Scratches (Fred Weasley)

(121) New Year

Nicolai was sweating, despite the fact that it was negative degrees and snowing outside. But there she was, waiting outside the doors of the Devereaux family house, feeling her palms sweating under the warmth of her mittens, and feeling as though she was about to pass out.

She heard a distinct cracking sound from behind her, swiveling around to see Jillian, in her marvelous blondness, with a bottle of rum in her arms, "Sorry to keep you waiting!" she smiled, pecking a kiss onto Nicolai's cheek, before gesturing to the alcohol, "Heath asked me to make a quick run to get this for the eggnog. Why didn't you just go in? It's cold out here."

"I'm scared," she replied blatantly, a quizzical look dawning upon her girlfriend's face, who chuckled seconds after, "Scared of what? My family won't bite you...nor will our husky. Havana is a very good dog."

"No, I-I," Nicolai sighed, not being able to string togethera coherent sentence, "I'm nervous to meet all of them, is all."

"Don't be," Jillian took her hand in hers, before intertwining their fingers together, "They know how much you mean to me, Nic, which means you're just as important to them as well.... You know I love you, right?"

She sighed, a ragged breath escaping her lips, "I know. And I love you too."

"It's going to be the first of many New Years we're going to spend with each other! Lighten up, yeah? I want to see that smile on your face, sweets," she caressed her face with her thumb, the way she always did when Nicolai felt grouchy or nervous, "Come onnnnnn!"

Nicolai finally gave in, a smile spreading across her face, "You're this...big, perfect, ball of happiness...a-and frankly, I don't know what I did to deserve you, Jill."

She snorted, "As flattering as that was, I'm not perfect, Nic. I hooked up with your best friend to hetero-lize myself, remember?"

Nicolai laughed, "I didn't know hetero-lize was a word."

"It isn't. I just made it up. Now come on! Warmth, and family, and holiday cheer—they're waiting for us inside! Plus, Heath's eggnog will blow you away. It's the best ever."

"Hang on, I'm going to have to stop you there. The Price eggnog recipe is the best. Bar none."

"One sip of the Devereaux recipe, and you'll change your mind."

"Oh I doubt it."

"Don't hate it 'til you try it!"

The Devereaux house was the paragon of New Year's eve spirit. Jillian had mentioned that every year they did various of themes for their house decorations, and this year, they were doing flowers.

The entrance hall was transformed into a ridiculously elaborate flower mural, leaving Nicolai gawking as she passed. Jillian happily pointed out that it was hand crafted by her parents, Nicolai instantly wondering how much spare time they actually had in their hands.

Their arrival into the living room was greeted by a series applauses and warm smiles. Karen, who Nicolai had first met at career day, was the first person to envelope her in a hug, to be followed by Mrs. Devereaux, who had asked her to just call her Naomi.

Mr. Devereaux was a very jolly man, who spent the first half of the whole pre-dinner event banging on keys of the piano while Heath, Jillian's older brother, sang songs with the family. Nicolai had also met Karen's children, who had somehow convinced her to wear a flower crown made from the flowers that they had plucked out of the mural that their grandparents made. Cassandra, the youngest of the lot, braided Nicolai's hair, even though it wasn't long enough to braid.

Jillian was preparing the eggnog with Heath in the kitchen, glancing at Nicolai playing with her nieces from the half wall, smiling subconsciously every time.