The following morning Credence awoke to the sound of bells, his mother's collar jingling merrily as she trotted upstairs. She had started taking boxes out of the attic, and was in the process of decorating when the doorbell rang.
It wasn't long until the noise reached the slumbering serpent on the foot of Credence's bed, her body transforming as smooth skin took the place of glossy green scales.
"Is there someone at the door?" she queried, lifting a hand and rubbing sleep from her eyes. Nagini crept across the mattress on her knees, stopping by the window and gazing out across the snow covered lawn. "Credence, it looks like Les has stopped by for a visit. But is that - ?" Her sentence ended abruptly, her jaw dropping at the sight outside the window.
"What is it, Nagini?" Credence sat up slowly, one hand reaching for the curtain and easing it aside. Together they watched as Barty went running across the yard, chasing a toddler who had abandoned his pants in the driveway.
Les looked back at them, sighing and shaking her head. "I'll handle this, Barty," she calmly stated, her breath steaming in the frigid air.
The Dementor lifted off the ground, her cloak billowing out behind her as she hovered over the rambunctious toddler. A scaly could be seen reaching out from under a length of fabric, withdrawing the sagging hood that covered her face. The air was then filled with a terrible wet, rasping sound, the fleeing two-year old swept off his feet by the power of his mother's suction.
"Mummy, no!" Gellert wailed, twisting and flailing in a futile attempt to escape. "I don't wanna wear no icky pants!" The words had barely left his mouth when he felt a pair of hands close around his waist, his cries growing louder and more frantic as he was forced into his pants for the second time that morning.
Nagini looked back at Credence. "And you say this is the man who gave you your wand and told you who you really are?"
"Sort of." Credence was still a moment, watching the Dementor thread an enchanted ribbon through the child's belt loop. "I still have a lot to learn about the wizarding world. Like potions that turn grown men into little children."
Credence looked away when the sound of jingling bells returned, followed shortly by the soft thump of paws on the staircase. His mother was moving downstairs, and Nagini was eager to join her. Credence, however, preferred to stay in bed. It was only with some gentle coaxing that he emerged from his room to greet the guests.
"Come on," Nagini said, taking him by the hand and leading him out into the hall. Together they made their way downstairs, stopping when they saw the colorful packages Barty was carrying across the threshold.
One by one, the pile of presents began to grow, each one wrapped in brightly colored paper with curling ribbons and decorative name labels. They looked nice, but Credence didn't really think that any of them were for him. Though maybe, if he was lucky, Modesty might have brought him something.
"Credence."
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his mother's voice. He looked towards the front door, seeing a young girl dressed in a warm winter coat and boots, her mother standing beside her in the doorway.
"Sweetheart, you remember your sister, Modesty?" Dragon was saying, the little girl wiping the snow off her boots.
The Obscurial nodded and smiled politely. The next thing he knew Modesty was running towards him, flinging her arms around her delighted but still painfully shy brother.
"Modesty!" The sound of his exclamation made the guests smile at his reaction. Les was heard commenting on how cute they were, while Nagini covered her mouth and giggled. "It's good to see you again," he said softly, his arms around her in an awkward embrace.
"I hope you don't mind us stopping by," said Les, drifting along with all the style and grace of a proper Dementor. "I know you weren't expecting us until next week, but the kids wanted to drop off some last minute gifts." She then leaned in close and added in a whisper, "Don't worry, Dragon. I made sure Gel didn't wrap his pants and stick them in the pile of presents."
Dragon cocked her head to the side, a pleasant smile forming on her lips. "Of course we don't mind. You know you're always welcome in our home, Les." She looked back at her son, and was delighted to see him engaged in conversation with Modesty.
Finally, her son was going to have the joyful holiday season he deserved.
.oOo.
One by one, their voices began to depart, cheerful farewells and promises of return as the embers in the fireplace sprang to life. Outside the skies were grey, inside the halls were warm, the softly shimmering candles shining in the night.
In the silence that followed, Credence made his way over to the partially decorated tree, admiring the strands of tinsel adorning its branches. His mother had chosen shades of blue and bronze with silver ornaments shaped like glittering stars.
"It's beautiful," he murmured, the enchanted lights casting shadows along the contours of his face.
A flicker of warmth brushed against his skin, causing him to start when Nagini's hand brushed against his own.
"I'm sorry," she said, her eyes finding his before quickly looking away. "It's a very nice tree," she added when the silence between them had lingered for too long. "You're mother did a good job decorating it, Credence."
"But it isn't finished yet," he said, pausing took look back at his mother.
The Dranine was in the process of dragging the box of decorations across the floor, her fangs sinking into the cardboard that was threatening to split down the middle.
Seeing that she could use some help, Credence went to her and moved the box closer to the tree.
"Thank you, son," said Dragon, her ears drooping from exhaustion. "Sweetheart, would you be so kind as to help me finish decorating the tree?"
The Obscurial hesitated, unsure of what to say. Knowing his luck, he'd probably make a mess of things. As was usually the case whenever he tried helping out.
"Go on," Nagini whispered, her lips curling in a smile. She gently nudged him forward then reached into the cardboard box, her fingers closing around an ornament wrapped in brown paper.
There was rustling paper, followed by a low gasp, the Maledictus inhaling sharply as the paper was stripped away, revealing a green serpent wearing a Santa hat. "Dragon, it's adorable!" she cooed, lifting the little snake and admiring the glossy sheen on its scales. "It looks just like me."
"It's supposed to, Nagini. See, I've been collecting animal ornaments for a number of years. That one is meant to symbolize you. And Credence," Dragon looked over at her son, "this one I had made just for you." She then poked her snout into the cardboard box, emerging a minute later with a package in her jaws.
Curious, he knelt before his mother, allowing her to drop the package in his hands. "What is it?" Credence asked, standing slowly and glancing at Nagini.
The Maledictus was standing behind him, one hand on his shoulder as she raised herself up on her tiptoes, trying to get a better look at the unopened present. "Open it and see, Credence!" she said excitedly. "Maybe it's something pretty, like a snowflake ornament or a poinsettia."
His fingers tentatively reached beneath the corner of the wrapping paper, tearing it along the side. Something red came into view; the corner of a wing, the flowing tail feathers he recognized from his mother's books. Credence peeled away the remaining bits of paper, revealing a phoenix with a candy cane in its beak.
Dragon smiled, watching his expression brighten as the scarlet bird came into view. "Think of it as an early solstice gift, Credence. A present to celebrate the discovery of your true identity."
Credence stared at the miniature phoenix, astonishment etched into the lines on his face. "Thank you," he said, turning the ornament over in his hands. "This is what he'll look like when he's fully grown?" His mother nodded, and slowly he turned, placing the ornament on the tree.
"There's one more." Dragon reached into the box, being careful not to tear the paper as she removed a third ornament.
Credence and Nagini exchanged curious glances, the Maledictus coming forward and reaching for the parcel in Dragon's jaws. She carefully removed the ornament, sadness tugging at her heart when she unwrapped the package and saw a raven lying in the palm of her hand.
"Leta Lestrange," Nagini whispered, gazing tearfully at the ornament. Though she hadn't known her very well, she had seen enough to know her kindness and regret, remembering the story she told and the family she lost.
"I'm sure they're together now," said Dragon, glancing out the window at the starry skies above. "Two ravens in flight, one reaching out to hold the other after so many years apart. But that doesn't mean some part of her can't remain here with us."
Nagini nodded in agreement, then stood and placed the ornament on the tree.
They continued adding ornaments, a stunning unicorn and an adorable niffler finding their place amongst the stars and tinsel, until the time had come to add the finishing touches to the tree.
"Credence, I think you're ready to do this yourself," said Dragon, taking a step back and giving him some room. She nudged the silver star tree topper towards him, hoping that he might come forward and finish decorating the tree.
Credence hesitated, looking from the star to the tree and back again. "I can't," he said at length, letting his gaze drop to the floor. "I don't remember the incantation. Most of the time I don't even know what I'm doing."
"Yes, you do," said Nagini, trying her best to offer a bit of encouragement. "I saw you practicing the other day, and you were doing just fine." She gave him a reassuring pat on the back then moved to stand beside Dragon. "I believe in you, Credence. I know you can do this."
The Obscurial reached into his pocket, fingers trembling as they gripped the length of pine. He'd only been given a wand a short time ago, and yet his mother said his magic was extraordinary. Credence, being the modest individual that he was, tried convincing her otherwise, but she wouldn't listen.
"If you can take a chunk out of the hillside, you can finish decorating the tree," Dragon calmly stated. "I trust you, Credence. We both do."
Credence inhaled deeply, his mouth suddenly dry. He positioned his wand over the silver star, making a brief motion while muttering an incantation, and the star gently lifted into the air.
His heart was beating faster now, filling with joy and wonderment. Credence kept his wand trained on the star, lifting it higher and carefully placing it at the top of the tree. The others cheered, and Credence let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"I did it," he breathed, feeling more than a little relieved. Credence sank into the overstuffed armchair beside the tree, staring in amazement at the silver star. "I actually did it."
Dragon nuzzled her son's hand. "I never doubted you for a moment," she said, taking a seat beside him on the chair.