Hogwarts, and Christmas in Japan
Nov. 21st, 2007 05:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
unforthToday, I was walking down the street to the bakery when, over head, a speaker on a street lamp started playing "Silver Bells." For my own part, I could help but feel this was rank cruelty, since Silver Bells tends to bring tears to my eyes even when I'm not half a world from home, and today was no different - too much happy Yuletide joy for me related to that song. Still, it reminded me that I've been wanting to post a little something about how the holidays seem to be used here.
Christmas stuff came out literally the day after Halloween. Displays went up, trees were erected, and stores put out flashy displays of shiny Christmas signs and other X-mas stuff. Interestingly - and to me disappointingly - almost none of this is actually ornaments; there isn't a real tree to be found, and not even that many fake trees. Mostly it's just decor, snowman statuettes, lights, wreaths, that sort of thing. And the Japanese folks who shop those sections all seem intrigued. Christmas music plays in almost every business that plays music.
It's not as oppressive as back home. For the most part, only medium or large sized stores really have displays, certainly of more than a handful of items. And amusingly, many of the things that are on sale are literally EXACTLY the same as the things that are available at places like Walmart - I spend enough time shopping the Christmas aisles that I recognize it. It doesn't change from year to year and, apparently, it also doesn't change from country to country.
I can't really get a sense of if the people here think of it as anything more than a novelty. Please note that I am not trying to connote this statement as either positive or negative - I, after all, only celebrate Christmas as a novelty, since I am in fact the lousiest Jew around. Heck, in Japan, I'm probably one of the only Jews around. ;)
So yeah, that's the Christmas report. Rather brief, I know, but it's been interesting to see nonetheless.
Needless to say, there hasn't been any sign of Thanksgiving whatsoever, and since I've yet to find turkey on sale any where the entire time I've been here, it looks like I'm going to have to be content without. ;) I'll write more about this tomorrow, on the day itself.
By the by, if any one spots any very nice, very interesting, or incredibly ugly Christmas tree ornaments that have Moose in them (specifically - be careful, don't let the reindeer fool you! ;) ) please pick them up for me - I'll pay you back, even, I just won't be able to buy my own cute and/or hideously ugly Moose ornaments until I get back. Thanks in advance to anyone who actually bothers... ;)
Most of the students had gone to bed, though Celestine was still with me, when Professor Patronius approached me. “Ms. Prince, may I speak to you for a moment?” he asked, sounding excited. I glanced at Celestine, and she stepped back, and then I nodded. He continued. “I have been speaking with the Headmaster and the other staff, and with Auror Weasley in particular, and she feels strongly that the good work of the Wizard Armed Patrol needs to be expanded. You may not have heard, but they have gone no less than 5 mission to the continent!” I blinked in surprise. I knew only of the one. Was this information confidential? Why hadn’t Marcus told me? How on earth had they kept it a secret from the students? He didn’t pause, though, and I was left curious. “In light of their success, the staff have decided to create the Girl’s Auxiliary Brigade, or GAB, and I was told to seek out the girls who have been selected to join it and inform them.”
“So,” I said slowly, “you’re asking me to join this ‘GAB’?” He nodded. For a moment, I almost lost my cool utterly. How on EARTH, I wanted to shout, was I supposed to take on yet another responsibility? How was I ever going to pass my OWL exams, much less do well, if I spent all of my time being a Prefect, a Head Girl, a Quidditch Captain, and a girlfriend? There was no earthly way! I took a deep breath and stalled. “Who else is joining?”
“I’ve already spoken to the others, so I can share their identities with you,” he smiled. “The other members of GAB are Katrina Laguar, and Aya and Maya Lunari. It’s small for now. I would not have you misunderstand, though. The duties of GAB will not be the same as those of WAP. It would be most impossible to send girls on missions like those that WAP has done, heaven’s forbid! Indeed, I got the impression that it was almost entirely a formality, something that will, if you’ll forgive the phrase, make us look good. You’ll probably have to give an interview to the Daily Prophet, and do some homefront missions, and, in extremes, you might have to back up WAP. And there will be additional training available to the GAB girls, just as there is to the WAP boys.”
I fought a silent battle with myself. Working alongside Katrina, who I’d been avoiding all week, sounded unpleasant, but I liked the Lunari’s. It didn’t sound like it would be much work, either. The letter I had to write to my parents, strangely, was what made my decision. I wanted them, needed them, to give me permission to go to Whitebrook, and the more good things I had to report the more likely they would be to acquiesce, or so I hoped. “Very well,” I nodded. “But I fear that with all my other duties, I may have trouble finding the time.”
“Well, you know,” he answered jocularly, “Katrina and the Lunari’s both have other activities as well – Quidditch, that sort of thing – I’m sure we’ll be able to fit it in to everyone’s schedules. It’ll be announced on Monday, I’ll let you know when we meet.” And with a wave and smile for Celestine, he left again.
When my duties were finally completed, Celestine went straight to bed, for it was very late, but I stayed up a bit longer. I had so much that had to be done the next day – all of my homework, for starters – that I decided that I should complete the correspondence I needed to write before going to sleep. It was now appropriate to write to my parents, first of all, and to Hogsmeade about Marcus’ Christmas present, second. Indeed, it became quite imperative that I do both!
The letter to Hogsmeade, which was a simply matter, I wrote out first. “Dear Mr. Torian,” it began, addressed to the owner of the store that sold various sundries and could, therefore, be termed simply a common store, “I have heard intelligence on a muggle device known as a revolver. If you be so kind as to acquire a nice revolver and some ammunition for it, and send it to me at Hogwarts, I would forward payment upon receipt. If possible, I would like one with an ivory handle, engraving, or some other decoration. If you require a down payment, please let me know as soon as possible.” I signed my name, hoping that my families title would be enough to secure the other aspects of this that might be problematic, and set this letter aside.
My first missive completed, though, I was confronted with the reality that this is no way rendered it easier to write to my parents, but that it still needed to be done. With a sigh, I took a fresh sheet, and wrote the following carefully, pausing frequently to think and to chew on the end of my quill. My goal was simply: impress them as much as possible with my numerous achievements, in the hopes that this would coerce them in to granting their permission for me to winter at Whitebrook with Marcus.
“Dearest Mother and Father,
“It seems that the semester has already half-finished while I neglected to write to you! I apologize most heartily for this oversight; I have been most busy. I hope that this letter find you both, and Alasdair, in the best of health.
“As you have probably heard, things at Hogwarts have been very interesting. My duties as Prefect and as Quidditch Captain,” I tactfully didn’t remind them of which house these merits had been awarded for, “have been very time consuming. While there have not been any house games at the beginning of the season, I have been working on training a team. In addition to that, I was named to play Keeper for the Hogwarts team in the international match that was held against Durmstrang. It was a very difficult match, and, if you have not heard the results already, I am both pleased and displeased to report that it was a tie.
“My classes have been going excellently, particularly my advanced potions class. While I was, as you know, initially concerned that this level of brewing might be too challenging for me, I have found it to be remarkably accessible and highly informative. Though the Headmaster was initially reluctant that I should take the class a year early, he has since given me every indication that I have exceeded even his high expectations for my performance.
“Professor Patronius,” I started on my latest triumph, “has asked me to join a new division of the Wizard Armed Patrol which is to be known as GAB, or the Girl’s Auxiliary Brigade, and I have accepted. I hope soon to be able to participate actively in protecting my country, and was very honored to be given the opportunity. Though it might be difficult to do so given my other responsibilities, I thought that no sacrifice was too great to save England from any share of the fate currently afflicting France.” I hoped they didn’t think of that as an attack on my brother’s very pointed and obvious avoidance of any kind of service. It couldn’t be helped.
“Oh! But I haven’t mentioned - Last week, Headmaster Nigellus came to me and asked that I take on the duties of Head Girl due to some problems with the current Head Girl. I of course immediately accepted. It’s so unusual for a Head Girl to not be a 5th year – with my only a 3rd year – I was quite astonished!
“Lastly, I am very happy to let you know that I have established a friendly rapport with the Head Boy, Marcus, who is from that fine family of pure-bloods, the Relius’. He has asked me if I might consent to be his girl friend and, though I feared it might be improper, I have acquiesced. He is truly quite charming and has the very best breeding I have ever seen, and I do hope that I have your blessings in this matter. He has asked if I might be able to join him for Christmas at his families’ estate of Whitebrook, and I would very much like to, if you both will allow it.
“I have been working very hard this semester, as you can see, and I once again apologize for not writing sooner. I hope that I have been meeting your expectations. Please let me know if there is anything that you need from Hogsmeade, and I will make sure to purchase it for you.” And, signing it with love, I put my quill aside and assessed my letter. I was, in truth, shocked that I could try so coldheartedly to manipulate my parents, but it couldn’t be helped. They’d never allow it unless I could somehow convince them that it was well worth their while. I sighed. The letter would have to do. Sealing it, I prepared it and the other to take to the owlery first thing in the morning, and went to sleep.
Christmas stuff came out literally the day after Halloween. Displays went up, trees were erected, and stores put out flashy displays of shiny Christmas signs and other X-mas stuff. Interestingly - and to me disappointingly - almost none of this is actually ornaments; there isn't a real tree to be found, and not even that many fake trees. Mostly it's just decor, snowman statuettes, lights, wreaths, that sort of thing. And the Japanese folks who shop those sections all seem intrigued. Christmas music plays in almost every business that plays music.
It's not as oppressive as back home. For the most part, only medium or large sized stores really have displays, certainly of more than a handful of items. And amusingly, many of the things that are on sale are literally EXACTLY the same as the things that are available at places like Walmart - I spend enough time shopping the Christmas aisles that I recognize it. It doesn't change from year to year and, apparently, it also doesn't change from country to country.
I can't really get a sense of if the people here think of it as anything more than a novelty. Please note that I am not trying to connote this statement as either positive or negative - I, after all, only celebrate Christmas as a novelty, since I am in fact the lousiest Jew around. Heck, in Japan, I'm probably one of the only Jews around. ;)
So yeah, that's the Christmas report. Rather brief, I know, but it's been interesting to see nonetheless.
Needless to say, there hasn't been any sign of Thanksgiving whatsoever, and since I've yet to find turkey on sale any where the entire time I've been here, it looks like I'm going to have to be content without. ;) I'll write more about this tomorrow, on the day itself.
By the by, if any one spots any very nice, very interesting, or incredibly ugly Christmas tree ornaments that have Moose in them (specifically - be careful, don't let the reindeer fool you! ;) ) please pick them up for me - I'll pay you back, even, I just won't be able to buy my own cute and/or hideously ugly Moose ornaments until I get back. Thanks in advance to anyone who actually bothers... ;)
Most of the students had gone to bed, though Celestine was still with me, when Professor Patronius approached me. “Ms. Prince, may I speak to you for a moment?” he asked, sounding excited. I glanced at Celestine, and she stepped back, and then I nodded. He continued. “I have been speaking with the Headmaster and the other staff, and with Auror Weasley in particular, and she feels strongly that the good work of the Wizard Armed Patrol needs to be expanded. You may not have heard, but they have gone no less than 5 mission to the continent!” I blinked in surprise. I knew only of the one. Was this information confidential? Why hadn’t Marcus told me? How on earth had they kept it a secret from the students? He didn’t pause, though, and I was left curious. “In light of their success, the staff have decided to create the Girl’s Auxiliary Brigade, or GAB, and I was told to seek out the girls who have been selected to join it and inform them.”
“So,” I said slowly, “you’re asking me to join this ‘GAB’?” He nodded. For a moment, I almost lost my cool utterly. How on EARTH, I wanted to shout, was I supposed to take on yet another responsibility? How was I ever going to pass my OWL exams, much less do well, if I spent all of my time being a Prefect, a Head Girl, a Quidditch Captain, and a girlfriend? There was no earthly way! I took a deep breath and stalled. “Who else is joining?”
“I’ve already spoken to the others, so I can share their identities with you,” he smiled. “The other members of GAB are Katrina Laguar, and Aya and Maya Lunari. It’s small for now. I would not have you misunderstand, though. The duties of GAB will not be the same as those of WAP. It would be most impossible to send girls on missions like those that WAP has done, heaven’s forbid! Indeed, I got the impression that it was almost entirely a formality, something that will, if you’ll forgive the phrase, make us look good. You’ll probably have to give an interview to the Daily Prophet, and do some homefront missions, and, in extremes, you might have to back up WAP. And there will be additional training available to the GAB girls, just as there is to the WAP boys.”
I fought a silent battle with myself. Working alongside Katrina, who I’d been avoiding all week, sounded unpleasant, but I liked the Lunari’s. It didn’t sound like it would be much work, either. The letter I had to write to my parents, strangely, was what made my decision. I wanted them, needed them, to give me permission to go to Whitebrook, and the more good things I had to report the more likely they would be to acquiesce, or so I hoped. “Very well,” I nodded. “But I fear that with all my other duties, I may have trouble finding the time.”
“Well, you know,” he answered jocularly, “Katrina and the Lunari’s both have other activities as well – Quidditch, that sort of thing – I’m sure we’ll be able to fit it in to everyone’s schedules. It’ll be announced on Monday, I’ll let you know when we meet.” And with a wave and smile for Celestine, he left again.
When my duties were finally completed, Celestine went straight to bed, for it was very late, but I stayed up a bit longer. I had so much that had to be done the next day – all of my homework, for starters – that I decided that I should complete the correspondence I needed to write before going to sleep. It was now appropriate to write to my parents, first of all, and to Hogsmeade about Marcus’ Christmas present, second. Indeed, it became quite imperative that I do both!
The letter to Hogsmeade, which was a simply matter, I wrote out first. “Dear Mr. Torian,” it began, addressed to the owner of the store that sold various sundries and could, therefore, be termed simply a common store, “I have heard intelligence on a muggle device known as a revolver. If you be so kind as to acquire a nice revolver and some ammunition for it, and send it to me at Hogwarts, I would forward payment upon receipt. If possible, I would like one with an ivory handle, engraving, or some other decoration. If you require a down payment, please let me know as soon as possible.” I signed my name, hoping that my families title would be enough to secure the other aspects of this that might be problematic, and set this letter aside.
My first missive completed, though, I was confronted with the reality that this is no way rendered it easier to write to my parents, but that it still needed to be done. With a sigh, I took a fresh sheet, and wrote the following carefully, pausing frequently to think and to chew on the end of my quill. My goal was simply: impress them as much as possible with my numerous achievements, in the hopes that this would coerce them in to granting their permission for me to winter at Whitebrook with Marcus.
“Dearest Mother and Father,
“It seems that the semester has already half-finished while I neglected to write to you! I apologize most heartily for this oversight; I have been most busy. I hope that this letter find you both, and Alasdair, in the best of health.
“As you have probably heard, things at Hogwarts have been very interesting. My duties as Prefect and as Quidditch Captain,” I tactfully didn’t remind them of which house these merits had been awarded for, “have been very time consuming. While there have not been any house games at the beginning of the season, I have been working on training a team. In addition to that, I was named to play Keeper for the Hogwarts team in the international match that was held against Durmstrang. It was a very difficult match, and, if you have not heard the results already, I am both pleased and displeased to report that it was a tie.
“My classes have been going excellently, particularly my advanced potions class. While I was, as you know, initially concerned that this level of brewing might be too challenging for me, I have found it to be remarkably accessible and highly informative. Though the Headmaster was initially reluctant that I should take the class a year early, he has since given me every indication that I have exceeded even his high expectations for my performance.
“Professor Patronius,” I started on my latest triumph, “has asked me to join a new division of the Wizard Armed Patrol which is to be known as GAB, or the Girl’s Auxiliary Brigade, and I have accepted. I hope soon to be able to participate actively in protecting my country, and was very honored to be given the opportunity. Though it might be difficult to do so given my other responsibilities, I thought that no sacrifice was too great to save England from any share of the fate currently afflicting France.” I hoped they didn’t think of that as an attack on my brother’s very pointed and obvious avoidance of any kind of service. It couldn’t be helped.
“Oh! But I haven’t mentioned - Last week, Headmaster Nigellus came to me and asked that I take on the duties of Head Girl due to some problems with the current Head Girl. I of course immediately accepted. It’s so unusual for a Head Girl to not be a 5th year – with my only a 3rd year – I was quite astonished!
“Lastly, I am very happy to let you know that I have established a friendly rapport with the Head Boy, Marcus, who is from that fine family of pure-bloods, the Relius’. He has asked me if I might consent to be his girl friend and, though I feared it might be improper, I have acquiesced. He is truly quite charming and has the very best breeding I have ever seen, and I do hope that I have your blessings in this matter. He has asked if I might be able to join him for Christmas at his families’ estate of Whitebrook, and I would very much like to, if you both will allow it.
“I have been working very hard this semester, as you can see, and I once again apologize for not writing sooner. I hope that I have been meeting your expectations. Please let me know if there is anything that you need from Hogsmeade, and I will make sure to purchase it for you.” And, signing it with love, I put my quill aside and assessed my letter. I was, in truth, shocked that I could try so coldheartedly to manipulate my parents, but it couldn’t be helped. They’d never allow it unless I could somehow convince them that it was well worth their while. I sighed. The letter would have to do. Sealing it, I prepared it and the other to take to the owlery first thing in the morning, and went to sleep.
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Date: 2007-11-22 05:49 am (UTC)I had heard they didn't get the day off...I don't know, all the shoujo manga I've read seems to indicate that the main purpose of Xmas here is to have romantic dates. Maybe that's a skewed view though. More than anything, they seem to think of it as I said like a novelty, which might explain why they don't get the day off; people only get days off for "meaningful" days, like New Years, not for novelties. :)
Have fun on your date, or dinner, or however you wish it referred to, and a wonderful Thanksgiving!