BROKEN FEATHERS - New Chapter Online!
Title: Saint Nicolas Day Surprise
Tags: Family. Gifts. Questions.
PREVIEW: Moments later, Hermione joined the others in the living room, waving at them with an embarrassed smile. “Hello everyone...”
She was instantly greeted with a lot of happy smiles and waving hands, with a few of the adults getting up as well, amongst them Ginny and Harry.
“Great to see you!” Ginny exclaimed with a relieved looking smile as she reached Hermione; Harry was straight behind her, looking similarly glad. “You look so much better!”
“Thanks.” Hermione held up the small wrapped parcel. “This is for James for being such a brave boy.”
“He'll love it, but you can hand it to him yourself; we'll start with the naughty list soon. Bill said he'll do it this year...”
“I thought it was Percy's turn?” Hermione asked in surprise, keeping the parcel in her hands.
“Percy is down with the flu, you know how he is when he’s sick,” Ginny replied, chuckling amused, already starting to turn around to join the others once more.
“You're sure you'll be okay?” Harry asked, a hint of concern in his voice, shrugging in response to the quick glare his wife sent him.
“Yes, Harry,” Hermione replied with a soft smile. “Stop fussing so much about me, okay? You're almost as bad as Draco...”
“Oh,” Ginny said, tilting her head slightly. “Did you talk to Pendry then?”
Avoiding their inquisitive gaze momentarily, Hermione looked over to the others—Fred was entertaining the children, while Fleur prepared the corner for the main event of the evening later, the visit of Saint Nicolas to bring small gifts for the children, based on how they behaved throughout the year. It was a French tradition, but the children loved it nonetheless because they would receive sweets and small trinkets to trade with each other. Meanwhile, the men at the table were in a deep discussion about Quidditch, as usual, while the women talked about everything else in wizarding society, at least from what Hermione could hear. Everyone was here, except for Ron.
“I did."
NOTES: The tradition mentioned in the chapter is quite common where I live, so I wanted to include it. Thank the gods, it's also common enough in France, so Fleur might have brought it into the family.
I grew up with the Christ child bringing the gifts on Christmas Eve, while Saint Nicolas would come by on December 6th, together with his servant to either reward the nice children or punish those that had been naughty. As a child, it was always fun, because regardless how nice or naughty you were throughout the year, you'd always get a little bag with trinkets and sweets or fruits and peanuts.
I can totally see the Weasley family adapting that tradition to fit into theirs, because it really is fun, and a reason to get together.
Again, thanks to @musiclover19 for proofreading, and many many hugs to @duchessofstrumpetnessfanfiction @blklightpixie26 @evorablake and @geekmom13 for their patience with me! Love you all, ladies! :-**
Now enjoy!
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