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[clumsy_auror]

Every hearth is crackling with a merry fire, and the scent of spiced wine and savoury dishes wafts out of the kitchen. Outside, the magical snow falls cheerily, covering everything over with a thick, fluffy layer of white.

Everything about this place today cries out home, even more so than usual.

It's Christmas Day.

Comments

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

Tiny feet patter on the floor.

She peeeeers around the corner of the doorway--and shrieks "Pwesents! Kwimas Time!"

[clumsy_auror]

There's a startled thump, and about ten seconds, later, a bleary-eyed witch shuffles out into the living room, grinning sleepily.

Give her a break. It's barely dawn, and she's not a morning person.

"Happy Christmas, sweetheart."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

Glomp of doom.

It's not just ANY morning! It's CHRISTMAS MORNING, DORA!

"MEWWY KWIMAS PWESENTS NOW?"

[clumsy_auror]

Laughing, 'Dora passes a hand over Sunny's blonde curls and then hugs her. "Don't you wanna wait for your dad? He's a little slower than I am."

There are Sounds, though, coming from the bedroom.

Rather like a disgruntled bear emerging from hibernation.

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

...

She's torn.

"Dora open pwesent fwom Sunny! Dora open pwesent fwom Sunny!"

[clumsy_auror]

"...Well, I suppose that might be do-able."

'Dora eases herself down onto the sofa, one hand at her belly, and makes herself comfortable.

"All right. I'm ready."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

Another shriek of glee as she runs off.

A small demon bunny ducks out of hiding and gives Dora a look that says clearly, "SAVE ME BEFORE SHE SQUASHES ME."

Too soon (in Hiss' opinion) Sunny returns, holding a somewhat flat looking pile of wrapping paper.

She couldn't find tape, so it's just wrapped around several times.

In it is a piece of paper that she drenched in glue and then glitter.

Lots of glitter.

Lots and lots and LOTS of glitter.

Some of it leaks out of the package as she flops it on Dora's lap and settles next to her. "Fo' Mummy!"

[clumsy_auror]

"Oh, my!"

'Dora's grinning like mad as she very carefully unwraps the package, because it was so obviously all done by her daughter.

The glitter -- all the colours of the rainbow, it seems -- flies into the air with every movement and settles down into their hair.

Yup. That's gonna be there all day.

The witch is a little sniffly as she hugs Sunny tightly. "Thank you, Sunshine. I love you."

[talented-biter.livejournal.com]

"Love 'oo too, Mummy," solemnly, wrapping her arms around Dora.




Kinda. She is small, Dora is Very Big atm. But she tries.

"Made just fo' 'oo."

[aj_crawley]

At a respectable hour of the afternoon, there comes a knocking at the door. Well... an elbowing. Slightly muffled, what with the thick (yet stylish) overcoat the elbower is wearing, but audible nonetheless.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

And a much more awake and put together Bernard opens the door and leans against the jamb lazily.

"Sorry. This is a holy day. Can you come back tomorrow?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Bernard! Let him in!"

Dora comes into view as well and smacks her husband on the behind. "Happy Christmas, Crowley." She leans up to kiss him. "Come in, come in."

[aj_crawley]

"And happy Christmas to you too, 'Dora," he replies, pointedly ignoring Bernard. Um, with love. "The angel's here too, but he got ambushed out in the bar. I stole the goods and abandoned him to his fate."

True enough, under one of Crowley's arms are a number of packages, festive reindeers and Santas contrasting with sleek gold on black. Go on, guess which ones are from whom. The other arm is carrying a small wooden crate, the contents of which promise to be both expensive and alcoholic.

[the-woodpecker.livejournal.com]

Two guesses which package Bernard takes, first one doesn't count.

Oh, fine. He takes a few others, too.

"I suppose since you brought booze I'll have to let you in." He's grinning. "Merry Christmas."

[clumsy_auror]

And 'Dora relieves the demon of a few of the lighter presents, and leads the way inside. "You can artfully arrange things under the tree to your discretion." She sets down the packages she's carrying -- on the coffee table; no bending over for Tonks -- and grins.

[aj_crawley]

After leaving his coat on a hook in the hallway, Crowley takes a moment or two to find the most aesthetically pleasing way of arranging the gifts (which mostly involves obscuring as much of Aziraphael's wrapping-paper with his own as possible).

And then he stands up again.

His knees? Glitter. So much glitter. Luckily, he hasn't noticed.

It looks very festive.

[a-fell.livejournal.com]

Aziraphael appears in the doorway, pink-cheeked and happy. He's acquired a glass of mulled wine from somewhere, and the knot of his long green scarf is twisted 'round to beneath his ear.

'Ambush' wasn't really hyperbole, sadly.

"Season's greetings, all."

December 26

[clumsy_auror]

For many people, Saint Stephen's Day is always a bit of a let-down. No more presents, no more family gatherings, no more parties until New Year's.

But not 'Dora Tonks.

Because today is her birthday.

[a-black-sheep.livejournal.com]

From the corridor outside comes a muffled argument, one part of it sounding strangely distorted. It goes on for some time, actually, until...

""

"Take it off, Ted."

" fine."

"Thank you."

A knock at the door.

[clumsy_auror]

The door opens, cautiously, and 'Dora's head pokes out into the hallway. "Do I even wanna know?"

[ididntnameher.livejournal.com]

Ted grins and leans forward to kiss her on the cheek, something black and shiny dangling from one finger.

"We're your parents, love. We passeth all understanding."

[clumsy_auror]

She snickers and lets them inside, hugging them both. "Merry Christmas to you. Any turtle doves in the post today?"

[a-black-sheep.livejournal.com]

"No, more's the pity," says Andromeda, shrugging out of her coat. "I'd've set them on your father. When I bought him that - " a nod of her head towards what Ted has in his hand (http://www.iwantoneofthose.com/search.do?productCode=DARVOI), " - I assumed he'd take it off in bed."

Arms free, she turns to hug her daughter once more.

"Happy birthday, love."

[clumsy_auror]

"Thanks, Mum," she says, beaming, and then peers narrowly at what her dad's carrying. "...Ah! Finally got it then, did you, Dad? Congrats."

[ididntnameher.livejournal.com]

"Sooner or later I always get what I want. Make note."

He grins evilly.

"Today the Darth Vader mask, tomorrow the Jaguar!"