Don't Let the Nargles get you Down!

“Well, no one’s making you.”

“Maybe not, but then I’ll become that prick who never gets anyone presents. Unless, what’s that one sort of unusual Muggle religion where they never celebrate anything? They don’t have to give gifts right? Think I could join up with them?”

Persephone immediately noted the emotional undertone of their statement ( and immediately felt uncomfortable with it. ) She cleared her throat, nodding at their words. “It takes practice and years of mentorship with historically materialistic family members.” Joking aside, she was far to curious what they meant by their comment. “Who are you shopping for? Perhaps I could help. I’m a professional, after all,” she laughed

“I’ve not even narrowed down who all I need to shop for, if I’m being honest.” Xeno shrugged. “I’d really like to get everyone at least a little something, you know? But then how do you narrow down who that is? I don’t want to get someone a gift, and then things get uncomfortable because they weren’t expecting it and then they feel on the spot because they didn’t think about getting me anything. Which I don’t care about, I’d really rather give gifts than receive them. If that makes any sort of sense.”

None of that had ever been an issue for Frank. He wrote his list at the beginning of December, and simply stuck to it. “Mate, did you forget to wrap your mum’s boots last year?”

“I– You know, it really doesn’t matter does it. What matters is this isn’t about me, it’s about all of us, the gift giving population of the world ya know?”

Persephone was on her way to drop off her shopping bags at her flat when she heard a voice beside her. The bags were overflowing with Christmas gifts - some for herself but many for the other creatures that survived her husband - causing her to purse her lips at the blonde. “Impending doom? You must be shopping at the wrong places, Xen.” 

Xeno shook their head. “Maybe. Or maybe I’m not very good at the gift giving thing.”

“I think we’ve got at least two weeks until we have to think about that.”

“Mate, it’s never too early to think about that. Think about it, when you don’t think about it you overlook someone or get stuck on what to get them, then bam next thing you know it’s Christmas Eve and you’re buying some sorry excuse for a present from that one shady shop that’s still open. Then you have to explain to your mum why she’s getting a barely wrapped pair of boots that don’t fit.”

Charity giggled at the thought, although a new couch would be nice. Never the less, her hands swatted in the air. “Oh, don’t you worry your pretty little head about that. We certainly don’t need a new couch.” Her brows furrowed once again as she thought of the next required tools.

“Is that everything we need?” 

Xeno looked over the tools before them with a nod. “I believe so, now I think if we just–” They trailed off, connecting the spring and wind chime, getting it settled above the remaining pie for bait. “Something like that! And now I suppose we wait and see if it’s a suitable pixie trap.”

Pandora’s gaze drifted back to the various books - all of them on top of each other in a disorganized and careless manner - as she listened to Xenophilius’s speech. She could not believe that she had once again lost track time and forgotten to return another book on time, unfortunately this time she knew with almost certainty that it meant that she would get a detention.

Either way, it didn’t worry her much after all. What was more important was to find the book that Xenophilius had been so desperately looking for. She would later find a solution to escape detention - again. 

“With all that effort you put into finding me, it would be rude of me if I didn’t lend it to you” once again looking around her, a lost expression invaded Pandora’s face as she tried to remember the book they wanted. After a few seconds, a book rose in the midst of all the others and floated to Xenophilius’s lap. 

“Is that the right one?” she asked a little uncertainly before letting out a little laugh “Don’t worry, it’s not creepy at all. But, may I ask what you want it for?” Pandora’s curiosity came up again, usually no one was looking for those kind of books just because they’re bored and want something to do. “To tell you the truth, I’ve already taken all the notes I needed, you can keep it for as much time you need. Maybe later you could return it to the library? I … just don’t want to risk another detention” Pandora practically pleaded, she knew very well they would never punish them if they were the ones that returned the book

Xeno shook their head. “I don’t think so. Rude that is. After all must have been a reason you’ve had the book for so long, so if you still needed it I think it’d technically be rude for me to have asked to borrow it. But I assumed there was no harm in asking.” Xeno took the book, quickly thumbing through the pages before grinning excitedly as they found the section on mandrake root. “Yes, this is one! Thank you, I truly do appreciate it.” 

Xeno nervously chewed at their thumbnail. “It’s sort of hard to explain, I guess. My mum’s a muggleborn, and she grew up in a pagan family so she just sort of mixed the two magics for the best results. Which she passed down to me. Just sort of looking to expand my notes, you know?” 

Charity’s mouth formed an O-shape as she nodded agreeing. “Oh. That makes sense.”

“Though, I suppose if I’m wrong I owe you a new couch. So, if the worst is to come from building our little trip, at least you get couch shopping to look forward to.”

“He’d have to. He probably conditions it and everything.”

“Hmmm....Do you think he dries it with a towel after a bath, or just charms it dry?”

“Well he is totally ancient, isn’t he?”

“He is. But still, a beard like that took at least a couple decades I’d think? And the up keep would likely be wildly time consuming.”

“Is it too early to start carving pumpkins? I used to do it all the time with my family… I don’t know, I think it could be fun!”

“Never too early for pumpkin carving!”