This writing blog has been long neglected. Most of the creative writing the girls have done lately is work on their novels, which they're not ready to unveil.
But, last year, Anne-with-an-e started her annual "Christmas Fan Fiction Challenge." Her assignment this year? Stories, with Harry Potter characters, on one of the following themes:
A retelling of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, or a story centering on "The Hope of Christmas." Even Ramona participated this year (though she chose to incorporate her own rather than one of the prescribed themes) and I'm posting our results below.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Anne-with-an-e's 2009 Christmas Fan Fic
A Marauder Christmas Story
by Anne-with-an-e
Author's Note: I don't own anyone you recognize; they belong to J.K. Rowling. Also, this was originally going to be a song fic to Amy Grant's 'Grown-Up Christmas List', but the plot mutated somewhat, and I ended up with this, which I sort of like better. The piano thing was inspired by a scene from the movie version of "Little Women."
Dedicated to all who need angels.
Remus Lupin walked down the snow-dusted street on Christmas Eve. The London shop windows were brightly light and Muggle cars rushed back and forth, no doubt hoping to beat the predicted snowfall. No one paid him any attention.
He passed a church. Through the window in the door, he could see people readying the building for the midnight Christmas service.
Remus continued on his way, leaving the center of London behind. When he reached his small house on the edge of the neighborhood, he took out his key, and went inside.
After hanging up his hat and cloak on the rack by the door, he went into the living room. He sat down at the piano, moving his fingers over the keys. God rest ye, merry gentlemen...... That one had been Lily's favorite; Sirius' also, though he sang it differently, with hippogriffs, rather than gentlemen.
Remus smiled slightly remembering how the piano had come into his possession. It had been the previous Christmas, when the Potters were alive. Christmas Eve had been two days after the full moon....
Lily Evans Potter ran around the living room of Remus' house, putting up decorations as James sat on the couch with five-month-old Harry.
"One wall wreath is enough, I think, Lils," James said, removing his finger from Harry's mouth to avoid being bitten by his son's one tooth.
"I like it," Lily said, stepping down from the small ladder and surveying the room. There was greenery strung all around the room, a tall tree in one corner, and a large something against the wall, under the window. It was covered by red curtains, which had been conjured by Sirius.
"You've outdone yourself, Lily," said a voice from behind them. The Potters turned to see Sirius Black standing in the entrance to the living room, a bag in his hand.
"Do you want me to put those under the tree?" Lily asked him, indicating the bag.
"Sure," Sirius said, handing it to her.
"Where's Remus?" James asked.
"He knew we were coming tonight, right?" All of a sudden, Lily seemed worried.
" 'Course he did," Sirius replied, turning to look behind him. " But he didn't know we were decorating his house! He's coming now, I'll make sure he has his eyes closed."
After Sirius left the room, Lily vanished the step-ladder, and James, still holding Harry, stood up beside his wife.
From where they were standing, James and Lily could hear the voices of Remus and Sirius in the hall.
"What's this all about, Sirius?"
"You'll see."
The two entered the room, Sirius following Remus, covering his eyes from behind. Remus limped slightly, walking with crutches, because he'd hurt his leg the night of the full moon.
"Can I look now?" Remus asked, sounding somewhat exasperated.
"All right," Sirius said, "now!"
He moved his hands. Remus' jaw dropped.
"Happy Christmas, Remus!" They said in unison. Harry gurgled happily and chewed his finger.
Remus was stunned. "It's.... It's beautiful...."
James grinned. "You haven't even seen the best part!" he said. "Sirius, Lily?"
Lily and Sirius smiled widely and pulled the curtains off the large object.
Remus's breath caught in his throat. It was a piano, the most gorgeous piano he'd ever seen. The wood was a dark brown, almost black. The keys were a bright white and shiny pitch-black.
"It was going to be a birthday present," James said, "but we couldn't find one good enough."
Remus was completely speechless as he sat down at the beautiful instrument.
"Play something," Lily suggested.
Remus placed his fingers over the keys, playing the first thing that came to him. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, may nothing you dismay......
They all sang with the familiar song, Lily in a high, sweet voice, Sirius in a low voice, James and Remus lower than Lily, but not quite as low as Sirius. The music floating over the piano and into history.........
********************************
Suddenly, the memories were too strong. Remus lept up from the piano bench, hurried to the door, grabbed his hat and cloak, and ran out into the night.
He walked back the way he had come, not really paying attention to the buildings around him.
It was then that he realized he was in front of the church again. Not knowing what else to do, he went inside. The Church seemed to be waiting quietly for midnight.
Remus sat down in a pew toward the back of the church. He rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands.
"Tell me it'll be all right. They're gone, and I'm alone, and I don't know what to do. Just give me a sign of some sort, please." He whispered the prayer to himself.
"Excuse me, but, may I help you?"
The voice made Remus start, and he looked up. A young man was standing there; he couldn't have been much older than Remus himself.
"I'm sorry," Remus said, standing, "I thought the church was empty."
"It's all right," the man said kindly. "May I ask your name?"
"Remus."
"Can I help you with anything, Remus?"
"I don't think so. I was just sort of lonely."
The young man gave a small smile. "Why don't you come to my office for a bit, and we'll talk. My name's James, by the way. I'm the pastor here."
THE END
by Anne-with-an-e
Author's Note: I don't own anyone you recognize; they belong to J.K. Rowling. Also, this was originally going to be a song fic to Amy Grant's 'Grown-Up Christmas List', but the plot mutated somewhat, and I ended up with this, which I sort of like better. The piano thing was inspired by a scene from the movie version of "Little Women."
Dedicated to all who need angels.
Remus Lupin walked down the snow-dusted street on Christmas Eve. The London shop windows were brightly light and Muggle cars rushed back and forth, no doubt hoping to beat the predicted snowfall. No one paid him any attention.
He passed a church. Through the window in the door, he could see people readying the building for the midnight Christmas service.
Remus continued on his way, leaving the center of London behind. When he reached his small house on the edge of the neighborhood, he took out his key, and went inside.
After hanging up his hat and cloak on the rack by the door, he went into the living room. He sat down at the piano, moving his fingers over the keys. God rest ye, merry gentlemen...... That one had been Lily's favorite; Sirius' also, though he sang it differently, with hippogriffs, rather than gentlemen.
Remus smiled slightly remembering how the piano had come into his possession. It had been the previous Christmas, when the Potters were alive. Christmas Eve had been two days after the full moon....
***********************
Lily Evans Potter ran around the living room of Remus' house, putting up decorations as James sat on the couch with five-month-old Harry.
"One wall wreath is enough, I think, Lils," James said, removing his finger from Harry's mouth to avoid being bitten by his son's one tooth.
"I like it," Lily said, stepping down from the small ladder and surveying the room. There was greenery strung all around the room, a tall tree in one corner, and a large something against the wall, under the window. It was covered by red curtains, which had been conjured by Sirius.
"You've outdone yourself, Lily," said a voice from behind them. The Potters turned to see Sirius Black standing in the entrance to the living room, a bag in his hand.
"Do you want me to put those under the tree?" Lily asked him, indicating the bag.
"Sure," Sirius said, handing it to her.
"Where's Remus?" James asked.
"He knew we were coming tonight, right?" All of a sudden, Lily seemed worried.
" 'Course he did," Sirius replied, turning to look behind him. " But he didn't know we were decorating his house! He's coming now, I'll make sure he has his eyes closed."
After Sirius left the room, Lily vanished the step-ladder, and James, still holding Harry, stood up beside his wife.
From where they were standing, James and Lily could hear the voices of Remus and Sirius in the hall.
"What's this all about, Sirius?"
"You'll see."
The two entered the room, Sirius following Remus, covering his eyes from behind. Remus limped slightly, walking with crutches, because he'd hurt his leg the night of the full moon.
"Can I look now?" Remus asked, sounding somewhat exasperated.
"All right," Sirius said, "now!"
He moved his hands. Remus' jaw dropped.
"Happy Christmas, Remus!" They said in unison. Harry gurgled happily and chewed his finger.
Remus was stunned. "It's.... It's beautiful...."
James grinned. "You haven't even seen the best part!" he said. "Sirius, Lily?"
Lily and Sirius smiled widely and pulled the curtains off the large object.
Remus's breath caught in his throat. It was a piano, the most gorgeous piano he'd ever seen. The wood was a dark brown, almost black. The keys were a bright white and shiny pitch-black.
"It was going to be a birthday present," James said, "but we couldn't find one good enough."
Remus was completely speechless as he sat down at the beautiful instrument.
"Play something," Lily suggested.
Remus placed his fingers over the keys, playing the first thing that came to him. God rest ye, merry gentlemen, may nothing you dismay......
They all sang with the familiar song, Lily in a high, sweet voice, Sirius in a low voice, James and Remus lower than Lily, but not quite as low as Sirius. The music floating over the piano and into history.........
********************************
Suddenly, the memories were too strong. Remus lept up from the piano bench, hurried to the door, grabbed his hat and cloak, and ran out into the night.
He walked back the way he had come, not really paying attention to the buildings around him.
It was then that he realized he was in front of the church again. Not knowing what else to do, he went inside. The Church seemed to be waiting quietly for midnight.
Remus sat down in a pew toward the back of the church. He rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands.
"Tell me it'll be all right. They're gone, and I'm alone, and I don't know what to do. Just give me a sign of some sort, please." He whispered the prayer to himself.
"Excuse me, but, may I help you?"
The voice made Remus start, and he looked up. A young man was standing there; he couldn't have been much older than Remus himself.
"I'm sorry," Remus said, standing, "I thought the church was empty."
"It's all right," the man said kindly. "May I ask your name?"
"Remus."
"Can I help you with anything, Remus?"
"I don't think so. I was just sort of lonely."
The young man gave a small smile. "Why don't you come to my office for a bit, and we'll talk. My name's James, by the way. I'm the pastor here."
THE END
Betsy's 2009 Christmas Fan Fic
A Christmas Carol:
Severus Snape edition
Prologue:
Severus Snape was not a pleasant man. He didn't like children, he didn't like animals. He didn't even like adults (even though he was one.) He really didn't like Ronald Weasley (or Ron, as he was known to everyone but his mother), or Hermione Granger. He hated Harry Potter. Ron Weasley was Severus's employee. He was poor. He and his wife Hermione had four children: Rose, Molly, Jean, and William. Jean was in a wheelchair. She had been born premature. Some people had affectionately taken to calling her Tiny Jean. Severus knew that Ron would want to go home with his family on Christmas. He didn't like that at all. He didn't want to have to give Ron a day's pay, for no work.
Chapter one
"Weasley. Close up shop. I'm going home," Severus yelled. Why couldn't that boy ever be near when Severus needed him for something? "I need you to be here at 5:30 Monday morning. " Christmas was on a Sunday that year.
Ron entered the room. "Have a good Christmas."
Severus ignored him as he made his way to the door. He was just about to open it, when a man and woman entered.
"Merry Christmas, sir. We are taking donations for the poor. How much would you like to give?" asked the man. He was wearing a Christmas wreath as a hat. The woman standing next to him was wearing a chain of wooden cranberries around her neck like a scarf. Severus snorted.
"The poor? They have never given to me. Why should I give to them?" He pushed past them, grabbing his cloak as he went out. Ron shrugged apologetically at the man and woman.
"I'm Ron Weasley. Five galleons is all I can spare. " The man pulled out a clipboard and wrote that down.
"Thank you sir," the woman said. The two left.
Ron sighed. He locked the safe where Severus kept the money, checked the storerooms, saw that everything was in order, grabbed his cloak and left.
Severus walked home through the snow. He grumbled the whole way home about poor people. "If they're so poor, they should get jobs. They shouldn't have people begging for money. Bah, humbug."
He turned a corner and saw something. Was that.......No. That couldn't be Harry Potter's orange stand? That had closed years ago. Of course, Harry hadn't died, but the ministry had closed it. They had accused him of selling poison oranges. Ha. That was a joke. Harry Potter, The Chosen One. Selling poison oranges. They said that Pansy Malfoy's husband Draco had died from one of the oranges. Severus blinked, and the orange stand disappeared. Just his imagination. He kept walking.
"Oranges sir?"
Severus jumped. He looked to the left of him. There was a boy. He had black hair, green eyes, glasses, a scar on his forehead. "No. No. Get away," Severus flapped his hand and the boy disappeared. He shivered, and continued walking home. He reached home very shortly after that. He hurried to the door. His knocker turned briefly into the face of Draco Malfoy. Severus yelled and jumped back. He ran around the house, and unlocked the back door.
Chapter two
Severus settled down in his chair by the fire. He had a dinner tray. "Blast those neighbors," he muttered. His neighbors were obsessed with Halloween. Or at least, that would explain the clanking chains he was hearing. Were the neighbors coming to his house? Was that why the chains were getting louder? There was a knock on the door. The chains rattled against the door.
There was a muffled shout.
Severus jumped to his feet, spilling his food on the floor, and ran into his room. He locked the door. He backed up till he was pressed against the wall. His door banged open, and a figure walked in. He was dressed in a satin dressing gown, and fur slippers. It was Draco. He had no chains. Then he drew a radio from behind his back. He turned it off. The chains stopped rattling. He pointed to his mouth. It was duct taped shut. Severus stepped forward and grabbed the tape. He found that he could touch it. He pulled it off.
"Thanks. That tape was really itchy." Draco rubbed his jaw.
"Why didn't you have real chains?" Severus asked, though he was thankful they had just been a recording.
"Too old fashioned. I'm here about your attitude."
"My what?"
Draco didn't stop to answer Severus's question. "You will be visited by three ghosts." He looked at his wristwatch. (A ghost wearing a watch?) "Oh gosh! I gotta go! My spa appointment is in ten minutes."
"Your what?"
"Don't forget, three ghosts! The first one at midnight. Later."
"Wait! What are you talking about?" Draco vanished. "Okay. This is crazy. I need some sleep." Severus lay down on his bed. He fell asleep.
Chapter Three
The clock struck one. Severus woke up when he heard a voice.
"Severus. I am the ghost of Christmas Past."
"Bah. Humbug. What do you want?"
"I need to show you something."
"Why?"
"You've been having a bad attitude."
Severus looked up. There was a figure standing there. A spirit.
"You're coming with me. Come on, get up." The spirit took Severus's hand. The scene changed. They were sitting in a small building. A young woman came running in. "Darling, your father says that you can come home. He has sent me to get you." Severus recognized his mother. She had cried when her husband had sent little Severus away.
The scene changed again. A beautiful woman with flaming red hair and green eyes was standing there facing him. She was crying. Lily.
"Severus, I'm sorry. I don't think I can be friends with you anymore." She handed him back a ring. "I'm sorry." Severus opened his mouth.
The scene changed. Lily was standing there with James Potter. She was holding a small child. That child could have been his; he could have married Lily instead of that Potter. Severus felt tears pricking his eyes. He was back in his bedroom. The ghost was gone. She had shown him the past. The past he wished he could change.
Chapter 4
"Severus. I am the ghost of Christmas present," a voice boomed.
"Of course you are," Severus muttered into his pillow. He looked up. The ghost was sitting on a large pile of food.
"Come on." The ghost took his hand. The scene changed. They were standing watching Ron's family. Hermione standing over the stove, her hair frizzing even more then usual in the steam, three children running around. Ron came in, pushing a wheelchair with Jean in it.
"How was Jean on your walk?" Hermione asked.
"As good as a saint," Ron answered.
Hermione called the other children to set the table. She served up the food, and they all sat down to eat. "God bless us," they all said.
"And, God bless Severus," Hermione added. The children looked at her. Severus did too.
The scene changed. He was in Harry Potter's house. They were having dinner. "I hope Severus isn't alone tonight," Ginny said. Severus was back in his room.
"Spirit, tell me. Will Jean live?" Severus asked.
"The Weasleys have little money. They cannot afford a doctor. Unless you do something, she will die."
The spirit disappeared. Severus lay down on his bed. He lay awake, waiting for the third ghost.
Chapter 5
The third and final ghost didn't speak a word when it appeared in Severus's room. It just glided forward, a long cloak covering its body.
"Who, who are you?" Severus stammered.
The ghost just took Severus's hand. The scene changed. There was a grave yard. There was a grave in front of him. It had his name on it. It had the day of his birth, it had the date of his death. Severus looked closely at the date of death. He was to die in two weeks!
"Please spirit! Tell me this isn't final!" The ghost turned and began gliding away.
"Don't leave me here! Tell me what to do to change this!" The ghost turned around again. Severus understood what he must do. "I will change my ways. I will give Ronald Weasley a raise. I will pay for Jean's hospital bills. I will be good to Harry Potter. Please, please."
Severus was back in his room. The sun was rising. He leaped out of bed. He ran to the window. He threw it open.
"You there! Boy!"
A young boy turned. "Yes sir?"
"What day is it?"
"December 25! Christmas!"
The spirits had done it all on one night! "Is the turkey still in the shop? The large one?"
"I'll check sir!" The boy ran off. Severus jumped about his room. He leaped off his bed to his closet. He threw it open. "Bah! Black, black, black, black! Have I nothing that isn't black?"
He ran to the bathroom. "Urg! Look at my hair!" He took a shower. He ran back into his bedroom when he heard the boy calling.
"Yes sir, it's still there."
"Very good. I'll get you a galleon, young man, if you can get it for the Weasley family."
"Thank you, sir!" He ran off, then back again five minutes later. "It will be delivered before noon."
"Two galleons then!" Severus tossed them to the boy. He ran back to his closet and pulled out his black dress robes. He grabbed his wand and turned them yellow. He pulled them on and ran downstairs and out the front door. He ran around town all day wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
Chapter 6
Ron entered the shop the day after Christmas at 5:30, just like Severus had demanded.
"Ronald Weasley!"
"Yes, sir?"
"I think it's about time."
"For what, sir?"
Severus stood up. He looked angry. Ron cringed.
"Time to give you a raise!"
"What?" Ron stared at him. Severus was beaming. "Do you feel alright, sir?"
"I feel fine my boy! You need a raise! And take Jean to the hospital."
"We can't pay for --"
"Go home! Spend more time with your family! Tell them you've gotten a raise! And that an anonymous donor has given you enough money to pay for Jean's hospital bills!"
"Sir, do you mean.....?"
"Yes, my fine lad! Now go! But don't tell anyone who this anonymous donor is."
"Thank you, sir!" Ron grabbed his cloak and raced out the door.
Severus smiled. It was good to see that boy happy.
High above, a woman with flaming red hair, and green eyes, was smiling, and crying.
THE END
Severus Snape edition
Prologue:
Severus Snape was not a pleasant man. He didn't like children, he didn't like animals. He didn't even like adults (even though he was one.) He really didn't like Ronald Weasley (or Ron, as he was known to everyone but his mother), or Hermione Granger. He hated Harry Potter. Ron Weasley was Severus's employee. He was poor. He and his wife Hermione had four children: Rose, Molly, Jean, and William. Jean was in a wheelchair. She had been born premature. Some people had affectionately taken to calling her Tiny Jean. Severus knew that Ron would want to go home with his family on Christmas. He didn't like that at all. He didn't want to have to give Ron a day's pay, for no work.
Chapter one
"Weasley. Close up shop. I'm going home," Severus yelled. Why couldn't that boy ever be near when Severus needed him for something? "I need you to be here at 5:30 Monday morning. " Christmas was on a Sunday that year.
Ron entered the room. "Have a good Christmas."
Severus ignored him as he made his way to the door. He was just about to open it, when a man and woman entered.
"Merry Christmas, sir. We are taking donations for the poor. How much would you like to give?" asked the man. He was wearing a Christmas wreath as a hat. The woman standing next to him was wearing a chain of wooden cranberries around her neck like a scarf. Severus snorted.
"The poor? They have never given to me. Why should I give to them?" He pushed past them, grabbing his cloak as he went out. Ron shrugged apologetically at the man and woman.
"I'm Ron Weasley. Five galleons is all I can spare. " The man pulled out a clipboard and wrote that down.
"Thank you sir," the woman said. The two left.
Ron sighed. He locked the safe where Severus kept the money, checked the storerooms, saw that everything was in order, grabbed his cloak and left.
Severus walked home through the snow. He grumbled the whole way home about poor people. "If they're so poor, they should get jobs. They shouldn't have people begging for money. Bah, humbug."
He turned a corner and saw something. Was that.......No. That couldn't be Harry Potter's orange stand? That had closed years ago. Of course, Harry hadn't died, but the ministry had closed it. They had accused him of selling poison oranges. Ha. That was a joke. Harry Potter, The Chosen One. Selling poison oranges. They said that Pansy Malfoy's husband Draco had died from one of the oranges. Severus blinked, and the orange stand disappeared. Just his imagination. He kept walking.
"Oranges sir?"
Severus jumped. He looked to the left of him. There was a boy. He had black hair, green eyes, glasses, a scar on his forehead. "No. No. Get away," Severus flapped his hand and the boy disappeared. He shivered, and continued walking home. He reached home very shortly after that. He hurried to the door. His knocker turned briefly into the face of Draco Malfoy. Severus yelled and jumped back. He ran around the house, and unlocked the back door.
Chapter two
Severus settled down in his chair by the fire. He had a dinner tray. "Blast those neighbors," he muttered. His neighbors were obsessed with Halloween. Or at least, that would explain the clanking chains he was hearing. Were the neighbors coming to his house? Was that why the chains were getting louder? There was a knock on the door. The chains rattled against the door.
There was a muffled shout.
Severus jumped to his feet, spilling his food on the floor, and ran into his room. He locked the door. He backed up till he was pressed against the wall. His door banged open, and a figure walked in. He was dressed in a satin dressing gown, and fur slippers. It was Draco. He had no chains. Then he drew a radio from behind his back. He turned it off. The chains stopped rattling. He pointed to his mouth. It was duct taped shut. Severus stepped forward and grabbed the tape. He found that he could touch it. He pulled it off.
"Thanks. That tape was really itchy." Draco rubbed his jaw.
"Why didn't you have real chains?" Severus asked, though he was thankful they had just been a recording.
"Too old fashioned. I'm here about your attitude."
"My what?"
Draco didn't stop to answer Severus's question. "You will be visited by three ghosts." He looked at his wristwatch. (A ghost wearing a watch?) "Oh gosh! I gotta go! My spa appointment is in ten minutes."
"Your what?"
"Don't forget, three ghosts! The first one at midnight. Later."
"Wait! What are you talking about?" Draco vanished. "Okay. This is crazy. I need some sleep." Severus lay down on his bed. He fell asleep.
Chapter Three
The clock struck one. Severus woke up when he heard a voice.
"Severus. I am the ghost of Christmas Past."
"Bah. Humbug. What do you want?"
"I need to show you something."
"Why?"
"You've been having a bad attitude."
Severus looked up. There was a figure standing there. A spirit.
"You're coming with me. Come on, get up." The spirit took Severus's hand. The scene changed. They were sitting in a small building. A young woman came running in. "Darling, your father says that you can come home. He has sent me to get you." Severus recognized his mother. She had cried when her husband had sent little Severus away.
The scene changed again. A beautiful woman with flaming red hair and green eyes was standing there facing him. She was crying. Lily.
"Severus, I'm sorry. I don't think I can be friends with you anymore." She handed him back a ring. "I'm sorry." Severus opened his mouth.
The scene changed. Lily was standing there with James Potter. She was holding a small child. That child could have been his; he could have married Lily instead of that Potter. Severus felt tears pricking his eyes. He was back in his bedroom. The ghost was gone. She had shown him the past. The past he wished he could change.
Chapter 4
"Severus. I am the ghost of Christmas present," a voice boomed.
"Of course you are," Severus muttered into his pillow. He looked up. The ghost was sitting on a large pile of food.
"Come on." The ghost took his hand. The scene changed. They were standing watching Ron's family. Hermione standing over the stove, her hair frizzing even more then usual in the steam, three children running around. Ron came in, pushing a wheelchair with Jean in it.
"How was Jean on your walk?" Hermione asked.
"As good as a saint," Ron answered.
Hermione called the other children to set the table. She served up the food, and they all sat down to eat. "God bless us," they all said.
"And, God bless Severus," Hermione added. The children looked at her. Severus did too.
The scene changed. He was in Harry Potter's house. They were having dinner. "I hope Severus isn't alone tonight," Ginny said. Severus was back in his room.
"Spirit, tell me. Will Jean live?" Severus asked.
"The Weasleys have little money. They cannot afford a doctor. Unless you do something, she will die."
The spirit disappeared. Severus lay down on his bed. He lay awake, waiting for the third ghost.
Chapter 5
The third and final ghost didn't speak a word when it appeared in Severus's room. It just glided forward, a long cloak covering its body.
"Who, who are you?" Severus stammered.
The ghost just took Severus's hand. The scene changed. There was a grave yard. There was a grave in front of him. It had his name on it. It had the day of his birth, it had the date of his death. Severus looked closely at the date of death. He was to die in two weeks!
"Please spirit! Tell me this isn't final!" The ghost turned and began gliding away.
"Don't leave me here! Tell me what to do to change this!" The ghost turned around again. Severus understood what he must do. "I will change my ways. I will give Ronald Weasley a raise. I will pay for Jean's hospital bills. I will be good to Harry Potter. Please, please."
Severus was back in his room. The sun was rising. He leaped out of bed. He ran to the window. He threw it open.
"You there! Boy!"
A young boy turned. "Yes sir?"
"What day is it?"
"December 25! Christmas!"
The spirits had done it all on one night! "Is the turkey still in the shop? The large one?"
"I'll check sir!" The boy ran off. Severus jumped about his room. He leaped off his bed to his closet. He threw it open. "Bah! Black, black, black, black! Have I nothing that isn't black?"
He ran to the bathroom. "Urg! Look at my hair!" He took a shower. He ran back into his bedroom when he heard the boy calling.
"Yes sir, it's still there."
"Very good. I'll get you a galleon, young man, if you can get it for the Weasley family."
"Thank you, sir!" He ran off, then back again five minutes later. "It will be delivered before noon."
"Two galleons then!" Severus tossed them to the boy. He ran back to his closet and pulled out his black dress robes. He grabbed his wand and turned them yellow. He pulled them on and ran downstairs and out the front door. He ran around town all day wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
Chapter 6
Ron entered the shop the day after Christmas at 5:30, just like Severus had demanded.
"Ronald Weasley!"
"Yes, sir?"
"I think it's about time."
"For what, sir?"
Severus stood up. He looked angry. Ron cringed.
"Time to give you a raise!"
"What?" Ron stared at him. Severus was beaming. "Do you feel alright, sir?"
"I feel fine my boy! You need a raise! And take Jean to the hospital."
"We can't pay for --"
"Go home! Spend more time with your family! Tell them you've gotten a raise! And that an anonymous donor has given you enough money to pay for Jean's hospital bills!"
"Sir, do you mean.....?"
"Yes, my fine lad! Now go! But don't tell anyone who this anonymous donor is."
"Thank you, sir!" Ron grabbed his cloak and raced out the door.
Severus smiled. It was good to see that boy happy.
High above, a woman with flaming red hair, and green eyes, was smiling, and crying.
THE END
Ramona's 2009 Christmas Fan Fic
The gift from the wizard
by Ramona
chapter 1
It was a cold foggy evening.
“good gosh! I don’t have a present for Ron!” said harry potter.
he was sitting on his bed under the stairs. “aunt petunia, can I go to the store?”
“I suppose. Here is the shopping list.”
So he put on his hat, coat, scarf, and gloves. Then he went out the door and to the store. When he reached the grocery store, he went in. the wonderful smell of cloves, and apple cider drifted through the store.
"free gift guides! free gift guides!" said a man.
"free gift guides?" harry wondered. then he ran over.
chapter 2
"gift 1" harry read "get your self a very good apple (red apples are preferred.) and a box of cloves. then stick the cloves in the apple. it smells very nice." "wow. i wonder if i could do that" harry said to him self.
"these are free right?"
"yup. go ahead and take one."
"thank you!" he said then he ran off into the cold blowing snow.
chapter 3
"I'm home."
"alright. did you by eggs, milk, butter, red apples, and oranges like this list said?"
"I'll go back out."
"oh, and harry, here is $10 for the items."
"alright." then when harry got to the store, he heard someone say,"in honer of national hivvee day, buy a beard cozy for your fine-feathered friend." then he saw a free-money stand. so he went over, got money, and bought everything that was on the list especially cloves.
chapter 4
on the way home, harry stopped at the wrapping stand to wrap hagrid's gift. then by hagrid's house. when he stepped inside, hagrid wasn't there. "hello?" harry called. but there was no answer. "um,hello?" he called again.
then he saw a HUGE shadow on the floor. "why hello harry what a pleasant surprise!"
"hello hagrid!" harry said. "i brought you a Christmas present." "go ahead and open it." so hagrid opened it alright. he pretty much just brushed the paper off he was so big. "wow!" then he put it on his head and went outside and danced around.
"Hagrid, it's a beard cozy." "COOL! WOW! KABOOM! SHAMMIE!" "A BEARD COZY!"
chapter 5
"um, goodbye."
"by harry oh and thanks for the gift!"
so finally, he got home. well to the dursley's anyway. so he put the stuff on the counter, then pick up the cloves and the apple. and took a clove out of the mini box and pushed it in the apple. then put more in. and more more cloves! then finally it was done. so put on his stuff, and went to the wrapping stand and got the apple wrapped.
chapter 6
when harry got to the Wesley's house, he knocked on the door. Fred answered. "hello harry! your just in time! the Christmas cookies just got out of the oven about 1 minute ago."
"cool. thank you."
"hey harry." ron said.
he had a gingerbread boy in one hand, and a tree in the other. "ready to frost some cookies?"
"sure."
"what's in the box?"
"your christmas presant."
"mum, can i open it?"
"i think you should open it tomorrow when father christmas comes. but, you can open it when ever you want to."
"i think i'll open it now. come on harry! lets open it by the tree!"
"alright." so they went over to the tree, and when ron opened it, this what he said,"wow! an apple with cloves pushed into it! this is the best christmas presant ever harry! thank you so so much!"
the
end
Mom's 2009 Christmas Fan Fic
The Hope of Christmas
by Mom
"Sweetheart, could you please pass the chocolate biscotti?"
Remus smiled at his wife and handed her a basket that was lined with a crisp white linen napkin and filled with crunchy, chocolate dipped cookies.
"Thank you," smiled Tonks as she helped herself to two pieces. "You?"
"No, thank you. I think I'll just have another cup of this perfectly brewed coffee," said Remus, pouring himself a cup from the thermal carafe that sat on their table in the small restaurant.
"Aaahhh," he sighed as he took a sip. "How do they get it to taste like this?"
"I know," said Tonks. "Everything is just perfect. I could sit here for hours. I've never felt so relaxed."
Remus leaned over and kissed his wife on the cheek, then leaned back and took another sip of his coffee.
"Did you hear," asked Tonks as she crunched the biscotti, "the latest news of Harry?"
Remus raised his eyebrows. "I heard ... something. But, I thought we weren't supposed to talk about it until the meeting."
"Well," said Tonks, "I'm sure that what I heard wasn't top secret. They're saying that he was offered the position of Minister of Magic, but that he has no interest."
"Of course he doesn't," said Remus. "Harry has always had far too much sense to want to get into politics. And Ginny would certainly have none of it."
"No, she wouldn't!" laughed Tonks. "She's far too sensible as well. They'd rather live a quiet life, have loads of kids and time to see all their family, don't you think? I think Harry should get into teaching. What a wonderful Hogwarts professor he would be!"
Remus laughed. "Well, I can vouch for the fact that teaching can be a, umm, an interesting job. Harry would surely end up as headmaster, too, don't you think?"
"Absolutely," said Tonks, leaning back from the table, and patting her stomach. "I am so full. I couldn't eat another thing. Unless they have hot chocolate. I might be able to manage a few sips."
A waiter appeared at Tonks' side. "And would you like whipped cream on top?" he asked.
"Why, yes!" said Tonks. "That would be lovely."
The waiter disappeared through the door into the kitchen, and returned with a steaming cup of chocolate and an enormous bowl of freshly whipped cream. "Help yourself to the topping, ma'am," he said, and swept away to take an order at another table.
"Well," said Tonks, "what else is on the agenda for tonight?"
"I thought we'd take a little stroll before the meeting. Would you like to walk by the lake?"
"I'd love it," said Tonks. "It's magical at this time of evening. So pretty."
"It is," said Remus. "Everything here is magical, though. I just never imagined. Everything we did to get here was worth it. What a trip though, eh?"
Tonks smiled and nodded as they rose from the table. "I'd do it all again," she said, "but I'm glad we don't have to."
Remus laughed. "Me, too. Now, let's head to that lake."
*****
Silver Lake lived up to its name. Sparkling water lapped gently at the shore, as the moon and the starlight shone across the rippling water. Remus and Tonks looked up at the full moon and hugged one another.
"It's a whole new way of living, isn't it, Sweetheart?"
"Yes," said Remus, shaking his head. "I still can't believe it."
"Believe it. You'll never have to live the old way again."
"I know. I know, and yet ... it's all like a dream that's too good to be true. Do you feel that way sometimes?"
"Sometimes, yes. But mostly I just feel happy. For you, for me, for us. For everyone."
"Yes."
They gazed up at the moon and Tonks rested her head on Remus' shoulder. "We'd better head to the meeting now," she said.
*****
They walked into the meeting room together. "I just love this place!" said Tonks. "This reminds me of that muggle theater we sometimes used to go to. Remember the time we saw 'Wicked'? What funny ideas the muggles have about witches!"
Remus nodded with a chuckle. "If only they knew," he said.
They found seats and looked around to see who else was at the meeting.
"Look! There's Clive," said Tonks. "And I see Francis. He's wearing his kitty t-shirt. That's so sweet. Oh, and look! There's Ebenezer. And there's Teresa. She's so short and so cute! She's just radiant, though, isn't she?" Remus nodded.
On the stage, a large man with a gruff voice approached a microphone. "This meeting will now come to order," he said. "We have a great many assignments to hand out tonight. As you all know, it is thanks to the boss that we are able to gather like this and offer to others the gifts we will soon give to our assignees. Some of them don't believe that our gifts matter, or are possible, but we know differently, don't we?"
The audience murmured and laughed. "Some of them," the man continued, "have asked directly for help, but others have been referred to us. "
Tonks leaned toward Remus and said, "I'm so excited! I love this part of our job!"
"Me, too," Remus whispered. "Now, shhhh ...."
Tonks, looking properly scolded, pretended to zip her lips and then crossed her heart. They both returned their attention to the man on stage.
"Okey-doke," the man said, "now, let's get started. "Clive, you'll be responsible this week for a man in Tilden, Nebraska who just can't make up his mind about the boss. Make it count, okay?"
Clive nodded and scribbled a note in a leather bound book.
"Francis! Stay on the P.E.T.A. job! We've got to make a dent there."
With a quiet nod, the humble friar bowed his head.
"Ebenezer, you've got a fellow in New York City who keeps working too late. His family is quite unhappy with him these days."
"I'm on it!" said Ebenezer, straightening his top hat.
"Teresa! You've got a whole lot of nuns on your list. And a bunch of really poor people, and an even bigger bunch of rich ones who just don't get it. Can you handle that many this week?"
The small woman nodded. "Shall I go start now?" she asked.
"Yes!" boomed the man on stage. "The sooner the better! That Wall Street guy is going to be a tough nut to crack."
The little woman scurried off, and the man on stage said, "Tonks!"
"Yes, sir!" shouted Tonks.
"No need to 'sir' me, Tonks. Just call me Peter. Your assignment this week is Draco Malfoy. He's getting really close to a full turnaround, but it's going to take some more effort. Stay on him all week, okay?"
"Yes, sir! shouted Tonks. "I mean, yes, Peter. I'll do everything I can."
"I know you will," the man said gently. "You're doing very well with all your assignments. That Umbridge conversion was a major coup."
Tonks blushed and smiled. "Thank you, sir," she said.
Peter smiled. "Remus?" he said, "you'll be in charge of Harry and Ginny this week. They're praying fervently for a baby and it's your job to take that request to the boss."
"Yes, Peter," said Remus with an enormous smile. He looked slyly over at Tonks, who punched him on the shoulder.
"You knew!" she said.
"Well, I heard rumors," Remus smiled. "Won't that be a wonderful thing to request of the Big Guy?"
"More than wonderful!" said Tonks. "How exciting!"
Soon all the assignments had been handed out, and Peter said, "Alright, troops! It's time to get to work. And remember, what is it that makes our prayers count?"
"The Hope!" cried the crowd.
"The What?" yelled Peter.
"The Hope!" they cried back.
"The Hope of What?" called Peter.
"The Hope of Christmas!" cried the crowd.
"And Who's the Hope?" cried Peter.
"Jesus!" they cried. "Jesus! The Hope of Christmas! The Fuel Behind Our Prayers! The Big Guy! The Boss!" they cried wildly.
"Yes," said Peter with a satisfied sigh. "Now let's get out there and catch some souls!"
The crowd broke into applause, and Tonks and Remus hugged each other tightly.
"Did you ever think, Remus," Tonks whispered, "that Heaven could be like this? I've never been so happy!"
"Neither have I," said Remus. "But we should have known that the Hope of Christmas would never let us down. Now," he said, kissing Tonks on the forehead and gazing steadily into her eyes, "let's get on our knees and get to work!"
The End
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
