FicWad

The Enclave, The Zark family compound, December 24th




“What's the hurry, darling?” asks Charlie, chuckling, as Mayumi pulls him along the last small stretch of snow-covered pavement towards the wooden deck and front door of her apartment. They both slip and slide a little on the icy surface beneath the snow.

Laughing, May replies, “C'mon, I want to open my presents!”

Charlie steps up onto the deck, laughing with his anxious lover, and, standing behind her, wraps her up in a bear hug, lifting her off her feet. He begins to spin her about, teasing her. May shrieks loudly and then begins howling with laughter.




The two of them are just returning from an afternoon and evening with the extended Zark and Sato families, whom had taken to the tradition of gathering and having dinner at one, or the other's, home on Christmas Eve day.

Mayumi's parents, Shinkazu and Amaya, had hosted the gathering this year. Some of the people who had attended were: Michio, the young boy who played the enchanted Shakuhachi, Shinkazu's elderly parents, as well as Amaya's parents, her brother, and a few other more distant cousins who live at the Enclave and work for the Dragon Preserve.

Once again, Michio had played his Shakuhachi for them all, in an impromptu, but inspired, performance. Most of the Sato family members had not heard him play before, and so the performance had extra meaning for many.

Later, the women had all gathered together, excusing themselves from the men, under the pretense of wanting to leave them to their 'male bonding', when if fact, it was they who wanted to talk and bond.

Charlie was at the center of attention for the first hour or so. Slightly uncomfortable at first with all of the spotlight, he soon grew more comfortable answering questions, with the help of May's uncle, Fumio Sato, who translated for Charlie. His family, and background, were the primary topics of the conversation, which them turned towards his job and what he thought of the Dragon Preserve. None of them mentioned, or seemed to know of, his tattoo, now two weeks old. Several times, Charlie had tried to steer the conversation towards May, wanting to hear about her from the perspective of her own family. Each time, though, Shinkazu had redirected his attempt, refocusing the topic back onto Charlie.

After that first hour, the conversation had shifted to Michio, who had retired earlier to his quarters. His playing could be heard softly in the background as the men had talked.

Later, with the heavy snow that had been falling earlier in the evening finally abating, May and Charlie had elected to walk with the Sato family back to their own compound, which was just as large and spacious as the Zark family compound. They spent almost an hour visiting there with a few family members who had not been able to attend the dinner gathering.




“Charlie, put me down!” pleads May, between giggles and laughs. “Please!”

“Blimey, darling, get a few chūhai into you and all of a sudden you're a wild woman!” While both of them had accepted the offered glasses of the fruity, mixed alcoholic beverage, May had gone back for more, at least once.

Suddenly stern in tone, May says, “Charlie Weasley, if you don't put me down right now, I'll scream for help, I swear!” A few lingering chuckles in her voice give away how serious she actually is.

“Oh, and what will your family think?” he replies, with mock concern.

“They'll think you are brutalizing me, and have you thrown into prison!” she says, trying to sound imperious, but failing, as a quivering laugh tries to erupt from her.

Charlie puts her down gently, then turns her around to face him. He smiles, and with a soft challenge in his voice, he says, “Not if I kidnap you and escape to England, first, my love!”

May's act calms into a faint simper, her gray eyes, visible in the gentle light of the colorful paper lanterns hanging from the roof line, are bright with energy and good spirit.

Charlie moans and smiles back. He pulls her into his embrace, kissing her thoroughly. As May's passion ignites, Charlie's desire once again turns into playful mischief, as he squats slightly and wraps his arms around her upper thighs and lifts her, putting her over his broad, right shoulder.

Mayumi begins to howl again with ebullient laughter, pounding her fists in mock protest against Charlie's back.

Charlie holds on to the wiggling girl as he withdraws his wand, and spells the front door open.

As the front door slides shut behind them, another faint, joyous scream of laughter is heard.




Relaxing after a spirited bout of love making, Mayumi rests peacefully on her left side, her long, unbound hair splayed all over the bed, between their bodies, and spilling over the side onto the floor.

Charlie rests, spooning up against her back, his eyes closed, feeling very mellow and satiated. His right arm is crossed over her body, resting on the soft spot above her hip, and down her front. His hand gently rubs her tummy and lower torso.

“Charlie?”

“Mmm?”

“Do you think I should cut my hair?”

“Wh-what?” he says, as his faculties struggle to return.

“Do-you-think I should cut my hair?” May repeats, more slowly.

Charlie suddenly sits up and rolls May onto her back, to face him. She looks up through wisps of her hair as they cover her face.

“May, don't you dare cut your hair! Please?!” he says, as he looks at her with a tinge of fear, and a lot of sincerity. “Why would you want to cut it? You've been growing it long for years.” He pauses, brushing the bangs from her eyes, and caressing her cheek with the back of his fingers. He continues in a softer voice, saying,“Please, never cut your hair, love!”

“Never?” she asks, coquettishly.

“Never!” he replies, smiling back at her.

May turns back onto her side, closes her eyes, and smiles. “Good,” is all she whispers to herself.

In the distant background, the sound of the large Enclave bell being struck eight times can be heard, marking the midnight hour.

Once again on his side, Charlie whispers in May's ear, “Merry Christmas, my love.”

May rolls over and wraps her arms around his neck, kissing him ardently. She throws her left leg over his hip, and as she pushes off of the bed with her right elbow and shoulder, they roll together onto Charlie's back. She quickly adjusts herself for a comfortable fit atop his body.

Breaking the passionate kiss, her gray eyes smoking with desire, and then with calculated mischief, May asks, “Charlie?”

His breath still short, he replies, “Yes, May?”

“There's something I just have to know...”

Charlie gulps, and answers, “Yes?”

With a widening smile, and a sparkle in her eyes, May asks, “Can we open presents, now?”

“Oh, you little...WITCH!”

They both howl with laughter as a free-for-all ensues. Arms and legs flail about, along with a pillow, and lengths of long black hair. May, shrieking with gaiety, scampers up off the bed first, and grabs at her cast off night robe. Charlie tries to lunge for her while still in the prone position, but she easily maneuvers and dances her way clear, taunting him the entire time. She then picks up his cotton pajamas and tosses them to him. Resigning himself to having to get up, he does, and quickly dresses. May disappears into the room beyond, calling out her impatience the entire time.




Now dressed warmly, Charlie sits down on the long sofa next to the small tree they had put up earlier in the week. Resplendent with bows and ribbons of many bright colors and fabrics, with strings of popped corn strung from it's boughs (an idea that Charlie had introduced), the tree is lit by small globes of glass that hold and maintain a flicker of magical fire. Thin strands of tinsel catch the light and scatter it about. The scent of the pine sap fills the room, bringing forth many fond memories for Charlie, including those memories of the short visit home earlier in the month.

Beneath the tree, an armful of presents is gathered. Charlie can account for almost half of them, as he had splurged on May this year, their very first Christmas. Oddly enough, he notices that there are two bulky packages that appear to be in plain brown wrapping paper under the tree.

“May, are you coming?” he calls out.

“I'm coming, I'm coming!”

May, dressed in her long night robe, carries a fully laden cake platter in her hands, along with two small plates. Charlie hears the sounds of metallic utensils clinking together in one of her pockets as she walks.

“What's that, darling?”

“Japanese tradition, Charlie. We always eat a Christmas cake when we open presents!” May sets the platter down carefully, and then hands Charlie the plates. She retrieves a cloth-napkin wrapped bundle from her pocket. As she sits down next to Charlie, she unfolds the bundle. She separates the two napkins from each other, handing one to Charlie, and placing the second one on her lap. She takes one fork for herself and hands the other to Charlie. Finally, she takes the wide bladed cake knife, and, pulling the platter closer to her, prepares to remove the cover from the platter.

“Would you like me to get us some water to drink, or do you have something else in mind?” asks Charlie.

“We won't need a beverage with this cake, Charlie.” She smiles and looks at Charlie. “Now close your eyes! I want you to taste, before you see!”

Charlie scoots forward to the edge of the sofa, opens his napkin and places it on his lap. He smiles, and apprehensively closes his eyes.

May removes the cover, revealing a white, whipped cream frosted cake, with thinly sliced wedges of strawberries arranged decoratively around the sides and top edge. She plunges the cake knife into the cake, using the layout of the fruit slices to guide her cuts. Quickly, she slices two generous wedges, depositing the first one on her own plate. She sets down the knife, then reaches for her fork. She uses it to cut off a mouthful sized chunk, and then forks the portion.

Pausing with a sudden concern, May asks, “Charlie, you aren't allergic to strawberries, are you?”

“Oh, no, I like strawberries!”

Relieved, May says, “Good, now open wide!”

Charlie does as she instructs.

May places the piece of cake gently into his mouth, watching as he closes his lips around it.

The double layered cake, each layer a golden yellow sponge cake, is 'spiked' and thinly covered with strawberry flavored gelatin. The whipped cream topping then covers the top and sides.

“Mmmmf—thish ish good, May!” he mumbles as he tries to talk and eat at the same time.

May, happy that her surprise is well received, quickly places the second slice on his plate, which he happily holds out for her.

They both make quick work of their slices.

Finishing first, Charlie puts his plate down on the table, then wipes his mouth clean with the napkin. As May finishes her cake, he takes the plate from her and places it next to his.

He turns to May and asks, “Ready for presents now?”

She smiles brightly, looking like a little girl being asked the same question.

Charlie takes out his wand, and, with a small flourish, says, “Locomotor table”.

The long table in front of them rises up, and, following the lead of the pointing wand, moves silently away, and to their left, until it clears the large throw rug on the floor in front of them. Charlie sets it down carefully. He then casts a spell to roll up the rug, which it does, ending up at the base of the legs of the table.

Turning to May, he says, “Hold on!”

“Locomotor sofa!” Gently, the sofa they are on now rises into the air, a few inches off the ground. Charlie moves it forwards several inches, away from the wall. He eases the long sofa back down.

“Charlie, what are you doing?”

“Just wait, love!”

Turning to look over his left shoulder, and over the back of the sofa, he once again casts the same spell, and to May's surprise, lifts a long rolled parcel from behind the sofa. Over their heads it levitates, following the lead of the wand and its owner.

Now hovering in front of them, Charlie sets it down onto the floor in front of them.

He resets the position of the sofa against the wall, and then, another spell, cast silently, unrolls the new parcel. As the brown craft paper that surrounds it is removed, a large, white, faux-fur is revealed. It quickly centers itself on the floor.

“Oh Charlie! It is beautiful!”

May slips off the sofa, and onto her knees, placing her hands on the rug, letting them caress and explore the fur. She turns her head to look seductively over her right shoulder, wiggling her bedecked backside at the same time.

“Oh no you don't!” says Charlie, laughing. He raises his foot, and placing it upon her derrière, gives her a push. May flops forward, laughing. Charlie laughs and slips off the couch to join her. They share a quick, but soulful, kiss.

Charlie sits up, and assists May, as she brushes her long hair aside.

“Would you like me to braid that for you, dear?” he says, seeing her struggle to keep it out of her way.

“Not now, it will take too long.”

“Hah! That's what you think!” Moving behind May on his knees, Charlie takes hold of her hair, and straightens it out, making sure she isn't sitting on any of it. He divides it into three equal portions. Then, grasping his wand, he begins to magically weave the three lengths together. The braid grows slowly at first, until he begins to feel more confident. Within minutes, May's silky long hair is loosely braided, complete with a turks head knot near the bottom to hold it all together.

Astounded, May asks, “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Remember I once told you I like to do work with leather? Well, leather braiding is great for keeping your fingers nice and limber, but I also taught myself to braid by magic. I just applied what I learned to braiding your hair. I can't believe I didn't think to try it sooner!”

May pulls the braid over her shoulder, examining the length, and the weaving tendrils as they wove together.

“Next time, I'll braid it tighter if you like. I kept it loose to make it easier to take apart if you wish.”

May reaches for and grabs the lapels of Charlie's pajama shirt, pulling him to her lips, kissing him hard. Then, breaking the kiss, she says,“I love you!”

“I'm so glad you do, May! You make me feel like I'm the luckiest man alive!”

They share another quick kiss, then turn back to the pile of presents.

They decide to open the packages from May's family to each of them (individually)first. May receives a matched pair of earrings from her parents, a silk scarf from an aunt and her family, and a beautiful piece of /Nihonga/, or Japanese art, created by an uncle on her mother's side.

Charlie opens a small, hefty package addressed to him from May's parents. Inside, he is flabbergasted to find an exceptional, hand forged, blue steel hunting knife in a hand made, wooden sheath. A smaller package contains several grades of wet stones for sharpening, along with instructions for care, though they are written in Japanese.

Amazed, Charlie whispers softly, “I guess your father does approve of me.”

May leans in and kisses the side of his cheek, then says, “Of course he does, Charlie. We wouldn't be here if he didn't.”

Charlie exposes the blue steel blade, studying the maker's mark on the side of it.

“Will you help me translate this text sometime?”

“Of course I will.”

Still transfixed by the gift, he whispers “Arigatou.”

In an attempt to refocus Charlie's attention, May says, “Those two brown paper wrapped packages came earlier via floo. I think they may be from your family, Charlie.”

Charlie sets down the hunting knife and accessories, and using his wand, summons the two bulky packages to floor in front of them.

“There's one here for you, as well as me.” Charlie then chuckles as he hands May's package to her.

“Why are you laughing?” she asks, afraid of what she's going to find inside.

“Looks like you're going to be initiated into the Weasley family Christmas tradition a year earlier than I expected, dear!”

Intrigued, May starts to rip and shred the paper, until the package falls open. Almost exploding from within is one of Molly Weasley's patented knit creations. In this case, a long navy blue scarf, with May's short name knitted in the middle in white yarn. Flanking the name, three to a side, are six colorful flags representing England, France, Germany, Romania, Japan, and the United States.

May shrieks with delight, as she unfolds the entire length of the hand made scarf. She quickly wraps it around her neck twice, beaming widely, her cheeks colored pink. Charlie laughs deeply as she positively bounces up and down with glee.

“Well don't just sit there laughing at me! Let's see what you got!”

Charlie tears into his package, only to discover another sweater to add to his collection. Holding it up by the top of the shoulders, a small note tumbles free from within. Charlie sets down the sweater and retrieves the note, as May watches intently.

Opening it, he reads:




Charlie,

Joyeux Noël! I hope you and Mayumi are having a wonderful Christmas! Bill is not here right now, but I am sure he would want to wish you well, also!

When Molly was choosing flags to add to the scarf, I suggested that she use the Japonaise flag, too! Do not worry, I do not think she suspects anything. Make sure you write a note to tell her how much 'May' likes it!

Bless you both! We all hope to meet your lover soon!




Fleur




Smiling at the thoughtfulness of his future sister-in-law, Charlie leans forward to show the note to Mayumi.

May reads it once, and then again. Finished, she looks up at Charlie with tears in her eyes, and with a sniffle, softly says, “I want to meet your family so much, Charlie! I already love them so much.”

Reaching out and grasping her hand, Charlie says, “Maybe after the New Year, you can write them a nice letter.”

Wiping at her nose with a tissue from her pocket, she replies, “Hai.”

Turning back to the tree and the diminished pile of presents, Charlie notices that there are only two gifts left. With a flourish of the wand, he transports them both to the rug in front of them.

May reaches for the larger of the two packages and takes it in her hands, holding it in her lap. Timidly, she says, “On the eve of New Years, many of us Japanese here at the Enclave will visit the shrine in the park, and participate in a tradition that we call, 'Hatsumōde'. Would you join me this year in celebrating Hatsumōde, Charlie?”

“I'd be honored to, May!”

“The men wear their formal kimonos for the celebration. I have been hoping you would like to go with me, and because of this, I bought this specifically for you!” She offers the large gift wrapped box to him, pulling her hands back and folding them in her lap, as he accepts the gift. She folds her lower lip inwards between her teeth as she looks on nervously.

He opens the box slowly, careful to unwrap the paper as if to save it. Inside, he finds a Japanese formal outfit, complete with a charcoal black kimono, a pair of traditional split hakama pants in a black and gray pinstripe, a long black Wizard's haori that is to be worn over the kimono, white undergarments, a pair of black vinyl geta sandals with red straps, and several pairs of black tabi socks.

Slowly, and with an appreciative tone of wonderment, Charlie says, “May, this is... these are perfect!”

“You really think so?” she replies, her voice revealing a sense of anxious relief.

“Most definitely!” Charlie had seen the formal garments worn occasionally over the past few years during his tenure there at the Dragon Preserve. Lately, he has noticed them far more often.

Since his relationship with Mayumi, his trips to the Enclave have become much more frequent, almost to the point of him living there with May, instead of the small flat he used to rent on occasion during his off weeks, in the Warden housing complex.

Looking up, Charlie smiles happily, then leans forward for a brief kiss.“Arigatou gozaimasu,” he whispers, before kissing her again.

He sits back, sets the garment box aside, and reaches for the gift for May. Now looking timid himself, he holds out his offering for the woman he loves.

May, once again chewing on her lower lip, accepts the package. She starts to become excited, as she can feel the box inside the wrapping paper has the feel of a wooden box. She removes the bow and the ribbon. She pauses to prolong her anticipation.

Charlie, now smiling, adds to her anticipation by saying, “Don't shake it!”

May smiles, looking up at him, before returning her gaze to the package. She slowly unwraps the festive wrap, one fold at a time. The time-worn patina of the old box is slowly revealed, as the paper is removed.

As the paper falls from her grasp, May rubs her right hand over the surface, as she holds it in her left. Then, opening the simple hasp mechanism on the front edge, she slowly opens the box.

With a sharp intake of breath, May quietly exclaims, “Oh, Charlie!It is so beautiful!”

Slowly, May reaches in and picks up the blue, Lapis Lazuli Scarab pendant, with its attached chain. The chain links dangle from the Scarab as she holds it in her palm, gently caressing the cool rock with her finger. Lightly, her fingernail traces the engraved lines with the gold filigree inset.

“Where did you find this?”

“When I asked my brothers to help me out by putting me in touch with someone they knew who sells exceptional jewelry, Professor Dumbledore, the Wizard I have mentioned before, must have been in the room, and overheard them talking about it. According to Bill, although Fred and George did find the chain itself, Professor Dumbledore actually had the pendant in his vault. He gifted the pendant to me, and to you, May!”

Incredulous, May holds the pendant up, suspending it by the chain. It spins slowly, to and fro. It is then that she notices the peculiar markings on the back of the Scarab.

“Did you see these markings on the back, Charlie?”

“Yes I did. When I thought about having the pendant inscribed with a message for you on the back, I turned it over to discover those markings.”

“What do they mean?”

“I'm not sure, May. Professor Dumbledore did say that this is from Ancient Egypt. Those markings certainly look like hieroglyphics to me.”

On the back, two cartouches are engraved and filigreed; one vertically, and the other horizontally.

“May, this pendant, and that chain, are also magical.”

“Magical?In what way?”

“Well, all I have seen is that, the morning I returned, Bill and I met with the Professor first. See, Bill had the chain, as Fred and George had kept it a surprise from me. Anyways, Bill brought the chain to the Professor as he had been asked to do. The chain came in another box, similar to this one.” Charlie points to the wooden box. Continuing, he says, “When the two items were placed closely together, the two ends of the chain became... animated, as if they were the two heads of a snake.”

“A snake?” May reacts with concern.

“I know how you feel! When I witnessed it, I asked if this was some sort of Dark Magic. But the Professor said no, that it was Ancient Egyptian magic. We all watched as the two snake heads sought out the Scarab itself, moving along the tabletop, until it found, and joined with, the pendant. And now, when you look at it, it doesn't look like it was separated at all!”

May re-examines the pendant, failing to find any place were the rope chain looked to have affixed itself.

“Furthermore, the Professor said the magic of the pendant was of a protective nature. He didn't say anything more about it, unfortunately, except that if we had any questions, we should seek out Lord Aramys, as he knows all about it.”

“Do you think it is safe to put on, Charlie?” May asks carefully.

“Professor Dumbledore wouldn't give me bad advice, May. It should be safe, maybe even beneficial.”

“Would you help me then?”

“Sure, love!”

Charlie stands up and moves around behind May, then squats down. He reaches around and underneath the hair braid and gathers it together, lifting it free of the back of her neck.

May slips the large loop of rope chain over her head. She feels Charlie manipulate her hair braid until the long black hair is over the chain, which now rests on her neck.

“Let's see, darling!”

May stands up, the pendant hanging suspended from the chain, over the top of the closely tied night robe, below her breasts. Together they walk into the bedroom, to stand in front of the full length mirror.

Standing side by side, they both gaze at the beauty of the carved rock scarab.

“Go on and loosen your robe, May, so you can see it against your skin!”

“You just want to see my breasts!”

“Well, yea, I do... obviously,” Charlie says, chuckling.

May smiles, and undoes the sash at her waist. She opens the robe to let the pendant rest against her body. Immediately, as soon as the pendant makes contact with her skin, the chain begins to shorten, causing the pendant to rise, coming to rest right between her breasts.

“Charlie, something weird is going on!”

“It's just repositioning itself, May.”

“No Charlie, not just that... there is something else happening!”

May shrugs her shoulders, letting the night robe slip off of her shoulders, falling to a puddle around her feet.

They both watch as the two little snake heads re-appear along the bottom half of each side, where the second pair of little legs of the scarab lie. They start to fan out to either side of May's torso, the chain following in their wake, stretching around and behind her back. There, they criss-cross and and begin to travel to the other side of the torso from where they started, until the reach back and around, the heads once again seeking out the scarab, this time, affixing them selves to the scarab at the points where the third pair of carved legs are.

May now stands there, uncertainty on her face. The rope chain around her neck still allows the pendant to rest comfortably between her breasts, while the two new loops encircle her torso right below each of her breasts.

Charlie bends down to look at the scarab. He tries to slide his fingers beneath the carved rock, but it is now held so close to her body, that it is difficult to do so. He then walks around behind her, examining the length of the new chain.

“What does it look like back there?”

“It looks beautiful! But I do not see any sort of clasp, or way to part the chain.” Charlie walks back around to face his girlfriend.“May, I don't see anyway to remove it!”