Yule be here for Christmas
Since a lot of children were staying over the break a lot more hands were busy putting up decorations. some, of which if it were true, had not been used in over three decades. Besides the Potters and Co. Professor Sprout promised to be back a couple of days after boxing she was going to Paris to see her children and a grandchildren two of which were newly arrived. She promised Elizabeth plenty of pictures and details and sent her off with her gift. "You are a gift. Elizabeth never forget that." she said after a last set of hugs sent her on her way. Andi was going to be away for holidays with her family and told both Sirius and Elizabeth ....."not to burn the castle down. No matter how much fun that be." Clearly aping hurt faces the two saw the mind healer and confident off on her trip.
That first evening. The wrapping and decorating party was taking place. They had eggnog and cookies. The eggnog at the Potter set of rooms was SPIKED. And it was a silent but deadly mix. It was during the dressing of the Potters tree. The whole party was feeling it and Sirius was grinning like a drunk Cheshire Cat. Trees were erected and garlands laid out Elizabeth sat well steamed four cups in. She was staring into the fire nearby when Lily started putting up the stockings. She had labeled each she included the extended family but the fourth one in line was.... Her's. lovely red glittered lettering Elizabeth. Drunk and feeling it. she did not try to rise but stared at the stocking and the three before it and knew it was real. She lay back on the couch and the happy tears were not accompanied by any sobs but the tears did blur things a bit. James took a seat next to her. He looped an arm and hugged her. "Bit overwhelming I know. It was like that when Lily told me we were going to adopt you. See we saw a girl who needed a family and we needed a girl. So it sort of came together." he said. Crisp came in from the doorway and seeing the tree was up helped place the presents under it,and added his own. He also brought a Silvered Snowflake Elizabeth had been given for her first tree that she had in her rooms. Now it was being shared with family and Crisp handed over for placement three others for her foster family. Each was different but Snowflakes none the less.
Lily asked her to come over and help with something Elizabeth looked at her and with a giggle admitted she could not get up. "I am wobblied and woobled... I cannot stand up ." she said All eyes fell on the nog bowl and a quick check confirmed what was suspected and Lupin gave Sirius a smack. "I put Brother's Helper in. I did not think she would go for what was it three cups Lizzy?"he asked, She looked him dead in the eye and held up two fingers on each hand.
Sirius rolled his eyes and leaned in for the head smack from Lily and then James. "Well brothers will keep anyone from getting poisoned." Sirius said. "Wait we are hitting him?" said a voice from the doorway. Regulus stood and walked in. " He spiked the Eggnog and without knowing Elizabeth has had four cups of the stuff." Dorcas says getting in line for the cue.
The younger Black walked over to the tree and placed his gifts under the tree. "I will be back I need to drop off Severus's gift. Lily you said you had one for him I can take it with me if you would like me to?" he offered. "Crisp" Elizabeth called out. The house elf popped next to her. "My gift for Professor Snape would you get it for me please." Elf nods and popped the gift into being and hands it over to Master Regulus. Lily returns with her's and Regulus quickly departs.
While regulus was seeing his friend the rest of the group focused in on singing a few Christmas songs. For Elizabeth this was a time to be remembered. A dream she had never shared aloud out of fear it would disappear if spoken of, This was family and she was a part of it. Tomorrow they would be having her first Christmas and that fact made the soothing effects of the eggnog and the rum within a blessing. She looked over and shared a moment with Harry. Both of them. having the things they dream about. Sharing the Holiday with the Weasleys and The Musketeers and Snakes was good great and a pale shadow of now with what was family. It made the secret gifts that the Potters would get more wonderful.
The rum helped assure the sleep that was to come. And it was a warm and cozy thing. But the morning would come. The smell of sausages cooking and the sound of other things being made filled the air and were the sounds that drew her from sleep. She put on the Pajamas and the fluffy slippers her's being bears and exited into the main area. She offered to help the only thing needed being napkins she laid them out and places the silverware atop them. There was eggs ,bacon ,sausages ,and pancakes. She smiled at the groggy eyed Harry who plopped into his chair. She would have said something about his hair but James who was fully awake had such a cowlick on one side and what might be a thicket on the other. Lily fretted over everyone and nearly huffed when she saw the small lake of butter and syrup was on the plate Elizabeth was making do with four pancakes to work on The young girl covered each as much as she could and then tucked in. She was not hoggish but also she was not rushed nor messy. This was her happy food.
After all were done Elizabeth went over and started cleaning the plates and racking the for drying. Lily and she tacked the skillet and serving wear. Lily was humming a song that took Elizabeth a few moments to remember. And softy sang along . "...The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together." Both women finished and walked in living room and the 'men' passed over packages.
James and Lily gave her a Set of Wizard Chess. She smiled and knew she was not as good Ron ,but had enjoyed the game none the less. Harry got her book in the Miss Maple Series of mysteries. "I asked Theo what was the next you were reading." He explained. James opened his present a Pocket Watch and fob which magical properties to track time and sweep the minute hands towards a desired person or object. Lily was given a muggle set of books Mainly Sci Fi but ones she had spoken of reading but now she had copies of again. Harry was given a copy of The Stainless Steel Rat. She felt he would enjoy book.
After the tearing of paper is done. The new family sits and contemplates When James and Harry go hit the skies on their brooms with Lily and Elizabeth following. As they sit and talk about classes. Lily talked about she loved Charms. Somehow Flitwick could just get a hard lesson across to her. And Elizabeth talked about how it was why she had that rig set up in the sunroom. "When it was bad I just holed up in the rooms and have my night sky to take the issues away." she smiled. "Now it is different. I have Andi and now you as a family. I can share the worries ,the fears, Maybe I can find that way home just the long way around.
Lunch brought Theo and the maker of Chaos wasted no time he handed out his gift to the party and then bowed before James and made a formal decoration of his desire to call on Elizabeth with the idea of marriage. "Ahem." she cleared her voice. "Theo dearest. You have been waiting to say that for a long time. Haven't you?" his head bobbled up and down a smile showing teeth which was rare for him.
"Theo." Lily said. He looked over at her. "Yes mam." ' he replies. "You might be rushing things with Elizabeth. Slow down she is skittish and she needs time." Lily said as had so many before her. Elizabeth walked over "Sit down Theodore." her tone total command. "OK Theodore you are pushing this. Why?" she asks. Theodore looks about finding words. " Well Narcissa talked about how Lucius chased after her to show he love for her with words and deeds.. And he did it while they were in school." he added. Elizabeth nodded. " I see your trying to out do Lucius Malfoy?" she pauses as he starts to nod then stops. "No I am just trying to show my love for you." he interjects. " I know you want to take it slow. And I agree but telling your parents is the proper way to do it. This way your father knows our wishes and will not expend effort seeking among other families for a match and foist on you." He explains.
James looked amused and confused. "James" she said taking a second to look at her father. "You do not have any plans on marrying me off at age Thirteen. Are You?" she asks. James has the good sense to not look at his wife as she should already know that answer. "Elizabeth I would be insane to push you anywhere on most of your issues. Before you could hurt me Lily would claim privilege and Harry would be without a father as she would kill me."
"Theodore." James says." I am expect you to be respectful in any visits you have with my daughter. But she calls the tune. she says back off. Then you back off. same with taking it slow. Which I know she has told you to do." he says before adding. " So cool your brooms and let her work on this. That is what she wants." he added. Harry added. "Dad we do get to make the if you hurt her... threats right?" James chuckles. "If and only if she wants us to. Otherwise I would give her a clear line of fire." he told his son.
Dinner was in the Great Hall so they could gives to others. Such as the Weasleys Molly sent up cookies that made the house Elf bakers push their talents cakes in house colors multi tiers all four houses and Hogwarts coat of arms on the top. Draco came over and looked Theo over to be sure he was unharmed. "You did not open your mouth. Oh thank Merlin" Elizabeth smirked. " No he planted his foot deep in his mouth. But We took mercy on him. He understands to back off. And that I care about him but not looking to be pushed about." she told nodding boy. " So how was the day with the Weasleys? she asked. Draco looked at them. Tiring but good. I feel like I have a second family well third family as I have Pansy Theo Blaise Greg and You as my second family. She hears her name on that list and smiles. Thank You Draco. I sometimes worry I will never fit in." she admits. Draco takes her hand. " You might not fit in. But you make us all fit in with you however we will fit." he says after a hug and heads back to Ginny who is dancing to some music from the gramophone, He jumps in carefree and happy. The adults were over talking to one another. a normal situation till Lily screamed. Happy screamed and hugged Marlene and Dorcas. The rushed Sirius and grabbed both him and Remus into deep hugs. Ron grumped and handed Fred a couple of coins. "So the Reprobate and the Professor finally proposed." Elizabeth said. Harry nods .
Gifts started being passed about. And music played and added food. Sweaters were passed to professors as well as the extended family. The twins got a Snaps game going and dragged Sirius in. Along with Dorcas. Snape had drawn the short straw and stayed back so he could take the later part of the break elsewhere. James walked over and handed him a gift from himself and his two friends. It was a book on childcare. Snape started to snarl. But James snuff the anger out. "Severus what we three did was and is unforgivable. But Lily has asked me to consider settling things And so with that in mind. We would like to ask you to consider being our unborn child's Godfather." he said. Snape looked at Lily who turned to look at him. She smiled. " I will be honored for her sake and that of the child,: the dark man said. (edited)
December 26, 2024
With the few coming days the holiday season went off well.