white christmas.

[Millicent McTavish]

@Ruth Lockhart

Millie had just made it through the reception line and finally entered the ballroom. It was quite lovely in its decoration -- very festive, Millie thought. Perhaps it was the snowfall they'd had, but even Millie had found the Christmas spirit and affixed a sprig of holly into her hair. Her grandmother had accompanied her as chaperone, and they'd barely entered the room when they'd been stopped by some ancient acquaintance of her grandmother. Millie was of course introduced, and the conversation proceeded as if she was not present.

Pulling out her fan, Millie half heartedly fanned herself. It was too flimsy to be of much use anyway, as it doubled as a dance card that her grandmother had already begun to complain about being woefully blank. Millie surveyed the crowd of people, noticing several familiar faces before landing on one in particular. A broad grin lit up Millie's face when she saw Rue Lockhart. Millie hadn't seen her in what seemed like ages. Excusing herself from her grandmother and indicating that she was going to speak to a friend, Millie made her way through the crowd. Luckily, Millie arrived just as the person Rue had been speaking to excused themselves. "Mrs. Lockhart," Millie smiled to her friend, "I am surprised to see you. I had begun to think that Magnus had locked you away and tossed out the key!"

  

[Ruth Lockhart]

Rue could never quite tell if these quidditch functions were a pleasant walk down memory lane for Lock, or a slap in the fact that he'd given it up. That wasn't something she'd dare ask, so she was just going to have to hope it was the former. Thankfully, Aoife, bless her, had a dress for her to borrow. While she was not a fan of getting dressed up, this one was at the very least, a pretty blue and not too frilly. She wore the jewelry from her wedding as it was really the only nice stuff she had and her long auburn waves were tucked neatly at the base of her neck. It certainly wasn't Luce's work, though the blonde hadn't made a comment about it either, but it would do for tonight.

Her best friend was missing in action for the moment, but her fiance was hovering nearby and Rue made sure to greet Wesley before he got away. He really was a good guy and Rue was immensely happy for Luce, though the circumstances surrounding their postponed wedding were altogether wearing Rue thin. Everything had been all set! To have to redo some of it was a bit of a nightmare, not that she would every say as much to Lucinda for fear she'd get her head bitten off.

After a couple of moments assuring Mr. Cavanaugh that their Christmas Day nuptials would go off without a hitch this time, Rue waved him onto another enthusiastic guest, just in time to turn and find an old friend headed her way. Rue very nearly spat out the sip of wine she'd just taken when Millie called Lock by his given name. She never, ever heard anybody but his father call him by his full first name and even his siblings called him 'Mag', which she wasn't used to either. She couldn't quite contain the chuckle that did escape, but she hoped Millie would connect it with her own statement. "No, not quite." She smiled. "It's more Margaery that keeps me in the house." But she certainly would never complain about that.

"How have you been? It's been so long!" Millie was right about that!