Dec 1 | for @gingertodgers

“Ow!”

“What on earth are you griping about now?” Millicent asked.

She was far too cold and far too annoyed for another twenty minutes of discourse on Lavender’s small aches and pains. Of course she had aches and pains! It was bloody freezing out here! They should’ve Apparated, but nooo, Lavender wanted to take the Metro because it was more festive.

“There’s something in my shoe.”

Millicent frowned. “Should’ve worn better shoes.”

Lavender gave Millicent the look she’d spent all month learning from watching Nicki Minaj interviews on repeat. Despite the look, Millicent was warmed by how lovely Lavender’s rosy cheeks were in the cold.

“These shoes are better. They’re Italian leather and hand-sewn!” said Lav.

“Don’t keep rocks out very well, though, do they?” asked Millicent, as they approached the door. It was wrapped like a Christmas present in a large bow—definitely not Draco’s doing.

“Hmph,” said Lavender. She rang the doorbell, starting wiggling her finger about in her right heel, frowning.

A moment later, Potter opened the door, beaming like a loon. “Come in, come in!”

“Scorpius is still trying to wrap your present,” Draco advised them, steering them from the dining room. Millicent heard a furious snipping of scissors and pulling of Spellotape from the roll and decided she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to open the resulting present.

Lavender was still hobbling around on her be-rocked shoe after Draco had provided them with spiked cider and canapés. She looked so miserable, trying to unobtrusively de-rock her shoe, that Millicent’s heart melted a few degrees.

“Come on, then,” Millicent said to her, pressing her mouth to Lavender’s ear. Lavender shuddered. “Let’s go to the loo and I’ll help you get this rock out.”

Lavender beamed at her, straightened her shoulders. “Thanks, Milly! My nails are too long.”

Not too long to rub me off, Millicent distinctly recalled.

They retreated to the loo and Lavender propped herself up on the counter, her knees spreading as far as her short skirt would allow. Millicent knelt down, running her hands down one smooth, silky leg, and carefully worked Lavender’s Louboutin off.

A tiny, minuscule, barely perceptible rock fell into Millicent’s palm. She held it up for Lavender to see, and hoped the exasperation she felt was visible.

“You got it!” Lavender said. “Thank you so much, Milly!”

“Of course,” said Millicent, anchoring her hands on Lavender’s knees to hoist herself back up.

“Wait just a second,” Lavender said, a hand on Millicent’s shoulder. “You’re already down there…might as well make the most of it.”

Millicent smirked. “Anytime, love.” And lowered her face back down. Potter and Draco’s holiday party could bloody well wait.