December 23, 1991
Yule began with a flurry of snow dusting the manor, and Abraxas Malfoy —my grandfather— approaching in a sleek black carriage that had no place this close to the turn of the century. Accompanying him was my grandmother, Vivienne Malfoy neé Lemaire, a beautiful once-blonde-now-snow-capped Frenchwoman who has aged like fine wine.
They arrived before any others and I left the snakes behind to greet them. They approached in silver robes, with age lines making it appear as if their brows were already furrowed. A truly Malfoy consequence. As I met them, I kept my smile small but gentle in the way a Malfoy should —but much of my tension left me at the sight of my grandparents.
“Oh, Meddy,” cooed my grandmother, her arms already around me and her lips dusting my cheeks with kisses, her French accent as elegant as ever, “You must tell me what I have missed, yes? You have grown so!”
I wrapped my arms around her, burrowing my face into her chest, “Grandmother, it’s lovely to see you.”
“Oh, yea, yes, I believe you owe me a greeting as well,” came the crotchety yet refined voice of my grandfather. As Grandmother released me I turned to him and felt my smile sharpen.
“Well, if it isn’t the needy old man who harassed me at school.”
As he snorted, indignant, his arms were already up and grasping my shoulders. A wry smile on his face.
“Well, let’s look at you, girl.” He turned me this way and that, his harsh gaze scrutinizing my every move, “Vivienne’s wrong, you’ve barely grown. Have you been eating? No —more importantly, have you been taking your potions?”
I fought back a groan, “Grandfather, yes. In fact, I’ve shot up an inch since summer. No need to use what you’ve got left of a soul to worry about me.”
Suddenly I found myself enveloped in Grandfather’s warm embrace, his hand holding my head. I sank into him. He was just like Father —that is to say bony and sharp in every way that matters when giving a hug. As he released me, I caught sight of Draco getting covered in Grandmother’s kisses and Father halfway to doubled over due to watching us being coddled. I knew, though, that Mother and Father loved to see it.
-
“Tell me, how is your charm work?”
“Strong as ever,” I preened.
“Your curses?”
“More innovative every day,” I trilled.
“Yes, well, I’d expect nothing less, hm?”
Draco was off with Mother and Grandmother —presumably performing the same pony show as me, just for an easier audience.
“You didn’t ask about potions,” my own father pointed out. Like a regular Brutus, encouraging this farce of an interrogation.
“Ah, yes, and how’s potions going? That Godfather of yours teaching you proper?”
I rolled my eyes, “Grandfather, we both know there’s not a subject at Hogwarts at which I would perform substandard. Now stop stalling and tell me if you’ve brought me something.”
Grandfather tutted, but pulled out a red velvet box the size of his forearm.
“This,” came my grandfather’s solid voice, “Is one of the many outrageous gifts your grandmother insisted upon.”
As I swiped the box and opened it, a grin appeared. Within the box was a rather obscenely large pencil. One of the ones bought as gag gifts from corner shops. It was a horrendous shade of blue.
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“Is this—“
“Yes.”
“To?”
“Why, where else? The states, as requested.”
“When?” I met Grandfather's eyes, steel grey meeting steel grey.
“Over Easter holiday, you’ll miss the first two days of festivities but, as my son has insisted, you will be returned in time for the main event.”
“And Draco—“
“Yes, yes, Vivienne is giving him his own horrifying port key. All four of us shall go and explore the best attractions New York City has to offer. The markets are something I’m sure you’ll adore.”
I sat back in my chair, a satisfied smile playing at my lips.
-
“Coco, dear, drink your tea,” Grandmother cooed over Draco, himself flushing pink as the other snakes gaped at us.
“Meddy, eat your food,” Grandfather barked.
“How come Draco is fawned over and I’m forced to be maligned?” I muttered, knowing this was exactly how Grandfather showed his fondness.
Beside me, Pansy, Millie, and Daphne shared a three-way glance.
I stared at the plate in front of me before finally taking a heaping bite. I chewed thoroughly, for an exaggerated amount of time before looking at Grandfather, as if to say ‘happy?’. And he met my gaze and twitched his nose as if to say ‘no, now eat the rest.’
So, despite my rolling stomach, I did.
-
I could feel Grandfather’s disapproving gaze as he watched me run in and out of the forest.
Then, I felt his approving gaze when he watched me down a potion.
He was a fickle man, and how I loved him so.
-
In the afternoon, another half dozen families arrived. All of which were local to Wiltshire and lived within the boundaries of the island.
They were friends and allies both.
Next came those from further, families from Exeter and Bristol and Portsmouth. Then London and Birmingham. And Sheffield and Leeds. And Glasgow and Aberdeen.
The last to arrive were the families from the Continent and a few from overseas. There were families from France and Spain, Greece and Italy, Norway and Sweden. One family came from Moscow, another from Hong Kong. There were a few from the states, and an equal number from the other Americas.
Every witch and wizard came dressed to the nines in beautiful robes and with heaps of presents to add to the Yule trees that decorated the grand entrance to Malfoy Manor. Each tree marked a family in attendance and there were so many it would be difficult to count at a glance. As soon as the gift landed on the floor they were whisked magically to the proper trees. Only once did another have to intervene and direct the gift manually.
Everyone had been given the list of attendees for this years celebration. Twelve days of Yule. Some would only stay through the 25th, others through the first, and fewer yet the third. But they all had a place to stay should they want it, and hospitality galore.
-
Dinner that night was a mad affair of greeting old friends who I’d only been able to exchange letters with during the session, and introducing new friends, and meeting the Bulstrodes and Zabinis and Parkinsons. I was introduced to little Astoria and Daphne’s parents —as well as Theo’s aging father.
It was a mix of performance and genuine festivity.
There would be dozens of events happening at the Manor over the next twelve days —tea parties and balls and games of quidditch. There would be garden parties and rounds of wizards chess and dancing late into the night. There would be wild, naked rituals and blood magic and offerings for the solstice.
-
“Meddy!” Screeched Mariposa as her and her brother, Libe, ran out of the dining room, “Hold!”
Her thick accent was enchanting as ever and I did, indeed, hold. Though it was odd for so many to be calling me Meddy, now that the snakes called me Dea. But childish nicknames aren’t something one can simply shrug off.
-
I had a veritable crowd around me at all times, family friends and friends and the snakes pulling me in different directions.
I felt wanted and cherished and alive.
Oh how I love Yule.
-
It was late into the night when Snape arrived.
-
It was even later in the night when I found myself collapsing into bed.
And the first day of Yule was over.