So the family's all here and their presence has created quite a stir. Surprisingly, to my astonishment, Jess and my mom showed up at the same time in almost completely appropriate outfits, each looking rather…clean. Not just clean, like take a shower and brush your hair; that's not what "clean" means in our family. No, it means sober. Granted, Jess chugged down half a bottle of firewhiskey before bed, but mum didn't have a drop. She pulled me aside when everyone else was busy doing their own thing and explained…

"Hi honey," she started slowly. I kept my expression blank. I wasn't sure whether I was happy or mad to see her. It had been three years since I had seen this woman I know to be my mother and the last time we were together was nothing but a booze inspired argument over what a hassle I am to raise. Needless to say, I did not have any very high expectations of how this visit would turn out.

She continued "I know it's been a while…and I'm sorry. But I just wanted to let you know I'm ready to make up for everything." Everything? How can she possibly make up for everything? She can't bring Gran back, she can't take away all the years I spent watching her fuck up her whole life or all the nights I spent waiting for my so called "dad" to return from his work in New York, like she told me he would. No, she's just starting a whole new string of lies all over again.

"Look, kiddo, I know it's hard to believe but I went to rehab. I've been clean for three months now. And no asshole boyfriends either."

I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing. "When you say clean…do you mean like really clean? Like no booze, no pills, no nothing?"

"No nothing," she repeated. I looked into her grey blue eyes and knew they weren't lying. For once, I knew she was really trying hard to fix things; and I thought it might really happen.

I put on the most sincere smile I could. "Okay, I believe you. Thanks, mom.


Christmas Eve, at least I believe, is even more exciting then Christmas Day. Everyone was at Grimmuald place, and I could tell no one in my family was used to this many people crowding around one table for one meal. Molly made a huge spread of anything and everything you could ever imagine. There was a ham, turkey, salad, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, biscuits, and so much more, it was almost insane. Of course, everyone brought a little something. Dessert, if I'm not mistaken, was even more massive than dinner! Pudding, cakes, cookies, brownies; I was having birthday flashbacks the whole time. George and Tonks sat on either side of me and much to my amusement, Sirius sat across from me. Just as he had predicted, we hadn't had one moment alone together this entire time. But I assumed after Christmas, after everyone leaves, maybe it would be easier to sneak off without any notice.

After dinner, the place was a madhouse. While some volunteered to help clean, others opened gifts while music started playing, couples began dancing, and Aunt Jess and mum where no where to be found. Finally letting my curiosity get the best of me, I pulled Bree away from her dance off with the twins to ask what was up. "Oh yeah!" She yelled over the noise. "I forgot to tell you, they went out to see Mark and Bradey. You remember them, right? The super hot English guys your mom used to date?" I shook my head, trying not to remember the alcoholic bastards. "Anyway, they invited them to a party and they said they'd only be gone a couple of hours. Oh hey…" she giggled suddenly, "I think that older guy was checking you out. I forget his name now. Simon or something."

"Sirius?" I breathed out.

"YEAH, him!" She bounced up and down, obviously enjoying her holiday buzz. "He's super cute! If you don't hook up with him, can I??"

I rolled my eyes and she shrugged, going back to her spastic dancing. I ignored her Sirius comment and pushed the thought of my mom at some guy's party far out of my mind. She can do what she wants; it's Christmas, so damn it, I'm going to enjoy it!

"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" Bree, Shelby, Hermione, and Ginny were all bouncing on and around my bed, awaking me with the most excited faces I had ever seen on any of them. "C'mon," Ginny grinned, "Let's go open presents!" I grinned back and jumped out of bed. She ran ahead of all of us, down the stairs, plopping down next to the tree in front of everyone else. I swear sometimes she's more like six, then sixteen.

"Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas!" a jolly voice cheered, coming down the stairs. Everyone looked to make out none other then Sirius dressed as Santa Clause, full on in the fluffy red and white suit, big white beard, fake round belly, and Santa hat. In response to the hysterical and shocked faces, he merrily sat next to Remus on the ground and peered around. "Have you not seen a Santa before or what? Now…let's open some presents!"

Ginny and Ron were the first to respond, grabbing the first gift they could and tearing it apart. Both, forcing painful grins when they found it to be another Christmas sweater from Molly. "Thanks mum…" And soon enough, everyone was engulfed in their own world of gift bags and wrapping paper. I glanced around noticing a lack of two faces. "Where's Jess and mum?" I whispered to Shelby.

She shrugged, "they got in late. Plus…they always sleep through Christmas."

This was true, I had to agree. They never showed any excitement on Christmas morning. To them, it held no big purpose. No one ever threw parties on Christmas morning. "Here Courtney, open ours first," Fred threw over his gift from him and George. I opened it, then all the others, completely in my own little world. The tree contained no more presents by after a good hour and people were beginning to split off and clean up. I made sure to thank everyone for their gifts. I was especially pleased with Shelby and Bree's ipod to me, along with Mrs. Weasley yearly hand knit sweater and Fred and George's assorted gift basket of joke shop material.

I glanced Sirius sneaking upstairs, and followed him, making sure everyone else was too busy to notice. He turned into the drawing room and I made sure to lock the door behind me. "Mr. Black, I believe you've been hiding from me." I smirked, playfully. Finally, I thought, finally a moment alone.

He smiled, looking so damn cute in that Santa suit. The beard and belly were gone, but he showed no intent of getting out of that suit. At least…not until now. "I believe you've found me, Ms. Bueler."

"Sirius?"

"Hmm?" He put his hands on my hips, and then pulled me gently into him. I looked up into his cloudy grey eyes, then up at the ceiling.

"Mistletoe," I whispered.

He lifted me so my legs were around his waist and smiled into my ear. "Well, what sort of scrooge would I be to break tradition?" I giggled a little at him. No matter how hard I try to act somewhat mature around him, Sirius makes me feel like a giggly little school girl…maybe more like a naughty school girl, though.

His lips pressed against mine and immediately I felt the adrenaline and the heat and the energy burning up inside me. Almost a whole week I've gone with nothing but a quick feel here and there from Sirius, and I have been a damn god girl in this house through all the hustle and bustle. I have slept in my bed every night, never sneaking out, never breaking any sort of rule, and never giving anyone any reason to suspect that my "mystery man" has indeed been here all along. I think I deserve this little present from Santa for the holidays.

He seemed certainly glad to be back in the game as well. He wasted no times with buttons, and flipped my shirt right over my head, pausing for just a second to admire my candy cane Christmas bra. I snaked my hand under the cushiony red coat and rubbed his chest, eagerly. He bent down low to begin leaving kisses down my neck. I closed my eyes and tangled my fingers in his shaggy black hair, enjoying every second of the feel of his soft lips on my hot skin.

While pressing me back against the wall, he shrugged the heavy coat off his shoulders, letting it fall with a dull thud behind him. "Merry Christmas, Courtney," he smirked against my shoulder. I moaned my response, tired of wasting so much fucking time. I reached down to undo his belt right as he took this moment to unclasp my bra, throwing it carelessly to the side. And while I played with his zipper, and he rubbed his hands over every inch of me, I thought 'the holidays are fucking amazing', until a loud crack was heard through the room. "BLOODY HELL!"

Sirius froze dead in his tracks. I swear I could feel his heart in his chest stop cold. I turned my head only to be face to face with the twins staring dumbstruck at the image laid out for them. I squeaked out the first and only thing that came to mind. "Fuck."