Salvatore's Christmas this year had been different from any other. That put him in a right fine mood for the rest of break. Of course, the present oh so kindly left in the Araboth Common Room had put a damper on his day. Thankfully, the glitter was mostly brushed off by the time that he reached Laura's house. The cab driver was giving him the stink eye at the small pile of glitter on the floor, so Tory soothed it over with an extra large tip. Money smoothed everything over.
He made sure that her present was safely tucked under his arm before braving his way to the front door. Avoiding the snow covered lawn, he went up the driveway and across the front walk. There was a lightness in his step that there had not been in a long while, if ever, and he was smiling. Stopping on the front stoop, he smoothed down his jacket, catching a few more sparkles. The wool jacket, the same one that he bought with Laura, acted like a magnet for them, and picking all the little things out of the dense weave had been an exercise in tedium.
The house was nice, not exactly to the proportions that Tory was used to, but much larger than his recent accommodations. No matter the size, it was well kept up and gleaming with care. He did not even have time to press the doorbell before it sprang open. Tory's smile grew wider at the sight of Laura's smiling face. "Hello to you too," he said warmly.