What Child is This

[Nathaniel Gallivan]

• Christmas.
  
  It was the first time both of his children had been present for more than a day since September had seen them depart for school, and Nathaniel was grateful for it. The house was far, far from the same without even Cecily to occupy it; while he would never begrudge a mature environment, nor declare that his daughter made the house something of a circus, there was something about having a child present that made the Wellingtonshire dwelling feel more like home to him, a fact that Thaniel had never truly appreciated until both of his children had left for school. The house elves, staff, and even his wife all brought about a very different atmosphere, one that had taken the wizard some time to adjust to, and one that he was still not quite certain he preferred.
  
  But that atmosphere would not last forever, nor would the house remain without children for long. Of course, neither Theodore nor Cecily were aware that their stepmother was with childùand had been for some monthsùnor that there would likely be a squalling infant in the house when they returned for summer holidays. Much as he might have liked to put it off, howeverùwhile he knew Cecily would likely be thrilled, he was aware that Theodore was less than ecstatic about his remarrying to begin withùNathaniel knew that surprising them with an infant would be far more aggressive than surprising them with a pregnancy, and so the matter would need to be handled whilst the present Gallivan children were home for the Christmas season.
  
  Whose idea it had been to tell them on Christmas itself, however, he could not recall.
  
  The morning had gone by swimmingly, each child distracted by his or her own pile of gifts. For Theodore, who had recently joined his house quidditch team, came, among other things, a new broomstick (the same model Nathaniel had recently purchased for the Cannons). Cecily, having matured so much in so few months, had provided something of a challenge to her father, but in the end he had arranged for Veronica to acquire some particularly nice dresses for the girl, all in the latest style, in the addition to the usual trinkets he afforded her. On the whole, he believed his children quite satisfied with their giftsùif they were not, at any rate, they hid the fact well from their father.
  
  He had been distracted all morning, however, by the knowledge of what was to come, hesitant to bring it up during breakfast, or the opening of gifts, or the quiet afternoon period that was to follow. It was to be at dinner, he decided sometime in the afternoon, a fact left hanging over his head for much of the day.
  
  It was to be just the Gallivans that evening: while his sister and her family had intended to come for dinner, the peculiar weather that had plagued Hogsmeade over the past week prevented that plan from coming to fruition, a fact that Nathaniel was oddly glad about. After all, were the children to react badly to the news, it would be unfortunate enough to have to console Veronica without worrying about the impression such attitude would leave on company.
  
  Mentally, he shook his head. No, Nathaniel knew, he had to keep such pessimism out if he ever wanted to work up the nerve to tell them.
  
  God only knew how his children managed to work him into such a dither. He was never so antsy in business, nor in his limited interactions with the Hogsmeade society. Nathaniel sighed, audibly, before realizing that he had only drawn attention to himself at the dinner table.
  
  "I was simply expressing my...my disappointment that my dear sister could not join us today," he uttered quickly, avoiding the eyes of children and wife. The wizard smiled reassuringly, in efforts to shed off all suspicion.

  

[Cecily Gallivan]

Despite her sadeness for leaving Hogwarts, Cee couldn't help but feel glad that she was not one of those girls who were going to spend their holidays in the castle. It felt weird to return home after more than three months and she wanted to spend most of her time doing all the activities she used to do before Hogwarts. Cee tried to play with her dolls, several times, but it was not that interesting for her anymore. Dolls didn't seem as shiny and fun as before. After a painful hour of brushing their fake curls and dressing them up, Cee gave up on being childish and started reading one of her schoolbooks instead. She was not given a huge amount of homework, but Cee wanted to finish with it quickly, so she would spend her time with her family.

Finally, the day of Christmas came and Cecily felt more happy that usual. Last night she sent an owl to her dear friend Egeria Rivers with the hope that it would safely give her her Christmas present. The weather had been aweful for the very moment she returned home, that's why she didn't have the opportunity to play in the garden.

Cee spent her entire morning opening gifts from her parents, friends and other distant relatives. Father and Mrs. Veronica had given her a couple of beautiful, fashionable dress and a lot of hair accessories, socks and shoes. Although Cee was not entirely interested in fashion, she couldn't help but feel glad that she hadn't received dolls. All of the girls in Hogwarts were wearing beautiful clothes, well, at least the ones who could afford them. Cee knew that she was not old enough to wear dresses like the ones older students wore, but she still wanted to look good.

Wearing the prettiest dress of the ones she received, Cee entered in the dining room with a marvelous smile on her lips. Although it was going to be a small dinner between her, Theodore and her parents, Cecily was still happy. Her dearest aunt was supposed to attend as well, but, due to the bad weather she couldn't travel to their house. Cee was a little sadened that she couldn't attend, the young girl wanted to thank her for the nice books she gifted her.

Her father seemed especially depressed, though. Although Cee couldn't hide her happiness. When he gave them an explaintation, though, she smiled ligthly.

" I am sure we are going to have a wonderful time, Papa." she replied quietly, with a genuine smile on her lips.

tag : the gallivans | notes : here | outfit : here

  

[Guest]

.mandypost { font-size:12px; font-family:'Merriweather',serif; line-height:110%; text-align:justify; margin-top:15px; }.mandypost:first-letter { display:block; float:left; margin-top:3px; margin-right:3px; font-size:45px; font-family:'Fondamento',cursive; font-weight:bold; }Tag: GallivansOutfit: Christmas with the Gallivan's. As a growing and maturing boy Theodore knew the holidays were not just about the gifts he got. There's was more too them, then that and he supposed ever since his mother had died he'd lost that feeling of magic when Christmas came around anyways. This year however, was a little different. He felt a bit more excited now then he had at the last and as much as it pained him to admit it, it was mostly in lieu of the gift his father had got him. A new broomstick and oh no, not just any broomstick but one in the same as he knew without question that his father afforded for even the Cannons! It exhilarated Theodore to think that not only had he made the Quidditch team this year but that he would be riding around on the same type and model of broom that the pro's did. Man, was Declan gonna love this!! Who knows, maybe if he was feeling generous enough he might even let his good friend give it ago - as it stood however, Theodore remained quite content riding it all to himself. Whizzing around and around the Gallivan property, Theodores scarf was strung tightly around his throat and pulling back behind him on the wind as he whipped around the estate lot. Completely struck by delight with his gift, he'd spent the entire morning and most of the afternoon - at least after lunch and tea had been served - trying it out and getting a feel for the new broom. By now, he felt he had more than a good handle on it, he felt downright professional and as he swooped down from the air to the doorstep below, he couldn't help but smirk as he landed on two feet with his broom in his hand. He would certainly be of a great help to the Ravenclaw's this year!Trudging into the house, Theodore tried to knock the better part of snow from his boots and leaned the broomstick against the wall before handing off his coat, hat and scarf to the house elf to hang up. He'd promised his father that he wouldn't be late for the start of evening meal and since the head of the household had afterall been the one to buy him such an awesome gift - Theodore fully intended on getting their promptly, perhaps even early..."Back inside now father!" He called, rushing up the stairs in a hurry. He still had to comb his hair and change out of his outside clothes into his holiday suit after all. Thankfully, aside from rose pink chinks from the fresh kiss of cold still riding his cheeks, Theodore had managed to stay relatively clean and it only took him a few minutes to get completely ready before he was bounding back downstairs. In fact, Theodore was in such a good mood that he'd even been downright friendly and respectable to Veronica the entire day. Even going as far as pulling out her chair for her when they all came together to sit down for their meal. Having worked up an appetite from his broom riding earlier that day, Theodore had already finished his first plate and was going through the second when the topic of their aunt missing dinner came up. For a moment, the comment made Theodore pause, or perhaps rather, the sigh itself had made the young wizard stop. Sharp, Ravenclaw eyes flicking to his father wearily as the explanation for it came to pass but somehow didn't sit right in his stomach. It was understandable to be disappointed not to see his sister but studying his father quietly, something just made him believe that there was more to it than just that. "...I'm certain she'll come for a visit first thing in the New year, father." He added to his sisters comment with a half hearted nod. Eyes fixed on his father for longer than was necessary, Theodore didn't bother hiding the quizzical expression of his brow as they furrowed together in a sort of unspoken query. Eventually Theodore turned his focus away and settled it on his sister with a smile, "How did your dresses fit, Cee? I bet all the girls at Hogwart's are going to be jealous when you walk in wearing those." He smirked, glimpsing back to his father and away. TEMPLATE coded by EMILY

  

[Guest]

The halls were decked and the fire lit. Table was beautifully laid out, the dinner divine, and there was a tinge of expectation in the air. Cecily looked absolutely lovely and Theodore slightly rumpled. Nathaniel, Veronica noted, was his usual handsome self û except on occasion, when he thought nobody was paying attention, looked as though he'd swallowed a box full of lemons. Not that she could entirely blame him, however. There was no guarantee that she wasn't guilty of giving the same impression.

It had started innocently enough. Veronica had awoken that morning feeling strangely exuberant. She and Nathaniel had decided û when or even why she couldn't remember û to tell the children today. At Christmas. A mere flicker of doubt had assailed her as the maid dressed her hair. Was it the best time? It was certainly convenient. The family was at home for the holidays, everything was cheery and bright and the children would be plied with gifts beforehand. What better time could there be? In any event, Nathaniel knew best. He knew his children; she would follow his example and all would be well. With that reasoning in mind, Veronica had slowly relinquished her doubts and turned back to her routine.

Breakfast came and went and there was no announcement. Veronica was calm and unperturbed. There was a whole day ahead of them. Everything would be fine. The children had yet to open their gifts; Christmas was for the children to enjoy. She had smiled indulgently as they'd opened their presents, her hand resting absently on the curve of her stomach. Another twinge of doubt as she watched the children thanking their father. They were such a darling family. She suddenly felt as though the news would be ill received. There were times that Veronica felt removed from them all; although a Gallivan in name, sometimes she felt like an intruder in the household. She was still becoming accustomed to her role as wife and mother and now this.

Veronica brushed away as much of doubts as she could when the children turned to thank her.

By tea time she was a wreck. However Veronica had become more accustomed to her changes in temperament and was increasingly able to better compose herself. She smiled and conversed and poured the tea with only the barest hint of trembling in her hands. She wanted nothing more than to confront Nathaniel and reassure herself that he would indeed broach the subject soon. The could hardly keep the secret for much longer; although she hadn't entirely grown out of her gowns just yet, there was a fullness to her slender figure that could not be denied. Even the strategic drape of a shawl was becoming less effective at masking the secret.

Dinner was announced soon enough and Veronica contented herself with her cutlery. As she delicately sipped her pumpkin juice, Veronica rather wondered if it was really necessary to tell the children at all. Surely between the two of them they could come up with a rational explanation for the presence of an infant in the house! Nothing more than a magical accident. A charm gone wrong, perhaps? At the sheer absurdity of the thought she suppressed a nervous smile. In case her subdued hysterics had been noticed by anyone at the table, Veronica cleared her throat and returned her attention to her plate.

She needn't have bothered with her indiscrete emotional displays because Nathaniel suddenly sighed and Veronica whipped her head up to look at him. Her breath caught in her throat û

And nothing. Cecily and Theodore were there to save the day with polite conversation. Veronica took another sip of her juice to settle the butterflies. It was going to be a long evening.

  

[Nathaniel Gallivan]

• Absently, Nathaniel nodded at his son's comment. His son, his only sonùfor how long? There was no way to judge just what it was Veronica was carrying (other than, of course, a child), but how would Theodore react to no longer being the only Gallivan son? Or, worse still, how would Cecily respond to no longer being the baby of the family, no longer the angelic little girl doted upon at every occasion? Nathaniel had noticed his daughter spending less time with dolls this holiday than she had in the summer months; what if the joys of caring for something small had completely worn off and become a tedious activity for her?
  
  For all that it was his duty to broach the subject, the wizard half hoped his wife would blurt out the news before he had a chance to. "She was planning to move to the village in the new year, so I should expect to see plenty more of her," Thaniel added so as not to fail miserably at the art of conversation. It seemed a needless enough act: his spawn, it seemed, did not share his communication deficits, and chattered between themselves as they oft did.
  
  A glance at his wife was all that the wizard needed to assure him he was not alone in his anxiety.
  
  And enough to assure him that she would not be speaking up any time soon to spare him the ordeal.
  
  So much for that vain hope.
  
  Draining what wine remained in his goblet in the hopes of accumulating some courageùhe was a Hufflepuff, after all, not a Gryffindor!ùNathaniel stood, taking advantage of his unruly height. With any luck, this would be imposing enough for his children to rein in their tempers should they take the news badlyùthey will not take the news badly!ùthough the half-pained expression on his face was certainly enough to undo whatever advantages his height might have given him. It was now or never.
  
  He cleared his throat.
  
  "Cecily's new dresses do make her look the young ladyùand that is what she is now, no longer the baby of the family, but a young lady in her own right." Well, that much had come easily enough, though he could not help but imagine how panicked his eyes must look. "But that means the place of baby in the family must be filled, and your step-mother has been kind enough to provide in that respect."
  
  It was, perhaps, the most awkward way he might have gone about announcing it, and Nathaniel found even himself wondering what had just passed through his lips.

  

[Cecily Gallivan]

Theodore's comment made her blush. She couldn't believe that this dress looked that good on her. It was so weird, how much she had changed in less that a year. During the previous Christmas Holidays, her dresses were childish and girly and she didn't actually pick them herself. Cee had often asked her house elf for advice in order to pick her dress for the day. And, tonight, she was dressed in an expensive dress, with a much more feminine colour and shape, although it was still knee-lenght like her previous dresses.

" The dress is perfect." Cee assured with a genuine smile and then, she modestly added. " I still have to wear my school robes most of the time, though." Cee reminded Theodore and then took a sip from her glass of pumpkin juice. Truth to be told, Cee wanted to keep most of these dresses for more special occassions. During the weekends she and her friends did homework or just walked around the castle so Cee found no reason of wearing such a fancy dress. Cee, though, had to admit to herself that she wouldn't mind wearing all of those dresses. Everyone liked to look beautiful and, Cee was a girl.

Her father's words made her blush more than usual and she just stared at her plate. He believed that she grew up? It was so weird to hear this from his mouth. Cecily often feared that her concidered her a baby, despite the fact that she was now a Hogwarts student. She had also heard her classmates talk about their parents. Many other fathers were too overprotective over their daughters. Cee was glad that her father was not like them. So, she gathered her courage and raised her head slightly, just to hear the end of his words.

Cee needed some time to understand what he meant. Someone to replace her? But, if Cee was not the youngest anymore then that meant that... Cecily suddenly turned her eyes to Veronica and her smile grew wider. She had no idea what to say, she had no idea which were the right words. The only obvious thing was that she was happy. " Ohhh, papa, this is... amazing!" Cecily exclaimed and then added, turning at her brother. " You should now teach my how to be a good older sister."

tag : The Gallivans | notes : here | outfit :here

  

[Guest]

.mandypost { font-size:12px; font-family:'Merriweather',serif; line-height:110%; text-align:justify; margin-top:15px; }.mandypost:first-letter { display:block; float:left; margin-top:3px; margin-right:3px; font-size:45px; font-family:'Fondamento',cursive; font-weight:bold; }Tag: GallivansOutfit: Christmas with the Gallivan's. Theodore understood now what that sigh had really been about. That story about his aunt had just been a cover for his thoughts about the real 'announcement' he'd just made. It made Theo sit stone cold and still, his ears slowly turning red as the anger inside him began to well up and brew. What was his father thinking?! He had two children already, a good number in Theodore's mind and a boy and a girl each. Why on EARTH Nathaniel would want to father another with this ..this...wanna-be wife was beyond him! Shooting Cee a harsh look from beside him, Theodore scowled and snapped rather unkindly. "Perhaps your not so grown up after all Cee, if you can't for one second show loyalty to your OWN mother. Perhaps you and your naivety on the matter should go back to playing with dolls after all." It was downright mean and the moment he finished saying it he did feel a twinge of guilt, though he did not apologize for it. Hardening his gaze onto Veronica for a moment, Theodore turned to his father and glared. "Are you really trying to suggest that we just up and celebrate over a baby that's not actually our sibling? Have you completely forgotten your wife, our mother? This baby isn't hers and it will never really belong in this family. Just like she won't." Theodore shot a glare over to Veronica. Completely disgusted with himself that he'd actually started to 'take' to her company. To be polite and give her a chance. It was obvious now that all she really wanted was to uproot this family and destroy it..."What, now that Cee's out of the house you need replacements for us is that it, father? You Forgot all about your first wife and now you're going to just dismiss us as well? Send us off to Hogwart's and create a new little Gallivan family?" TEMPLATE coded by EMILY

  

[Guest]

Veronica drew her napkin up and dabbed elegantly at the corner of her mouth. She listened to the jovial chatter of the children, apprehensions momentarily easing as the domestic familiarity overshadowed the deplorable state of her nerves. Theodore and Cecily seemed so relaxed, so at ease with one another and their father. She almost hated the idea of being responsible for breaking up that close familial bond. But the facts were that things were to change. Soon there would be another child in the house, her child û Veronica stole a glance at her husband as she lowered her hands û their child.

After gently returning her napkin to her lap, Veronica took up her fork once again although she didn't look at her food. Instead, she watched her husband. Waiting. She had never been a particularly patient person, particularly not in times of stress, but she knew that it was a necessary evil. It wasn't the sort of thing one blurted out unthinkingly. Nathaniel certainly seemed to be giving it plenty of thought. The expression on his face was almost amusing in its utter helplessness. Veronica felt a wave of guilt for leaving the declarations in his hands. Very capable hands nevertheless, but he was agonising over it, that much was certain.

He could have, she thought afterwards, have chosen a better method of phrasing his announcement.

Once the words were in the air, Veronica dropped all pretence of even having an appetite. She released the cutlery with a sharp, agonising sound; it was extraordinarily loud in the silent that had fallen at the pronouncement. Veronica waited with bated breath for the pin to drop. She focused her attention on the children, gaze moving slowly from Cecily to Theodore and then back again. It was Cecily who breached the waters first; she smiled at Veronica, genuinely smiled, and Veronica breathed again, briefly shutting her eyes in relief. Cecily, dear little Cecily, with her kind heart and youthful enthusiasm was happy with the news and it was more than Veronica could have hoped.

Her relieved happiness was short-lived. Theodore was livid, horribly angry; Veronica almost turned away at his hard glare. Her entire body tensed as the boy spoke. He was angry, of course he was, and he had every right to be. Veronica swallowed the lump in her throat and dropped her hands to her lap, twisting the napkin through her fingers as she listened and waited and tried to maintain her composure.

Theodore, she had once thought that they were getting along, little by little, that he had accepted her in some small way. On a purely intellectual level she understood his anger. He was just a child, a child who had lost his mother and Veronica felt wretched at the very thought of it. There had never been any guarantee that the children would take to her intrusion on their family, and her relationship with Theodore had been particularly fraught with tension, and she understood, she really did. But on a visceral emotional level, the young Mrs Gallivan û the second Mrs Gallivan û felt the personal sting. It wasn't her fault! She had made the best of her situation and tried so hard to be the wife Nathaniel needed and a friend to Theodore and Cecily. Not their mother, never their mother.

And now the young boy, the angry young boy, was drawing on every fear that Veronica had, vehemently throwing them into stark relief and it was all she could do to maintain her composure. Veronica bit her lip and looked at Nathaniel in askance. She didn't know what to say, how to react; she was frozen with indecision and fear and hurt and Theodore was yelling at his father, not her, thank goodness. Even now she didn't feel it would be appropriate to voice her feelings, didn't feel she had the right to do so because it wasn't her family and û

"Oh, Theodore," Veronica said suddenly, quite surprising herself at her audacity. "It's not like that at all! Your father loves you û and I love you even if you may not believe it û and the baby won't change any of that!"

  

[Nathaniel Gallivan]

• "If this child is not actually your sibling, Theodore, then I am not actually your father," Nathaniel spoke the words slowly, quietly. He could not yell. It would have been a lie for the wizard to say that he was surprised by Theodore's displeasure, but he had hopedùno, expectedùthat his son possessed the grace to at least be polite about his dissent. Veronica, bless her soul, was quick to reassure the boy. She was good in that respect, Thaniel knew, quick to try to reset the balance for all that the boy would not allow her to do so with any measure of ease. Theodore, however, was Nathaniel's duty, and so he could not afford to be as patient with the third year. "And in such a case, I am no longer obligated to feed, clothe, and school you. No longer obligated to buy you broomsticks, no longer obligated to place a roof above your head or a fire in your hearth. Nonetheless, son or not," he continued, looking Theodore dead in the eyes, "I will continue to do so anyways, because I love you, and that will not change."
  
  Theodore could be as thankless as he wished, as rebellious as he wished. Though his father and setp-mother might endeavour to change that, such a change could never happen if the boy did not allow itùbut if he wished to continue to act the ungrateful, "wronged" child, Thaniel was damn well not going to make such a role easy for his son to assume. In a show of solidarity, the lanky wizard moved to stand behind his wife, placing a protective hand on her shoulder.
  
  "I do not recall ever asking either of you to love Veronica as a mother, but at the very least I expect you offer her the respect she is due as my wife. She and I are very excited by this news, just as I was when your mother was pregnant the first time, the second. Is it truly too much to ask that you not sour this step forward?"

  

[Cecily Gallivan]

Cecily froze at the sudden change of Theodore's mood. She hated watching her brother being angry and, she was rather afraid of him, seeing that she was the reason of his anger. Well, not excactly she. It was Veronica and Father who made Theodore angry. Cecily was indeed young and naive, but she was surely not stupid and she was well aware of the fact that her brother disliked their step-mother, despite the fact that Veronica was always so kind to them. Did he really have to be so harsh to her? Other children were not even lucky enough to have such a good step-mother as Veronica! Poor Ada didn't even have one! Cee was sure that her brother would change his opinion of Veronica if he ever whitnessed what is like to have a truly evil step-mother.

She decided to not reply to her brother's words, it would only make the situation worse, besides, Veronica and Father were now speaking. Cecily was really envious of the courageous Gryffindors. A Gryffindor would surely find a response and try to protect her loved ones. Cee, on the other hand, stared at the plates in front of her, trying to breath slowly and calmly as she listened to the conversation which unfolded between Victoria, Theodore and her father. Oh, how much she wished to be a few years younger, so father could tell to one of the house elves to escort her to her room. If she was younger she wouldn't have to attend this horrible dinner. She felt ashamed of herself, for concidering herself old and mature. Some beautiful fabrics would never make her cleverer. Theodore was right, she was not grown enough. She was a baby, a miserable crying baby.

Cee held her breath when Father started talking. Her big, hazel eyes widened and she turned the to man, fearing that he would make his words true. Would father kick Theodore out of the house? Cee doubted that he would be that cruel, but she knew that father could always send her brother away, to aunt Elizabeth or their grandmother. This very thought brought a burning feeling to her eyes and she quickly looked down in order to hide the tears which started rolling down her face. With instant moves she tried to wipe the tears away, before Father or Veronica noticed. They had far more important things to worry about than her right now.

tag: cee. outfit: this. notes: this is the last template change i do >.>.

  

[Guest]

.mandypost { font-size:12px; font-family:'Merriweather',serif; line-height:110%; text-align:justify; margin-top:15px; }.mandypost:first-letter { display:block; float:left; margin-top:3px; margin-right:3px; font-size:45px; font-family:'Fondamento',cursive; font-weight:bold; }Tag: GallivansOutfit: Christmas with the Gallivan's. Theodore was very clearly, still mourning the loss of his own mother. It wasn't exactly something a person just up and got over easily, especially having lost her so young. He expected his father any idea what it was like, losing your mother and then so shortly after have up and replaced by someone new. In Theodore's eyes, it was a betrayal on Nathaniel's part - it wasn't even really Veronica's fault exactly but he couldn't find a way to express this without just coming across hostile or mad. Starring down Veronica across the time as his father threatened to kick him out and pretty much disown him, Theodore gave no outward reaction. He simply stared coolly at the woman before him, wishing beyond all things that she hadn't ever met his father or been brought into their family. They'd been happy once. He and his father had gotten along and Cee, well Cee was always just Cee. Sweet, adorable and kind of heart. Suddenly a little more aware of his sister beside him, Theodore dismissed his father and Veronica from his concentration and studied his sister in her seat. She looked outright terrified and horribly sad. Sad enough the Theodore could see she was about to cry and though moments before he'd probably been part of what caused her welling tears, right then he scolded himself and only wanted to wipe them away. Reaching under the table, Theodore took his little sisters hand in his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. Speaking very quietly to her, Theodore leaned in a little and whispered softly as he held her hand. "You're quite a lot more mature than I impled Cee, you really are. I didn't mean what I said about you, I was being a clothead to you, alright? I'm sorry, Cee... and I'll always big your big brother, no matter what happens, okay?" He reassured her, gently giving her hand another squeeze. He really was generally a good older brother and rather protecting of his younger sister. Waiting for his sisters response above and beyond anything else, Theodore leaned back upright in his chair and looked immediately to his father. His eyes full of the whirlwind emotions he was feeling that even Theodore wasn't sure he could make out sensibly. "Well then, father" He said the word as stiffly and unaffectionately as it possibly could be. "I wouldn't want to 'sour' your precious family moment any further. I've suddenly lost my appetite anyways so I'll just pardon myself..." He said gruffly, pushing his chair out from where he was sitting and tossed his napkin down over top of his plate. Not waiting for his father or Veronica's blessing for him to take leave like he normally would have, Theodore turned on his heal and walked out. Not running or storming like one might expect, just walking stiff shouldered out of the dining room and headed upstairs to pack. He had a feeling he was going back to Hogwart's earlier than the rest would be... TEMPLATE coded by EMILY

  

[Cecily Gallivan]

Her brother's words made her feel better. She knew deep inside her that he didn't mean to hurt her, that he was just too frustrated at the moment. Cecily knew her older brother well enough to know that when he was frustrated he acted before thinking. And despite the fact that she always admired him for being so brave and rather impulsive, unlike her, she knew that this would be a trouble for him in the future. Other people wouln't be as kind as father and Veronica.

For a moment she was sure that everything was going to be alright and that they would finish eating their dinner like a family. Like a happy family. Then, Theodore simply stood from his seat, excused himself and exited the room, which immediately made Cecily breath slower than usual. She turned her big worried eyes to her father, wondering if he was going to really disown Theodore and kick him out of the house. He wouldn't, would he? Cecily had never really seen her father angry. Frustrated and sad yes, but not angry. She certainly didn't want to see him angry in tonight.

When Cecily felt something small and wet strolling on her face she realised what was happening. She couldn't allow herself to cry in front of Veronica and Father, but she couldn't stop herself from doing so. She tried to bite her tongue several times, but it didn't help either. Instead, she felt a small amount of the metalic taste of blood in her mouth, which made her stop trying to stop her tears.

" Pardom me..." Sob. She wished that Father and Veronica didn't notice it. " I lost my apetite and I am terribly tired." Sob. Another sob. Cecily slowly stood from her seat looking at the ground while trying to exit the room without Veronica and Father noticing that she was crying. Then again, they were not stupid. As she exited the room she allowed her sobs escape her mouth as she run upstairs, towards her bedroom. Everyone in the Gallivan household could hear the young Gallivan cry.

tag: cee. outfit: this. notes: this is the last template change i do >.>.

  

[Nathaniel Gallivan]

• This entire discussion was going abysmally; Nathaniel watched, helplessly, as his daughter ducked to hide her tears and his son stormed off. As if imploring his wife to make things better, the wizard glanced in Veronica's direction but she, it seemed, was every bit as shocked by the children's behaviourùparticularly Theodore'sùas Thaniel himself. True, he had not expected it to go wonderfully, but the situation had exploded far beyond what he had ever thought might be possible.
  
  To think that Theodore was so threatened by the prospect of another child! Victoria was dead. It was not often that Nathaniel was so blunt with himself, but even this he realized. Why couldn't his son simply accept the matter, accept that life moved on? Had Thaniel himself failed as a father, that his boy had not properly grasped the concept of moving on after death? Or did the third year simply not care, simply wish to watch his father linger in an empty house far too large for him for the rest of his life? Either option was simply unkind, and Nathaniel rested his face in his hands as Cecily, too, excused herselfùthough far more politely than her brother had done.
  
  "Happy Christmas, I suppose," he muttered under his breath, uncertain whether his wife could hear him or not. Quietly, she too excused herself, leaving the man to wallow in his own failed excitement.