The next few weeks leading up to Christmas were surprisingly uneventful. James served his detention and came back in an extremely bad mood. He complained all week about his arms aching and how Filch could go sod off.

It was also noticed that Remus had made another disappearance. The others questioned him and he just said it was his great-grandfather's funeral. They were none the wiser.

Two weeks before Christmas holidays McGonagall came round with a list of people who were staying at Hogwarts during Christmas. Remus thought Sirius would put his name down, considering what was happening at home.

"There's nothing wrong at home Remus." Sirius would reply whenever Remus questioned him. "And anyway, Reg misses me."

Remus would press no further on the matter.

Two weeks went by and the four boys found themselves packing to go home. They had not realised how scattered their possessions where. It took them a good hour to find everything that belonged to them.

Another hour later and they were on the train back home.

"You know, when we get back to school, we should pull a prank." Said James thoughtfully.

"You're saying that now we're on the train back home?" Said Remus with raised eyebrows.

"That's a great idea Jamie!" Exclaimed Sirius.

"We should plan over the holidays." Chipped in Peter.

They each made a promise to owl each other over Christmas as the train stopped to a halt.

"Well men, I shall see you next year." Said James stepping off the train, luggage in hand.

They followed him to each of their families. James's parents hugged him tightly and ruffled his hair. Peter's mum kissed him on the forehead while his dad said how much he missed him and his sister. Remus' parents hugged him gingerly, as if he might break. His mum was tearful as she had missed him. Sirius' parents gave him a cold hello and walked away, with him trailing behind.

Sirius' parents apparated him home, back to the cold, depressing house of Black. He went up to his room without a word and started to unpack.

Sirius was scared. He was scared what his parents were going to do, what they were going to say. He sat down on his bed. The covers were green. He hated the colour green. It was everything to do with Slytherin and that was everything to do with the name Black.

The house elf, Kreacher came into his room.

"Dinner is ready, master Sirius." He said with low bow.

Sirius gave a sigh and went downstairs. When he sat down there was silence. Stony, cold silence. Sirius liked it better that way. It meant that his mother couldn't shout at him.

It wasn't silent for long.

"Sirius, why didn't you reply to our letters?" His mother asked in a threatening voice.

Sirius remained silent.

"Did you get my howler?"

Sirius nodded.

"Answer your mother!" His father yelled.

"Don't pressure him Orion, he's probably just been mixing with mudblood filth."

"They are not beneath us!" Sirius raised his voice, thinking of Remus.

"DON'T RAISE YOUR VOICE AT ME! I AM YOUR MOTHER, RESPECT ME!" His mother screamed.

"NEVER!" Sirius roared.

He ran back to his room, dodging the curses and spells flying from the wand of his mother. Regulus flinched in his seat at what Sirius had become.

Sirius ran up to his bedroom and locked it. He was pretty sure that she had gone back downstairs. He soon realised how hungry he was, but resisted going back down due to pride.

Sirius felt depressed. He missed James, Remus and Peter. He missed the comfort and home of Hogwarts. He crawled under his bed sheets, stomach hurting, and cried.

As the days went on it was noticed that the house of Black held a tension. This tension was that Walburger and Orion Black tended to remain in uncomfortable silence until violent outbursts towards their eldest son. They would yell insults, mutter crude remarks, and send curses and hexes flying.

Sirius felt scared for the next spell to come. Sirius never wanted to come down for dinner because it always ended in spells being cast his way. He thought he'd lost all hope until an own came through his window.

Hi Sirius!

I just got home and it's great! Mum and dad really missed me when I was at Hogwarts. They can be a bit clingy but to be fair, I would miss me too. Thing (my house elf) has been like my personal waiter. I guess he missed serving me.

I've got a great plan for a prank when we get back to school! I'll tell you on the train because I want Remus and Peter to hear.

How are your holidays? I looking forward to Christmas! I get such good PRESENTS! Are you free during the holidays? Can you come round? If not then see you soon!

Your good looking friend,

James

P.s Owl is a bit stupid to it might take her a few days to find you.

Sirius smiled at his friend, the muscles in his face straining as he'd not smiled in days. He quickly got a quill, some parchment and began to write.

James opened the door of Potter Manor, finally home. Thing, the house elf came and bowed to him.

"Welcome home Master James!" He said in a squeaky voice.

"Hi Thing, have you got anything for lunch?" He asked, his stomach rumbling.

"Of course Master James! Thing has been preparing!" He ran off and beckoned him to come to the dining room.

The small family sat down while Thing brought out plates and food.

"So James, what do you think of Hogwarts?" His father asked.

"It's great!" He replied through a mouth full of food.

"Have you made any friends?"

"Of course! There's Sirius, he's so much fun! Remus who is a bit quiet but has good humour and Peter who is great!"

"That sounds great honey!" His mother gushed. "I'm so glad you're back, we missed you."

James grinned, he was glad to be back too. After his lunch his parents told him to go upstairs to unpack. James resisted at first, out of laziness, but soon gave in. He ended up sitting around piles of clothes and books with a quill in his hand. He'd decided to write to Sirius, even through it had only been a few hours he missed him more than he cared to admit.

James tied the letter he wrote to Owl and told her to send it to Sirius. He knew Owl was a bit stupid, but he knew she'd be able to find him, even though it might take her a few days.

James was overly excited (something he would never admit) that Sirius had written back when Owl flew through the kitchen window.

Hi James!

Your house elf is called Thing? I thought Kreacher was bad! Who named him? I feel sorry for him.

Reg missed me (understandably) I didn't really miss being here though. Hogwarts is so much better.

I can't wait to hear your prank! The holidays have been so boring so far. I can't wait to be back at Hogwarts.

During Christmas I'll get some fancy dress robes and be made to go to dinner with the Malfoys or the rest of the family. It's so boring! I don't even get good presents! The food is also really fancy and posh. Ugh!

I'm not doing anything but I'm not sure if my parents will let me come round. They plan this huge New year's party, and they love going to the Malfoy's annual Christmas ball. It's always SO BORING!

Write back soon?

The one and only,

Sirius Black

P.s Who the hell would name their house elf Thing?!!!

James Potter replied to letters until three weeks after he'd received them, or never. His parents always had to tell him and he would either always forget or not want to respond. Therefore it was quite unlike him to instantly pick up a quill and start writing a reply.

Hi Sirius!

Sod off about my Thing. I named him when I was a baby when we first got him. I took one look and said "Thing!" And he loves his name and so do I. Anyway, it's better than Kreacher, you dad has awful name choices.

I feel so sorry for you. Poor little Sirius. You have to go to a fancy dinner. That's soooooo BORING!

I'm quite bored to be fair. There's nothing to do here without you! And I miss annoying Evans and Snivilus. But our prank that my brilliant mind came up with will be so awesome!

I'm so smart.

James

P.s Thing says hi and he says that he loves his name.