THE DOLL PEOPLE; Theodore Nott

< VIII >

December 1991

EMERY BLACK WATCHED THE SNOW-DUSTED COUNTRYSIDE PASS, THE HUM OF EXCITED CHATTER FILLING THE TRAIN. A soft smile played on her lips, waiting patiently for the unmistakably voice of her cousin.

The door slid open just as Emery looked up, Nymhadora's bubblegum-pink hair bright as ever. She held a mischievous grin on her face, beside her stood Charlie Weasley. "Oi, there you are?" She beamed, falling into the seat across from Emery ungracefully, "Ready for some holiday fun?" She snickered just as Charlie did who remained leant against the doorway.

"Watch out, Emery. Tonks here has been planning pranks for the entire break," His eyes narrowed to Nymphadora again, "Unfortunately influencing my twin brothers to do the same," Nymphadora had grinned, as Charlie rolled his eyes.

"Charlie!" She heard a boy snap from down the aisle and the red headed seventh hear turned to leave.

"Merry Christmas girls, I'll see you soon Tonks," He winked at the pair of them as Emery offered him a soft smile, Charlie disappearing. She thought Charlie rather charming, her cheeks holding a faint blush. She wondered if Nymphadora felt the same when she noticed her cheeks had flushed too.

"Now, cousin," Nymphadora slouched into her seat, arms behind her head, "Why haven't I seen you more than twice this entire term." She was right. The cousins had passed each other once or twice but nothing more.

"Suppose I've just been busy," Emery shrugged, replying quietly as she brought her legs onto the seat, "I haven't really seen you around Dora,"

"Okay, fair enough," She narrowed her eyes again, "Now, tell me everything," She watched as Dora closed her eyes, waiting patiently for Emery to speak.

She did. She told Nymphadora as much as she could without her older cousin interrupting with questions until finally Tonks sprung to her feet annoying they were at their station.

They disembarked quickly and hurried through the crowded station. Andromeda was waiting for them just outside the station, her arms outstretched, bundled up in a thick winter coat. Her smile was warm, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw Emery and Nymphadora.

"There are my girls," Andromeda said fondly as they approached, pulling Emery into a tight hug before giving Tonks an equally affectionate embrace. "You must be freezing. Let's get you home."

The streets of London were festive, strung with twinkling lights and wreaths hanging from shop windows. Emery's heart swelled as they made their way back to their house, a cozy warmth already filling her at the thought of spending Christmas with her family. She had enjoyed Hogwarts more than she had thought but she still felt good to be home.

Christmas Eve at the Tonks house was filled with laughter and joy. The smell of roasting turkey and mince pies wafted through the air, mixing with the scent of pine from the Christmas tree standing proudly in the living room. Emery had spent the entire morning helping Andromeda decorate, carefully hanging enchanted baubles that twinkled and danced in mid-air.

Emery wished to use her wand despite the Ministry's restrictions, watching as Androemda levitated decoration after decoration, "Patience my love," Androemda had laughed lightly, "You'll be allowed to use your wand soon enough," The distant chatter in the kitchen flooding into the room.

Majority of Ted's muggle relatives were to arrive, for dinner and Emery was dreading it frankly. She didn't like Nymphadora's cousins they were excitable and loud.

"I know what you're thinking," Andromeda's voice snapped her head to the side, "If it's too much go upstairs, I'll come up with an excuse," Emery smiled as Andromeda ran a hand over her cheek tenderly.

Both their heads turned when the door swung upon and Ted begun greeting his relatives. Andromeda with the help of magic had set up dinner around ready. Surprisingly Emery felt comforted by the presence of the muggle chatter, the conversation flowing easily as they ate dinner.  

Later that evening, just as they were finishing dessert, there was a knock at the door. The room quieted, Andromeda exchanged a glance with Ted before standing up to answer it. Emery watched curiously as her aunt opened the door, revealing none other than Narcissa Malfoy, standing on the doorstep with Draco by her side.

Narcissa was dressed impeccably, as always, her icy blonde/black hair twisted into a neat bun, her expression unreadable. She stood stiffly, her eyes avoiding Andromeda's as she held out a small, elaborately wrapped gift.

"Merry Christmas," Narcissa said quietly, her tone formal, "It's for the girl,"

Andromeda hesitated for a moment before taking the gift, her eyes softening just slightly. "Thank you," she replied, her voice equally calm.

Draco, standing beside his mother, glanced nervously at the ground, not meeting anyone's eyes. He looked uncomfortable, shifting from foot to foot. Emery caught his gaze for a fleeting second, but before she could say anything, Narcissa turned to leave, her expression still guarded.

Narcissa and Draco disappeared into the night as quickly as they had come, leaving behind only a lingering tension that seemed to hang in the air for a moment. Andromeda quietly closed the door, holding the small gift in her hand as she returned to the living room.

"Everything alright?" Ted asked, his voice a little softer than usual.

Andromeda smiled gently. "Yes, everything's fine. Just a quick visit."

And just like that, the tension melted away. The rest of the evening returned to its cheerful, festive atmosphere, though Emery couldn't help but think about that brief moment at the door—the strange, unspoken distance between Andromeda and her sister.

Christmas Day arrived with a flurry of snowflakes and gifts piled high beneath the tree. Emery awoke to the sound of Dora bounding into her room, shaking a large wrapped box in front of her.

"Merry Christmas, Em!" Tonks said, grinning ear to ear. "You're gonna love this one."

Emery laughed and threw a pillow at her cousin, but quickly tore into the present, revealing a set of beautiful, enchanted quills, each one designed to change color as she wrote.

The rest of the day passed in a blur of games, stories, and more food than Emery thought possible. It was almost perfect—almost enough to make her forget about her father. She wished he had been alive to spend Christmas with Emery.