Finch Festivites Cade Darkbound

@Orla Finch

The Christmas holidays were one of the best times of the year, but it still came second to Halloween in this Ravenclaw's humble opinion. Cade was especially excited this year, though, because Caspian Finch had invited him over for the duration of winter break! Cade was quite pleased to be liked enough by Cass to be invited anywhere for that matter. It was a pleasant feeling. And he gladly accepted the invitation, eager to reintroduce himself into the Finch household. It had been absolute ages since he'd seen Mr. and Mrs. Finch. From what he could remember, they were both kind and compassionate individuals, strange to him by way of parenting. Cade had a feeling this Christmas holiday would be the best ever!

Cade had packed his trunk days before their departure, he liked to keep his belongings organized. And on the morning of, he made sure that everything was accounted for before dressing in an oversized emerald cable knit jumper. Completed the outfit with black jeans and grubby Chuck Taylors. Holding an unamused Bartles in one hand and lugging his trunk in the other, Cade met the Finches outside just Hogsmede Village, feeling somewhat strange and out of place not joining the crowd of students towards the train station. He was happy though to see his two friends waiting for him.

They took several trolleys to get to the 'birdhouse' --a name Cade had invented much to Caspian's chagrin-- and upon disembarking the last, Cade was flustered to know they had a bit of a hike ahead of them. The Ravenclaw walked beside Caspian, occasionally glanced behind to make sure Orla wasn't falling behind. He and Orla had agreed to pretend they weren't close during the trip over. It would have been smart on their part just to make sure Caspian didn't suspect another little prank coming his way. Cade didn't quite know what to expect. He'd known that Caspian and Orla lived somewhere in Perthshire but beyond that, he had no musings as to what their house might look like. He'd expected something in the village. A townhouse of sorts very much like his own. Or even something in the suburbs. But as they strayed away from the little town, Cade realized that fantasy was horribly wrong.

The snowy cobblestone path was somewhat treacherous against Cade's flat-soled sneakers, but he managed to keep up, skidding and sliding along. "You might have told me we'd be walking through snow," Cade would scowl in Caspian's direction. Cade's voice threatened displeasure, but the smile on his face would say otherwise. And it only grew when Caspian noted their close proximity to the birdhouse. The Ravenclaw was relieved. It was a bit cold out and he was growing tired of hefting his luggage over the road. And by the looks of things, Orla wasn't too pleased either.

They finally came over the top of a hill and Cade was immediately struck with his first look at the Finch household. A cozy wooden cottage with large lamplike windows stuck serenely atop fresh-fallen snow. Cade was reminded of what a scene would look like in a little snowglobe. Tall spruce furs dotted the landscape beyond. Cade was already eager to break out his sketchbook, perhaps start a few studies of landscape drawings. But Caspian hurdled himself down the hill using his trunk like a sled towards the front door.

Laughing, Cade would prepare to dive after him on his own trunk, gripping onto the small toad with cold hands. But at that moment, Orla called for aid and Cade turned his head towards her. "Does the baby Finch need a hand?" Cade rounded onto Orla, took in her pitiful expression. She looked tired. Nose worn raw from the cold, her blonde hair swept from the wind. Cade would heft her luggage, dumping Bartles into her mitts. "You take Bartles, I'll take care of this."

Though her jacket protected her from the unforgiving coldness, the wind still pierced through her. She swore the cold went all the way down to her bones. She hadn’t a clue in the world how she hadn’t dropped dead early from freezing to death! Still, despite her frozen fingers, her flushed cheeks, and her ice-cold nose, they were paces away from home, a relief that Orla was grateful to have. She’d missed home. She’d missed her mum and dad and the comforting smell of cardamom and cinnamon which wafted through the halls of the birdhouse. She’d missed the chaotic dinners with her parents and falling asleep too early on the couch only to be carried back to her room by a caring Louie. She missed it all.

But at the moment she missed the warmth she was lacking.

Orla’s teeth practically chattered as she trudged through the miserable snow. Caspian fled the scene via his trunk, to which Orla’s nose turned up. If she’d had a chunk of icy snow, she would’ve tossed it in his direction, had she not wished to keep her fingers intact and protected from frostbite. “Caspian Finch! You good for nothing–!” She shouted from irritation and the cold. He’d get a good slap on the back for abandoning her to die in the snow.

Thankfully, Cade turned back for her. With that horrible nickname in tow as well. “Cade!” Orla shouted, smacking him on the arm which fitted her scolding tone. “I am not a baby Finch! I am a very full sized Finch, got it?” It was very convincing. Not. She’d have to get used to the dreadful nickname. Caspian certainly thought it was funny, shown by the boy cackling as he picked his trunk up. “Come on you two! We haven’t got all day!” Caspian said, waving his arms wildly.

“We haven’t got all day…” Orla grumbled, mimicking her brother and sniffling. She offered her bag to Cade and held her mittened hands out for Bartles. “You must be freezing,” Orla murmured with a smile and a much more pleasant tone than she’d used towards the boys. “Let’s go…”

The pair continued up the hill and towards the Finch’s home, finally reuniting with Caspian and together the three made their way to the door. “Children!” Chirped Louie who hadn’t even let Orla knock on the door. “Come in! Come in! You must be freezing!” He said. Ruth stood opposite of him, a smile on her face. “Welcome home you lot.” She grinned, kissing and hugging her children as they entered. “And Cade! It’s so lovely to have you here over the break! Make yourself at home my boy!”

Inside was just as cozy as the outside, though significantly warmer. The home was not at all minimalist in any way. Ruth and Louie collected things and tastefully displayed them on walls and shelves and bookshelves in the house. Orla discarded her jacket, shaking off the cold– though she kept her mittens on for Bartles. “Was the journey tiring? It must have been… You all must be starving. Settle in and come to the kitchen for a meal when you’re ready!”

"Come on. Follow me," Orla said, holding out Bartles.