Yuletide Dinner at Spinner's End

[m4moony]

Date: Friday, 21 December 2001
Time: Begins at 6pm and goes until the residents get tired of their guests and kick them out. ;-)
Location: Spinner's End
Rating: We'll start at PG and see where the potential for drama takes us.
Guest List: Remus Lupin, Severus Snape, June Connors, Glamis (NPC), Zak Rollins (NPC), Harry Potter, Hermione Granger (if

Comments

[anneshephard]

Being invited to a Christmas party had been quite unexpected. Anne's Christmas spirit had been sadly lacking lately, and she hadn't even put up a tree at her small, dingy flat. She had the first year, and had spent Christmas Day crying. She didn't fancy doing that again, even if her spirits did hit a low then. This would be her third year spending Christmas on her own.

As such, her feelings were rather mixed when it came to accepting Lupin and Snape's invitation. She'd been surprised enough to find out that they were - well, involved, but living together with a whole host of werewolves? It was positively bizarre. And there would be all those famous war heroes they were in so tight with, and she would undoubtedly be rather out of place. But how could she not go

[m4moony]

"That boy has made enough food for an army of starved werewolves," Glamis declared, entering the sitting room just as the ward charms warned Remus the first of their guests had arrived. "I hope everyone's brought their appetites or they'll be taking food home with them. There's no way this household will eat all of that food afore the new year."

"I'm sure there won't be any left," Remus chuckled. "I've yet to see anyone leave the tiniest morsel of Zak's cooking to waste."

So saying, he moved to the front door to welcome the new arrival. Upon opening it, he smiled brightly at finding Anne Shepard on the porch.

"Anne, I'm so glad you could come! You look lovely. Please, come in. May I get you a drink? Wine or champagne? Dinner should be ready shortly." He moved to one side so she could enter before stating as an afterthought, "It is all right if I call you Anne, is it not? 'Miss Shepard' seems ridiculously formal for a dinner amoung friends."

[anneshephard]

She stepped inside, assuring Lupin that, "Anne's just fine," and took off her cloak. "A glass of wine would be lovely, thank you. How are you, Professor?" She took a deep breath, inhaling the smell of excellent cooking, and pulled off her gloves to let the warm air caress her hands. The scars on her arms hadn't changed much since Professor Snape had started his experiments, but he had been able to produce a potion that reduced the redness somewhat, and she'd used a liberal dollop of that this evening.

It was really the most exposed that her condition had ever been in public - the collar about her throat, not really going with her black robes at all, and her short sleeves exposing Greyback's bites and gashes on her arms. But she was in a house full of werewolves, and for once would probably even be in the majority

[m4moony]

It was the first Remus would see of the scars blazing angry trails up her arms, but he had long become used to not reacting to such things amoung other werewolves. Some wore their marks like badges of honor, a sign of their battle prowess. Others, like himself and, it seemed, Anne, covered them either as private reminders or in shame. It didn't matter which, to be honest. The result was the same.

In fact it was only in the last several months that Remus had gained confidence enough in himself to not worry about always keeping them covered

[arthurs_molly]

Molly had been looking forward to the Christmas party Remus and the others were throwing, for more reasons than one. With every thing that had happened with her own family as of late, Molly knew she needed to spend a few hours in the company of friends, not only for a small break, but because she hadn't spent a lot of time with the ones she considered dear friends as of late. Also, this event had appealed to her since it would be the first group function she and Arthur were attending since their visit to Paris, and she was looking forward to his efforts of holding up the promises he had made during their first weekend getaway

[m4moony]

Remus left Anne and Glamis as the wards warned of the arrival of the next guest. At this rate, they'd have a houseful in no time -- just the way he liked it for nights like this. He could be almost as reclusive as his lover, if he chose. But certain occassions just needed to be shared. They'd suffered some horrible losses in the last year; yet, they'd been given much in return and tonight they could celebrate that with family and friends.

Good friends such as the pair he found waiting on the front step as he opened the door.

"Molly! Aurthur! Please, please, come in. I'm glad you could make it. We don't see nearly enough of the two of you these days."

Motioning for them to join him inside, he indicated the direction to the sitting room.

"Dinner should be ready shortly. Zak's been cooking up a storm for days. I hope you've brought your appetites. May I get you a drink whilewe wait?"

[artiebear]

Arthur held his wife's hand as they made their way to Spinner's end, he was a bit nervous about tonight. He had made a promise to her in Paris that he'd really step up when it came to things like this, he intended to keep his promise. That didn't mean he couldn't be nervous, especially when he was going to behave himself in front of Severus. School was on break now and hopefully that meant a change in how many hours she'd spend with work.

"Hullo, Remus!" He smiled when he greeted them. Maybe this wouldn't be such a bad night. If Remus's greeting was any indication of how the night go there would be plenty more fun to come. "I can't speak for Molly, but I'm fine"

[arthurs_molly]

Molly offered Remus a smile as well when he greeted them and squeezed Arthur's hand again.

"Hello, Remus, I know you don't. We'll have to rectify that in the New Year, won't we?" She suggested, as really, she and Arthur needed to get out more with their friends. The weekends she spent away with him were wonderful of course, but they did need to socialize outside of themselves and their family a bit more, even if she was working and exhausted most days of the week.

She nodded when Remus motioned for them to join him inside and informed them that food preparations had been in the works for days, as she certainly knew how that went, and judging by the smells, it would be very delicious. She briefly debated over whether to wait until dinner to start drinking before she decided that she could do with a glass of wine before dinner was served.

"I would love a glass of wine if you've got it, Remus."

[prof_stargazer]

Stella was a bit jittery as she and Caleb approached the door to Spinner's End, hand-in-hand. She wasn't nervous about the party- she loved parties, and she loved Christmas! She was nervous, though, about how to announce she and Caleb's recent engagement to all of her friends that were sure to be here.

Right now, the only people that knew were Stella's family and the Finnigan's, since Charlotte had helped in distracting Stella before the proposal. They'd decided to tell the rest of their friends in person, knowing that events like this were quickly approaching.

Now that it was here, though, Stella felt a bit of a nervous flutter in her stomach. She tightly squeezed Caleb's hand as they approached the door.

[wolf_caleb]

Caleb was nervous as well, but for completely different reasons. He'd never been around so many other werewolves at one time and it made him a little edgy. He'd met Zak, Anne and Remus, but those were all solo visits, and the first time he and Zak met, it wasn't exactly ideal.

He knew others lived here as well and was unsure of how happy they would be with a strange werewolf in the house. If there seemed to be a problem, he'd excuse himself and go. Stella could stay regardless, which was the important part. Many of her friends were here and he didn't want to drag her away from them.

Returning the squeeze of Stella's hand, he gave her a nervous smile as they stood on the doorstep.

[fi_admin]

The pup was trying to carry this Christmas Cheer all by himself. It was his way. Glamis understood this. Still, it would be nice if Snape would get his head out of his arse and help out a bit. Glamis couldn't quite determine what had set him off again, but it was obvious Remus was working to diminish the heavy pall Snape's moods could cast over things

[prof_stargazer]

Stella was smiling before the door opened, but she brightened a bit more when she saw who was standing behind it.

"Happy Christmas, Glamis," she returned, smiling widely at the older werewolf. "It's good to see you." Stella was fairly sure that the last time she had seen Glamis was near the end of the war- surely not a joyful time for anyone, and she was glad to see him under decidedly better circumstances. For all of his gruff exterior, Stella knew that Glamis was as loyal and devoted to their 'pack' as Remus was, and he had been a definite asset to them all during the war.

She didn't miss, however, the gaze that passed between he and Caleb, and she squeezed Caleb's hand reassuringly as they stepped through the doorway. "Coats, bar, no kitchen. Got it!" Stella laughed, trying to break the slight tension between the two werewolves as she tugged on Caleb's hand to lead him into the house.

[charliesdragons]

Charlie had dressed carefully for the party, knowing that this was his first appearence in the Wizarding world, among friends and family, as a married man. He wasn't exactly the celebrety of the two of them, but he was going to be among old friends, new friends and family. So he made it a point to look sharp. He donned his best button down shirt and his least abused blue jeans. He'd even shaved for the second time that day, under extreme pressure from his wife.

He'd watched Katie dress longingly, adoring the way she looked, the way she moved. He sat on the bed once he was finished dressing, the regular threats of not leaving the house ensuing. He hated sharing her with the world.

Finally, they'd finished getting ready and apparated to the doorstep excitedly, hand in hand. "You ready?" he smiled broadly, looking over at her and sneaking a quick kiss. "Don't forget, I love you." he whispered playfully.

[lioninthegarden]

Katie wasn't nearly as excited as Charlie, other then going out in public for the first time as his wife. She had helped him get dressed and had rewarded him with a kiss for shaving. She had chosen to wear a dress she had worn before to social functions, but he loved it. The dress was bright pink. She had laughed at him with his threats of not leaving the house and gently reminded him that they would be late if he kept stalling. She didn't wear any jewelry. She just didn't. She was wearing her wedding ring and that was the only jewelry she was wearing

[fi_admin]

Again with the doorbell

[lioninthegarden]

She looked at the old man and gave him a bit of a smile. An old wolf, that was for sure. He had to be Glamis. He sure wasn't Remus unless someone had played a mean prank on him. She glanced sideways at her husband, having the distinct feeling of being summed up by the older man.

"Mrs. Katie Weasley actually." she corrected the man, linking her fingers with Charlie's. This was a bad idea. She shouldn't have some. She should have just told Charlie to go and enjoy himself and stayed at home with the dog. She didn't have an inclination to want to even see Severus. Why had she come to this party? To make her husband happy.

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Draco walked up the path to the door and knocked. He wasn't sure he wanted to be here. Scratch that, he knew he didn't want to be here, but his mother was right. This would alleviate his obligation to Severus, and well, he had to do something, didn't he? To prove he wasn't a complete social pariah?

He smoothed his robes. While well done, the black velvet didn't fall as well as the set Evie had made, but he couldn't quite bring himself to wear those yet. He wasn't sure he could handle that.

[subtle_simmer]

Unfortunately, it is completely impossible to sulk in private when one is in a small house crowded with noisy people. Particularly when one is trying to conceal the fact one is sulking from certain people

[dmalfoy_purbld]

Draco watched Severus open the door and nearly turned away right then. Still, it was the knowledge that he needed to do this, that he needed to at least arrive for a few minutes that kept him. That and pride. Malfoy pride was a strong thing.

"Happy Christmas," he nodded and entered. His voice was strained and quiet. He'd be able to fool most present, but not his mentor, not the man who had bounced him on his knee.

Once inside, he pulled a present from his robes and handed it to Severus. The box was small and contained a cloak clasp. A silver snake adorned with jade eyes. He had looked for the most understated item he could find, and while he worried Severus wouldn't appreciate it, it was obligatory to offer something, and since he simply could not bring himself to offer a gift to Lupin, this was the next thing.

"Sorry I'm late." He continued with the niceties. A necessary thing.

[subtle_simmer]

Severus matched Draco's impersonal formality by hiding behind his own lifelong marble implacability. He accepted the small package with instinctive grace, though he felt both surprised and a twinge of guilt. He hadn't bought Draco anything, this year.

It had felt sacreligious. As thought he boy had died rather than simply shut him out. Always before on Draco's birthday and Christmas, it was a game to see if he could choose something that would actually surprise the boy who had everything he could ever want or need. Joking comments about how spoilt he was and how much it cost Severus to remain in his good-graces