Christmas with Padfoot and Prongs.
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. However, since Rowling discarded my favourite characters I picked them up and took them into my care to give them the love and attention they deserve...and occasionally give them reason to need that love and attention no matter how much they deserve it without needing a reason.
Summary: Remus spends Christmas of sixth year at Potter Manor with Sirius and James.
Warnings: Strong bromance, can't stomach boys being extremely close without it being sexual, then this is not the story for you and you should hit the return button.Flamers will be deleted.
This story is part of a series called A Bond of Family. If you are interested in reading the entire series, then the chronological order can be found on my profile.
Note: Although it has now been revealed by Rowling that James' parents were named Fleamont and Euphemia; I refuse to use those ridiculous names ( I wonder what she was on when she decided on those names) and will hold onto Charlus and Dorea, despite the fact that it is no longer canon. my apologies if that upsets you, but just...no.
Special thanks to Kitty for beta-ing this story for me and giving me endless support and inspiration for this series. Thank you for your endless patience with my grammar and for all the lessons you've taught me and are still trying to stamp into my brain.
Merry Christmas everyone!
xxxxxx
Remus was abruptly woken up when someone jumped onto his bed, yelling in his ear as he bounced up and down.
"Wake up! Wake up, there are presents!" He opened his eyes to the grinning face of James Potter, mere inches away and glanced at the clock.
"Seriously, James?" he groaned as he realised it was only seven o´clock and let himself fall back onto his pillow, rubbing his hands over his face tiredly.
"Oh! I need to wake Siri up, too," the bespectacled sixteen year old grinned and dashed to the other bed.
"As if anyone could sleep through the racket you're making."
A smile spread over Remus' lips as he sat up to see Sirius leaning in the doorway, already dressed.
"Morning, Pads."
"Hey, Moony," Sirius smiled. "Slept well?"
"Great until that tornado came by, you?"
"So he gets a greeting, but I don't?" James interrupted with a pout as he bounced back onto Remus' bed, shrieking as Remus pushed him over.
"You didn't greet me either, just brutally woke me from a perfectly good dream," Remus complained.
"Aww, I'm sorry, Moony. And morning, Siri," James rolled off the bed to engulf Sirius in a hug, lifting him straight off his feet as he did, making the sixteen year old laugh.
"Hey James. Mum said to remind you that we can open one present before breakfast, just one," Sirius said as James returned him to his feet.
"How long have you been awake?" James frowned as he finally took in his dressed state, worry in his voice.
"Since five. You guys were still sound asleep so I went to help Mum with breakfast."
"You didn't have a nightmare, did you?" James asked while Remus got up from the bed to use the toilet and go brush his teeth.
"No, makes a nice change, doesn't it? Wizzy was actually the one who woke me," Sirius informed them as he pushed James towards the bathroom when the toilet flushed.
"What did that crazy cat of yours do this time?" Remus asked as he rinsed his mouth and spat out the foam, stepping aside so that James could use the toilet, too.
"Decided that she wanted to play. Let her play with my ball of wool for a while until she fell back asleep," Sirius picked up two towels and sat down on the edge of the bathtub, holding one up when James blindly reached for one to dry his face after he splashed it to freshen up.
"Thanks, where did you leave that cream?"
"Bottom shelf of the cabinet."
"Got it, you need to brew new one soon," James glanced at the tube.
"I'm almost out, too, and I know Peter's running low as well," Remus turned to Sirius to accept the second towel he held up to dry his own face.
"Already started brewing it in the kitchen. Dad was happy to help when I promised he'd get his own tube again, too," Sirius informed them.
"Can't blame him, I still don't get why you don't bring it on the market," Remus sighed. "You'd make a fine coin with it."
"It's not perfect yet. Right now I need to adjust the brewing to all of your body types so it won't burn your faces instead of just removing the stubble. And that's just five people. On a large scale, it would mean a lot of trouble and imperfection with possible burns as a result."
"Got it. I'm just happy we have this though," Remus smiled as he zipped up his toilet bag.
"Saves a lot of trouble shaving," James grinned. "It's a good thing you decided you couldn't be bothered to shave and brewed this up."
"Only because we're all lazy bums," Sirius laughed as James applied the cream to his stubble.
"Can't deny that. But speaking of lazy, why are you dressed? You're breaking Marauder tradition."
"Does that still count when Peter's missing?" Remus mused as James splashed the cream off, the stubble disappearing with the cream perfectly as usual.
"Just because he is a party pooper it doesn't mean the rest of us can skip, too," James quickly brushed his own teeth while Remus sat down beside Sirius to wait until James was done, too.
"His aunt is getting married and at any rate, I am not truly dressed," Sirius shrugged.
"Yeah? Then what do you call those?"
Sirius laughed, squirming away when James poked his side.
"Pyjama pants and a sweater. So technically you could say I am half dressed, but only because I was cold."
"I suppose I can forgive you just this once then," James smiled, wrapping his arms around him as he sat down at his other side.
"How very kind of you," Sirius dead-panned, but leant into the embrace and Remus smiled.
"I thought that looked familiar," Remus brushed his index finger over the sleeve of the faded dark red sweater.
"I kind of stole it since you said it was getting too small, it's nice and big for me and keeps me warm. I knitted you a new one, though," Sirius smiled apologetic, sliding off his seat to return to the bedroom and picked up a bundle from Remus' suitcase.
"Again? You do know you don't have to keep making me new clothes just because you like wearing my old ones, right?"
"I know, but I want to. You are a very easy subject to practice knitting on."
Remus accepted the bundle, unfolding the thick dark blue sweater and smiled at the pattern of snowflakes running over the edges.
"A very willing one, this is beautiful, Siri," he ran the fabric through his hands, relishing in the softness of it before slipping out of his pyjama jacket to pull it on.
"Looks good," James grinned as Remus turned for them, nodding.
"It does, fits perfectly too. Thank you."
"You're welcome. I hope it'll last even if you do have another growth spurt," Sirius turned to James. "Are you ready?"
"Almost, let me pull on my new sweater, too."
Remus laughed when James pulled on a red sweater with a pattern of broomsticks running over the sleeves.
"Very fitting."
"It is, isn't it?" Sirius laughed as he pulled up the legs of his trousers to reveal his socks. "What do you think of the socks James made me?"
"Very nice, too," Remus chuckled at the cat paws running all over the socks.
"Thanks, are we ready to go open presents?" James bounced on the balls of his feet impatiently.
"You'd think you are a five year old with how excited you are," Remus raised an eyebrow as he and Sirius walked with him.
"You'd be excited too, if you knew what to expect," James grinned and Sirius rolled his eyes.
"He's getting a Nimbus 1500, so expect to spend the morning outside," Sirius said to Remus.
"For Christmas?" Remus asked surprised, frowning when James' smile turned mysterious for a moment but shook it off as Sirius spoke again.
"Technically it is his birthday present, but he's getting it now so that he can fly around freely during the holidays instead of just in practice at school."
"No wonder he's so excited."
"He's been talking about it non-stop since Dad let it slip," Sirius laughed.
"I bet he's been insufferable," Remus patted his shoulder in mock sympathy.
"You're just jealous," James turned to stick out his tongue at him.
"Of course I am. Who doesn't want a Nimbus 1500? It is the newest top of the line racing broom," Remus paused as he considered his words. "Besides Padfoot, that is."
"If I ever get enough money saved up to buy a motorbike, we can hold races," Sirius grinned.
"And we can all travel together!" James held in his step so he could walk beside them, slipping his hand in Sirius'. "We could get one of those side thingies so that you can transport all four of us at the same time."
"A side-car. And don't you mean all five of us?" Sirius winked.
"Five?" Remus was taken aback as an almost shy smile spread over James' face.
"Lily returned him a Christmas card."
"That's...a real Christmas card?" Remus blinked surprised.
"To James, I hope you will have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year, too. Lily," Sirius smiled, making Remus laugh.
"How many times did he make you read it?"
"Since it arrived Tuesday? I think once every two hours. He even woke me up the first night because I had to assure him it wasn't a dream."
Remus couldn't detect any irritation in his voice, only happiness for their friend, so he smiled.
"To James, huh?"
"Signed with Lily," James cheered. "She likes me!"
"James..." Sirius tone was warning and James cleared his throat.
"As a person. I am to treat her normally, not harass her or keep asking her out," he dutifully replied.
"You're still training him?" Remus asked amazed.
"It pays off. You're forgetting one thing though, Prongs."
"Give her a compliment now and then, but only when I truly like something new I spot on her. Like with the blue ribbon she wore in her hair just before the holidays," James parroted.
"Hey, it got him upgraded to a first name basis. If she sees him as an actual person instead of an annoying fly, she might want to become friends," Sirius shrugged at Remus' raised eyebrow.
"And if she gets to know him, she might grow to like him," understanding dawned on Remus.
"What's not to...inflating big head right away," James cut himself off as Sirius cleared his throat.
"Atta boy. As soon as we get that gigantic ego of his down a bit, she'll indeed find nothing unlikeable about him," Sirius patted James' hand with his free one as the other grinned.
"Because it is the thing she dislikes most about me, my arrogance," James nodded, still looking for the entire world like a small child with how hopeful he looked to Sirius.
"How do you know that?"
"I asked her. Ran into her in the common room one night, a few weeks before the holidays began and we got talking a little. I kind of just asked her what she disliked so much about James and what it would take to get her to treat him like a human."
"And she just told you?" wide-eyed Remus stared at the youngest Marauder as he shrugged.
"It was a good talk and once I told her that he truly liked her but was rubbish at showing it, she gave some tips on what girls like and dislike."
"Some talk indeed," Remus whistled impressed.
Remus knew there was something Sirius wasn't telling him, but he let it slide as James was still beaming and the approach was clearly working as the girl had returned James' Christmas card.
He was already amazed that Lily Evans apparently had, what Sirius described as a good talk, with the dark-haired young man without it resulting in her trying to hex him.
But he also knew that he'd get nothing more than that out of his friend as Sirius wasn't one to share other's secrets, not even with those closest to him if they'd been told in confidence.
"Is that why she's begun to treat you nicer?" he suddenly linked the change in behaviour for his red-haired fellow Prefect to what Sirius was saying. It certainly explained why they had actually enjoyed her company for the Yule ball.
"We came to an understanding of sorts. But anyway, if James showed he could act normally, she would try to do the same. Won't guarantee she'll go out with him, but it's a start."
"You know I love you, right Siri?" James slung an arm around Sirius' shoulders and pulled him close.
"You have mentioned it a couple of times. Honestly I am surprised you hadn't made Remus read the card, yet," Sirius slipped his arm around James' waist and squeezed for a moment before pulling back again.
"I figured I'd wait until after breakfast. He only arrived late last night, after all."
"Didn't stop you from waking me early," Remus laughed as they continued on their way and entered the kitchen.
"Good morning, boys," Mrs. Potter greeted them and Remus nodded politely.
"Morning Mrs...Aunt Dorea, sorry," he corrected himself immediately as dark grey eyes turned to him, crinkled with amusement.
"I got them out of bed, Mum," Sirius grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder as he sneaked a glance at what she was doing.
"Did you have trouble getting your brother out of bed?" James pouted at her words.
"I'm not that bad. It's a holiday so we get to sleep in!"
"If it were up to you, you'd always sleep in," Sirius laughed as he moved away from her. "And I didn't wake them; James had discovered the presents and decided to wake Rem up."
"Oh, you poor soul," Aunt Dorea laughed, ruffling James' already messy hair as he gave her a peek on her cheek. "Why don't you go get your father so we can open a present and then have breakfast, hm?"
"Yes, Mum," James ran off obediently while Remus and Sirius sat down at the table.
"Your mother left your presents underneath the tree too, Remus."
"I completely forgot about them," Remus admitted, leaning back as Sirius poured orange juice into his glass.
"We figured as much. And she asked me to remind you they'll come over on New Year's Eve."
"Come over?" Remus asked surprised as last he knew was that they'd pick him up then.
"I managed to talk them into spending New Year with us and remain here for a few days," she winked and Sirius cheered.
"That would be nice; do you know how long they plan to remain here?" Remus asked.
"Until the sixth of January at least, they said."
"But that would overlap with the full moon," Remus' heart gave a surprised tug when both Aunt Dorea and Sirius nodded, the latter enthusiastically.
"That is the intention," a new voice joined and Remus turned to see Charlus Potter arrive, James right behind him.
"Good morning, Sir. Why..."
"Good morning, Remus. Nice sweater and you have Sirius to thank for that. He snuck back downstairs last night to plead your case while we were having a drink, made very good arguments too, I must say," Uncle Charlus chuckled as he squeezed Sirius' shoulder before sitting down.
"Sirius?" Remus turned to his friend surprised.
"I just figured, with everyone here knowing and not caring, perhaps you could spend the full moon here with us. Being out in the open would be so much better than spending it in that stuffy basement," Sirius shrugged.
"And Dad agreed?"
"Sirius was very convincing," Aunt Dorea laughed.
"But won't it cause trouble for you all? I mean..." Remus trailed off, swallowing thickly.
"A few wards set in place and we will all be perfectly safe," Uncle Charlus waved his concerns off. "Unless you'd prefer to send the full moon in your basement?"
"No!...I mean..." Remus flushed as they all laughed and James slung an arm around his shoulders.
"Then stop being a worry-wart and come open a present!"
"Honestly, single minded much?" Sirius laughed, squeezing Remus' biceps as they accepted the presents Uncle Charlus handed to them.
"I've been wanting to get this, thank you," Remus smiled as he unwrapped the book about magical counter-curses, having long since given up on trying to politely refuse them giving him presents as he knew they enjoyed doing so.
"A little birdie told us," Aunt Dorea smiled as she placed a bowl of cut fruits on the table between them, ruffling Sirius' hair as he placed a kiss on her cheek as he'd found a painting set inside his present.
"Thanks, Mum," James cheered as he unwrapped new Chaser gloves.
"Aren't you going to open your gift?" Sirius asked as Aunt Dorea sat down and James pulled two presents out of his pocket.
"I wonder what this could be," Uncle Charlus teased as he accepted the flat, soft package handed to him.
James and Sirius gave near identical grins and Remus laughed as bright red socks came out of both packages, a near match to his own sweater.
"You both knitted one sock?" Aunt Dorea laughed as she looked at both patterns closely.
"And Remus donated the wool and decided on the pattern," Sirius nodded.
"I did?" Remus asked softly as he leaned towards him.
"You're the one who said no Christmas season was complete without snowy clothes and you gave me the red wool last Easter," Sirius nodded, making Remus chuckle.
"You're an idiot," he smiled fondly before laughing as both of their parents exchanged their current socks for the new ones.
"There, now we're all ready, I believe," Uncle Charlus smiled. "Let's eat breakfast."
They all tucked in happily, Remus biting his lip as a grey and black ball of fur waved her way through their legs to jump up onto Sirius' lap under the table, curling up there as she received some ham from him.
They shared some small talk during breakfast, with the three of them taking turns in secretly feeding Wizzy a small piece of ham. And although both adults cheerfully talked, Remus was fairly certain they were aware of her presence and just ignored it.
Something proven to be true when Uncle Charlus snuck pieces of ham across James' lap to Sirius, making Aunt Dorea roll her eyes.
After breakfast they left the dishes to the house-elves to quickly get dressed and gathered in the living room fifteen minutes later.
It made Remus feel bad for a moment as the elves didn't have a day off, but James whispered to him that they'd be unhappy if they didn't have anything to do and that Sirius had left a wide array of cupcakes for them in the kitchen as a Christmas present.
Once they were settled, James took over the role of distributor, passing the presents out and it wasn't long before all three teenagers had an impressive pile of gifts beside them.
Remus laughed as Sirius received several tools as presents, knowing the dark-haired teenager loved to tinker with Muggle appliances and would put them to good use.
Sirius was especially ecstatic, though, when he received a tiny model of a black motorbike as his last present, James' smile widened as he saw it.
He quickly unwrapped his broom as the very last present and rose to his feet with it in hand.
"We should go outside. Siri, why don't you take that with you so you can drool over it outside?"
"Can't wait, huh?"Sirius laughed, but complied and they all followed James outside.
The moment they were outside, James pulled Sirius with him to the shed by the hand
Sirius cocked his head as James placed the broom against the side wall and turned to him.
"Step to the side a little," he ordered as he pulled his hands forward, slipping his hand out of his and bouncing on his heels.
Sirius complied confused, only for his eyes to grow wide as James placed the tiny model onto the ground and tapped it with his wand, making it grow to a beautiful motorbike.
"James?" Sirius whispered as he stared at the black motorbike in shock.
"Merry Christmas, Siri," all three Potters beamed in unison and pulled him into a hug.
"I...why..." Sirius stammered, returning the hug overwhelmed.
Uncle Charlus smiled as Sirius simply stared at it. "Aren't you going to try it out?"
"Try...?"
Remus smiled as Sirius didn't seem able to comprehend what was before him and gave him a small push towards the motorbike. "Do you know anyone else who's crazy about those things?"
James beamed as Sirius slowly reached out to touch the motorcycle, wrapping his fingers around the handlebar hesitantly before turning to look at the elderly Potter.
"I can try it out?"
"Yes, sweetheart. It is yours after all. Now go try it out," Aunt Dorea urged him on and James skipped forward to get Sirius on the motorcycle.
A slow, hesitant smile spread over Sirius' lips as he sat there, still clearly not fully believing what was happening and Remus couldn't help but laugh at the sight of the perplexed teen.
But the moment Sirius kick-started it to life and a rumbling sound echoed over the street, he seemed to truly apprehend what she had said and shook his head, getting off the motorcycle immediately.
"Mine? I can't accept this...it's..."
"Your birthday present. You'll be turning seventeen in the middle of the school year, too, after all."
Remus beamed at the utter disbelief on Sirius' face.
"We know you can ride, but it will need some modification to fit your plans, so the tools will come in very handy and the book about the mechanics of motorcycles will help you understand it completely," Uncle Charlus said.
"But I can't...it's too much," Sirius protested.
"Nothing is too much for our children, sweetheart," Aunt Dorea smiled. "We know you don't really care about brooms, so we decided to give you this as we know you've been saving up for one."
Remus' heart warmed at her words as he knew they truly considered the young Black as their own.
"It's truly mine?"
"Yes, you daft idiot, it's yours," James laughed, pulling Sirius into a hug from the side again as the disbelief seemed to become a permanent fixture on the other's face.
"I...thank you!" Sirius almost tackled all three Potters in a hug and Remus grinned as they wrapped their arms around the overjoyed teen.
Remus knew that it was only a matter of days before Sirius would have improved the motorbike and enchanted it with magic so he could transport all four of them and both looked forward and feared that day as he knew he'd not be able to resist joining his crazy friends for a test ride.
But that would be in the future and while James went on a long test run on his new Nimbus 1500, Remus settled beside Sirius with his new book.
Remus smiled as he half watched James stunting around in the air and read a little while listening to Sirius tinkering with the motorbike for the rest of the morning in a calm peace.
Until both boys decided in seemingly silent agreement to suddenly assault Remus in snowballs, making him squeak and scramble for cover and all thoughts of peace and quiet vanished from his mind as he counter-attacked.
They spend most of the afternoon fooling around in the snow, building snow-figures and holding snowball fights when the mood struck.
And even as Sirius and James tackled him into the snow and peeled him with snowballs, Remus couldn't help but think this might just be the best Christmas he'd ever had.
