Christmas at the Lupins – 5

Remus walked into the library the next day to find Swift sitting with Lily. "Having a good time?" he asked her.

Swift grinned in reply and Lily huffed as an annoyed Ravenclaw at the neighbouring table screeched in fury, having misspelled their own name for the twentieth time. Swift was sitting in her chair at ease, flicking her fingers on the table whenever they began writing.

"Anti-spelling charms are not nice," he scolded her with a smirk.

"So says you," Swift leaned forward, "Sup Moons?"

"Why weren't you at breakfast this morning?" Remus asked, getting down to business. Sirius, James and Peter were waiting just outside the library doors; it had taken him ages to convince them to wait.

"I didn't feel like it," he noticed the frown on her face as she spoke.

"Rob was looking for you, he said some very interesting things, I think you owe him an explanation."

"I don't owe anyone anything," her eyes narrowed and the Ravenclaw screamed as their ink jumped out of their well and flew all over their parchment.

"Will you tell me then?" Remus asked patiently, she was obviously in a bad mood.

"Maybe later, I'm busy right now," Lily huffed as Swift answered, arms crossed.

"Bloody tell him Emma, and you can explain to me why you were crying last night while you're at it."

Swift glared at Lily, "I didn't realize I bothered you," she spat.

"For heaven sakes, you don't, but this childish behaviour is uncalled for-" she froze as Emma's eyes changed colour.

"You wouldn't understand," her eye-teeth were perfect fangs, and her eyes were the same colour as her hair.

They watched her leave, not daring to move as she did.

"I finally understand why she's considered dangerous," Lily whispered shocked.

"I've seen worse," Remus muttered, "So she was crying last night?"

"Yes, cried herself to sleep. I waited up for her this morning to see what was wrong. She went to the kitchens – I didn't even realize she knew where they were – and then I followed her here," Lily whispered.

"Yeah we found the kitchens in first year," Remus muttered in thought, "She broke up with Rob last night apparently, he has no idea why."

"But she liked Rob," Lily said confused, "She really liked Rob."

"I know, and he asked us if we knew why, of course we're clueless," Remus sighed, "She skipped breakfast for a reason, she was probably avoiding him."

"But why?" Lily asked exasperated.

"I have no idea," Remus sighed again, "I'll talk to Sirius and James, they may think of something."

"Not Peter?"

"Well I'll tell Peter obviously, but she and James are practically siblings, and Sirius can read her almost as well as me," he shook his head, "She closes emotions off, Peter can never read her."

"Tell me when you figure it out, and if there's anything I can do to help just say," Lily offered.

Remus nodded, "Thanks, I will."

He exited the library and ran right into the other Marauders.

"She turned right," Sirius said, "But then she disillusioned herself."

Remus sighed, "Typical. It won't be easy to find her in this state. She's too emotional, her magic is too strong."

"But unpredictable," Sirius argued, "That's what we have to work on. She's only stronger until she looses control."

"Yeah but we don't want her to kill us," James muttered, "That will hardly help the situation."

"Think like Swift," Sirius said simply, "That's our best bet."

"So if you were upset and Swift where would you go?" Remus asked.

"Quidditch pitch," James answered, "Work off some steam."

"The lake," Remus argued, "The pitch is booked for today."

"Her Dormitory," Peter argued, "To get a good book."

"Then she'd go to the lake," Remus reasoned, "To read it."

"You're close Moons," Sirius said thinking hard, "She'll be in the forest, near water, with a book."

"Why the forest?" James asked, "She'll be out of bounds without us influencing her."

"She skipped breakfast to avoid Rob. She's not going somewhere where he will look for her," Sirius explained, "Let's go."

"Go away," Sirius smirked as he walked into the clearing; she was right where he'd said she would be.

"You have crazy hearing," he complemented, trying for a laugh.

"I'm a wandless," Sirius frowned as she said it. There was something different in her tone.

He sat beside her, the other Marauders following his lead. Silence unfolded, James broke it, "What's wrong Swift? Why did you ditch Bell?"

"For his own good," she said coldly, her eyes fixed on the crystal clear water.

"How is it beneficial for him?" Remus asked at the same time that Sirius said,

"Was he a jerk? Cause if he was a jerk I can beat him up for you, I have absolutely no problems with that."

Emma chuckled, "He wasn't a jerk," she said patting Sirius' knee, "Don't be so over protective."

"Well, why then?" Sirius asked.

Emma sighed, "I shocked him."

"You shocked him?" James asked confused, "I don't-?"

"You lost control?" Remus exclaimed horrified, "But then… oh my…"

Sirius glared at him, "We aren't all as smart as Moons, some of us need you to spell it out," he said nudging her.

"Wandless don't only lose control when they're angry or sad or scared. They also go mental when they're happy, in love, that kind of thing," Swift murmured.

"I'm still confused," Sirius stated.

"You dolt," Remus smacked him,

"Ow!" Sirius muttered rubbing his head,

"It means she can't date anyone. The emotions necessary for any… physical relationship… are too much," Remus blushed as he said it.

"Why is that a bad thing?" Sirius asked, he had no problem with never having to deal with another of Swift's boyfriends.

"It means I can never get married Sirius," Emma said, suddenly sounding angry, "I can never have children! I'll never have a family!"

"Oh," Sirius rubbed the back of his head, "That is pretty bad."

"Yeah it is," Emma rubbed the tears from her eyes.

Sirius frowned and wrapped her in a hug, "You'll always have us Swift, Me, Worms, and Prongs are almost children," he said hopefully.

He felt her chuckle, "And I love you all very much."

"What about me?" Remus asked with a smirk.

"You're like our grandfather," Sirius smirked, "You can be Swift's dad."

"Cause that isn't weird," James muttered.

Swift chuckled, "Thanks guys," she said pulling away from Padfoot, "Sorry about that."

"Well it was rather traumatic news," Remus reasoned.

"What do I tell Rob?" she whispered.

"Tell him that you enjoyed your time together," Sirius said, "but that something's come up and you can't continue the relationship. He'll understand."

"Yeah," Emma nodded, "I should go do that," she stood shakily, still wiping tears from her face.

"We'll meet you at the Three Broomsticks," Remus said.

"Yeah, here's the cloak," James offered it to her.

Emma nodded, straightening her expression out before striding out of the woods.

"That is a complete bummer," James muttered darkly as they began walking to Hogsmead.

"Tell me about it, I was looking forward to pummelling her husband," Sirius muttered kicking some leaves moodily.

"I was thinking more of the wedding speech," James said, "Imagine the stories."

Remus snorted, "Really, there's only five hundred of them," he sighed. "No children, that's two of us out."

"Two?" Peter asked confused.

"Werewolves don't reproduce, the kid could be just like me," Remus frowned, "You three had better make us proud."

"I'm not having any," Sirius stuck his tongue out, "All they do is eat and poop… and cry," he shook his head, "No thanks."

"Well I'm defiantly having a few," James grinned, "Maybe three or four, or five," he gave a goofy grin, "The girls will all have Lily's hair-"

Sirius groaned, "Here we go."

"They'll all play quidditch and play pranks," he sighed wistfully, "They'll drive their mother crazy, but she'll love them anyways."

"Sounds like a nice dream Prongsi," Padfoot smirked.

"Shut-up, I will marry Evans, mark my words," Prongs growled.

"Sure you will," Moony chuckled, "When grindylows climb trees."

Prongs glared as Padfoot and Wormtail laughed, "Not funny," he muttered darkly.

They entered the pub and took a seat, Remus pulling the Marauders' Map from his inside pocket.

"I was afraid I'd have to use it to find Swift," he defended when he got three incredulous looks.

"You would only have gotten lost," Padfoot reasoned, "It's not that accurate for finding people yet."

"I know," Moony nodded, "But I found a charm that may help with that so if you'll excuse me," Padfoot sighed turning to Prongs as Moony began waving his wand over the parchment.

"How long till she arrives do you wager?" he asked.

"Another ten minutes anyways," Prongs said leaning back, "So what about you and Carp?"

"What about us?"

"Aren't you tired of the clinginess yet?"

"You have no idea," Padfoot rolled his eyes, "Hey Rosmerta."

"Boys," the waitress smiled at them fondly, "Where's your female influence?"

"She's coming," Prongs said, "How's business been?"

Rosmerta sighed pulling up a chair, she waved her wand and six butterbeers came to the table, one waiting for Swift's arrival, "Not as well as I'd like. Less people are stopping now-a-days, seems like everyone is terrified."

"Is it really that bad?" James asked sitting forwards.

Rosmerta nodded, "The Cleins were found dead only yesterday, they were an old family. Not pure-blood mind, but old non-the-less."

"I didn't see that in the paper," Remus said.

Rosmerta shook her head, "The Ministry is trying to hush it up a bit, I know cause I had some Ministry fellas in late last night. Apparently if they can keep a death or disappearance quiet they will."

"That's not right," James thundered, "People have a right to know."

"It's for the moral of the community. They don't want people joining him out of fear."

"You too?" Remus asked, "You won't say Voldemort's name?"

Rosmerta shook her head, "And you won't either, not in my pub," she gave them a stern look before standing.

"Hello Emma," they heard her greet as she walked away.

"Rosmerta."

"They're over there, in the corner."

"Thank you," the boys made room as Swift took a seat.

"How'd it go?" Sirius asked.

Emma shrugged, "As well as can be expected, what have you been up to?"

They filled her in as she helped Remus with the map.

"I knew it was bad," she whispered, "But for them to be covering things up-"

"I know what you mean," James shook his head, "This is bad."

The next day welcomed the first match of the season, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin.

"Okay team, this is our first match together," James began, "Remember what I've been telling you. Focus! Pay attention to each other out there. Swift, keep an ear on the score. Rob, watch your back swing. Elaine, keep a distance between you and lower players. Pads, keep your temper. Okay team, let's go!"

Swift and Moony exchanged a smirk as they filed out, Prongs was way too intense about this.

She made sure to get a good look at Regulus before hitting the sky. Although Reg no longer had bags under his eyes he looked distinctly warn.

"Are you feeling alright?" She asked, flying beside him.

"Fine," he answered looking surprised, "Why?"

"You look tired," she kept pace with him as they flew high above the pitch.

Reg shook his head, "I'm fine Swift, things have just been intense lately."

"Oh?"

Reg rolled his eyes, "Is this really the best time? The middle of a Quidditch match?"

"We never see you anymore," Swift shrugged.

"Probably for the better, my friends aren't fond of mudbloods," he paused, "No offence."

"Non taken," Swift wasn't bothered by the comment, it was only a word, no malice had been behind it, "You should sit and talk to your brother," she said, "He misses you."

Reg chuckled, "I'm sure those are your words not his," he shook his head, "Don't worry about me Swift, I'll be fine. And I'll talk to Siri soon," he added at the site of her expression, "Now can we get seeking?"

"Oh very well," he chuckled as she flew off.

"What did my brother say?" Padfoot shouted after Swift as she flew by.

"He'll talk to you soon."

"Thank you!" he smiled beating a bludger away.

Pooglian watched the proceeding with great interest. The dynamics of the relationships between players gave him a headache. There were the Black brothers, the Marauders, Dill and Bell, Slytherin and Gryffindor. He shook his head, the opposites and the likes, it was amazing that the game could run so smoothly.

Potter had put a good team together, he could tell. The boy had serious potential, they all did. He frowned. He had been a Ravenclaw and an aurror in his younger days. His last pupil had been Alastor Moody, a real wing-nut, but a diligent fellow. Watching the stadium at large he knew that they would all be affected by what was to come. Voldemort would be after those with intelligence and power, there were a few students who he would have to watch most closely.

Perhaps the most obvious was the wandless, Emma Dill. She was not by any means a pureblood, but Pooglian had a feeling that Voldemort would be willing to look beyond her blood status for her power. She was no idiot either, her knowledge was impressive.

The next would have to be the werewolf, Remus Lupin. Not only did the boy turn into a very powerful, and handy, werewolf once a month, but he was also an incredible wizard. Potions was perhaps the only class the boy wasn't getting an O in. Yes, Remus Lupin would be sought after for sure.

Sirius Black would be fairly high on the list, his dark background and blood status would only fuel the Dark Lord's hunger for him. The cunning boy often played dumb, feigning the beautiful idiot. But contrary to popular belief Sirius was quite brilliant, even if most of that only came through when he was trying to annoy Dill. Pooglian smirked, it was a pity she was a wandless, that would have been quite the match.

James Potter was defiantly one to watch. The boy had a real gift in transfiguration, and a need to help the defenceless. There was no doubt that he had his faults, an enlarged ego among them, but his true persona was quite remarkable. He had the power to make his enemies fall, no doubt there, and Voldemort would soon realize that.

Frank Longbottom was defiantly on the list right beside Potter. The boy was gifted, with confidence and finesse. Pooglian would be very surprised if he didn't make Head Boy, it was already well known that he was a prefect.

Alice Brandon was probably next on the list. A pureblood, like many others, and she had a way with plants. Clumsy beyond repair though, there was more then one reason she wasn't on a broom. She, like the others, could really use a wand.

If not for her blood status Lily Evans would defiantly be on the radar. A smart young girl with a flare for charms, she was deadly to cross even now.

Severus Snape was perhaps the only brilliant young boy he was afraid of losing to Voldmeort. Snape was more then simply smart, he was cunning. He knew how to warp the mind already and his advanced knowledge of Potions would certainly serve him well.

Pooglian watched with a frown as the wandless gripped the snitch. Hard times were fast approaching, soon they would all be tested.

Padfoot landed, making his way into the change room with the rest of the team, "That was excellent!" he rolled his eyes as Prongs spoke, "I'm proud of all of you."

Padfoot smirked, watching as Swift and Elaine walked into a separate room to change chatting animatedly.

"Today's the day," he said pulling his robes over his head.

"Oh?" Moony asked doing the same.

Pads nodded, "I'm getting rid of Carp and having a word with my brother."

"You think this is the best time to ditch Whitney?" Moony asked, "I mean she'll probably want a winning snog."

Padfoot contemplated for a moment, "No, not worth it. I'll ask someone else out and get a snog from them."

Moony snorted, "You're ridiculous."

"I try," Padfoot smirked as there was a knock on the girl's door.

"Come on out," Prongs said.

Swift and Elaine re-entered the room, "I'm heading out with Lil and Mary," Swift said, "I'll see you at dinner?"

"See you then," Padfoot nodded, watching her leave.

As soon as he exited the change room he was assaulted by Carp, "Oh you played amazing!" she squealed, "I wish I could have played with you!"

Padfoot hid his cringe. Growing up as a Black he had learned at a young age to keep emotions off his face, only Swift, Moony and Prongs could ever read him now. He couldn't imagine Carp on the team, the girl could barely fly in a straight line. "Listen Whitney, we need to talk," he said.

Carp smirked, "Sure, I love talking," she giggled.

He suppressed a groan, "No, actually talk," he said, "Come on."

He didn't lead her too far off, just enough that they could have some privacy. There was no need to make a scene over their break-up, the whole school didn't have to see him dump her.

Once they were a ways off he turned to face her, "Listen Whitney, these last few weeks have been great," she beamed up at him, and he found himself pausing. Have I really been dating her for weeks? He shook his head, "But we're better apart. We have different morals, different friends. It wouldn't work out in the long run."

He wasn't completely sure what he had expected. When Swift had left Bell he hadn't made a fuss, so it's understandable that he was a bit surprised.

"WHAT!" Carp screamed, her hair seeming to electrify, "YOU'RE DUMPING ME?"

There had been no one within twenty feet of them, yet somehow (forget it, she was so loud there was no wonder) they had attracted a crowd.

"I'm sorry, we're just not meant to be," he walked past her coolly, extracting himself from the scene with elegance, "See you around."

He internally cringed when he heard her burst into tears, but he didn't let it show, Blacks never did.

He shook off his encounter as he entered the castle, wondering where he should begin looking for his brother.

"Bloody hell," he muttered almost an hour later. He'd had no luck in finding Reg, not in the library or near the pitch, "Probably in his common room," he sighed before heading to dinner, at least Swift would be back from her girl time.

"Did you get a chance to talk to Reg?" Swift asked him when he sat down.

"No," he shook his head, "I couldn't find him."

"Probably in his common room," Prongs stated.

Pads nodded, "I figured as much. I might try and catch him after dinner though, we really need a chat."

Swift nodded, "He's certainly got the potential to go far," she said, "but I don't like the people he's hanging out with."

"Like Sev," Padfoot mimicked her voice as he said the name. His eyebrows rose in surprise when she nodded.

"He's been more distant lately, and I'm not fond of his friends either. The boy won't see reason though," she sighed, "Avery and Mulciber were in their group."

Moony growled and Pads nodded glumly, "I know," he said.

He once again parted with the other Marauders when dinner finished, assuring them that he could handle the situation on his own.

"Reg!" he trotted in order to catch his brother before he left the hall, "A word?"

Regulus nodded haughtily, motioning for his friends to continue on, "Can I help you Brother?"

Sirius sighed, he had almost forgotten how formal it was at home, "Yes, I was hoping we could discuss your friends," he easily slipped back into the drawl that came with blood purity. Something he only used on rare occasions, and never around the other Marauders.

"What in particular?" Regulus asked politely.

"Some of their night time excursions, particularly one that affected Mary Macdonald. I assume you heard about it?" Sirius began walking from the hall as he spoke.

"I did," Regulus frowned, nodding, "It was unwise."

"Unwise?" Sirius found his eyes narrowing, "Not uncalled for?"

"That too," Regulus agreed, "There was no need."

Sirius stopped walking, "Say it straight, brother, do you agree with their actions?"

Regulus' eyebrows raised, "I do not, surely you know that. Or have you seen me threatening mudbloods in the halls?" he shook his head as his brother's face soured, "Get used to the term Sirius, it's a part of life."

"Not every life. There is no need to fall in with them-"

"So I should be like you?" Regulus asked coolly, "Bloody traitor? Mudblood lover?" he shook his head, "Brother really-"

"Yes really," Sirius hissed, "Do not say that you are completely on their side-"

"But I am-"

"Then what about Swift?" Sirius smirked as his brother paled, "She saved your life as I recall-"

"-And she will never suffer by my hand," Regulus snapped, "Is this what you're on about? You're worried about Swift?"

"Of course I'm worried about Swift, but no, that wasn't my point. I was using her as an example. From what I've seen you two are on friendly terms; if all mudbloods are bad then how do you justify that?"

Regulus paused, obviously searching for an answer, "She is one of many. There are exceptions to every rule-"

Sirius growled, grabbing his brother's forearm, "You may feed the rest of the world this crap, but I know better. This is not who you are Reg-"

"How would you know?" Regulus snapped back, "Go back to Gryffindor Sirius, and stay away from me."

"Reg, listen-"

"NO! I'm done with this, sod off Sirius!" Sirius stood stunned as his brother marched down the hall.

"Well that went well," he muttered darkly turning the other way, "Bloody ungrateful git."

The moment Swift entered the common room she was assaulted by Lily.

"Emma, you have to come, Black dumped Whitney and she won't stop crying," Lily looked harassed and frazzled, "Come on!"

Two hours. That was how long she had to sit and listen to what a git Sirius was. How long it took for Carp to finally go to sleep, and by the end of it she wasn't sure whose side she was on.

The Marauders were all down the next day. Sirius couldn't see an end to his brother's madness. He hated being called Siri, anyone could tell you that, but it had always been what Reg called him. Not once last night had he been Siri, he was Sirius. Swift on the other hand was depressed over Whitney's depression and the other three were locked in concern, wondering what they could do, if anything, to help.

When Night Hawk landed by Swift she simply handed him a sausage, she was in no mood to argue.

"What?"

She looked up in surprise to see Prongs' startled face.

"What's wrong?" Moony asked him concerned.

James simply handed him the letter and they gathered to read it.

Dear James,

We both hope that everything is going well, and would like to congratulate you on your transfiguration test, it was very well done.

We are sorry to have to ask this of you, but would you be able to make other arrangements for Christmas this year? Things have been very busy and we are going to be staying at Aunt Agatha's place for the holiday.

We're both very sorry, and love you very much. We hope that you'll be able to spend Christmas with one of your friends instead.

On the topic of friends, we were hoping you could tell Emma that since we won't be around she can't go home for Christmas either, Dumbledore's orders.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas anyways, love you lots,

Mom and Dad.

Sirius and Emma exchanged a look when they had finished. Peter looked mildly confused and Remus inquisitive.

"Well…" Sirius searched for words, "We could spend Christmas at the castle, I was planning to anyways," he shrugged.

James shrugged, looking morose.

Emma frowned, "Odd isn't it? That they couldn't have scheduled a visit around the break, or picked you up and had you join them?"

James' head snapped to her, "Don't dock my parents, they're doing the best they can!" he snarled.

"I didn't mean-" Emma began but James cut her off by standing and leaving.

She looked to Sirius for help but he only shrugged. She jumped as Archimedes landed, sticking his leg out for Remus.

Remus blinked in surprise, a piece of parchment and quill in hand, "May I?" he asked turning to Emma.

Emma shrugged, "Be my guest, I always said that bird was smart."

They went for another of Pooglian's lessons at the end of the day. Only Lily and Remus had managed to produce a corporal patronus so far, but they still came to encourage the others.

Remus' patronus had come in the form of a phoenix.

Swift stared down the end of her wand in annoyance. She needed a happier memory, Pooglian had said that was her problem. She racked her brains for something appropriate, something she hadn't used yet.

There was a flash of a memory in her mind, harnessing it she brought up the image of Sirius' grinning face last year when he had caught her after she'd caught the snitch.

"Expecto Patronum!" she commanded, fuming when only a ghost of a figure formed before vanishing.

"Whatever it is, it's huge," Padfoot commented, eyebrows raised, "Looked like a bloody bull elephant."

"Something happier," Pooglian stated, looking up from his paperwork.

Swift growled in frustration, beginning to pace back and forth.

Something happy… something happy…

She paused then, her attention caught by a mirror hanging on the wall. Her reflection stared back at her, looking mildly surprised. This mirror had just reminded her of another mirror, one that showed not your face, "But your heart's true desire," she whispered the end of the quote.

Her heart's true desire. She had seen herself, surrounded by her friends, friends who knew what she was. She gazed back around the room and was stunned, there was not a person around her who didn't know what she was, and they were all standing here, her friends.

The collection of memories flashed quickly.

A grubby eleven year old Sirius holding out a bunch of flowers. Lily patting the bed beside her, asking Emma to join. Severus pledging never to tell a soul. The Marauders huddled around her hospital bed. Remus getting her out of her first class with Masen. James teaching her to ride a broomstick. Peter smiling widely, a textbook before him. And all of them now, in the room with her, no fear evident.

"Expecto Patronum!" her voice was strong as the memories surrounded her, and from her wand tip burst, not the bull elephant Sirius had predicted, but a mighty dragon.

"Dear god," Lily whispered as the hulking figure landed in the room.

It was dense, far denser then the other patronuses. It opened its maw in a mighty roar, thick teeth showing.

At his desk Pooglian looked flabbergasted.

"That's cool," Padfoot grinned widely, "Why is he so dense?"

"He?" Lily whispered, "How do you know it's a he?"

"Too big to be female," Moony answered, examining the patronus eagerly, "And it hasn't got horns on its head."

"I say we call him Bruno," Padfoot grinned eagerly patting the dragon. He looked slightly miffed when his hand only went through.

"Very odd," Pooglian murmured looking at the patronus, "Perhaps he is dense because you are a wandless?"

"Possible," Padfoot answered, "Her memories certainly work differently in a pensive."

"How do you know that?" Severus asked sceptically.

"Well we… err… read about it," Prongs invented.

Severus looked unconvinced but was overrun by Moony who was eagerly trying to logically work out the density – he was such a nerd.

While Moony looked over every inch of Bruno in awe. Prongs, Severus, Padfoot and Wormtail continued attempting to perform the patronus charm.

Sirius was still a bit taken with Bruno. The dragon was odd to behold, being dense enough to look almost solid, but not dense enough to touch. It lacked the silvery sheen, that the other patronuses had.

He frowned, a happy memory, what was a good memory?

He had already tried the day he had met the other Marauders. The day he had first transformed, making the team and their first win.

He watched Swift laugh with Moony and another memory came forward.

They were making their way to the boats, to go to Hogwarts and be sorted. Walking down the forest path his mind was consumed by the words Hagrid had said. He had come to the conclusion a long time ago that as a Black he would be expected to hate muggle-borns, but no one had ever said it to him outright. "Hey," he jumped in surprise, turning as Swift – Emma then – nudged him.

"I have faith that you'll show everyone the true you Sirius, and you are a good person, don't doubt it," there was a smile on her face as she spoke, and looking into her eyes he couldn't doubt her honesty.

He smiled and mouthed a thanks, vowing then that he would do everything in his power to prove her right.

He looked around startled. He had done as he had said he would. He was no Death Eater, he was a Gryffindor. He had good friends, he was hardly a Black anymore, he was a Marauder.

"Expecto Patronum!"

A bright white unicorn erupted from his wand, cantering around the room elegantly. The intensity of its shine was almost blinding.

He stared at it in shock, a unicorn? What am I a girl?

The unicorn eyed him sceptically, and the expression on its face reminded him of one he saw almost every day, one that came from another temperamental horse.

"I see," he said gazing at her, and he did. The unicorn represented the goodness he had been looking for all his life, and now he had found it.

"So what should I name you?" he murmured, "There's Bruno, and Flame," yes, even Moony had names his patronus, "You look like a…" he frowned. What did you name a unicorn? "Zarcon?"

The unicorn whinnied, a strange thing to be sure, and galloped over to the other patronuses in the room.

Padfoot jumped as a stag rushed by him.

"The day I was made captain," Prongs explained looking giddy.

Several weeks passed, and still Wormtail had not mastered the Patronus charm, but Severus had, an elegant doe that mimicked Lily's perfectly.

It was one of the last days in December when Archimedes flew down to them, interrupting the showdown taking place between Swift and Night Hawk.

Moony smiled as he took the letter off of the barn owl's leg, his eyes flashing back in forth down the page.

"Ding!" Padfoot smirked, watching the eyes zoom, "Ding! Ding!"

"What are you doing?" Swift asked tiredly.

"He's like a typewriter, I'm making the ding sound that occurs at the end of a line. Ding!"

Swift's eyes opened in shock as Prongs began laughing wildly.

"Excellent!" They turned at the sound of Moony's exclamation, "I wrote my parents, you're all invited for Christmas!"

Swift felt a wide smile grow on her face, "Yeah!" Padfoot cried jubilantly, "Christmas at the Lupins!"

Sorry about the late update, I was going to add more to this but I've moved it to the next chapter.

James' parents write in Juice ITC