Chapter 896 - Christmas Day Divulges (1/2)
Early on Christmas morning, the Prince family members opened their presents. It was not a loud, joyous affair, but rather a quiet-filled affair with simple thanks. The families of the survivors of the giant attacks would be holding countless funerals throughout the day including that of the pureblood families. Reginald would naturally be in attendance to several including that of Euphemia Potter. He had yet to tell his grandchildren of the death of their friend's mother nor of the engagement between the Prince's and Potters. He was the first to leave the parlor to ready himself for the long day ahead of him full of funerals.
Having not slept the entire night, Rowan and Severus finally dozed off on the chaise longue in the parlor. Georgine carefully tucked warm blankets around their softly snoring figures. Her dark eyes intently study the slumbering forms of her great-niece and nephew. She could see they were tired and in mourning, but unlike with their deceased father, they had buried their sorrow for their mother. It was both a blessing and a curse.
With a soundless wave of her wand, the candles dim in the parlor creating a darker atmosphere. Georgine noiselessly shuts the door behind her. The gifts that had been opened earlier had long since been put away by Dawn in their chambers. Having walked down a long stretch of the hall, she says, ”Tadbey.”
An instant later, the tidy house elf appears. Tadbey peers through his spectacles at her. ”Yes?” He pointedly inquired.
”The twins are finally asleep in the parlor. Once they are awake ensure that they have a bite to eat,” Georgine instructed the tetchy house elf. ”And prepare a warm rose petal bath for me.”
”Yes, Miss Georgine,” Tadbey huffed, before departing without further ado.
Feeling much better, Georgine happily retreats to the sanctuary of her chambers for a bath and much-needed rest. She had only been soaking in the bathtub for half an hour when she is disturbed by the sudden appearance of Dawn. ”Urgent message from the Ministry of Magic for Miss Prince!” The petite house elf squeaked in her adorable dress with a matching apron.
”For me?” Georgine arched her brow in disbelief. ”Are you certain it is not for my brother, Dawn?”
”The Ministry of Magic missive is addressed to 'Georgine Prince'!” Dawn eagerly answered.
”Very well,” Georgine extended her pale hand to the family house elf. Dawn happily hands over the message before vanishing away to spend Christmas morning with her little one. Ladley was just so very excited to open his gifts and play with them!
With a careful eye, Georgine studies the seal but finds that is an authentic Ministry of Magic wax-sealed envelope. She casts a wandless, wordless spell to unseal the envelope, before removing the message from the envelope. She carefully begins to read the message. The furrow on her brow deepens the more she reads. Frowning, she grabs the towel from the side of the tub and rises from the bathtub. She murmurs a cleaning spell to remove any remaining soap, before magically drying her hair and body.
Carefully still holding the letter in one hand, Georgine hurriedly dresses, before rushing down the hallway. Pocketing the letter carefully, she hurries to the main hearth. Grabbing a handful of sparkling powder, she hurls into the orange flames. The flames turn emerald and rise like a wave. ”The Ministry of Magic,” she shouted, before stepping inside and whirling away.
Stepping out of emerald flames, Georgine steps out of the gilded Ministry of Magic fireplaces connected to the Floo Network. She glances around the atrium and finds that it has largely returned to normal except for the Fountain of Magical Brethren that is still in the repair process. The Ministry of Magic is bustling with movement across the tile floors. The peacock blue ceiling is full of golden symbols moving left and right.