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Title: Tradition
Author/Artist: [livejournal.com profile] csichick
Pairing(s): Percy Weasley/Oliver Wood
Prompt: Any pairing, your choice. Couple has been together a long time. Each year, they make sure to at some point acquire one special new ornament (and they write the year on it), so by now they have 20, 30, 40 of these "Year Ornaments." I'd like to see the two of them together decorating the tree, as they take out each of these Year Ornaments and reminisce about how each one was acquired. Bonus points for a highly unusual ornament, or one that was acquired in a strange or unusual way.
Word Count/Art Medium: 523
Rating: PG
Contains (Highlight to view): fluff
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thanks to K for the beta.
Summary: While Percy & Oliver’s Christmas traditions have evolved throughout their relationship, there has always been one constant.


It started the first year they were dating. Percy didn’t have much in the way of time or money, so he had to get creative. He managed to give Oliver the slip during Hogsmeade, intending to simply get him some sweets, when he stumbled across the perfect gift. It was a small figurine of a broomstick and was actually a price he could afford. A piece of string and a few sticking charms later, he had crafted it into an ornament. And if the enthusiasm Oliver snogged him with when they exchanged gifts was any indication, the gift was a success.

The next year, they picked out an ornament together and hung it, along with the previous year’s broomstick, from a makeshift tree they had crafted together. Fred and George teased them – but mostly Percy – mercilessly when they found out about the tree, but it was worth it to have a little piece of the holidays that was just theirs.

They continued their tradition throughout their time at Hogwarts. Their first Christmas post-school, they still bought an ornament together, but this time they had a real Christmas tree to put it on. The only ornaments they had were the ones they’d gotten together, so the majority of the tree was decorated with fairy lights. Percy noticed a few looks from neighbors that probably thought they’d gone overboard, but he didn’t really care. He and Oliver were ridiculously happy and that was the only important part.

The year their twins were born, they got two ornaments instead of one, one representing each of them. Their other three children also got a representative ornament after they were born. Each year, those five ornaments move a little further up the tree, as each child gets to add their own ornament. Percy always has the cushioning charms ready just in case. While it would be disappointing to lose any of their ornaments, if anything happened to the children’s ones, it would be perceived as an absolute tragedy.

Once the children went off to Hogwarts, they waited until they were home for the holidays to decorate the tree, not wanting to disrupt tradition. This led to plenty of chaos, but Christmas was the only time of year Percy never let that bother him.

While they’ve gotten other ornaments from various sources – mostly as gifts – throughout the years, the only ones that matter to Percy are the ones he and Oliver picked out together. This year the tradition is changing again. Even their youngest has a family of his own now, so none of the children are going to be there before Christmas Eve. That means that for the first time since the twins could walk, Percy and Oliver are on their own decorating the tree. Unlike all those years before, there are plenty of ornaments to hang on the tree, and not nearly as many fairy lights. As they place the ornaments on the tree – in the order they were obtained – Percy and Oliver reminisce about the memories they represent. Their Christmas celebration may have evolved over the years, but the ornaments have always been the one constant.

Date: 2014-12-19 12:20 pm (UTC)
capitu: (Default)
From: [personal profile] capitu
This is beyond sweet. I love the prompt and I love what you did with it, mystery author. The idea of having all those ornaments in such a significant way was heart-melting. And this Christmas, alone again but with so many happy memories, simply perfect. I adore this. <3

Date: 2014-12-19 02:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] suitesamba.livejournal.com
Such a wonderful and accurate slice of life. I love that the Christmas tree chronicles their life together. Lovely work.

Date: 2014-12-19 03:20 pm (UTC)
tryslora: photo of my red hair right after highlighting (Default)
From: [personal profile] tryslora
That's so sweet. You give such a beautiful little snapshot of what life is like with Percy and Oliver.

Date: 2014-12-19 05:47 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] shadowycat.livejournal.com
What a lovely, touching story! Well done. :D

Date: 2014-12-19 07:30 pm (UTC)
nia_kantorka: (Default)
From: [personal profile] nia_kantorka
Such a warmhearted and Christmassy story. Loved the arc and the tender way you described their relationship. Thank you, MA!

Date: 2014-12-20 05:43 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] alisanne.livejournal.com
Aww. Really lovely. And the idea of the tree and the ornaments watching them grow together as a family is such a touching one.
Nicely done!

Date: 2014-12-20 02:52 pm (UTC)
ext_1891675: (Default)
From: [identity profile] articcat621.livejournal.com
Awh,this was sweet and it left me with such a smile on my face... Great job! Love this Christmas one-shot :D

Date: 2014-12-27 04:16 am (UTC)
delphipsmith: (grinchmas)
From: [personal profile] delphipsmith
My prompt!!! Thank you so much for a lovely story based on something that's been a tradition in my own family for years. You've captured the meaning of these special ornaments beautifully, and I love how this piece goes full circle, from the two of them as new couple to the two of them cherishing their private time after all the children and grandchildren have gone to their own homes.

While they’ve gotten other ornaments from various sources – mostly as gifts – throughout the years, the only ones that matter to Percy are the ones he and Oliver picked out together.

So true :)

What a satisfying Christmas treat -- thank you!

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