Hello

One "Hello",
Just a simple phrase,
Can start off a new friendship,
It's a word to amaze.
So much power,
Within your voice,
It connects ones soul to another,
Without a choice.
With a simple "Hello",
You can make a new friend,
To confide and exist in,
Connected 'till the end.

By Brianne Stephen and Dawn Kalina – The Authors

Merry Christmas – Chapter 1
It is Christmas Eve. The girls, the marauders, and Bri's family all gathered around the brightly lit Christmas tree. Sirius shook all of his presents, trying to figure out what they were. Dawn looked on in disapproval, shaking her head at his childish antics. James and Lily were chatting in the corner, while Adam and Sam were arguing over the last mug of butterbeer. The fire crackled and the snow was blowing past the windows. Everyone was content, and glad they were off campus for Christmas vacation.

Around 9:00, the doorbell rang. "Ahhhh! Did you hear that? Did you? Am I going insane? What is that horrible ringing that's taking over?" Sirius shrieked, clutching his ears.

"Well, first things first, you're way past insane, and second, that's a doorbell, you retard." Brianne snorted.

"What is this door-b-bell you speak of?" Sirius pondered.

"It's a little button that someone presses to let you know they're standing outside your door, moron! You pure-bloods are much too dumb to be so egotistical." Dawn sighed.

"Hey Dumbass Sr! Dumbass Jr! Get the door!" Brianne called to Adam and Sam.

"At your service, Princes Pain-in-the-arse." Adam responded sarcastically.

"Yes, I love you too Adam!" Bri giggled.

A few seconds later, Remus and Peter were standing in the doorway. "Hello everyone. How're things?" Remus said, pulling off his coat and boots. Sirius' attention was immediately withdrawn from his presents to Remus.

"MOONY!" Sirius cried, practically running Remus over.

"Jeez, you'd think they were gay or something if you didn't know any better." Dawn whispered to Bri. They both chuckled.

"Wow, I feel loved. The only enthusiastic welcome I get is from Sirius. Thanks, Padfoot." Remus laughed.

"Yep, that's right Moony, I love you more than my own mother." Sirius grinned, wrapping his arm around Remus.

"Well that means absolutely nothing considering you hate your mother Paddy." James added.
Sirius was left dumbfounded, scratching his head. "Oh yah."

"Well, make yourself comfortable, you're just in time for cocoa and a movie." Lily said, setting the mugs down on the table.

"Ooo, what movie are we watching?" Peter squeaked.

"The Santa Clause – with Tim Allen." Bri's mom replied from the kitchen.

"We can start watching as soon as Sirius gets his dirty paws off those presents!" Dawn glared playfully at Sirius. He was sitting against the wall whistling innocently.

"Aww…who could resist that face?" Brianne cooed.

"I could." Dawn chimed in.

"You wish you could. We know he makes your heart melt." Bri retorted jokingly. Dawn smacked her lightly on the back of the head.

"Sorry, couldn't resist." Bri laughed.

Lily popped the movie into the DVD machine. James said the "nox" charm and the lights went out. Everyone nestled down and sipped cocoa, enjoying each other's company.

When the movie was over, everyone tidied up the living room, then retreated to their own quarters. The girls shared Bri's room, while Adam, Sam, and the marauders shared the boys' room. Since Christmas morning was only a few hours away, nobody could sleep. The excitement kept everyone restless, which left them with no other choice but to talk…or eavesdrop.

"Lils, Lils are you awake?" Bri whispered.

"Yes…I'll check if Dawn's awake." Lily said, turning to where Dawn was lying.

"No need. I'm up." Dawn rolled to face the other girls.

"So, what do you guys wanna talk about?" Lily asked. Bri started "What else would we talk about except…"

"BOYS!" All three said in unision, then giggled.

"Who do you guys fancy?" Dawn pried.

"Well we all know who you like Dawn…Siri…" Brianne started to say, but was cut off on account of the pillow being wailed on top of her head.

"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Lils doesn't know yet, and neither does he!" said Dawn.

"Well maybe this is a good time for Lils to find out?" Lily said in third person.

"Fine, you are one of my best friends, so I know that you won't repeat this, RIGHT LILY?" Dawn glared at Lily suspiciously.

"Right, crabbypants,"
Lily laughed, "now spill!"

"SIRIUS! Little pwaddyfwooty. Aww…wouldn't they make a great couple?" Brianne chortled. Dawn blushed and shoved her head under her pillow. Lily laughed.

"Well now that you know who I like, who do you guys like?" Dawn sneered.

"Well, you guys will never believe this but I like…"
Brianne cut Lily off "JAMES!"

"Yes." Lily hung her head shamefully.

"I knew it! I knew it! I am sooo good!" Bri boasted, adding a little dance. Lily pelted Bri with a pillow. "What's with you guys and your pillows? My head can't take any more abuse!" Bri chuckled.

"Who do you like Brianne?" Lily smiled and nudged Bri in the ribs.

"EEEK!" She cried. "Well, I don't like anyone right now." Brianne sighed and leaned back on her palms.

"Whaaattt? You Misses "I need a boyfriend, and I can't live without a boy standing right beside me for my whole life" every five minutes?" Dawn said in astonishment.

"Ya. I don't like anyone right now. Is that such a crime?"

Meanwhile…

"Ha ha ha, this is so much fun. I feel so bad." Sirius snickered.

"How come no body likes meeee?" Peter whined. Remus started to explain."Well you see Peter, Sirius is a puppy, a cute little cuddly puppy, very irresistable," Sirius pulled his hands up under his chin in a paw-like fashion and panted playfully, "and James here is a stag. A buff, brave, noble stag. He is what is considered, a stud," James puffed out his chest and took a proud bow, "however you Peter, are a rat. Women don't like rats. When they see rats they throw things at them and constantly try to kill them. They want them out, out, OUT!"

"Ohhh, so is that why my last girlfriend threw a book at my head?" Peter questioned feebly.

"No, Peter, that was because you were going through her underwear drawer." James added.

"Oh." Peter sighed.

"Hey, hey, wouldn't it be funny if we just started singing?" Sirius pulled a grin.

"No Sirius, please, don't sing!" Remus warned him.

"Don't do it Padfoot!" James pleaded. Peter cringed, preparing himself for what was to come.

"I, am, the ice cream man! Running over fat kids with my van! When, they, hear my bell, all the little fat kids run like hell!" Sirius squealed at the top of his lungs. The three other boys mumbled and groaned and tried to shut him up. Just then, out of nowhere, the ghost of a little fat girl passes by, and gives Sirius a death glare, then floats away.

"What? Is it something I sang?" Sirius pondered innocently. Then returned to his song.

Back in the girl's room…

"What in god's name is that sound?" Brianne asked.

"Sounds like a dying cat." Dawn replied.

"Let's go check ." Lily said, pulling out of her sleeping bag. The three walked cautiously up to the door and pulled it open to find Peter, Remus, Sirius and James all standing hesitantly in front of the door.

"What the hell are you guys doing?" Bri screeched.

"Oh…uhh…nothing, just blessing you with a little…caroling." Peter stuttered.

"At THREE IN THE MORNING?" Lily scowled, glancing at her watch. In the background, Sirius was still chanting "…running over fat kids with my van. When they…" Remus turned and slapped him in the back of the head.

"Padfoot, shut the hell up!"

"Ohh," Sirius snapped out of his daze, and shrugged "I was caught in the moment."

Authors note:

The song Sirius was singing was a spoof to the tune of "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath