Warning: Walburga Black gets what's coming to her.

Chapter Thirty Six

So Keep Holding On

"I'm staying here for Christmas," Remus reminded his friends. "Mum and Dad are going on holiday and I really don't feel like seeing my relatives." The Marauders were walking to the station to get home for Christmas, Remus accompanying them.

"I'll stay with you," said Sirius quickly. "For moral support."

"You will not," said Remus dryly. "You don't need another reason for your mother to yell at you over the summer."

"You sound like Andromeda," grumbled Sirius, kicking a rock.

"That's good?" asked Remus.

"No," said Sirius, and his friends left it at that.

"We're here, then," said Remus quietly as the train station came into view. Sirius groaned.

"Merry Christmas, Moony," he said gloomily. Peter and James echoed him.

"Merry Christmas, guys," Remus replied. "Good luck, Sirius."

"Thanks, I'll need it," said Sirius mournfully.

"Bye, Remus," said James, approaching the train. "Have a great holiday. Won't you be lonely, though?"

"He'll have Meda for company," muttered Sirius scornfully, only so James heard. "But yeah," he added, in a louder voice. "Try to find the kitchens if you're seriously depressed."

"I'll live," Remus assured, grinning wryly. A few minutes later, the three leaving Marauders had boarded the train and were chugging away. Remus watched the train disappear, then began walking back to Hogwarts, slight depression tingling at him.

–

"In the words of Remus, slight depression is tingling at me," said Sirius dramatically.

"Well, that's improvement," observed James. "You used to be crazy depressed."

"Still am," grumbled Sirius.

"Oh."

"Exploding Snap, anyone?" said Peter loudly. Sirius and James agreed, and the rest of the journey was passed very happily, with only the occasional disaster and only one incidence of Sirius's robe sleeve setting on fire.

"We're here," said James after a few joyful hours had passed.

"Darn," said Sirius dispassionately.

"We'd better change," said Peter.

"Hang on, Sirius, can I talk to you in the aisle a second?" said James, swiftly making up his mind.

"Sure," said Sirius, looking slightly confused.

"What is going on between you and Andromeda?" James demanded when they were alone. "You've been in a foul mood ever since you talked to her, you keep mentioning her all snide, you've been miserable! What's up with you?"

Sirius shoved his hands into his pockets and focused on a spot directly above James's head. "She's refused to come home," he said tonelessly, "and I think – I think – that's she's going to run away."

James's breath caught in his throat. "Run away?"

"Leave me," specified Sirius. "James, be my witness that I swear I will never, ever, ever forgive her if she leaves."

He turned to go back into the compartment. James caught him by the arm.

"Even if she does leave," he said in a low voice, "you have us. You have the Marauders. And we'll never leave you. Marauders together. Marauders forever. I solemnly swear.."

"..That I am up to no good," finished Sirius, a wry smile creeping upon his lips for the first time in too long. It was an oath the four had coined at the end of last year, and it had stuck as their motto. "Thanks, James."

"That's what Marauders are for," was the response.

–

"MUM!"

"DAD!"

"HOUSE ELF!"

"Bye Peter! See you here in January! Happy Christmas! Happy New Year!"

"Bye Peter! See you here in January! Happy Christmas! Happy New Year! Send me a gift! Write or I'll murder you!"

"Bye, guys!"

"Come on, Sirius, there's my mum," said James excitedly after Peter left with his parents, taking Sirius by the arm and dragging him away.

"Why is he dragging me?" Sirius asked no one in particular. "Who gave this boy authorization to drag me?"

"You're starting to sound like Moony, mate."

"Oh, wow."

"Mum! Dad!"

"James!"

"Mr and Mrs Potter!"

"Sirius!"

"Mum, Dad, you remember my friend Sirius B – ow – " For Sirius had kicked James in the ankle. Hard. "My. Friend. Sirius. Just. Sirius."

"Yes," said Sirius. "Just. Sirius. So how bout 'em Chuddley Cannons?"

This led to a rather heated discussion, as Sirius, for some absurd reason, was a firm supporter, whereas James and his dad were obsessed with the Tutshill Tornadoes, and, somehow, James's mum loved the Irish Quidditch Team.

The conversation became so enrapturing that Sirius could think of little else – for example, that he was standing in Kings' Cross, waiting for his mum to come pick him up.

A cold hand sat on his shoulder as he was happily picking through every flaw the Tutshill Tornadoes had. He stopped and went very still.

He closed his eyes briefly, then turned around, mind racing with possible ways to get out of this predicament. Mr and Mrs Potter would know that his mother was Walburga Black, that he was a Black, that his family was a well known supporter of pure bloodness, of Voldemort, of evil – they would know, they would tell James to stop associating with him, James would have to listen, and even if they didn't then Sirius's mum would surely force him to stop associating with him, send him to Durmstrang or something...

"Hello, Mum," he said evenly. "Glad to see you."

"The feeling isn't mutual," said Sirius's mother coldly. "Come along. And who are these?"

Sirius swore mentally. This was it.

"This is my friend, Mum," said Sirius cautiously. "James Potter. And these are his parents. Um, this is my mother."

For an endless moment, Annie Potter's eyes met with the one's of Walburga Black's, and for an endless moment, the smile on Mrs. Potter's face melted off for what seemed like the first time.

Sirius's mum glared down at Sirius. "You told me you had stopped associating with these – people," she snapped.

"Well, I lied," said Sirius meekly.

James's mum looked down at Sirius. "Sirius," she said. "A Black, are you?"

"Yes ma'am," said Sirius nervously.

"Sirius Black," repeated Mr. Potter.

"Yes sir," said Sirius nervously.

For another endless moment, they both only looked at him. James crept slightly closer to his friend and touched his wrist.

Mrs. Potter's face broke into a smile. "Long time no see, Walburga," she said evenly. "I haven't seen you since you were a first year. I've heard of you, though. You've made out for yourself quite well, haven't you? You have a lovely boy. Sirius is just charming. You must be very proud."

Mrs. Black's mouth had grown into a very thin line. "I wouldn't agree," she said coldly. "And no. I am not proud."

Mrs. Potter blinked. "Excuse me?"

"If my – son – ," said Mrs. Black, distaste evident in her voice, "has been reduced to associating with people such as you, I am certainly not proud of him in the slightest."

"And what do you mean by that?" said Annie.

"I mean that you are filth," shot back Walburga.

James's hand flew to his wand pocket. Sirius groaned quietly and hid his face in hands.

Mrs. Potter touched James's arm – and, to shock of everyone around – Sirius's. She looked at Mrs. Black, smile not fading.

"Thank you," she said simply. "Coming from you, Walburga, that's a compliment of the highest order."

Mrs. Black blinked. "What – what – ?" she spluttered.

Mrs. Potter had a small smile on her face. Both James and Sirius were grinning. "Sirius," she said, "you must come for the summer break. We'll be in touch."

"Definitely," said James sincerely, and Sirius felt the great joy of relief sweep through him, and as he and his mother left the station, his mother yelling at him the entire time, he couldn't stop smiling.

A/N: asfghjitjkehrfhothyoeohry...

My brain is fried. FRIED. Stupid midterms, and quarterly exams, and omigod MY BRAIN IS FRIED. :/ Today is a SNOW DAY, which is good and bad because WE GET A DAY OFF OF SPRING BREAK x( x( x( x( Sigh. Oh well, at least I had time to put this up! Joy.

So, who enjoyed Walburga getting what was coming to her? I enjoyed writing it, honestly. :P So, review, and then go read potterride's story, 'cause I gave her a prompt that included Andromeda and iguanas. Thanks!