Post by OSUSprinks on Dec 12, 2008 17:29:33 GMT -5
A/N: I wrote this for Saki, in honor of her birthday, so those of you who know Saki should have an idea of what is to come. Enjoy! And Happy Birthday Saki!
Pomona stood at the top of the steps, looking down onto the party. The Ministry's Annual Christmas Ball had always been an ostentatious event but this year they had outdone themselves. Large evergreens lined the front of the room, each more beautifully decorated than the last. Wreaths decorated each window. Fairy lights had been hung from the chandeliers and garland was wrapped around every banister in sight. A live band played both wizard and muggle carols alike. Couples danced across the dance floor and Pomona smiled as she recognized a few of her friends from Hogwarts.
With a deep breath, she began the slow walk down the center staircase, glad she had entered late enough to avoid being announced. It was her first year here since Filius had gone. She had not been able to bring herself to do it last year, but Poppy had gently reminded her today that it was what Filius would have wanted. Her dear friend did not know how right she was.
Christmas had always been his favorite holiday. From the very beginning of their relationship, he had taken charge of decorating. Each year had been a different theme or some new design, each being more complex than the last. She had often joked that if their romance had not been so much of a whirlwind and their wedding so fast, the relationship never would have survived a first Christmas with Filius.
Last year she had not even bothered with decorating at all. Poppy had forced her into a wreath on her door, but it had come down at the first possible moment. This year had been a bit better and her rooms were decorated, though her taste was much more reserved than her husband's had been. Actually, after fifty years living happily with a man who was so full of holiday cheer he could have been Saint Nick himself, she was not quite sure what her tastes were anymore.
With another sigh, this one less sad than the last, she decided that it was time she found out.
A smile on her face, Pomona took a confident step toward the table where the Hogwarts staff was gathered.
"Pomona?" Horace Slughorn stopped her.
"Hello, Horace. Merry Christmas!" She realized suddenly that she was blushing for the first time in years, as he looked over her new dressrobes with obvious appreciation.
"Merry Christmas to you, too, my dear. Would you like to dance?" His expression was hopeful.
Yes, she thought. Yes, I would.
Pomona stood at the top of the steps, looking down onto the party. The Ministry's Annual Christmas Ball had always been an ostentatious event but this year they had outdone themselves. Large evergreens lined the front of the room, each more beautifully decorated than the last. Wreaths decorated each window. Fairy lights had been hung from the chandeliers and garland was wrapped around every banister in sight. A live band played both wizard and muggle carols alike. Couples danced across the dance floor and Pomona smiled as she recognized a few of her friends from Hogwarts.
With a deep breath, she began the slow walk down the center staircase, glad she had entered late enough to avoid being announced. It was her first year here since Filius had gone. She had not been able to bring herself to do it last year, but Poppy had gently reminded her today that it was what Filius would have wanted. Her dear friend did not know how right she was.
Christmas had always been his favorite holiday. From the very beginning of their relationship, he had taken charge of decorating. Each year had been a different theme or some new design, each being more complex than the last. She had often joked that if their romance had not been so much of a whirlwind and their wedding so fast, the relationship never would have survived a first Christmas with Filius.
Last year she had not even bothered with decorating at all. Poppy had forced her into a wreath on her door, but it had come down at the first possible moment. This year had been a bit better and her rooms were decorated, though her taste was much more reserved than her husband's had been. Actually, after fifty years living happily with a man who was so full of holiday cheer he could have been Saint Nick himself, she was not quite sure what her tastes were anymore.
With another sigh, this one less sad than the last, she decided that it was time she found out.
A smile on her face, Pomona took a confident step toward the table where the Hogwarts staff was gathered.
"Pomona?" Horace Slughorn stopped her.
"Hello, Horace. Merry Christmas!" She realized suddenly that she was blushing for the first time in years, as he looked over her new dressrobes with obvious appreciation.
"Merry Christmas to you, too, my dear. Would you like to dance?" His expression was hopeful.
Yes, she thought. Yes, I would.