Chapter Twelve: A Family Christmas
It was fast coming up to Christmas and Orion was in something of a quandary. The problem: He had no idea what to get his family for Christmas. Sighing, the wizard tossed a catalogue on top of the growing pile in the lounge and ran a hand through his hair.
The months since he'd arrived in the past had been a rollercoaster but his life was beginning to settle down. Remus and Severus had settled into life with him and they were now a tight knit family. Occasionally arguments would spoil the peace and harmony but that was usual with any family so Orion wasn't especially worried about it.
Looking at the clock again, he groaned. Getting up, he stretched his arms above his head, yawning widely. He'd sent Remus and Severus to visit James at Potter Manor while he did some more research on the Horcruxes, and also worried over the knotty problem of Christmas presents.
Activating the Floo he stuck his head in. "Anyone home?" he called out. Silence met his request briefly until there was a yell of "Uncle Orion!" from James and "Dad!" from Severus and Remus, and the trio of excited eight year olds came running into view.
"Hello terrors," Orion said with a grin. James rolled his eyes and said, "We're not terrors Uncle Orion, we're Marauders."
"Yes I know. Now may I come through?" Orion asked.
James looked at his cousins and grinned, a spark of mischief in his eyes. "I don't know, should we let you?"
Orion just waited patiently, he knew James pretty well by now, and knew that he wouldn't let him stay in the fire all that long. His internal musings were interrupted when three pairs of hands seized his head and pulled strongly.
With a yelp of mingled shock and pain Orion was pulled through the fire, ably assisted by the three boys. When he was fully through he rubbed his neck and smiled ruefully.
"Thank you. Have you had fun?"
He directed his question to Severus and Remus. Both nodded enthusiastically.
"Uncle Charles said that we can stay for dinner if we want," Remus said with a large smile, bouncing up and down with eagerness. Severus joined in the bouncing and grinned at Orion, his eyes quite clearly conveying the message, 'Please'
"Oh alright, we can stay," Orion laughed, privately thinking that staying for dinner would give him the opportunity to pick his grandparents' brains for present ideas.
After a noisy dinner which reminded Orion of meals at the Burrow in the future, the boys were sent off to play until it was time for Severus, Remus and Orion to leave. Sitting in the lounge, holding a glass of Firewhiskey, Orion leaned back in his chair and asked, "What do I get everyone for Christmas?"
His grandparents chuckled. "Have you tried asking them?" Emma said with a laugh.
Orion just stared at her. "No, not yet. Is that the best way to do it?"
"It's the best way if you don't know what they'd like," Charles said, smothering his chuckles with difficulty.
Orion nodded thoughtfully. "I might as well start with you two then, what would you like?"
Charles and Emma looked at each other. "Hmm, well, what we'd really like is a picture of you and your family from the future, but it's not a gift one can open in front of the kids," Emma mused.
"It is if the picture is spelled to be blank to anyone other than the two of you," Orion offered.
His grandparents smiled. "True. OK, that's the two of us settled. Go ask the kids what they'd like," Charles said.
Going up the stairs, Orion heard conversation coming from James' bedroom.
"…Yes but what to get Uncle Orion though. I've got yours, and Mum's and Dad's. What would Uncle Orion like?" James was asking. Orion smothered a laugh, here he was worrying about what to get them and they were worrying about what to get him.
"We could try asking each other what we want," he said, walking into the room. Three heads whipped round as the boys realized that they'd been overheard.
"Um, how much did you hear?" James asked.
Orion just smiled and sat down. "Just you worrying about what to get me for Christmas. I'd like to ask all of you the same thing actually. What do you want for Christmas?"
James, Remus and Severus looked at each other, and then at Orion, their eyes beginning to gleam with excitement. Orion had a moment to wonder exactly what he'd got himself into before three very long lists were presented.
"Hmm, new brooms, a set of Quidditch equipment, a Potions set, my, you want a lot don't you," he teased, setting the lists down. As the kids' faces fell Orion grinned. "Relax guys. I can't promise everything on these lists, but you will get some of them."
"What do you want though Dad?" Remus asked, looking worried. He and Severus had no idea what to get for the man that had rescued both of them and given them a new home and a better life. They'd presented him with a new cloak for his birthday during the summer holidays as his old one was getting frayed round the edges, but they wanted to get him something different for Christmas.
"I have no idea," Orion responded quietly. "As far as I'm concerned, you gave me the best present I could ever have had when you both allowed me to adopt you. However, if you really want to get me something, um, talk to your uncle."
"But what about me?" James asked. Orion smiled.
"Same answer James, only for you it would be talk to your father. I will say this though: I will like anything you three come up with for me OK. There is no right or wrong present when it comes to me."
He left them then, going back downstairs to spend some more time with Charles and Emma. While the three boys were engrossed in planning Christmas presents, he was going to learn more Potter family history.
"So how did the present talk go?" Emma asked. Orion just shook his head.
"Be prepared for all three to ask what present to get me. Oh and what was that "Uncle Charles" bit?"
Charles looked embarrassed for a brief moment. "Well, if James calls you Uncle Orion, we figured your sons could call us Uncle Charles and Aunt Emma."
"And the family tree grows ever more confused," Orion said with a grin. Charles and Emma just grinned back.
"So, what were you planning to get them?" Orion asked.
"Have they given you their lists yet?" Emma responded.
Orion chuckled before producing the lists and handing them over. "I was thinking about getting Severus that Junior Potions Master kit he wanted, and Remus wants a new broom as well as some more books. James, well, I wanted to consult with you as to what to get him."
"We're getting him a new broom, his old one's just about worn out so why don't you get him a set of Quidditch equipment," Charles suggested. Orion smiled.
"Perfect."
"Now, Orion what do you want," Charles asked seriously.
Orion groaned. "As I told the boys, I've already got everything I could want, a new family, well, sort of new anyway, and I have no idea really what you could give me. I'll give you the same answer I gave them: I will be happy with anything you choose for me."
Emma and Charles shared a look, they didn't quite know what to do with that information but they'd give it their best shot anyway. They were distracted from their thoughts when the trio of young Potters came thundering down the stairs, sounding like a herd of young elephants.
"When you've quite finished doing your elephant impersonation, it's time for us to head home," Orion said with a smirk. A chorus of groans greeted that statement.
"Uncle Orion, can't you all stay?" James asked with just the slightest hint of a whine.
Orion frowned. "Unfortunately we can't James, you all have school tomorrow and I have to check in with my team at work. Plus you're all tired and I'm sure you want to sleep. You can see them tomorrow anyway."
James scowled but knew that he couldn't change his uncle's mind. "OK then. I'll see you tomorrow," he said just before a yawn escaped him. Orion smiled and gently hugged him, before releasing him and moving towards the fireplace. Remus and Severus followed him, just as tired as James was, neither putting up an argument over leaving. After sending them through the Floo, Orion threw some more powder into the flames and vanished as well.
The next day, while the boys were at school, Orion took the opportunity to check in with his team regarding the Horcruxes. Kestrel met him at the entrance to the Department of Mysteries and smiled at him.
"Hey boss, I didn't think we'd see you till the New Year," she said with a grin. Orion smirked back and replied, "Yeah well, I was in the area and thought I'd enquire. I've been doing research on my own as well of course but I hope you and the others don't mind that I've pulled you into this project."
"Course we don't Hunter. Tracking down ancient artifacts is a challenge, especially since they're Founder's artifacts. What do you want them for is our main question," Reaper said, coming up behind Kestrel and leading the way to the main conference room where Diamond and Shade were waiting.
Orion sighed. "OK you all know me well enough by now for me to tell you the real reason I'm after these things. I'm not from all that far in the future – I was born in nineteen-eighty. There is a Dark Lord who will be rising a few years from now who used these artifacts as Horcruxes. He hasn't come out as a Dark Lord yet but he's building up his power base as we speak. Part of that is creating Horcruxes."
"So you want to follow along behind him and destroy the Horcruxes after he's made them?" Reaper asked. Orion nodded.
"Yes. The good news is that he can only create six, the bad news is, despite my knowledge of what they are and where they'll probably be hidden; I don't know when he created them, or if he'll change his hiding places which is why we've been doing all this research."
"So, if you were born in nineteen-eighty, can we know your real name?" Shade enquired.
Orion sighed. "OK. My last name really is Potter; I was adopted into the Potter family so I could legally keep that name without any issues. My name here is Orion, and I'm not going to tell you my true birth name."
"So, what relation are the Potters to you then?" This question was from Diamond.
Orion grinned wolfishly and said, "They're my grandparents."
It didn't take long for the rest of the Wolves to figure out the implications. "Bloody hell, you're masquerading as your father's uncle?" Kestrel said in shock. "Oh boy, that's got to be confusing."
"I prefer to think of it as a giant prank," Orion replied off handedly. Growing serious he said, "I can count on all of you to keep this secret and only use my nickname here?"
"Of course Hunter," Reaper said immediately.
Orion smiled at that and pulled out the shrunken pile of notes he'd brought with him. "Right then, let's see what we've got," he said. The rest of his team pulled out their own notes and started comparing them, making a new list of items and possible locations from them.
After four hours of painstaking research the Wolves stopped for a break. Taking a look at the time they mutually decided to call it a day, and packed up the notes. They'd done some good work though; they now knew what some of the Horcruxes were likely to be. Now they just had to wait for Voldemort to make them.
"Next weekend, we go on a Horcrux Hunt," Orion said tiredly, downing a Pepper-Up potion as he needed to stay awake for a few more hours yet. His team nodded, excitement coursing through them. They knew what they had to do with the Horcruxes, but despite that they loved a treasure hunt, and that's what the Horcruxes were to them, an evil treasure.
Orion Flooed into the Leaky Cauldron and made his way into Diagon Alley. Stepping into the Alley, he headed for the apothecary, where he bumped into a wizard on his way in.
"I'm sorry, let me help you with that," Orion said as he steadied the unknown wizard's packages. The wizard smiled at him.
"Not a problem, you looking for potions ingredients?"
"Not exactly, I'm looking for the Junior Potions Master kit for my son," Orion replied.
"Is he interested in Potions then?"
"Very. He's told me that he wants to be a Potions Master when he grows up. He reads Potions books like most other kids read fairy tales," Orion said ruefully. He loved Severus, but at times he despaired of ever getting him to read anything other than the latest Potions journal.
"Well, why don't you bring him to my camp then, it's over the summer, run during the day, you get him back at night. Fully funded, doesn't cost you anything and he gets out of the house for a while," the wizard said.
Orion blinked. "Um, might I enquire as to your name sir?" he said. The camp sounded good but he wasn't about to let his son go off with a total stranger.
"Oh sorry, where are my manners. My wife would kill me. Potions Master Gerald Sorenson. I've been running these camps for a while now. No potion is harmful to the kids, and it introduces them to basic brewing techniques before they reach Hogwarts. How old is your son?"
"Eight, he'll be nine next year," was the reply.
"Oh good, perfect age to begin. I don't suppose you're any good are you?" Gerald asked.
Orion shrugged. "I can follow a recipe but my Potions teacher spent more time insulting my parentage than actually teaching me anything. He ridiculed my efforts so much that I lost all liking for the subject. I can brew what I have to but that's about it."
"That's a shame. Did you like Potions before he ruined it?"
"I was brought up by Muggles after my parents died. I didn't know magic existed until I got my letter and the teacher started in on me during the very first lesson. So I never got the chance to actually like it."
"Bad teacher. Still, I shouldn't take up too much of your time. Take one of the flyers, it has all the information you need. I look forward to seeing your son in June if he wants to come."
Orion stood in the doorway of the apothecary, clutching the flyer and staring after Gerald as he made his way down the alley. Shaking his head he stepped inside the shop, wondering if all Potions Masters were slightly mad, and if they were, was it a result of the fumes they breathed in during brewing?
When he got home he promptly wrapped the presents in his invisibility cloak and put them in the study. He then locked the door with several high-level locking charms, the last one being in Parseltongue. He knew that magical children were quite capable of unlocking doors with accidental magic if they really, really wanted the door open, he'd done it himself at the Dursleys, and his three future children had also shown the same ability. He did not want the presents discovered before the proper time. With the presents secure, he went to find Severus, who, along with Remus and James, was home from school.
He found them in the lounge, working on their homework. It was the last week before the Christmas break and they were all working hard. They looked up, startled, when he appeared in the doorway. The shock didn't last long, and Orion found himself the recipient of three hugs that threatened to squeeze the breath out of him.
"Hi boys. Was school good today?" he wheezed. The boys let him go and watched as he regained his breath. When he seemed capable of listening, Severus answered, "It was OK. We don't like one of the boys though; he seems intent on hanging round us all the time."
Orion looked interested, and sat down on the couch, carefully stepping over and around the homework that was strewn all over the floor.
"What's his name?" he asked.
James scowled as he answered, "Peter Pettigrew. He wants to be part of our group, and doesn't like the fact that Sirius is the fourth member."
"Has he said anything to you about it?"
"No. He just hangs round us with a hopeful expression all the time," Remus answered. He'd had to wrestle with Moony's response to Pettigrew, which wasn't good. The wolf didn't like Pettigrew and was frustrated that Remus didn't attack him.
Orion nodded in response to hearing this. "Well, I think that you ought to ignore him. Is he a wizard?"
James nodded. "Yes. He'll be in our year at Hogwarts, hopefully in a different House."
Seeing an opportunity to direct conversation away from the subject of the young Peter Pettigrew, Orion asked mildly, "And what House do you think you'll all be in?"
He got three different responses. James was hoping for Gryffindor, Remus was thinking about either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw while Severus was torn between Gryffindor and Slytherin. Remus and Severus didn't know what they'd do if they were in Gryffindor and Slytherin as the rivalry between the two Houses was fierce, even in this time. A Gryffindor/Slytherin friendship would not go down well among the other students.
"Don't listen to them," was Orion's practical advice when Severus told him what they were worried about. "Slytherin is the house for the cunning and ambitious, not the house of future Dark Lords. And Gryffindor, despite being the house of the brave and courageous, has had its share of traitors and betrayers. All the houses have their strengths and weaknesses."
"Really Dad?" Remus asked. "You wouldn't mind if I was in Gryffindor and Sev was in Slytherin?"
Orion chuckled and pulled both Remus and Severus into a hug. "Of course not. The Sorting Hat wanted to put me in Slytherin as its first choice. It put me in Gryffindor because I asked it to."
He left the three open-mouthed boys to do the rest of their homework while he went to look over his Horcrux research. Satisfied that he and his team could go on the first of the Horcrux hunts in the near future he returned to the lounge and gave pointers when needed on tricky questions.
Over dinner that night Orion casually mentioned the meeting he'd had in Diagon Alley with Gerald Sorenson. Severus immediately latched on to the idea of the camp and begged to go. Seeing his brother getting the chance to go on a Potions camp, Remus immediately thought of the junior Quidditch camp that James had mentioned and asked to go on that. After some thought, Orion agreed to both. With summer plans firmly in place, the small family looked forward to Christmas.
When Christmas Day finally arrived, Orion was woken up at the crack of dawn by two heavy weights landing on top of him. He cracked an eye open, looking disgruntled at being woken so early. Severus and Remus didn't care, they wanted the presents they were sure were hidden somewhere and they wanted them now.
"Later," Orion yawned, "we're going to Potter Manor to spend Christmas with James and your aunt and uncle; you'll get your presents then. Now, either go away and let me sleep until a more reasonable hour or cuddle up here and go to sleep."
He closed his eyes again and waited. After a whispered argument, he felt his sons settle down, one on either side of him. A small smile curved Orion's mouth as he fell asleep again.
They were woken again at eight am, by Noddy, who informed them that Charles was in the fire and wanted to know if they were coming for breakfast. Orion was much more willing to get up this time and went downstairs, wrapping his dressing gown round him as he walked.
After a short conversation, Orion agreed to bring Severus and Remus to Potter Manor for breakfast and presents. When the Floo deactivated, he went back upstairs and woke the two boys, who jumped off the bed and ran to get dressed upon hearing of the plans.
Shortly afterwards, the trio stepped out of the Floo, Orion not landing on his face for once as Charles had taken pity on his grandson and told him the proper way to retain one's balance during Floo trips. Orion had grumbled when he'd heard that all you had to do was bend your knees on landing, but said nothing else on the subject. Laughter drew his attention and he watched with indulgent amusement as James, Severus and Remus practically inhaled their food, so determined were they to get to the gift-giving. Seeing the speed with which the younger Potters were eating, Charles, Emma and Orion deliberately slowed their own pace, making the eight-year-olds wait for a while.
It didn't take long though and soon the family was gathered in the living room of Potter Manor all sitting round the tree. Following tradition, the boys got their gifts first, going in order from youngest to oldest. The youngest was, in fact, James, as his birthday was the twenty-seventh of March, Remus' the tenth of March and Severus' the ninth of January. Orion watched with well-hidden anxiety as Severus unwrapped his present. He needn't have worried as Severus launched himself off the floor and at his father, almost knocking both of them to the floor in his exuberant attempt at thanking him.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," was all Orion could make out as he pried Severus' arms from their stranglehold on his neck. After another moment or two Severus let go and let Remus have his turn. Remus was similarly excited on receiving his new broom, and he and James immediately made plans to have a race after the gifts were all handed out. James was next and he whooped when he unwrapped the new Quidditch gear.
The next youngest family member after James was Orion and he chose as his first present, the one that came from both Severus and Remus. He unwrapped it to find a 100 galleon voucher from Flourish and Blotts and a note. He unfolded that and read,
To Dad
We really didn't know what to get you when you've already given us so much. We know that you like reading and research so we hoped you could use the voucher to pick out books you like.
From
Sev and Remy
It was written in very neat handwriting for eight-year-olds and Orion smiled at them. "Thank you, I was planning another trip to Flourish and Blotts. This is just what I needed," he said sincerely. The sighs of relief from Severus and Remus were almost audible and Orion grinned. "I really do like it," he assured them.
Charles and Emma were next and they unwrapped Orion's present to them. As promised, it was a picture of him with his future family, spelled so James, Severus and Remus couldn't see it. When they were old enough to hear the truth, Orion thought, he would take the enchantment off. For now, he accepted the hugs from his grandparents and ignored the confused looks from the boys who couldn't understand why Charles and Emma were so pleased to be getting an empty picture frame.
The gift-giving continued, going round in the same order, until each person had a small pile in front of them. James and Remus were released to fly round outside on their brooms as the day was nice enough to try them out, while Severus was reading the instructions for his new potions kit.
Leaning forward in his chair, Orion tapped him on the shoulder. Severus looked up, eyes wide.
"I've just got a couple of rules regarding that kit Sev," Orion said with a smile. Severus nodded, not wanting to have it taken away from him. "First," Orion said, "you can use that as much as you want but I don't want you spending all day with it, OK." Severus nodded; he liked potions but also liked being outside and playing with Remus and James. Sirius was alright, he supposed, but James was the one who was closest to Sirius in their little group. He returned his attention to his father, who had waited until he had Severus' full attention once more.
"And second, potions brewing can leave you a bit messy so when you've been brewing potions, I want you to have a shower the same day. It doesn't have to be immediately after, but it does have to be the same day alright," Orion stated. Severus nodded once more and returned to perusing his new kit.
The vials were self-refilling up to a point. The information said that it had enough for a hundred potions, or, given the age range the kits were designed for, attempts at potions. Knowing that he wouldn't get an answer from Severus until he'd finished examining everything; Orion left him to it, with one more instruction to not try any brewing until they were back home. Orion had set aside an area of the kitchen which was where Severus could do potions brewing in relative safety. He had an idea for what to give Severus for his ninth birthday but he needed to talk to someone else about it first.
Checking once more to see that Severus was OK, Orion stepped outside. Remus and James had tired of racing and were now floating in mid-air talking about something. Charles and Emma were watching them so Orion went over to join them.
"Is Severus OK?" Emma asked.
Orion grinned. "He's fine. He knows we're all outside, but he's so engrossed in that potions kit that suggesting that he come outside before he's finished examining it in minute detail is a futile exercise. He'll be fine."
Charles and Emma nodded, putting up a privacy charm so they could discuss issues of the future with Orion without the danger of James or Remus overhearing. Once they heard that Orion would be going on the first of his Horcrux hunts on the coming weekend they promptly admonished him to be careful, which brought a surprised look from Orion.
"I've done this before," he pointed out reasonably.
His grandparents sighed. "We know you have Orion, but we do feel responsible for you, and we care about you. We wouldn't want you to get hurt, or Merlin forbid, killed, especially not now," Emma replied.
Orion didn't need her not so subtle glance towards the children to understand what she meant. In an even tone of voice he said, "I have no intention of dying Emma. I know how to handle Horcruxes and I'll have my team with me. Remus and Severus are joining James at Sirius' home next Saturday for a visit, during which I'll be destroying that Horcrux. Everything will be fine."
Charles and Emma didn't look convinced but they realized that Orion needed to hunt down the Horcruxes so they didn't complain. Instead, they watched with barely concealed mirth when there was an explosion from indoors and Orion's head jerked up before he jumped from his seat and ran inside.
The sight that greeted him caused Orion to stop and stare. Severus was sitting in front of the pewter cauldron that had come with the potions kit, his hair standing on end and the remains of a failed potion all over his clothes. The cauldron had a self-heating charm on it, designed specifically so that young children didn't need to be near a burning flame. The cauldron's inside was blackened, and a sludgy mess had adhered to the inner surface. Severus himself, apart from his hair and clothes, was fine, if a bit shocked.
Black eyes met gold as Severus looked rather sheepishly at his father. Orion shook his head and drew his wand. He frowned when Severus couldn't quite stop himself from flinching, but flicked it and cleaned the soot off his son.
"I distinctly remember telling you not five minutes ago that you weren't to try anything until we got home," Orion remarked, his tone cool but not angry.
Severus looked even more sheepish and replied, "Sorry Dad. I wasn't deliberately trying anything; I just put the ingredients in the cauldron and then tapped the side with my finger. It just happened, the cauldron heated up, and then there was this bubbling and then an explosion."
Orion sighed. "Well, the first thing you'll be doing when you get home is cleaning this cauldron out with warm soapy water. When it's clean, I'll spell it dry so the soap won't ruin any other experiments you choose to do. However, you won't be using it again for two days."
"But Dad," Severus protested, horrified at losing his beloved new potions set.
Orion held up his hand. "I asked you not to touch the ingredients or try any brewing until we were at home in the proper environment. I know you didn't mean for the explosion to happen but it wouldn't have happened if you'd followed my instructions. You chose not to, therefore, you won't be using it until the day after tomorrow."
Severus watched as the kit packed itself back up, leaving only the cauldron out. Noticing the look on his face, Orion raised an eyebrow. "I was thinking of your safety when I gave you that instruction about not using it until we were home," he remarked before taking the kit and the cauldron, through the Floo.
"It's only for tomorrow," Remus said, having flown down when he'd heard the explosion. Severus gave an unintelligible mumble and glared at Remus, who ignored it.
When Orion returned, neither he nor Severus commented on what had happened, both choosing to ignore the incident so that it didn't ruin the rest of the day. Taking their cue from them, the rest of the family didn't mention it either although James and Remus gave Severus sympathetic looks.
Charles and Emma ignored the exercising of parental authority, both feeling that Orion had chosen the right course of action, but they'd seen what the kids hadn't – the brief hesitation on Orion's part before he'd acted.
Dinner was pleasant, turkey with all the trimmings, followed by dessert. The slight undercurrent of resentment directed at Orion by Severus was studiously ignored so as not to make a scene. Orion noticed it though and made a note to himself to talk with Severus before he went to bed that night, to clear the air.
The next day passed without incident, as Severus had eventually agreed that Orion had done the right thing, even if he didn't like it, and Orion reflected to himself as he sat in the lounge on Boxing Day, that his first Christmas with his new family had been, more or less, a good one.
