December 16th, 2014
Samantha loved spending time with her mother. Especially this Saturday morning, they were spending time together, just the two of them before the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holidays.
There was snow on the ground and there was a distinct chill in the air. For a very long time, Christmas had been a negative day in the Fyre house. Now it was a time for celebration, as their family was once again complete.
Samantha watched the snow fall outside and listened as her mother played an old record by Credence Clearwater Revival. There was a crackling fire and hot coffee in each of their hands. It smelled like nutmeg.
Samantha's dragon, Duke was curled up in front of the fireplace and seemed quite content there.
Her mother sat across from her on the couch, a soft expression on her face as she watched the snow whip and whirl.
"I can't stand snow." Her mother revealed turning her head to look at Samantha. "Makes my birds unhappy."
Samantha laughed, her mother was very protective of her Augury birds. As a small child they had been her only companions. Now, they were almost like friends and business partners. She'd based much of her design business around them and their feathers.
"Yes, but they are warm in the aviary." Samantha insisted with a tilt of her head. "I also don't like snow, but it's nice to watch it fall."
"Very true." Her mother responded with a nod her dark eyes looking back outside. Samantha loved seeing her mother in a more casual state, in a simple sweater and dungarees. When she was more than just an incredible designer or artist, when she was just Samantha's mom.
"Well, before we decorate, I want to give you a little early Christmas present, before it hits the news." Samantha revealed before taking a sip of her coffee.
"That sounds exciting." Her mother laughed before jumping up a little, "You aren't pregnant are you?"
"Mum!" Samantha glared at her mother, deciding to keep a separate surprise for Christmas morning like she and her husband had planned. "Only Rita would find that news worthy, and I sacked her, six months ago, remember?"
"Oh yes, at the World Cup!" Her mother chuckled. "That was quite fun. I enjoyed hearing you curse her out. It was a long time coming really."
"Oh mum, you know I couldn't fire her after Neville threw her off the Astronomy tower on our wedding day." Samantha rolled her eyes but laughed a little. "Not that she didn't deserve it, not to mention she was perfectly safe. I still had to make it up to the poor woman, it had to have been a traumatizing experience."
"Not to mention her articles were quite fun. I always wondered who your new insinuated flavor of the week would be. If you were pregnant, I would have enjoyed Rita writing an article inquiring who the father was." Her mother put her hand jestingly to her head. "You haven't filled her position yet have you?"
"Actually, that's what I'm meaning to talk to you about. I'm stepping down from being Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Prophet." Samantha crossed her arms and blurted, "I announced it to my staff yesterday and it'll be public knowledge on Monday that I am training my successor. In four months Albert is taking over officially. I'll be taking on a simple job simply as a part time field journalist."
Her mother's eyes widened, but she gave no true response.
"It's been a long time coming actually." Samantha insisted, she'd been planning this longer, but with recent events, it felt more necessary to hurry the process. "And I'm tired. I've been waiting for a successor, and I believe Albert is up for the job. Neville and I are looking into buying a cottage in Hogsmead, where we can actually live together. It's been a long eight years trying to make marriage work between Hogwarts and Diagon Alley."
"What about poor Augusta? You can't leave her completely alone." Her mother asked.
"We will still stay with Gran in the summer time of course." Samantha insisted.
Her mother nodded, "I must admit, I'm a bit shocked it took you this long after your brother's return to make this decision. I'm happy for you."
"Mum," Samantha stopped and looked her mother over, "You've always been so supportive and I've never thanked you as well as I should have."
Her mum laughed, "No mother is thanked enough, but I appreciate the sentiment. Now let's get this place decorated for Christmas time. We have much to celebrate."
They headed up to the attic where there were boxes stacked in a corner, all with the words, Christmas written on them.
With a wave of their wands, the boxes came flying out of the attic and began dropping decorations everywhere. The home quickly became a winter wonderland. Garlands and snowflakes were everywhere.
Before they could close the attic door, Samantha noticed a box on the floor that had been left behind. It was marked, Belle-Hogwarts-1966-1972. Samantha walked over and opened the box.
There was a lot of Ravenclaw blue inside and a few photo albums. There were some playing cards along with a few examination results.
"Mum" Samantha called back, "What is this?"
"Oh, those are my old school things." Belle explained. "You can look through them if you'd like. There are pictures from when I was in Hogwarts. Now that I think about it, I think I have a few pictures of Neville's parents, if he wants to see them."
Samantha went to pull out a photo album before noticing a set of small brown journals.
"What are these?" Samantha asked pulling one of them up.
"Oh those are my diaries from school. You don't think you got your writing skills from your father did you?" Her mother laughed taking a few steps into the attic, "I haven't looked at those in years."
"Can I read them?" Samantha asked looking them over.
Her mother stopped and took a deep breathe. "There are things in those diaries I'm not sure I want the world knowing dear."
"Why would the world know about them?" Samantha asked with a laugh.
"Because I know my daughter, and she's always looking for a new book to write."