So, this one is very different. As it's now December, I decided to throw in a Christmas themed chapter where Harry reads to his daughter. There should be a couple more chapters with the typical fare the end of the year. As for the future of this thread? Well, I've got a bunch of ideas that I can put into use in 2023, a list that has recently grown quite a bit longer owing to several guest reviewers leaving me long lists of ideas/suggestions. I'll be able to keep this thread going for a while.
It was Christmas Eve in 2011 and Harry Potter was in his daughter Lily's room. Lily was three now and Harry had a copy of the classic poem Twas the Nig ht Before Christmas in hands. Harry had read Twas the Night Before Christmas to James for the first time in 2007 when he was three and had read it to Albus for the first in 2009 when he was three. Now it was Lily's turn to hear it for the first time. Harry opened the book and began to read.
"Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
"Total quiet?" asked Lily.
"In that moment, yes, " answered Harry.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
"St. Nicolas?" said Lily in a confused voice.
"Another name for Santa Claus, " said Harry simply, realizing Lily was a little too young to understand the evolution of the character.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
"Sugar plums?" piped up Lily.
"Hard candy in ball or shell form made from hardened sugar, " explained Harry , "They were extremely popular at the time this was written."
"Oh, okay," said Lily, her eyes alglow and her mouthing watering a bit.
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
"Clatter?' said Lily in a confused voice.
"Loud noise, " replied Harry patiently.
"Like fireworks?" inquired Lily.
"Not quite, " explained Harry, "Think more of loud banging or something."
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Gave a luster of midday to objects below,
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny rein-deer,
With a little old driver so lively and quick,
"Oh, Santa's arriving!" said Lily eagerly.
I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick.
"Knew it!" cooed Lily.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!
"Are those the traditional names for Santa's reindeer?" asked Lily curiously.
"Yes, and it was this story that popularized these as the names of Santa's reindeer, " said Harry cheerfully.
"How old is this tale?" wondered Lily.
"It was written in 1823," Harry informed her.
"188 years old this year?" smiled Lily, "That's awesome that children have been this great tale for damn near two centuries
"This story has stood the test of time," piped up Harry admiringly.
"Deservedly so," added Lily.
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up to the housetop the coursers they flew
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too—
"Santa's bringing toys," said Lily happily.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
"Yeah!" grinned Lily.
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow;
He had a broad face and a little round belly
"He's so cute," cooed Lily.
That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
"Santa is fat right," said Lily.
"Yes," answered Harry.
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
"Of course not, " piped up Lily.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
YES! PRESENTS!" said Lily glowingly.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight—
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"
"Happy Christmas?" said Lily in a disappointed voice.
"That's how it was written, " said Harry matter of factly., "But if prefer."
Harry paused and said, "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
Lily gave Harry a small smile and fell asleep.
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LemonPainter92
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Much love from Arizona for all the support. Love you all -Michael :)