milliways_bar | (no subject)

Lily comes into the bar this evening in her favorite Muggle dresses, hair pulled back with a vaguely floral gold barrette set with a very sparkly, deep blue stone. It doesn't exactly match the green dress she's wearing (as Petunia pointed out three times on the way to Christmas Eve services earlier), but it was a Christmas present from James and Lily likes it, so she wore it regardless (and will likely do so again, and frequently).

Bar presents her with both a mug of hot butterbeer and a copy of the Christmas edition of The Daily Prophet, with a note clipped to the front that reads see page four.

There are two things on page four, and both are distracting enough that Lily is completely ignoring her drink.

The first is a pair of photographs of 'Father Christmas' visiting the children at St. Mungo's on Christmas Eve. And while he's not identified by any other name, it would be more or less impossible to not recognize the headmaster.

The other is a long report of the Minister for Magic's Christmas party on the 23rd, which sounds like quite the event. The paper goes into great detail about the elaborately decorated Christmas trees, the animated dancing ice sculptures, the snow that fell from the ceiling but evaporated before hitting the floor, the special performance by Celestina Warbeck.

There's a partial list of the guests, as well, though Lily only knows some of the names – Professors Slughorn and Dumbledore (the latter as himself this time), textbook authors Bathilda Bagshot and Miranda Groshawk, a couple of Quidditch players Cliona has mentioned, a few last names she recognizes from Hogwarts classmates. And, of course, 'Mr and Mrs Harold Potter and their son, Mr James Potter.'

Lily will stop staring in a moment or two.

Though probably not before her butterbeer has gone cold.

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Lily laughs a little.

"Yes, I imagine it would.

"And, I dunno, even if no one believed you were Father Christmas, it could be fun. For all of you.

"Possibly even Professor McGonagall."

"Perhaps I should take it under consideration. St. Mungo's was not explicit about when I needed to return the costume."

It's not needed for another year, after all.

"Does your family still embrace Father Christmas? You have no young siblings at home, as I recall?"

Lily shakes her head.

"No, just one older sister.

"And we don't have presents from Father Christmas any more, but ... well, saying that we don't embrace Father Christmas sounds so ... Scrooge-like."

"I would never cast such aspersions."

But there's nothing wrong with outgrowing setting out biscuits and milk. That's the way of life.

"Ah, yes. Your sister, Petunia."

Dumbledore still feels a bit badly over Petunia Evans. Not that there was anything to be done about that situation, of course. One sister had been born a witch, and another had not. Special circumstances can only be stretched so far.

But he still regrets fostering distance between siblings.

"Yeah, Petunia."

Petunia has outgrown a great many things.

"She's off to London next month. To take a typing course."

And, no doubt, to work on losing her accent.

"I'm sure that will be quite exciting for her. Venturing out on her own. Few things are a greater adventure."

At least, Dumbledore hopes that will be the case.

"Will your parents take it well? Both of you off and away?"

"I think so.

"I mean, I'm sure they'll miss her, I know they miss me, but they're pretty good at taking things in stride."

Case in point, finding out their younger daughter is a witch and has a place waiting for her at a magical boarding school in Scotland.

"I think Dad's a little sad that neither of us is likely to wind up following him to Oxford, though."

"Ah, yes. I understand that it's an excellent school."

Even in the wizarding world, one hears things.

"I know that it's a dreaded question, but have you had any thoughts as to what you might do after Hogwarts, Miss Evans?"

"Of course I have, sir. A lot of thought.

"The dreaded question is 'and what have you come up with'?"

Dumbledore smiles.

"Perhaps I should allow Christmas cheer to persist and avoid that one, in that case."

It is a holiday, after all.

"At any rate, I can say with some conviction that what one plans is seldom what comes to pass, at least in its entirety. There are always surprises, which I feel is a good thing."

Usually.

"I myself had many plans for my career, post-Hogwarts, most of which got turned on their ears."

The career is only part of it.

She has met her descendants.

That changes things.

"What made you decide to be a professor, if I may ask?"

"You may, of course. Though I fear that there is no straightforward answer."

And some of the details he does not share with anyone, much less a student.

"Events conspired. Opportunities arose. I worked, for a time after leaving Hogwarts, with a dear friend, Nicholas Flamel as his assistant. In time, I began to make a scholarly name for myself in my own right. So, when the post of Transfiguration teacher opened up, I was a good candidate."

"I was, I must admit, glad to return to Hogwarts. It has always been very much like a home."

The one he's had the longest.

"Hogwarts has always felt that way, in some ways. Even when I'd only just arrived.

"Like I was somehow coming back, even though I'd never been there before.

"I think I'm going to miss it, after next year."

"You have no idea how much it gratifies me to hear that."

It is the sort of feeling that he would hope Hogwarts evokes in all of his students.

"It is natural to miss that which is familiar, especially when it is a place with which one holds fond ties. But I'm sure you'll find the world ever wider and greater."