Chapter 8
James woke up on Christmas day with Sirius jumping on him. It could be said that it was Sirius' first Christmas and it clearly excited him. James woke Remus up with an aguamenti ("HEY" Remus exclaimed) and the three headed down to their unofficial dining room. As excited as Sirius was about presents, he did not rush to the tree but waited for Fleamont and Euphemia. With everyone in the room, James opened his first present from his parents, which was a broom, the Nimbus 1970. Sirius received new clothes from the Potters' seeing as he used to wear old hand me downs. Remus got a rare book about defense against the dark arts from the Potters. Fleamont received memories of every prank done by the marauders in vials from the marauders. Euphemia received books on advanced healing from Sirius and Remus while James tried knitting her a sweater. Although it was extremely hideous, Euphemia wore it then and there. James received a book on wooing witches from Sirius and a book on transfiguration from Remus while Peter sent him sweets. Sirius received a box of chocolates from Remus and Peter while James gifted Sirius muggle music player. Remus received a picture of Sirius from Sirius with a note that said 'What better present can there be than me.' Sirius than handed Remus his real present, a trunk with engraving Professor R. J. Lupin. Sirius said that when Remus teaches defense at Hogwarts, he can use this trunk. Both knew the present was because Remus had worn out his father's trunk and did not have the money to buy another but did not mention it. Remus received a book about magical creatures from Peter and about charms from James.
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Miles away, in Crawley, Lily Evans was opening her presents. She received books from almost everyone and tissue paper from her jealous sister Petunia. The last gift was very unexpected, it was from the most annoying bully from school – James Potter. The note on the package said that it wasn't a prank. Lily hesitantly opened the gift and was awestruck. It was a wizarding photograph of Lily holding her own against the three slytherin bullies. It was in a beautiful frame which read 'JUST A CASUAL REMINDER THAT YOU ARE SECOND TO NO ONE.' It was Lily's first wizarding photograph. Lily almost felt sad that she did not give that prat anything for Christmas. Almost.
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Just a few minute walk from Crawley, in a house in spinner's end, Snape opened his last present which did not have a tag. Inside was a bottle of shampoo and a note saying 'Try and wash your greasy hair, snivelly.' It does not require Einstein to know who sent it – Snape's nightmare, the marauders.
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The McKinnon's joined the Potters for dinner. Marlene and Euphemia repeated tales from James' childhood to embarrass him until Sirius and Remus persuaded Marlene to Tell tales about she-who-must-not-be-named or as she is known, Lily Evans. Marlene told about Lily mentioning James' gift in her latest letter. After the McKinnon's returned to their manor, Fleamont called the marauders to his study.
In his study, he took out two mirrors and said "Now, your mother must not know about this or she will skin us all alive. These are enchanted mirrors. You call out the other's name in it and you can talk to them through the mirror. It will help increase your pranking efficiency like the cloak."
On that note, Sirius asked "Were you pranksters in your childhood?"
Fleamont smiled slightly and said "Me and your Grandfather, we used to drive Dippet nuts. He was our charms professor."
The marauders and Fleamont talked some more before the three marauders went to James' room. They discussed about their talk with Fleamont before going to sleep.
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Remus woke James and Sirius up on the 26th, clearly excited about Peter coming. The three marauders stood in front of the fireplace waiting for the fourth to arrive when a sleepy Euphemia entered the room and said "It's five in the morning, for merlin's sake. Peter is not arriving for another four hours."
"Thanks for bursting our bubble, mum." James said with an exasperated look.
The marauders moved to their room and sat on Sirius' bed playing exploding snap. Four hours later, two eyebrow less boys and Sirius approached the fireplace when a body fell through it. Five seconds later that body was recognized. It belonged to a certain Peter Pettigrew who slipped in the floo and fell down. Euphemia was trying to get her kids to stop laughing while Fleamont was trying to control his own giggles.
Even Peter joined in the laughter and the four marauders went to their room to deposit Peter's trunk before walking to breakfast. As soon as they entered the unofficial dining room, Sirius beamed.
"FOOD!" Sirius bellowed before running to the table and practically tried to drown in the food. The other three were used to this behavior at Hogwarts. Peter shyly joined the table when Sirius said "This one is adopted. That's why he's so shy."
The four with the addition of Fleamont and Euphemia discussed the children's plan to go watch the quidditch match.
"So let me get this straight. You four will go to France using a portkey bought from Fletcher, who by the way is new in the business, then apparate to our villa, without license, then plan on using rare potions ingredients, which are also destructive, to invent pranks. Then use muggle transport to the stadium to watch the match and spend some time in the villa without supervision?" Euphemia asked in an expressionless mask.
"Sounds about right, yeah." James replied.
Euphemia opened her mouth to say something when Fleamont interrupted "I am so proud of you boys. Not everyone can manage this b themselves. I now know I won't have to worry about you guys."
"It's more like you'll have to worry more about France." Peter said.
The next couple hours went in packing and planning and the four left the Potter manor in Wales by portkey to France. Expecting to see a nice civilized area, the marauders were shocked to see a forest.
