********************************************************************************This chapter is a more or less detailed description of what a wizard's Christmas might be like in Portugal. In 1962, when this story is supposed to take place, there was no tradition of Christmas trees and presents for the children were left in stockings and/or shoes left by the fireplace. Unlike in the USA, where the nativity scene is for looking at only, nativities are full of imagination and children are encouraged (adults too) to put anything they like in the scene. In one family nativity scene the kids had put in all their toys and it took up a huge space in the home! Nativity scenes are made out of almost any material from traditional wood to straw, clay to cloth; the list is endless. Enjoy!
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"Refrigeratus+!" Julia muttered, waving her wand precisely; the inside of the tent was now pleasantly cool instead of broiling. Bernardo sighed contentedly, pouring some ice cold water into glasses. "What a relief," he uttered. Rosa and Ollie slowly, almost drunkenly, entered the tent, padded over to the side of Lena's bed and plopped down.
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Julia took the proffered glass of water from Bernardo, and, after imbibing the cool beverage, she said, "That's better." She gazed fondly at her husband; he still had that wonderful luscious hair she loeved to get lost in. It had streaks of grey, to be sure, but it was still plentiful.
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'Sweet Merlin,' Bernardo thought as he regarded his wife, 'even with wrinkles around her eyes and strands of grey in her hair, she's more beautiful than ever.'
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Breaking the pleasant silence, Julia said, "Well, here goes--my memory of Christmas Eve 1962." Depositing her memory in the project-o-sieve, they sat down to watch, holding hands.
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(Julia's memory)
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Opening the door to her sons' room, Julia lit the lanterns and candles in the room with a wave of her hand. Her two sons woke up slowly blinking away the sleep from their eyes, then, smiled as they espied their mother. "Mama!" They both cried with delight.
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"Want to get up?" Julia smiled at her lads, then, proceeded to give them a little wash and change with the house elves' help.
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Leaving the boys in the care of the elves, Julia entered Lena's nursery next door. The baby was fast asleep under the watchful eye of Reba, a house elf with twin babies of her own--Mara and Mauro; who were also sleeping in their tiny cots in the room.
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"How's everything in here, Reba?" Julia whispered.
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Reba turned in her rocking chair, putting aside her crocheting. She had the same blue eyes as her babies, but a different nose--a small button instead of a ski jump. "Everything peaceful, Dona Ju," she answered softly.
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"I'm going to take Lena downstairs now, it's almost dinner time."
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"Then I come too, with mines."
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Julia and Reba descended with their respective babies to the dining room which was already set up for the consoada*: bacalhau (salt cod) with all the trimmings, vegetable soup, red wine for the grownups and juices for the younger crowd.
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Bernardo was placing his older son in his high chair, Tiago was already seated. All the house elves were there as well; in the Silvas' opinion this was a feast for family and they were part of it.
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Julia placed Lena gently in a playpen nearby, then, took a seat between her two sons.
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Bernardo looked at everybody seated at the magically enlarged table, and said, "Let's dig in!"
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The tureen rose and ladled soup into every bowl; Bernardo magically pureed Tiago's soup for him. Even though more soup landed on the boy's bibs than in their mouths, they all enjoyed it.
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"Good soup, elves. Now for our bacalhau," Bernardo announced, the serving trays rising and placing food on each plate. Bernardo and Julia cut up the food in little bits for the boys keeping an eye out for any random fish bones, then, poured olive oil on the lot.
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Keeping one eye on the boys, Julia took a bite of her dinner, "Yum, delicious."
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