perfect.

Christmas Dinner

“They’re very well made, very impressive!” He called over his shoulder, still musing over them quite happily. They didn’t have personal decorations with his family. They bought new ones every year, it would be considered a waste of time to keep anything so sentimental  Rolling his eyes as his friend spoke, Tyler tilted his head and stated, “You’re lucky we’re not under mistletoe, it’s a tradition to kiss under mistletoe, you know?” He thought his friend was very dramatic, he had kisses people he knew a lot less in a lot more intimate places, but he supposed it was very in Loxley’s nature to complain about things like that. Clearing his throat, he gave a small tug on Loxley’s jumper and then on his own with a grin, “Looks like all three of us match.” He moved back to his boyfriend, standing at his side and wrapping his arms loosely around his waist, pressing a kiss to his shoulder with a smile. “I do recall you knowing how to cook actually, someone did promise to make me Italian once.”

“Well thank you for coming, Gild says I always make too much food so now this year we have more people to share it with!” Miri couldn’t have been more giddy as she went to check on the turkey again.“Thanks babe, my 6 year old self appreciated you recognizing his genius.” Jeremy joked, but really he was happy Tyler liked them as it was a tradition in his family, one that he planned to carry on to his own family one day. Jeremy watched Tyler kiss Loxley’s cheek, “Aw you two are adorable.” He loved that they were so close to someone even if Loxley didn’t seem to be the biggest fan of the kiss. “We do! We should take a picture guys!” Jeremy took out his phone and pulled Loxley over to him to take a quick picture, “We’re adorable! Also I did indeed promise to make you Italian food but you’ll just have to wait until we get back at school.” Something to look forward to. “The turkey is done so everyone come take their seats please!” Miri said, looking mighty pleased with herself as Gild brought out the turkey to the table for her.

“I’m not kissing you, I don’t care about tradition.” He huffed. Tyler was embarrassingly more affectionate than usual, which was saying a lot. He laughed a little as both Lana and Tyler commented on his jumper. “You told me to!” He pointed to Jeremy, before he was tugged into an entirely awkward photo with his two best friends. “We’re stupid.” He grumbled, though was smiling sheepishly as he rubbed his hand over his opposite shoulder. Miri called out for dinner, and Loxley ached with realisation. It wasn’t just Jeremy, this whole thing was his now. The dumb jumpers and the decorations, the photos and the food. He sniffed and hoped no one noticed when he rubbed his eyes and hastily grabbed Lana’s hand, tugging her into the dining room. He wondered if he could stack up enough vegetables so it wasn’t obvious he wasn’t eating meat.

As much as she wanted to deny it, it was pretty damn cute the way that the boys stood up to take a photo, all in typical Christmassy sweaters, she couldn't help but laugh, especially considering how incredibly awkward Loxley looked. "Adorable. Jeremy, I'm going to need a copy of that." She grinned, and then Miriam called them to the table, and Loxley tugged her into the dining room. She had never really eaten turkey, but she was more than ready to try. "Oh, it smells absolutely fantastic." It had her mouth water. She took her seat next to Loxley, sitting with her back straight. Lana still didn't really understand how family stuff worked, but this was nice. All of them sat around the dining table.

Christmas Dinner

“I will definitely stop by at some point but you will be dealing with a complete beginner.” Tyler moved his way back around the family, wrapping an arm around Jeremy’s front and pulling him close to press a quick kiss to his cheek before he eagerly continued to the tree. It was all very traditional but much more welcoming than the decorations back at his grandmother’s house. He placed the gifts down carefully, grinning as he gently poked what looked like a hand-made ornament. “Did you make all of these, Jeremy? They’re adorable.” Musing over them quite happily he almost jumped when Loxley appeared to put his own gifts down but quickly smiled as he wrapped an arm around his friend and pulled him into a side-hug. “Merry Christmas.” Pressing a very quick kiss to his friend’s cheek, half sure he’d be hit for it, Tyler grinned and added. “Your hair looks great, by the way. You used the hair products I bought you, didn’t you?”

“Eggs are not all you need. Balanced diet dear.” After hearing the news of Tobias’s death Miri was being strong, but she also knew that she needed to take on the role of his mother, a role she wished she didn’t have to but would gladly accept in the circumstances without a doubt in her mind. “I taught Jeremy how to cook and he can barely pay attention long enough for measuring things, I’m pretty sure I could teach you no problem.” Miri enjoyed teaching and even at the hospital she ended up taking on an educator’s role when it came to some of the newer healers. “Oh thank you, Lana! You really didn’t have to.” Gild chimed in with, “Pretty sure you guys being here is more than enough of a gift for Miri and I, she really loves people.”  Jeremy was just lit up with having everyone over, “All the craft ones yeah, I went to public muggle school before Hogwarts so I made these when I was a little kid back then.”

Loxley gave Miri a shy sort of smile and shrugged. He didn’t know her well enough to argue that eggs were, in fact, a balanced meal. “I only got stuff for you and the boys.” Loxley muttered to Lana before she brought out the flowers. But then, of course, she was always more organised. He was pulled into a weird hug, which he tolerated, up until the kiss, when he sunk his elbow firmly into Tyler’s ribs. “Back atcha, but we don’t do that.” He muttered, stepping back and pulling a hand through his hair. “Yeah.” He admitted with a shy laugh, adding quietly, “Does it look like I fit in?” It definitely wouldn’t be a regular occurrence, but he couldn’t help but appreciate how much easier his hair was to manage when it was so soft. It smelled nicer too.

"Well, I only got the flowers, and a gift for you," Lana whispered back to Loxley. She figured it was only right that she get Jeremy's parents something as a thank you for inviting them into their home. "Oh, well, I wanted to get you something. As a thank you for the meal and everything." Family stuff was awkward, and Lana felt slightly awkward, even if Miriam and Gilderoy and Beatrice were all very lovely people. She would never understand the friendship between Loxley and Tyler either, the kiss on the cheek felt like it shouldn't be such a normal thing. "You fit right in, Lox. That sweater you're wearing is kind of adorable." She grinned at him and went to put her gift to Loxley underneath the tree. She had just put on a simple dress and a cardigan. Perfectly respectable clothing for a respectable dinner.

Christmas Dinner

“Please, I’m not even half as charming.” Though he was extremely flattered by the comparison, even with all he knew of Gilderoy Lockhart there was no way to deny that he had been quite the heart-throb and Tyler could easily see why, he was like an older version of Jeremy- he had a golden aura about him. “Your grandmother?” He turned to the elderly lady with a bright smile, being quick to wander around the table to her and bend down to press a kiss to her cheek. “It’s so lovely to meet you, your grandson talks about you a lot, it’s nice to put a face to the name.” Tyler really didn’t care if everyone else in the world hated him but it was very important to him that Jeremy’s family liked him, at least enough to believe he’d made a good choice in him. “I’m glad to hear dinner has been left in your capable hands, though if you need help with anything you must let me know, I’m determined to learn to cook a little before the end of the school year. Otherwise Lox will have us living off eggs.” He cast an encouraging smile in his friend’s direction, he really wanted to pull the boy aside and see if he was alright but he had a feeling that’d just draw more attention to him, so instead Tyler was on a mission to keep everyone somewhat distracted. “Oh, Miriam, do you have anywhere in particular I should put these?” He listed the bag of presents in his hand with an eager smile.

“Yes, but please call me Miri, and Gild goes, well by Gild.” Miri had a wide smile as she made her way over to the kitchen to check on the Turkey that was almost done. “Oh how lovely you are my dear. Glad to know Jer talks about me, hopefully all good things.” “Of course, grandma you’re one of the loveliest people in the world how could I not talk about you?” Jeremy loved his family and he was very proud of them, he was plenty happy to finally share them with his new Hogwarts family. “Oh I’m Beatrice dear, but these days I mostly respond to grandma if any of you wish to call me that.” Miri referred to her own mum as grandma sometimes because she got used to doing it when Jeremy was younger and she never really managed to stop. “Oh no you’re a guest today so you guys just sit down somewhere at the table and enjoy, please. Although Tyler if you ever want to learn to cook feel free to stop by on one of my free days and I can teach you.” Miri was always far too happy to help. “Oh babe you can put them under the tree, we do presents after dinner.” Jeremy said with a big smile as he pointed to the huge tree which was beautifully decorated and included various crafts Jeremy had made as a child in school. There were also stockings for everyone hanging off of the fireplace.

“Beatrice.” Loxley repeated with a shaky voice. If he could have given Tyler a microphone he would have done so. His friend was doing exactly as he had been hoping: He was being charming, friendly, and was taking the focus off of him. “Eggs are all you need…” He replied with a sheepish grin, looking toward the table and trying to decide where it would be best to sit so that he barely had to talk to anyone. “Oh fuck.” He whispered quietly to himself when he remembered the presents, quickly making his way over to the tree and emptying his pockets of 3 small, hastily wrapped gifts.

This was so very strange, this family life that Lana had no previous knowledge of. It was nice, but it was just another reminder of how she had missed out on it. But this wasn't about her, it was about Loxley meeting his family. They had been told to bring presents, but Lana didn't exactly have any clue what to bring people. She had brought her present for Loxley though, but for Jeremy's family, she had brough a bouquet of flowers. "Sorry, I didn't know what you guys liked, so I brought these." She presented a pretty bouquet of roses and tulip and gave them to Miriam while Loxley was putting his gifts underneath the tree. This was her first Christmas spent anywhere that wasn't at the orphanage or at Hogwarts, and it was strange. Nice, but strange.