#dec 79

[jamespooper]

When: 21st December 1980 Where: St Mungo’s Who: @purkissmyass​

“No, it was more like --” James contorted his face in impression.

[pandoragoshawk]

when: december 27th, 1979 where: low street who: @xenosdirigibleplums

Pandora sat on the front steps to Number Four. She did not want to go inside — wasn’t Sturgis at home? She did not want to go inside because her cheeks were sticky with tears.

Crying was supposed to be cathartic, wasn’t it? That’s all. She could have a little cry and then move along. It didn’t need to be an ordeal. But perhaps some small part of her wanted to be caught — squeezed in relief at it, in fact — because she had not chosen anywhere more private to have her cry. And so she was not entirely mortified when footsteps approached. She scrubbed at her cheeks as she glanced up, saying — without being asked — “I’m fine.”

[xenosdirigibleplums]

New Year’s Eve, 1979

Xenophilius sat in his parents’ living room, watching the wind blow the falling flurries across his mother’s garden. His mother and father were sitting on the couch opposite him, reading the books they had got each other for Christmas, and Theseus was off in his room working on some essay or another for extra credit. It was only Theseus’ first year at Hogwarts, but professors already liked him more than they ever liked Xeno. He had spent the morning taking down the Christmas decorations by himself and now the house felt bare and cold. The world always seemed the quietest when it snowed.

In his first year at Hogwarts, he had spent Christmas at the castle thinking that he wanted distance from his parents and his family. He had always been the odd one out with them; his parents valued academic success and though Xeno knew he was smart, he knew it wasn’t the way his parents wanted him to be smart. Hogwarts was welcoming and cozy and Christmas there had been something beyond magic. He had joined more clubs than anyone else and made countless new friends. But come Christmas, not many people had stayed, and he knew there was something missing, something empty about being in that big lofty castle all by himself.

This year, he was at home for Christmas, and though it was with his family, there wasn’t the joy he saw in Muggle films or books. It was like Christmas got quieter every year, and every year, he couldn’t help thinking how little time he spent with his family. Once he had started proper Wizarding school at fourteen, he felt like he was floating away from his parents and from Theseus. Now, he was the one most enthusiastic about the holidays, the decorations, the food, the board games, and the hikes they would do as a family. But wasn’t it a parent’s responsibility to keep the family together?

He had been invited to more than one New Year’s Eve party tonight, but he stayed firm on the couch and turned the radio on for the live countdown.

[andromedaatnight]

when: december 28th, 1979 where: cardiff royal infirmary who: @percivalrobards

Just a few more hours, and Andromeda would finally be able to leave. Not that the hospital was bad — it was quite enjoyable, receiving visitors in her bed like she was an ailing aristocrat — but more than anything she wanted to be on her feet again, in her home, making sure all the preparations they’d made for the baby to work as they ought. 

She had just put Dora to sleep when Percy came in. Andromeda put a finger to her lips, pointing at the baby. “Thanks for coming by,” she whispered.

[andromedaatnight]

when: december 27th, 1979 where: cardiff royal infirmary who: @shafiqalice

“This is really important. My nose is all itchy and my hands are full, so I’m going to need you to—” Andromeda gestured, awkwardly, at her face, startling the baby awake. God, she’d take a numbing potion over anaesthetic any day.

[grobards]

when: december 28th, 1979 where: dufftown who: @clementinerobards

Gawain knocked on the door to Mary’s. He wasn’t sure what reassurance he could give Clem — but it was important, he thought, to tell her he was on her side, that he would help her reason with their father. 

If that was what she wanted. If it worked. Still, in the days since the argument Gawain’s disappointment had become a little disbelieving. Surely John could be cajoled into seeing what a mistake he was making. Surely.

[olinburke]

When: 31st December 1979 Where: James’s Party Who: @jenniferburke​

It had been easier enough, to gain an invite to James Potter’s New Years party. At school he was, after all, someone who presented as likeable. Charming, and nice. He’d gotten the invite easily. As soon as he was able, he slipped away from the funeral of his poor cousin’s husband and made his way to the party. It was an added bonus that he spotted his sister there. “I’m surprised you didn’t stay with Rosalind.”

[percivalrobards]

When: 31st December 1979 Where: percy’s flat  Who: @dickdowndearborn​ @whiskeynward​

“I got this.” Percy said simply, putting down on the table between them what may possibly be the most expensive bottle of whiskey any of them had ever drank. Had he nicked it from his dad’s collection? Definitely. Did he care? Not in the slightest.