Last Christmas
Diagon Alley was an endless stream of holiday shopgoers. Tonks swam against the bustling masses, her navy auror uniform a stark contrast to the festive scarlet and emerald cloaked throng. Alone she patrolled the streets like a guardian angel, silent… ever vigilant but isolated from those she watched over. With a plastic smile carved into her face she nodded back at the crowds with their armfuls of wrapped presents and well intentioned greetings.
It was the season for goodwill and cheer however she never felt so miserable in her life. Shouts of 'Happy Christmas' rang through the air. Golden bells charmed to play yuletide melodies, chimed from the shops as customers foraged the shelves for last minute gifts. Troupes of rum flushed carolers wandered in and out of the establishments to spread merriment and hymns. And to her annoyance a sad muggle Christmas song played dreamily in the background:
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Silver reindeer ornaments pranced on a Christmas evergreen adorned with crystal icicles, Bertie Botts candy canes and lights that twinkled like tiny gems. A star glittering so brightly that it seemed to be stolen from the skies graced the top of the tree. Garlands of holly berries and popcorn were levitated in the air spiralling cosily around its boughs. Below families huddled together to admire the decorations and discuss pleasantries over roasted chestnuts and firewarmed butterbeer.
Apple cheeked boys scurried about, dodging snowballs thrown by an army of enchanted snowmen. A large black dog that looked suspiciously like Padfoot pulled a sled crammed full of children that hollered excitedly for him to go faster. The canine threw her a sheepishly guilty grin as they toppled over a cage of Cornish pixies. The chittering mischiefmakers plagued Professor Flitwick before zipping into a life sized gingerbread house. Pandemonium and shrieking ensued as out ran a group of hysterical teenage witches in sparkly Santa Hats dripping with icing and peppermint humbugs.
Pretending not to notice, the auror slunk away to escape the mess and the potential paperwork involved only to bump into a curly haired witchling. She eyed a red and pink striped candy cane with such longing that Tonks plucked the treat off the window sill and presented it to her. The adorable moppet thanked her shyly before skipping away to find her brother.
Last Christmas, I gave you my heart
But the very next day, You gave it away
This year, to save me from tears
I'll give it to someone special
Florean Fortescue had transformed his ice cream parlor into an ice rink where he served frosty nog, pumpkin cider and steaming mugs of hot cocoa. Staring at the laughing skaters as they circled around playing games of tag and broom hockey, Tonks was reminded of the first time Remus took her skating.
It was on a secluded pond in the Forbidden Forest. She must have fallen a dozen times (more like two dozen) but he was a patient teacher. An expert skater, Remus could execute flawless turns or jump over logs causing her to gasp in wonderment. Racing along the ice, he scooped her up into a piggyback. Mischievously she blinded his eyes at the last minute and he lost control sending them both careening into a snowbank. Snow dropped from the tree above them, blanketing them in icy whiteness. Glancing up was a lone mistletoe. They hesistated only inches from kissing when more snow splattered upon them. As their lips ultimately met, a storm could have crashed around them without notice…
Once bitten and twice shy
I keep my distance but you still catch my eye
Tell me baby do you recognize me?
Well it's been a year it doesn't surprise me
The window of Grayson & Ganymedes Fine Jewelers displayed an exquisite opal pendant on a platinum chain. Its luminous facets changed colors in the light and reminded Tonks of a rainbow captured in a fragmented moon. Although she was not one for extravagant things, she had secretly longed for that pendant several months ago. Matching dewdrop earrings and a dazzling engagement ring completed the set. A ring... Blinking away the moisture from her eyes, she recalled looking at the beautiful necklace while shopping with Remus. He said that the opals were considered unlucky before hustling her away. Looking back she suspected that he felt uncomfortable because he could not afford to buy her such trinkets.
When he had given her a cardigan identical to his own for her birthday, she pretended that she loved it. Remus told her that since she enjoyed stealing his cardigans, he decided to get her one that actually fit her. It was a sweet idea but the itchy garment was a hideous puce monstrosity that she hid in the deepest recesses of her wardrobe. The reasons that she coveted his sweaters were that they were well worn, baggy and held his scent. Wearing it was like being wrapped up in his embrace fuzzy, warm and comforting.
(Happy Christmas!) I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying "I Love You" I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
But if you kissed me now I know you'd fool me again
(Oooh. Oooh Baby)
Entering the owl messenger office, Tonks dropped off a carefully wrapped parcel of moontime potion to be sent to Remus. Instead of the usual stick figure cartoons and quirky message, she only wrote the word: 'Always' on the card before paying the postmaster six knuts. Mysterious gifts wrapped in iridiscent paper and yards of ribbon were stacked neatly in piles awaiting delivery. Oddly shaped packages, enormous and miniscule boxes alike were all destined to sit beneath someone's Christmas tree in anticipation of being opened.
This year instead of spending Christmas at her parents she would be at Hogwarts guarding the few students that remained. Andromeda and Ted Tonks were basking on the beaches of Bali and would not return until after New Year's Eve. Since she did not want to be a third wheel at Sirius and Emmeline's first holiday together, the young auror had declined their gracious invitation and volunteered for this assignment.
A crowded room, friends with tired eyes
I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice
My God I thought you were someone to rely on
Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Oooh Oooh
Now I've found a real love you'll never fool me again
The Leaky Cauldron was a riot of wreathes and bows. The pub brimmed with people drinking and carousing in the late afternoon. A few patrons sang drunken ditties in off key voices while others jigged (or tried to). Apparently the eggnog was heavy on the rum and low on the nog. Friends exchanged early presents and hearty hugs. Today's special included turkey stew, fresh bread and rum raisin pudding. Pints followed by pitchers of mulled mead and Yule ale were consumed by the spirited gathering.
Ordering a Hagrid sized hot chocolate, Tonks sipped on it slowly, fishing out the marshmallows with a spoon to eat them before they dissolved completely. When she could take no more of the gaiety, she fled the scene unaware of the sable robed figure that observed her actions from a discreet distance.
A face on a lover with a fire in his heart
(Gave you my heart)
A man undercover but you tore me apart
Next year
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
special
someone
someone
It was impossible to escape them. Like Noah's Ark or the bubonic plague, there were couples mingling everywhere. Pairs laughing together, smiling at each other, and holding hands, they drifted in and out of her peripheral. Only two weeks ago she was one half of a twosome. She tried to shut them out. Blushing kisses, goofy looks and secret couple language made Tonks vow that she would barricade herself at home when Valentine's Day arrived. She did not begrudge them their happiness but the daggers pierced and twisted enviously in her loneliness. To have someone to be with was special and rare. Apparently not that rare…wait isn't that Neville Longbottom's grandmother with some grey haired casanova?
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
who'll give me something in return
I'll give it to someone
hold my heart and watch it burn
Bloody Christmas songs, if Tonks had to listen to another song with the word 'Christmas' in it, she swore to blast whatever wireless, bell or caroler responsible for it into oblivion. It neared the end of her shift. As she headed towards the apparition point, a man with sandy brown hair and shabby robes caught the corner of her eye. He strode swiftly down Knockturn Alley before Tonks could view his face fully. She tried to follow him, but was hindered by the crowds watching a boisterous Christmas parade making its way down the street. When it passed by, she ran frantically towards the alley.
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone special
I've got you here to stay
I can love you for a day
I thought you were someone special
gave you my heart
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone
last Christmas I gave you my heart
you gave it away
I'll give it to someone, I'll give it to someone
"Last Christmas" By Wham
Sometimes I think he broke up with me in November so that he wouldn't have to get me a Christmas present. I threw his in the river... The ring, I returned citing reasons that it didn't fit...
A/N: Yes I know the song is sappy. The actual song that I proclaim as my new Christmas Carol is "Hating you for Christmas" by Everclear:
Thanks for the christmas card
I don't want to hear about your new job now
I don't want to hear about your new girlfriend
I don't want to hear about it all working out for you
No, I don't want to hear it now
I don't want to hear about your swinging new place
I don't want to hear how everyone thinks its great
I just want to sit in our apartment and hate you
Yes, I will be hating you for christmas
You can have the christmas tree
Remember when we bought it at the store down the street?
Remember when I found that cheesy color wheel?
I don't want to think about the lights on your white skin
No, I don't want to think about it
I don't want to think about last year at your dads
You said it was the best sex that we both ever had
I don't want to think about my face in your soft hair
I will be hating you for christmas...
I must be losing my mind
There's gotta be a better way to deal with the pain
There's gotta be a better way to deal with the hate
Wish that I could find some way to make you go away
Wish that I could have a drink and make you fade
I wish that I could have myself a drink and make you fade
I wish that I could have a drink and make you go away
Yeah make you go away
Wish that I could make you go away
I will be hating you for christmas
Yeah I will be hating you for christmas...
Thanks for the christmas card