christmas
Arabella launches herself at her mother who pulls her into a tight hug. Andrew hugs her next, kissing the top of her head and ruffling her hair.
Arabella looks up at Elizabeth who grins, “we missed you baby! Let’s floo home and you can tell us all about Hogwarts.” Arabella agrees and grabs Elizabeth’s hand. Arabella is so overjoyed to finally see her parents she doesn’t even care if it’s childish. All of the train ride she couldn’t stop thinking about seeing them, about being home. Sure she’ll miss her friends but she hasn’t really been thinking about that.
Arabella sits down on one of the kitchen stools, her father sits next to her and her mother pulls out a delicious smelling pie from the oven. Arabella grins as Elizabeth hands both her and Andrew a piece and its down across from Arabella with a piece for herself.
“So,” Andrew prompts, “how was it?”
“Amazing!” Arabella smiles, “it’s been so fun and my roommates are all so nice and I love all my classes.”
“What about you friends?” Elizabeth asks, “you mentioned Winter and Regulus in your letters?”
Arabella nods, “Regulus Black and Winter Malfoy, they're my best friends.”
“Did you say Black? And Mal-“ Andrew starts.
Elizabeth cuts him off, “that's great honey! I’m so glad, and what about your roommates? They’re nice?”
Andrew stares at Elizabeth, “wait Liz, this is important!”
Elizabeth turns to glare at Andrew, “I hardly think their last names matter, Andrew, I want to know about their personalities. You know, since that is what matters.” Arabella looks nervously between their parents, they hardly ever fight but when they do you can bet Elizabeth will win. Her death eye could make someone simply shrivel up. You do not with Elizabeth Rosier yelling at you.
Andrew doesn’t respond so Elizabeth continues, “your roommates Belly? Are they nice?”
“Uh… ya mum they’re great. Lucy and Penelope.” This time Arabella doesn’t mention their last names.
“Oh awesome, what about your classes?”
“Well History of Magic is my least favorite but I like Transfiguration and Potions the best I think.”
“Potions was always my favorite,” Andrew smiles.
Eventually Elizabeth sends Arabella upstairs to shower and change for dinner.
Arabella eagerly collapses onto the familiar bed with the soft pink and green floral bed sheets and far too many pillows. God does it feel good to be home.
After her shower and wrapped in one of the large fluffy towels Arabella opens her large closets and grins at the familiar fabrics of all the clothes she didn’t bring to Hogwarts. She chooses a purple sweater with stiches of little daisies and a pair of light muggle jeans that make her feel like she’s going back to muggle primary school running around with the kids from the village.
With a grin she tosses Mindy a treat and opens her window which Mindy immediately soars out of. She slips on a pair of slippers and practically floats down the stairs to the sweet sweet smell of her mothers cooking.
Andrew already sits at the head of the table reading a newspaper and Arabella takes her seat to the left of the table. Elizabeth brings the last of the food over and the small family starts to eat.
Arabella had almost forgotten how good her mothers cooking is and how much she has missed it. The potatoes practically melt in her mouth and the chicken is bursting with delicious flavor. Sure, the cooking at Hogwarts is absolutely amazing but there’s something so comforting about eating the same flavors you grew up with.
After dinner Arabella helps Elizabeth clean up and then they head to the sitting room where Andrew sits in front of a newly lit fire scrawling something onto a piece of parchment. He looks up and smiles when the girls enter the room.
“I have an early present for you, Belly,” he smiles, “it may be a bit difficult to understand now…” He hands her a book of poems by a man named Lord Byron. Elizabeth rolls her eyes but can’t help smiling as Arabella flips through it eagerly and thanks her father.
Elizabeth pulls out a set of chess and Arabella giggles telling them about playing with her roommates.
The night begins to fade after many games of chess and plant conversation. Arabella burrows under her blankets as Elizabeth kisses her forehead goodnight.
It does not take Arabella long to fall into a deep sleep, her childhood bed just feels so nice.
***
Arabella,
Merry Christmas! Or Christmas Eve I suppose…
Lucius is being his usual annoying self, he’s talking about getting engaged! To Regulus’ cousin, can you believe it? Poor Narcissa!
Otherwise, it’s good to be home. I have to go to a boring dinner Christmas night but Regulus will be there so it shouldn’t be too bad although I wish you could come! Maybe during Easter holidays we can all hangout! I want to see your town, I’ve never been in a muggle town before! Anyways, we’ll have to plan that when we get back to school.
How are you? Is it pretty there? I know you said it doesn’t snow but it must be so nice getting a break from freezing Scotland. I’ve attached a gift for you, don’t open it until tomorrow! And yes, I’ve received your gift, I’m sure I’ll love it.
Love,
Winter.
***
Dear Arabella.
Hi. In response to your previous letter, I am good. Mother and father have been quite intolerable though as my dearest brother has decided not to come home for the Holidays. Mum threw a right fit when he said he was staying with the Potters. Anyways, she’s been in a mood since although she’s always in a mood.
How are you doing? Thank you so much for the gift, I already think I know it is. Don’t worry, I won’t open it in front of my parents. Along with my present I brought some specialty treats for Mindy.
I miss you so much even though it’s only been a week and a half, at least I’ll see Winter tomorrow. Those dinners are usually awful.
With love,
R.A.B
***
Arabella walks downstairs on Christmas morning to see her parent’s already waiting in front of the incredibly decorated Christmas tree, Elizabeth is sipping from a steaming mug of what smells like hot chocolate and Andrew is talking to her.
“Merry Christmas!” Arabella grins as she walks towards her parents, they both turn and grin at her.
“Merry Christmas darling! I have some hot chocolate in the kitchen all ready for you, why don’t you grab it then come open presents?” Elizabeth tells Arabella with a warm smile on her face.
Arabella nods excitedly and practically runs into the kitchen to grab her coco, too excited about opening presents to walk.
Christmas is always a big deal in the Rosier house. The small family spends all morning opening presents and eating a delicious breakfast made by Elizabeth then they will head into the village and enjoy the Christmas decorations there. They will end their night with a huge feast and a walk on the beach near their house.
Arabella hurries into the living room and puts her mug down on the coffee table before walking to the tree. She grabs a present at random the goes to sit next to Elizabeth to open it.
They open presents one by one alternating between the three of them. In the end Arabella is most excited about the new book series from her father, a beautiful assortment of dresses from her mother, a ton of chocolates from Winter (chocolates are by far Arabella’s favorite candy, favorite food even), and a very fancy notebook from Regulus. The notebook has to be the most fascinating thing she’s ever laid eyes on. Andrew explains to her that the ink will only be visible to her, he says it’s a very old type of Magic. Secretly Arabella is upset at the gift since it’s so perfect and what she got Regulus could hardly compare to the thoughtfulness of the notebook.
After presents and a decadent breakfast of French toast and fresh fruit Elizabeth and Arabella head into the village. Andrew comes with them on occasion but he usually stays back at the house.
The streets of the village are warm yet decorated with stunning wreaths and gorgeous lights.
The mother daughter duo walks through the streets and pops into many stores saying hello to their friends from the village. They stop at a small café that’s decked out in garland, lights, and a large tree.
“Mrs Rosier! So good to see you,” a small woman grins as the pair walks through the door. Elizabeth exchanges a hug with the owner of the café and the woman turns to Arabella, “and Arabella! I see your back from that boarding school of yours for the holidays!”
“Yes Ms Rivers, it’s so nice to see you!” Arabella giggles as Ms Rivers wraps her in a tight hug and ushers them over to a table.
“What can I get you two?”
Elizabeth nods toward Arabella who smiles, “I’ll have the am and cheese melt please.”
“Of course, of course! Elizabeth? I assume the same for you?” Ms Rivers asks.
Elizabeth laughs, “you know me too well, Mary!”
Ms Rivers leans closer and whispers, “how about I throw in some Christmas cookies as well?” Arabella nods excitedly causing Elizabeth to laugh.
Elizabeth and Arabella eat their sandwiches in a gentle silence with Elizabeth occasionally asking questions about school. This routine feels comfortably familiar and reminds Arabella of long days with Elizabeth simply walking around town and visiting shops.
After a large amount of sugar cookies decorated as christmas trees and snowman the duo walk back into the bustling cobblestone street and down to one of their favorite clothing stores.
“You should get something for your roommates here,” Elizabeth suggests, “or maybe something for your dorm, I remember we spruced up mine quite a bit, it was much more homely that way.”
Arabella nods excitedly and looks around the store. The store is mostly adorned with muggle clothing but also includes an assortment of jewelry and even some plants. An adorable terracotta pot with a cute leafy plant catches her eye and she grabs that.
Elizabeth buys a few tops and a skirt and Arabella gets two plants for the dorm and cute matching forest-green shirts for her and Winter, Slytherin pride and all that.
That night after the Christmas celebrations have ceased Arabella lays in bed writing back to her friends.
In just under a week she’ll be heading back to Hogwarts and she can’t decide whether she’s thrilled or upset about it. At Hogwarts everything is a bit more complicated but she has so much fun and she already is missing her friends after only being away for a bit over a week. Of course she’ll miss her parents but she’s found that she’s been getting bored here.
She signs her letters and rolls over constantly, she throws some owl food into Mindy’s cage and turns the light off. Is there a spell for that? Probably.
Arabella falls asleep to the gentle hum of waves crashing and the chirping of birds.
***
The rest of the holiday is uneventful. Arabella spends the time taking walks on the beach and around the village, reading old books from the library, writing to her friends, and helping Elizabeth cook.
The last day of Christmas break is a Sunday.
“Arabella! Please finish packing before dinner!” Elizabeth yells up the stairs. Arabella groans and reluctantly puts away her book. Her clothes are scattered across her room and various belongings of hers are throughout the house. She hurriedly opens her trunks and starts packing. First her clothes go in, then her books, then her quills and parchment, and finally her robes that she’ll change into on the train.
She hurries downstairs eager to eat Elizabeth’s delicious cooking, tonight it’s Shepherd's Pie which is Arabella’s favorite.
After dinner Elizabeth heads upstairs with Arabella to finish some last minute packing. They will leave early the next morning and Elizabeth is adamant on have Arabella all packed before bed.
Andrew heads upstairs a few hours later and hugs Arabella goodnight, she kisses both her parents goodnight and buries under her soft covers for the last time before heading back to Hogwarts.
The morning is extremely chaotic. Andrew is locked away in his study doing some sort of important work and both Arabella and Elizabeth are running around trying to finish packing
“Arabella! Where is your scarf?” Elizabet yells from downstairs.
Arabella groans, “I don’t know, mum!
“Arabella,” she scolds, “I told you to be packed!”
“Sor-ry!” Arabella yells.
Elizabeth ushers Arabella towards the fireplace in a last minute panic.
“Arabella!” Andrew calls, “say goodbye to me now, I have to stay here and finish up some work.” Elizabeth huffs in slight annoyance and Arabella can’t help but feel a bit disappointed but she runs to Andrew who wraps her in a tight hug.
“I’ll miss you so much,” she whispers against Andrew’s chest.
“Aw, I’ll miss you too, Belly. I’ll see you at Easter though, alright?”
“Ok,” Arabella sighs.
“Time to go, hun,” Elizabeth says. Arabella walks away from Andrew and grabs some floo powder from Elizabeth.
With the same sickening crushing feeling and a call goodbye from Andrew Arabella arrives at Kings Cross.
The train is already getting ready to leave and she rushes to say goodbye to Elizabeth. She grabs Mindy and hurries onto the train in search of her friends.
“Arabella!” Winter calls from inside a compartment. Excitement erupts in Arabella’s stomach and she bounds over to her friend, enveloping her in a tight hug. When the two girls pull apart Arabella spots a dark head of hair and Regulus wraps her in a slightly more timid hug.
Arabella eagerly exchanges greetings with Lucy, Penelope, Otto, Alastair, and Barty who are also sitting in the very crowded compartment and sits down between Winter and Otto.
The train ride is filled with chatter and chaotic games of exploding snap and many, many sweets. By the time the group arrives at Hogwarts Arabella can’t even think about food and she’s already grown tired.
The professors don’t hesitate with piling loads of homework and essays onto the students after the holiday. Narcissa rolls her eyes at the group of first-years telling them they hardly have any work compared to what you get in the later years (this causes an uproar from the boys who promptly abandon their work).
January is bitterly cold and February follows with the same deep chill. Arabella will admit that it’s cold but she can’t understand the other’s relentless complaining and hate of the brisk Scotland winter. Arabella finds she likes the frigid wind and cold air as it makes the castle feel so much cozier. The elf’s bring more blankets into the common room and the fire that previously glowed a sulky green turns to a bright orange that radiates heat throughout the vast room. The girl’s dorm is also more festive with many blankets and candles lit early in the day to fight away the earlier darkness.
Besides the cold, the snow is beautiful. A glittery coating of it surrounds the grounds and the black lake is soon frozen over. Kids play outside and some people are brave enough to go ice skating which Arabella straight up refuses. She’s never lived in real winter time with real snow and real icicles. Elizabeth and Andrew would take her vacationing in London and they’d go see Christmas decorations or go visit the grandparents but she never stayed in a snowy wonderland for more than a few days at a time.
“You're insane,” Winter groans, her teeth chattering, “can we please go inside?”
Arabella giggles, “c’mon Winter, it’s so pretty! We could go flying?”
“Oh good godric, no,” Winter sighs, “I hate winter time.”
“What? Your name is Winter!”
She shrugs, “doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Arabella pauses and lets out a defeated sigh, “fine, fine, let’s go play chess with Alastair and Regulus then.”