The most wonderful time of the year

[Charlotte Owens]

As Charlotte liked to say, her family lived in the middle of nowhere. Her nearest neighbour's house was never seen from hers, but she quite liked the open space. Ivy and ferns grew through the gaps in the wide stone path that led straight up to her house. A small rose garden grew in the front of the veranda which was a touch from Mrs Owens' green thumb, but that was nothing compared to her greenhouse in the backyard. Her greenhouse was her prize and treasure and Charlotte often wondered how she found the time to look after everything in there. The driveway to their house was quite long and winding but Charlotte supposed James would not be travelling by car, especially since both of his parents were magical. Perhaps he would be coming in through the Floo Network? The only time the fireplace was ever used for that was when Charlotte's father had to leave for work. It would be a surprise to see someone else emerging from the hole in the wall but Charlotte would nevertheless be delighted to see him.

Looking at the clock above the mantel piece, Charlotte noted in her head that James would arrive in 25 minutes. Mrs Owens made an effort to decorate the house with Christmas ornaments, one of which was a smudged angel dressed in cloth. The wings on the back were not nearly as shiny as what they used to be and it was the ugliest thing Charlotte had ever laid her eyes on. Her mother had unfortunately placed it on the front door so the Slytherin only hoped that James would not come in that way. At least their Christmas tree had looked nice and was set up carefully in the corner of the room, overlooking the patches of green grass outside of the window. With Mrs Owens cooking a meal in the kitchen and Charlotte's father and brother playing games in the backyard, Charlotte took a seat in one of the wooden dining chairs and kept her eyes straight on the clock above the mantel, watching the minute hand tick closer to when James would finally be there with her.

 

[Professor James Cade]

Christmas day was not celebrated as a holiday in the Cade house, the traditions of the holiday were played out on Christmas even and the 25th was all about James's birthday. Only this year James had told his parents he wanted to spend his birthday else where, with his girlfriend in New Zealand. It hadn't gone down well with his parents, but with all the time Jess had been spending in New Zealand with Maddie's sister, his parents didn't have much room to say no, even if it was his birthday. Gifts has been exchanged early that morning and then James was all set to head to New Zealand.

James's father apparated them both to the end of the street Charlotte's house was on. After a hug, a happy birthday and a small bag of floo powder, Archer Cade disappeared. James turned in the direction of the street and made his way to Charlotte's house. James couldn't deny that compared to his own, Charlotte's house was modest, but he liked the look of it all the same. He approached the door, he was a little late but that was his father's fault, he had overshot his destination and apparated them to Obsidian harbour. James knocked gently on the door and he waited for someone to answer. He had to admit he was a little nervous about meeting Charlotte's family.

 

[Charlotte Owens]

When Charlotte heard the knock on the door she beamed and quickly ran towards it, her mother not far behind her. She took a deep breath before opening it and then seeing James' face. "Happy Birthday!" she said as she engulfed him in a hug. Mrs Owens chuckled. "And Merry Christmas too." she added, smiling at her daughter's boyfriend. She was still wearing her kitchen apron and Charlotte rolled her eyes at it as she let go of James, smiling brightly at him all the same. "Come in!" Charlotte exclaimed, stepping aside so she could let James in. The dining table was already set up with biscuits and other snacks to eat while Charlotte's mother went back to cooking a meal. Sure enough, Charlotte's father and brother heard the commotion and came in too, greeting James happily. "Did you get any presents for your birthday?" Charlotte asked him, not wanting to give his present from her until later.