christmas eve, mary
Christmas Eve, 1981
mary
Mary strolled down the lane, cappuccino (with extra chocolate on top) in hand. Snow blanketed the street, causing the few remaining leaves to come floating off the trees as snowflakes weighed them down. Winter was Mary's favourite time of year. She often took the muggle camera Lily had gifted her a few years ago out to capture the way the snow covered the walls of bridges like felt, or the way the once bare tree branches became heavy and sagging with snow; like old women carrying too many shopping bags. Of course, the main reason Mary loved winter was the fashion. Today she was loaded with a thick knitted navy blue scarf, a long black duster coat covering a tight black maxi dress and burgundy tights, and her favourite Mary Janes. Another moment of Lily Evans brilliance, wherein the incredible redhead had enchanted the shoes (that had been a fifth birthday gift from Mary's muggle father) with semper crescere. Even now, four years after her father had died, Mary could wear a little piece of him and feel his warmth, even if they were just a pair of shoes.
Mary arrived at her destination, a small red door leading into an apartment owned by both her and one Reginald Cattermole. She'd been seeing the wizard for around a year and a half, and she was hopelessly head over heels for him. He was calm and bookish where Mary was bold and exuberant. He quietened her storms, and she brightened his days; the two were a perfect fit. So, she approached the door with a cheerful grin and a careless mind. She turned slightly, pushing the door open with her hip as she balanced her and Reg's coffees in each hand.
"Reg!" She called out, "I'm home!" as she turned around to place her purse on the kitchen counter, she dropped her paper coffee cup with a gasp. "Reg! W-w-what is this?!" she spluttered, unable to believe the sight before her.
Striking red rose petals had been carefully scattered on the floor, candles floated alight, a soft crooning voice swirled through the room, and Reginald posed carefully on one knee. In his hand was a small dark blue velvet box, opened just enough so that the diamond ring inside shone as it reflected the candle light.
"Mary," Reginald began, a slight quiver in his voice, "You are the most brilliant woman I know. You are an exceedingly talented witch, a beautiful, kind, intelligent, courageous, and, and," Reginald's voice broke slightly as a single tear slipped out of his eye. He wobbled slightly in his position as he wiped the tear from his cheek. "And I am so incredibly lucky to know you. I love you, Mary, more than anything in this world. Would you make me the happiest wizard in the world and ma-
"Yes! Yes, Reg, Yes! Yes, a hundred times, Yes!"
Mary leaped towards her now-fiance, kissing him flush on the mouth. The two held each other, and joy radiated in the room so much so that if you were to peer through a window, the apartment would seem to have lit up with a golden light. Everything seemed to glow as Reg shakily fitted the engagement ring onto Mary's finger.
The pair, still buzzing with adrenaline and love, strode to the couch and collapsed, legs and arms entangled.
"I love you, Reginald Cattermole," Mary smiled as she tenderly placed a kiss on his cheek.
"And I love you, Mary Macdonald," Reginald returned with a kiss on her forehead.
Content, the two lay on the couch, Reg stroking Mary's hair, and Mary fiddling with the ring now fixed on her finger.
The lilting voice continued to permeate through the air-a muggle singer by the name of Ilene Woods.
So this is love, mmm
So this is love
So this is what makes life divine
I'm all aglow, mmm
And now I know
The key to all heaven is mine