#they live on the mantelpiece and sing christmas songs

[wizardingwirelessnetwork]

Celestina Warbeck aka the Singing Sorcerers!

Celestina is a famous witch, known for her mesmerizing songs and performances usually accompanied by a chorus of backing banshees.

She’s Welsh, was born on 18 August 1917 and attended Hogwarts - Gryffindor - she performs live and is often featured on the show ”Witching Hour” on Wizarding Wireless Network

While not that popular with younger people, and openly disliked by Fleur, the older generation is very fond of her. Molly Weasley and her husband Arthur, like listening to her songs. Severus Snape secretly liked the song “A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love”. Three devoted fans were involved in a three-broom pile-up over Liverpool on the last night of her 'Flighty Aphrodite' tour. Her tickets often went on sale in the black market for vastly inflated prices (one reason why Molly Weasley, who listened to her songs every Christmas, could never see her favourite singer live).

Celestina's personal life provided much fodder for the gossip columns of the Daily Prophet. Warbeck became romantically involved with one of her backing dancers early in her career. They married, but ended up divorcing after only a year. Some time later, she married her manager, and they had a son together. However, after ten years of marriage, Warbeck left him in order to marry Irving Warble, a music composer.

Two Muggle dog-walkers found themselves accidentally transported to a Celestina Warbeck concert in 2003, because their dogs had run off with an old trainer on Clapham Common (leaving an anguished crowd of witches and wizards to look frantically for their Portkey on a stretch of empty grass, hopefully seizing old crisp packets and cigarette ends). One of the Muggle dog-walkers was even invited on stage by Celestina to perform a duet of ‘A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love’. While the Memory Charm placed upon him by a harried Ministry official seemed to take at the time, he has since written a popular Muggle song that bears an uncanny resemblance to Celestina’s worldwide hit (Ms Warbeck is not amused). - Pottermore

“Celestina is one of my favourite 'off-stage' characters in the whole series, and has been part of the Potter world ever since its inception, making an early appearance in the short-lived 'Daily Prophet' series I produced for members of the equally short-lived fan club run by my British publisher, Bloomsbury. Although we never lay eyes on Celestina during the whole seven volumes of the Potter books, I always imagined her to resemble Shirley Bassey in both looks and style. I stole her first name from a friend with whom I worked, years ago, at Amnesty International's Headquarters in London; 'Celestina' was simply begging to be scooped up and attached to a glamorous witch.” - JKR on Pottermore

Book Quotes & other mentions:

“Books were stacked three deep on the mantelpiece, books with titles like Charm Your Own Cheese, Enchantment in Baking, and One Minute Feasts — It’s Magic! And unless Harry’s ears were deceiving him, the old radio next to the sink had just announced that coming up was “Witching Hour, with the popular singing sorceress, Celestina Warbeck.” - HP & the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 3

“They were all supposed to be listening to a Christmas broadcast by Mrs. Weasleys favorite singer, Celestina Warbeck, whose voice was warbling out of the large wooden wireless set. Fleur, who seemed to find Celestina very dull, was talking so loudly in the corner that a scowling Mrs. Weasley kept pointing her wand at the volume con-trol, so that Celestina grew louder and louder. Under cover of a par-ticularly jazzy number called "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love, […]

[…] "We danced to this when we were eighteen!" said Mrs. Weasley, wiping her eyes on her knitting. "Do you remember, Arthur?"

"Mphf?" said Mr. Weasley, whose head had been nodding over the satsuma he was peeling. "Oh yes ... marvelous tune . . ." ” - HP & the Half Blood Prince, Chapter 16

“Bill told Mum he and Fleur weren’t going home for Christmas because they wanted to spend it alone. You know, first holiday after they were married. I don’t think Fleur minded. You know how much she hates Celestina Warbeck.” - HP & the Deathly Hallows, Chapter 20

Songs and lyrics:

Listen to the songs here!

“A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love”

“I've got a cauldron full of hot, strong love

And it's bubbling for you!

Say Incendio, but that spell's not hot

As my special witch's brew!

Don't you be afraid, come and take a sip

Of this steamy, tasty treat!

What's in my cauldron full of hot, strong love

Will make your life complete!

I've got a cauldron full of hot, strong love

That's about to be unfurled

Got a flavour that beats anything

You'll find in the Muggle world!

Mix a pinch of spice with a dash of charm

And a sprinkling of romance

They're why my cauldron full of hot, strong love

Is worth it, take the chance!

Oh, come and stir my cauldron

And if you do it right

I'll boil you up some hot, strong love

To keep you warm tonight!

I've got a cauldron full of hot, strong love

It's a recipe so rare

There's no potion or elixir that

Could ever quite compare!

Oh, such thrills await

'Cause, together, we are ready to proceed

Drink from my cauldron full of hot, strong love

It's all the magic you'll ever need!

Oh, come and stir her cauldron

And if you do it right

She'll boil you up some hot, strong love

To keep you warm tonight

To keep you warm tonight!

That's right!

I've got a cauldron full of hot, strong love

It's a recipe so rare

There's no potion or elixir that

Could ever quite compare!

Oh, such thrills await

'Cause, together, we are ready to proceed

Drink from my cauldron full of hot, strong love

It's all the magic you'll ever need!”

“You Charmed the Heart Right Out of Me”

“Oh, my poor heart, where has it gone?

It's left me for a spell

But I don't mind, 'cause with you I find

I'm always feeling well...

— two, three, four!

You charmed the heart right out of me

Don't need no broom, I'm flying free

I think by now it's plain to see

I'm nothing without you

Your every wish is my command

My fragile heart is in your hand

And now, at last, I understand

The magic about you!

I'm losing all control

My chest is one big hole

Inside you'll see my soul

Happy as can be

'Cause, babe, you charmed the heart right out of me!

You charmed the heart right of me

To my whole life you hold the key

You cast your spell and suddenly

I cannot forget you!

This feeling's utter bliss

Yet something seems amiss

Like a Dementor's Kiss

You're consuming me!

And now you've torn it quite apart

I'll thank you to give me back my heart!

'Cause, you charmed the heart right out of me!

But I need a heart for loving thee

So give it back, together we

Can love till forever!

You may have not played fair

But, frankly, I don't care

'Cause without you I despair

Lost in misery!

Oh, babe, you charmed the heart right out of —

It's the one thing I've no doubt of

Babe, you charmed the heart right out of me!

Right out of me!”

“You Stole My Cauldron But You Can't Have My Heart”

You think you're quite the wizard, got me under your spell,

But guess what, Mister Wizard, you don't know me so well

You thought you were so clever, but, in truth, you're a crook

And no way you're gettin' away with all the things that you took

You stole my cauldron

My favourite black hat

Purloined my owl

Then flew off like a vampire bat

You claimed that you loved me

Said we'd never part

Then you stole my cauldron

(Oh, you stole her cauldron)

But you can't have my heart.

Oh, sure, you're quite the dancer, swept me off of my feet

But back here on the ground, I see a liar and cheat

And when you disappeared at first it's me who I blamed

But now I see you're wicked as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named

You stole my cauldron

The toads from my pond

Crystal phials of my memories

Plus my larch and phoenix feather wand

But don't think that you broke me

Cause you ain't all that smart

See, you stole my cauldron

(Stole her favourite cauldron)

But you can't have my heart.

(You stole her cauldron)

Go on and take it!

(Her hippogriff, too!)

Careful, he bites.

(Her dragon skin coat)

You can have it!

If that's worth so much to you.

But love, love is priceless

Like a rare work of art

Yes, you stole my cauldron

(She can buy a new cauldron)

But you can't have —

You can't have —

You can't have my heart!

(No, no, no, you stole her cauldron)

(No, no, no, you stole her cauldron)

Not my heart!

(No, no, no, you stole her cauldron)

You stole my cauldron, but you can't have my heart!

(Her heart!)

Listen to the Christmas songs here!

“Nothing Like a Holiday Spell”

There's a spell to make somebody freeze

Or make something disappear

There's a spell for wiping memories

There's a spell to bring you cheer

But when it comes to magic that I love best

Outshining the rest

It's time to confess

Out of all the charms that ring my bell

There's nothing like a holiday spell!

It'll make you dance or make you sing

Make the darkest sky shine bright

Fill your heartbeat with a jingling

Father Christmas takes his flight

It's to cast a spell to change your attire

To conjure a fire

Or summon a choir

[?] so well

There's nothing like a holiday spell!

With a wave of the wand

What a Christmas we'll create

With goodwill toward all

We will feel our spirits levitate!

(Feel our spirits levitate!)

There's a spell to send you back in time

Or release you from a cell

But to make the season so sublime

There's nothing like a holiday spell!

(Season's greetings my lovelies! And welcome to a very special holiday celebration! As you know, this first song is the title track of my latest Christmas album, "Nothing Like a Holiday Spell"! It's already flown to the top of the charts. And you can hear it playing round the clock on the Wizarding Wireless Network. And nothing could make me happier, because I just love singing a classic holiday tune!)

If you want to feel that Christmas glow

I've just the spell for you

It can bring to life a man of snow

Make your Yuletide dreams come true!

So hang a shining star on that highest bough

The moment is now

Together we vow

With your loved ones, family, friends as well

Get ready for the holiday —

Gather for the holiday —

Nothing like a holiday spell!

Merry Christmas, lovelies!”

“My Baby Gave Me a Hippogriff for Christmas”

“(I have a very important question: with a show of hands, who here has received a holiday gift that, well, was not something you asked for or ever really wanted? Well then, you'll understand exactly what I'm talking about in this next song.)

I made it very clear

I've been dropping hints all year

About the gift I hoped to find beneath the tree

So imagine my surprise

When right there before my eyes

Was the last gift that a girl expects to see...

My baby gave me a hippogriff for Christmas (for Christmas!)

A giant, feathery hippogriff, it's true (sad but true!)

I expected jewels at least

But instead I got this beast

I have no words, he ate my purse

Oh, what's a girl to do? (what to do?)

My baby gave me a hippogriff for Christmas (for Christmas!)

Its being here is cause for great alarm (great alarm!)

Oh, it's just as you'd expect

My entire house is wrecked

It may be that my baby means me harm!

(Her baby gave her a hippogriff for Christmas)

You might say he's high maintenance at best (at best!)

Gotta bow approaching him

Or he'll tear you limb from limb

He's way too proud

He squawks real loud

This sorceress is stressed! (So stressed!)

(Her baby gave her a hippogriff for Christmas)

Now I'm finding nests in every single room!

Oh, he's easy to offend

So I gotta just pretend

I'm not annoyed he destroyed my favourite broom!

My baby could have given me a diamond ring

A captivating thing that makes my heart go zing

A sparkly robe is something every witch admires

Oh boy my baby conjured me my desires (sarcasm)

It could've been a toad or a cuddly crup

I thought you loved me, baby, tell me what is up

I saw the Christmas tree, but now I'm what you call "mad"

And now I'm struggling with this temperamental pet

My baby gave me a hippogriff for Christmas (for Christmas!)

And now there's talon scratches 'cross my floor (across her floor!)

Still, he's loyal as can be

I am his priority

If you're polite, he doesn't bite

It's magic when he soars!

My baby gave me a hippogriff for Christmas (for Christmas!)

If you wish for less, you're thinking way too small (you're thinking way too small!)

Oh I found a faithful friend

Who'll be with me till the end

Oh, a hippogriff's the greatest gift of all!

Yes, a hippogriff's the greatest gift of all!

Hippogriff's the greatest gift of all!”

“Accio Christmas”

"(Do you hear that? That's the rhythm of the islands! Christmas doesn't just cast its spell over the British Isles, my friends! It enchants people all over the world!)

Accio Christmas, Christmas come to me

Accio Christmas, calling out to thee

Accio Christmas, we've waited so long

to summon your magic with a Christmas song

Accio Christmas, come bring out the joy

Accio Christmas, every girl and boy

sings Accio Christmas, all through the year

'til the jingle bell season is finally here!

It's an invitation for a celebration

Bringing out elation in everyone

It's an invocation, a conjuration

And an invitation to have some fun!

Accio Christmas, let the magic start

Accio Christmas, filling out my heart

Bring me the love and good will for all

Singing Accio Christmas all 'round the world!

(Alright, lovelies! Now it's time for the fun part: audience participation. As they say, the more the merrier, so let's cast this Christmas spell together, shall we?)

Accio Christmas (come on, everyone!)

Accio Christmas (I can't hear you!)

Accio Christmas (getting better!)

Accio Christmas (good! now bring it down)

(4x) Accio Christmas!

Accio Christmas, Christmas come to me

Accio Christmas, calling out to thee

Accio Christmas, we've waited so long

Just summon your magic with a Christmas song

Accio Christmas, come bring out the joy

Accio Christmas, every girl and boy

Sings Accio Christmas, all through the year

'til the jingle bell season is finally here!

It's a proclamation, it's an exclamation

Needs no translation 'cause we all know

It's an inspiration for some decoration

[?] so let it snow!

Accio Christmas, let the magic start

Accio Christmas, filling out my heart

Bring me the love and good will for all

Singing Accio Christmas all 'round the world!

(Accio Christmas) All 'round the world!

(Accio Christmas) All 'round the world!

(Accio Christmas) All 'round the —

Accio Christmas all 'round the world!"

"A Witch and Wizard's Wintry Wonderous Land"

"On a cool winter breeze, we'll sail over trees

Glistening with flakes of white

And what could be rich, is if we bewitch

Some snow and start a snowball fight

We'll glide right along, singing a song

And even if our lips turn blue

Not a thing could compare to floating on air

In a witch and wizard's wintry wondrous land with you

Stroll down the streets, eating holiday treats

Taking in enchanted sights

As night leads to day, see the stunning display

Of glowing fairy Christmas lights

I'm under your spell, and it's clear to tell

That baby, you're under mine too

I'm yours heart and soul, as I take a stroll

In a witch and wizard's wintry wondrous land with you

As we approach December, falling leaves give way to snow

But as long as we're together, the weather can put on a show

'Cause we'll be safe and warm beneath the mistletoe

Wherever we roam, we're sure to head home

When our Christmas hearts are full

After some luck, we will not get struck

By an everlasting icicle

I'm under your spell, and it's clear to tell

That baby, you're under mine too

I'm yours heart and soul, as I take a stroll

In a witch and wizard's wintry wondrous land with you (I'm strolling here with you)

I'm yours heart and soul, as I take a stroll

In a witch and wizard's wintry wondrous land with you"

[zilabee]

M E R R Y _ C H R I S T M A S

[pherelesytsia]

Coming Home for Christmas

Pairing: Modern/Thomas Shelby x female/Reader

Summary: Returning home late after a rough day, Thomas arrives in an empty living room and not even the dog greets him.

Warning: Just Fluff

Word Count: 1.5k

a/n:. Requests are open!!!

Thomas Shelby Masterlist

The smell of gingerbread, mulled wine sweeter than honey, roasted apples and a hint of cinnamon was lingering in the air and greeted the blue-eyed man into the stone walls he called his home. The fairy lights, a soft yellow hue, illuminated the hallway, and the man placing the shoes next to the door heard hush voices singing a Christmas song.

Reindeer with stately antlers, fluffy scarves and red hats stood on the high and low wooden shelves next to elves with dangling feet in high brownish boots and wide smiles. Snow melted under the warm touch. His hands were tucked in the trouser pockets, and Thomas walked on with an ever-growing smile on his lips.

No barking, no friendly voices greeted him, but Thomas felt her presence in the tranquil house at the end of the world. He peered into every room, hoping she was there, but to his horror, Y/N was not in any of the lavishly decorated rooms connected by the long hallway leading into the living room.

The three nutcrackers in red uniform saluted. The sound of burning wood filled his mind. Dark strands stuck to his forehead. The tip of his nose was shimmering red as his cheeks. The fairy lights were switched off and the only source of light except the dying fire was the moonlight seeping in narrow streams through the curtains, but Thomas saw clearly. The mantelpiece seat, which once held pictures in wooden frames, was decorated with elves, wooden figures, and a small gingerbread house with crooked windows and missing candies. The Christmas tree, decorated with red and burgundy baubles, some of them adorned with trees, presents, bows and various vine-shaped ornaments, stood in the far corner.

Thomas tiptoes around the house, hoping and guessing his wife was resting on the sofa, waiting patiently for his arrival wrapped in a soft blanket in a bed of cushions. The smile faded away. Crumbs were on the plate with golden shimmery appliques. The blanket was warm, and the Shelby knew his wife and children had spent the night on the couch watching clad in ugly Christmas sweaters movies. Her name did not escape his lips. He turned to the table and strolled towards the stairs leading to the first floor, guessing the children were sleeping. He undid the buttons of his coat, took it off and threw it over the chair, loosened the tie and undid the darkish buttons of the waistcoat matching the rest of the well-fitting suit. He rolled up the sleeves until his muscular upper arms stretched the fine material.

At the sight of the richly set plate, a bad feeling spread through his heart. He pressed his lips to a fine line, gasped, cursed like a banshee and wished he could be a wizard and turn back time with the wave of a wand and return in time for dinner, as promised. The fork was stuck in the depths of the dish. Y/N had eaten little, but Thomas knew his wife, knew she had lost her appetite at the sight of the empty place at her side. Swiftly, he followed the stairs, took two steps at a time, and slowed his pace as he passed the closed doors leading into the children's rooms. He leaned to the side, exhaled, heard nothing and did not open the doors adorned with letters shaped into names.

With every step he took towards the bedroom at the end of the long corridor, the voices telling a story grew louder, a fairy tale he knew almost by heart. Thomas could not count on two hands how often he had watched the movie with the children and if he had to watch it again, then he would it without a mobile phone in his hand, would not comment on the wish but enjoy the joy of his children, and would even encourage them to watch it again.

Thomas braced himself. A weak excuse mirroring the others rested on his lips. The two simple words did not escape. His heart and the cares of everyday life melted away, turned to gold touched by flames. His fingers brushed back his hair. Thomas smiled, leaning against the doorframe with a frown. The candle spreading, the scent of apples and cinnamon burned. The sleeping, peaceful, nearly untroubled faces were lit by the dimmed glow of the television. He muffled the chuckle with his hand.

The three of them were all in the same pyjamas, red with presents, green dotted and with cheering elves, and the mother among them was wearing her hair like the daughter in pigtails. The wood moaned under his touch. The children were sleeping peacefully. The dog was snoring. Gasping, Y/N´s eyes shot open, but before she could scream for help and beg for mercy, her heart calmed. Smiling, the young mother huffed and leaned back into the pile of dozens of pillows. The drowsiness was gone. She stretched, and shook her head in disbelief. Y/N freed herself from the strong grip of the children hidden under various blankets, sleeping peacefully, and crawled closer to her husband.

            "I didn't mean to scare you, my love." Thomas breathed.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, the feared Shelby approached the bed, couldn't take his eyes off of the children sleeping with legs and arms outstretched and he wouldn't be surprised if Y/N asked him to massage her aching back the next morning.

            "I called you. I was worried about you." Y/N whispered.

She didn't want it to sound like an accusation, but it was.

            "I'm sorry, my love. My phone ran out of battery, I couldn't charge it and there was traffic. I was stuck downtown for at least an hour. I didn't forget and I'm sorry, I should have left earlier." he spoke low.

Thomas settled on the edge of the bed, exhaled and leaned forward, reaching for her hand adorned with a ring mirroring his.

            "Tomorrow, I will make it up to you, to all of you. I have a day off. And I've left my work phone in the car, it'll be there all day.", "I'm sure the kids will be happy and I doubt you'll find a place here." Y/N joked, pointing at the children taking up more and more space.

Thomas laughed, a wry grin spreading across his lips.

            "I thought.", "That I would be mad? I am yet I know you are working so hard for your family.” she started.

Exhaling, she settled in front of her husband, clasped his hands and smiled.

            "I would be lying if I said that I am not upset and the children are not disappointed. We were waiting for you. We couldn't reach your brothers. I nearly called the police and the hospital." Y/N gulped.

Fear spread in his gaze and before he could pronounce another apology, she silenced him.

            "You are an adult, but we should have rules. Maybe you can come home around seven. The children go to bed around eight during the week. They would at least see you for one hour in the evening. Perhaps we could take the children to school and kindergarten in the morning and have breakfast on some days, once or twice a week. At the weekend, you could cut down on work." Y/N murmured, not frightened.

He smiled weakly, nodded, knew she was right.

            "Will you at least think about it?" she asked. "I don't demand an answer today, nor tomorrow, or in the next few hours. It would do the children, you and our marriage good." Y/N added briefly.

Her fingers brushed over his skin, saw in his eyes that he was thinking about what she had said.

            "I will think about it and I will try to come home on time and take the children to the schools with you twice a week.", "I'm looking forward to it, and the children will be surprised to see you seated at the table tomorrow," she spoke.

Closing her eyes, Y/N leaned into his touch as his thumb danced over her cheek.

            "Are you tired?" he breathed into her ear, and Y/N answered with a shake of her head.

            "I fell asleep before the children." she added.

She brushed the traces of the thawed snow away.

            "We haven't seen each other all week. I could order us a pizza and wine; we could sleep on the sofa and watch a movie like in the good old days and tomorrow I'll surprise you and the kids with breakfast." Thomas asked.

No answer escaped. Clasping her hand, Thomas helped his Y/N to climb out of bed. He embraced her, cradled his wife against his chest and guided her quietly out of the master bedroom, closed the door, breathed a sweet kiss on her cheek and whispered sweet nothings into her ear.

[emospritelet]

Homecoming - chapter 8

in which the festive celebrations begin, and Belle drinks mead

[Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5] [Part 6] [Part 7]

AO3 link

The excitement of the twins was almost palpable by the time that the tea was drunk and sandwiches eaten, and Ogilvy wondered if they would actually sleep that night.  Doc shuffled into the room as they were on their second cup of tea, and Alice bounced up to him and led him to his favourite chair, fussing over him in a way that made Ogilvy grin.  Doc tried to wave her off, insisting that his headache was gone and he was fine, but he caught Ogilvy’s eye for a moment, making his breath catch.  He had Seen something.

Once Ivy had cleared away the tea things, Ogilvy encouraged the twins to start hanging red silk bows and angels made from paper cones and goose feathers, which Hatter brought into the room in boxes, the ornaments wrapped in tissue paper.  Alice told Belle proudly that most had been made by her in previous years, and that the twins had made the paper chains that wrapped around the tree and were tucked out of the way of the candles clipped to each branch.  Belle volunteered to help adorn the tree, handing each item to one of the twins to find a spare bough while Ogilvy and Doc refreshed the greenery that draped across the mantelpiece and hung above the windows.

“What is it?” asked Ogilvy quietly, tucking a strand of ivy around the base of a silver candlestick, and Doc sighed.

“We need to head north,” he said simply.  “I’m not saying that it’ll be the answer to everything, but it’s a step in the right direction.  I sense something - momentous.”

“Something’s better than the nothing we’ve managed to find for years,” said Ogilvy dryly.  “Perhaps now she’s back with us, things will be easier.”

“Yes.”  Doc allowed himself a tiny smile.  “Perhaps she’s guiding us, in her own way.”

Ogilvy threaded fragrant stems of rosemary in amongst the glossy green holly leaves, glancing across at where Belle was on tiptoes, handing a gilded pine cone to Ava to hang on the tree and admonishing her to be careful as Ava stretched up on the stepladder.  Something tugged at his mind, a whisper of a memory, and he felt his heart clench a little.  He turned back to Doc.

“When you say we have to head north,” he said softly.  “Where do you mean?”

“You know where.”

Doc’s eyes were filled with compassion, but there was a grim resignation there too, and Ogilvy sighed, his shoulders slumping a little as he nodded.

“Back to where it ended,” he whispered, letting the mantelpiece take his weight for a moment.  “Of course.”

Doc patted his shoulder, his hand a comforting warmth.

“Don’t think about it now,” he said gently.  “We’ll worry about it after Christmas, hmm?”

Ogilvy nodded, pushing his glasses up his nose and reaching for the next bunch of holly.  They could worry about it later.

Wreaths of dark green holly with bright red berries, ropes of trailing ivy and bushy crowns of mistletoe soon adorned the room, and the scent of fresh greenery and candle wax filled Ogilvy’s nose.  He closed his eyes for a moment, allowing the sensations to wash over him: the sound of children’s laughter and Belle’s soothing voice, the sharp scents of pine and rosemary and a hint of smoke from the fire.  For a few precious moments he let his mind drift back to the past, his mouth twitching into a smile as a memory formed.  A squeal from Ava made him jump, his eyes flicking open as he was dragged back to the present.

There was a little squabbling over who got to place the final decoration.  It was a tiny doll which had belonged to Alice, now dressed in a rough-hewn gown of gold-coloured gauze, wings of painted silk stretched across a frame of thin wire.

“She’s a fairy!” marvelled Ava.

“No, she’s an angel!” insisted Nicholas.

“Angels have feathers on their wings!” said his sister witheringly.  “She’s a fairy, and I guessed right, so I get to put her on top of the tree!”

“That’s not fair!”

“How about you both put her up there?” suggested Hatter.

He scooped them up, one in each arm, and carried them to the stepladder so they could stretch up and set the fairy on the top.  Ava clapped her hands and kissed him on the cheek, which made him grin.  Hatter had a soft spot for children.

“Now we can light the candles,” said Alice, helping the twins to get down. “Hatter, be a dear, would you?”

“Of course, Miss.”

Ogilvy smiled, watching as Hatter took a lighted taper in one gloved hand and began the process of lighting each of the little candles.  The children watched with wide eyes as the room filled with light, and Alice bounced on her toes, clapping her hands as the final candle was lit.

“Oh!  It looks so beautiful!” she said happily, and twirled, blonde curls flying outward.

“Well, mind you don’t set yourself on fire,” chided Doc, tugging her away from the tree.  “And that goes for you two, as well.  The tree is for looking at, not for touching.”

“Yes, sir,” the twins said in unison, standing very stiffly with their hands folded in front of them, and Doc sighed.

“It doesn’t mean you can’t play in here,” he said gently.  “Just be careful.”

The faint sound of music and singing caught Ogilvy’s ear, and he glanced at Hatter, who was frowning slightly as he looked out of the window.

“Carollers?” asked Ogilvy.

“I believe so, sir.”

“Oh!”  Alice raced to the window.  “Oh, look!  Papa, may we let them in?  We could have a dance!  The living room’s large enough, if we keep the doors to the hallway open and move the chairs back.”

“Very well.”  He couldn’t help smiling at her eager expression.  “Hatter, would you bring me a bottle of mead when you’ve let them in?  Alice, go and tell Mrs Potts to make up a bowl of spiced cider, and warm some of the mince pies.  And tell the servants they can come up and listen, too.”

Alice was gone in a flash, overtaking Hatter and calling out excitedly as she headed for the kitchen.  Ogilvy pushed the chairs back closer to the walls to free up more of the floor, and within minutes a small group of carollers had entered the living room, pink-cheeked with the cold and bringing the scent of snow with them.  One man carried a fiddle, two had pipes and one a small drum, and they offered bows and curtsies and touched their hats as Christmas greetings were exchanged.  Alice raced back into the room, breathing heavily, her eyes bright with excitement.

“Oh, do please play!” she said eagerly.

The group struck up a rousing rendition of Good King Wenceslas, the musicians playing along with enthusiasm.  Alice grabbed the hands of the twins and proceeded to dance with them in a circle, and Ogilvy smiled as Belle joined him by the window, brushing pine needles from her skirts.

“I hope they can sleep after all this excitement,” she remarked, eyes sparkling, and he grinned.

“I was thinking the same,” he admitted.  “I’m hoping warm milk and a story will do the trick.”

“Or perhaps Miss Alice will simply wear them out.”

“Perhaps.”

They watched the children dancing, their movements more of a joyful romp than anything coordinated, Ava giggling as they twirled in a circle.  Out of the corner of his eye, Ogilvy saw the kitchen maids peering in through the door, nudging one another and whispering.  He beckoned to them, and after some hesitation they entered, pressing themselves back against the wall as though the room was off limits.  Which he supposed it would be, in any normal household.  Mrs Wolfe entered with Ivy in her wake, her mouth thinning at the breach of propriety, and Ogilvy wanted to roll his eyes.

“It’s Christmas Eve,” he said, as the carollers finished their song.  “I’d very much like it if this whole household made merry.  We have a lot to be thankful for, so enjoy the music, and dance as much or as little as you would like, either in here, or out in the hallway if that would be preferable to you.  It’s only one night.”

That last line was directed at Mrs Wolfe, and after a moment she nodded acceptance with a tiny smile, which made him want to grin.  Hatter sidled back into the room, a cut-glass jug of hot mead steaming on a silver tray with three glasses beside it, and he set it on the little side table near Doc’s chair.  Ogilvy went to pour a measure into each, the mead hot and fragrant, and handed a glass to Belle.  She took it curiously, taking a sniff.

“It smells delicious,” she said.

“Mead,” he explained.  “I have a case sent up from Dorset every year.  Just the thing on a winter’s evening.”

Belle took a sip, eyes widening at the taste.  It was strong and sweet, fragrant with honey and heather, and it warmed her as it slipped down her throat.  The flavour was rich and heady and indulgent, and oddly familiar, even though she was sure the drink was new to her.  It made her thoughts stray to places they had never been: dancing barefoot in wet grass, laughing up at the moon, the sound of distant music in her ears and her lips bruised with frantic kisses.  For a moment the pictures conjured up by her imagination almost seemed like memories, and she blushed, trying to push the images from her mind.  Her lips tingled as if in memory of the kisses, and she half-expected to feel the hem of her skirt heavy and damp with dew.

“How do you like it?”

Ogilvy’s low voice made her start, and she looked up, her blush deepening.  Dark eyes watched her intently from behind the thin lenses of his glasses, and her heart thumped in her chest, her breath quickening.  She took another sip of mead to calm herself, and nodded to him as she lowered the glass.

“It’s delicious,” she said.  “It feels - it’s almost as though I remember having it before, but I’m sure that’s not the case.”

Ogilvy smiled at her, and raised his own glass.

“Merry Christmas, Miss Marchland,” he said, and took a drink.

The fiddler started playing I Saw Three Ships, and as the singers and musicians joined in, Alice released Ava and Nicholas and went to pull Ivy in for an exuberant jig.  Her actions seemed to encourage the others, and soon Hatter was whirling one of the maids around in the hallway with what looked like practised efficiency while the others clapped along to the tune.  Belle tapped her foot, sipping at her mead as she watched them, and as the song ended the Professor trotted over, bowing to her as he offered his hand.  She smiled as she curtsied, setting aside her glass of mead and joining him beside Alice, Ivy and the twins to make up a set.

The fiddle bayed, the singers launching into Here We Come A-Wassailing, and Belle stepped forward to take the Professor’s hands as they danced down the set and parted to wind around the others back to the top.  The servants in the hall had made up their own set, clapping in time as each pair danced, and Belle wanted to laugh for the joy of it as she took the Professor’s hands again. There was something untamed about it, something wild and ancient and pagan, as though in that moment, with the dance and the music, with the scent of pine boughs and the heat of the flames and the taste of honey in her mouth, she was connected to those that had gone before.

Ogilvy sipped at his mead, watching Belle and Doc clasp hands and skip through the dance to the sound of shrill pipes and clapping hands.  It made his heart ache, but it was a pleasant, nostalgic feeling.  Having her back in their lives was exquisite, being unable to touch her with affection the sweetest torture.  Perhaps Doc was right.  Perhaps their future lay in the North.

The song ended, and the dancers clapped their appreciation.  Belle took a step back, pressing a hand to her side as if winded, and Doc took her hand and led her over to the window where it was a little cooler.  Ogilvy handed her the glass of mead, and she nodded gratefully and took a sip.  Her cheeks were adorably flushed, her eyes sparkling.

“That was wonderful!” she said.  “I haven’t danced in so long!  It felt as though I was a peasant girl from centuries past, dancing in the dark of winter to welcome back the sun.”

“You looked to be enjoying the ritual,” said Ogilvy, and she smiled.

“I doubt she would have had to wear a corset, however,” she remarked, still holding her side.  “Oh, for a day when women don’t have to suffer being trussed up like chickens!”

His smile widened.

“All things come around, in their own time,” he said.  “I’ve no doubt undergarments are the same.”

Belle sighed, closing her eyes briefly before glancing across at him.

“I can’t seem to stop saying improper things in your presence,” she said, looking vexed.  “And now I’ve gone and mentioned that fact.  Really, Mr Ogilvy, you must learn not to listen to anything I say.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said, enjoying her flustered expression.  “Although if it would make you more comfortable, I could pretend to be distracted by the music.”

She bit back a smile, taking another sip of mead, and they watched the rest of the dance in silence.  Ogilvy could see that Alice and the others were growing tired, and the carollers looked as though they were flagging, so he asked Hatter to lead them down to the kitchens for cider and mince pies.  A chorus of Christmas greetings rang out as the carollers took their leave, and Alice flopped into one of the chairs, trying to catch her breath.  Ava and Nicholas squeezed on next to her, and Ogilvy set down his glass and moved the chairs back into their previous places, allowing Doc to slump into his favourite seat and open a book.

“Half past six,” said Alice, with a yawn, and looked at the twins.  “Time for you two to get ready for bed.”

There were groans from the twins, but they seemed good-natured, and they pushed to their feet, yawning.

“Early bed will make the morning come all the quicker,” said Belle.  “And you must hang up your stockings.”

The twins shared a curious glance.

“For - for presents?” asked Nicholas, and Alice smiled, pushing herself up straight.

“Of course!” she said.  “We need to leave out a mince pie and a glass of sherry for Father Christmas, if he’s to bring you some.”

“Father Christmas would prefer two mince pies,” remarked Doc, from behind his book.  “And a large brandy.”

Ogilvy bit his lip to hide a smile.

“He never brought us anything before,” said Ava, a little sadly.  “Maybe we weren’t good enough.”

“Oh, I’m sure that wasn’t it at all,” said Belle, glancing at Alice, who nodded.

“Yes, of course,” she said, with certainty.  “I bet it was because you were - well, you were hiding from grown-ups, weren’t you?  Keeping out of their way in rooftops and attics and warehouses down by the river.  Like I was before I came here?”

Ava and Nicholas shifted a little, exchanging glances before nodding a little shyly.

“And what’s Father Christmas?” pressed Alice.

“He’s a grown-up,” said Ava, her face brightening a little.  “He has a beard!”

“Precisely!” said Belle, evidently getting involved in the reassurance.  “I’m sure he knew just how good you had been, but wasn’t able to find you because you hid away so well.”

“We weren’t always good,” admitted Ava.

“One time we stole a whole cheese,” added Nicholas, and Doc snorted in amusement and tried to turn it into a cough.

“Well, that would have been measured against all the good things you did,” Alice assured them.  “I used to hide too, and I never got presents.  Not until I came here.  Father Christmas could find me when I stopped hiding, you see. When I was part of a family.”

The twins shared a hopeful, excited smile, and Belle appeared to hide her own smile behind her hand.

“But in order for him to bring your gifts, you need to go to bed,” she said firmly. “Set out the mince pies and brandy - Alice can help you - and go and get into your nightgowns.”

“I’ll be up to read you a story,” added Ogilvy, looking over the top of his glasses.

Ava held out a hand to Nicholas, and Alice led them from the room, chattering about where they would leave the mince pies.  Belle excused herself to go and change for supper, and trotted up to her room.  She changed her skirt and blouse for one of her two tea dresses, which she thought would just about be suitable for a quiet family supper, if not for a formal dinner.  It was blue chiffon, with sleeves that puffed at the shoulders and fitted snugly around her upper arms to the elbows.  The dress was a somewhat looser fit than her skirt, which made her wish she had been wearing it for the dancing.  She tidied her hair, patting it in place as she studied her reflection.  Her cheeks were still a little flushed, her eyes sparkling.  It appeared the exercise had agreed with her. Not to mention the mead.

She left her room, making her way along the corridor, and heard the low sound of Ogilvy’s voice coming from the room on the opposite side of the staircase. Belle crept closer, petticoats swishing, and peered around the open door.  Ava and Nicholas were tucked into twin beds in matching white nightgowns, and Ogilvy was seated on a chair between them, reading aloud from Pinocchio. He reached the end of the chapter, glancing up to smile at Belle, and closed the book, setting it on the nightstand.

“Sleep well, both of you,” he said.

“Yes, sir,” said Nicholas.

“You don’t have to call me ‘sir’, Nicholas.”

“No, sir.”

Ogilvy sighed.

“Well, good night, then.”

He got up off the chair, sliding the book onto a shelf, and turned down the lamps, leaving a muted glow in the room.  Belle stepped back as he left, closing the door behind him, and fell into step as they headed for the stairs.

“I suppose it’ll take them a little while to feel settled here,” she observed, and he glanced across at her.

“Yes,” he said.  “They’ve never known a proper home, so there must be a level of insecurity there.  I’d like to think that having you around might help them settle in.  Some routine, some structure.  Perhaps then they’ll see me as a family member, rather than simply an authority figure.”

“What did Alice call you, when you first brought her here?” she asked, and he grinned.

“When she’d stopped swearing at me, she mostly called me Big Nose.”

Belle giggled.

“Impertinent little minx!”

“As I told her often,” he said, looking amused.  “That one didn’t last.  She soon switched out to calling me Papa.  I was thrilled.”

“What caused the change?” asked Belle, and he smiled, pausing at the top of the staircase with one hand on the banister.

“She broke something,” he said simply.  “A plate, I think.  Nothing of consequence.  But she was certain that at best I was going to toss her out onto the street because of it.”

“The poor thing!”

“Indeed,” he agreed.  “She was distraught, crying and begging and telling me how sorry she was.  It took me a long time to calm her down and convince her that I didn’t care in the slightest.  When I finished reading her a story that evening, she kissed my cheek and called me Papa.”

He offered her his arm, and they started down the stairs.

"She seems a lovely young girl," said Belle thoughtfully.  "I think you've done an excellent job at raising her."

He paused on the stairs, turning to face her, a smile making his eyes crease at the corners, the light twinkling in them.  Really, he had very nice eyes. Which she absolutely shouldn't have noticed.

"Thank you," he said.  "That means a lot to me.  You are, after all, experienced in these things."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that exactly," she said wryly, as they continued down.  "I'm well aware that my youth and appearance made me highly unsuitable as a governess in the eyes of some."

"Well, more fool them," he said quietly.  "I - I value your good opinion, Miss Marchland.  More than you know."

They had reached the hallway, and he paused, her arm still linked through his. They were standing very close, and she could feel the heat of him through the sleeve of his jacket.  It made her breath catch, her heart thump, a flush rise in her cheeks.  She told herself it was the mead.  After a moment, Ogilvy glanced away, gesturing ahead of them.

“I - ah - asked for supper to be served in the breakfast room,” he said.  “I didn’t see the point of us using the dining room just for an informal meal.  Perhaps we might have some music after dinner.”

“Is this an invitation for me to play?” she asked teasingly.  “I warn you, the mead will not have improved my abilities.”

He smiled at that.

“Well, we do have a gramophone,” he said.  “Perhaps you’d prefer to be entertained, instead.”

Belle’s eyes widened with delight, and he grinned as he led her into the breakfast room.

[queenbeez-blog]

“Christmas is not so much about opening presents, as opening our hearts!” – Christmas Interior Scene – Ft. *Brook Hill Living & SAYO

G’day my joyful spirited supporters! A month for festive celebration, to unite with one another, whether it’s camping around the fire singing Christmas carol music to watching the Irish dancing on television.. Or filling up the house with a fresh ginger spice homemade biscuits, luring around the home. Cheerful kids full of laughter. popping open a bottle of bubbly sparkle, cracking bonbon’s around the dining table with family, friends, loved ones, including the pets..

Then you have me sitting at home with a dream of being on a holiday in Hawaii, *Takes a photo of my two fingers on a beach* "Life Hack" lol xx – No, guys.. I’m just kidding. I do have some special things happening in my life right now (excluding a tooth ache.) Hard work pays off I reckon, and theirs a few special people who’ve really been the back-bone for me. They know who they are. I don’t know how to say it, or what to say. But I will always thank these people for seeking some light into my SL. They’ve really expanded the opportunities & doorways & I just can’t thank them enough. My dream came true & now it’s time to shine.

Rightyo! So I really wanted to upload something by the 1st of December, like a warm up Christmas scene alongside many others which’re in my mind to soon become reality. I absolutely wanted to get my butt into the ‘Arcade Gacha’ & get a few products for my scene but no luck getting in, however I did find some pieces that were being re-sold on Market Place so I bought them & it was exactly what I wanted too, like only 3 items but I was drooling over them on the Flickr photo’s Id seen from a few good friends of mine who blog for the Arcade.

I love lights (I have something in plan, can you guess?) LED, environmentally friendly, officiant for our surroundings, heat proof & "friendly" for children & pets. So I incorporated some lights which’re from both *Brook Hill Living & SAYO, If you look up to the far right, around the deer head (Thank god it’s not real) I have put together a few wreathes, from Commoner, Apple Fall, SAYO & *Brook Hill Living. And at the very bottom left I do have some tea-pots in my favorite colour ‘Red’ which’re from *Brook Hill Living & they’re available at Cross-Roads with many other colour variations/ other items included too, same applies with the SAYO set. For both official ad’s, stores, event URL’s etc, will be all below!

FEATURED PRODUCTS: SAYO: SAYO – Twig & Light Wreath *BHL: BHL – Finse Pot, Joule red *BHL: BHL – Finse Sugar cup, Joule red *BHL: BHL – Finse Cup, Joule red

SAYO’s Offical ad URL for a clearer view, here: www.flickr.com/photos/56876049@N02/31172553506/in/datepos… SAYO @ Tannenbaum – SLURL: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Tannenbaum/141/128/24 SAYO’s pop-up store: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Namaste%20Isle/220/160/28 SAYO’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/SAYOSL/?fref=ts

*BHL’s Official ad URL for a clearer view, here: www.flickr.com/photos/brookhillestate/30972944650/in/pool… *BHL @ Crossroads – SLURL: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Crossroads%20Event/1… *BHL Mainstore: maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Brook%20Hill%20Bridge/202/… *BHL Website: www.brookhill-sl.com/living/ *BHL Facebook: www.facebook.com/brookhillsl/

Make sure if you haven’t done so, to check out my Facebook, follow me for updates on my SL life, my life in general, projects, client work, behind the scenes, giveaway’s & much more! –> www.facebook.com/ZhaoiIntaglio

Song Choice: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkB9ZGsVCvg – Chet Faker – Love & Feeling

Credits:

Building: Trompe Loeil – Kenna Cabin – (Modified)

Furniture:

FIREPLACE/MANTELPIECE:

[MF] Deer hunting trophy Apple Fall Magnolia Leaf Wreath AF Carriage Clock [Commoner] Gilded Modern / Himmelli Wreath LISP – Shepherd Egg Pic LISP – Shepherd Pine Mirror LISP – Mesh – Portland Fire Accessories Fancy Decor: Paper Tree (words) Fancy Decor: Paper Tree (music) HPMD* Christmas Socks (GG/Dec.2012) *FT* Fireplace Garland DBL ~ White Lights Plaid Bows – (Modified) ARIA -Nicola Pine Garland – (Modified) ARIA -Nicola Plywood Trees -tres blah- Cozy Winter – Wide Tin House 11 [[RH]] HOLIDAY CAFE-Reindeers (A) R(S)W Christmas Card Row 7mad;Ravens Rustic Candle Logs [NO CONCEPT](Xmas tree gacha)12.ornament silver [NO CONCEPT](Xmas tree gacha)13.ornament red 11 Fancy Decor: Tapered Ornament The Loft – Log Storage Black JIAN Countryside Collies :: Dog House – (Modified) :CP: Book Nook Cookies and Milk [ dynasty ] – Box of Ornaments – Black CLOSED [ dynasty ] – Box of Ornaments – Grey OPENED dust bunny . cookies & cocoa MudHoney Judy Basket 14_8f8 – Granny’s Winter Cottage – Throw Rug !gO! Love my doll – Pola 12_8f8 – Granny’s Winter Cottage – Horsey Toy AF Stepladder Table

CHRISTMAS TREE/BELOW: {vespertine}- smaller pompom box / multi {vespertine}- giftbox 2 /natural – copy {vespertine}- smaller pompom box / candy cane {vespertine}- giftbox 3/ pom jingle/ copy {what next} Christmas Gift Box (Red Snowflakes) RO – Sleigh Bells – Presents RARE Kalopsia – Pile of Gifts Kalopsia – Deer Pull Along Toy – Kalopsia – Puddle Duck – White – Kalopsia – Bunny Foofoo – Sitting – White 6. AF Bambi Figurine NOMAD // 04 // Tin Robot "Robby" *Second Spaces* geeky powerstrip two w/wires – Kalopsia – Blocks – Love Second Spaces – Wrap It Up – ready to give Second Spaces – Wrapping In Process *Second Spaces* craft room – punches Sari-Sari – Art Class – Palette (light) Sari-Sari – Art Class – DIY Spray Paint Sari-Sari – Art Class – Colored Pencils Sari-Sari – Art Class – Modeling Clay NOMAD // "R.C BOMBER" // RARE -tres blah- Cozy Winter – Knit Fix RARE 8f8 – Mange Destin 01 – Candy canes 8f8 – Mange Destin 08 – Wild cherry hard candies 8f8 – Mange Destin 07 – Soft citrus jelly candies AF Victoria’s Dollshouse Fancy Decor: Christmas Lights RARE MudHoney Throw Pillow Pumpkin Spice MudHoney Throw Pillow Merry Plaid MudHoney Throw Pillow Warm Knit MudHoney Throw Pillow Red Knit [NO CONCEPT](Xmas tree gacha)10.snow D 4 – DRD – Winter Wendyland full set Botanical – Green Douglas Fir Christmas Tree (Tannenbaum) LB_WildOak.v2{4Seasons}

Posted by Jack Hanby – on 2016-12-02 06:52:48

Tagged: , christmas , design , interior , Secondlife , passion , building , festive , sayo , bhl , decorating , decor , furniture , food , stockings , santa , clause , rug , storytime , dogs , candy , presents , topper , tree , lodge

The post “Christmas is not so much about opening presents, as opening our hearts!” – Christmas Interior Scene – Ft. *Brook Hill Living & SAYO appeared first on Good Info.