Chapter 59 - Christmas Eve Ⅲ (1/2)

The gala is in full swing as guests mingle and chat as musical instruments play in the background by a group of brownie musicians. Severus is hiding out in a corner of the room, behind a large Christmas tree after learning the hard way that older woman liked to pinch his cheeks. Severus's cheeks are ruddy red as he rather crossly picks at his plate of food and glances at the plate full of food beside him.

”Where's my plate of food?” Rowan suddenly asked from behind Severus.

Severus jumps and almost chokes as he says, ”Here.” Severus points to the plate next to him as Rowan ravenously begins to eat. ”Where were you?”

”Over there and over here.”

”Fine, don't tell me. See if I care.”

”If you're like that, I'm not giving you your Christmas gift.”

”Wait, what did you get me?!” Severus said with a curious gleam in his eye.

”Well, seeing as it's so boring, let's sneak out and open our presents!” Rowan excitedly said.

”Won't grandma and grandpa get mad?” Severus nervously asked.

”Maybe, but I doubt they'll take them back, it'll be far too late,” Rowan cheerfully said.

Severus debates the complex idea for a moment before succumbing to the temptation. ”Fine,” Severus reluctantly agreed. ”But if we get in trouble, I'm saying it was all you.”

”Fair enough,” Rowan said with a shrug. They sneakily creep behind the fabulously decorated trees and over to the heavy-laden food table. They underhandedly fill two plates and once more sneak out via behind the Christmas trees.

Reginald spots their sneaking figures and hides a knowing smile lest his wife spot the twins. ”Ah to be young and reckless again,” Reginald mused to himself, before turning his attention back to the boorish man who was prattling on about gods knows what. It is a terrible thing to be an adult in trying times like these.

Nevertheless, Reginald persevered lest his wife force him to hold another ball. And frankly, Reginald could only stand one per year. And if he was lucky, Sirsa would forget all about holding one for the next five years. Because one could desperately pray that others would suffer the same misfortune as him.

Out in the family parlor, Rowan and Severus study the grand Christmas tree decorated with strings of mistletoe, glowing light blossoms, crystal-like spheres, and tiny intricate moving decorations. ”Dawn really did outdo herself,” Rowan remarked at the breath-taking Christmas tree.

”A-huh,” Severus replied with a mouth full of food.

Rowan eyes narrow as she spots her target and says, ”Found them!”

Carefully carrying their plates lest they spill, the twins set them carefully on the ground as Rowan grabs the first present and reads the name. ”Nope, not mine,” Rowan said as she tossed it over to Severus.

”By the way, Sev, what did you get grandmother and grandfather?” Rowan asked. ”And Aunt Georgine?”

Severus narrows his eyes at the last part, but before he can reply, the sarcastic voice of Aunt Georgine said, ”And what are you two doing?” Rowan and Severus whirl around to see the thin figure of Aunt Georgine in a mint green dress with a spring of holly in her hair as a decoration.

Rowan honestly says, ”We've never had many presents before and so we just wanted to take a closer look at them.”

Georgine wilts a little at Rowan's words and steps inside. Taking a seat in her armchair, Georgine flatly says, ”Did Eileen and that husband of hers not celebrate Christmas?”