An Old Fashioned Christmas

[Sakura Gemini]

Another gift was eventually passed to Nicolas this one being from Daniel, it was a special reserve brand of Scottish fire whiskey. Of course the effort would be made in the giving of gifts but for now that was all the allowance he would give the man. After all he was dating his baby girl and had not declared what his intentions for her were as of yet. Daniel had considered that perhaps they just didn't do that type of thing any more and Chloe had told him that it was simply much too early to be thinking such things. Mimsy was given another gift to pass along, this one she deposited on Chloe's lap as Sakura opened the book of 'Fortifying charms and How to Protect Yourself in the Real World'. The inscription was made by her father and rising from her seat she walked over and kissed him on his crown though she had really wanted to smack him over the head with the book instead.

Sitting down again she held the title of the book up for Nicolas to see, trying to hide the exasperated smile behind the cover as she did so. Her mother in the mean time opened up a box that contained some beautiful candles. She thanked Nicolas graciously for them and passed one to Sakura to smell. It had the devine scent of apples but when Sakura smelt it she looked at it strangely before picking up the card inside the box and reading it aloud. The fact that they were charmed to smell something different to each person was most likely the reason, she had smelt Nicolas very strongly. Passing the candle back to her mother as Mimsy gave more gifts, Sakura thanked her mother for the beautiful bottle of perfume and soon her father was sitting down having let Mimsy pass the last gift to Nicolas.

Sakura opened the present before her and looked at the title not knowing whether to chuck the book at Nicolas as well or not. She could not contain the burst of laughter that rose within her though as she held the book up for her mother to see. Chloe laughed as well as Sakura thanked him but while doing so two slips of paper sailed out from the book. Sakura picked them up and stared at them. She was very rarely rendered speechless but this was one of those times. She had only mentioned to him her favourite team and had most likely given him a headache with her gripes on how all the tickets were sold out for the big exhibition game and yet here were two tickets for the game. A hand rose as the tips of her fingers touched her mouth, not sure whether she wanted to laugh or cry at his thoughtfulness. Rising slowly she walked over and kissed him tenderly on his cheek.
"Thank you" she whispered before sitting down again beside her mother, as she used to as a child she rested her head on her mothers shoulder snuggled up on the sofa with her, cradling the tickets to her as if they were gold dust. Which in the quidditch industry at that point and time, they certainly were.

Daniel in the mean time was tearing through his own gifts and actually was delightfully surprised by the gift that Nicolas had given him and even burst out in fits and howls of laughter at the inscription. He reached across and patted him heartily in way of a thank you.
"Tis not luck that's needed out there today my boy, tis skill. Pure skill." Daniel thanked his wife and daughter for their gift as well. Sakura was on tender hooks now, her trying to cook was supposed to have been a big whopper of a gift for Nicolas if she had been able to pull it off but she hadn't and there had been no time to run to the shops to buy him anything. So most of the night she had spent pacing her room until she had remembered the potions she had created when living in Bulgaria. The one she had chosen to give him had been her first real success. It was laid now in the confines of a navy box no bigger than his palm. The inner box was lined with navy satin cushioning the intricate detailed bottle of smokey glass with silver mesh and ruby looking stones. The note on top of the bottle explained what it actually was, 'Moment of Memory'. Just a pure drop was all that was needed and the person would see clear and vivid images of a memory long ago thought lost or forgotten. The drop was supposed to be placed on the palm of your hand and the smallest of hollograms seemed to appear from it. The outer card merely said 'love Sakura'.

As he opened it she distracted herself by calling Mimsy to her and handing her a box. Each year they bestowed a gift to the house elf and each year they had to reassure her that it was not clothing, though Daniel had purposefully tried to sneak in a mitten one year. The house elf thanked the family and left the room to prepare breakfast.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas thanked Daniel genuinely for the firewhiskey, placing it on the floor beside himself and thinking of what more than usually stressful situations he might be able to use if for. The only such situation that came to mind as of late was Thorine's death, and thusly future uses of such firewhiskey could be anybody else whom he had a hand in the killing of - direct or otherwise. Catching himself in this morbid train of thought, Nicolas admonished himself mentally before turning back to the group and feigning a smile a moment. As Sakura opened her gift from her father, Nicolas was forced to have a genuine laugh a the book she showed him. "That there is an Auror's field guide." Nicolas stated in jest, a nod in the direction of the book.

As the gifts Nicolas had brought appeared to be received well he smiled and assured each person they were quite welcome. He received Sakura's gentle kiss on his cheek and watched as she seemed to cradle the tickets beside her. He didn't quite understand her overwhelming desire to have those tickets, the coverage on Wizarding Radio was always satisfactory for him, but he had been happy to be able to please here. Nicolas was still more surprised, however, with Daniel's reaction to his gift. While Chloe had been most difficult to choose for, it had been Daniel that had caused him the most uneasiness, especially after the last day. Nicolas smiled with Daniels remark then retorted, "Pure skill, you say? So you admit that you'll lose today?"

After a bit of banter, Nicolas opened his final gift - the one from Sakura. Nicolas opened the box and looked at the stunning bottle within before glancing at Sakura moment, who was evidently busy with something else, then looking back to the bottle as he withdrew it from its box. He read the name of the potion it was. A potion. Of course. Sakura had retreated back to her strengths. Nicolas gently placed the bottle back in its box and closed it up, placing it atop the jumper Chloe had knit for him which was on his lap. "Thank you very much, Sakura." Nicolas offered her with a heartfelt smile, his eyes conveying the promise of an embrace to her later - but at present, getting up and walking across the room to do so would surely be quite awkward for him to do, and much moreso than it had been for her to.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Everyone seemed in jovial form chatting amicably and laughing over the gifts received, tales of Sakura's usual bad gift ideas came to the fore as Daniel smiled at his only child. She didn't mind this at all and blew her father a kiss, as she stayed snuggled up beside her mother on the sofa. She had been worried at first that perhaps Nicolas could also constitute the gift she had given him as 'a bad gift idea' but his heartfelt thanks and endearing smile had told her otherwise. Mimsy returned shortly with a tray laden with tea which was duly served and everyone was reminded of the breakfast which would be ready in ten minutes. For that duration, Daniel attempted to reassure Nicolas that any skill with a wand would be found on his team. Mother and daughter merely rolled their eyes and sipped their tea before the final call for breakfast was announced.

It was a hearty meal, freshly cooked bacon and egss, sausages and homemade bread. Real butter and homemade marmalade, freshly squeezed orange juice and Sakura's favourite breakfast aroma; freshly ground coffee. Breakfast lasted the best part of an hour as they chatted and ate and lingered but soon Daniel was placing both hands on the table and standing up, declaring it was time and it could no longer be put off. All went to fetch their winter warmers before stepping outside into the cold sunshine. The snow looked beautiful and untouched until Daniel walked a few steps away from the house.
"Right you two kids take that side and myself and Chloe will take the right. Mimsy will make sure that everything is above board and no cheating ensues" he grinned, striding over across the lawn and with his wand extended and his other hand free he began gathering snow in his wake. So by the time he was clear across the other side of the lawn, he had a barricade of snow behind him.

"He's really intent on winning this year, isn't he?" Sakura laughed, gave her mother a swift hug and began to run in the opposite direction, calling Nicolas to her as she did so. Chloe bid adieu and the best of luck to them as she followed her husband to where he already had an array of snowballs lined up.

Sakura had played on her grandfathers team for years, so knew a thing or two herself now. Though usually she would end up on the side lines with her mother watching the two grown men battle it out. She wondered vaguely if something similar would happen this year. She had done like her father, accumulating a veritable hillock of snow in her wake so that any one passing would see a clear lawn of grass with two large mounds of snow on either side.
"So what strategy have you come up with?" she smiled at him, looking radiant at the prospect of the battle ahead.

 

[Nicolas King]

The morning through to the end of breakfast seemed very much a rush to Nicolas, as of Daniel wanted to get the snowball fight over with and that some great decision hinged on its outcome. To Nicolas, the fight was nothing more than a tradition of theirs which he would be able to partake in, a chance to show Sakura's father that he wasn't all he thought he was without getting in too much heat for it, and more time to spend with Sakura.

After changing in to warmer attire and walking out with the rest of Sakura's family and Mimsy, Nicolas took the side indicated to him and placed himself beside Sakura. "Strategy? Well, my first thought was a rather simple one: 'Win' but I figured you might need more guidance than that." Nicolas offered in jest, drawing his wand and staring fixedly at Daniel now. "Seriously, though..." Nicolas whispered his strategy to Sakura, explaining his intent to charm the snow on the ground in a variety of ways then letting it do most of the work for them. First, he wanted it to be brought to life, then to be charmed to attack Daniel. He also had strange ideas of charming the snow around them to build a fortress, or the line separating the two sides to repel snow from the opposite direction. "Did you have any other ideas?"

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura laughed at Nicolas strategy, she could do nothing else for a moment and then leaning across she gave him the lightest of kisses before returning to her own spot and peeking slowly over the top.
"That was for luck, though apparently you won't be needing it" she winked at him before turning around and waiting for Mimsy to give the go ahead.
"Well usually I take care of the protection spells around our area while my grandfather bombards the living daylights out of my father. My mother usually does the protection over that end. We didn't bother doing any one year and it was a nightmare. My father was buried under an avalanche of snow about 9 feet deep and don't you dare laugh at that. He was frozen when we got him out" of course Sakura had to chuckle herself at the memory.

"Grand-dad usually hits him early with overhead projectiles but I think he'll know that I've told you that and will expect it so out flank him. Come at him from the sides and ..." she peeked up slowly indicating the tree not far behind her father coated in snow, " from behind."
With no other warning Mimsy gave a cry of 'Go' and the snow ball fight was under way.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas nodded at the conclusion of Sakura’s tactical briefing and smirked, drawing his wand from his pocket and preparing himself for battle. He indicated to Sakura that defensive charms would surely be appreciated and then turned to face their opponents. This would certainly be something. It was unfortunate that Chloe had to be on Daniel’s team, Nicolas mused to himself as he twirled his wand between his fingers, waiting for the start of the snowball fight. He didn’t want her to be an unfortunate casualty of his decimation of her husband and his ego. She had been nothing but nice to Nicolas, and it was simply unfortunate that they were in the situations they were in.

As the house elf gave the ‘go,’ Nicolas smirked and quickly cast his first charm, “Locomotor, Nivi!” This would bring the snow near Daniel to life (or at least in to motion, should it be needed). Daniel seemed to think it was rather ineffective, and sent his first volley of snow balls over to Sakura ad Nicolas. Nicolas evaded a few, while Sakura blocked the majority, but one directly hit Nicolas’ chest. He smirked, deciding he’d save the latter portion of his strategy for later. It would, ideally, decimate Daniel, but doing that so soon would certainly ruin a fair deal of the fun.

Following the advice of Sakura, Nicolas sent two waves of snow balls around each side of them, most of which were blocked and simply fell to the ground as powder once more, but a few came daringly close to Daniel, two hitting his legs rather squarely. Daniel started to spin his wand and formed two fair sized snow balls on either side of himself. He then cast another charm and sent one more wave of snowballs from above before he flicked his wrist and caused the two boulder-sized snowballs to roll at fair speed toward Nicolas and Sakura.

As Sakura blocked the majority of the volley from above, she was quite distracted as the two snowballs rolled toward them. Nicolas caused his own to explode quickly in to a fury of flakes but didn’t have time to cast any similar spell on the second. Instead, he lunged himself toward Sakura, knocking her in to the snow but out of the way of the snowball before rolling out of its path quickly himself. Rising to his own feet, he offered Sakura a hand up and smiled at her slightly, before winking and moving his focus back to her parents, their opponents. This was war.

Mimsy whistled quite loudly and all four people froze to face her. “Unfair conduct. Thirty second spell casting penalty on Master Gemini.” She instructed, the outline of a smirk visible on her face as she turned to Sakura then indicated that they could no commence the fight. The fact of the matter was that if anybody else had pulled such a manoeuvre she would have applauded it, especially were it against Daniel. With Daniel having cast it, however, Mimsy had to ensure he knew who she aligned with.

Nicolas chuckled at the judgement call by Mimsy, but didn’t want to waste his free thirty seconds from Daniel’s attacks. He quickly shot a spell over Daniel’s head and toward the tree which stood behind Chloe and her husband. The tree shook violently, then it seemed ever spec of snow from its branches had fallen down toward Chloe and Daniel. Chloe had time to protect herself, but Daniel seemed to get a fair portion of the snow all over him. “My conduct was unfair? What was that?” Daniel cried out to Mimsy as his penalty was lifted and he raised his wand once more, forming more snowballs and launching them toward Nicolas and Sakura in whatever fashion his mind determined logical, or most likely to hit Nicolas with.

After several more minutes of the same back and forth, Nicolas decided it was time to complete the enchantment on the snow. Clearing his throat, he turned to Sakura and smirked, indicating victory would soon be theirs. “Oppugno!” Nicolas cast, on the snow once more. Now the very lively snow was willed to attack Daniel. Forming itself in to balls the snow leaped from the ground and assaulted the man, almost relentlessly, Chloe doing what she could to help the man at her side but the snow refusing to cease.

Having received a smile from Sakura which seemed to indicate to him that it was enough, Nicolas waved his wand with and with a quick ‘Finite Incantatem’ muttered under his breath, the snow fell lifeless once more.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

The game took off brilliantly and she kept up with the barrage of snowballs as best she could, her heart nearly faltered when one struck Nicolas right in the chest and she was horror struck by it. The rest of the game became a blur and though he smiled at her and winked and she knew they were winning, Sakura could not get that image out of her mind. What if they had been on duty and being bombarded with all sorts of hexes and spells, she was supposed to be protecting him and instead had let one hit him dead on. So it was only a snowball fight but it could so easily have been much more. Her heart pained her at the thought that the slightest mistake like that in work could be the end of either of them and she knew she did not want to contemplate a world without him. Couldn't imagine living a day where he was not near her. Her actions seemed methodical and precise after that as she attempted to protect them as best she could, her father sent so much their way that even Mimsy was called upon to stop his nonsense before it got out of hand completely.

Eventually it seemed as she smiled at Nicolas a while later, their own barrage of snow came to an end just as Mimsy called 'game' and announced the winners to be Nicolas King and Sakura Gemini. She hugged him instantly allowing herself that moment of victory at least but as her parents came from behind their snow mound looking battered and frazzled, though Chloe was laughing compared to Daniel's gruff frown, Sakura excused herself to get ready for dinner. Congratulations were said on all sides though Daniel seriously didn't want to give any and thankful that Sakura had left, he felt obliged to do so as well. Sauntering back into the house with shoulders slumped and glaring at Mimsy as he passed her by, Daniel was not a very good loser. Chloe had seen her daughters swift departure back inside and wondered at it herself, she looked to Nicolas and noticed the flakes of snow that were on his clothing but said nothing. She merely smiled offering her own congratulations once again and letting him know that they should be getting inside to freshen up for their dinner as well.

Time playing in the snow had passed swiftly and it was hard to imagine that they had been out there for over two hours. Sakura glanced at the dress hanging in her wardrobe and sighed. It was perfect of course but she had never worn anything so ... revealing in front of Nicolas before. Her shoulders would be completely bare as would her arms and though she knew she would look fabulous in it she was half afraid of his reaction. Would he be shocked at her choice of dress or would he admire her? She had taken her time showering and applying her make-up and even longer than necessary in drying and back combing her hair. By the time she was done and sliding her feet into her sandals and zipping up gold dress Sakura took one last look in the mirror before leaving her room.

As much as she had tried not to contemplate what had gone through her head during the snowball fight, she could not help it. It was as if he were now an intricate part of her life and anything happen to him bad or good she knew it would effect her greatly. Slowly she entered the room to see them all there. Smiles passed between them and she knew instantly that the dress was a huge success. The meal was delicious, the golden turkey and the succulent ham; delicious roast potatoes and honey glazed roasted carrots and parsnips. The table seemed sure of breaking from the food that was laid out but the snow ball fight had increased their appetites somewhat and they all thoroughly enjoyed the fare laid out before them. Afters consisted of mince pies dolloped with fresh cream and a round of coffees. All managing to joke that these particular pies were delicious compared to others they had tried. Even Daniel's mood was comparatively cheerful but food did have that effect on him. They soon adjourned to the drawing room where the conversation was strategically maneuvered away from the day's earlier snow fight by Chloe who knew that as her husband grew tired after a heavy meal he would also be more inclined to argue and become sullen.

Time seemed to pass so swiftly and Sakura thought all too swiftly, as the old grandfather clock in the hall chimed the eleventh hour. Stifling a yawn she rose once more and bid them all goodnight, this time however it seemed only right that she wait on the stairs for Nicolas to say his own goodnight to her parents.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas returned Sakura's embrace upon announcement of their victory then smiled as everybody exchanged post-game congratulations and 'good game' sort of banter. Soon enough, everybody was back in the house and parted to prepare for supper, which Sakura had been sure to inform him was a formal affair. Nicolas managed to make his way back to the guest room before shutting the door behind him and preparing himself for the evening ahead.

Sighing slightly Nicolas changed in to his dress robes in front of a mirror after magicking himself clean. He looked fairly dashing, he felt, as he smirked slightly and pondered at the meal to come. Thankfully for them all, Sakura had decided to stop her attempts at cooking after the pies the previous night, so he had no doubt that the food would be good. However, what the conversation at the table might be like still made him uneasy, even if Daniel had given him little reason to feel that way throughout the day.

All thoughts of having been hit at all in the snowball fight were gone in Nicolas' mind as he made his way down toward the dining area. He had expected to be soaking wet by the end of it, and having been hit but once was truly a surprise to him. He would have to compliment Sakura's spellwork later, he told himself as he entered the dining room and smiled to Chloe and Daniel who were already there. He took a seat indicated to him once more, then waited for Sakura's arrival for the meal to begin.

Once more Sakura succeeded in looking more dazzling than ever to Nicolas as she entered the room. Nicolas complimented her dress with a smile, eyeing her as she took a seat and the meal progressed. Conversation was amiable enough, but more time was spent focused on the meal than over chatter. Soon enough dessert was also out, which all noted was much improved over the prior night's, then they all moved back to the drawing room to bring the day to its close.

Nicolas held a firewhiskey in his hand as he chatted amongst all, noting Chloe's deliberate guidance of the conversation through its various points, undoubtedly avoiding hot topics as they presented themselves for discussion. As Nicolas finished his whiskey the clock chimed and with it Sakura excused herself for the evening. Once more, Nicolas determined it best not to linger behind and figured that both Chloe and Daniel would be in bed soon enough anyway. He rose from where he sat and bid them each goodnight, thanking them for the day and wishing them a final "Happy Christmas," before leaving the room and climbing up the stairs toward the room he was staying in.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura had wandered up to the second floor corridor and stood there waiting on the landing wondering if Nicolas would come up directly after her as he had before. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard him bid her parents goodnight and the door close out behind him. Unable to help herself she began to pace, not exactly sure why she was anxious and riddled with guilt until she saw him walk up the stairs. The same feeling she had earlier on that day when he had been hit by the snowball overwhelmed her and she bit her lower lip and wrung her hands as if he would be angry with her now that they were alone. What kind of auror would she make by letting her comrade get hit full on the way he had today? She was mortified good and proper and could barely look at him now that they were alone once more.

"I waited for you" she told him not sure what else she could say but stating the obvious seemed as ridiculous as just about anything else she could think of and then finally as if guilt were eating her alive she said her piece.
"Nicolas I am so sorry" she looked at him now, anxiety etched all over her face, "I should have been better prepared, I shouldn't have let anything hit you... I.. " she was stumped again as to what to say to him and could only look away. Lowering her gaze so he would not see her flush of humiliation for it was clear that what he would see was how incompetent she was in her training and would probably put her wounded shoulder from not so very long ago down to the same thing.

 

[Nicolas King]

As Nicolas rounded the corner of the stairs he smiled as Sakura's beautiful form was waiting there, evidently for him. He wanted to move to embrace her but sensed considerable apprehension about her, so he held back a moment, a look of concern coming over his face as he drew slightly nearer, placing his hands gently on her sides and looking in to her eyes, attempting to determine just how concerned he should be.

With Sakura's starting statement Nicolas chuckled. "I can see that." He offered with a smile, pausing a moment as he waited for her to continue. His smile faded as Sakura's worry came out in the form of an apology. She stumbled about her words, trying to rationalize and explain, until finally she feel silent. Nicolas shook his head slowly, bringing his right hand from her side and up toward her face, gently touching her chin and bringing her gaze up to meet his own. His frown changed to a consoling smile as he brought his hand back down to hold her upper arm before speaking to the woman opposite him.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." Nicolas began, his voice showing how genuine he was being in this sentiment, "It was a snowball fight, and if I'd done things alone I would have been a lot worse off than a single snowball hitting me, Sakura." Nicolas continued on, wondering at why she was so apologetic over something which was, to him, so very trivial. "I think you did splendid." His tone was softer now as his hand fell back to her side, opposite his other.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Sakura allowed her face to be lifted slowly upwards until she was looking directly at him once more. Surely he knew it was more than just a snowball but if he did he wasn't saying so. She shook her head slowly as a gentle sigh escaped her, worry still etched on her features.
"What if it hadn't been a snowball fight but on some case for work .. you'd be, you were hit dead center. I mean letting a shot in that could have hit your arm or leg would have been a bit easier to take but I let one hit you dead on" she blinked back the threat of oncoming frustrated tears, she had never cared about anyone so much in her life to warrant this much concern. Granted she loved her parents and Bella but she didn't go out on life threatening situations with them or was ever likely too but with Nicolas it was different. She had asked herself time and again if she had been concentrating properly, if she had done everything remotely possible to protect him. Somehow she had either been distracted from her objective or she simply wasn't good enough.

She had a fair idea where she got this serious tunnel vision mode of thought and wished she could kick her father in the shins for it but instead she looked at Nicolas again.
"What if I can't protect you out there... where it matters? I couldn't bare it if something happened to you".

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas had hoped to assure Sakura in as few words as possible, but it seemed he had failed on this account. As Sakura spoke and blinked back her tears, Nicolas' smile faded. The sight of her in such a state disheartened him greatly and his faded smile turned to a frown soon enough. Obviously Sakura was taking this harder than he could have imagined initially. "Sakura, there are several things you're forgetting," Nicolas began, hoping that his points to follow might help relieve some of the worry she had.

"First, if that hadn't been a snowball fight we both would have behaved differently. Our focus would have been more intentional and we wouldn't have even given the people we faced that many chances to take us down." Nicolas paused at this, allowing Sakura to think over this point. "Next, blocking solid objects is quite different from blocking spells." Nicolas continued, this too being the truth. "Finally, if it's the ministry you're concerned about, we're past the stage where we might be on an assignment together." Nicolas allowed his lips to curl in to a soft smile. "Besides, I'd much rather be responsible for protecting you."

 

[Sakura Gemini]

Of course when put that way it all made so much more sense and her worries felt so ridiculous but she seriously couldn't help it and all day long she had been tying herself up in knots because of it. On his last words she brokered the small distance between them by flinging her arms about his neck and holding him tight. Her face buried into the crook between neck and shoulder, berating herself inwardly for her stupidity. Merlin only knew what he must think of her now. A mad over protective fool. She felt protected every moment she was with him, had never felt anything but save any time he was near her and she told him so as she kept her face buried. Still too mortified to show her face.

When she did eventually it was only because she heard her parents moving downstairs. They slept on the first floor so they would not be passing the couple on the landing any time soon, though she thought for a moment she heard her father pause on their own landing as if listening. As she waited for them to go to their own room, Sakura moved her face a bit more until her cheek was close to his mouth. Being this close to him suddenly hit her and in the silence that ensued she could hear the erratic beating of her heart. Slowly she turned her face just another few inches, as their mouths now came very close to touching. Her hazel eyes penetrated his brown and she smiled at him.
"I love you" she whispered and felt no other words were necessary in that moment.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas felt relief surge through him as Sakura drew nearer to him and he knew he had successfully reassured her. He wrapped his arms about her as she hung herself on him and buried her face in his form. He leaned his head against hers a moment, closing his eyes and just allowing their moment of closeness to be prolonged. He felt nothing but relief that Sakura seemed to feel such comfort in his embrace, and was able to offer her such comfort.

As Sakura's head turned back up, Nicolas lifted his own head and looked down toward her before realizing why she'd grown quite. Movement could be heard below and for a moment it seemed as though somebody would be coming up the stairs. Soon enough the footsteps passed and the pair were left standing on the landing alone once more. Nicolas smiled brighter as Sakura gazed in to his eyes. The moment of apprehension had passed, and all seemed well once more. "And I you," Nicolas murmurer, bringing his hand to cradle Sakura's cheek and kissing her tenderly.

Breaking the kiss, Nicolas removed his hand from Sakura's face slowly, "We should go to bed." Nicolas offered with a wink. "I'll see you in the morning." With considerable hesitance the two parted and went in to their separate rooms for the evening.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

The kiss was tender and full of the emotions that they felt for one another, Sakura felt elated that she had been eased of the fears that had plagued her relentlessly through out the day. Knowing now that she would have to communicate with him properly in future to save herself these type of frustrated moments. As the kiss broke and the warmth of his hand left her cheek, she smiled as he spoke and yet though they both knew they should go to their rooms they were maddeningly slow to do so.

Eventually though they did and once her head finally hit her pillow she fell into a peaceful slumber. Dreams of herself and Nicolas filled every sleeping moment so that by the time she woke the following morning, she was refreshed and deliriously happy. Stretching out lanquidly in her bed, she lay there a few moments longer enjoying the pleasant sounds from outside and more so inside. All was still quiet which meant her parents were utterly shattered from the day before and were intent on sleeping it off. With a beaming smile she flung back the bed clothes and after cleaning herself, she hastily got dressed in a pair of jeans and a warm woollen aran sweater. Slipping her feet into thick grey knitted socks she gave her hair a quick brush before racing from ther own room and heading down to Nicolas'. Knocking lightly on the door she entered pretty much as she had the first morning and heading directly to his bedside again, knelt on the bed as she had before. He looked so utterly peaceful that it seemed a shame to wake him but today was there last day at her parents house and she wanted as much time with him alone before they returned to the drudgery of work.

Lying down on her stomach with her chin propped up in her hands she continued to smile at him.
"Rise and shine sleepy head, the day is getting away from you" she teased as he began to wake up.

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas' own sleep was largely uneventful, not having any dreams to recollect upon, he did sleep well through the night, and had hoped to be able to sleep in come morning, as Sakura had been sure to wake him early the previous day in Christmas' excitement. As morning came to the home by the shores of England, Sakura once more burst in to Nicolas room and was soon enough on his bed lying beside him once more, demanding him to rouse from his slumber.

Nicolas groaned sleepily, forcing his eyes open and catching a glimpse of a few stray sunbeams which struck the bed. He shut his eyes again almost immediately then rolled to his side before hazarding to open them again, seeing Sakura there he smiled. "You're making a habit of this, are you?" He enquired, pulling himself to sit up in the bed and looking down to Sakura. "You slept well, then, I trust?" Having received an answer in the affirmative Nicolas smiled, and answered her question of a similar nature in the affirmative as well. This morning Nicolas was fully aware of the state he was in before Sakura, and was therefore conscious of it with any actions he took. Sliding back down beside Sakura he kissed her cheek gently. "I'll meet you downstairs in a few minutes?"

As Sakura left the room Nicolas waved the door shut before rising from the bed, cleaning himself quickly, and changing in to fairly casual clothing, though not nearly as casual as Sakura's, and certainly not muggle clothing. He took his wand from the stand he kept it in, slipped it in his robes pocket, then made his way from the room down to where Sakura waited for him.

Having time to spare before her parents would wake, Nicolas and Sakura resolved to walk along the shore once more before breakfast. Bundling each other up a bit for the chilly morning's air, they left through the front door and quickly came to the gate which would surely announce their exit to all in the house. With a smirk Nicolas drew his wand and apparated the two metres to the other side of the gate, not wanting to try his hand at enchanting it to be quiet, should that too have been prevented in some way. As Sakura came up along side him once more their hands met and they chatted down to the harbour, not taking the scenic route on this occasion, before returning to the house in hopes of not being late for breakfast. Their conversation along the way had been lighthearted and jovial, the serious tone of the previous evening having been abandoned as quickly as, to Nicolas, it had seemed to appear. In the back of his mind, however, he was forced to wonder at Sakura's grave concern for the situation, despite its triviality and his own safety, she had been more than worried - for him, and what she perceived to be his duty toward him.

 

[Sakura Gemini]

She thoroughly enjoyed their walk together but it had to end all too soon and again she found herself wishing time could just be frozen for a small while. They returned to the house to discover her parents were up and about to head in for breakfast, remarking that they had timed their return well. Pleasantries continued on through another hearty breakfast of similar fare as that of Christmas Day but this time the addition of freshly baked crumpets was on offer. Sakura's one other weakness in life that she had not mentioned before was the crumpets her mother always produced on Boxing Day morning for breakfast. Of course they were baked on other days of the year as well but now it seemed like another tradition to have them on this of all days.

With a smile at her mother she helped herself only to these and nothing else save the butter that melted deliciously atop them and the steaming mug of coffee that was poured for her. Her father she noted was back to his sullen self but she hoped Nicolas did not think in any way that it was directed at him. Daniel simply did not like it when she left, it always came around much too quickly. The breakfast as with their other meals was pleasant and the conversation was directed at what they would do once they returned to New Zealand, another reason for Daniel to remain mute on his end of the table. Chloe smiled kindly at him and wished he'd make an effort for it was just as hard for her to see her only child leaving again so soon but at least Chloe got to contend herself with the fact that her daughter was happy and so evidently in love with Nicolas King.

They adjourned to a smaller room than before, the morning room as Amos called it and here they had another cup of tea or coffee. Time ticked loudly by now as if marking their departure and eventually Sakura had to turn to Nicolas with a sad smile of her own.
"I think it's time we got going" she told him, as Mimsy hovering in the doorway disapparated to their rooms and retrieved their belongings. She would have much to tell the master when he returned and though she was supposed to sabotage the relationship a bit, she had found no reason too. She had always adored Sakura and to see that girl the happiest she had ever seen her was not something that Mimsy wanted to taint for the sake of her own master. Needless to say, her own punishment to herself had been fierce and would continue to be so.

Their bags were placed at their feet and a polite goodbye was issued before she toddled out of the room, wiping a tear as she did so. Daniel hovered in the background as Chloe was the first to step forward and embrace the couple individually and bid them farewell, with the promise to her daughter to write often. Finally Daniel stretched his hand out to Nicolas, knowing the man to be true and so obviously the key to securing his daughters happiness. He would bury whatever hatchet he carried just once it was not accidentally done so in Nicolas King's head. After bidding him a goodbye and chatting for a moment as if stalling for time before he eventually looked to his daughter. His eyes had already begun to well with tears, a consummate softie where she was concerned. His huge arms went around her and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"You write and often. Be save, stay save always" and telling her he loved her, released her to stand by Chloe once more.

Sakura turned to Nicolas then her own eyes a mixture of the happiness she felt when around him and the sadness of leaving her family and home again (no matter how crazy it got).

 

[Nicolas King]

Nicolas enjoyed breakfast, which was quite similar to that of the day before, but breakfast was breakfast and food was food, so long as it tasted wonderful and filled him Nicolas wasn't one to complain. Though, he did look curiously at Sakura who seemed to have chosen only to eat the crumpets that were set out before them. "Fan of crumpets, are you?" Nicolas enquired with a smirk, indicating her plate before returning to his own meal and joining the conversation once more. Daniel seemed to have turned sour once more, but Nicolas wrote off his attitude from the prior day as something he likely did especially for Christmas, and therefore his behaviour on Christmas Eve and that morning could be considered the norm. It wasn't a very pleasant norm to think of, but it wasn't as bad as it surely could have been, so Nicolas made an effort to not worry about Daniel's lack of participation in the chatter.

Nicolas enjoyed his team in the morning room, but it seemed now that time had passed before them all too quickly and was just counting itself down now. The quickness of time had been bittersweet to be sure. There were moments when he had wished time to stop (which were the majority of those with Sakura), others when time seemed to be the most aged man in the universe (as when Daniel had decided a lesson in Gemini family history would be beneficial), and still others when time seemed intent on racing itself to some finish line in the future, and the whole lot of them had no control over it. This was one of those latter times. Nicolas nodded with Sakura's statement and thanked Mimsy kindly as his bags appeared by his feet. Nicolas thanked Chloe for her hospitality during his stay, then shook Daniel's hand and spoke with him shortly about a variety of things, his sudden change in heart making it obvious that he, too, just wanted to draw out time. Nicolas didn't mind leaving as much as the rest seemed to, but he got to return with Sakura. The only disappointment in leaving was the fact that quiet escapes and moments of simply being near each other would soon become rather difficult to arrange.

Taking Sakura's hand, Nicolas thanked her parents once more and turned about, throwing a hand of floo powder in to the grate, then helping Sakura in to it. Nicolas looked back, smiled to Sakura's parents once more, and then stepped in to the grate himself. He stated their destination of The Leaky Cauldron, New Zealand. Then, just before the flames enveloped them to take them down the journey back home Nicolas whispered in Sakura's ear: "And so my love affair with cauldron cakes the world over continues."