nexus_crossings | Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

There is something different about the Nexus this Christmas season. There is a light snow falling over the entire Nexus plaza. The snow is gentle, with no real coldness to the falling snow flakes. As one approaches the main gathering area, they will notice that there are many Christmas decorations, including garland hanging from the air, and there are twelve towering decorated Christmas trees, some sparkling with tiny icicles, some glittering with hundreds of candles. There are also thousands of floating tiny candles in the Nexus plaza, that gently move at their own discretion.

In one corner, there is an orchestra, directed by a Dwarf. All of the musicians are playing music on instruments made from ice. In the center of the Nexus plaza, is a huge banquet table, loaded with holiday foods and treats that showcases a variety of food from different cultures, and some of the different worlds that gather into the Nexus itself. The main delight of the banquet table is that magic can make the food replenish itself, meaning Christmas dinner never has to end. Most will be able to find something they would enjoy. With the added perk that the food is LOL-free.

There are some added little Christmas adventures, for those who get caught up in the holidays. Here are some of the extra options for the Holiday season.

Secret Santa!
There is an added bonus to the Secret Santa gifts this year. The presents will deliver themselves! There are tons of wrapped gifts floating through the air, destined to only drop when they reach the person to which they are intended. Please note that not all gifts will be given in the spirit of the season. There are a few prank gifts floating around too. Be sure to watch out for them!

Christmas Crackers!
There are Christmas crackers scattered among the tables, and in amongst the branches of the trees. They are decorated with festive paper that is twisted at either end like a sweet wrapper. Inside of the tube are prizes, and some contain Muggle prizes such as a paper hat, a plastic toy, and a slip of paper with a joke printed on it. But the rare person will receive a unique, peculiar magical prize, and will envelop everyone nearby in a cloud of blue smoke.

Weasley Sweaters!
Time to try your luck at the Christmas Sweater bin. There is a large rotating clothing rack that seems to have an endless supply of them. Each one more Festive than the last! Pick one and show your Christmas spirit for the rest of the day.

Enchanted Mistletoe!
Be warned Nexus traveler, the Nargles** have hung enchanted Mistletoe all around the plaza. If an unlucky person steps underneath the Mistletoe, they will find that they are magically stuck to the spot, until they can find someone to kiss them. Of course, the kiss can be platonic, familial, or even romantic. For a few unfortunate people, the kiss may be the last thing they would want to do... but it is that or be stuck in the same spot for the rest of the season.

**Nargle Wiki
[Click Here for information on the HP Holiday Event!]
[Your character is free to give other Christmas gifts to people they care about -- HOWEVER, please do not deliver your Secret Santa gift. That will be handled by the Secret Santa moderator. Please post details on your Secret Santa gift in this post please.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I could get the wand tested." Hermione smiles, taking it from him. Studying how the cracks of ice have changed the wood.

"You never know... the wand might have bond to you now." She laughs.

"Or it might disintegrate come Spring." Tearing his eyes off of it, he looks at Hermione more seriously as he says, "If it doesn't, don't let just anyone use it."

Twisting to look at the snow again, he explains, "This is how I usually create light." Turning back to her, he grins. "I never had a wand to use before."

"I won't." She promises him.

Hermione looks around. Then smiles. "You have such a magical gift, Reynard."

The understatement gets a chuckle from him. He puts a hand over his heart. "For me it's less of a gift and more of a talent. I am a spirit of Winter." He gestures to the wand. "The poor thing wasn't connecting with just me, it was connecting to Winter itself. Little wonder why it fractured like that."

He could have drawn out the guessing game, kept up a pretence of secrecy, but in the Nexus especially, his name is easily followed by his infamy.

"Wonderful!" Hermione beams at him. "Well met, then."

She hopes he understands how much winter means to her. It is one of the best times of year. Most of her good memories are tied to winter. The Yule Ball is one of those shining moments.

"Yule is a time of celebration. And I am so glad I can celebrate with a spirit of Winter, himself."

Reynard accepts the compliment with a shallow bow and a wide smile. "And thank you for the opportunity to use a wand. I've never tried magic from another world before."

It's then that he eyes her thoughtfully, a cheeky smile twisting at the corner of his mouth. "Do you intend to dance tonight?"

"It is often an excitement to learn about magic from other worlds. Perhaps I could learn more about your world? Your magic?"

When he mentions dancing, Hermione smiles. "I honestly had not thought about it..."

But she looks around. And has fond memories of the last time Hogwarts held a Yule Ball. The sensation of having all that flattering attention from Krum. It had been such a lovely evening, until Ron was a prat and ruined it all.

"I have not danced since before the war. Yes... I think I shall take advantage of the suggestion."

"Perhaps," he agrees with quiet amusement.

That only prompts his grin to grow and he extends a hand with a flick of the wrist. "In that case, would you give me the honour of a dance?"

"Oh! Yes... that would be a delight." Hermione takes his offered hand.

His skin is still cold but hopefully Hermione's charm is still protecting her as he takes her hand, gently leading her towards the dance floor. With ease he spins her into a dance. Only once they begin to dance to the music, closer again and able to speak easily once more.

"I'm afraid I am not a witch of my world," he says then. "I stayed with one once, but I didn't learn her magic. You might be disappointed to learn I only truly know my own."

The charm does protect her from his cold touch. Plus there is the added bonus that he is an attractive man, who keeps flattering her. She has not felt this way since the Yule Ball. It is a nice reminder of how pleasant life can be.

"Not at all. Sometimes it is best to truly know your own magic." Hermione smiles. She moves smoothly on the dance floor (they were all taught how to dance at Hogwarts).

Dancing is one of those things Reynard practices as often as he can, usually for the company it provides, so he dances well, moving swiftly, light as a feather (or a ghost).

"Sometimes," he agrees with a low hum. "But it's also good to learn about the powers of others. Perhaps I could see more of your magic. If I don't keep breaking wands I'd be very interested to try my hand at your magic."

"That is the one thing I enjoy about the Nexus... getting to meet different people, and learning about different magic. And non-magic skills."

"Well there are always potions and charms." Hermione grinned.

"If by potions you mean a good drink then I like to think I have both potions and charms covered," he tells her with a wink and a playful grin. "Do you teach much? Or did you make a special exception for me?"

"I was asked to teach at Hogwarts, the wizarding school where I had learned."

"But I took a job in the Ministry of Magic."

Reynard raises an eyebrow. "That sounds important. Not the most exciting, but important. I should hope you take every opportunity to get out of whichever stuffy office you've been given."

"I take the opportunity to come to the Nexus, learn about new cultures and people, and just enjoy the sights... when I am out of that stuffy office."

Reynard smiles, nods, and leads her through a twirl. When he pulls her close again he asks, "Do your people know about the Nexus?"

She grins the whole time during the twirl. And grins up at him, when he pulls her close.

"They do now. I was attacked by another witch, who managed to find the Nexus. So I have made sure that many of my close friends are aware of this place, so they can help protect it."

This turns Reynard thoughtful and he's quiet for a minute while they dance. Eventually he asks, "Did she attack you because of the Nexus? Or for some other reason?"

"Some other reason. Bellatrix almost killed me during the war." Hermione frowns slightly.

"During the Nexus attack, she hurt my friend. I don't want to see that happen again."

"She sounds like a charming woman," he drawls. To bring the conversation back to lighter topics he spins her again. "Did you tell your bosses about the Nexus? Your Ministry?"

"No. Not yet. Mostly because I am not sure who were following Voldemort during the Wizarding War out of fear... or out of loyalty." Hermione laughs at the spin softly.

"We still might have hidden threats in our midst."

Reynard raises an eyebrow, but his small smile remains in place. "You seem very relaxed for someone who sounds like she's in so much danger."

"That is because I like to be prepared. Growing up in the Gryffindor house has taught me to be brave, no matter the situation."

Ho Ho Ho! Happy HP Holidays!

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