3.

Blowing on his fingers to keep them warm, the dark young man ascended the stairs to the owlery. He was not wearing his winter cape mostly because he couldn't bother digging through his trunk, and partly because he was pretty sure he had splashed a bottle of invisible ink all over it. Though the ink stayed invisible for a solid two months according to the bottle, he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to see what it looked like half a year later.

The owls of the owlery eyed him suspiciously as he entered the room at the top of the tower, and hooted disapprovingly as he crumpled his nose at the smell.

"Take it easy, I'm not here to send anyone a toilet seat today, alright."

The owls remained tense.

"I'm looking for a bird to take a message to my family. Yes, my wretched mother may spew curses at you. Yes, it is in London, and no, it is not urgent."

Almost in unison the school owls backed into their coups.

"Look, there's some mice in it. And I brought toast."

One rather small horned owl cocked its head in mild interest at the last word. The boy let the owl nibble at the dry bread; not much later it let him tie the letter, sealed with a black crest.

"Uh, now- I meant that about my mother. Just deliver it to the house of black, and then get back here. Don't wait for a reply; don't even wait for her to see the crest. I'm sorry in advance", said the boy.

The owl took off, spreading its magnificent wings as it dropped out of sight. Sirius didn't even try to follow its flight, still conflicted about whether sending the Merry Christmas-wishes had been a good idea or not.

. . .

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything", came a familiar voice behind James.

"Remus! Seems it's mostly the old gang staying, eh? Peter hiding behind you?"

Remus nodded politely at Lily and sat down between her and James.

"No, Peter, as I think he probably told you, went home for Christmas."

"Ah, right. He didn't say goodbye to us. Me and Sirius, I mean."

The three of them sat a while in silence, looking into the crackling fire.

"I should probably-" they all started simultaneously; paused, and let Lily continue:

"-get going. I need to, um-"

"I need to go pack some presents", Remus said sternly, and winked at James, who in turn blushed.

"I think we need to, uh, do some head boy and girl... stuff."

"So smooth, Prongs", Remus laughed, "but seriously, I clearly interrupted something here."

You will tell me more tonight, he mimed at James, and before either of the two had time to protest, got up and dramatically stretched.

"D'you know where Sirius is?"

"I have no idea, I thought he was with you. You can check later, can't you? Besides, in the seven years I've known Sirius, he has missed dinner exactly three times; two of those while unconscious."

. . .

"I should probably go", Lily said quietly after Remus had left the common room, careful not to meet James' eyes. The wristwatch under James' sweater neared six, and dinner would soon be served. In a strange way, that first dinner of Christmas without the rest of the students was always the most interestin, and usually quite cosy in James's memories from his fourth year.

"Lily, I- I want you to know that you can always talk to me. Yes, I am a bit disappointed that you aren't interested in me-"

"I never said that."

"- but I genuinely want to get to know you rather than be childishly sweet on you. Wait, what?"

"I never said I wasn't interested in you."

James leaned towards her in his chair, eyebrows arched above the glasses.

"Are you?"

"Maybe a tiny bit? I don't know."

Lily pursed her lips together to cover a smile.

"Alrighty, then, Evans", said James and leaned back, "I won't push you on the matter. How about some supper?"