~On the Train~
It was harder to tell who was more excited for the Christmas Holidays, Amirielle or Harry. It was just the Weasley's, Amirielle, Harry, and Hermione in the compartment. Alicia and Angelina's parents were picking them up at Hogsmeade and Lee decided to stay at Hogwarts and get some work done. The older students agreed to allow the first years to sit with them on the train. Ron sat next to Harry cross legged on the floor. Amirielle was playing solitaire with Exploding Snap cards. Eventually the entire thing exploded and the compartment exploded with laughter. Amirielle smiled and took out a handkerchief and wiped the soot off her face.
"You always do that," Fred said as he reached over and picked a little ash out of Amirielle's hair.
"It isn't any fun if the cards don't explode," Amirielle replied with a laugh, "It's like working against the clock."
"You and Harry should come over for a few days," George said, "Bill and Charlie are both in from their respective homes."
"We could go flying as well," Amirielle was saying, "It's not like there is anywhere to fly in the city."
"Not legally anyway," George said.
"Amirielle, could we really go to the Weasley's?" Harry asked.
"We'd have to ask my dad," Amirielle replied, "But I don't see why not."
"That would be great," Ron said. Amirielle had whole heartedly agreed.
"We could play a game of Quidditch," Fred said smiling.
"I'll bring my extra broom so Ron can play," Amirielle said smiling at the younger boy. She didn't know what she was going to do with the old broom when a thought hit her. The Comet Two-Sixty was still in amazing condition. All the older boys, excluding Percy, had a broom of their own. Amirielle decided to talk to her dad about giving Ron her old broom for Christmas. She could already hear her father now. Amirielle had always had a motherly side to her. She felt like she should protect the underdog no matter what. Even at age thirteen she had a maternal side. Sirius would tell anyone who asked that he was relieved. Many people worried about a man raising a daughter with out a mother, but Amirielle was the first to tell people that there was nothing to worry about.
They continued to talk about everything and nothing until the train pulled in at the station. Amirielle was the first off the train. She wore a dark blue sweater and a green dragon hide jacket. She had her denims tucked into a pair of motorcycle boots that she had gotten for her birthday. Harry followed her out of the train and they searched the crowd. Harry was the first to see Sirius who was standing near the Weasley's. Sirius wore a pair of dark denim jeans as well. He was holding two motorcycle helmets in his hands. Amirielle instantly recognized one of them as her own, it was a phosphorescent blue. She didn't recognize the scarlet one but she was sure it was Harry's. Grinning she grabbed Harry's arm and started running in the direction of her father.
"Dad!" she yelled jumping on him. He almost fell over but regained his balance.
"How're you doing, pup?" He asked giving her a squeeze.
"Great! So how're you going to get both of us on the motorbike?" she asked.
"You'll see," Sirius replied with a wink, "Wotcher, Harry."
"Hello Sirius," Harry said with a big grin, "I can't wait to see your flat."
"You mean our flat," Sirius said, "You live there now, too."
"Oh, yeah," Harry said, "Uh thanks for the broom and the gear."
"Your welcome," Sirius said sincerely. Amirielle smiled.
"Hey! Mir mom wants to say hi," Fred called to her. Sirius nodded and the three of them went towards the bigger family. Amirielle was then enveloped in a hug by Mrs. Weasley.
"How are you doing dear?" she asked her.
"Great Mrs. Weasley," Amirielle told her with a smile.
"Fred wrote me about the Quidditch game. I hear you and Harry had some difficulties," Mrs. Weasley said.
"Harry had it worse off then me. He was almost thrown off his broom. Apparently it was being hexed!" Amirielle said and Mrs. Weasley gasped.
"Well that isn't good, I'd get that checked out if I were you Sirius," Mrs. Weasley told the man.
"I'm on it," Sirius replied with a grin.
"Well Harry let me see you," Mrs. Weasley said and then she gave Harry a hug as well.
"My, what are they feeding you at that school," She said, "You're nothing but skin and bones!"
"Um," Harry replied a little speechless.
"You three must come over during the holidays," Mrs. Weasley told Harry, "I'll fix a big dinner. How does that sound!"
"Sounds great Molly, I'll be in touch," Sirius said.
"G'bye Mrs. Weasley, Fred, George," Amirielle said giving her friends a hug.
"See you soon Mir," Fred and George said.
"Bye Ron," Harry called and waved at his friend. Amirielle and Harry went through the platform while Sirius shrunk their luggage. He then handed Amirielle her helmet and Harry his.
"Is this really mine?" Harry asked.
"It's to small for me," Sirius told him and Harry smiled. Amirielle walked outside and quickly located the motorbike. There was a new addition.
"I thought you said you'd never get one of those!" Amirielle said pointing at the side car.
"Hey, that's the motorbike from my dream!" Harry said with a smile. Sirius gave Amirielle a look.
"All three of us can't fit on the bike. Harry you don't mind riding in the side car do you?" Harry shook his head and clambered into the side car. Sirius then got on and Amirielle fell in behind him. Clinging to her dad she smiled. The ride to the flat was amazing. She could hear Harry's squeals of glee. She laughed at the confused motorist who undoubtedly thought it was to cold for a man to take his two children out on a motorbike. Sirius, while he was charming the steel monster to fly, also charmed it to keep warm during the cold weather. Sirius maneuvered the bike into the parking garage near they're flat. The windblown students ran towards the doors and Sirius quickly followed. He hadn't stopped smiling since he saw Amirielle and Harry get off the train. Finally his godson was going to be where he belonged. He shushed to two as they ran up towards the top floor where Sirius and Amirielle had lived for the past ten years.
Sirius eventually made it to the top. The two were talking excitedly of Quidditch. Sirius unlocked the flat and the Amirielle and Harry walked inside.
"Dad let's show him his room!" Amirielle yelled.
"I get my own room?" Harry asked. Sirius gave him an odd look.
"Didn't you have your own room at the Dursley's?" Sirius asked. Harry thought.
"Well when the letters started coming they finally gave me a room. I slept in the cupboard under the stairs until then," He said quietly. Sirius took a calming breath. There was nothing to do about it now. Harry was his now. He would stay here with him and Amirielle. Sirius nodded towards the bedroom that was now his godson's. Harry opened the door and smiled. The room had been magically expanded. On one wall were a giant bed and a nightstand. On the other wall there was a closet filled with clothes and a dresser. On the wall where the pictures hung Sirius had put a book shelf and a desk.
"In the closet there is a broom rack for your Nimbus and a drawer specifically set aside for your gear. You and I will share the bathroom right next door seeing as Amirielle has her own leading off her room," Sirius explain pulling Harry's trunk out of his pocket and unshrinking it, "You probably have some things at your aunt's we can go—"
"No," Harry said, "Everything I have that's important is in my trunk."
"Oh," Sirius said softly.
"Want to show him your room?" Sirius said then turning to Amirielle.
"Sure!" Amirielle said, "Coming Harry?"
"Is that my mom and dad?" Harry asked pointing at one of the pictures.
"Of course it is Harry! Have you never seen pictures of your parents?" Sirius replied and Harry shook his head. Sirius walked over and pointed at the first one.
"That's your dad, Remus, who you will meet later tonight, a man named Peter, and me, we were a little older then Amirielle is. The next picture is of your parents wedding. There is your mom and dad and me as the best man," Sirius explained, "This is you as a wee one and your folks. This last picture is of you and Amirielle when you were about a year old."
"Wow," Harry said reaching up and touching his parent's picture. Sirius watched as a tear fell down the boy's face. Sirius put his hand on the boy's shoulder and Harry in turn wrapped his arms around Sirius's waist. Sirius held the boy for a few minutes. Eventually he heard Amirielle making tea in the kitchen. Harry stepped back from Sirius and wiped his eyes.
"You going to be okay, pup?" Sirius asked. Harry nodded and they went into the kitchen that doubled as a dining room. Amirielle had tea and pastries ready and Harry sat down and started to drink.
"Hey dad, did I hear you say Moony is coming over?" Amirielle asked. Sirius nodded.
"He's coming over as well as your Aunt Andy, Uncle Ted and Dora," Sirius said.
"Why?" Amirielle asked picking up a scone and leaning on the counter.
"Well, it's kind of a homecoming party for Harry. We're going to put up tree," Sirius replied.
"Dad… did you think about making dinner for every one?" Amirielle asked.
"Um, no," He said screwing up his face.
"Let me see," Amirielle said looking in the fridge, "I could make roast chicken if you go to the store and buy me some chicken and whatever vegetables you want."
"Sounds good," Sirius said and stood up putting on his leather coat, "Lock the door and unpack. I'll be back in a few."
"Hurry," Amirielle said and she led Harry off to her room. Sirius smiled as he walked out the door. He stood and listened for the lock to click before he walked down the stairs. Harry was going to get a little taste of what a real family was tonight. He quickly walked to the store. Once inside he headed towards the meats.
"Well, we meet again same place, different aisle," Camille called behind him. She stood behind him wearing a green sweater and a smile. Sirius heart thudded a little and he smiled back.
"How are you Camille?"
"Good, thought you said you were going to stop by for a drink," Camille said smiling.
"Well um," Sirius said.
"I'm joking Sirius," She said grabbing her some chicken, "It's good seeing you again."
"You too," Sirius replied. He watched as she walked off then a thought hit him, "Hey, Camille what are you doing tonight?"
"Eating ice cream and listening to the Quidditch game," Camille replied.
"You want to come over and have dinner with my family and I?" Sirius asked her, "We're going to put up a tree. Uh, Andy is going to be there."
"You sure you want me to come?" she asked.
"Of course," Sirius replied. Camille smiled and nodded. Sirius paid for the chicken and the potatoes and Camille paid for her groceries. Sirius gentlemanly escorted her to his home where they walked in.
"Hey dad…" Amirielle started she stopped mid-sentence Harry, who was clinging to the back of her neck, stopped laughing.
"Mir, Harry, this is Camille, Camille this is my daughter Amirielle and my godson Harry," Sirius said. Amirielle nodded and Harry waved. She dropped the eleven year old and took the groceries from Sirius. Harry followed the older girl into the kitchen.
"That didn't phase her much," Camille said.
"It takes a good deal to make her pause," Sirius replied and offered to take off Camille's coat. She graciously accepted and Sirius hung it on the hook next to his own. He nodded to the couch, "Please make yourself comfortable."
"Thanks," She said and sat down near the fire, "I can't believe your flat has a fireplace."
"Believe it," Sirius replied, "I added it after we moved in."
"Ah," Camille said and Amirielle walked in with two cups of tea.
"Hey shouldn't you be cooking?" Sirius asked as he took a cup and Amirielle handed Camille one.
"I am, Harry's helping. He says he's been cooking since he was eight!" Amirielle said walking back towards the kitchen. Sirius shook his head and rummaged in his pockets. He pulled out three magically shrunken items. He un-shrunk a tree stand, tree, and a bag of ornaments. He also grabbed set the tree up and put a preservation charm on it as the doorbell rang. He took three long strides to the door. He opened it to find Remus Lupin on his doorstep. Rail thin and ragged as always, but smiling and holding two presents.
"For the kids," He said placing them under the tree. Sirius smiled.
"Remus you remember Camille," Sirius said and Remus smiled.
"Good to see you again," He said walking over to shake her hand. Then he too made himself comfortable on the couch. This time Harry came out with the cup of tea.
"Uh here you go," He said to Moony.
"Thanks Harry, You look just like your father," He said with a smile. Harry smiled too, "But you got your mom's eyes."
"Thank you… uh, you want me to call you Moony too?" he asked. Remus nodded and chuckled. Harry laughed to, "I got to go back and help Mir."
Remus smiled as the boy left, "I see Amirielle has already started the boys training."
"Actually she said he's been cooking since he was eight," Sirius replied standing near the door. The three adults caught up while Amirielle and Harry cooked. Eventually the doorbell rang and Sirius answered the door. Andy, Ted and Dora stood outside of the room. Sirius let them in and made introductions yet again. Eventually Amirielle and Harry filed in. Amirielle had the roast chicken and potatoes and Harry carried the plates and forks. During dinner there were many persistent, "Please, Harry call me Aunt Andy," or "Uncle Ted," or "You can be one of the few who call me Dora."
They then turned on the Wireless and started decorating the tree. Harry's smile never left his face and Camille also brightened as the evening wore on. Sirius guessed that this was the first time either of them had had a family Christmas in a long time.
~Christmas Day~
"One, Two, Three," Amirielle whispered and the two of them burst into Sirius's room.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" they yelled as they jumped on top of Sirius who screamed like a girl, which he would deny after the fact. The three of the, raced down the hall into the living room. Harry's face lit up and Amirielle grinned. She piled hers next to her and Harry assembled his.
"Youngest first," Amirielle said and pointed to her present. Harry smiled and ripped it open he held up the sugar quills and looked at her questionably, "They're sugar quills; you suck on them during class."
"Awesome," Harry said with a smile. Then he opened Hagrids gift. Hagrid had made him a flute. He blew on it experimentally and the whole house agreed it was for show only. Harry then opened what Amirielle knew was a Weasley sweater. She herself got one every year since she started Hogwarts. Grinning Harry slipped it on over his clothes. The next gift was more candy, chocolate frogs, from Hermione.
"Now Harry," Sirius said, "This is something that used to be your dad's."
Harry smiled and unwrapped the Invisibility Cloak. Amirielle gasped when Harry put it on and his body disappeared. Grinning he took it off and set it aside. He pulled his next gift towards him. It happened to be a bunch of books on Quidditch from Remus. Setting those aside in glee, he opened the journal and color changing ink from Andy and Ted. The next gift was from Dora. It contained black motorbike boots and a black dragon skin jacket. Then he opened Sirius's.
"It's a Quidditch Today subscription," Sirius explained.
"Thanks," Harry said sincerely and slightly overwhelmed. Sirius smiled.
Amirielle started in on her gifts. First was her Weasley sweater which was blue as always. Second were blue fireworks from Fred and George. She then unwrapped Perfume from Alicia and a Harpies poster from Angelina. She got books on history from Moony and books on defense from Dora. She also got a journal and color changing ink from Andy and Ted. Her dad's made her smile widen.
"Books on how to repair motorbikes! This is great dad!" She replied and jumped up giving him a big hug. Harry to gave him a hug.
"This is the best Christmas I ever had," Harry said and smiled. Sirius smiled as well. He could remember a Christmas this good either.
AN: Merry Christmas everyone I hope you like it =)