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Tweak says, "ITS OVER NINE THOUSAAAND!!!!!!"

Stephen Cornfoot (bp_stephen) wrote in breaking_point,
@ 2010-12-08 11:35:00

Entry tags:

*complete, 2025 12, character: alastor moody, character: astoria malfoy, character: audrey odgen, character: bill weasley, character: callum moody, character: caradoc dearborn, character: cassandra urquhart, character: charlie weasley, character: craig lawson, character: dominique weasley, character: dorcas meadowes, character: draco malfoy, character: dylan vaisey, character: edward chambers, character: hannah abbott, character: hermione granger, character: hestia jones, character: jacob selwynn, character: james sirius potter, character: julius rosier, character: józsef khuen von belasi, character: katherine yaxley, character: katie bell, character: lenora walker, character: leopold mayr von melnhof, character: louis weasley, character: lucy weasley, character: marcus flint, character: margot mckinnon, character: marlene mckinnon, character: pansy nott, character: patrick pucey, character: percy weasley, character: regulus black, character: remus lupin, character: ron weasley, character: scorpius malfoy, character: sirius black, character: stephen nott

RP: Lighting Ceremony
Who: Stephen, Pansy, any and all wizards and witches. (add your tags)
Where: Nott Manor
When: December 8 (Post starts around 4 pm, right after sunset) {Pre-dated by 4 days}
Summary: The Nott family is hosting the annual Lighting Ceremony

For centuries, the Nott family had held Lighting Ceremony. It was the one time of the year when bloodlines and money didn't matter; everyone was the same. Even the house elves took part to the celebration and were treated as equal (not that Stephen liked to treat them as slaves the rest of the year), and the ceremony was open to everyone with magical ability. It was one tradition Stephen was quite pleased to uphold, even if it felt strange to do it without his father there.

In the morning, he and his mother had had breakfast together before helping the house elves with the decorations. He probably should have asked Andromeda, but this was family and Andromeda wouldn't be family for much longer. In fact, they barely spoke anymore. If he was truthful, he would have rather invited Azriel, but he didn't think either Azriel or his mother were ready for that, and today it was the Immaculate Conception, a day to honour Mary and mothers. Stephen would not upset his mother unduly.

In the afternoon, they had gone to the chapel for the Mass, before heading off to where the party would be. They had set up, as usual, right in the middle of the park, the only flat land with a perfect view of all the trees. They had created special protections for the dragons to prevent idiots from sneaking into the reserve and getting eaten, although Stephen thought that if they were that stupid, they deserved what they got, but then it would spoil everyone else's Christmas and he couldn't allow that. There was Christmas music echoing through the land and tables set up with hot cider, tea, champagne and lots of food. Everything was self-services as even the house elves had a day off and their own private party from where they could see the lightening of the trees.

At dusk, father Luke said the blessing, and finally when the sun went down, the lights came alive. Every tree in the land lit up creating an amazing game of colours, creating a winter wonderland that would last until the Epiphany. For Stephen, this represented a day of hope, the beginning of a new liturgical year and hopeful of a solar year without so much pin and suffering. Today, the Christmas season began.

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Re: Remus/Regulus

galarusblaidd
2010-12-08 04:50 am UTC (link)

Remus hummed thoughtfully. "The werewolf who hexes children isn't quite the public image I'm looking to cultivate." He shrugged one shoulder. He was in too good a mood to be put out by the tiny criticism. It wasn't like he was ever going to stop being 'too nice'. "There was no harm done. She was probably more injured by the encounter than I was, in any case."

The ever climbing eyebrow did draw a soft laugh, however, and Remus shook his head. "Well, I was hoping to find some in a private, out of the way location to sneak off to for just a minute. But, as there isn't any at all to be found that I can see, your dignity is safe for the moment and you can stop looking at me like I've grown a second head."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

te_regulus
2010-12-08 04:58 am UTC (link)

"Mmmm, I suppose, I can hex them for you. I'm perfectly all right with being the pureblood who doesn't like children touching him or his." He smirked. "Of course, you can just trip them. No one will notice if you're wearing robes."

Regulus snorted. "Private today? It's really impossible. Everyone is here." He couldn't remember ever seeing Remus here before, but then he hadn't actually been paying attention when they were young. "Did you come with your parents? Or was this another activity that was avoided in the name of discretion?" he asked, wondering just how much his parents had sheltered Remus, and why he'd ever felt guilty for their death. He couldn't believe how they had treated their own son.

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Re: Remus/Regulus

galarusblaidd
2010-12-08 05:33 pm UTC (link)

Chuckling, Remus shook his head. "Or we can send them off back to their very embarrassed parents for disciplining instead, as I'd rather someone would do to my own children if our places were reversed." Someone doing to his children what Regulus suggested would not end well, he was certain. "And I am not going to trip them. Besides," he added with a wink, "it flusters the parents more when I'm nice and forgiving, while they trip over their apologies for not keeping a better eye on their children."

It wasn't the child's fault her parents weren't paying attention to her as they should.

"There has to be a dark, shadowy corner somewhere that can be concealed for a moment." He shrugged again. "But without the mistletoe it's not as fun." And, as he'd been reminded, it was far too public, in any case.

Remus summoned a mug of cider from a nearby table, wanting something to do with his hands since his robes for the night didn't have outer pockets the way his denims did, though he offered the mug to Regulus first, ready to get a second if his lover wanted the drink. "It wasn't discretion, it was fear and, in some ways, it was better for my santity in those early months and years.

"I have very, very few memories from before being turned," he said quietly, eyes turned toward the trees and the past as he was now remembering it through his father's journals. "But, I remember this. Once. The last one before I was turned, I'm sure. It would have only been six months earlier and I've always loved Christmas. In any case, it was impossible to go to the next one. I remember wanting to, wishing for the lights. I was sure there was something magical about these lights and they'd be the same as I remembered, the same colours without any of the confusion between shades. I was only five years old. I thought I could ask to be normal again for Christmas and it would happen. But, that year the ceremony was also the night of the Full Moon.

"We tried the next year. My parents felt guilty for the enforced isolation and how miserable I'd been the year before. The full that year was just after Christmas, so it was going to be a miserable holiday. They thought maybe it would help to come to this." Remus shook his head, his own memories and the words of his father describing it in the journals he'd been reading superimposed over each other. "Only it was horrible. Nothing was as I remembered it. Red and green are the colours of the season and I couldn't tell one from the other. I wasn't used to being around a lot of people and the noise was unimaginable, between the music and the conversations, the shouts of kids as they ran in the snow... There were still a few people who remembered us, remembered what had happened to me, and they came swooping in to protect their children from playing with me -- which of course caused others to ask why.

"The next year, I didn't even want to try. The memories had been ruined for me. We went to the little church in the nearby muggle village instead, where they knew us, but not well, and we let the wizarding world forget us. After Hogwarts, I came once with my friends. Then we were too caught up in the war and I was trying to get the werewolves to trust me, which meant not joining all the celebrations of the wizards who shunned us. Last year was the first I've been back here since...well, since before you would have left school, I think."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

te_regulus
2010-12-08 08:08 pm UTC (link)

"There wouldn't be a reasons, because our children would be hexed before doing something that stupid. Touching someone without checking for hexes!" He shook his head, because it was ridiculous that parents let their children do that. "Maybe I should just put protective spells on my cloak, in case any of those children decides to put their little dirty hands on something that's worth more than their entire house."

He chuckled. "I'm sure the dark corner is also freezing as hell, but I'll let you find a dark corner at the house, either one, and we can get mistletoe as well. In fact, we can decorate the house if you like. We still have all the old ornaments somewhere. I bet Kreacher saved them and we can buy new ones that don't depict snakes."

Regulus shook his head at the offer, more interested in the tale than the drink. He ran a hand down Remus' arm as he spoke, because no matter what he said, he didn't care if people saw them together.

"We didn't have to come," he finally said as Remus ended his story. "I would have been happy to stay home with you if you would have preferred it, although-" He had an idea and grinned. "Trust me?" he said closing a hand around Remus' arm.

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Re: Remus/Regulus

galarusblaidd
2010-12-08 10:04 pm UTC (link)

"Well, now that sounds sensible enough." Remus laughed. "I doubt sticky peppermint covered hands will be very good for your velvets and cashmere." There had been a time when he would have worried over the idea of hexing their own children. But, he knew Regulus well enough now to know he didn't have to worry. Not that he doubted his lover might hex their children for disobeying, but he didn't believe Regulus would ever do anything to damage their children. Someone else's? Remus wouldn't take that bet. But, he couldn't imagine their own children not being safe with their father no matter how harsh he sounded.

"It might be cold, but the point is to warm you up myself," he said with smirk, eyes lighting up at the thought of decorating the house. He missed the big deal at Christmas. The previous year had been the most he'd celebrated in what had felt like an age. His family had never had much, but Christmas had never seemed small. "I'd like that. More than like. No blinking lights, though or I'll have a migraine by Christmas Eve," he added with a laugh.

Smiling, Remus shook his head, placing his free hand over Regulus' for a brief moment. "I wanted to come. This is a brand new life. I'm not going to let past hurts keep me from living it any more." The grin was infectious and he was returning it without thought as he held tighter to his drink with a nod. "Always."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

te_regulus
2010-12-08 10:31 pm UTC (link)

"Good God, that's just an insult to fashion," he said, looking disgusted at the mere idea. "Really, why not use cleaning spells before letting them wild on the unsuspecting masses, not that I am part of the masses, mind you."

Regulus smiled. "I guess I can indulge you." Of course, Remus' expression said a lot more than his words ever could, and Regulus knew that he'd have to make this Christmas special for Remus. "No blinking light, I think we can do that."

He took the drink and banished it. "I don't want you to get burned," he said, before closing his arms around Remus and Apparating not too far from the main area, but far away that people wouldn't see them unless they ventured out.

Regulus took out his wand and then stood behind Remus. He put one arm around his lover while pointing his wand to the trees closest to them. He let the white lights shine, before casting a spell, turning all the red lights pink and all the green ones blue. He made sure to make the colours bright enough for Remus now that he understood how he saw things. He did the same with the ornaments, a sea of pink, blue and gold now displayed in front of them. "Is this better, 'm Cwbl?"

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Re: Remus/Regulus

galarusblaidd
2010-12-09 01:08 am UTC (link)

"Better yet," Remus said, pointing at another, clearly unsupervised child reaching for some of the treats on the table he'd summoned his own drink from, "pay attention to what they're doing before their hands get sticky in the first place." One term teaching had been enough to tell Remus most of the problems with children of a certain age originated with the parents all too frequent inattention.

As much as he loved children, mischievous little cherubs were no match for Regulus' smile when it came to holding Remus' attention. Curious as to what his lover was planning, he let the cup go without argument, looking around in bemusement when they Apparated only as far as an out of the way stand of trees.

Watching in silence, he was hardly even aware of the delighted expression taking over his face. His focus was on the dull yellow lights turning to a brilliant blue, the deep yellow ones brightening to a level he knew was closer to the red spectrum even if it was still more yellowish to his eyes. It didn't really matter. He could see the different colours, the only thing he still truly regretted the loss of due to what he was.

Such a simple thing and yet, it meant so much to Remus because he was usually left out of seeing it. Only Regulus would even consider doing something like this for him. "It's brilliant," he said, turning his head to grin at his lover. "But it's entirely unfair to tell me I can't kiss you and then do something that makes me want to kiss you even more."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

te_regulus
2010-12-09 01:32 am UTC (link)

Regulus didn't care about children or parents. Their children wouldn't do any such thing because they would have smart parents. It was the only important thing as far as he was concerned. Instead, he was more interested about Remus and his reaction to the little changes that he had made.

"Now, you look like you've seen Christmas," he said. "Now,I know you can see the blue, but what about the pink ones? Too close to red, still? What if we turn them gold, like this?" he said, casting another spell, not worrying if people could see them. "And how about-" He started changing the ornaments in colours Remus would see sparkling black, silver, gold, purple, avoiding shades that would get too close to red or green.

"I never said that you can't kiss me." He waved his wan again, creating a mistletoe and making it fly over their heads. "I believe it's tradition to kiss."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

galarusblaidd
2010-12-09 04:55 pm UTC (link)

Remus could only grin wider. Now he had seen Christmas. Was it the same Christmas everyone else got to see? Of course, not. But, it was Christmas, his Christmas, their Christmas, and it was brilliant. Nodding, he rested both his arms over the one of Regulus' still around his waist.

"Pink's still yellow to me, but edging toward more..." He had to pause because Regulus was already moving ahead, turning the pink to the gold Remus was about to describe. And then it all changed again, exploding into colours Remus knew and could see without too much interference from his altered sight, all glittering under the lights. He found himself laughing for the sheer joy of it, turning back to Regulus with a soppy smile he couldn't find the will to feel the slightest bit sheepish over.

"Mm, it must have been another Regulus asking if I'd lost my mind at the suggestion," he teased, twisting his body around so they were facing each other now. Looking up at the sprig of waxy leaves and little white berries, his smile softened. His gaze returned to settle on his lover's face, dazzling in the shift of glow and shadow from the Christmas lights all around them and much clearer to Remus' sight than any missing colours of the season. "I was only teasing before. You know that, right? Just because I can't seem to be around you without wanting to touch you, even just a little, I still know we're in public where anyone can see."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

te_regulus
2010-12-09 06:23 pm UTC (link)

Regulus kept his eyes on Remus' face. Such simple spells shouldn't warrant such a response. Someone should have thought of doing this for Remus before; his parents should have. "We'll have the best Christmas to date," he said, softly. "And every year from now on, it'll just get better and better."

When Remus turned around, Regulus pocketed his wand and gently held Remus' face in his hands. "And I was teasing as well. I am not about to start a snog session in public, but I'm not ashamed of kissing you, of showing that you are the one I have chosen. You are the person I will spend the rest of my life with and as Sirius so eloquently put it, if they don't like it, too bad. We're Blacks and we do what we want."

He leaned forward and kissed Remus softly, lips too cold but wonderful anyway. "I love you."

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Re: Remus/Regulus

galarusblaidd
2010-12-09 07:17 pm UTC (link)

"Be careful what you promise," Remus admonished, still smiling as though it would take an act of the Wizengamot to make him stop...and maybe not even then. "I have high expectations for this Christmas. I already have the best gift."

"You're voluntarily quoting Sirius; you must mean it." The words were teasing, but a part of him was glad enough for hearing the statement. He was still feeling his way through how to behave as the man Regulus Black had chosen and the last thing he wanted was to embarrass Regulus or bring negative opinion down on him for the simple act of choosing Remus at all. Remus' hands settled lightly at Regulus' waist as he leaned into the touch of his lover's hands.

A soft sigh of contentment accompanied the sensation of chilled lips pressed together. "I love you, too." He kissed Regulus again gently before stepping back with reluctance and holding out his hand. "Walk with me for a bit?"

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	Re: Remus/Regulus te_regulus 2010-12-09 07:27 pm UTC (link)
	Regulus rolled his eyes. "You haven't gotten anything yet, and this--" he said, waving toward the trees. "This is just a little show of what's to come, a way to start the season." He chuckled. "My brother has some valid ideas. It doesn't happen often, but they do happen." He took Remus' hand and kissed it before lowering their arms again. "Let's walk." (Reply to this) (Parent)

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