Sirius upturned his collar and drew the bow tie around it before trying to fix it securely. He paused, looking down and checking. He stopped, frustrated and looked around at James who was lying on the bed reading some of the map that he had created. It wasn't complete, and he had doubt that it ever would because he hadn't gotten around to finding the charms he needed to make it good enough.

"Prongs!" Sirius said, desperately. "I need help!"

"Kinda busy here man," James said not looking up, already dressed in his best robes.

"Arsehole," Sirius said giving him a kick. He looked back into the mirror and ran his fingers over his combed hair. "This is ridiculous. I look ridiculous."

James swung his legs over the bed and pulled on his shoes. "Ah well, you'll have all of Christmas to get over it."

"Who are you taking by the way?" Sirius asked, giving up with the bow tie and pulling it off. He unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt exposing his neck.

"Ah, all to be revealed," James said tapping his nose.

Sirius gave him a look. "Prongs, the mysterious man thing might work for me and… Moony to an extent. But not you. Never you." James just smirked. Sirius rolled his eyes. "Fine don't tell me."

"I won't," James smirked.

Sirius watched as James practically skipped from the common room. Mithradates and Frank were watching, dealing out a deck of exploding snap.

"Don't worry," Frank said.

"He probably isn't even going," Mithradates said. "He'll probably just go to Hogsmede."

"Mm," Sirius didn't say anything. He tucked his wand into his pocket and left the dormitory saying his goodbye to Mithradates and Frank. The common room was empty as many had gone to the feast. Waiting for him was Mary. She smiled at him. Sirius looked over her. She looked good. She wore a simple purple dress that cut off at the knees and short sleeves. A small crystal necklace hung from her neck which she was fingering carefully. She had decided to wear her hair long, pinned and curled around her head.

"Hi," Sirius said.

"Hi," Mary said.

"You look… Nice." Sirius cleared his throat, feeling awkward.

"Thanks," Mary blushed. "So do… You…"

Sirius and Mary shared a look. Sirius held out his arm and she took it. Together they made their way down the flagstone steps to Slugston's office.

"Is James going?" Mary asked.

"Yeah," Sirius said. "He won't tell me who with though,"

"Mm. He is a curious one." Mary said. "What about Remus? Or Peter?"

Sirius let out a bark like laugh, Mary stared at him. He looked sheepish for a moment before answering. "Not to my knowledge."

"Well, Sarah was very keen on asking him out,"

"Sarah?" Sirius frowned. "The Ravenclaw girl?"

"Yeah, the one that's fancied Remus since… Oh I dunno." Mary shrugged. She stopped for a second looking at the fresh wave of snow fluttering down from the sky. She sighed. "It's so pretty isn't it?"

"It's alright," Sirius replied, shrugging.

"Do you not like snow?"

"Not really," Sirius said. "More of a summer man if you ask me,"

"Oh," Mary looked at the snow. "I'm not so attached to winter myself. But I don't like summer. I prefer autumn."

"Really?" Sirius asked, only mildly interested.

"Yeah," Mary said as they continued down the steps. "I've never been to this part of the castle,"

"Mm, well, I've been everywhere." Sirius grinned.

"What?" Mary looked at him.

"Nothing," Sirius said stopping outside the doors where they could hear jazz music playing out and the clicks and flashes of a photographer. He sighed, knowing that it was completely against everything he stood for.

"Are we just going to stand here?" Mary asked.

"No," Sirius said, shaking his head and pushing the door open. It was as he suspected. There were hundreds of guests, not all students, a few he recognised from the Prophet. Green satin hung from the walls with silver embellishments. Everyone was dressed in finery, with champagne glasses and having their photo taken with Slughorn.

"Sirius! Mary!" Cried the potions master, stumbling over to them. "Good evening!"

"Good evening, Professor," Mary said politely.

"Sir," Sirius gave a curt nod.

"Do help yourself to champagne," Slughorn said. "And nibbles. I do love nibbles."

Sirius wasn't listening. He had spotted Lucius and Regulus. Slughorn had moved off. "Come on," Sirius said, tugging Mary by the elbow towards a table with a few familiar faces.

Sarah looked up and smiled. "Oh, hey guys, you did come after all."

Mary grinned sitting down beside her friend. "Oh, I couldn't stop him from wanting to be here." She said. "Who did you end up bringing?"

"Moony?" Sirius asked shocked as a figure approached him, holding two long slender glasses. Remus jumped a mile into the air and began to blush furiously. He was wearing a set of slightly less shabby robes, but still looked worse for wear. "What the hell are you doing here?" Sirius asked.

"I could ask you the same question," Remus replied, setting the glass in front of Sarah who smiled. "I thought you hated all this prompt and ceremony and stuff."

"A party is a party, mate," Sirius said, shrugging. "So, you two finally hooked up after all?"

Remus continued to blush and muttered something under his breath. Sarah smiled. "We're not together," She said simply. "We're just here. As friends."

Sirius raised an eyebrow at Remus who hid under his mop of hair.

"Sirius is much the same," Mary giggled.

Sirius said nothing.

"Where's James?" Remus asked.

Sirius shrugged. "Dunno, likelihood that he never found a date."

"Oh, so much faith, Sirius," said a voice.

Remus and Sirius swivelled around in their seats to look at James arm in arm with someone they had never seen before. Sarah and Mary seemed to know who it was.

"Boys," James said presenting the girl. "This is Caitlin,"

Caitlin was a slender petite girl with long blonde hair and purple-blue eyes and wearing an elegant long dark blue dress. She smiled at them with twinkling eyes.

"Hey," She said.

"Caitlin, is in Hufflepuff," James explained, pulling a seat out and letting her sit on it before drawing his own.

"Hello, how do you do? I'm Remus," Remus greeted politely. Sirius stared at her before getting up.

"James, I need to talk to you," He said.

James frowned and got up, following Sirius to the other end of the party. Sirius pulled him around and stared.

"What the hell?" He asked.

"What?" James asked.

"James, you don't know this girl!" Sirius said. "Is this just a payback to Lily for not taking you? Because this is going too far! For god's sake get over it!"

"I'll have you know that Caitlin and I go way back," James said. "She helps me in Charms."

"James, I help you in charms."

"Potions then,"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sirius said incredulously. "You're a bloody genius, why on earth would you need help?"

"Are you saying I brought her here under false pretences?" James asked.

"Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying," Sirius hissed.

James shook his head. "Sometimes you can be a real idiot." He said.

"So, you do know her. How long have you known her?" Sirius questioned.

"Passage of time is no concept, when you're in love," James said.

"You can't be serious,"

"I am, very, Sirius," James replied playing on the pun for a moment, amusement on his face.

"Prongs," Sirius said.

"What? What do you care? You hate this sort of stuff." James said shrugging. "Come on man," He patted his friend's shoulder before moving back to the table. Lily had joined looking severely pissed off, her arms folded. She wore a simple green dress with gold stitching around the hem and the sleeves, that fell just above her knees, showing off her calves.

"What's wrong Evans'?" James asked, sitting down next to Caitlin who was helping herself to a bit of cream cake.

"None of your business Potter," Lily said.

"Lighten up," James replied, waggling his eyebrows. "I'm sure it can't be that bad."

Sirius had sat down beside Remus who was having a conversation with Sarah about their ideas on the future. James caught Lily's glance towards a group of boys. Amongst them was Snape, Lucius, Narcissa and the same sandy-haired boy that they had seen in the common room. James raised his eyebrows at Sirius who gave a gruff sigh.

"Of course," He said.

"I don't think the future will be that bad," Sarah said mildly as the conversation at the table seemed to slow at a boring and almost meaningless talk of what they would be doing over the holidays.

Remus said nothing setting down his drink. He thought for a moment, before picking up a nibble. "How can you think that? Death Eaters everywhere, we might be called to fight,"

"I doubt it," Sarah said. "It's nothing more than a phase. The Ministry and Dumbledore are not stupid,"

James gave a snort, thinking back to when Ariyamna had sent the letter concerning Remus' condition.

"Got something to say?" Sarah asked.

"It's just," James gave a grin, leaning forward and taking Remus' glass from him. "I know for a fact, that the ministry are not so bright when it comes to matters retaining the Knights of Walpurgis."

"Knights of what?" Lily asked, butting into the conversation.

"What they used to call themselves," James said as Remus tried to take back the glass from him. "Mr. Moony, I rather think that you should stay off anything that contains even a hint of alcohol. You remember what happened last time."

Remus just stared.

"Anyway," James said. "The ministry is not so intelligent."

"And how do you know that?" Caitlin asked, fascinated. James turned, not expecting her to speak.

"Because," He said shrugging, taking a drink. "I've read the Prophet, obviously the Ministry is controlling it."

"That's hardly sufficient proof." Lily said.

"No," James said. "But last year I got a letter from a ministry official that there was a werewolf in the school. Disguised as a student and working alongside Dumbledore the prize death eater, to bring down the school."

Remus stared wide eyed at his friend, feeling sick. He waited for everyone's reaction.

"What?" Sarah sniggered, finally breaking the silence. "That's preposterous,"

"It's the letter I got," James said shrugging.

"Well obviously it's not true." Mary said. "I mean, if there was a death eater in the school, half the muggle-borns would be dead by now."

"Exactly," Sirius said. "So, you can't exactly trust any ministry officials."

"Well, it's a difficult time for all of us," Lily said, quick to the defence of those she had not met. "I'm sure it's difficult getting the right information."

"Always ready to defend those you haven't even met." James said sighing. "That, Evans' will be your downfall."

Lily ignored him. "It must be very hard to weed out proper information from the rumours," She said. "It's hard enough as it is in the muggle world."

"Or, there really is a werewolf in the school and Dumbledore is trying to overthrow the ministry as Voldemort's prize death eater," Sirius said.

"As if!" Sarah laughed. "I hardly see that happening,"

"Mm," Remus pulled the glass away from James, raising his eyebrows as he did so, in a seemingly silent message that said "You owe me for putting up with that". James didn't try and stop him.

"James!" Slughorn cried. "You made it, how are you dear fellow?"

"I'm good," James replied, shaking the potions master's hand.

"I see you brought along, Miss Caitlin," He smiled. "And, hello Sarah! Who did you bring?"Sarah pushed Remus around. Slughorn looked at him for a moment a sad glimmer in his eyes. "Yes, yes, very well. James, I was wondering whether you and Miss Evans' would have your photo taken with me,"

"Oh, Sir, I don't think that's-"

"Nonsense," Slughorn said pulling her up. "Carlosos!" The photographer stumbled towards them raising his camera. "Now, everyone smile!"

"CATCH!"

The snowball hit Peter's face and sent him toppling backwards. Sirius walked over and helped him up. "Well, I did say catch. I didn't mean you to catch it with your nose,"

"I wasn't exactly expecting it," Peter said, brushing the snow off his cloak. James snuck up behind Peter, making a shushing motion with his gloved hands. He grabbed the back of Peter's head and looked as if he was going to throw the snowball straight into his face before he turned and threw it at Sirius.

"YOU MOTHER FUC-"

"Language," Remus said mildly. "You've been doing so well."

"Shut up," Sirius said rubbing the snow off his shoulder. "Oi, Moony, heads up!" He sent a snowball flying his way, it hit Remus on the chest, forcing him back slightly.

"Oh, you're gonna pay for that!" Remus said, taking out his wand and giving it a quick flick. Snow from his feet rose up and created themselves into snowballs before hitting Sirius one after the other. Sirius ran off and hid behind one of the statues that stood in the courtyard.

"That's not fair!" Sirius cried. "No magic!"

"That was never established as a genuine rule," Remus said, waving his wand again and sending the white snow after Sirius.

"Well I'm establishing it now!"

"No such luck," James said, roaring with laughter. A snowball came flying his way and hit him on the nose. "OW!" He wiped the snow away, pushing his glasses further up his face before realising he couldn't see out of them. He took them off and wiped the down. "You'll pay for that one Moony!"

"It wasn't me!" Remus said, insistently. "It was Pete."

All three of the turned to Peter who was crouching behind one of the many statues, rolling balls of snow into a neat little pile and clearly unaware that his friends were watching him. James made a shushing motion and crept up behind Peter, grapping a handful of snow as he did so. Then, carefully, he found Peter's neck under the Gryffindor scarf and smacked him with the frozen water. Peter leapt to his feet, yelping. James fell to the icy ground laughing, holding his stomach as he did so.

"Not cool, Prongs," Peter said.

"Aw," James said, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye. "Bloody fun though."

"Bloody cold," Peter replied. "It's gone down my back." He gave a little shiver and shook slightly. A new gust of wind blew through the courtyard practically lifting some of the lighter students off their feet, including Remus. Along with the new gust came more snow, showering down on them and setting on the ground.

"You know what I really fancy," Sirius said, putting his arms around James and Remus. "I really fancy -"

"Moony?" James asked.

"Ha ha," Sirius said. "Funny. Make a gay joke. Dipshit."

"What do you fancy, Sirius?" Remus asked, over James' laughing fit.

"I really fancy – Oh will you please shut up? – I really fancy, taking a stroll," Sirius said.

"I thought that's what we were doing in any case," Remus said.

Sirius frowned. "No, not that kind of stroll. I mean down to visit Madam Rosmerta, see what she's up too. Maybe grab a butterbeer. Or firewhiskey."

"No," James said flatly. "No firewhiskey. You remember Halloween."

"Vaguely." Remus replied.

"Very… Very… Vaguely," Peter said.

"No firewhiskey," James said. "We don't want Moony to turn into an alcoholic."

Sirius grinned and the four of them skirted off to the second floor where the statue of the one-eyed witch stood. Peter pulled out his wand, tapped the hump, said "Dissendium" before it cracked open and let them through. They darted through the cold tunnel, anxious to warm themselves up with a Butterbeer and have a vehement chat with Rosmerta, whom they had grown quite friendly with along with Aberforth Dumbledore, owner of Hogs Head. They also wanted to see if Ariyamna was still stationed at Hogsmede on ministry orders. They enjoyed her husband, Vidal's company, as he would often go on tangents about something completely ridiculous. This caused Ariyamna a great deal of annoyance and it was very amusing for them to witness her getting pissed off with her husband's behaviour.

They snuck out of Honeydukes with casual ease and made their way to the Three Broomsticks. Not many people were being served on account of how cold it was. Rosmerta, though cautious about them sneaking in and out of school welcomed them happily and set out four butterbeers. Together they made their way to an unoccupied table and drank deeply, letting the warmth spread to every corner of their bones. Once filled with a warm feeling they left and took off down the street to find Ariyamna's house, which the ministry had provided for her and Vidal. They knocked on the door and Vidal opened, wearing a bright red and green Christmas jumper and red reindeer antlers, which James had to stifle a laugh at.

He grinned at them, holding a platter of mince pies. "Hello boys. Fancy seeing you here! French fancies! That's what I forgot! Ariyamna?"

"What?"

"Did you get French Fancies?"

"What those sugary treats that send you into a diabetic coma?"

"Yes those."

"Yes, I got them. Who's at the door?" Ariyamna appeared, wearing a bright apron and an equally hideous Christmas jumper. "Oh, hello. What can I do you for?"

"Fancied a chat," James shrugged.

"Oh, well by all means come on in," Ariyamna said. "What are you doing letting them stand out in the cold?"

"Yes, I thought it was customary to keep visitors out of the house," Vidal said stepping aside.

"Hold on," Ariyamna cried, stopping James from coming any further. James looked confused. Ariyamna pointed up at a garland of Mistletoe hanging from the ceiling. She then leaned down and kissed James.

"Well," James said rubbing his cheek. "Rather you than Vidal."

"I'll have you know, my kissing is the best," Vidal pouted.

Ariyamna grinned as she bent down to kiss Sirius. Sirius looked pleased as punch before she turned and gave a kiss to Remus and Peter.

"Expecting someone?" James asked, closing the door behind him.

"Nah," Vidal said. "We always dress and act like this. It's a sickness really."

Ariyamna rolled her eyes. "We're waiting for Vidal's sisters to make an appearance, they're staying here over the Christmas holidays before going back to work with Dragons."

"Dragons?" Sirius said. "Bloody hell, that sounds cool."

"Not really," Ariyamna replied. "Hilary is burnt completely on one side of her face and is it… Fiona? Who's missing a large chunk of her left arm?"

"No that's Gracie."

"Then what happened to Fiona?"

"Fiona is fine," Vidal shrugged. "She was the luckier one."

"Oh right. Well come on in, can't expect you to hang around in the corridor can we?" Ariyamna said beckoning them in. "Vidal, get them a drink."

"Right, orange juice it is,"

Ariyamna slapped her husband's chest. "They're not five!" She said.

"Right, sorry," Vidal cleared his throat and spoke in a gruffer voice. "Do you boys want a firewhiskey?"

"Vidal!" Ariyamna cried.

"Sorry," Vidal just grinned. "So how are you boys?"

"Vidal!"

"What?"

"Drinks!"

"Oh, right," Vidal skittered off to find something.

Ariyamna shook her head. "That boy will be the death of me," She sat down on a bright red couch and offered the boys to do the same.

"I hope not," Sirius said. "You're the one who keeps us all sane,"

Remus cleared his throat.

"Okay, sane-ish." Sirius corrected, throwing him a look.

Vidal re-entered and sat down, smiling. Ariyamna looked up at him from her seat. "Vidal?"

"Yes dear?"

"Where's the drinks?"

"Oh bloody hell." Vidal got up and stumbled back to the kitchen.

Ariyamna shook her head. "So, how have you been?"

"Good," Sirius replied.

"Actually," James said leaning forward. "There is something I wanted to talk to you about," Sirius, Remus and Peter stared at him for a moment slightly confused. James ignored them. Ariyamna looked worried for a moment.

"What is it James?" She asked nervously.

"Well, I was wondering," James said. "Is the Ministry controlling the Prophet?"

Ariyamna's eyes darted. Her face broke out into a frantic smile. She laughed nervously. "James, dear, whatever gave you that impression?"

"Well some people are getting the idea that not all the information about the Death Eaters is getting into the hands of the people who need it." James said, pushing his glasses further up his nose.

"James, I don't think that's a question I can answer," Ariyamna said.

"I think you just did." James replied softly.

Ariyamna looked at him before licking her lips and clearing her throat. "I'm not a death eater,"

"I never said you were," James said.

"You implied it," Ariyamna said.

"Trust me, if I thought you were a death eater, then you would be dead by now." James said.

"Such trust after all I've done for you," Ariyamna said.

James started up, but Sirius grabbed his friend's arm pulling him down. "Ariyamna," Sirius said. "It's been good, but we have to dash."

"Yes, dash," Remus agreed.

Ariyamna looked startled as the four boys got up. "Right," She said watching them leave. "Well, it was good… Seeing you and all."

"Yeah," Peter said, shoving James outside. "Sorry about Prongs, he's just a little cranky because Lily took Snape to the Slug club a few nights ago."

"Sluggy still holds them?" Ariyamna asked.

"Yeah," Remus said. "Bye!" He swiftly shut the door. Sirius sighed and looked over at James.

"Prongs, what were you thinking?" He asked.

"I was just curious," James said.

"About death eaters?" Sirius asked.

James looked up sheepishly at them for a moment. He then let out a sigh. "There have been a number of people disappearing, dad won't tell me what's going on…"

"So you thought you should play detective and accuse Ariyamna of being a Death Eater?" Remus asked.

"I didn't actually accuse her," James said, raising his hands in defence.

"You kinda did," Peter said.

"Please," James snorted. "She is as much a Death Eater as you are, Pete."

"You never really wanted to get a Butterbeer and have a nice Christmasy night, did you?" Sirius asked.

"Sorry," James said. "I just thought…"

"Never mind," Sirius said. "Just promise me something in future."

"Sure, what?" James asked.

"Never think for yourself again."

A/N

Hello my lovely readers. Please first of all don't favourite or add as a story alert without leaving a review. Remember, I would really much like to get 200 reviews on this, I think thus far it is my most successful story. It seems like I want to feed my ego, but I really need to know so I can improve on things, take in suggestions for future chapters (seriously anything is welcome) and just generally feel like people are enjoying it :)

To the anonymous reviewer who wants to know how I manage to keep the characters equal – trust me, it's not easy. I have a soft spot for Remus and he tends to take over most of my musings. It's incredibly difficult to keep them all separate and equal. Thankfully, I have three friends (which oddly makes a group of four) that I use as basis for the marauders. We're a lot like them in a lot of ways. It's kinda creepy to be perfectly honest.

And guess what guys? Today was my last exam! So I'll be back to regular, hopefully almost daily updates. YAY! *little round of applause for me* now I just need to worry about the results.

Lots of love xx

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