A pleasant tune warbled out of the radio and around the Christmas tree as young Harry bounced on his mother's knee. James, hard at work on Christmas dinner, chatted amiably with Ted and Andromeda Tonks as the latter worked on a pudding. In the next room, Alice and Frank Longbottom had just Apparated, and their son, Neville, pulled at the baubles on the tree. With the lighthearted chatter and soft music, Christmas spirit was strong in the air. Nothing, it seemed, could possibly go wrong.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, a sharp tap at which all conversations died. James tentatively approached the door, as if He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself was hiding behind it. Cautiously, he turned the doorknob.
Remus Lupin burst through the door, a mad smile on his face, a parcel in his hand, and Sirius Black on his arm. "Merry Christmas!" the pair exclaimed in unison. Sirius, pointing his wand at the ceiling, murmured a spell, and colorful confetti rained down out of it. Neville, who had, by now, become disinterested in the ornaments, swatted at the rainbow-hued bits of paper, gasping with delight when they vanished at his touch. A deep voice - Moody's - called the group to dinner.
"Terribly sorry, Sirius mate," James said to the man on his right. "We didn't realize you'd be here."
Lily, with a smile in his direction, pointed her wand at one of the chairs, and a duplicate sprang out of it.
At the dinner table, the chatter continued, with talk of everything from the price of dragon blood to Celestina Warbeck. When all had been eaten and all were full, Lupin rapped a spoon against his wineglass. "A toast," he said, "to the Order of the Phoenix, and James and Lily for the kind use of their home."
"To the Order!" The shout echoed throughout the Potter's house. Harry clapped his hands, prompting much cooing and fussing over him.
"Is it time for presents?" Nymphadora, the eight-year-old daughter of the Tonks' asked.
"Certainly!" Lily exclaimed, clapping her hands together with child-like delight.
The group made their way to the parlor with much squeaking of chairs.