Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor do I own any related characters, places or terms et cetera.

Deviated World

Chapter IX

Christmas day came. Remus was always one to surrender to the Holiday spirit. True, he really had no one to enjoy the Holidays with, but Christmas at Hogwarts was always a wonderful event none-the-less. There would be treacle fudge, roasted potatoes, butter beer…and presents? Remus looked down to the foot of his bed to see a sight he hadn't seen in years. He thought he must have been hallucinating. He hadn't received a Christmas present in years; he was not expecting a whole pile.

He first observed them with skepticality, looking at them from different angles, as if trying to decipher the meaning of a strange piece of art. He then came closer and prodded them curiously. Then he picked one up and shook it slightly.

"Don't just stand there. Open the blasted thing!"

Remus dropped the present and took a jump backwards. Obviously someone knew him too well, for who would send a gift with a card that would yell such a thing? He went back and opened the present carefully. It was from James and contained an old book on the theories behind the concept of multiple dimensions. Remus figured through it carefully with a soft smile before returning to the rest of the pile.

Remus then unwrapped a large slab of chocolate from none other than Sirius. The odd thing was that that was not the last of the presents. There were packages from people Remus had never even heard of. Who was this 'Henry'? And who was this 'Sabrina'? Remus could not recall meeting anyone of either name on any occasion. He supposed he might have and just had forgotten since they were more or less common names, but he also receive a fine fruit basket from somebody named Frunkle P. Alywagon.

Knowing that this would get much more confusing later on, Remus sent return thank you cards along with boxes of chocolates to each. He supposed that he might want to ask James about them, seeing that he wanted to any hurt feeling if he had neglected his 'friends.'

Remus did not quite know what to do with himself from that point on. It was Christmas; he really didn't want spend the day hauled off in the library. The feast wouldn't be for another couple hours, which just left Remus at his leisure to be bored.

He sat there staring at the fire for a long time after that conclusion. He thought that maybe if the stared at it for long enough he'd go mad and make his own entertainment. Eventually he started to see faces in the fire. Oh look, it was starting to talk at him.

"Remus! Snap out of it!"

Remus jumped to realize that what he had been seeing was the very real face of Sirius Black in his fireplace. "Sorry Sirius, I didn't notice you there."

"Remus, I am beginning to worry about you," said Sirius. "First you forget that it's Christmas, then you…do what you just did…"

"I didn't forget about Christmas," said Remus indignantly.

"Then what are you sitting there for? Come on, we have nice mug of butterbeer waiting for you!"

"Where am I going?"

"Remus, have you gone dumb? It is Christmas! Remember: presents, drunkenness, family feuds…at James' house, mate!" said Sirius, sounding absolutely boggled.

"Right, sorry that I am late. I'll be right over," said Remus, hoping that he could cover himself up well.

As soon as Sirius's head disappeared Remus grabbed some floo power and threw it into the fire. A sooty minute later he stumbled out of the fireplace into James living room where he was met by the sight of many faces; some familiar, some not. He was also met with a sharp blow to the side of the head. Unsure and disoriented he pulled his wand and faced the perpetrator.

"Remus J. Lupin, put that wand away! You owe me a bloody apology!" spat a short woman with curly hair.

"Er, sorry?" said Remus, not knowing who the woman was or why he was apologizing.

"No owl, no floo! It has been months. Busy or not, that is just plain rude!" shouted the woman.

"Come now Sabrina, it is Christmas," said a man who Remus had never seen in his life. Remus sent James, who was standing next to Sabrina, a panicked look and James shot one right back. Apparently Remus had to get through this one himself.

"Sabrina, I have been horrible. I don't deserve a friend such as you," said Remus kindly, but slightly sagging is head in a sad, defeated way, having no clue what to do.

"Oh, Remus, it's alright," said Sabrina bringing him down into a tight hug. "Just don't do it again," she said slapping his head again.

"Don't worry. Happy Christmas everyone. Sorry I am late," said Remus, trying to blow over the awkwardness he was feeling. "James can I talk to you in the kitchen for just a moment?"

Remus exited quickly, followed by James. Remus was going to round quickly on James, not sure what he had been thinking, but he decided that he had to be calm. "Who are those people?" he asked.

"I am sorry Remus. I didn't know that you didn't know them and I am sorry I forgot to tell you about Christmas. I kind of forgot how much you didn't know. The woman who was yelling at you is Sabrina," said James apologetically.

"I figured as much, but I still don't know who she is," said Remus.

"She has been our friend for about ten or so years. Er…she is a beater for the Holyhead Harpies," said James, obviously finding this odd to explain.

"And everyone else?" asked Remus.

"You don't know any of them?" asked James with disbelief.

"I know you, Sirius, Hestia Jones, Kingsley Shackbolt and Diane Dwalish," said Remus, peering out the kitchen door.

"I didn't know you knew Kingsley! You rarely eat out…"

"What?" Remus was thoroughly confused.

"Kingsley is the chef of that really good restaurant…" started James.

"He's not an Auror?" interrupted Remus.

"An Auror! No, I mean I know he considered it, but…you mean in your world he really went through with it?"

"Yes, he was one of their best," said Remus.

"Wow. Well I suppose I should get you acquainted with everyone. The gentleman with the plaid scarf is Frunkle. You and he worked together for a while in St. Mungo's as counselors. The fellow in red is Henry and the woman next to him is his wife Lana. He works for Gringotts and she is a Healer. The woman in black is Sirius's latest girlfriend, Frieda. We are not too fond of her, but we put up with her for Sirius's sake…"

By the time James finished ranting about Frieda, Remus's head was swimming. He still didn't know how to act around any of these people. And he had been a counselor…that was an interesting thought. Anyway, he had to go out there and pretend. Pity he had never been too good of an actor.

He and James returned to the living room. To say it wasn't awkward would be a horrible lie. Remus really didn't know what to say to anyone. He tried to get a grasp of who everyone was, but even with the information James had given him it was very difficult. He almost called Henry Frunkle a few times. He was quite relieved when Harry showed up.

"Happy Christmas, Harry," said Remus cheerfully, happy for an excuse to avoid the awkward conversation he had been having.

"Happy Christmas, Uncle Remus," said Harry. "Er…thank you for the books." Remus could tell from Harry's pause that he was none too thrilled about the gift. Remus sighed; he would have to explain eventually.

"Harry, I think you are not living up to your full potential in my class. I think you have a lot more in you than you let be known," said Remus seriously. "Now, I know James will probably want to kill me for this, but really…I just would like you to put more effort into your work in my class."

"Does this have to do with what happened in your world? With Voldemort?" asked Harry curiously.

"Right you are, Harry. I am sure it will happen again here as well," said Remus, steadying himself. Harry had caught him off-guard.

"Why me though? I mean, I know you said that everyone had died in your world, but I mean, there students who are doing much worse than me in Defense Against the Dark Arts—"

"But, do any of them get into as much trouble as you do?" interjected Remus. He knew he should tell him about the prophecy, but he couldn't put so much of a burden on him so young and on Christmas. Soon, he would tell him soon.

"I suppose not, but I am not doing poorly in the class at all," protested Harry.

"No, but the fact is that you have to potential to do much better," said Remus with finality about the subject. Before he could say much else, he was distracted by two people entering the living room.

"Glad you could make it! Have a butterbeer!" said James happily from across the room.

"Happy Christmas!" came several other voices. Sirius swept one of the figures into a big hug. From his position, Remus could see that the figure had bright red hair and was wearing a green dress. Behind the red haired figure and Sirius lingered a not too happy looking Charice. Remus's heart gave a leap when he realized whom Sirius was hugging.

"Tonks, you I daresay are looking brilliantly festive," complimented Sirius.

"Happy Christmas, Sirius! Sorry we are a bit late," said Tonks brightly.

"Come, come, sit down here," said James, gesturing towards the vacant spots right next to where Remus had just seated himself. "We are going to start the caroling!"

Tonks smiled and took the seat right next to Remus, making him feel quite uncomfortable. "Happy Christmas, Remus."

"Happy Christmas, Nymphadora," said Remus softly, forgetting himself.

She gave him a sharp glare. "It's Tonks," she said bitingly.

"Right, I am quite sorry Tonks. In my old age I can hardly remember my own name," said Remus kindly, trying to cover himself.

Tonks laughed. "Old age, eh? You can't be over thirty-five."

Remus was stunned by her accuracy. He was used to being thought of as much older than he really was. He supposed that in this world, since he hadn't had so many hardships, he would have looked better physically, but in truth he hadn't noticed.

"Age is more than just how long your body has been around," said Remus. "I may not look like it, but I am certainly an old man—"

"There is no arguing with that," interrupted Sirius. "Remus has been an old man since he was eleven. I have never seen him in anything except argyle socks and he never stays out passed eight-thirty. I also have reason to believe that that is really just a toupee on his head."

Remus threw the pillow he was leaning against good-naturedly at Sirius's head. He had forgotten how much he missed Sirius's silly, annoying comments. Tonks then leaned over to Remus, making him feel very nervous. She placed on hand on his hair and tugged.

"Ow! What—" started Remus.

"Either it is real, or he put a very strong sticking charm on the toupee," said Tonks to Sirius with an impish grin.

The rest of the evening went very well. Everyone teased each other mercilessly and had a wonderful time. Well, except for Charice. He didn't seem to warm up very fast. He was cold and distant the whole time. His expression would darken whenever Tonks turned her attention to Remus. Remus was vaguely aware of this, but was too distracted by the festivities- and Tonks- to pay much attention.

Eventually the night came to an end. Tonks and Charice were the first to leave—most likely at Charice's urging. Remus had to fight blushing like a schoolboy when Tonks kissed him on the cheek. She then spoiled it by proclaiming that as old men go he was alright and that she liked argyle socks as well, so as Sirius's reasoning went she was one-third old man.

Remus was second to last to leave since he and Sirius helped clean up. Remus debated staying longer to talk to James, but he thought it best not to bring up such dire subjects on Christmas.

That night, when he had returned the Hogwarts, Remus had time to think. Well, perhaps 'think' is not the best word for it. It was more like there was an epic battle in his head. Questions and debated spurred off each other. When should he tell Harry about the prophecy? Should he tell Harry the prophecy? Should he wait for James or Dumbledore? Should he talk to James and Dumbledore about it? Would James murder him for the mere thought? Should he tell James all his worries? Should he worry so much about this Charice bloke?

And that brought it all back to Tonks. He was ashamed at his behavior that day. He knew he couldn't get involved with her again. He just couldn't. She deserved so much more than him. But, she deserved much much more than Charice as well. Perhaps this was all preposterous; she probably wasn't interested in him in this world anyway.

And with his head in his head the epic battle in his head raged on.

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A/N: As always thank you to everyone for reading and everyone for reviewing. I was happy to get to write more this week. I have the next chapter started. Also, in a shameful piece of self-promotion: I posted a new one-shot about Sirius and Regulus Black. It uses some lyrics for A Perfect Circle's song "Passive" (the lyrics are the words in italics).

Thank you.

---Perplexity

PS:

Bardlover: Ah I see. I regret to inform you then that this story will have more about Snape. As for Tonks, I am taking my own sweet time about it. I wanted to write this as a Remus/Tonks story, but I also don't want to make it the all-encompassing focus of the story. I believe, though, that we will be seeing Tonks more as the story goes on. I do not guarentee a happy ending, nor them to get together in the end though.

Tu lo sai inc.: Thank you, your review makes me very happy.

Ward: In response to: "Who was that who said 'James Iraldona Potter'"

I suppose I did. If you mean in the context of the story…well that is just his name.

"Abra Kebdra," or whatever it was, sounded like " Avada Kedavera."

Abra Kedabra was a mistake in spelling in my part. It is supposed to be Abracadabra, a phrase commonly used by the general population when it comes to magic. According to Wikipedia, is close to the Aramaic phrase meaning 'I will create as I speak.' I meant it more as a magical band's mockery of the Muggle world. Also according to Wikipedia 'avada kedavra' is the Aramaic equivalent of "what I speak is destroyed."

As for Tonks and Remus, we will just have to wait and see. I rarely plan out the course of my stories before I write them.

Thank you all again.