Happy Holidays

[Raylee Lagowski]

It was the first day of the Christmas holidays, and many of the usual farmyard chores had been set aside. The animals had been fed, watered and cleaned, but the Lagowskis had long since abandoned any hope of a harvest in the bitter weather. Not even magic could keep the soil from freezing over under the thick layer of snow that blanketed it. Raylee was by far the least concerned by this. She could barely feel her fingers as it was, despite the several pairs of thick, leather gloves she had crammed over them. She flexed them numbly, trying to regain some of the warmth the cold had leached out of them. "I'm done," she declared eventually to her dad, who was still bent painfully over a feeding trough. On any other day he might have protested, but sensing a well buried excitement, he simply shrugged as best as his position would allow him and listened to his daughter's feet crunching away through the snow.

Raylee appeared in the barn doorway and began the slow process of stripping off her gloves. "Mom?" she called into the house. Nothing but silence greeted her. It wasn't surprising, really. In New York, it was only just nudging nine in the morning. The fiery headed witch sighed and set about cleaning the house unnecessarily. She swept the floorboards, polished the dressers, washed the dishes and hunted for lost socks under the sofa. A little bit of magic could have had the whole lot done in seconds, but Ray was killing time.

Then, at last, just as the old clock struck eleven, the barn door swung open. The room was at once filled with noise. It was the sort of noise that stretched to each corner and lit everything up in its merriment. Ray dropped her dishcloth into the sink and dashed out into the living room, beaming wildly from ear to ear. She would not have expressed her excitement to see her brothers in words, but the spring in her step spoke loudly enough. They had barely stepped through the door when she lunged forward and threw her arms around them in turn. Then came the questions. "How was it? Did you get to do spells? Did you bring anything home? What are th-" Ray trailed off, looking the stranger up and down as if noticing her for the first time. She frowned hard. "Who is this?"

 

[Reuben Pendleton]

The holidays had finally arrived, and Reuben couldn't get home fast enough. He'd sulked for most of the journey, expressing his discontent regularly by grunting and shrugging whenever he'd been addressed. It was entirely unfair that Rudolf was allowed to bring a friend home for Christmas. OK, so he'd received outstanding grades for every subject that semester, but in his opinion it was still unmerited. He couldn't even understand why Rudolf had tried so hard. They'd explicitly agreed before term that their main priority upon attending Hogwarts would be to have as much fun as possible. Studying was the complete opposite of fun, and Reuben was going to find a way to show his twin the light. All he had to do was be more interesting than books, and before he knew it Rudolf would come crawling back for his attention. Those Professors could brainwash most students, but not Reuben.

By the time they'd arrived back in New York, Reuben had cheered a little. He was looking forward to seeing the animals again, and, though he wouldn't have admitted it, Ray. Quickly the rutted dirt roads grew in familiarity until Reuben could have found his way home blindfolded. The sight of Swallow Barn tugged his lips into a relieved smile. It was only for a few weeks, but the holidays could not have been more welcomed. The front door was unlocked and Reuben stepped inside. Before he could so much as unravel himself from his scarf, Raylee had pounced around his neck. He shoved her off fondly, feigning disgust. "Rudolf's brought his girlfriend home," explained Reuben before his twin could interject, grinning wickedly.

 

[Rudolf Lagowski]

New York was so cold. Of the many things Rudolf was going to miss during the holidays, New Zealand's hot Christmas was definitely among them. The air was so icy that it had become a physical restraint not to press himself up against Phoebe for warmth. Fortunately, he managed to resist, for Reuben would never have let him live it down. Mind you, Reuben hadn't let him live anything down lately. Something seriously strange had gotten into him, and Rudolf didn't like it. The curly haired Hufflepuff had been grumpier over the last few months than he'd ever been in his life - and that was truly saying something. For the most part, Rudolf had let him have his little sulk, avoiding him where possible and generally staying out of his way. Unfortunately, this only seemed to have irritated him further.

After bashfully dodging a few more kisses from his Mother ("I'm so proud of you!"), they were finally home. Well, Reuben and Rudolf were - Phoebe was in an unfamiliar place, with unfamiliar smells and unfamiliar things to touch. Rudolf secretly thought she was very brave. Just as she had grown accustomed to the twisting corridors and uneven stairs at Hogwarts, she had been yet again thrust into the unknown. Out of sight, Rudolf gave her free hand a quick, reassuring squeeze.

"Oof," grunted Rudolf as Raylee knocked the wind right out of him, but he grinned and hugged her back with equal measures of enthusiasm. The smile fell from his face, however, the moment Reuben opened his mouth. Turning scarlet, Rudolf glared daggers at his twin before turning back to Ray. "She's not my girlfriend. This is Phoebe," he said nervously, trying and failing to determine if his sister was going to like her or not. "Phoebe, this is Ray, my little sister." Rudolf motioned silently, urging Ray to offer out her hand.

 

[Phoebe Callwell]

Phoebe had been on a plane more than once in her life, her family enjoyed vacationing in Germany after all, however this time was different, and the anxiety of leaving her family for a holiday like Christmas had long ago welled into her throat. Phoebe, would never admit to being nervous though, she was much too proud to do something like that. Instead the petite blonde was brave, and sat in the aisle seat with the mother of the two boys - well one boy - she'd made friends with. Rudolf had been her friend since at least halfway through their first semester. He was another young Gryffindor like herself, and a darn good study companion for the Italian woman. Being that she needed to learn how to aim with only sounds, rather than sight. For that she was thankful for Rudolf. He was a good target, even if she missed half the time.

It didn't seem to take so long on the plane considering Phoebe had fallen asleep while in flight. She wasn't sure what she'd used as a pillow but the flight was the most comfortable she'd had. By the time the mother was tapping her awake, she hadn't realized they were nearly to New York. The air was so cold around her, and she shivered under the red wool coat that she wore. The blonde smelled in the air the scent of hot dogs and something that was tangy, perhaps mustard or relish. She'd hear once that New York was famous for its hot dogs. She wondered if Rudolf and his family would take her to try them. As they traveled farther into the city by taxi she started to wonder what it would be like to step into another world like the one Rudolf and Reuben lived in. After all, they grew up with magic and she did not. Would their house be lined with magic like Hogwarts was? Finally the place called home arrive, she could only tell by the growing electricity in the air, the sound of smiles in the boys' voices as they spoke. Since becoming unable to see, the girl had learned to hear these things, to feel them. The taxi stopped and she jerked forward slightly.

Suddenly the nervous emotions that had been pressed thickly to the back of Phoebe's head rushed forward and she became red in the face. She of course could only feel the heat, not see it. Stepping into the house the woman was assaulted with an overwhelming warm smell. The feeling of panic was suddenly sent into a feeling of sheer confusion as a hand grasped hers and squeezed it. It was much too small to be the woman's she was sure - and Reuben really didn't seem to want to make an effort - she was far too boring for him. At least that was how she felt, he complained about their studying non-stop.

The sound of littler feet came through the air of the house, the warm smell finally becoming more familiar to her as being cinnamon, maybe even apples? There were so many scents - especially that of whatever perfume was being worn by the mother. Then the farm scent. she almost missed the girl addressing her and the girlfriend comment. "I'm not his girlfriend, thank you." She spoke in her thick Italian accent before turning her milky-blue eyes to the source of the voice, though looking slightly passed her. "Hello Ray. I've heard a bit about you I think." Phoebe didn't notice a hand being held out, as she was more accustomed to hugging than shaking hands - it seemed to be an american tradition.
.

 

[Raylee Lagowski]

Over the years, Ray had learned not to take what Reuben and Rudolf told her at face value. Only a very small fraction of the many outlandish things they claimed actually held an ounce of truth to them. As such, Phoebe needn't have bothered wasting the breath it took to deny the allegation of being Rudolf's girlfriend. The frown released from her face and she smiled warmly, dropping the hand that hadn't been taken back to her side. "Hi," she said loudly, giving her presence direction. Being looked past like she didn't even exist was creeping her out. "Whatever they've told you, it's probably a load of bulls***," she pointed out colourfully.

"Ray!" exclaimed their Mother as she bustled past, then set a pot of water on the stove and boiled it with her wand. Orders for everybody's favourite hot drink were taken, and before they knew it, the room was thrust upon by delightful smells of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. Ray rolled her eyes at her Mother's back and turned to look at Phoebe. She could, in fact, have been accused of staring, but she didn't think the blonde would be any wiser for it. "I love your coat," she said enviously, reaching out a hand to feel the red fabric on her fingertips. It was soft, and nothing like the sort of material Ray could ever afford. Suddenly she found herself blushing at the mud on her boots and the tangles in her untamed, flame red hair. Were these the sorts of clothes every girl would be wearing to Hogwarts, or were Phoebe's parents just particularly well off? Ray dropped the material like it was red hot and looked at the floor. "I'll go help make drinks," she said quickly, excusing herself to the kitchen.

 

[Reuben Pendleton]

Reuben stared open mouthed after his Mother. "Mom, she swore," he whined, and when he did not receive the response he had hoped for, his frown deepened to a scowl. It was completely unfair. If he'd sworn, he'd have been shovelling horse manure for a week. There was blatant favouritism going on. Just because Raylee was a girl, she could have gotten away with murder so long as she'd smiled sweetly whilst doing it. Deciding better than to make a scene, Reuben shrugged off his tattered coat and slung it carelessly over the stand by the door. Had the promising smell of a half brewed hot chocolate with his name on it not been hanging furtively in the air, he'd have cleared off entirely and left them to it. Dad would have been pleased to see him, after all. Unfortunately, venturing out into the fields now would almost certainly result in extra chores, and between feeding the sheep and drinking hot chocolate, Reuben would take the hot chocolate.

With an air of resentment, the curly haired boy approached the three seater sofa and deliberately took the comfiest cushion. Not one to let such an opportunity slip by, he shot Rudolf a look of smug satisfaction, pulling up his legs and resting his snow bitten shoes on the low table. Had a crown been placed upon his head, it would not have looked particularly out of place.

 

[Rudolf Lagowski]

Bad language was so customary in the Lagowski household that Rudolf barely batted an eye - although admittedly, most of it came from their Father, who happened to be the only one whose bottom their Mother couldn't spank for his cheek. Rudolf, who was still watching Ray intently for any signs of kindling dislike, absent mindedly requested himself a hot chocolate. When Ray gave Phoebe a compliment and hurried off, Rudolf released a sigh he hadn't realised he'd been holding in.

With Ray and Reuben out of the way, Rudolf turned nervously to face his guest. Sleeping arrangements were yet to be made, but Rudolf was almost certain she would be sleeping in Ray's room. She was, of course, welcome to her own space in the living room, but practicality dictated this wouldn't be the smartest idea. "Can I take your hat and coat?" Rudolf asked Phoebe with practised politeness, ignoring the vomiting gestures Reuben was making across the room.

 

[Phoebe Callwell]

It was obvious to the blonde that this house was much, much different than her own. She covered her mouth when Raylee swore, expecting the mother to come in brandishing a wooden spoon, or a shoe - or something. However the mother's relaxed attitude forced her eyes to widen and her shoulders to relax in a confused fashion. She looked from Raylee to Reuben, and then to Rudolf finally with an exasperated expression. "Ok." She whispered defeated in a cultural way. To be thrust into another strange culture was almost horrifying in a way - wouldn't they call it culture shock? Looking at her hands for a moment she thought. "Thank you it was my grandmother's when she was a little girl." She spoke, a bit embarrassed, hand me downs were supposed to be something that she was proud of - but instead she felt as if she was poor, seeing that her best winter coat was not truly hers. To disperse the worry and blush she then reached out with a cane, tapping the girl gently. "And Ray, I'm blind not deaf."

Content that she'd made it clear that the sister didn't need to shout, she turned to the source of Rudolf's voice, looking a bit past him as she'd done with Ray. Her nose was beginning to become assaulted by scents of tea and hot cocoa. "I'd love a hot chocolate." The way she said chocolate was more foreign than any other word that she'd spoke. Her face was still slightly red, both from the cold and the embarrassment. "Oh, my coat, si. Yes." She smiled, slipping it off her shoulders, her long sleeved sweater coming into sight. She then slipped off her hat and handed them to the wrong direction, hoping that she was right. Phoebe knew that if she was to just hold them in her arms it would seem rude. She wanted so desperately to appear normal. Though it seemed that this break would make that nearly impossible.

 

[Rudolf Lagowski]

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<SIZE size="150">Part II​

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It was the morning of Christmas Eve, and Rudolf had finally finished his preparations for the big day. Presents for his siblings had been wrapped and placed under the tree, and Phoebe's hand made gift had been tucked dutifully to the back of his sock drawer. Hell would have frozen over before he'd have left that one within Reuben's prying grasp. Each morning, before he went downstairs for breakfast, Rudolf would feel around for the reassuring crinkle of its red paper amongst cotton socks. He'd spent the better part of two months making it, and he fully intended on guarding it with his life.

Breakfast that morning consisted of fried eggs, rashers of bacon, French toast, and mushrooms. It was unusual for the family to cook a hot meal before six-thirty, but with a guest in the house, exceptions had been made. Rudolf was so thrilled not to be eating oatmeal that despite having a particular distaste for them, he didn't even bother to pick carefully around his mushrooms. Before they knew it breakfast was over, and an agonisingly long day stretched out before them. The least Rudolf could do was fill it with something fun. When Reuben disappeared to his bedroom and his younger siblings were arguing over who should get to eat the last rasher of bacon, the young Gryffindor leant across the table to Phoebe. "Wanna go outside?" he whispered, his mouth close enough to her ear that the question could not possibly have been directed at anyone else. There were farm chores to be done, and Rudolf thought they'd have been much more fun with Phoebe around.

 

[Phoebe Callwell]

Phoebe couldn't believe how well the break was going. She'd been hanging out with the boys - well Rudolf - most of the time, finding that her time was well spent with them. Even though she'd been in New York for over a week now, she had refused to leave and go outside, convinced that the white flakes falling from the sky would freeze her on touch. The woman had just come down the stairs, denim jeans and a very heavy wool sweater covering her lithe form. She'd smelled the breakfast from up the stairs and it was what truly brought her down from hiding the presents in her trunk.

She had sat down and in only moments it seemed breakfast was over and the woman was stuffed. She'd been sitting next to Rudolf she thought, at least he'd pulled the chair out for her to sit down and help her, and perhaps she shouldn't have been so surprised that he was suddenly inches from her whispering, but she was. With instincts kicking in she whipped her head around, smashing into his lips with her cheek. The girl, upon realizing spluttered the bit of orange juice in her mouth, a great effort was taken in holding it in. She swallowed thickly and coughed, unsure if anyone had seen that. "Outside? In the cold? Oi... I suppose." She said sheepishly, knowing she'd be frozen within minutes.