Summary: Scorpius' birthdays used to be more special than Christmas...
Rated: K
Genre: Family
Warning Tag: Grief/Mourning
Competition/Challenge Block
Written for/Stacked with: The Houses Competition (Year 8); Monthly Challenges for All (Year 4)
THC: Slytherin - Astronomy; Drabble ([Event] Family Dinner)
MC4A: Hunt (Wi Setting [Cold]; Wi Items [Plate/Bowl]; Wi Consumables [Ham; Wine; Fruit]); Ship War (Wi Big [Candle; Fireplace/Firepit; Gift/Present]; Wi Micro 1 [Single Parent]; Wi Micro 2 [Feast]); Garden (Tools [Candles]; Ship Ahoy! [Stellar Legends]; Chores [Drinking/Eating]; Flowers [Silver]; Meteorology [Polar Vortex]; Junk Pile [Plate/Bowl]; Bulbs [White]; Seasonings [Sorrow]; Reader Digest [In a Series]; Mixed Bag Redux [Single Parent]; Good Night [In a Series]; Palette [White]; Mixed Bag Saga [Kiwi]; Blood & Water [Mother & Son]; Such a Kidder [Cup/Bottle]; Mixed Bag [Family]); Chimera [Cerulean]; Ship Bingo (2B [Grief/Mourning]); Vocab Bingo (1E [Incredible]); Winter Bingo (5A [Reflection])
Outside Challenges: Writing in a Winter Wonderland Day 1: Snow
Word Count: 708
Beta: NightRaven789; Dhirsh; Ash; Hope
Family Dinner
Despite it being three days before Christmas, Scorpius' birthday was always made special. His parents did their best to keep his birthday separate from the holiday, and sometimes it was more extraordinary than Christmas itself.
Scorpius opted for a winter wonderland theme this year, and so the entire house was decorated in shades of blues, white, and silver. Scorpius even picked out the supper menu for that day as he was able to every year since he could talk.
This year, he chose a honey smoked ham, roasted garlic potatoes, fresh mixed salad, and his favorite, semi-healthy treat: a fruit salad of apples, grapes, kiwi, and mixed berries combined in whipped cream. The family of three sat down at the too-large dining table, ready to tuck in on the night of the Winter Solstice, the heavy snowfall whitening the windows' view of the garden.
Astoria held up her favorite wine glass with a cerulean-blue stem, the white wine shimmering gold in the abundant candlelight from the chandelier above and the crackling fire in the hearth. It matched their plates, silverware made of real sterling silver, and the table runner draped over the white tablecloth.
"Happy birthday to my most beloved son," Astoria said, smiling fondly at Scorpius across the table.
"Before we enjoy this incredible dinner expertly prepared by our elf, Dizzy, your mother and I would like for you to open your gift first." Draco straightened in his seat, pulling out a small, flat, neatly wrapped gift from his inner pocket and sat it on the table, sliding it over to Scorpius.
"I think ten years old is a good time for you to have this," Draco said.
Scorpius lit up with a smile, seeming to know what it was. He untied the bow and opened the lid to reveal a silver pocket watch. Its front was engraved with an intricate cursive M, and when he picked it up and turned it in his hand, the back had his name also written in cursive. Opening it showed the watch's face and a small photo of the three of them. He'd wanted one of these since he was five, and based on what Draco had told him, he loved to play with his own when he was a toddler.
It was an unusual gift to give to a child, but Scorpius was more than that: he was his parents' entire world.
"You really think I am old enough?" Scorpius asked in amazement.
"Of course, starlight. You are growing up to be so handsome, and a young man such as yourself always needs a good pocket watch to adorn your robes," Astoria said.
Scorpius quickly attached it to the dinner robes he currently wore, tucking it into the chest pocket. "Thank you! I love it so much. I promise I will take absolute good care of it."
He looked over at the food laid out in front of them then, feeling his stomach grumble.
"Let's eat!"
It was Scorpius' thirteenth birthday, but Malfoy Manor was dark and dreary, contrasting against the festive snow falling outside. The fire in the hearth of the dining room roared and crackled lively against the otherwise grim space around it. The candelabra in the center of the table danced its own light against the two quiet occupants in the room.
Forks scraped gently against plates and the soft thuds of crystal glasses hit the hardwood of the table were the only other sounds being made. A simple meal of roast, potatoes, and green salad were presented on the dark oak table top. A pitcher of water and lemonade accompanied it. What gloomy light that was allowed shimmered against silver-white hair and ivory-colored plates and glasses. The one set of crockery that held no food or drink glimmered the brightest but emphasized the emptiness that echoed across the entire house.
The two Malfoy men ate in complete silence, feeling that lack of joy and happiness the day and season tended to bring. The coldness of the winter's night seeped through the draped windows, hiding the blizzard whipping around the garden space, covering everything in its path with layers and layers of frost and snow.
It seemed like even the weather weeped for the family's loss.