Two Days Before Christmas

Right before Christmas the Nott family took to their gardens to keep sacred a tradition as old as their bloodlines. Bundled up in their warmest robes they quietly strolled along winding paths. Aware of their pristine surroundings, but ignoring the urge to chatter over the weather as they paused only to pluck the most exquisite flowers. Inside a white wicker basket the cut florals were then laid carefully beside the most luscious fruit the garden bared, and only after each had rightfully earned Prometheus's approval.

"Those will do."

For hours the family walked in the pale sunshine seeking out perfection. They didn't much speak, but at least Dahlia Nott remained in her right mind that morning. Refreshingly sober and clear-eyed, the witch smiled often at her boy. Occasionally, she'd feel enough of a burst of maternal duty to hold his hand, and he'd catch the lingering scent of her perfume carried by the breeze. A clean lemony smell as light as her moods were dark, and affection starved Theo wasn't keen to let her fleeting adoration go.

Hoping to stretch the day out to infinity, her son purposefully passed prime floral options, but eventually the sun dipped into the horizon. What needed to be done was accomplished, and they returned to inside. Following behind the head of their house, the Nott family took their seats at the dinner table, and for the next hour they personally assembled the tenant gift baskets.

They worked together as a seamless unit. Trimming, sorting, and bundling with nimble fingers and purposeful minds. Arranging the freshly picked oranges beside aromatic sprigs of honeysuckle, and crimson poinsettias.

While Christmas carols filled the air, the wizarding family took meticulous care, and finishing the last basket Prometheus turned to his heir. Gaze unflinching as he asked, "Do you know why we hand deliver these baskets to our tenants? Do you understand why we go through the trouble when we could easily let the elf take care of matters?"

"Yes father," Theo replied automatically, having repeated this yearly speech for as long as he could remember. "We personally send them to show our mutual appreciation."

"Exactly." Prometheus nodded, holding up a flawless orange. "To remind those dependent on our estate's generosity that we provide so long as their regard blooms, and never turns bitter."

"Do the tenants understand the warning?"

Standing up from the table Prometheus offered his arm to his wife. Leading the family outside again with their offerings, and smirking as the lush fruit turned to ash in his hand. "If they hope to live in their homes I should hope so."

oOoOoOO

Christmas Eve

Twinkle. One, two, three, four, five, six.

Twinkle. One, two, three, four, five. Twinkle.

As he did every year Theo laid on his back. Out of sight he stared up between the fragrant branches of the Christmas tree, and he smiled. Utterly bewitched by the multicolored lights flashing above, and silently he counted in his head between the blinks. Nobody could say it wasn't a repetitive winless game, but Theo didn't mind shutting off his thoughts when his parents fought in the other room. The lights shimmer, he counts, and there is comfort in tradition.

Twinkle. One, two, three, four, five. Twinkle. One, two, three, four...

oOoOoOo

Christmas Day

Smack dab in the middle of a thrilling flying dream Theo woke up with a choking gasp. Burying his face into his pillow the disappointed boy groggily mumbled about wanting to get back on his dragon, but oddly enough he could still feel the biting wind nipping at his cheeks. Even under thick blankets he felt frosty, and tucking a hand between his fidgeting knees he shivered. Still not nearly ready to get up, Theo kept reality away for a few seconds longer with eyes shut tight. Determined to stay until his teeth practically chattered right out of his mouth, and when he rubbed his face it felt uncommonly wet.

What in the heck?

Throwing back the covers Theo's opened his eyes. All around the boy there were perplexing mounds of cold wet white. Convinced he was still dreaming Theo rubbed his eyes, but sure enough the boy's bed stayed positively covered in snow. A veritable winter wonderland surrounding him as a tiny wrinkled elf gazed intensly at him.

Cupping her cheeks in her hands, and staring at him with open-mouthed wonder. "Merry Christmas Young Master Nott!"

"Er, um...M-Merry Christmas Bitsy." Theo stammered back in startled awkwardness. Smiling a little goofy despite himself, and then gesturing to the small mound of snowflakes on his chest. "Did you? Did you do this?"

"Merry Christmas!"

"Thanks?" Theo laughed, forming a small snowman on his stomach. "Have you been waiting there for long?"

"Only an hour."

"Does that mean mother and father are waiting?"

"Yes."

"Right then," Theo yawned, squashing his snowman. "I'll be down shortly."

"Perfect!" Bitsy smiled hard enough that her eyes twitched. Looking more crazed than usual before holding up material charmed to flash red and green. "And here are your favorite Christmas pants!"

"Hey! Those were just plain white yesterday."

"Yes, and now they are filled with holiday cheer!"

"Ugh, ok…"

Moments later (and not in flashing pants) Theo Nott joined his family in their main living room. Theo didn't even realize he was hungry, but his stomach did a series of happy little flips when he encountered the pleasing aromas of roast turkey, mulled wine, and brussel sprouts (which Theo will only pretend to eat). If the holiday smells weren't cozy enough there in the fireplace roared a green lit fire; and with the additional hints of holly and mistletoe sprinkled around the room the boy felt downright festive.

"Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas Theodore." his father faintly smiled, handing his son a thin envelope.

"Merry Christmas Theodore." his mother joined in, raising from her chair to surprisingly gift her young son a quick hug. In one of their rare embraces Theo relaxed, and when Dahlia let go far too soon the boy turned away. He hid his disappointment, and excitedly ran his finger along the envelope's seam until his father's sniff made him pause.

"I-I suppose I should wait until after the match."

"That would show remarkable patience Theodore." his father replied, and sensing that patience was his only option Theo bowed his head in submission.

Showing his approval Prometheus flicked his wand, and an entire wall came to life. Images flickering along the plaster charmed to show a live English team quidditch match as the family sat on the stiff sofa to eat. Shoulder to shoulder they respectfully consumed the delicious elf prepared meal, and watched the game that Theo understood on principles, like he also understood he'd be rubbish at playing.

For all of his father's airs Prometheus loved a good match. They all did, and even Theo's mother's eyes lit up as she watched a Romanian beater zip across the field. Leaning in closer to the screen Dahlia's thin lips parted in awe, and when realization hit she enthusiastically pointed at the player.

"I knew him! We went to school together! I didn't know Ivan still played."

Unaccustomed to hearing his mother excited about anything Theo stared curiously at the brawny man. Taking note of his moves, and unfortunately watching far too intently right as the beater mercilessly hit a bludger straight into an unsuspecting opponent.

Well, he seems delightful.

"So he went to Hogwarts with you?" Theo asked, still crossing his eyes to blur out the gory images on the wall.

"No."

"But I thought you went to Hogwarts."

"I did." Dahlia smiled softly, but when she caught her husband's pointed stare her face immediately sobered. Voice now tight as she explained. "But in fifth year your grandparents worried about muggle-born influence. I was forced to leave my friends, and went to Durmstrang where I met Ivan."

"Did you like it there?"

"It was cold."

For the rest of the match Dahlia kept her opinions to herself, hands folded primly over her knee as she watched. It appeared that any fire that had sparked alive inside of her smothered out after her outburst, but from his stretch of the couch Prometheus did not act at all outwardly upset by the change. While sipping on cider Theo's father watched the game with passing amusement, nodding his head at points earned, but keeping a dignified silence in the face of entertainment. In fact, the only glimmer of obvious enjoyment came from Theo. A little squeal here, a little gasp there, and a loud exhalation when the English seeker missed the snitch for the second time in a row.

"Does he got butter on his hands? Is that what happened?"

Squeezing his head between his palms Theo groaned, but then seconds later the snitch found itself into English hands. Leaping to his feet Theo clapped with a whoop, and Prometheus's lips curled up into an actual smile. "They did well."

Riding high on a wave of euphoria Theo turned to his father. Entirely forgetting about that pesky virtue called patience as he asked, "Can I open my gift now father?"

"You can."

The words were barely out of his father's mouth before Theo opened the envelope in one try. Three tickets landed in his palm. Holding them up to the light the boy read aloud the elegant scrolling words in a near screech, "England versus Italy!"

"Yes," Prometheus nodded."The match is at the beginning of the summer in Ottery St. Catchpole, and you'll notice that there are three tickets. However, your mother will be staying behind, and that means you are to have a friend along with you-"

Bursting full of inspiration Theo immediately knew who he'd invite. Without even closing his eyes he could picture poor Blaise all sad in his room now shouting jubilantly over the news. Never had the idea of making someone else so happy felt so right for Theo, but just as quickly as he dreamed all those hopes they were spectacularly dashed away by his father's interruption.

"Of course, I've already sent a letter out to Lucius, and you'll be happy to know that Draco has accepted the invitation."

Theo blinked. "Draco? You invited Draco Malfoy?"

"Yes, your mother and I were most satisfied to hear that you've taken up with the correct sort of peers. We expected nothing less, but when Lucius wrote to see if you'd care to visit Draco over the next break I took the initiative of accepting the invitation, and extending one of my own. Merry Christmas Theodore."

Tempering the flash of disappointment, Theo slipped on the airs of gratitude he knew were expected of him. This present was massive. Unexpected. Seeing as he did truly enjoy Draco's company the opportunity to watch a live match with a friend was still an incredible gift, and there really was no reason to pout. No reason at all for his stomach to feel a little hollow as he kissed his mother softly on the cheek.

"Thank you both."

"Hope you enjoy yourself Theodore."

Still holding onto the tickets for dear life Theo turned back to Prometheus. Schooling his expression, but mildly shocked to find his father already lazily returning the room to its ornate mediocrity. Wrapping up festivities without so much as having finished his cider or opened the misshapen gift addressed to him from Dahia and Theo.

"Aren't you excited to go see a live game father? It's going to be amazing!"

Standing up from the couch with a creaky sigh Prometheus merely shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know if anything excites me these days, but I suppose it will break up the monotony of my life for an afternoon. So there's that."

I think that might be the most excited I've ever heard father!