Chapter 802 - An Unusual Circumstance Ⅱ (1/2)

Far over the hills, the town of Northwick resides among snow-covered hills. The town of Northwick is full of festive glittering, flashing muggle-lights set up in celebration of the festivities. Jolly Santa Clauses are flashing in the windows or large glowing setups on the lawns including a nativity scene. Green tinsel wreaths are hanging on the doors, bows, and wreaths winding around posts and gates galore. It was just an all-around merry spirit going about the town of Northwick.

The sidewalks and driveways of the residences are clean of snow having already been shoveled. On the front yards, there are scores of happy snowmen with crisp carrot noses and jolly expressions made from stones. Although one yard, in particular, depicts the snowmen in gory positions with one side as the triumphant victors with a missing nose, arm, or even face. It was the proud product of a rather creative and imaginative child, to say the least.

Yet across other lawns, there are dozens of snow angels and snow forts depicting epic snow battles. The children had long since retired to the depths of their warm home to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa. After watching a bit of telly, the children now all lay in warm beds dreaming of what tomorrow might bring and the possible gifts they might receive on Christmas day.

Past the golden windows that are covered in frost and further until the edge of town, there is a large cottage with a smoking fire chimney. The sidewalk and driveway are clear of snow, while at the edge of the house there is a workshop along with stacks of cut logs neatly stacked against the wall. There is a tan Austin Maxi parked in the driveway still in pristine condition considering it was only a few years old. Then again, the husband of this household enjoyed taking care of his car and waxed his car every weekend.

A faint pop is heard despite the late hour only to reveal a tall, thin hooded figure striding up the path towards the cottage. Inside the large cottage is a beautiful witch with dark brown hair and gentle, but firm gray-colored eyes. Andromeda Tonks was less beautiful than her deceased sister, Bellatrix, but still was a beauty in her own right. (Edward) Ted Tonks was a lucky man and envied by many of the local town's men.

Andromeda's head jerked up at hearing the approaching footsteps up the concrete path. She frowns and glances at the clock on the mantelpiece to see the late hour. Her husband, Ted had just finished putting their daughter, Nymphadora (Dora) to sleep. She was a very energetic toddler, so, it was incredibly important to maintain a routine with her.

Andromeda makes her way past the telley that is presently shut off and out into the chilly front hallway. She shivers at the faint breeze felt from the front hall. Turning her head to the staircase, she lightly raises her voice and says, ”Ted is Dora asleep yet?”

A soft shush is heard from upstairs as Ted finishes tucking his little girl into bed. He'd just put his daughter to sleep and he did not want to deal with a cranky toddler! He tucks Dora's unicorn into bed with her, before pulling the covers around her, and closing the door to their daughter's bedroom.

Emerging into the hallway, Ted stops at the top of the stairs and sees his wife standing in the hallway peering at the door. He begins to quietly walk down the stairs. ”Dromeda-,” in his mellow voice, he is unable to finish his sentence as a loud knock is heard at the door.

Andromeda frowns at her fair-haired husband and asks, ”Was any of your family set to come up this evening?”

Ted shakes his head in reply. ”Mum and Dad are off on a holiday in Venice, and none of my brothers and sisters are free to come up until the holidays. Why did anyone call on the phone?” He gestured in the direction of the green, corded dial phone that hung against the kitchen wall.

”No, the phone did not ring even once today,” Andromeda replied staring at the door and reaching for her wand. ”And Molly nor Cissa nor my mother would stop by at this late hour unless it was an emergency. Besides the point, they would floo and not walk up to our front door.”

”I suppose it could always be one of the neighbors,” Ted murmured, but he also reached for his wand as he opened the door.