Mini Fest

Fest 2021: Mini-Fest Reveals!

mini_fest_mod — Sat, 08 Jan 2022 01:20:08 GMT

mini_fest
2021 Masterlist & Reveals

Thank you to those of you who joined us for Round 13 of mini_fest!

The holiday and seasonal love is so appreciated! Thank you to the creators who supported the fest once again by sharing your works ~ you were few, but you were fantastic! And thank you to those who read, commented, and/or recced!

ART:

digthewriter drew This Holiday, Be Mine. [Neville/Charlie; G]
Summary: No party is complete w/out a little bit of tongue action and getting together.

sugareey drew I Still Have You [Dean/Seamus; G]
Summary: It's usually during moments like this where Dean and Seamus are glad they've stuck by each other's side, even after everything they've been through.

PODFIC:

blue_dreaming recorded Not Just Ornamental [Severus/Remus; 3:29; G]
Summary: Despite an absence of conventional decorations, Severus' Christmas is still perfect.

FIC:

rosevalleynb wrote Fred's Christmas Wish [Angelina Johnson/Graham Montague, Fred Weasely; 1541; PG]
Summary: OoTP AU - There was no way in the world that it was Angelina in the arms of that knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing Graham Montague.

articcat621 wrote A Christmas Confession [Severus/Hermione; 505; T]
Summary: Hermione and Severus go for a walk after leaving the Christmas party.

goddess47 wrote Mystery Dinner [Harry/Severus; 610; PG]
Summary: Severus leaned over to Harry and asked softly, "What is it?"

mothwing wrote If only in my dreams [Minerva/Severus; 1393; G]
Summary: It has been thirty years, but as a familiar scent brings back sudden and unbidden memories, Minerva finds herself grieving for a past she believed gone.

ANONYMOUS FEST ROUND-UP

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 06:27:03 GMT

ART:

This Holiday, Be Mine. [Neville/Charlie; G]
Summary: No party is complete w/out a little bit of tongue action and getting together.

I Still Have You [Dean/Seamus; G]
Summary: It's usually during moments like this where Dean and Seamus are glad they've stuck by each other's side, even after everything they've been through.

PODFIC:

Not Just Ornamental [Severus/Remus; 3:29; G]
Summary: Despite an absence of conventional decorations, Severus' Christmas is still perfect.

FIC:

Fred's Christmas Wish [Angelina Johnson/Graham Montague, Fred Weasely; 1541; PG]
Summary: OoTP AU - There was no way in the world that it was Angelina in the arms of that knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing Graham Montague.

A Christmas Confession [Severus/Hermione; 505; T]
Summary: Hermione and Severus go for a walk after leaving the Christmas party.

Mystery Dinner [Harry/Severus; 610; PG]
Summary: Severus leaned over to Harry and asked softly, "What is it?"

If only in my dreams [Minerva/Severus; 1393; G]
Summary: It has been thirty years, but as a familiar scent brings back sudden and unbidden memories, Minerva finds herself grieving for a past she believed gone.

Reveals will be posted on 01/07/2022

ART: I Still Have You (Dean/Seamus - G)

mini_fest_mod — Fri, 31 Dec 2021 08:06:02 GMT

Title: I Still Have You
Author/Artist: ???
Pairing(s): Dean/Seamus
Prompt: mulled wine (2009) and December is the sweetest month (2016)
Art Medium: Digital
Rating: G
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: I've been wanting to draw these two together for ages, and this was a perfect reason to do that! Their fancy dress was a lot of fun to create, and this whole piece reminded me why I love Dean and Seamus so much. I would definitely like to draw much more of them in the future. Have a happy new year, ya'll! Cheers, and enjoy!
Summary: It's usually during moments like this where Dean and Seamus are glad they've stuck by each other's side, even after everything they've been through.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/36085441

FIC: If only in my dreams (Minerva/Severus | 1393 words | G)

mini_fest_mod — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 05:40:41 GMT

Title: If only in my dreams
Author/Artist: ???
Pairing: Minerva McGonagall/Severus Snape
Prompt: "Christmas eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams"
Word Count: 1393
Rating: G
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: Merry Christmas! Stay healthy, everyone. Thank you, dearest beta.
Summary: It has been thirty years, but as a familiar scent brings back sudden and unbidden memories, Minerva finds herself grieving for a past she believed gone.

AO3 Link

FIC: Mystery Dinner (Harry/Severus | 610 words | PG)

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 22:10:07 GMT

Title: Mystery Dinner
Author/Artist: ???
Pairing(s): Harry Potter/Severus Snape
Prompt: Unusual Christmas Meal
Word Count: 610
Rating: PG
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: Many thanks to the mods for running this fest again!
Summary: Severus leaned over to Harry and asked softly, "What is it?"

AO3 Link: Fic on AO3

FIC: A Christmas Confession (Severus/Hermione | 505 words | T)

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 28 Dec 2021 01:04:34 GMT

Title: A Christmas Confession
Author/Artist: ???
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Hermione Granger
Prompt: Severus confesses his romantic feelings on Christmas
Word Count/Art Medium: 505 words
Rating: Teen
Contains (Highlight to view): *None.
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: Thank you to my beta for looking this over.
Summary: Hermione and Severus go for a walk after leaving the Christmas party.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35795704

ART: This Holiday, Be Mine. (Neville/Charlie - G)

mini_fest_mod — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 21:46:24 GMT

Title: This Holiday, Be Mine.
Author/Artist: ???
Pairing(s): Neville/Charlie
Prompt: Holiday Kiss
Word Count/Art Medium: DIGITAL
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters do not belong to me. If they did they would be more gay and trans. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Summary: No party is complete w/out a little bit of tongue action and getting together.

AO3 Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35853358

FIC: Fred's Christmas Wish (Angelina/Graham | 1541 words | PG)

mini_fest_mod — Sun, 26 Dec 2021 02:47:25 GMT

Title: Fred's Christmas Wish
Author: ???
Pairing(s): Angelina Johnson/Graham Montague, Fred Weasely
Prompt: my own
Word Count: 1541
Rating: PG
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: Happy Holidays and a fabulous 2022!
Summary: OoTP AU - There was no way in the world that it was Angelina in the arms of that knuckle-dragging, mouth breathing Graham Montague.
AO3 Link: AO3

PODFIC: Not Just Ornamental (Severus/Remus | 3:29 min | G)

mini_fest_mod — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 22:14:42 GMT

Title: Not Just Ornamental
Author: bethbethbeth
Narrator: ???
Pairing(s): Severus Snape/Remus Lupin
Word Count/Art Medium: 527 words/03:29 min
Rating: G
Contains: no warnings
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 so much to bethbethbeth for having a permission statement!
Summary: Despite an absence of conventional decorations, Severus' Christmas is still perfect.

AO3 Link (story): Not Just Ornamental
AO3 Link (podfic): [podfic] Not Just Ornamental by Beth H (bethbethbeth)

Posting Begins Today!

mini_fest_mod — Fri, 24 Dec 2021 21:38:38 GMT

Our 2021 round of mini_fest starts today, December 24!

Thank you to everyone who is joining us for another year of sharing holiday spirit through fic and art!!

Please watch the mini_fest community and our AO3 collection for works between now and Dec 31! Hopefully we'll continue our tradition of having a little something for everyone!

I hope you will enjoy the festivities and please take a moment to leave some love in the form of comments/kudos if you find something you enjoy!

♥ THANK YOU! ♥

Mini Fest Check-in and Info!

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 07:52:00 GMT

Thank you everyone who has expressed interest in this year's fest! And especially those who have already submitted your works to the fest collection!

As stated on our previous post, we'll have a small fest again this year, but mini_fest has been running for many years, so I'm very excited that we still have people who want to take part in this mini event!

Here are the basics for mini_fest 2021:

• This is our 13th run of the fest!

• Posting will be on both LJ and AO3.

• The fest will be anonymous + mod posting.

• We will cross post any weekly roundups and fest masterlists to DW and tumblr.

If you'd still like to join us, please comment HERE! We'd love to have you and will work out a fair deadline for you to join us!

The minimum word count is only 500 words and we happily accept all art (pencil, painting, digital, etc.), handmade crafts (holiday ornaments, dolls, cake decorating, etc), podfic, fanmixes, and more! If there's something you'd like to create, we'd love to have you join us!

Posting:

Submission headers will be posted anonymously on LJ, by mini_fest_mod with reveals occurring in the New Year.

We plan to post to both LJ and AO3. We've set up an AO3 collection for the fest. You can submit your fics to the collection and they will be marked as anonymous and unrevealed until the mods post them for you! If you need help posting to AO3, please let us know!

Our 2021 AO3 collection can be found here:
2021 MINI FEST AO3 COLLECTION
(please add mini_fest_mod as a co-creator)

There is also our Mini Fest Archive Collection. Please feel free to add any older works created for any previous years of the fest:
MINI FEST ARCHIVE

Submission Info:

Here are a few things that will make your mod's job easier as they receive your submissions:

- Please send your submissions to: hpminifest at gmail dot com

- Include your name in the email subject as well as 'FIC' or 'ART'.

- Include your header in the body of the email as well as in your document if you send one.

- If it's okay for the mod to post your fic on LJ as well, please attach a document and include an lj-cut tag in your story.
The lj-cut text should be "The Title of your Fic". < lj-cut text="FIC TITLE" >

- If you send a doc, please check the formatting of your fic to ensure there are manual line breaks between paragraphs.

- Include all other other html coding that is needed. You may want to test post your submission in a private entry to your journal before submitting to be sure that the coding is correct.

- Artists, as this is an anon fest, please do not sign your art until after the fest has ended. If you'd like us to provide a fest watermark for you, we are happy to do so!

- The fic/art header appears below.

If you need a beta you can check with hp_betas or hp_betas_wanted. If you have done so, and are still having a problem finding someone to look over your story, please let the mods know.

Thank you very much to all who have supported the fest! We are looking forward to another celebrating the holidays with you again this year!

Still accepting prompt submissions!

mini_fest_mod — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 19:00:00 GMT

PROMPTING POST

mini_fest is accepting prompt submissions
through Sunday, December 5!

Mini Fest 2021: Links & Info

mini_fest_mod — Sat, 04 Dec 2021 12:32:48 GMT

mini_fest is a prompt based, anonymous holiday fest celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, traditional Yule, Winter Solstice, or any other winter holiday celebrations.

Timeline:
Prompting: December 1-5
Signups open: December 1
Last day to send your work: December 20 (but the earlier the better)
Posting Start: TBD depending on number of submissions

2021 Links:
Prompting Post
Signup for the fest!
First Call for Interest 2021

Other helpful links:
2021 AO3 Collection
Mini Fest Archive Collection (for all years 2010-2018)
Mini Fest on Tumblr
Mini Fest on Dreamwidth
Submission Guidelines
Grab a promo banner!

Questions? Contact the Mods at hpminifest@gmail.com

2021 Sign-Ups are NOW OPEN!

mini_fest_mod — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 20:00:32 GMT

2021
mini_fest Holiday Sign Ups
NOW OPEN!

- AVAILABLE PROMPTS:
Submit your prompts for 2021!
2020 Prompts
Prompt Spreadsheet (prompts from 2009-2019)
Photo Prompts: (Warning: Some images may be NSFW)
+ photo prompts 3 (2016-2019)
+ photo prompts 2 (2012-2015)
+ photo prompts 1 (2010-2011)

- Prompts are available for use by multiple participants.

- You may create something for your own prompt.

- If you don't see a prompt that you like, you come up with your own idea or inspiration.

- You do not have to have an LJ to sign up. You may also comment here to sign up using open ID or comment anonymously and fill in your info using the form below.

- You are allowed and encouraged to claim as many prompts and submit as many creations as your muse and time allows.

- All submissions must have a theme of any holiday held during December. This includes but is not limited to Christmas, Hanukkah, traditional Yule, Winter Solstice celebrations, or New Years.

- Last day to send your work is December 20 (but the earlier the better).

- Submissions are anonymous and mod posting

- Entries are to be emailed to HPMINIFEST@GMAIL.COM.

- You may also post to our HP MINI FEST 2021 AO3 Collection

- The minimum word count is only 500 words and there is no maximum.

- If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the mods at HPMINIFEST@GMAIL.COM.

- Please comment here using the following form to register your interest in the fest:

(Comments are screened)

Thank you!

Participants:

[Unknown LJ tag]

Mini Fest 2021 - Prompt Submissions!

mini_fest_mod — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 19:50:32 GMT

It's mini_fest prompting time!

Art by shadowycat, used with permission. <3

This year we welcome unlimited prompts per person! Please go wild and share your holiday and/or New Years prompts!

Remember, there are many different ways to prompt! Feel free to leave full prompts/scenarios, random words/keywords, picture prompts, song lyrics, etc in the comments!

(The mods ask that you please do not change your subject line when prompting. Thank you!)

We will compile prompts and have the new prompts from this year as well as the lists from past years available for your inspiration!

Prompting starts NOW and will close on December 5!

Thank you and Have fun!

Call for Interest: Mini Fest 2021

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 07:51:43 GMT

Art used with permission. <3

I've had a few people ask about mini_fest for 2021, and I've once again crawled out of my hiatus to try and offer a very small version of our fest this year and keep the tradition going.

As last year, I'm not expecting a large turn-out, but if you'd like to send us some prompts or submissions we can have another MINI mini-fest this year.

We will follow the same basic fest rules again with a modified posting schedule depending on how many submissions we receive.

(We won't be able to post every day in December, but depending on how many signups/submissions we have will determine how posting works)

Tentative Timeline:
Prompting: December 1-5
Signups open: December 1
Last day to send your work: December 20 (but the earlier the better)
Posting Start: TBD depending on number of submissions

Again, it'll likely be a smaller fest this year, but if you can spread the word and send us any holiday ficlets or art, we can continue the tradition of of our low stress holiday mini-fest!

Give a shout in comments and answer the questions below if you're interested in joining us for a 2021 mini_fest!

Name?
Are you interested in prompting for mini_fest?
Are you interested in creating for mini_fest? (fic, art, something else?)
Would you be interested if mini-fest was run through a discord server?
On what platform(s) would you prefer to follow mini-fest?

Fest 2020: Mini-Fest Reveals!

mini_fest_mod — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 22:01:34 GMT

mini_fest
2020 Masterlist & Reveals

Thank you to everyone for making Round 12 of mini_fest a success! As always, you were fantastic with all the holiday and seasonal love! Thank you to all the authors and artists who supported the fest once again by creating! And thank you so much to those who read, commented, and recced!

PODFIC

• A shop sign | Read by: BLUEDREAMING | [Harry/Draco, G]

ART

• Holiday AU [Sirius/Remus, G] by digthewriter
An AU featuring a soft!Remus. Kind of inspired by a twitter post I saw regarding "hard lines" for men and society telling you how to create your men and women in art.

• Christmas Sleepover [Harry, Teddy, G] by enchanted_jae
Teddy is excited to spend the hols with Harry.

• An Evening Like No Other [Pansy/Ginny, G] by digthewriter
Pansy loves a fancy dress function. But she loves even more the way that dress fits on her long time girlfriend. As the night goes on, Pansy can't keep her eyes off Ginny.

• Teach Me How to Love [Percy/Oliver, PG-13] by sugareey
If staying at Hogwarts for the holidays meant having an empty dormitory room all to themselves, Percy and Oliver were completely fine with that. That just meant having more time to touch, tease and caress each other without any interruptions.

FIC

• The Ethical Treatment Of Mistletoe [Harry/Hermione, PG] by unbroken_halo
The holidays come to the Ministry, and Harry and Hermione get caught up in the decor.

• Festive Mood [Amelia/Molly, PG] by paulamcg
At Christmas 1987, Amelia appreciates feminine grace.

• Comfort and Tidings of Joy [Harry/Snape, R] by Goddess47
"Potter, what are you doing lying on the floor?" Severus asked, sounding pained.

• Dance With A Twist [Parvati/Harry, PG] by lightofdaye
Harry ponders why Parvati went to the Yule Ball with him and comes to a realisation.

• Unexpected Cheer [Luna/Blaise, G] by Katie_Flint
Luna finds an unexpected surprise at the end of a floating cookie trail.

• Unexpected Visitor [Hermione/Neville, PG-13] articcat621
A brief moment under the mistletoe leads to a new discovery.

• Guessing Working on Christmas wasn't so Bad [Lily Luna/Cormac, NC-17] by vitruvian8008
Rather than taking the day off, Lily Luna Potter decides to work on Christmas before spending the evening alone. When her boss, Cormac McLaggen, shows up on her door upset over a memo she had sent, despite his explicit instructions not to work that day, her night takes a completely different turn.

• A Non-Christmas Non-Romance [Minerva/Snape, PG-13] kelly_chambliss
Severus Snape doesn't do Christmas. And he certainly doesn't do romance.

Fest 2020: Anonymous Masterlist

mini_fest_mod — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 18:50:22 GMT

Thank you again to all the wonderful authors and artists that joined in again this year and made mini_fest a success! All the entries have been amazing and we couldn't have asked for better participants! THANK YOU!

Please enjoy the anonymous list of works and please take a moment to leave your love and appreciation! ♥ Reveals are scheduled to go up on the 7th/8th January!

PODFIC

• A shop sign | Read by: BLUEDREAMING | Harry/Draco, G

ART

• Holiday AU [Sirius/Remus, G]
An AU featuring a soft!Remus. Kind of inspired by a twitter post I saw regarding "hard lines" for men and society telling you how to create your men and women in art.

• Christmas Sleepover [Harry, Teddy, G]
Teddy is excited to spend the hols with Harry.

• An Evening Like No Other [Pansy/Ginny, G]
Pansy loves a fancy dress function. But she loves even more the way that dress fits on her long time girlfriend. As the night goes on, Pansy can't keep her eyes off Ginny.

• Teach Me How to Love [Percy/Oliver, PG-13]
If staying at Hogwarts for the holidays meant having an empty dormitory room all to themselves, Percy and Oliver were completely fine with that. That just meant having more time to touch, tease and caress each other without any interruptions.

FIC

• The Ethical Treatment Of Mistletoe [Harry/Hermione, PG]
The holidays come to the Ministry, and Harry and Hermione get caught up in the decor.

• Festive Mood [Amelia/Molly, PG]
At Christmas 1987, Amelia appreciates feminine grace.

• Comfort and Tidings of Joy [Harry/Snape, R]
"Potter, what are you doing lying on the floor?" Severus asked, sounding pained.

• Dance With A Twist [Parvati/Harry, PG]
Harry ponders why Parvati went to the Yule Ball with him and comes to a realisation.

• Unexpected Cheer [Luna/Blaise, G]
Luna finds an unexpected surprise at the end of a floating cookie trail.

• Unexpected Visitor [Hermione/Neville, PG-13]
A brief moment under the mistletoe leads to a new discovery.

• Guessing Working on Christmas wasn't so Bad [Lily Luna/Cormac, NC-17]
Rather than taking the day off, Lily Luna Potter decides to work on Christmas before spending the evening alone. When her boss, Cormac McLaggen, shows up on her door upset over a memo she had sent, despite his explicit instructions not to work that day, her night takes a completely different turn.

• A Non-Christmas Non-Romance [Minerva/Snape, PG-13]
Severus Snape doesn't do Christmas. And he certainly doesn't do romance.

ART: Teach Me How to Love (Percy/Oliver - PG-13)

mini_fest_mod — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 06:28:51 GMT

Title: Teach Me How to Love
Author/Artist: sugareey
Pairing(s): Percy/Oliver
Prompt: 2016 prompt: Percy/Oliver - The year that all the Weasleys stay at Hogwarts, Oliver does too, having Percy and Oliver alone in their dorm room for the entire Christmas holidays.
Art Medium: Digital
Rating: PG-13
Contains: Sweet fluffiness
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: Title inspired by one of Shawn Mendes' newest songs, "Teach Me How To Love". Head!canon had me thinking they actually ended up staying at school during their 7th year too (not just 5th year in 1991), because there's no point of wasting opportunities with a Head Boy and Quidditch Captain. ;) Here's to the end of a year and start of a new one. Cheers, and enjoy!
Summary: If staying at Hogwarts for the holidays meant having an empty dormitory room all to themselves, Percy and Oliver were completely fine with that. That just meant having more time to touch, tease and caress each other without any interruptions.

SEE ON AO3

FIC: A Non-Christmas Non-Romance (Minerva/Severus | 870 | PG-13)

mini_fest_mod — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 22:40:51 GMT

Title: A Non-Christmas Non-Romance
Author: kellychambliss
Pairing: Minerva McGonagall/Severus Snape
Prompt: "a quiet Christmas"
Word Count: ~870
Rating: PG-13
Contains (Highlight to view): *A bit of drinking, a bit of snark.*
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 B for the beta and thanks to the patient and gracious mods. mini_fest was one of the first fests I ever wrote for, back in 2009, and I'm so glad it's still giving us holiday cheer. Happy Winter Celebration (whatever it is) to you all!
Summary: Severus Snape doesn't do Christmas. And he certainly doesn't do romance.

READ ON AO3

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Severus Snape doesn't do Christmas. And he certainly doesn't do romance.

Yet every Christmas night, he finds himself sitting beside Minerva McGonagall's fire, light glinting off the cut crystal glass in his hand. Gin and tonic with lemon is his usual. Minerva sits opposite him, her glass filled with single-malt firewhisky.

The smell of peat mingles not unpleasantly with the scent of juniper, and both mix well with the ginger biscuits and almond cake that rest on a low table within easy reach.

He and Minerva sit and read, saying little; both of them welcome the chance to lose themselves in books that they never have time to read during the drudgery of term.

But this is not "doing Christmas." This is just co-workers spending a few relaxing moments together after the ghastly experience that is the Hogwarts Christmas dinner. After two hours of forced "cheer" in the Great Hall, enduring the ignominy of wearing a ridiculous bonnet from the silly crackers that Albus insists on pulling, one requires some peace and quiet.

Minerva's rooms are much warmer than Severus's dungeon quarters, which don't take well to heating charms. That's why he sits with her instead of in solitude. It's not about Christmas.

Her rooms are also more soothing than his own. He was surprised the first time he entered them. When she had first invited him for Christmas drinks, he'd almost made an acerbic comment about how no doubt her décor would be a depressing riot of Gryffindor red and gold where he'd need to fear being smothered by tartan hangings. He's certainly expected twee knickknacks and doilies and whatever other detritus single old women surrounded themselves with.

Luckily, he'd curbed his tongue, because he turned out to be quite, quite wrong. He's glad he resisted the temptation to sneer -- not because of any scruples against insulting one's few friends, of course. Not at all. But only because Minerva would never have let him hear the end of it.

He pauses in his reading to glance around. True, she does have a tartan-covered wing chair, but the colors are subdued, fitting well with her overall scheme of soft blues and greens. No knickknacks could have found shelf-room among all her books, and there isn't a doily in sight. It's restful.

Minerva notices his movement and looks up from her own book. "Another G and T?" she asks.

"Soon," he replies. "But sadly, there's not enough gin in Scotland to make up for the horrors of Christmas in a boarding school. With crackers."

She snorts and looks pointedly at the laden cake plates and the crackling fire and the green-and-silver-wrapped package that sits under her glowing Christmas tree.

"Oh, yes, one can see just how terribly you're tortured."

Severus snorts in return and takes a ginger biscuit.

This is not "doing Christmas." This is simply sustenance.

He finishes his drink and moves to her sideboard to make another. He and Minerva don't stand on ceremony after all these years; he's free to help himself.

Instead of returning to his chair, he goes to sit beside her on the sofa, sliding an arm around her shoulders. She closes her book and leans into him.

Traditionally on Christmas Day, they take each other to bed. But it's certainly not about romance. It's about mutual convenience. And comfort, of which there is little enough in a world ruled by madmen. Convenience and a bit of comfort. That's all. Not romance.

He kisses her neck.

After a few minutes, she murmurs, "Accio present," and the green-and-silver box floats over to them. "For you," she says simply. No greetings-of-the-season or whatever; she knows he doesn't do Christmas.

A quick flick of his wand brings a shrunken red-and-gold package from his robe's inner pocket. Cancelling the shrinking charm, he hands the resulting heavy rectangle to Minerva with a brusque "Here. It's a book."

He gives her a book every year, as she does to him. No sentimental presents, because Severus doesn't do romance. He's not even really doing Christmas; books are necessities, not gifts.

He's lucky that Minerva doesn't do romance, either, although there's no denying that she does do Christmas. But she's made clear to him that she's not looking for emotional commitment or sexual exclusivity. Just convenience. Comfort.

They open their presents and say automatic "thank yous" and sit silently for a few minutes, enjoying the tactile pleasure of their new books and slowly making them familiar.

Eventually they nod off, arms around each other, and when Severus opens his eyes again, the fire has burned low in the grate. Minerva is warm against him, and he kisses her awake. Without speaking, they move to her bedroom.

She lights the candles with silent magic; they illuminate the mantel, fragrant with evergreen boughs, and the inviting bed.

Severus pulls Minerva to him and buries his hands in her loosened hair.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Half an hour later, they lie side-by-side under the pillowy duvet.

"Happy Christmas, Severus," Minerva says, her lips quirking.

He doesn't answer; he doesn't do Christmas.

Turning on his side, he spoons behind her and wraps an arm around her waist.

For warmth. It's a cold night.

And he doesn't do romance.

FIC: Guessing Working on Christmas wasn't so Bad (Lily Luna/Cormac | 3416 | NC-17)

mini_fest_mod — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:59:40 GMT

Title: Guessing Working on Christmas wasn't so Bad
Author/Artist: vitruvian8008
Pairing(s): Lily Luna/Cormac
Prompt: Expecting to spend the holiday (of your choice) alone, person A is surprised by a knock on his/her door.
Word Count/Art Medium: 3416
Rating: NC-17
Contains (Highlight to view): **
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: This is for the 2020 Mini Fest.
This was written for the following prompt: Expecting to spend the holiday (of your choice) alone, person A is surprised by a knock on his/her door.
Hope you all enjoy!
Summary: Rather than taking the day off, Lily Luna Potter decides to work on Christmas before spending the evening alone. When her boss, Cormac McLaggen, shows up on her door upset over a memo she had sent, despite his explicit instructions not to work that day, her night takes a completely different turn.

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Lily let out a frustrated sigh as she set her quill on the desk. It was Christmas Day, and she was the only one in the office; granted, this was by choice, and quite frankly, she was glad to be alone. With all the grandkids grown up and starting families of their own, there no longer was a massive Weasley gathering at the Burrow. Her parents were off vacationing in Thailand, and while her Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione had invited Lily to their house for a small dinner, she wasn’t in the mood.

Less than 2 years out of Hogwarts, Lily was heavily focused on her career. She worked in the Department of International Relations. Despite being relatively new, Lily was an ambitious hard worker who desired to quickly rise up the ranks. Being Harry Potter’s daughter definitely had its perks, but she wanted to make a name for herself. She had managed to get a position under Cormac McLaggen, who was rumored to be next in line to head the department.

This all came at a sacrifice, however. While she still went out with friends, she wasn’t a party animal by any means, and outside of one or two dates had not been in a relationship. There were times like this where she questioned whether it was all worth sacrificing her personal and social life for her career, but she was quickly reminded that she had only just turned twenty and had the rest of her life ahead of her.

Lily glanced up at the clock and saw that it was five PM. She still had a little bit of work and a few memos to send out. As she tried not to think about the lonely evening ahead of her, it suddenly hit her that there was a little bit of leftover wine from the office party a few days ago.

“It’s not like anyone will realize it’s gone,” she thought to herself.

As she was about to use her wand to wave over the wine and goblet, she decided instead to get up and get it herself. After all, she could use a small break and her legs were stiff from sitting for so long. She made her way over to grab a glass along with the wine.

She quickly finished a glass and continued with whatever paperwork that she was trying to finish. One glass soon became two and before she knew it, she was quite tipsy. She cleared her paperwork off the desk so as to not spill any wine on it. She was about to send the bottle to the trash, but realized that she was too drunk to do so. As she got up from her chair, she felt the floor go in circles and had to grab onto her desk to steady herself.

“Luckily no one is here,” she thought to herself foggily.

She glanced up at the clock and realized it was seven PM

She slowly wobbled to the trash can and back using her desk and then wall for support. Before heading out, she realized that there was still a memo she needed to send to her boss. She quickly scribbled it down and sent it with the office owl. She then grabbed some Floo powder and stumbled to the fireplace before slurring, “Lily’s Apartment.”

“Shit, I must have drunk more than I thought.”

While not possessing a super high tolerance, Lily prided herself on not being a complete lightweight. After stumbling into her apartment, she made it to the kitchen to get herself a glass of water. Lily quickly drank a glass to calm herself while turning on the television to see what was there. She browsed through various channels before she felt confident enough to change into her pajamas.

As she sat back down on the couch, she heard a knock on her door. She immediately reached for her wand, as she was not expecting any visitors.

“Who is it?” she asked, trying to sound confident.

“It’s me Cormac.”

She was surprised as Cormac had never really contacted her outside of work, let alone visited her apartment. Plus, she thought she detected a tone of anger in his voice.

She blushed as she felt a small wave of arousal pass through her as she thought of other things he could command her to do in that tone.

“Bloody alcohol,” she thought to herself. Little did she realize that this was nothing compared to what was to come.

She gathered herself best she could, hoping her foggy thoughts would not embarrass her in front of her boss. She opened the door and had to hold her breath.

He was all dressed up as if he was coming from a formal event. He was wearing a well-tailored navy blue suit with a matching blue tie and a gray shirt underneath that fit him perfectly. A wave of desire raced through her body as she took in his appearance. Lily had always found him to be attractive, but it was only now did she realize how good-looking he was. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe it was how he was dressed. Or maybe it was both.

“Please don’t say anything stupid,” she thought to herself.

“What is the meaning of this?” he asked, holding up the memo she had sent to him earlier.

“It was an idea I”

“I know what it is. I can read after all. Why did you send it? I thought I had made it clear that you were to not work today.”

“I know, but I had some ideas and couldn’t resist. Plus, I didn’t”

“Are you drunk?”

“What?” replied Lily, not sure if she was irate at his repeated interruptions or his insinuation that she was drunk.

“Honey, your cheeks are absolutely flushed and you can barely stand up straight.”

It was only then did Lily realize that he was staring at her intently, his eyes roving over her body. She looked down at herself and realized that she was dressed the opposite of him. She was wearing a large nightshirt that went all the way down to her thighs covering her shorts. While normally she would be a bit unnerved that her boss was checking out her legs, the alcohol had loosened her up and she even felt a surge of her Gryffindor courage.

“Don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

“Don’t you? After all doesn’t your massive family all gather up somewhere?”

“Not anymore, plus I decided to skip this year.”

“Hence your attire.”

“And you look dressed up like you’re going to an event.”

“Well I was at a Christmas Ball before I was rudely interrupted by an owl from a drunk employee.”
“I’m not drunk. I’ll prove it to you by standing without leaning against the wall.”

Poor Lily had underestimated her abilities because as soon as she removed her hand from the wall she stumbled forward before Cormac grabbed her.

Electricity raced through her body as she tingled where Cormac was holding her. Her cheeks flushed as she felt his breath on her face. He smelled of something really nice, probably some expensive perfume he had worn. She looked up at him and realized how close they were, his lips inches from hers.

“Mmm, you smell so nice.”

“Shit, I said that out loud.”

Lily only had two options out of this predicament she was in. Option one was basically not happening given her current state and Gryffindor courage, so she moved to option 2.

Figuring she couldn’t embarrass herself anymore, she gathered all her courage, lifted her face up and kissed him.

“I can just pass this off as being super tipsy, and hopefully he forgets this ever happened.”

Initially stunned, he quickly responded with equal fervor. Her lips slid across his before he soon took over the kiss. His tongue traced across her lips prodding for entry. Lily responded by sucking gently on his lower lip before finally allowing entry into her mouth. His hands found her waist running up and down her back while she wrapped her arms around his neck. Just as she became fully lost in the pleasure, she remembered that her door was still open.

Her cheeks were flushed when she pulled her lips away from his.

“The door.” she whispered meekly.

Realization hit Cormac before he shut the door and pinned her against it crashing his mouth to hers. Lily closed her eyes and clutched his shoulders with both hands as she responded to his kiss. She had only kissed three boys before but they were nothing like this. He expertly nibbled on her lips before pushing his tongue between her soft lips.

He moved her right hand from his shoulder and pinned it against the door while his right arm found her bum squeezing it. She moaned into his mouth as she felt his length rock against her core through their clothes.

She frowned as his lips left hers. She was now worried about what would come next. Should she lead him to the bedroom? Was he going to take her against the door? Were they even going to shag? Not to mention the lingering thought that he was her freaking boss who was snogging her against her door.

His lips made their way to her neck nibbling on her pale skin.

“Lily,” he moaned into her neck.

She knew that there would probably be a price to pay, but as Cormac continued licking and kissing across her neck, she realized she didn't care.

She yelped when he suddenly grabbed her hips and yanked her shorts and knickers down.

Before she could even retort, his mouth was back on hers. His arms caressed her bum while he sent waves of pleasure through her body with his mouth. His right arm soon snaked around her thighs to the front touching her inner thigh sending ripples through her body. She bucked her hips higher telling him where she wanted him to touch her.

“Impatient, aren’t we,” he whispered against her lips.

Her skin felt on fire as Cormac’s fingers slowly made their way up her thighs.

Any other time, this would have been when Lily would have put a stop to it. After all it was still early enough where she could go to Aunt Hermione’s house. But when Cormac’s fingers finally touched her soaked entrance, she knew that this was the only way to end a stressful week.
Wanting to touch him she quickly started undressing him. She had no experience with doing this, and wished she had her wand on her to just strip him of his clothes. She could feel him chuckle against her lips as she struggled removing his tie.

“Bloody hell, why is this so difficult!”

She was a bit worried as she didn’t want to come off as inexperienced to Cormac. Lily wasn’t sure what was worse, actually shagging her boss or coming off as inexperienced to him. Luckily removing his shirt was far easier, and she shucked his clothes to the floor.

She caught her breath and took in his figure. Despite his age, his chest was toned and his abs were fit.

“Like what you see?”

She showed her pleasure by moving in for another kiss. Lily’s body ached with want as she wanted to devour all of him. She wrapped both hands around his head moving his lips downward to the slope of her neck as he finally inserted a finger into her. A sharp bite at the juncture where her neck and shoulder met along with the combination of his fingers sent her to the edge, but just as she was about to reach completion, he stopped moving his finger. She bucked her hips and moved her fingers down to his to bring her to completion but he grabbed her wrist.

He silenced whatever she was about to say by dragging her to the kitchen counter and bending her over it. He spread her thighs, and she blushed when she realized that she was completely wide open on display for him.

She could feel his soft trousers against her naked arse, but was getting worried when she couldn’t hear the unbuckling of his belt or the unzipping of his trousers.

All worries went out of her mind when she felt him lick across her clit. Lily let out a yelp and stopped being able to think straight as he licked and licked. His mouth was everywhere, lapping up her taste as he kneeled behind her. This was only the second time a guy had gone down on her, and it was so much better than the first. Her body was on fire as Cormac licked ferociously bringing her to edge before slowing down much to her frustration. Lily waved her arms wildly before finally grabbing the edge of the counter tightly.

“Oh yes,” she moaned.

“Cormac please.”

She felt her legs start to weaken and give out, but Cormac grasped her thighs holding them firmly in place. She started moaning incoherent words as she was lost in the bliss Cormac was inducing.
Lily screamed with pleasure as he ate up her release. She rested her head on the counter breathing heavily.

“Now it’s my turn,” he whispered into her ear before moving his lips down to her neck.
He teased his length against her entrance before finally entering her warmth. Lily, who was still recovering from the first orgasm, was overwhelmed by the sensations. He rocked in and out while his thighs slapped against her naked arse.

Unlike earlier, he didn’t tease her this time and increased the speed of their coupling. She vigorously rubbed her chest against the flat countertop in rhythm with her hips.

“Oh yes, Cormac!”

“So tight.”

He was thrusting into her with an animalistic intensity she never would have expected from her boss. The same man who managed to not lose control with belligerent foreign diplomats was now pumping maddeningly in and out of her.

She saw stars in her eyes and felt a wave of pleasure completely wash over her. He soon followed grunting as he came inside of her. After a few minutes she felt him get off her, and finally turned around.

He brought his lips to hers kissing her deeply. Wetness started pooling up again as his arm slid under her shirt cupping her breast.

“Let’s remove this shall we?” he murmured against her mouth.

He took off her shirt, and her nipples hardened at being exposed to the air.

“Like what you see?” copying him from earlier.

He responded by pinching a nipple causing her to yelp.

Lily knew for a fact that she was too drunk on alcohol and lust to be able to navigate her apartment. Luckily, her apartment was clean and small, so Cormac had no problem leading her towards the bedroom.

He placed her on the bed and moved on top of her.

“This can get out of the way,” said Cormac as he threw her sheets on the floor.

“Hey, you better buy me new sheets.”

“Consider that your bonus.”

“That better not be my only bonus.”

“I think we have better things to do than argue about your bonus.”

To prove his point he moved his right hand across her stomach to her breast and moulded her flesh with his calloused hands. Lily moaned when he squeezed the flesh before exploring her other breast with his hands.

He kissed down her neck and the valley between her breasts down to her stomach. He nibbled across her stomach sending jolts of pleasure through Lily.

“Higher, Cormac.”

She grabbed his head with her heads trying to inch it upwards. He licked up the valley between her heaving breasts before locking eyes with her. He gave her a quick kiss before finally taking her nipple into his mouth.

Lily sighed with pleasure as his talented mouth licked and sucked on her breast.

“Yes, yes!”

He was in no hurry, patiently lavishing her nipple with attention. With each suckle, Lily arched more into the bed thrusting her breast further into his mouth. He soon moved to the other side and treated the mound with equal attention. Pretty soon both her nipples were achingly hard. He brought his head back up before flipping them around such that she was now on top of him.
He had a boyish look on his face as he took in the red-headed beauty that was straddling him. A thought went through her mind that this was her boss and what she was doing was highly unprofessional; however, they had already come this far, so stopping now would be useless.
Lily bent down to kiss him, tracing his lips with her tongue probing for entry while his hands played with her hair.

“Cormac,” she moaned as his length grazed against her entrance.

Lily was completely aroused and didn’t have the patience for his teasing. She palmed his chest and finally sank onto him.

“Oh god,” she moaned, and from his grunting, she could tell that he was feeling the same way.
His arms reached up to play with her breasts. Lily continued slowly riding him enjoying herself while she pressed her palms deeper into his chest. She was in a dream-like state never wanting to wake up as she writhed on top of him. They soon fell into a rhythm with him pinching and pulling at her nipples while she bounced up and down on his length.

“You ready, darling?”

Lily could only moan as he increased his pace thrusting in and out of her. His hands grabbed her hips tightly as she wriggled atop him.

Lily opened her eyes, and saw that he was enjoying this as much as she was.

“Bloody hell,” grunted Cormac.

Lily couldn’t help but feel proud of the effect she was having on her boss. He was an experienced wizard who had probably shagged countless witches, yet it was her that was doing this to him right now.

For the third time in the last hour, Lily came moaning his name. She wasn’t sure if she would ever feel anything like the sensations she had felt in the last hour. She felt Cormac ride her wave of pleasure as he came inside of her.

They both didn’t move other than their heavy breathing. Unsure of what to do next, Lily just breathed heavily, but was saved when he brought her head down to kiss her. As she enjoyed the relaxing feeling, Lily realized that Cormac was still inside of her. She stiffened a bit, and Cormac looked up at her. She took the opportunity to roll off him though a small part of her just wanted to ride him as many times as she could that night. And forever if she was going to be honest.

As she laid on her side catching her breath, she finally grasped the full gravity of the situation. She had just slept with her boss. Work was going to be so awkward now. Lily was pissed at herself. While she was ambitious, she didn’t want to be known as someone who slept their way up.

Plus there was the immediate question of what to do right now. Did he expect to spend the night with her? Did he want to continue this in the future? She was further unnerved by his silence.
He answered the first question by getting off the bed. Lily was ashamed to admit that she felt a tinge of sadness that he hadn’t at least asked to spend the night let alone cuddle. After the passionate sex they just had, it would have been nice to be enveloped by his chiseled body.

She turned to face him, grabbing at bed sheets to cover herself.

“You’re going to cover yourself after that?”

Leave it to her boss to question her no matter the situation.

“Ummm, the Floo powder is over there, and I’ll see you at work on Monday,” Lily mumbled trying to avoid eye contact.

She hoped that this would be a one-time thing that both would pretend to have never happened.

He stared at her with a look that unnerved her and said, “I’ll see you then, and we pretend this never happened.”

Lily’s cousins always told her not to take her work seriously and have more fun. Turns out working on Christmas had led to the most fun yet awkward situation she had ever had.

ART: An Evening Like No Other (Pansy/Ginny | G)

mini_fest_mod — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 05:59:04 GMT

Title: An Evening Like No Other
Author/Artist: digthewriter
Pairing(s): Pansy/Ginny
Prompt: SELF
Word Count/Art Medium: Digital Gif
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine. No profit is being made.
Notes: Thanks to PhenomenalAsterisk & thestarryknight for their help w/ the title & summary.
Summary: Pansy loves a fancy dress function. But she loves even more the way that dress fits on her long time girlfriend. As the night goes on, Pansy can't keep her eyes off Ginny.

Preview:

(An Evening Like No Other)

FIC: Unexpected Visitor (Hermione/Neville | 841 | PG-13)

mini_fest_mod — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 05:05:13 GMT

Title: Unexpected Visitor
Author/Artist: articcat621
Pairing(s): Hermione Granger/Neville Longbottom
Prompt: Expecting to spend the holiday alone, person A is surprised by a knock on their door.
Word Count: 841 words
Rating: T
Contains (Highlight to view): *Post-Hogwarts, Mild Language*
Disclaimer: Harry Potter characters are the propert y of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.
Notes: Thank you to my beta for looking this over.
Summary: A brief moment under the mistletoe leads to a new discovery.

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Hermione opened a bottle of Pinot Grigio, pouring some into a glass before leaning back into her sofa to get comfy.

Closing her eyes, she thought about the encounter that she experienced earlier while at the Hog’s Head with the other Hogwarts' professors…

“Having a good time?” Neville asked, coming up next to Hermione.

“Oh, yes,” she said, sipping at her Butterbeer. “It’s nice to see everyone relaxed and enjoying themselves. Are you?”

“Yeah, I am,” Neville said, grinning. “Looks like you’re almost in need of a refill? Shall we head to the bar?”

“Sure,” Hermione said, finishing her Butterbeer and following Neville towards the front. “Oh,” she said, eyes widening as she felt a wave of magic wash over them. Looking up, she saw a small sprig of mistletoe. “Um, Neville?”

“Hmm?” he asked, pausing. He followed Hermione’s pointed gaze and looked upwards. “Oh, that’s mistletoe.”

“Yeah, it is,” she cleared her throat.

Neville turned to face her, placing his hand on her hips. He wasted no time in pulling her close and pressing a kiss to her lips. He lingered for a few seconds, his grip on her waist tightening slightly.

When he moved away, Hermione was surprised and slightly breathless.

“Let’s go get those drinks,” Neville said, grinning before turning around.

Panicking, Hermione turn and fled, the emotions swirling within her too much to handle at that moment.

But Neville… he was her co-worker… Her friend. Never once had he given any inkling that he had feelings for her.

So, instead of addressing what she had felt after kissing him, she had disappeared into the crowd and headed home. She had turned down the invite to the Burrow as things were still awkward between her and Ron since their break-up, despite it being amicable.

Suddenly, a loud knock startled her out of her thoughts. Putting her wine glass down, Hermione headed to the door. She wasn’t sure who could be ringing on Christmas Eve, but she opened the door curiously. Her jaw dropped in surprise when she saw Neville standing there.

“Neville?” she asked in disbelief. “What are you doing here?” Had he noticed she left the party and came to find her?

“Can I come in?” he asked, looking at her nervously as he shifted on his feet. It was cold out, and the wind was blowing roughly.

“Of course.” She stepped aside and let him in. “Why are you here?” she asked again as she closed the door behind him.

Neville looked at her carefully. “I… Well, I didn’t want you to be alone for Christmas.”

Hermione was surprised by his response. “What?” she asked quietly.

“I noticed you weren't at the Hog’s Head shortly after we kissed, and I knew you weren't staying at the castle, and I remembered you mentioning that you weren't going to the Burrow either, so I figured I'd find you here.” He reached up and scratched the back of his neck nervously. “Plus, I know you felt something when we kissed… I know I did."

“You felt something?" she asked, hope swelling in her chest.

Neville nodded nervously. "I did. I'll admit I panicked slightly, like you obviously did, but not because I was upset. We've known each other for years, and we've been close friends. I was terrified about losing you if I said something. But then, I realised, I'd be more upset if I always wondered what if…"

Hermione understood what he was saying. "I feel the same way."

“Hermione that kiss... It ignited something in me, Hermione, something that I desperately want more of." He took a small step towards her. “I… I thought of you being home alone for Christmas, and I didn't want that for you. So, I thought, instead of us both being alone tonight, we could be together?” He looked at her hopefully.

Hermione looked at him sympathetically. "Oh, Neville, I forgot this would be your first Christmas without your Gran." Her heart ached for him. "I… Are you sure?"

“Never been more sure of anything," he told her confidently. "I want you, Hermione, and I want to see where this goes."

“I don’t want to be alone tonight,” she admitted softly, taking a step towards him and closing the distance between them. “And I felt something during the kiss, too, Neville.”

He grinned, gently taking her into his arms. “Why don’t we order some take-out and grab another glass so I can have some wine, too? I'm in the mood for pizza, if you are. Or we could do Thai.””

“Pizza sounds great…” She licked her lips. “Will you stay the night?” she asked, looking at him. “You can sleep on the sofa, if you want, I’m not trying to pressure you or anything.”

Neville laughed, cracking a small smile. “I’ll sleep on the sofa, unless you change your mind,” he added boldly, grinning at her confidently.

“We'll see," Hermione said, laughing.

Leaning in, Neville kissed her gently. Hermione responded eagerly, both of them excited to see where things would take them.

FIC: Unexpected Cheer (Luna, Blaise | 941 | G)

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 05:36:00 GMT

Title: Unexpected Cheer
Author/Artist: Katie_Flint
Pairing(s): Luna Lovegood, Blaise Zabini
Prompt: After the war, a lot of Slytherins end up having to stay at Hogwarts over the holidays. Luna decides it's her job to spread some holiday cheer amongst those who aren't so cheerful.
Word Count/Art Medium: 941
Rating: G
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: It's been a while since I've written anything, and I think this fic can certainly attest to that fact if you can manage your way through it. I just couldn't let this minifest season go by without contributing something. And hey, at the end of the day I'm happy I made it. I hope it can spark some joy in even just one person.
Summary: Luna finds an unexpected surprise at the end of a floating cookie trail.

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Truffles and figgy puddings floated down the halls, disappearing round the corner. Luna watched them with delight, the tinted candlelight dancing across her pale face; coloring her cheeks with holiday cheer. Gliding along beside the procession of sweet treats Luna mused to herself with great curiosity, pondering just what or who could be performing such a silly spell.

Surely it wasn’t the moonmice or the overly festive but troublesome peppermintmaned pixie... both of these creatures she would’ve seen carrying the treats away on their backs with a gleeful grin and a jovial skip in their step. Underneath these particular sweets however was nothing, nothing at all. It seemed it might just be a mischievous witch or wizard at work, but if there was a chance it could be a hoard of reclusive and invisible butterscotch spirits, Luna felt it was her utmost duty to investigate.

Mind tuned to a quest for answers and the potential encounter with mythical creatures, Luna paid no heed to the other students watching her. Most everyone knew who she was, particularly after the battle, but in many ways things had stayed the same between others and Luna. They still found her quite kooky, though in a much kinder way than before, and they still kept their distance from her; particularly when she was off in search of the unknown and the invisible. Luna knew this, and while she had no intention of changing her ways, she appreciated the effort people made at least appreciate her oddities. A small conversation here and there, a genuine smile or wave, the occasion words of encouragement. Most of them probably still didn’t really believe her, but their interest was nice all the same.

It wasn’t long before the people began to fade away, each new corner offering fewer and fewer curious gazes. Had she been paying attention, to more apparent observables that is, she might have noticed her trail of mystery sweets was leading her ever closer to the practically desolate dungeons. The once vibrant and couth hangout of the Slytherins.

While most Slytherin students still chose to return to Hogwarts this year, it seemed as though they never ventured much further than their rooms if they could help it. Even the holiday spirit had done little to lure them from their self imposed confines.

Luna paused briefly as the sweet treat trail slipped underneath a particular door. This hardly phased Luna, who saw fit to let herself into the room. She would’ve been equally as inclined to ignore the people in this room as she was in the hallway, except for the fact that the trail led her right to one of them.

“Er, hello?” the boy looked down at her from his seat on the bed. He was, despite his current position, noticeably taller than she.

“So, no butterscotch spirits then,” Luna sighed resolute, “That’s a terrible shame. You’re sure there isn’t a moonmouse behind your ear?”

“Um, no,” the boy answered, somehow more perplexed by this strange girl who had entered his room without invitation.

“Mm, I suppose I should leave then,” Luna tapped one of the sweets floating by.

“...You don’t have to… If you don’t want to.”

Luna looked at the boy for what seemed to be the very first time, assessing him with a soft but introspective gaze. The look lasted for too long, and the boy was almost beginning to regret offering her the opportunity, “-Alright,” Luna agreed suddenly, floating onto the bed beside the boy, “You’re Blaise, I already know; but I don’t know if you’re aware I’m Luna.”

“Your character precedes your name, at least amongst Slytherins,” Blaise nibbled on a freshly delivered tart.

Luna hummed softly, watching as the sweets neatly piled themselves atop the duvet. It was a delicate but simple charm, one that seemed to suit the student in front of her. He was obviously beautiful, even with his deeply melancholy gaze. Even as unhappy as he clearly was, things still had to remain orderly and perfect.

“It’s not entirely fair is it?” Luna hummed again, bopping a floating pastry, “Feeling out of place. I’ve felt that way all my life, but I imagine it must be quite hard for someone like yourself. It will get easier with time, to some degree, but I suspect you’ll find a way to integrate yourself back in. You don’t seem like you belong out of sorts. And that usually has a way of righting itself.”

“Perhaps,” Blaise mulled over her words between chews, “But I don’t really know if I want to go back.”

Luna remained silent, which Blaise seemed to take as an opportunity to elaborate, “It's just… It all seems like a dream. The years spent pretending everything was alright, the secrecy and the lies… If I insert myself again, I go back to all of that. I just know I will. But if I do nothing… It can stay this way. I can just… Be.”

A small smile graced Luna’s lips as she finally selected a particularly delightful looking truffle from the cavalcade of treats, “... I think these were a particularly excellent choice.”

And for the first time that evening, Luna noticed, Blaise smiled too.

He may not have been as exciting as an encounter with a peppermintmaned pixie, but Luna didn’t regret following the trail of crumbles he had left. Maybe he didn’t realize it just now, but Blaise was looking for a friend and Luna was, she could proudly say, an excellent friend.

These things she could sense would come in good time, but for now, it was enough to share in this sweet fest together.

ART: Christmas Sleepover (Harry, Teddy | G)

mini_fest_mod — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 05:35:53 GMT

Title: Christmas Sleepover
Artist: enchanted_jae
Pairing(s): Harry, Teddy
Prompt: It’s Christmas, and the first time Teddy is spending the night at Harry’s (he’s 4) by Aristi
Art Medium: MS Paint
Rating: G
Contains (Highlight to view): *Stick art*
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: Happy holidays, everyone!
Summary: Teddy is excited to spend the hols with Harry.

SEE ON AO3