AN: So, I worked extra hard on this because I'm not going to be home for a week. Wooo, vacation! Anyway, I don't have much to say, being that it's 2:45a.m. lol. I'm trying to be quiet so... shhh... lol. I hope it doesn't seem rushed. It probably does, being that I was trying to get something out before I left. I dunno how plausible updating will be while I'm gone but I'm gonna hate not working on it. Notebooks, abound! Anyhoo, here ya go! Please review!

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Sabine cracked her eyes open, wincing against the sunlight filtering through her window. She scowled as she saw the chirping birds on her windowsill. She threw the spare feather pillow at the window, smirking lopsidedly as she heard it make contact before yanking the covers over her head and turning onto her stomach. She gasped and jolted from the bed as someone started hammering on her door with their fists.

"Oi, get up in there!" her brother yelled. "It's morning, unless you want me to come in there and sing to you, get your lazy bum out of bed." he finished, moving to the next door to repeat the process. Sabine slipped her head cautiously from under the blanket and glared at the door, sighing as she glanced at the clock.

"It's nine, are you mental?" she yelled as she crawled back into bed. Rich threw her door open, cocking an eyebrow and smirking.

"Stay up late last night, did you?" he asked suggestively. Sabine's eyes narrowed as she threw the blanket aside.

"I loathe the very ground you walk upon." she growled, scratching her head and stretching her neck. "Why, favorite sibling, did you wake me this early?" she asked sarcastically. Rich chuckled.

"Because, I'm making breakfast." he smiled cheerfully. "Get dressed and wake your friends." he ordered brightly, turning and jogging towards the kitchen. Sabine closed her door and grabbed some clothes. She marched slowly to the bathroom, groaning at the early hour. She showered and dressed quickly, fixing her hair the way Lily had taught her and putting on simple makeup. Feeling slightly refreshed, she marched out and started to hammer on Sirius' door with her fists before moving to James'. Just as she was about to make contact with Remus' door, he swung it open, smiling brightly.

"Good morning." he beamed. "Are they awake yet?" he asked, closing his door behind him. Sabine lowered her hand slowly and frowned.

"No." she mumbled, walking back to James' and banging on it again. "The git probably used a silencing charm. You go in." she said, pointing at it and crinkling her nose. "I'm scared he'll be naked or something." Remus laughed. "I'll go bang on Sirius' more."

"Alright." Remus shrugged, throwing the door open. "James, you lazy git, wake up." he yelped as he stepped inside. Sabine heard a groan of annoyance. She jiggled the handle of Sirius' door and started banging again.

"Wake up!" she yelled. "Merlin's beard, Sirius. My brother is making breakfast." she sang, hoping that tempting him with food would work. She heard rustling as he got out of bed. Her eyes went wide as Sirius threw the door open. She blinked rapidly as she noticed he was only in a pair of pajama pants. "Er, go get dressed." she said, happy to hear that she wasn't stammering on like an embarrassed school girl. Sirius frowned and scratched his head as he yawned.

"Why?" he asked, yawning again.

"Because it's impolite to be half naked at the breakfast table in someone else's house." Sabine said flatly, pointing towards the bathroom he shared with Remus. "Now go."

"Yes ma'am." Sirius smirked. "When are we going to have that talk?" he asked playfully.

"When you're clothed and fed, you oaf, now go." Sabine ordered, cocking an eyebrow and pointing again. She closed the door behind her, placing her hands on her cheeks to make sure she wasn't blushing. She felt the heat and sighed, rolling her eyes. "Wonderful, Sabine, just wonderful." she mumbled to herself.

"Is he awake?" Remus asked casually as she entered the kitchen.

"Finally." Sabine sighed, taking a seat between James and Rich. Rich placed two eggs onto her plate and handed her two pieces of toast. James handed her the plate of sausages and bacon."So, how did you two sleep last night?" she asked.

"Really good." James nodded. "The bed was really comfortable."

"It's goose down." Rich smiled. "They're antiques." he added.

"I thought they reminded me of my bed, it's hippogryff down." James smiled, digging into his food again. Rich choked on his toast.

"It's what?" he asked. "What the hell is a hippogryff?" he asked, turning to Sabine.

"Great big bird-horse." she smirked casually, taking a bite of her egg. "Very noble. They're quite selective of who they'll let ride them." she added. Rich snorted.

"Uh huh." he nodded. "Of course, I'm a git for not knowing that." he shrugged, talking more to himself. "Good morning." Rich smiled brightly as Sirius shuffled in and surveyed the table. He took a seat between Remus and James and glanced up at Sabine before piling food onto his plate. Sabine caught his gaze and quickly looked back down at her plate, frowning at it. "I was thinking we'd go out shopping today or something. I need to get a few more Christmas decorations then we can put the tree up." Rich said conversationally. Everyone nodded in agreement.

"You know, if there are things around here you need to get done I can take them in." Sabine offered. "After all, it'll leave more room on the car for what we buy and it's more efficient." Rich nodded, looking agreeable.

"I suppose that would be fine." Rich smiled. "I'm sure Remus would enjoy having other people in the car that are just as scared of it as he is." he laughed. Remus laughed nervously and nodded.

"So, as soon as everyone finishes, I'll drive us in." Sabine smiled. She was happy that not only was she helping but she was putting off having to talk to Sirius alone. She cleared her plate first, placing it into the sink and marching back to her room to grab her coat. She stepped back into the hall just as Remus stepped from his room.

"You got an owl, just after you left." he said, thumbing in the direction of the kitchen. "Looked like Buzzard, Lily's owl." he added. Sabine pushed past him, inciting a laugh from Remus. She practically dove through the kitchen doorway and snatched the letter from James.

"Mitts of my mail, Potter." Sabine smirked, ripping open the envelope and beginning to read.

Sab,

Just wanted to let you know Sev and I got home safely. Hope your brother doesn't complain too much about Buzz swooping into his kitchen. So, how goes it so far? Don't say anything, I know it's only been a day but I thought I'd check on you. Write us back soon. Sev sends his love.

Lil and Sev

"It's only been a day, why is she sending an owl so soon?" Sirius snorted, rolling his eyes. Sabine kept her eyes on the paper, leaning over and playfully slugging Sirius in the shoulder as she reread it.

"Just to let me know she got home safely and to check on me." Sabine smiled contentedly. "I'll have to remember to respond tonight."

"Can I read it?" James asked in a small voice. Sabine cocked an eyebrow and handed him the letter. He read it quickly and stiffened. "Sev sends his love?" he read disdainfully. Sabine glanced back at forth between Sirius and James as they eyed her expectantly.

"We are friends, you know." she mumbled indignantly, grabbing the keys off the tale. "Alright, let's go." she sighed, motioning for them to follow. "Who wants shotgun?" she asked, holding the door open for them.

"What's that?" James gaped in confusion. Remus smiled proudly, looking at James and shaking his head.

"You shoot people with a gun." he said matter of factly. Sabine laughed.

"Shotgun is the passenger seat in a car." she chuckled, rolling her eyes and closing the door behind them. "It's just a muggle phrase."

"I'll take shotgun." Sirius smiled, linking arms with Sabine as the other two slipped into the backseat.

"Just get in the car before I hex you into next week." Sabine chuckled, feeling her face warm and happy that she could blame the cold. She slipped in and fastened her seat belt, turning the key and smiling as the car rumbled and vibrated to life. The made the drive in content silence, Remus, Sirius and James all glancing in wonder at the beautiful scenery. Finally, Sabine pulled up in front of one of the shops and turned the car off. They got out and stopped in front of the window.

"That is bloody cool." Sirius grinned, pressing his forehead to the glass and watching the toy train set up as it rounded the track. Remus glanced at the mechanical Santa as it waved and bent to pick up a present. James was completely enthralled by the giant pine tree, covered in blinking strings of lights.

"Come on in, we need a star, some more lights and everyone get's their own ornament. It's tradition." Sabine beamed, herding them towards the door. She nodded at the clerk and led them towards one of the aisles of decorations. She picked up a glittery golden star and showed it around. None of them were impressed.

"Ooo, I like this one." Remus said, resembling a small child as he picked up an angel in prayer with white feathery wings. "Seems odd to have a fairy on a tree but her wings like bird wings."

"She's an angel, Remus." Sabine chuckled. He nodded slowly, still examining it. "Merlin, this is weird. I've never had to explain muggle stuff to a wizard before." she sighed.

"I like it, I think we should get her." James said, nodding with conviction. Sirius and Remus nodded along. Sabine laughed.

"Sounds fine to me, she's better than a plain old star anyway." she smiled, walking farther down the row. "You three go pick out your favorite ornament, I'll get the lights." she ordered. Before she could say anything else, Remus handed her the angel and they all separated. Sabine smirked and rolled her eyes, gentling holding the angel topper under her arm and scrutinizing over lights. She smiled devilishly as she saw boxes of all red and all yellow lights. She snatched two of each and headed off to find her friends.

After finding the others quickly, they paid and reconvened outside the store. They placed their things in the back of the car and took a look at their list.

"Well, we got the tinsel, lights, ornaments, the topper, and we got some mistletoe." Sabine rambled off, more to herself. "What else is there on the list?" she asked James, who had taken the list in an attempt to be helpful. He furrowed his brows and read carefully.

"Egg nog, candy canes, milk, eggs, bread, and cloves." he answered.

"Alright, the store is right down here." Sabine sighed, wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to keep warm. They walked close to one another and loosened as they entered the warm grocery store. "Do not play with the shopping carts." she pointed at Sirius as yanked one from the line and James hoisted a leg inside. "You are not riding in that." she chastised, unable to hide the smirk on her face.

"Aw, c'mon." James whined, poking out his bottom lip in a pout. She rolled her eyes and took the cart from Sirius.

"Get in and be careful." she laughed. Sirius perched himself on the end of the cart and surveyed the aisles of the store like a kid in a candy shop. Remus wrapped an arm around Sabine's shoulder and smiled apologetically at her. "Feels like we're their parents, Remus." she laughed.

"At least I don't feel like I'm raising them by myself, now." Remus laughed, handing James candy canes and bread from the shelves as they passed. Sirius leapt from the end of the cart as they hit the dairy and frozen foods section. He grabbed the egg nog, milk and eggs, and placed them in the cart. James beamed contentedly from inside, pulling faces as people passed. "James, stop that." Remus chastised. Sabine chuckled as James frowned up at his friend.

They gathered the rest of their groceries and paid, receiving odd looks from the cashier and other patrons as James carefully climbed from the cart and carried the bags with him. They placed their bags in the trunk and Sabine sighed, glancing around the street before checking her watch.

"Anyone want lunch? It is about noon." she asked, feeling her own stomach rumble. Everyone nodded in agreement and they started off towards a small café across the street. Sabine glanced over and noticed James and Remus talking quietly to each other.

"Hey, we'll meet you there, we're going to go back to that specialty store we passed." James said, nodding for Remus to follow. Sabine shrugged and nodded, hoping they wouldn't take too long. "See you in a little bit." He waved before they broke off and jogged back across the street. Sirius held the door for Sabine and followed her into the warm café. They took a booth in the corner and Sabine sighed, pushing her coat into the corner. Sirius beamed at her from across the table and wiggled his eyebrows.

"So, you mentioned that you wanted to talk to me about last night." he smirked. Sabine sighed heavily and cocked an eyebrow.

"Yes, I did." she said calmly. "What the bloody hell was that all about?" she whispered harshly. Sirius chuckled.

"We kissed." he said simply. Sabine crossed her arms and waited for him to continue. "What?" he asked, brows furrowing.

"Why did you kiss me?" she asked in a smaller voice than she had intended. Sirius sighed and looked out the window, obviously thinking about the answer he wanted to give. He turned back quickly and looked her levelly in the eye.

"You didn't exactly reacted like someone that was disgusted." Sirius pointed out. Sabine's eyes narrowed. "One would think, by your reaction, that you enjoyed it." he added haughtily. Sabine cocked an eyebrow dangerously and pointed at Sirius.

"One would also think, being that I'm so close, that one should shut their trap." she snapped in a whisper. Sirius smirked and shook his head. "What on earth possessed you to kiss me, anyway?" she asked.

"I wanted to." he said simply, crossing his arms and leaning back in the booth. Sabine sighed and narrowed her eyes, pursing her lips and glaring at him. "I assure you, it won't happen again." he added curtly.

You should go review now! Go, tell me you're angry that Sabine's a snippy, uptight, dunderhead. Lol c'mon, ya know ya wanna. See that button there? Push it and review!