Christmas Fic

As the ship began it's descent into Earth's atmosphere, Claire looked out the window with excitement. It was Christmas Eve, and she had never seen Christmas planetside before. She had never been to Earth before, period. She had spent her entire 8 years of life living on the new moon settlement, where her parents were botanists for the new American colony. Her mother had told her a lot of stories about the Earth, and her favorite ones were of houses covered in snow, with trees and lights everywhere, and people singing carrolls and drinking cider. She had only ever seen pictures of this kind of Christmas, and was finally going to see all of it in person. She was going with her mother to visit her grandparents for the first time, and could hardly contain herself as cities began to come into view through the window.

Her life at the moon settlement was great, as far as she was concered. Though there wasn't a whole lot of other children around to play with, she was allowed to help with the animal farming, and she really loved all of the animals. Her favorites were the little piglets, and ever since one of the younger scientists had told her how it was made, she had never been able to bring herself to eat the bacon that sizzled on her breakfast plate every morning.

She had always had a nice Christmas; her parents usually sent away planetside for her presents, and she had lots of lovely picture books and films that showed her what it was like there. Christmas had always been her favorite holiday because everyone at the settlement would gather together, and have a big dinner, and sing around the little piano. She had never had a real Christmas tree before, the trees they had were too precious, as they were used for oxygen, but her parents had sent for a fake one when she was born, and she loved putting the decorations on it every year.

As the ship began it's final descent, Claire's eyes widened as she saw all of the tall buildings, and she looked in amazement at the white stuff flying through the air. "Mom, is that snow?" she asked her mother with excitement. "It is! It is snow! And look at all of the people! There are so many!" The ship docked, and as the passengers stepped outside, Claire began to shiver. She stood and stared at everything around her. She never imagined that snow could be this beautiful, or this cold. She looked up into the night sky and let the flakes fall on her cheeks, giggling. Suddenly, she noticed the moon, hanging big and bright above them. "Wow," she thought to herself, "it's so pretty and white. It looks so small from here." She couldn't believe that she lived on that tiny shiny ball hanging in the sky.

Claire and her mother got into a taxi, and Claire became a little nervous; she had never ridden in a car before. As the car moved through the city, she began to enjoy the ride, and looking out of the window, she saw a giant Christmas tree among all the tall buildings. "Mommy, look! Can we stop and look at it?" she asked her mother, full of excitement. The cab pulled to a stop, and Claire threw open the door and ran to the towering tree. Standing at the base of the tree, neck stretched to the sky, she smelled something she had never smelled before. Leaning forward, towords the branches, she put her nose right into the needles and took a tentative sniff. As the pine scent filled her nose, she giggled and stuck her head in further. She had never smelled anything so wonderful, and she knew this would be the best Christmas ever.

WC: 640

It’s a Filipino tradition to complete the nine days of Simbang Gabi or Dawn Mass before Christmas for there’s a belief that once you were able to complete those nine days, your wish will be granted. So a lot of people try their very best to wake up at 4a.m. to attend the mass.

Mikko is one of those sacristans who’ll be serving during the Simbang Gabi. He used to live and study in Manila but due to some circumstances, he was forced to transfer in Davao on his 2nd year in high school. But this year, he’s having his Christmas vacation back in Manila.

During the mass, he noticed this girl whom he knew who it was at that very instant. It was Cris, her classmate in high school. “She’s the muse and I am his escort.” That’s how he remembered her. Cris is a help to him every time they have an examination in History. On the other hand, he’s the saving grace for Cris in Mathematics.

When the mass ended, he rushed through her and said, “Cris…” “Who are you again?” said her. “Com’ on, he almost melts with your stares during the Mass.” said Sarah her best friend and he was not able to stop himself from smiling.
Mikko: “Cris Laurel, it’s me Mikko Quesea.”
Cris: “Yeah, my knight in shining armor in Mathematics.”
Mikko: “Have you taken your breakfast? If not, let’s buy puto bumbong (a traditional food sold mostly during Christmas season only). It’s my treat.”

And the same thing happens every day. Cris and Sarah attend the Simbang Gabi while Richard serves as the altar boy. They’ll be waiting for each other that the church’s door and buy some puto bumbong for breakfast with some chit chats and laughters.

On the 8th day of Simbang Gabi, the same thing happened but this time, before they went out of church to buy puto bumbong, Mikko said, “Cris, can we talk?” When Sarah interrupted and said, “I forgot. I need to do something.” There she left and it left Cris alone with Mikko.

“What is that you wanted to talk about?” asked Cris. “You know Cris, ever since we were high school, I admire you. I treasure every moment I had with you and I regret I was not able to tell you what I feel before I left for Davao.” From there, he stopped. But not that long that Cris was not able to answer and said, “Cris, I love you ever since.” Without any word from Cris, he run and left her alone.

On that same day, Mikko received a call from his father who is in Davao and it was an emergency call. His father is asking him if he can fly back to Davao as soon as possible and Mikko did so. He was not able to be an altar boy on the last day of Simbang Gabi. His only wished on that Christmas is to be with Cris. But he knows that it’s impossible for they are kilometers away from each other.

December 25, Christmas. It’s the birthday of his best friend, Jess, who’s living next to their house and there’s a celebration where he is invited. He tried to enjoy still thinking of Angelica. He sung a Christmas song on the Karaoke entitled “Sana Ngayong Pasko (Hope this Christmas)”. And even before he finished the song, someone shouted, “I love you too, Mr. Mikko Quesea.” He was shocked when he heard the voice and looked back. It was Angelica.

Angelica is a cousin of Jess who’ll be staying with them during the Christmas break ‘til New Year’s.

And so, Mikko had a wish come true. Mikko and Cris had a long distance relationship but it will not be that long because after he graduate on that school year, he’ll be staying back to Manila to study college. And that very Christmas is the happiest Christmas Mikko and Cris had and they plan to have more of those Merry Christmas together.

Mel sat in her office, as she did so much of late. She had all her little bugs in place, her fridge was stocked with her essentials (Dr Pepper, Code Red Mountain Dew, several packets of her favourite brie cheese, Jatz, and Frosty Fruits), and she had her comfy chair reclined to just the right angle so she had a view of each of her screens.

She smiled and stretched, contented like a cat lounging in the sun. Her eyes flicked over her many monitors – connected to cameras all over the Hogwarts Experience castle. She had managed to find a way to circumvent all previous restrictions on non-magical muggle devices. She laughed quietly to herself – she was pleased with her efforts. Already her hive of dominion was growing. From her office she could see into every corner of the castle with the shift of an eyeball, and know all the goings on.

This Christmas, she would find the culprit that had eluded her every other Christmas. She would get the one that ruined that magical day in the year. She would... she just would.

She reached behind her to the fridge, keeping her eye on the screen, and plucked a can of Dr Pepper from the door. She opened it and took a bracing gup.

“Ahhh,” she sighed in rapture. “Awesome in a can,”

She turned back to the screen – and sat up straight as something odd caught her eye.

There – in an obscure corner of the Great Hall, a shadow moved.

“I’ve got you now, punk!” she exclaimed. She sat forward and tapped on the screen with her wand. The image zoomed in on the picture until she was staring at the shadow closely. She could make out few things from the hazy picture – but she had caught sight of him. The one who planned to steal Christmas.

Mel whipped out her walkie talkie (it was on 24/7) and spoke into it with the click of a button.

“Katie – Kate – Kate – Kate – Katie – Kate – Kate...” it went on for some time, until a voice that was not Mel’s spoke through the speaker.

“Yes, Mel?” a yawn followed the sleepily-spoken words. “Do you know what time it is?”

“Uh – no?” Mel looked at her watch – it had stopped at 3am. “Anyway – I think I’ve got a lead!! The Evil One is on the move – and he’s heading your way – QUICK KATIE, TO THE MYSTERY MACHINE!”

“Mystery machine, Mel?” Katie’s bored voice spoke in a deadpan tone.

“Uh – right. Just watch your presents, woman, and be ready. ”

Mel hopped down from her perch (she had built her elaborate set-up on a dais to make her feel like a spy). She commando rolled across the floor and made her way to the door. She had her portable GPS system (tweaked to her liking) and followed the dot that was labelled “the Evil One” (an electronic Marauder’s Map if you will).

It led her straight to the main Pile of Precious Presents that she had established that year. Mel let her eyes sweep over the masterpiece for a quick moment – and then her walkie talkie filled the silence with loud feedback.

“MEL ARE YOU THERE?” Stephy asked. She never quite understood that you did not have to yell over the speaker. “I HAVE FOUND A CLUE – I THINK YOU SHOULD –”

Mel turned the walkie talkie off. Her clue was right in front of her – the stack of presents moving, seemingly of their own accord, away from her Pile of Precious Presents.

She stalked them down the hall, all the way to the Dastardly Dungeon.

Closer to the source, she heard a snickering start up. It sent shivers down her spine, but she continued on her way. As she reached the corridor where Violet had set a hex that maimed anyone who showed her affection, Mel began to see the Evil One better. Whatever spell had kept him masked by the night’s shadows was fading.

“YOU! WAIT!” she called. The Evil One froze for a millisecond, before he took off with his filched presents. “STOP IN THE NAME OF CHRISTMAS!”

Mel gave chase, jumping over tripwires and circumventing other Slytherin booby traps. She finally caught up with him when he cornered himself down a corridor that led nowhere.

With a dangerous smile, Mel advanced, her wand raised and ready.

“Prepare to meet your doom, Evil One!” she laughed.

The shadows fell away completely, and the face of the Evil One was revealed. She gasped.
“HEADMASTER RAI!” she cried rather dramatically. “How COULD you!?”

The headmaster gave her his best Evil Glare.

“The holidays! Christmas! Joy and Joyfulness!” he mocked. “All of it for what? You and your holidays... well I decided to show you what Christmas Spirit really meant!”

He laughed, but half-way through coughed when he breathed in too much. He continued speaking once he’d recovered himself.

“I am indeed the one who has been sabotaging your Christmas presents. Little did any of you know what good I was doing you – bringing you together in anger! It’s so beautiful! Magical!”

Mel scoffed. “You are a GRINCH!” her wand arm quivered. “I’M TELLING ETTA ON YOU AND SHE’LL TELL AMY AND SHE’LL TELL EFFIE AND THEN WE’LL SEE WHAT CHRISTMAS HORROR TRULY IS!”

Rai’s face drained of colour. “No! You wouldn’t dare!”

“Oh wouldn’t I?”

Mel ran for Etta’s office.

-A little while later-

“Wow... I know he wanted to steal Christmas, but that’s harsh.” Sam Granger told Mel.

Mel just shrugged and smiled over at the headmaster. “I think he looks dashing in those colours.”

On her other side, Katie giggled.

Headmaster Rai turned a great shade of red, to match his new Gryffindor wardrobe.

All was well.

Christmas Fic

Samantha Granger - 500
Raistlin The Wizard - 450
FaerieOfDoom - 425
stephy - 400

iamapureblood - 350