March Challenge: Family ~ General Fic

[nundu-art.livejournal.com]

Many thanks to vegablack62  for directing me to this community!  I look forward to reading a lot of great stories!

Title: Thick Woollen Socks
Author: nundu_art 
Rating: G
Word Count: 436
Characters: Albus and Aberforth Dumbledore

Thick, Woollen Socks

 

‘One can never have enough socks…another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair.’

 

‘Presents!’ Abe shouted. 

He and Al scrambled to the foot of their beds for the bulging socks draped over the post. In no time at all, fruit, candy and nuts had been poured out and both boys were digging to the toe for the gaily wrapped packages.

Paper flew as the gifts were revealed.

‘I got a toy snitch!’

‘Look, a sneakascope!’

‘A train!’

‘Ooo, look! A toy wand!’

Then in unison, ‘Socks.’ Both boys giggled as they unrolled the thick, woollen socks.

‘Go on then, put them on, they’re lovely and warm.’

The boys began pelting each other with paper, pillows, candies and socks.

*******

‘Dearest Albus,

I’m sorry you will not be able to spend Christmas at home this year. I do understand the demanding workload of second year. Please do not make yourself ill by overwork. It is important to pace yourself.

I’ve attached your Christmas parcels. I think you’ll find the books quite interesting! And as always…I’ve made you some new socks. Don’t forget to wear them, they keep away the chilblains. 

Love, Mum’

*******

‘...and you’re not sitting at the Prefects table. You’re going to sit with me. Christmas is for families.’

‘Aberforth, I have my duties.  You understand.’

‘No, Al, I don’t. And where are your socks?’

‘Socks?’

‘Yes. Your thick, woolly socks that mum make for us every year.’

Albus hemmed and hawed.

Aberforth started frisking Albus, searching his pockets, looking behind his ears. The brothers quickly collapsed into a pile of tickles and wrestling as the socks fell out of Albus’ robe pocket.

*******

The bright sunshine reflected off the crust of snow. Albus sat in the lounge looking at the small evergreen branch sitting on the table. He hadn’t even bothered to decorate it. There was no reason. Aberforth hadn’t even written him. Albus met the Hogwarts Express and waited on the platform until no more students climbed off the train. Aberforth had not come home.

Albus had sent Aberforth’s gifts to the school, with a cheery Christmas note. He knew they would be on Aberforth’s bed when he awoke this morning.

Albus reached for the small pile of packages under the branch. Elphias had sent a Chinese zodiac chart carved of jade. Bathilda had sent a beautifully bound book of ancient Babylonian Wizarding history and an invitation to lunch. The other packages also revealed books of obscure topics from various acquaintances.

Albus sat slumped in his chair, surrounded by wads of brightly coloured papers and ribbons. Tears coursed down his cheeks into the short, auburn bead he had recently grown.

There wasn’t a single pair of thick, woollen socks.