Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the wonderful wizarding world and all credit must be given to Ms. JK Rowling, however, anything unrecognisable is of my own creation.
Chapter 21: Cinnamon Rolls
James and Sirius have animated the slinky, so it now attacks anyone and everyone, which of course they find hilarious. I've just become its latest victim, as it wrapped itself around my legs and sent me tumbling down the stairs. Sirius was fortunately there to cushion the fall with the inflacervis charm.
'That bloody thing is going to kill someone!' Sirius chuckled, as I scrambled to my feet.
'Genius, isn't it?' I have to admit James's wandmanship is impressive: actually, that reminds me...
'How do you and James perform underage magic!?' Sirius shrugged.
'Charlus and Dorea's wards block The Trace... plus they've never minded, as long as we're responsible.' I sighed.
'Wouldn't call a murderous slinky responsible.' Sirius laughed.
'Hey! I just saved you; I'd say that's very responsible. It's not my fault the bloody thing keeps escaping the box Prongs and I put it in.' I've watched in amusement several times as the two Marauders wrestled the slinky into a little wooden box, but it keeps breaking the box's locking mechanism.
'How about fastening a belt around the box?' I stepped forward, taking hold of Sirius's free hand, as I made my suggestion '... and for saving me, well, I think you deserve a reward.' I leaned in, pressing my lips to Sirius's. The slinky interrupted this kiss when it wrapped around our legs, toppling us over.
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Christmas Eve is tomorrow: and it snowed last night, but that hasn't stopped James and Sirius from playing Quidditch. I decided to remain in the warmth of the house, watching the boys from the sunroom with a book. I was daydreaming a little when Dorea appeared.
'Hermione, love... would you like to help me bake the Christmas treats?' I snapped back to reality, before glancing towards Dorea. I'd been thinking about the Christmases with the Weasleys; we'd always stuff ourselves stupid with Molly's cooking.
'That would be nice, Dorea.' I followed Dorea to the kitchen, where ingredients were waiting. Dorea explained the plan as she conjured a couple of aprons.
'I make gingerbread men, to string up and hang in the dining room... a Christmas pudding... the Potter family's trifle, which is eggnog, raspberry and gingerbread flavour... a Yule log that's a Black family recipe...' I nodded in agreement as Dorea continued. '... and I thought seeing as you're with us this year, maybe we could make something that you usually have for Christmas.' I was a little surprised when Dorea suggested this. I do miss the cinnamon rolls that mum used to make for Christmas morning. I'd made them for the Weasleys last year: Fred and George had fought over the last one. I couldn't help smiling at the memory.
'Mum always made cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning: she taught me how to make them when I was eleven.' Dorea smiled.
'Baxter!' The house elf appeared. 'Please would you fetch the ingredients, which Miss. Granger needs for her cinnamon rolls?' Baxter nodded.
Dorea put me in charge of the gingerbread men, so I was quietly combining together the ingredients as Dorea spoke. 'I heard you punched Abraxas Malfoy's son in the face.' I flushed a little red, as I glanced towards Dorea.
'He... well... he called me a mudblood: and try... tried to hex us when our backs were turned.' Dorea chuckled.
'Don't worry, darlin. I've met Lucius, he's a pompous prat, believe me... he needed taking down a peg or two.' With the ice broke the conversation flowed between me and Dorea. Dorea told me about the New Year's Eve Ball, which her and Charlus host: she said she'd take me into London after Christmas to find a suitable dress. Apparently, all the pureblood families are invited to this ball, and Dorea apologised because that meant Sirius's parents would be attending. I was mildly scared of Orion and Walburg Black, because they definitely wouldn't approve of me. Dorea said I shouldn't stress out about it, because she'd protect me from them. '... and if you like I'll force Sirius to wear his Black family dress robes, because he looks quite dashing in them.' I smirked.
'Black family dress robes?' Dorea nodded.
'They're very Elizabethan Renaissance in style... they're a black and silver doublet, black trousers, and a black cloak. He hates them... although, Walburg used to dress him in pumpkin breeches and tights when he was little, so he should think himself lucky he's allowed to wear trousers now.' I chuckled.
'I'd have like to have seen that.' Dorea said she had pictures that she could show me sometime, of Sirius in his pumpkin breeches and tights. I said I'd keep these pictures in mind if I ever felt like Sirius needed embarrassing.
James and Sirius returned to the house –soaking wet– just in time to help themselves to the treats that Dorea and I had baked. Dorea stopped the two Marauders, before they traipsed water all over the kitchen. She pulled her wand out, casting to instantly dry them off: James grinned.
'Thanks mum... are we allowed to try the baking?' Dorea nodded, holding out the cinnamon rolls. James and Sirius quickly grabbed one each, before sitting around the breakfast table. I helped myself to a cinnamon roll when Dorea offered, and joined the boys at the table. Sirius spoke.
'Dorea... these are delicious.' Dorea chuckled.
'Glad you think so... Hermione made them.' Sirius's mouth dropped open, which is kind of gross, because he's still eating his cinnamon roll. James spoke, a little louder than necessary, plus his mouth is half full.
'Damn! You have to marry her, Padfoot... these are so worth getting disowned over!' I flushed bright red at James's comment.
A/N: So next chapter is Christmas... Yay! I get to write a Christmas chapter in the middle of May :P Hope you all enjoyed this chapter: hope the description of Sirius's family dress robes is clear. If it's not let me know. Read. Review. Love. Roxanne the Laugh x.