Nourishment PV Ruth Fairchild

Date: December 25th, Christmas Day

Christmas had always been a time built around family, at least such was the case in the Campbell household. So when Matthew finally received a response from his father his fingers tore into it with all the savagery of a feral beast. Soon, he would be back home in his fathers arms safe from the choices he had made and the person he would have to become. How wrong he could be.

Disappointment did not have a scale of measure big enough to measure how he felt. The bare bones response he got was so devoid of Patrick's warmth that he wanted to believe it was a forgery, but the handwriting was undeniable. Matthew was not to come home for the holidays, they were to be off somewhere on business and while sorry there was simply no option to change the timing. He was to be alone, again.

The slump that took hold of his being was all encompassing, his attention in class was minimal at best, he failed to engage with his friends in conversation and most nights sleep avoided him while the malevolence of his thoughts twisted each word of the letter to fit a different narrative. A story where Matthew had done something wrong, that they knew what he had signed away and could not bare to look at him, their love once unconditional now fractured forever. It was killing him slowly and Christmas day was most dreaded.

When all the students fled the hallowed halls of Hogwarts Matthew expected things to only get worse, expected to revel so thoroughly in the gloom that he didn't make it out of bed for the first few days. That was until he found that sliver of hope, a radiance to counter the dark and bring him that tiny dash of peace. Ruth Fairchild, prankster extraordinaire, kind as honey soothes, just a real gem. The world seemed to find colour again when she entered a room and despite his binds of melancholy the sight of her brought a smile to his face.

In no doubt that she too was likely suffering from the oh so familiar homesickness he had once tried to help remedy her from they had gotten chatting and before he knew it plans were being made. Christmas day would be their own personal day, he would bring the games and music, she would bring the crackers and hats. Despite the sadness of it, they would forgo the expectations of what Christmas was meant to be and discover what Christmas could be when shared with chosen family. For family always was more than blood alone.

Waking up that morning Matthew grabbed his record player with a selection of his favourite tunes sure to bring some familiarity to their meal. Then putting on an adorably festive knitted fox jumper over his pyjamas he shot out of the room with a feeling of vigour and excitement he hadn't known in weeks. Like something was truly to look forward to, like the miracle of Christmas could still be felt regardless of their ill fortune.

When he entered the hall he made himself comfortable away from other looming lost souls. From students intensely studying for OWLs and NEWTs, to those with nowhere else to go, it was always disheartening to see Christmas be warped so badly but at least perhaps the troublesome pair could stir up a little more joy in these darker times. Speaking with a house elf Matthew was of course disenfranchised that they did not get the day off but asked the poor worker if he could have his meal delayed until his friend appeared. When she did his eyes would grow larger, pupils dilating with the enthusiasm of her presence.

It may have not been the Christmas he expected, but perhaps it was the Christmas he needed. Maybe the one they both did.

"Hey Ruth, Merry Christmas!"

Interacting with @Ruth Fairchild