Chapter 15: Part 14
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***
- Come on, Scott, get up, it's Christmas! - Stiles exclaimed, trying to pull the blanket off his friend, but he wouldn't let him.
- Stiles, what time is it? - came from under the pillow.
- Nine in the morning! Do you know how late that is? We've got so much to do! - Stiles exclaimed again, jumping up and down with impatience.
- Just give me another hour. - Scott groaned, and wrapped himself tighter in the blanket.
- You have ten minutes to wash, dress and eat. And then it's time. - Stiles said menacingly, but Scott didn't move. - Or I'll get some water,' McCall jumped out of bed and raced to the bathroom.
- Goddamn manipulator! - came from the corridor. Smiling victoriously, Stiles went into the McCall dining room to get Melissa to cook something tasty.
- I'm all packed and you're still eating? - came twenty minutes later. Cripp, sitting on Stiles' lap, was eating his morning toast. Tim was sleeping peacefully - as he always did.
- Scott, what a word! You don't eat, you eat food. - Stiles corrected his friend, arching an eyebrow. Melissa, who was sitting at the table, rolled her eyes.
- Scott, honey, are you going to eat? - The woman asked.
- Melissa, I'm sorry, but we have some work to do. - Stiles got up from the table and said importantly.
- You won't even let me eat? - Scott exclaimed indignantly, following his friend.
- Revenge is sweet. - Stiles whispered with a smile.
- How long are you boys staying? - Mrs McCall asked, as the boys were pulling on their jackets.
- Yes!' replied Stiles and shoved his friend out the door before nodding to Melissa and walking out the door. Smiling, the woman shook her head and went about her business. The crypters looked at each other in bewilderment and went about their business.
- I love this day,' Stiles exclaimed, looking at the painted houses. Yes, the boys lived in a busy Muggle neighbourhood. How did purebloods end up in a Muggle neighbourhood, you ask? Well, it was just that little Scott and Stiles had grown tired of the prim and quiet when they were four years old, and their parents didn't mind. And now every year at Christmas and other holidays the boys ran around, bought presents, played with the neighbourhood kids. In general, they behaved like ordinary people. They really had a lot of childhood friends on this street, as they spent almost half of their childhood together. Heather used to be among them, but she had to leave for family reasons.
- Where to first? - Scott asked, looking around at the decorated houses.
- To get presents, of course, but I'm afraid we're going to get trampled on, but it doesn't matter. And we need to decorate the houses too, because they stand out so much. - The boy grimaced as he looked round at the two huge houses.
The Christmas shop was really crowded, but the boys were not particularly slow. The boys quickly ducked into the window displays and stopped. Strangely enough, there was still a choice. Usually they shopped earlier, since everything was sold out so quickly, but today, apparently, there was a new delivery. In fact, this shop was for Muggles and wizards alike. Things that had anything to do with magic were enchanted so that no Muggle would just see them. The boys thought for about ten minutes and ended up walking out of the shop with three bags each. They bought, naturally, both magical items and Muggle items. Barely out of breath, the boys rushed to the shop with Christmas decorations. They didn't think twice about it, grabbing more and more. Now each boy had three bags in each hand. Stiles, jokingly, but occasionally puffing heavily, dragged his burden to the next shop. An hour later, the boys had ten bags in each hand, and were wondering to themselves how it had come to this. The next destination was Stilinski's house, for that was where the boys wrapped their presents every year.
- Boys, this year even more than that year, you're going for the record. - grinned John, looking round at the boys.
- We're shocked ourselves. - Stiles answered honestly and went to his room.
Having put the bags into two piles, the guys started to get boxes, wrapping paper, pretty bags, ribbons and everything that would be useful in wrapping presents. The first to go through the wrapping process were the gifts for the parents. Stiles bought a warm woollen jumper for his mother, a leather belt for his father (John's previous belt had been torn while playing monkeys) and a nice mackintosh for Melissa. For his best friend, the boy chose a warm black leather jacket, since the last one had been torn by Stiles. Scott took an elegant bag for Claudia, skis for John and warm grey gloves and scarf for his mother. For Stiles, the boy had bought a ring with illusionary charms, which meant that it would make what Stiles wanted come true. It was a shame that the ring could only be used at Hogwarts and at home for now, as using the ring could still be considered underage use of magic. Placing six large boxes in the corner of the room, the boys set about getting presents for the Muggles.
Every year the boys bought gifts for their muggle friends. During the day the boys would go to the post office, which had both a regular and an owl office, and send gifts to those who were far away, and in the evenings they would go door to door and distribute what they had bought in the morning. Now Scott was packing a child's bicycle for the Colver family, where there was a girl named Molly about their age, and she had a brother named Mark who was about six. This same girl Stiles was now packing a beautiful cream dress. Next came the Hall family with twin boys John and James who were about five and their older sister Mia who was fifteen. The boys were bought two new video games, and for Mia, as they knew the girl loved classical music and reading, they bought three books and a Mozart collection. The boy Maurice got a big snowcat and his little sister Emma a set of toys and some story books. Only an hour later there were exactly nineteen weighty packages on the bed.
- Dad's right, there are more this year for some reason. - Stiles scratched the back of his head.
- We didn't get Colin, Jeremy, Stella and Emma any last time. - Scott reminded him.
- Oh, yeah, they'd only just turned four, right. - Stiles slapped himself on the forehead.
- Boys, how's it going? - Claudia came into the room.
- As good as ever. - Stiles gave his mother the thumbs-up.
- If you want to eat, come downstairs, I made apple pie. - The woman smiled warmly, leaning against the doorjamb.
- What about the pumpkin pie? - asked the younger Stilinski sadly.
- And it will be tonight. - Claudia winked at her son. - Well, are you coming?
- A little later. We have five more presents to wrap for friends and two for grandparents, Mum, so in about thirty minutes. - Stiles did the math.
- You're my busybodies. - Claudia grinned, kissed each boy on the cheek, and left the room.
- So, who shall we start with? - Scott asked, pulling the bags and boxes closer.
- Let's start with the girls. - Stiles shrugged. - Whoever I get the first one for, we'll start with. - said the boy and started fumbling through the biggest bag he had. He pulled out a beautiful quiver with carvings and red velvet inside, unfortunately without arrows. - We'll start with Allison. - Stiles said cheerfully. The greeting cards and letters, of course, had been ready for a long time.
In addition to the quiver, the boy bought for his friend the books 'The Best Archery Masters. Commentaries.' by John Rimman and 'Flying for Professionals.' Orion Lanner. Scott had picked up a huge amount of Muggle sweets for the girl and again a Muggle snow globe of incredible size.
Malia was next. To be honest, the boys had been thinking about gifts for Tate for a very long time. They couldn't be surprised by anything Muggle, and they couldn't buy anything particularly magical. The boys settled on a collodograph from Stiles and a miniature model of Lightning from Scott. The broom sometimes slipped off the stand and went flying around the room, which was why they preferred to keep it under a special glass dome.
It took Stiles about ten minutes to decide whether black or red paper would be more appropriate for Lydia's gift. Scott, rolling his eyes, was wrapping his own in the meantime. It contained, once again, Muggle sweets and another medium level spell book. The boy had also decided to buy his friend one of those things that Muggles called a 'Starry Sky Projector' or something like that. When you switched it on, through some mechanism, space began to be projected onto the ceiling and walls. The boys slowed down for maybe five minutes, looking only at the starry sky. Then Stiles, on cue, rushed to pack up a miniature replica of the solar system. Since it wasn't a Muggle product, the sun was really shining, and tiny planets were flying around it and spinning on their axis without any supports. The boy didn't understand why he had chosen such a gift for his friend, but for some reason, looking at the miniature sun glowing with soft golden light, the boy remembered the hairpin burning with the same light in Martin's fiery hair.
Sighing, the boys set about getting presents for Matt and Isaac. A huge flight and charms manual from Stiles and a new scarf from Scott had already been packed for Leiha. For Matt, the boys had bought skates that could be enlarged and shrunk at will and a rather large book on herbology, so beloved of the boy.
- So, grandparents now? - Stiles asked, looking contentedly at the really huge piles of presents on the bed and in the corners of the room.
- Yeah. It's all separate. - Scott nodded.
- Shall we speed it up? - Stiles asked, smiling wryly.
- Again? - Scott asked, staring at the ceiling in anguish.
- On three. - said Stilinski. - One. Three! - exclaimed the boy. His hands flew over the presents with incredible speed. Grinning cheerfully, Scott rushed to catch up with his friend. Three minutes later, there were two more boxes next to each boy.
- I won. - Stiles said and gave his friend a tongue-lashing.
- No you didn't, we got a draw! - Scott was outraged.
- Are yours coming tonight? - Stilinski asked suddenly.
- Grandma and Grandpa? No, they have some business to attend to. They'll be here tomorrow. And yours? - asked the boy.
- Same thing. - smiled Stiles.
- Boys, it's two o'clock, the post office will close soon, you won't even have time to eat. - came from downstairs. The boys looked at each other and rushed to get dressed.
- Mum, we're going to the post office first, okay? I'm sorry, we'll come back and eat that pie, even the whole thing, but not now. - shouted Stiles, rushing down the stairs.
-Yeah, sure, run along. - Claudia replied, watching the boys try to lift seven boxes at once. Then Stiles, slapping himself on the forehead while scattering his presents all over the floor, rushed back upstairs, returning almost a second later with four huge bags. After distributing the presents into the bags and kissing Claudia on the cheek, the boy rushed after his friend, who was already rushing down the street at full speed.
- And so it is every year. - John smiled warmly, approaching his wife from behind.
- You know I haven't even put the pie in the oven yet, don't you? - smiled at the woman. The man, nodding cheerfully, went back into the kitchen.
Barely reaching the post office, the boys, breathing heavily, rested their hands on their knees. Glancing over at his friend, Stiles knocked.
- May I? - The boy asked, peeking out the door.
- Stiles? Come in, of course come in! - exclaimed the grey-haired man with glasses sitting behind the window.
- Oh, Mr McClaren, I was afraid they'd put someone else in today. - stretched out the boy and dragged his bags into the room.
- Hello, Mr McClaren. - Scott smiled, coming in next.
- Scott, and you're here! Though when weren't you two together. - Chuckled the man. - Are you as owlish as ever?
- Naturally, sir. - smiled Stilinski. - Only now it's not just grandparents, now it's our friends too.
- Study mates? Oh yes, you've already got into Hogwarts this year! - exclaimed the man, smiling happily. - And what faculties?
- Gryffindor. - Scott said proudly, pulling out the presents.
- Well done! - exclaimed the man.
- Sir, could you prepare the owls, we don't have much time. - Stiles asked.
- Of course, of course! How much time? - The man asked, standing up.
- Seven each. Fourteen. - The boy answered promptly. The man nodded and left.
- You boys are getting more and more out every year. - the man smiled as he returned.
- Yes, we've been told that already today. - Stiles nodded.
Fifteen minutes later, fourteen beautiful owls of all different sizes were sitting in the window, each with a heavy bag and a letter. When it was time to pay, Stiles slapped his forehead. A moment later, two medium-sized boxes stood in front of Mr McClaren.
- Two more OWLs? - The man asked, smiling understandingly.
- No, sir, these are for you. - Scott replied, grinning at the man's reaction.
- Me? What are you boys? Why? - The man began.
- 'Because every Christmas we give presents to our friends, and you're our friend, so no objections are accepted. - Stiles cut him off. The man, smiling warmly, nodded. - I'm sorry, but we have to go. Merry Christmas! - Stiles exclaimed and the boys left the room.
- What now? - Scott asked his friend as he walked down the snowy streets, occasionally slipping on the ice.
- Decorate houses. - replied Stiles.
- What about your mum's cake? - McCall asked in surprise.
- She hasn't even put it in the oven yet. - Stiles waved his hand.
Five minutes later the boys took all the bags of decorations from Stilinski's house and went out into the yard of Stiles's huge house to think about what they could do this year. The Stilinski mansion was a huge house of four stories and with a large courtyard. An hour later a real Christmas house stood before the boys. Almost everything was festooned with garlands and tinsel. On the door hung a wreath, and by the porch stood the illuminated figures of a snowman and a reindeer. The boys had glued tiny snowflakes on the windows, which gave the appearance of a frosty pattern. All the trees and bushes were garlanded, as well as the fence and gate. Inside the house, too, the boys had done their best. The banisters were covered with colourful tinsel, the windowsills were covered with various Christmas figures, and garlands were strung around the dining room, living room, and Stiles's room. The boys worked on the tree for about half an hour. As a result, there was a huge fir tree in the living room, not flashy, not bright, but very beautiful and festive. The main tone in the decoration was gold. Smiling contentedly, the boys grabbed the remaining packages and rushed across the street to the McCall house.
Without a moment's hesitation, Stiles hung a wreath a little larger than the one he had on the door and placed an interactive Santa Claus figure and a second reindeer on the porch, which paired with the one the boys had placed in front of the Stilinski's front door. Next, the garland came back into play. It was everywhere - on the fence, on the roof, on the trees, on the door, on the railing. The boys even garlanded the walkway to the McCall house. Since Scott's house was exactly the same size as Stiles's, the boys decided to decorate it identically, but not exactly the same. From the windows, faces of reindeer, Christmas elves, and smiling snowmen looked out onto the street, occasionally waving at passersby. On the wall in front of the door, the boys hung an illuminated 'Merry Christmas!' sign. Inside, the house was decorated in much the same way as the Stiles house, only the main tone in the decorations was red. In the McCall house, there was also a fir tree in the living room, and underneath it were a few presents, apparently for the boys themselves. They tossed in the ones they'd packed during the day, too, since the celebration was to be held at the McCall house today (every year Claudia and Melissa switched to give each other a rest and so on, but after three o'clock, one would come to help the other and together they'd cook dinner, clean up, and so on).
- We can have a rest. - Stiles sighed in relief, sitting down exhaustedly in his chair.
- Yeah, we've got about three hours. - Scott agreed, sitting down in the next chair.
- Mum's probably made a pie by now, shall we go? - Stilinski asked, looking at his friend.
- She's already made it and brought it here. - came from behind. The boys turned round and saw Claudia with a tray with a fragrant apple pie and two glasses of orange juice.
- Only now I realised how hungry I was. - Stiles stretched out, listening to his own stomach rumble. Putting the tray on the table, Claudia patted her son's hair and went off to help Melissa.
- I love your mum. - Scott said with his mouth already full.
- I do too. - Stiles nodded, shovelling almost an entire piece into his mouth at once. Ten minutes later there was nothing left on the tray but two pieces of pie and completely empty glasses of juice. - Mum, Melissa, do you want pie? - The boy asked, looking at the remaining pie.
- Boys, you can eat it if you want, we've already tried it. - Lied Melissa, peering out of the kitchen. The boys looked at each other and immediately started on the remaining pieces of the unfortunate pie. Shaking her head with a smile, Melissa brought her boys another glass of juice.
- I love your mum too. - Stiles said, sitting back in his chair with a look of complete satisfaction.
- Me too. - Scott nodded, looking for the remote. - What are we watching? - The boy asked after a moment. Every year the boys watched Muggle Christmas films, it had become quite a tradition.
- Let's watch Home Alone or Real Love. - Stiles replied. Switching on the first channel the boys did indeed see that Real Love was on. Smiling contentedly, the boys climbed into their armchairs with their feet up and tuned in to watch, however, twenty minutes later they were already sniffling. Claudia, who happened to notice this, smiled happily and covered the boys with woollen plaids.
- We have to remember to wake them up in two hours. - Melissa said when Claudia returned.
- Three. They've had a lot of running around today. - Claudia smiled at her friend. McCall shrugged and continued cooking.
***
- Stiles, honey, wake up. - Claudia stretched out after exactly three hours, gently shaking her son by the shoulder.
- Mum, you'd better wake Scott up first. - Stiles groaned and pulled the duvet higher.
- Dude, I'm up already. - I'm up already,' came the voice of his best friend. Lazily opening one eye, Stiles clucked his tongue in frustration.
- Okay, I'm up. - The boy stretched out and threw off his blanket.
- By the way, it's half past seven. - Claudia said casually and left.
- Mum!' Stiles shouted and jumped up from his chair. Scott laughed and handed his friend his shirt, because he thought he'd be cold in a T-shirt. With a disapproving glare at Scott, the boy began to dress.
Ten minutes later, the boys were back on the street, bags in their hands. Saying hello to every passerby, the boys walked down the street laughing.
- Scott! Stiles! - came five minutes later. When they turned around, they saw a beautiful red-haired girl, and not far from her, all covered in snow, were two twin boys.
- Mia! - exclaimed Stiles and walked towards his old acquaintance. After hugging the girl, Stiles began fumbling through the bags.
- Are you buying presents for the year ahead again? - The girl chuckled, hugging Scott.
- How could we not? - Stiles grinned, pulling out two packages. Handing one to Mia and the other to the boys, the boy smiled happily. - Not to be opened until after midnight. - Stiles said menacingly.
- Thanks, guys. - The girl smiled sincerely, and, digging into her bag, pulled out two weighty packages. - These are for you. - The girl handed the gifts to the boys.
- Oh, well, you shouldn't have, really. - Stiles was embarrassed, causing the twins to laugh.
- 'Will you come over at night? - The girl asked
- Did you have any doubts? - Stiles asked in amazement. Mia, laughing, ruffled the boy's hair.
- See you tonight, then. - Hall smiled.
Only two hours later the boys went round and gave out all the presents, almost always getting some in return. Satisfied, once again with their bags, the boys walked leisurely down the street, sometimes singing along to the Christmas choir passing by. The whole street was lit up, as usual, in such a way that one could not believe that it was late evening. There was a light frost, which made the boys' cheeks tingle sometimes.
- Sometimes I think it's our holiday. - Scott said.
- What do you mean? - Stiles asked, looking at the snowflakes.
- It's real magic, you know? Christmas is magic. Not the kind you can conjure up with a wave of a wand. The kind that just appears. I don't know how to explain it. - replied the boy, looking at the kids running around.
- I get it. - Stiles smiled.
As soon as the boys entered the house, the smell of pumpkin pie and roast turkey hit their noses. Taking in the air with relish, the boys went into the kitchen.
- Mums, do you need any help? - Stiles asked, looking greedily at the turkey.
- No, boys, we don't need any help. Your presents are here, by the way. - Melissa said, waving her hand towards the living room.
The boys looked at each other and headed in that direction. There were six boxes on the table, and letters on top of them. The presents must have come a long time ago, as the owls hadn't waited for them and had flown away.
- From Malia, Matt and Allison. - Scott said, looking over each present. The boy reached for one of his own, but Stiles threatened his friend with a finger.
- Tonight, Scotty. - Stilinski said and put all the presents under the tree, which was already full of them.
At about ten o'clock Melissa and Claudia set the table and at the same time John came in with two boxes. The boys looked at them with interest and smiled slyly.
- So, let's get started. - Claudia said, when everyone was finally seated at the table. Ten minutes later there was a knock on the window, and everyone turned to see two OWLs still knocking insistently.
- I think it's for us. - Stiles said and stood up from the table. After a moment, he held it out with a smile,' From Lydia. - After placing the two new wrappers under the tree, the boy sat down in his seat, not noticing his parents' warm smiles.
After another five minutes the presents from Isaac arrived, and after another ten from the grandparents. When it was time to open the presents, the boys, looking in awe at the veritable pile under the tree, were almost jumping for joy.
- Well, who's first? - Claudia asked, sitting down next to her husband in Turkish.
- Я! - Stiles exclaimed and looked under the tree and pulled out one of the presents. Tim, who was snuggled under the tree with Cripp, squeaked unhappily. The tag said it was for Scott. - Scotty, for you. - the boy held out the gift to his friend. In the box was an album with pictures of the best Quidditch teams and a beautiful portrait of the boy himself.
- Thank you, Lydia. - Scott stretched out with a smile and reached for the next present. He pulled out his own gift for Claudia. - This is for you. - The boy smiled and held out the gift to the woman.
- Scott, honey, thank you. - The woman smiled as she looked at the bag. - Now me. - Reaching under the tree, the woman pulled out a gift for Melissa from Stiles.
Thirty minutes later, all the presents were opened and the boys were glowing with happiness. Stiles got an exact replica of Lydia's plaid shirt, which the boy liked so much, as well as a general collodograph and drawing from her, a broom care kit from Isaac, a bunch of sweets, a few books, and a Muggle model of some kind of plane from Malia, a pack of chocolate frogs and a magic kaleidoscope from Matt, a whole box of chocolate cauldrons with all possible toppings, a special magical accelerator for broomsticks (they are forbidden in competitions, but they are very convenient to use in real life) and a book 'DADA intermediate level' from Allison. The boys have a peculiar tradition of giving spell books to each other. From Isabella's grandmother and Tom's grandfather the boy received several very rare and expensive spell books and a whole box with all sorts of magic tricks.
Scott received the same broom care kit from Isaac, a card, a box of magic beans and, to the amazement of everyone in the living room, a bottle of Felix Felicis from Allison (how the girl managed to get such a rare potion was a mystery), a radio-controlled train and a few packs of Muggle candy from Malia, and a huge set of 'Plant It Yourself' from Matt (looking at Stiles laughing, Scott swore to himself that when he got to Hogwarts he'd give Dahler a good smack on the head). From his grandmother Maria and grandfather John, Scott had received a really huge pile of sugar feathers, magic beans, chocolate cauldrons and other goodies, as well as about five books on how to set up a good trick. Yeah, the McCall and Stilinski families have been friends for three generations.
- Okay, guys, I'm going to give you some presents. - said John and went down the corridor, returning a minute later with the same two boxes. - Ready? - smiling, asked the elder Stilinski.
- Naturally! - Stiles exclaimed and got up from the floor, lifting Scott with him.
- Well, open it up, then. - John said and placed two boxes in front of the boys. Each of them reached the boys' chests. Stiles, impatiently peeling off the wrapping and opening the box, saw a long bundle inside.
- How confidential. - The boy grinned, pulling out his own package. For some reason it was shaped like something that looked like a broomstick. Glancing reverently at his father, the boy whispered,' Scott, let's hurry up, eh. Let's do it together. One. Two. Three. - The boys simultaneously ripped off the wrapper and saw two brand new Lightnings. Stiles let out a shrill wail and threw himself first at his dad, then at his mum, and then at Melissa. Scott, eyes rounded in amazement, looked first at his friend dancing with happiness and then at his warmly smiling parents.
- Wow. - stretched out the younger McCall, looking at his new broom. It wasn't that the boys hadn't had brooms before, it was just that the last time they'd fallen so badly that they were afraid they'd never get another broom in their lives. And this is Lightning!
- Oh, yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!' Stiles yelled as he ran from the living room to the dining room and back again. - Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum, Mum, can I have a go? - Stilinski squealed.
- 'No, honey, I'm sorry. Not now. The Muggles might see. - Claudia smiled.
- Can we go around the house? - Stiles asked, picking up the broom and getting ready to put his foot on it.
- I'm going to have to say no to that one. - Melissa said. - You boys can try it out later.
The boys looked at each other unhappily and sat down in their chairs.
- What are you guys doing up so late? - Mia asked, when the boys finally arrived at the celebration. There was a tree in the centre of the street and the older kids always came here after midnight to spend Christmas night together.
- Just a little business. - Stiles waved a hand at the dishevelled Stiles. He didn't have to tell her that they'd begged their parents to fly around the house on broomsticks, did he?
- Guys, at last!' exclaimed fourteen-year-old James Austin.
They arrived home at five in the morning, dishevelled, cold, tired, but happy. When they reached the McColls' house, all they could do was undress and go to bed. Christmas is magic. It can bring enemies closer together and help you find what you've been looking for all your life. But the two boys, sniffling sweetly and wrinkling against the rays of the rising sun, clearly didn't care about that right now.