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Daffodil Grimstone · December 16, 2022 – 3:23 AM

December 24th, 1892 - Potts Family Christmas
Bartonburg

Tonight was not nerve-wracking per ce, but Daff was a little on edge about how it would all happen. A large family gathering with the extended Potts family was a lot. A lot. At least Mr. Honeyduke and Jack would also be here to break the ice? It wasn't completely throwing Elias headfirst into the water to see if he could swim, right? To learn of Dahlia's invitation of Mr. Honeyduke was a bit of a surprise, but Daffy would be the first to admit that her move to London had left her in her own little world, which she had wanted at the time. However, now she felt a little disconnected to everyone in Hogsmeade, even if she did tend to stop by Bartonburg every now and then. It just didn't happen to be to see her family...

Which was why she was watching out the big bay window of the house, watching a soft snow fall in the lamplight on the street outside. Daff played with a frayed string of the cushion, subconsciously checking the clock every now and then. The deep sage green of her dress echoed that of the decorations in the house, flickering in the candlelight as she tried to ease this flutter of anticipation in her chest. Not everybody was here yet and she knew they would have a full house. They had gone all out, as usual, with the garlands and the poinsettias, the holly and the ivy, as it was tucked meticulously in every available space. The red holly berries were in stark contrast to all of the green and Daff had nearly tucked a couple into her hair, but thought better of it at the last minute, choosing instead a couple of tiny red carnation buds to tie into the twist and loose waves that half-fell over her shoulder.

Waiting like a princess in a castle didn't sit well with Daff and so she thought perhaps she should find some cider or cocoa to sip on while she waited. Apparently Mr. Honeyduke had fixed the cocoa himself, so it was bound to be delicious. He'd dropped it off earlier with some other goodies to be kept in the kitchen under the watchful eye of their cook so nobody snuck anything before it was time. Sighing softly, she left her watchful perch to pour herself a glass of cider, something, anything to do with her hands while she waited. All of this quiet contemplation was going to get the better of her, so she moved into the adjacent parlor where the mismatched Christmas tree stood tall and proud near the windows. The event she and Mr. Hillicker had hosted had gone so splendidly that of course she had brought home a tree at the end of the day.

Sipping at her cider as she mulled over the handmade ornaments that adorned the tree, everything from childhood art projects to more sophisticated paintings of Zinnia's in miniature, Daff smiled fondly, feeling her nerves settle a little. Of course that is when she felt someone at her elbow and nearly jumped out of her skin. She just managed not to spill anything on her dress as she laughed. "Sorry, lost in my own thoughts." Clearly.

Invitational: @"dahlia potts" @"Zinnia potts" Calla Potts Thistle Potts Millie Potts Jack Dorset Elias Grimstone Quincey Honeyduke & Calla's +1
Don't feel like you have to join, but feel free! Share your sidequests with the fam too!

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Millie Potts · December 18, 2022 – 9:38 PM

Christmastime was bursting with joyous glee, and Millie Potts right along with it. The whirlwind of the last few days of term felt like only a distant memory now, as if a whole week of leisure and greeting to each of her returning siblings could be an eternal moment for the young witch. She only wished it could allow her more stolen moments, ventures out to her favorite trees on days without much wind, or the chance to dive deeper into her current novel.

The holidays meant the bustle of celebrations and affairs, and most importantly to her mother, pageantry. The young witch already missed her boring Hogwarts robes, she could hardly spend half the morning in a simple dress before mother whisked her away with words like 'silhouette' and 'proper young lady'. Millie wondered if she had ever been young to begin with, or was simply born waiting to grow up.

Millie spent the carriage ride waiting for it to end. The whole affair seemed overdone to her, their cousins lived only a few blocks away, and she was used to walking farther than this for Herbology classes or to the Quidditch pitch. For her mother it was splendid, and for her father it was time to grill Edmund on why he still hadn't settled himself down with a wife. She had to admit that she enjoyed the ride, and it felt very to-do to arrive at her aunt's and uncle's house in a self-drawn carriage.

She navigated the narrow steps carefully in heeled shoes, taking the hand when it was offered to her. The young witch met Fletcher's eyes, bashfully mirroring the half-cocked grin on his face. When he feet touched the ground, she gave her brother a tiny curtsy in gratitude. Her attention was drawn away from his bow in return, a gloved hand on hers pulling it away from the necklace at her throat. "Hands below the heart, Mildred," her mother whispered guidance, lifting Millie's chin with her other hand. "And eyes to the world, please."

The young witch faced a smile, awaiting the moment when her mouth would mirror her mother's this time. With a nod of satisfaction, the matron Potts moving back to let her family step out of the snow-laid Hogsmeade and into the warm, gaily decorated house of another Potts family.

Suddenly the world seemed far brighter and more delightful to the young witch, she could wish for nothing more beyond the walls of this house right now. Millie expected greenery from her relatives, and still she found herself lost in the trails of garland and flowers tucked into ever crevice and cranny of the house. She nearly wandered away from introductions to look at it all, only spending as much time to make her parents happy before she could explore it all.

Smells beckoned to Millie just as the colors of the decorations, while her eyes followed the fruit-speckled holly intertwined with the arrangement. Her eyes wandered farther than her feet, and her body lurched forward, almost tripping before catching onto someone's elbow. They shook at her touch, causing the young witch to draw back, trying not to twist her ankles on the heeled shoes. "Pardon!" she started, before catching the voice of her cousin, Daffodil. Millie relaxed, she didn't think Daffy would scold her for the interruption, and stepped up next to her. "That's alright, I was lost too, looking all around. The place is beeaaauuuuuuuuuuutiful."

Millie nearly touched her necklace as she looked at her cousin's hair, adorned with small flower buds. Her own laid behind her shoulders, tied back with a green ribbon that matched the inner layer of her dress, peeking out from the checkered pattern of the lighter layer buttoned over it. It was her choice, though she envied the deeper green her cousin donned today. A lady's dress, the young witch reminded herself, one that she couldn't wait to wear herself. It echoed in breathless words from the younger Potts girl, "Everything here is."

Word Count: 669

Dahlia Honeyduke · December 18, 2022 – 11:51 PM

Christmas time was one of Dahlia's favorite times of year. She loved how happy everyone seemed, loved that all her family was in one location, loved the excuse to bake a lot. It was as if there was magic in the very air. The smell of holly and fur boughs lingered with the scents of hot chocolate, cinnamon, cookies, and puddings. It was the best smell in the world. Dahlia was sure if she ever smelled amortia this is what it would smell like .... and, her mind added warming her cheeks, like the scent of the spices that always lingered around Mr. Honeyduke.

Across the room her uncle's family was arriving the number of guests in the room swelling as they began to greet each other. Dahlia's body relaxed as her eyes scanned over them for the farmiliar shape of Mr. Honeyduke. He had not yet arrived and she was trying not to worry about it, as evidenced by the fact that she was trying to maintain a conversation with Zinnia as she drank a cup of the delicious hot chocolate he had dropped off earlier that day. Had he not dropped it off she might have worried (at least more than she already was) that he was having second thoughts and would not appear. As it was, part of her still wondered if he would appear. And if he did? What then? They were not courting and it had felt awfully forward to invite him to the family gathering, but mother had encouraged her by telling her that Daffodil had invited a gentleman as well. That alone brought about more questions, but Daffy was less than indulging in those questions so Dahlia was left worrying about her own questions.

She had spent much of the day in the kitchen in an attempt to distract herself. In fact she'd spent much of the last several days, when she could be spared from the shop that is, in the kitchen preparing for her mother's Christmas Eve party. Dahlia had baked cookies, including ones that she knew Quin liked, as well as all of her sister's favorites. She'd made the Christmas pudding that would be served tomorrow. She had also made some breads and current buns. Anything she could think of she and made. Perhaps it was too much, but Dahlia hadn't wanted a spare moment to think. If she did she would probably have been questioning if her lack of lady like decorum in inviting Quin to this. At the moment it had seemed right, but now? Did he think her too forward? An odd thought to have for someone whose lap she had sat on. If that was lady like decorum then Dahlia was a goose. And seeing as she wasn't being trussed up for Christmas dinner she highly doubted she was a goose. So she had remained in the kitchen baking, distracting herself from it all.

In fact Dahlia had waited until it was much later than she ought to have to rush up to her room to change. It had not given her a lot of time to fret over her clothing - until now. Her fingers ran down the dusty rose velvet of her gown. She loved the gown with it's beautiful color against her hair, the satin ribbons that accented it in a slightly darker shade were simple yet effective. She'd sewn them on herself. Pearls would have looked gorgeous with the gown, Dahlia was quite certain, but as she did not own any she had had settled for a matching satin ribbon around her throat and had convinced Zinnia to help her arrange holly as an accent at the neckline of her gown. She rather thought it added the perfect Christmas touch to the gown.

Dahlia turned her attention back to Zinnia, taking another sip of her hot chocolate. It only reminded her of Mr. Honeyduke, Quin. If it were not for that then he would be right and it would be calming her right now, as it had the day of the bees. She had no idea what Zinnia had just said, she had been much to caught up in her thoughts as she stared at her cousins coming in to the room. "Sorry?" She bit her lip slightly, Zinnia would definitely know something was up. So she sighed and voiced her worry aloud for the first time all day. "He will be here, right?"

Word Count: 737

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Pretties by Bee <3

Zinnia Gallagher · December 19, 2022 – 12:46 AM

Dahlia was distracted and Zinnia had every reason to believe it had to do with one Mister Quincy Honeyduke; she had been fretting over making everything perfect all day, although she would say it was just as perfect as it could get. She’d stayed out of the kitchen all day (for good reason, because all their guests would probably go home with food poisoning if she were to even help mix the bowls), and had worked to help Mama set up the decorations for the party. Everything had to be perfect because it was more than just the Potts clan coming tonight – it seemed like every single one of her sisters had invited someone to join the party, except for her.

It had crossed her mind to invite Mr. Olixander Blackwood, but he would scoff at everything that the Potts family was – he was a pureblood, upper class asshole. They had been friends at Hogwarts until suddenly they weren’t, and the fact that he’d waltzed back into her was both enthralling and upsetting. Then there was Mr. Harvey, who was thoroughly convinced she was at least half siren and would probably think coming to a Potts family gathering would be the end of him, and Mr. Gallagher who would probably think he’d die of food poisoning if he were to come. Not that Zinnia knew the other two gentlemen well enough to invite them to a family gathering. Instead she’d have to live vicariously through her sisters, beginning with Dahlia.

Her hands curled around the mug of cocoa she was holding and she looked at her sister. “I was just saying that this cocoa might be the best yet. I think Mr. Honeyduke is trying to impress someone.” Zin glanced at her sister and winked, because they both knew there was only one Potts sister that he had eyes for. “Of course he will be. He wouldn’t have dropped off the hot cocoa if he wasn’t planning on coming by. Maybe he just wants to be fashionable late.” Her lips curled into a smile. “Plus he’d be stupid if he didn’t want a chance to see you dressed as beautiful as you are, and if he doesn’t show up he’ll be missing out.” Zin reached out to gently grab her sister’s elbow and tugged her toward the window. “We’ll be on the lookout. I want to see his face when he sees you for the first time.”

Zinnia had every intention of making Mr. Honeydukes’ eyes scan the party for Dahlia. It would be nerve wracking for him to come, but she wanted to make sure he had good intentions for her sister. (She didn’t plan on interrogating him, but if it happened, it happened.)

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Set by the lovely Lady<3

Dahlia Honeyduke · December 19, 2022 – 1:12 AM

Dahlia's cheeks warmed at the thought that Quin might be trying to impress her. That she was worth impressing seemed rather remarkable in general. She had never caught the eye of any one before, and yet it seemed that somehow she had caught Mr. Honeyduke's. Quin's. It still felt like a delicious secret to use his given name.

Zinnia was wrong though, Quin was the type of gentleman who would bring hot chocolate for absolutely no reason. He had sent Dahlia tons of treats during the months they had been writing to each other, even that first mortifying letter where Dahlia had found out his niece had orchestrated the whole thing. She could entirely see him dropping off hot cocoa simply because he wanted too. And she would be fool enough to send him something in the morning in return. It was what they did. Unless of course he did arrive this evening.

Another blush tinged her cheeks at the compliment, she felt pretty, but it was always nice to hear someone else confirm it, especially on an evening like this one. "You really think so?" Dahlia asked as she nodded and let her lead her older sister across the room.

The others were definitely going to tease her for this one, she was certain of it.

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Pretties by Bee <3

Sisse Thompsett · December 19, 2022 – 1:21 AM

It was odd to be at a Christmas Eve gathering that was not her own family's. In some ways it distracted her entirely from the fact that her mother was gone and that her father was absent and that nothing had been right since the September of last year. And yet in other ways it only served to show her how much had changed. Her mother would never have allowed her to attend. Instead the only reason her father had been home today was that work was not open, had it not been a weekend he might have been in the office. Sisse had half expected him to be anyway. Matthew had gone to see some friends, somehow relingishing his continious quest to make up for their father. Father hadn't even objected when Sisse had asked to attend the Potts' gathering. So here she was, amid a large and boisterious family, feeling entirely out of place, wearing a white and green striped dress she had sewn herself.

She had found a seat by the fireplace and was sitting demurely on the couch, a mug of hot chocolate (rumored to have been made by Mr. Honeyduke) clasped between her hands trying not to look as uncomfortable as she felt in a room full of family that was not her own.

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Daffodil Grimstone · December 19, 2022 – 2:26 AM

Daff was surprised to find it was Millie at her elbow and she smiled at her cousin fondly in response. "We do love to decorate." Since the kitchen had been hogged by Dahlia and cook all day, the rest of the family had to do something with their time. Daff, like Dahlia, had needed the good distraction from the unsettled feeling of uncertainty as it edged closer and closer to the party.

Everybody had sort of filed in now while she had been lost in her own world, so it seemed, and that was a good enough to keep her mind from wandering further. "You look so polished this evening." Daff noted. She remembered that in between, young Hogwarts age where she wasn't quite old enough to enjoy the party as it was meant to, but not young enough to be sent off to play in about room out of the way either. It felt like ages ago now. "How has Hogwarts been treating you?" Daff took a sip of her cider, determined not to get too caught up in waiting for Elias to arrive.

She noted Dahlia and Zinnia chattering away nearby and poor Miss Thompsett sitting on the sofa for the moment. She felt for Calla's friend and had been thrilled to have the other girl join them, but she did hope Calla would help keep her friend company soon enough. There were only a couple of people missing now...

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Quincey Honeyduke · December 19, 2022 – 2:52 AM

Quin was not late on purpose. Well, he rarely was, but he was a bit of a scatterbrain and after dropping the cocoa and treats off earlier in the day, he'd had every intention of just cleaning up the shop and heading over as straight as they'd closed. Naturally things never quite seemed to work out the way he thought they would and he had lost track of everything. Fortunately the girls were more than happy to close up for him, knowing where he was supposed to be off to. He needed to clean up, get the flour off of him and make sure he wasn't a complete disaster either. Quin had set his mind on speaking to Mr. Potts this evening, to well, declare his intentions for Dahlia, but he wasn't off to a great start.

Fortunately he had another arm full of sweets to arrive with to help ease him into the door, but as he had been let in by one of that staff, he had asked after the family patriarch and been directed to a workshop in the basement. Naturally. As intriguing as that had been, he didn't get to do much with it, as his conversation with Mr. Potts had been fairly brief, but productive, as they had come to a tentative agreement, based on what Dahlia had to say on the matter of course. They hadn't strictly discussed it, but he thought they were on the same page.

After giving himself a moment to collect his thoughts, Quin was decidedly lighter in step as he shrugged out of his overcoat and joined the party. He was largely unfamiliar with most of the family, save for Mrs. Potts and Miss Daffodil, as he did most of their joined business ventures with them, but he was fairly adept at navigating such social gatherings without much fuss. It looked like most people were gathered in the parlor with the Christmas tree. His cocoa seemed to be a big hit, which was flattering, but he was far more interested in speaking with Dahlia for a moment. He spotted her chatting with a sister and gave her a smile and a wave, not wanting to interrupt.

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Zinnia Gallagher · December 23, 2022 – 1:19 AM

“Dahlia, if he doesn’t think so, then I need to have a sit down with him to discuss how wonderful you are.” Zinnia reached out to gently squeeze her sister’s arm as she smiled. There wasn’t anything she’d actually do to embarrass her sister or ruin her chances with Mr. Honeyduke, but the sentiment had to mean something. He would be an idiot to say he was coming and then not show up, especially when he’d dropped by earlier to hand the cocoa over. She hoped that someone had made the remark of seeing him later in the evening.

Of course it was too late to confirm that had happened, and she grinned at Dahlia as she pulled her closer toward the window, although her feet abruptly stopped as the man in question appeared just ahead of them. He was smiling at his sister and then he waved at her, which caused Zin to release her arm. “I think I hear Mama saying she needs some help. I’ll talk to you later.” She wasn’t about to stand in Mr. Honeyduke’s way by occupying her sister’s attention all evening.

Instead she made her way toward the fireplace, where she took a seat next to the girl who looked impossible uncomfortable. Zinnia offered her a smile. “I suppose you're Calla’s friend? She should be along eventually. I hope you don’t mind if I keep you company in the meantime.”

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Set by the lovely Lady<3

Millie Potts · December 23, 2022 – 7:09 AM

Millie tipped her head, her cheeks growing warm underneath the delightful smile blooming beneath them. The compliment tickled her ears, prompting an itch that she knew she mustn't try to scratch. That would draw her mother to her in an instant, so the young witch put her hand at her sternum instead. It felt natural enough, despite her normal inclination to reach up to the silver chain at her neck, grasping for the satisfaction of its soothing texture running beneath her fingers.

"Thank you, Daffy," she said simply. She wanted to say more, return the remark in kind. Still, the young witch remained quiet, her hand unmoving from the green fabric against her chest. It filled with a breath, a hope that she might find a few more words for her cousin, and then stillness once more. Millie was grateful when her older relative filled the silence again, inquiring the way adults did about younger people.

"Pleasantly, I suppose," Millie found her attention drawn to the tree, its decorations spanning the range of crafting skills. Some looked like they might have been made by her baby cousins, if she didn't spot their scrawling signatures or dedications to her aunt and uncle. They cheered her smile upward, rising with her confidence, and the young witch turned her face back to Daffy. "I'm getting better marks this year, they're just not that easy to get. I positively dread Potions, and I don't think the Astronomy professor likes me very much."

It felt that way, in any case, from the professor's curt remarking that her observations consistently including both Aries and Pisces reflections. Millie thought those would improve her grades, even if she had more to say about Pisces than her own celestial sign.

"Oh," the young witch remembered at last, hardly noticing that her thumb was rubbing against the back of her necklace now, "I entered the dueling tournament a couple weeks ago. Don't tell my father, I didn't get very far anyway." All Millie had really earned from it was a shinier spot on her robes, right where she had landed from Eros Mohr's disarming spell. She didn't dare tell anyone else in her family, or they might learn that she lost to a second year. Her thumb paused for a moment as the young witch realized where it was, and then she continued, almost wanting her mother to spot it from across the room.

Suddenly, the younger Potts girl wished she had a cup of the cider like Daffy had. Or at least the hot cocoa, Millie wouldn't think anyone would let her do much more than taste the cider this year. Next year, she decided, next year she would ask for a cup of it for herself. Her eyes considered her cousin's cup carefully, too acutely aware that she had fallen silent again.

She hoped Daffy wouldn't hold it against her.

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Elias Grimstone · December 23, 2022 – 11:37 PM

The Pottses’ house in Bartonburg was hardly far to go, but Elias had waited on the last possible moment to leave for it, as long as he could without being rude and missing dinner. He hadn’t been worried in the slightest all day – he had resolved not to think too hard about it, and thrown himself into other things – but at some point the whole thing had sunk in.

So somewhere between trying to vanish the polish stain on the sleeve of the shirt he’d just changed into and nearly skidding down the street as he left the house, Elias admitted to himself that maybe he was a little nervous. Family gatherings were fine when they were his family, but – this family gathering mattered a great deal more. He’d never thought Daffodil’s family looked particularly intimidating, from the outside – their flower show in the spring had been a breezy affair, hardly stuffy – and he’d at least talked to Thistle several times before. And one of her sisters – Calla? – was a quidditch player at school. No, that wasn’t the matter: he was positive they’d all be perfectly pleasant as company; Elias was just a little less sure what, precisely, they would think of him.

Beneath the apprehension was, however, an almost childish delight at the idea of seeing Daffy in amongst her family and her home environment – not the newer facets of her life, but her history – and getting to know her better by it. So there was a slight grin on his face as he steeled himself on their doorstep, and a general air of curiosity when he was let inside – a resolution to pay attention to everything.

And Merlin, were there already a lot of people about: the house was buzzing with it, even from the hallway. Elias deposited a bottle of alcohol (for eggnog later, maybe, if he made it that far) and another twig-based wreath, like the others he’d made over the years – and this year especially for Daff’s tree-farm day. Not that the Potts house had any room for more festive decoration – he should have expected no less. The place was practically a forest.

He’d hoped to see Daff before having to meet anyone else, but as he was pointed towards the parlour, he bumped into someone else just as he reached the doorway. “Oh, Merry Christmas,” he greeted them, awkward-dodging through the door. “Elias Grimstone.” As he listened for their name to place them in turn, he scanned the rest of the room, looking especially for Daffodil. (Hold on, was that Quin? What was Quincey Honeyduke doing here?)

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look ANOTHER beautiful bee!set <3

Daffodil Grimstone · December 25, 2022 – 10:49 PM

Nodding knowing exactly what Millie was referring to. Potions had been, well not her best subject either, but she'd had help... Pushing those thoughts away, as they no longer had a place in her mind, she smiled at Millie again, this time sympathetically. "Potions is tough, have you inquired for a tutor, perhaps?" It was how she'd succeeded after all, maybe it would work for her cousin as well.

Millie's news about the dueling tournament was mildly surprising, but Daff was almost positive Calla enjoyed them as well, so perhaps not too surprising. "Your secret is safe with me." She winked at her cousin before adding, "But that is exciting, even if it did not go the way you wanted. There will be more and you will do better, I'm sure." It certainly wasn't something Daff would have ever been good at, as she was not particularly savvy that way, not very quick on her feet in situations like that, but practice would certainly help. "I believe one of Calla's friends is in the dueling club, you may be able to get some help there if you wished." Daff wasn't exactly who, Mr. Moony perhaps had been mentioned, but it could have been Miss Bixby too, that would fit, if she recalled correctly.

An amiable silence fell between the cousins again, Daff sipping at her cider, noticing Mr. Honeyduke himself had made his appearance. His invitation made her addition look less suspicious, which she was thankful for. It was then she finally heard the voice she'd been most anxiously waiting the arrival of near the door— and it looked like Jack had run into Elias first. Daff hid the blossoming smile behind her cider, but still tried to catch his eye as she turned her attention back to Millie. "Would you like something to drink? I heard the cocoa is very good." They were hosting tonight after all, she should play the part.

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Jack Dorset · December 28, 2022 – 3:45 AM

When Jack had first gotten to the party he'd tried to offer help - to be useful in some way but he'd been promptly shoo'd out of the kitchen and into the parlor. Instead of a task he was given a cup of cocoa and told to enjoy himself. It gave him something to do with his hands at least.

He had been to enough Potts' gatherings to know they were something special. Dressed in his best waistcoat and trousers for the occasion, he stood at the perimeter watching the gathering for a few moments before finding a conversation to join. It was a large and lively gathering; Mixed in with the familiar Potts faces there were a few he didn’t recognize. Probably cousins, he decided without much thought.

From the look on her face, the cousin wearing green stripes felt very out of place and it was strange but somehow gratifying to think he might be more at home here than some family did. He was just the boy one of their daughters had befriended and he wasn't one of them… but after so many years he did have a place there, in his own way.

Even more strange than the unfamiliar cousins - there was someone there he recognized from work. Jack had come across Mr. Honeyduke often enough on his patrols and visits to Hogsmeade that the man seemed almost familiar, even if they weren't formally introduced. He pushed away from his contemplative corner with the intent of striking up a conversation with the candymaker, or even Mr. Potts if he could be found, because that's what men did at parties right? Find the other men?

Instead he found himself running smack into someone. He'd been focusing so hard on skirting around the hems of - well, skirts actually, that he hadn't seen the giant of a man coming through the door way. He was midway through a laughing apology when he realized it was yet another man from work.

"Jack Dorset." he answered with a puzzled look, offering his hand to shake. "You make brooms, right?" Had the Potts' invited all the High Street merchants?

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Sisse Thompsett · December 29, 2022 – 3:45 PM

"Oh," Sisse looked up at Calla's sister (which one, she wasn't quite sure, she knew the younger two the best, but they started to blur together if Sisse hadn't gone to school with them), she gave the lady a smile, and moved slightly to the side to indicate she should join her. "Yes, of course." She agreed, her smile brightening.

"Sisse Thompsett." She explainedby way of introduction, dipping her head politely.

"This is such a beautiful party." And really it was, greenery and joy everywhere. Precisely what Sisse missed at home.

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Thank you Bee <3 Your magic has made Sisse bloom

Dahlia Honeyduke · December 29, 2022 – 3:50 PM

Giving Zinnia a grateful smile, Dahlia leaned ever so slightly into her older sister's orbit. Everything was going to be alright, she tried to assure herself. Any reassurance was immediately gone though, or perhaps not gone. Lodged in a leap from her stomach to her throat as she noticed Quincey across the room. His eyes locked on her and he waved. An answering smile was on her lips immediately.

Dahlia almost didn't hear Zinnia make some excuse up and leave her side but then she was alone watching Mr. Honeyduke come her way a mixture of excitement and a sudden onslaught of shyness rolling through her. Her whole body felt as if it was tingling.

"Merry Christmas." Dahlia greeted him when he joined her.

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Pretties by Bee <3

Quincey Honeyduke · December 30, 2022 – 12:09 AM

Quin was very well-aware of the eyes on him. He had noticed a couple of the other Potts girls give him a look and he'd just realized Elias had joined them. Huh, that was as baffling. He wondered briefly which Potts sister fancied the broommaker to warrant an invitation, but didn't exactly have time to ponder it too much. He could catch up with Elias at a later point and interrogate him about it. But it was nice to see someone else that wasn't somehow related at the party. Though there was the other young bloke, Quin recognized as one of the town's constables as well. That the Pottses knew half the town was not surprising, he supposed.

Miss Zinnia seemed to very graciously excuse herself before Quin finished crossing the room and he smiled at Dahlia. "Merry Christmas," He extended a hand. "Might I steal you away for somewhere quieter for a moment?" This conversation would do better with less ears listening in. Quin knew they couldn't find somewhere entirely alone, but certainly with less people might be more appropriate.

we are branching off so don't wait on us for a bit!

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