Hey, so from now on I think updates will be only once or twice a week, I'm catching up to where I left off writing (I've been writing so it's not like I'm not keeping up with what I'm posting) but I also have less time with work and school starting in a week so I'm going to start updating on Fridays, I'll probably update more often than that but just for the sake of being regular I'll make sure to post on Fridays, sorry about that, I know for a while I was doing it every other day!

So, Shdnj, I'm sorry about Remus disappearing like that, you're right. he did stay I just didn't have him saying anything or doing anything but you're right, he's here for Christmas! ANd Katiek121, you're really good good at figuring out where the story is going! Thanks also to Kekejo99 for the review, I always appreciate them!

It was two days before Christmas that Sirius got a call down to the Headmaster's office. He and James had just hexed a sixth year Slytherin boy from around a corner, making his nose turn blue and swell up. He and James had run off in the opposite direction and come face to face with Slughorn.

"Ah, Mr. Black!" Slughorn said, swinging an arm around both of them. "I was just looking for you. The headmaster wants to see you in his office." Slughorn smiled and then peered around the corner. "Merlin's beard, what is going on over there?"

Sirius shot James a worried look and shrugged. "Thanks professor." They hurried off, leaving the mess before it could be traced back to them.

"What do you think Dumbledore wants you for?" James asked, as they slowed to a walking pace a safe distance away.

Sirius shrugged. " I don't know. I haven't done anything. . .Have I?" He tried to think. "I mean, we did make it snow in the charms corridor yesterday but no one knew that was us."

James shrugged and sat down against the wall outside Dumbledore's. "I hope not. I'll wait here."

Sirius nodded and ascended the stair case, stopping to knock on the headmaster's door. After a moment he was told to come in.

Dumbledore sat behind his desk, a large book open in front of him. He closed it and smiled. "Ah, Mr. Black. I take it Professor Slughorn gave you my message?" Sirius nodded and Dumbledore smiled again. "You know I told him to find you two days ago, it must have slipped his mind."

Sirius stood awkwardly, not sure of what to say and dying to know if he was in trouble. "Oh." He said dumbly.

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled. "On to business. I couldn't help but over hear the howler you received a few days ago." His face darkened and he became more serious. "Is everything well between you and your parents? Your mother sounded very angry and some of the things she said were. . . troublesome." He gazed at Sirius intently. "This is not the first howler you've received and your father has written the school numerous times."

Sirius felt his face heat up. He hadn't known that. He swallowed. "Sorry about that." He mumbled.

"It's quite alright. Many parents were displeased by my appointment as headmaster. However, recently, both of your parents wrote letters asking for you to be sent home after you missed the train. I assumed you wished to stay for the holidays and told them is was quite impossible without them coming to the school personally."

Sirius was stunned and his mouth fell open. "You did?" He asked.

Dumbledore smiled. "Was I right to assume you'd rather stay at school?"

Sirius couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Yeah! Deffiantly. Thanks."

"However, it might be in bad taste for me to continue meddling in your family affairs. So, I'll ask again: Is everything well between you and your parents?"

Sirius paused before shrugging. "My mum was just stressed, they had some trouble with my cousin."

"Ah, I believe she's getting married."

He was startled. "Yeah, how'd you know?"

"Miss Black made a public announcement about it in the Daily Prophet."

Sirius nodded. "Oh, well yeah my parents weren't happy about her getting married to a muggle-bron."

Dumbledore's eyebrows came together. "And what did you think of it?"

Sirius shrugged. "I dunno, I liked him. I don't have a problem with it."

Dumbledore had a very strange smile on his face. "I imagine that that's a very different opinion form what your parents have."

Sirius grimaced. "Yeah, but we don't agree on a lot of stuff."

Dumbledore laughed softly. "Well, if you're sure that there's no trouble between you and your parents, then you may go."

Sirius turned towards the door and was about to turn the knob when Dumbledore called out his name. "Oh, and Mr. Black, one more thing." Sirius turned around. Dumbledore smiled and tapped his finger against his nose. "No more. And tell Mr. Potter the same. I would hate for anymore students' holidays to be ruined by a stay in the hospital wing."

Sirius felt his jaw drop and nodded. "Oh, sure." He mumbled.

"That's all, enjoy your holidays."

Feeling awkward, he backed out of the room and ran down to where James was waiting, staring down the caretaker's cat Ms. Norris. "I'm gonna turn you into a bloody bucket." He heard James say.

Sirius snorted. "I'm done. What are you doing?"

James watched the cat slink away. "I think Filch set his cat on me. It's been sitting here since you went up to Dumbledore's office." James jumped to his feet. "So what happened?"

Sirius shrugged and put his hands behind his head. "It was about the howler my mum sent."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah. Wanted to know if there was anything wrong."

"What'd you tell him?"

"Told him she was just mad about my cousin."

James nodded and turned a corner, steering them towards the Owlry. "Well, I suppose it did get a lot attention and she didn't really say the nicest things."

"Yeah, Dumbledore said she's written the school about me before. I dunno what he wants me to do about it. I can't make them stop. My parents weren't pleased when he became headmaster. You should hear some of the things they say about him at home."

James looked at him. "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, my dad hates him. Says he's a muggle-loving fool and a whole bunch of stuff." Sirius shook his head. "I dunno though, I don't really think he's a fool."

James nodded. "My parents are all for him."

Sirius felt something odd stir and he began to wonder just how different the Potters were from his own family. James's parents had been very kind when he'd met them and there was just something naturally likeable about them. He felt a little bit jealous. They were fun and easy to talk to.

As they neared the Owlry they ran into Remus who had just finished mailing off his Christmas presents.

"There you are!" James said, slinging an arm round his shoulder and causing Remus's knees to buckle. "Been looking for you. You'll never believe what we just did to that Sixth year Slytherin Morrison. You know, the one with the really huge ears?"

Remus laughed but a noise made them turn around and James released Remus.

Snape was just leaving the Owlry with Lily Evans. "I knew that was you, Potter." He said, his eyes shooting to Sirius who instantly hoped for a chance to hex Snape. "And Black, you're always together."

James grinned. "Well aren't you a fine detective?" He said. "Careful, Sirius, he's on to us."

"I'm not too worried." Sirius said. "I think I can handle a slimy little git like him."

Snape flushed. "Watch yourself Black." He hissed.

"You wanna get the same as Morrison got?" James asked, hand creeping towards his wand.

Sirius intervened. "I think the spell would be wasted. We might turn his nose blue but I doubt we could make it any bigger." He said.

Again Snape flushed. "What did the headmaster want you for Black?" He asked. "Are you finally getting in trouble?"

"The opposite, we had a nice chat about what a greasy little zit you were and he gave me permission to hex you as much as I wanted. Called it community service."

James laughed. "What about me?" He asked.

"Oh yeah, you're a given."

James grinned. "So what do you say, Snivellus, fancy a make over?" He whipped out his wand and twirled it around tauntingly.

"James Potter, if you do so much as one hex I'll jinx you into oblivion." Lily said, stepping forward.

Sirius sniggered. "What, now you have to have a girl fight your battles?" He asked.

"Oh, shut up Black. Honestly, you two are the worst boys in Hogwarts!" She grabbed Snape by his arm and dragged him away.

Sirius watched them go and then raised his wand and shot a tripping jinx at Snape's back, it hit him dead on, making him fall flat on his face, he let out a loud yelp as he hit the ground.

James laughed loudly and clapped Sirius on the back. "What's the matter Snivellus, did you fall down?" He called out.

Sirius lowered his wand smugly and grinned. "Shake it off, man."

Snape rose to his feet slowly before whipping around and aiming a hex strait at Sirius's head. The spell whizzed by, slicing Sirius's cheek open before hitting the wall and leaving a black burn spot.

Stunned, Sirius put a hand to his cheek and came away with blood. He knew it wasn't a deep cut but there was something burning about it that made his face feel irritated. "What was that?!" He yelled. He looked towards James who had his wand out and was glaring at Snape.

"Stinging hex." Snape said proudly. "Your face is gonna swell up huge."

While his attention was diverted, James aimed a jinx at Snape tat hit him in the stomach, causing him to fly backwards.

"Oh, stop!" Lily cried angrily as Snape got back up to his feet, panting.

"You'll pay for that." He snarled, pointing his wand at James who raised his own, glancing towards Sirius who's cheek was swelling rapidly. Flipendo!" He yelled, there was a flash of light and James went hurtling backwards against the wall, cracking his head.

Sirius aimed his wand at Snape but was having trouble seeing out of his right eye because of the swelling in his cheek. He squinted trying to focus his wand and fired a hex, making Snape drop his wand to avoid it. He scampered to the ground and picked up his wand, pointing it t Sirius.

"Sev, stop. Just leave them!" Lily yelled, cutting in and grabbing Snapes arm. He gave them a last, nasty look before following her.

Sirius put a hand to his face, the swelling had slowed but it was very painful and throbbing. "I aughta-" He started.

Remus stopped him. "Let it go, you need to get to the hospital wing, your face looks really bad."

James stood up, rubbing the back of his head. "Ow, hey Sirius mate, are you okay?"

Sirius nodded grumpily. "Lets just get to the hospital wing before someone sees my face" They made their way through the school towards the hospital wing, blowing off several questions and ignoring the people who were staring.

Madam Pomfry was furious when they couldn't tell her what happened. She bustled around, muttering aloud and occasionally snapping at them that she knew a stinging hex when she saw one and they were lucky she didn't go and get a teacher. "Been dueling, I expect!" She hissed, pushing Remus aside to get a better look at Sirius's face. "This is the holidays, can't you behave for the holidays?!"

Sirius winced as she jerked his head up at an awkward angle and pointed her wand at him. He felt the swelling start to recede and relaxed, poking at his cheek when she was finished. She then shooed him out of the chair and ordered James to take his place. She forced his head down and examined the back of his skull. "Bruising." She muttered, again pointing her wand at his scalp and muttering a few words before throwing him out of the chair. She looked expectantly at Remus who shook his head.

"Oh no, I'm fine. It was just these two." He said.

"I don' suppose you can tell me how this happened?" She asked, mouth thinning.

He shrugged and shook his head. "No ma'am. I found them like this."

She gave him a look that said she didn't believe a word of it. "Oh I'll bet."

They were ushered out of the hospital wing and into the hall, each receiving an angry glare before the doors were slammed shut.

"Great bed side manner." Sirius said, still rubbing his cheek to make sure it was okay. It felt normal but one could never be too sure and there was no telling if Snape had hit him with something nastier than your average stinging hex.

Remus shook his head and the three of them headed on down to dinner. There were so few people that they had most of Gryffindor table to themselves. After shooting Snape a malevolent glance, James turned his back and struck up a conversation. "I already sent my presents to my parents and Peter, did you guys send out your stuff?"

Remus nodded. "Yeah, you caught me after I finished earlier. What about you, Sirius?"

Sirius shrugged. "Yeah, I sent mine." He had gotten his friends Troll size boxes of their favorite sweets and even and elf size box for his brother.

They grinned and James started giving out hints that his presents would be the best.

"You said that last year." Remus pointed out. "I don't think you get to give the best gifts two years in a row."

James pretended to push him out of his seat. "Blasphemy." He cried.

Sirius laughed, Christmas was in two days and he was excited, he was sure Hogwarts would have an excellent feast prepared and a cheery atmosphere with friends would be a welcome change from the gloomy austere cloud that would have been waiting for him at home. The way he figured it, Christmas was a time for celebrating, and his mother's controlled air of decorum was not at all how it should be.

"You know, next year, we should get together at my house." James said enthusiastically. "My parents would love the company." He elbowed Sirius to show that he was namely inviting him.

"You sure that would be okay?" Sirius asked.

"Sure, I mean, I'd have to ask them but I'm sure they'd be okay with it."

Sirius grinned, feeling very good about next year's Christmas as well.

"And if not, then we can just stay at Hogwarts again."

"Sounds great." He said, finishing off his pumpkin juice and leaning forward, slouching over the table. "What do you think the school does to celebrate?"

Remus shrugged. "Aren't they already? Look at the trees."

Sirius cast the trees a thoughtful eye, they were wonderful to look at, not that his family had had scrappy trees but these just didn't have rivals. "Guess you're right.

James yawned and stretched. "I dunno about you two but I'm heading up to bed. Getting slammed against that wall really knocked the wind out of me." He gave another nasty look in Snape's direction and got an equally nasty look returned.

They headed up to bed with the full intent of sleeping but found themselves several hours later camped around the fire place.

The days until Christmas slipped by more quickly than Sirius expected and before he knew it he was sitting at the Christmas Eve feast, which was better than he had anticipated. The food was great, the atmosphere was alive and he and James were the center of attention, finding the largest and loudest crackers to pull and making a spectacle of themselves with the contence. Sirius had on no less than five hats and James had found a pair of glasses much more radical than his own and donned them for the night. He said they made it look like it was snowing no matter where he went.

After the feast it was up to bed and even though none of them felt like sleeping, Remus insisted that they must, joking that if they didn't they would get coal.

"You're getting that anyway." Sirius had said to James.

"Not as much as you."? James had yawned.

The next morning Sirius awoke before James and Remus to find a stack of presents at the foot of his bed. Excitement leaped through him and he jumped from his bed to James's punching him awake. James kicked him to the floor.

"Get out, can't a man sleep in peace any more?" James grunted, rolling over.

"Not on Christmas, get up!" Sirius said, rattling the bed posts. James sat up sleepily, took one look a look at his own presents and was suddenly wide awake. "Now this is more like it!" He cried, throwing his pillow at and already awake Remus. "Both of you, open mine first." He ordered.

They did as they were told and Sirius found a box of Filubuster's Fireworks, he grinned, thinking of a multitude of ways he could use them.

James tore the paper off of his gift and laughed, a huge carton a chocolate frogs. "Breakfast!" He said cheerfully, biting the head off of one.

Sirius opened Remus's gift next and fond an assortment of Zonko's products. "Nice." He said, examining them. His uncle had sent him a pocket knife with a letter telling him it could open any lock and he tried it repeatedly on James's trunk and was delighted to find that even Alohomora couldn't stop it. Hi brother had sent him Sweets and Andromeda had sent a large Gryffindor poster with a note thanking him for congratulating her on her engagement. Peter had sent him a pennant-necklace that would grow hot if someone was spying on him, which he thought was actually a very useful thing and to his delight Mr. and Mrs. Potter had sent him a pie.

After going through all of his presents, he was very much aware that his parents had sent him nothing and even though he would have liked to believe that this meant nothing, it hurt just a little. He sat for a second, allowing just a moment of bitterness before pushing the thought from his mind, he hadn't expected anything else and the things he had gotten were far better than anything they could have sent. He forced himself to play with the knife again and distract his thoughts.

James had gotten a pet owl from his father and was letting it jump over his bed, shaking off feathers. "Look at him." He said happily. "Dad said his name was Hector."

Sirius grinned and pulled himself over to the owl, dragging himself away from morose thoughts. He didn't have to think those things, it was a holiday and his parents were miles away and for once they weren't going to spoil his fun.

So I hope you guys liked this chapter, I'm not gonna shy away from making these guys assholes when it comes to Snape and bullying other students, we know they're really good people at heart but for now they're just dumb kids. On the other hand Snape was kind of an asshole himself so he's not gonna play the victim card too much, he's gonna give just as much as he gets.

Also here's the pocket knife Sirius gives Harry in the books!

Thanks for reading!