New Years?"
"Um, no," she answered truthfully. The topic had not come up. "Why?"
"Well. It's just that, how would you like to come and spend it with me? Here, in California?"
"I-," Olivia thought about it for a moment. It sounded completely amazing. Unlike her father, Olivia was actually interested in traveling. This was a perfect opportunity for her to get started. "That would be wonderful. But, I really don't know what Daddy would say. I guess I could mention it to him."
"Listen," she offered. "If he starts going ballistic on you, tell him my parents are totally cool with it. I can get them to talk to him if you'd like."
"No, let me handle it," Olivia said. She looked towards the den door in hopes of seeing her father. She was eager to run the idea by him. When she saw he wasn't there, she turned back to the fire. "I'll talk to him and then-."
She stopped in mid sentence. Something else had caught her eye. For a brief second, the bright face of her friend had been replaced by James' head.
"Hey," Leticia shouted as if she had just been pushed. "What's going on?"
Olivia watched as Leticia's head was once again replaced by James. This time she heard a tentative "hello." Sudden realization hit her and laughing she said, "Hey Tish? I'll talk to Daddy and I'll get back to you. James is trying to come in."
"Oh! Is that what that was?" she asked. "Kay, I'll be waiting, bye!"
"Bye," Olivia shouted. She waited patiently as James is head reappeared once again. Catching sight of her he smiled.
"Hi there," she told him. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas," he added. "Is the network clear?"
"It is now. Talk about call waiting."
"What?" he asked.
"Nothing, it's a Muggle thing."
"Oh," he responded with a puzzled look on his face. "Did you get my gifts?"
"Yes! Thank you so much for the jewelry box, it's beautiful. But," she paused. "I think you sent me a spare bit of parchment by mistake."
"No, I didn't," he laughed. "It's a double sided parchment. I've got the other piece. We can send each other message's with it. Look, I'll show you, get your piece."
Olivia found the parchment on the table and grabbed a quill as well.
"I've got mine right here," he told her. "Just watch your piece."
She looked down at the blank piece of paper. After several seconds the neat slanted writing of James began to appear.
Hello, Olivia. I've missed you.
"That's amazing," she said laughing. "And if I-?"
"Yes," James answered before she asked. "I'll see what you write on my piece. I figured it was a faster way for us to keep in touch. Plus, we can use it at school and no one will notice."
"It's really great," she said laying the paper aside. She looked up at James smiling face and it hit her suddenly, how much she missed him. "I miss you so much," she confessed.
"Me too," he said softly. "But it won't be for long. We'll be back at school soon and then you'll be complaining about having to see my face all the time."
"I won't ever do that," she said, taking a large pillow from the sofa and settling in front of the fireplace. "I like having it around."
"My face?" he joked.
"And every other part of you," she added.
"Well that's good because I'm not planning on leaving you any time soon."
"That's nice to hear. I-"
"Olivia?" her father called from outside the hall.
"Listen," she spoke to James. "I'll talk to you later. I've got to ask my father something." They said their goodbyes and Olivia followed the sound of her father's voice.
"Daddy?" she cried out. She found him in the kitchen with two cups of tea set up on the table.
"Tea?" he asked her.
"Yes, please." She took the steaming cup and sat down directly in front of Draco. The lump developing in Olivia's throat was preventing her from drinking and talking, both of which she was dying to do. The scent of chamomile was enticing and she was dying to ask her father about California. Finally managing to take a small sip, she set the cup down and looked up at her father.
"Daddy, I have to ask you something."
"What is it?" he asked taking his wand and pouring out extra cream from its tip.
"Well," she started. "It's just that I just spoke to Leticia. And, well, she sort of invited me to spend new years with her, in California. And I thought maybe, well, do you think I could go?"
"To California?" he asked.
"Yes."
"For New Years?" he repeated.
"Yes." Olivia was starting to get nervous. The conversation was leading to an answer she didn't want to hear.
"Well…," he started, slowly.
"Daddy, it's okay," she added quickly. "Tish has already spoken to her parents. Mr. and Mrs. Bradley said it would be fine. Oh please, Daddy. Do you think, perhaps, I can go?"
"Actually," he smiled. "I was planning a quick trip for that weekend but I was worried about leaving you alone for the holiday. I can only close your grandmother's Swiss account in person. I want to do it before the year begins, it'll be one less thing to worry about."
"Well that just works out perfectly, doesn't it?"
"I guess it does," he answered simply.
Unable to hold her excitement Olivia drank her tea with much more vigor, burning her tongue slightly in the process.
"Send Boscos an owl as soon as you get to Leticia's house. Now, you have the name of the place where I'll be staying. Even though I'll only be staying there a few days do not hesitate to send an owl if there is an emergency. You'll remember to use the express owl, right? Okay, I think that's it. Remember to send an owl as-,"
"Yes, Daddy," she interrupted. "I'll remember." It was the third time that morning that they had gone over the same instructions.
"Of course you will," he told her. "Have a safe trip, Oli. I love you and I'll see you next year."
"Bye, Daddy," she said as she watched him apparate.
As sad as she was watching her father go, Olivia could not contain the excitement she was feeling. Her own trip would take place in just a few hours and she still needed the traveling trunk that Boscos had promised her.
"Boscos," she called out to him. The old man came in from the kitchen, a ring of keys jingling in his hands. Olivia smiled at him and followed as he made his way through the house.
"Right this way, Mi-, Olivia." They had reached the foot of the third floor stairs. Olivia had not been up there and she raised her eyebrows at Boscos for suggesting it. "The trunk," he said as he pointed a red finger towards the top. "It's packed away on the third floor. My knees are much to sore to make the trip. It'll be right in the main room, you'll find it. I shall give you the key."
He turned the bundle of keys until he found the right one and than handed it to Olivia. With the key in her hand she took the steps slowly her curiosity rising at the prospect of finally being able to see the mysterious top floor of the manor. When she reached the top she was met with a dark green door with the letter 'D' engraved in it's center. Olivia slowly traced its intricate grooves as she slipped the key into the brass knob and turned it.
The main room looked exactly like a sitting room. There was a stone fireplace surrounded by small wooden tables and high backed chairs. Most of the big pieces were covered in sheets but the dust was still thick. Glancing around, Olivia found several doors that led out of the room. Putting the thoughts of the trunk aside she turned towards the first door in order satisfy her curiosity.
The bedroom was twice as big as the waiting room and just as dusty. The heavy green drapes made the room as dark as midnight. The fireplace stood empty and the room was cold, like it hadn't been lit in years. Olivia walked over to the drapes in a desperate attempt to let light in. When she reached up and took the velvety fabric in her hand she heard a slight creak of wood and the entire railing came tumbling down. Rushing out of the way as a storm of dust swirled around her, Olivia knocked an empty vase off of the small side table that stood in her way.
"Bugger," she said to herself as she watched it roll under the bed. Leaving the curtain where it fell she got down on the floor and reached out a blind hand for the vase. With only a few dust bunnies in her possession she was about to give up when her fingers came up on something cool and smooth. Closing her fingers around it she pulled it out and stood up.
"Miss Olivia," cried a muffled voice from the bottom floor. "Miss Olivia isn't it about time for you to be on your way?"
"I'll be right down Boscos!" she yelled as she ran down the stairs. The trunk and leather bound book she had found grasped firmly in her hands.
A/N: please if anyone is actually reading this tell me what you think!