Merry Christmas everyone!
Merry Christmas!!!!
May everyone have a safe and happy Christmas! Here's a gift for all of my wonderful flist, especially my Ronfan friends.
Title: J is for Jolly
Word Count: 648
Rating: G
J is for Jolly
Tom tried to contain his sigh. It was almost time for his break and he was definitely ready for that sandwich he had been dreaming about all morning.
This school group had been particularly restless and noisy, so he was glad that this was the last one. He was going to see this little boy and then signal the elves to announce his break.
The little boy shied away, shaking his head vehemently when his teacher tried to nudge him forward. Finally after a few more gentle words, the little boy began walking slowly toward Tom’s chair.
Tom loved plsying Father Christmas most of the time. Seeing the boys and girls with their eyes wide and hopeful, the decorations and holiday music adding to the magic of the season made him almost believe in Santa himself. There were times when he hated it: rude children and ruder parents, sometimes even getting his suit wetted on. There were also times when it broke his heart. He had a feeling that this was going to be one of those times.
The little fellow was much tinier and thinner than his classmates had been. His baggy clothes and huge round glasses made the contrast even starker. Tom could tell by the rundown condition of both clothes and glasses that this boy would ask him for something impossible.
“Ho ho ho!” Tom called, trying to keep his voice gentle. “Come on up and tell Father Christmas what you’d like.” .
“I don’t…really need anything, sir. If you…give me something Dudley would just take it and break it anyway,” the boy replied in a whisper. “Aunt Petunia says you only give to good little boys, not naughty boys like me.”
Tom’s prediction was right. This one was definitely going to break his heart. “You know, sometimes grown-ups say mean things they don’t mean to say when they’re scared or angry.” He was going to go out on a very dangerous limb, possibly making the boy even more miserable than he already was. “What’s your name?”
“Harry.”
“Harry, if you could have your wish, what would it be?”
Harry’s green eyes pierced him with hope. “A friend,” he told Tom’s ear. “A friend to play games with. A friend I can tell anything to. A friend who’ll stand up for me when no one else will talk to me. A friend who won’t make fun of my clothes and glasses or be scared of Dudley. A friend who will make me laugh. A friend who will still be my friend even if we get mad. A friend who will have a really nice family and let me come over to visit. A boy who will be my friend for ever and ever.”
Tom swallowed the lump in his throat. “Harry, I don’t think that’s something that Santa can give you.”
“Didn’t think so,” Harry made to leave, seeming to shrink even further into his baggy clothes.
“But,” Tom continued, “Are you willing to be that kind of friend? Are you willing to spend time with him, to listen to him, to stick up for him and stick by him?”
“I will! I will!” Harry agreed fervently.
“Then I think someday you’ll find that friend all on your own,” Tom smiled. “I think he’s probably already out there waiting for someone like you.”
Harry returned a blinding smile and went to join his teacher and classmates. Tom signaled the elves to put up the “Santa will be back in 30 minutes” sign.
He thought of the lonely little boy with the haunting green eyes. Did he go too far in promising Harry that he would find the right friend? Nohe told himself. This is the time for magic and for wishes to come true. I really think magic will give two boys exactly what they need.