Christmas

December 1971, First year, Transfiguration classroom.

"Don't forget the essay that's due tomorrow," Professor McGonagall reminded her first year Gryffindors at the end of class. "And before I forget to say it, all the students who wish to stay at Hogwarts for the Christmas holidays, please stay for a minute so I can add your names to the list."

The students started packing their stuff. McGonagall arranged the many rolls of parchment on her desk while the classroom slowly became empty. "–gonna give my mum a potion that makes you dream for Christmas. She never dreams at night, you know–" "–can't we go to our dorm for a second, I really need to find–" "–no, you go ahead, I'll find you in a second–".

She didn't really pay attention to the conversations, but the last voice made her look up. If Sirius Black was lingering behind, that could only mean he was about to perform a prank.

"Why?" his friend James Potter asked. Black shrugged and shot a quick glance at Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Potter must have understood what he meant, or remembered the prank they planned out, because he dropped the subject.

"Remus, you remember what I told you about that painting on the third floor?" Potter asked his friend, and McGonagall immediately saw what he was doing. He was distracting Lupin and Pettigrew, buying Black some time. "Yeah, we still have to check it out," Lupin replied, "I won't believe you until I've seen it myself." "Me neither," Pettigrew joined in. "Let's go then," Potter said, almost dragging the two boys through the door.

The classroom was empty now, apart from Black, who slowly walked to McGonagall's desk. "Professor McGonagall," he said, "I would like to stay at Hogwarts during the Christmas Holidays." He sounded less confident than usual and for once he was not smiling.

"Are you sure, Black? You won't see your parents again until July." She knew she shouldn't question it when a student wished to stay at Hogwarts, but if she would have had children, she would have hated it to not see them over Christmas holidays. "I'm sure, professor," Black said.

"Very well." She took out a roll of parchment with the names of the students who were already staying and added Sirius Black to the list.

"You're not staying, Sirius."

Professor McGonagall looked up, and as did Sirius, who had been watching the quill writing his name on the parchment. James Potter was back, he was standing in the doorway looking at Black. "Thank you, professor," the Black said, ignoring Potter, rearranging his bag on his shoulder and walking towards the door. His friend didn't let him pass though.

"Sirius, you don't hate your family that much. Okay, I understand that you don't like them, but if you don't go home now, you won't see them for a whole year!" "You think I mind?" Black answered. "What do you think they'll say when they see me? Do you think they will be happy that I'm a Gryffindor? You think they'll paint the living room walls red now instead of green? I can't go home, and you know it," he hissed.

"Fine," Potter said, walking to McGonagall's desk. "Put me on the list too please, professor."

"James, no-" "Yes." "No, you have to go home." "If you're staying so am I. You're not gonna sit here in this castle all alone for two weeks." "James, you have to see you parents." "As do you." "Your parents love you." "As do yours." "They don't." They stared at each other for a moment, trying to convince each other.

Finally, Black sighed. "Fine," he said, giving in.

"Do I put you on the list too, Potter?" McGonagall said. "Yes please," the boy replied. Moments later, James Potter had been added to the list too.

"Thank you, professor. Bye," Potter said, as the two began walking towards the door.

"Where did you drop Remus and Peter?" Black asked. "We were on our way to the third floor when I 'noticed' you weren't following, so I suggested I'd go and look for you." Black smiled and they reached the door and left the classroom.

When they were gone, McGonagall thought about Black for a while. She'd known that his family had been in Slytherin for ages, but she had never thought about the consequences of him being a Gryffindor. Right now, she felt sorry for him.

That evening, after having dinner in the Great Hall, professor McGonagall was on her way to her office when two students stopped her in the corridor.

"Black, Potter, what can I help you with?" she asked when she turned around.

"I'm sorry, professor, but could you please take us off the list again? We're going home during the holidays after all," Potter said. McGonagall raised her eyebrows and looked at Black. She didn't want to make the boy doubt again, Potter had obviously done a great effort to convince him, but she couldn't help but ask, "You too, Black?"

"I'm not staying at Hogwarts, professor," Sirius Black said.

Potter laid an arm around his friend's shoulders. "He isn't. He's coming home with me."

Two smiles spread out on their faces, and McGonagall couldn't help but smile too.