Disclaimer: All characters belong to JK Rowling except Celia, Molly, David, Janice, Lucy & any other characters you don't recognise.
Authors Note: Hello to all my wonderful readers and reviewers out there. Hope you are having a good time.
I'd like to give a special shout out to fhl1234 for giving me suggestions of baby name's for Celia and Peters baby.
Hope you enjoy this chapter and please don't forget to leave a review. Thanks.
Chapter Twenty: Recovery, Pranks & A Warning
Lucy was sitting on a plush sofa in Albus' office, sobbing.
Next to her were Janice and Celia who were trying to comfort her.
She felt so useless. So helpless. Her son, her little boy (well maybe not so little now) was lying in the hospital wing in pain and discomfort.
She hadn't been able to prevent him from getting hurt.
The scene flashed through her mind again in slow motion as she watched with the rest of the crowd at an object that seemed to be falling through the sky at rapid speed.
As the object cleared the crowds and fell further towards the stands she realised with a dawning horror that it was Harry.
Her son was plummeting to the ground and there was nothing she could do to save him.
She screamed and screamed and cried as her family tried to comfort her.
Sirius stood up with his wand and began to mutter a spell.
She vaguely noticed Albus doing the same thing.
As Harry closed in on the ground, his descent slowed considerably.
He still however hit the ground with enough force to make Lucy howl in grief in the belief that he was dead "no! Harry! no!" she shrieked over and over as Albus, Severus, Remus and Professor McGonagall all rushed from the teachers box and down onto the pitch.
They were joined by Madam Pomfrey who Lucy saw examine him and shake her head.
She had thought that that was it.
Later she had learned that Harry was going to be alright.
His brother Draco had used his remarkable healing powers to deal with the life threatening injuries such as the internal bleeding and the pressure on Harry's brain.
He would still need a few weeks to recover but compared to what could have happened Lucy felt this was nothing to be worried over.
When Madam Pomfrey had broken the news to her that Harry was going to live and that within a few weeks he would be back on his feet and good as new she had cried tears of joy and when the Medi Witch had informed her of just why he would live she had embraced Draco in a bone crushing hug and wept into his shoulder murmuring in relief "you saved him. You saved my boy, thank you".
She had been so proud of Draco when he'd replied "it was nothing. It was my duty as a brother".
She had kissed him on the forehead and hugged him even tighter at these words.
She was brought back to the present as she heard a whooshing sound from somewhere nearby and in a matter of moments had been pulled into a warm, comforting embrace.
She knew instantly who it was and sobbed "oh James thank god you're here!".
"It'll be alright my love, he'll be alright" he murmured in her ear as he kissed her on the forehead.
When they broke apart she told him haltingly about the incident and Harry's condition "it was the Dementors" she told him "some of them chased after Harry and caused him to fall from his broom at a very high height".
She watched her husbands face pale and knew instantly what he must be thinking. She moved quickly to assure him "he's going to be alright James. I was worried just like you when they brought him to the hospital wing. I thought he would die but Draco..." she smiled shakily "Draco put his hands to Harry's head and drew out the injuries, Harry's still got some sore ribs, a broken leg and arm but he'll be alright in a few weeks".
"Oh thank god" she heard her husband exclaim in relief "Draco is the best brother Harry could ask for, he deserves a bloody award" James said chuckling slightly.
After a moment, Lucy heard her husbands voice turn serious "Albus what were the Dementors doing going after my son?" James asked angrily.
She heard a sigh and looked at Albus "Dementors are dark creatures as you know all too well James. They are not to be trusted and should not be here, they will go after anyone for any reason".
Albus walked over to them and Lucy could see that this incident had affected him too. Not surprising as he thought of Harry and his siblings as grandchildren.
"I demanded that the Dementors be removed stating they were a danger but the Minister refused to listen. She said they were necessary to capture Fletcher and they would be removed when he was caught not before".
"Why didn't you insist as Chief Warlock?" James demanded.
Again Albus sighed. He removed his glasses, rubbed tired eyes and replaced them "if only it were that simple James, you know I cannot simply demand something. Most of the Wizengamot believe these creatures to be a necessary evil and I fear I will not dissuade them".
Lucy heard her husband sigh "very well. We're going to see our son".
Albus nodded.
It was late at night and Harry was lying in his bed in the hospital wing.
He had wanted to leave that day but Madam Pomfrey stated that he could only leave in the morning after a night of observation and once his crutches were ready.
As lay in bed he thought about earlier on.
He had been lying in bed. Draco, Ginny and the others round his bed trying to cheer him up.
The hospital wing doors had banged loudly open and in had rushed his parents. James first, followed by Lucy.
He could see how upset his two parents were as they made a bee line straight for his bed.
Without even having to ask it, his brother and friends retreated from his bedside while Ginny left after kissing him on the forehead and saying she loved him.
"Oh Harry, you're alright" his Dad had exclaimed in evident happiness and relief.
His parents took seats either side of his bed and he had spent the night hour talking about the match, the Dementors and what he had thought was his death.
He also expressed to them a wish to learn spells to repel Dementors.
His Dad had informed him that he was planning to ask Remus on his sons behalf and for Draco and their friends as well to see if Remus would be willing to teach them all a certain spell that was highly effective in forcing back the vile creatures.
Harry had been delighted to hear this and then bade goodbye to his parents who told him to call them on the two way mirror the next day to inform them of how he was doing.
Harry sighed internally at this.
He knew how protective they could be after incidents like this and hoped that it wouldn't a repeat of last time where he was kept cooped up in his room for several weeks in absolute boredom.
As he was lying in the dimly lit room thinking about all of this, a noise began to emanate from the two way mirror that was tucked under his pillow.
It was a voice "Harry? Harry are you there?".
Harry grinned as he heard the voice he wanted to hear for months.
He checked that Madam Pomfrey wasn't watching and then reached under his pillow to extract the mirror.
As soon as he saw her face he grinned, only for his grin to fade from his face as he saw that his normally tough sister had been crying "oh Harry I'm so glad to see you" she said in relief "I know Mum and Dad said you were alright but...well...I wanted to check for myself, so...are you?".
Harry smiled and nodded "my ribs are sore still, I have a broken arm and leg but I'll be fine sis, don't worry, we Potters are tough remember?".
His sister laughed slightly at this before responding "I really thought that would be it this time Harry".
"Me too" Harry said grimly "thank god for Draco, he saved me".
"Mum and Dad said that too" she said "how did he do it?".
"He placed his hands on my head apparently and drew out the worst of the injuries leaving only the minor ones".
"well it looks like you aren't the only who's going to be getting a big hug then when you two get home for Christmas".
Harry yawned, feeling very tired.
His sister noticed at once "you need your sleep bro, I'll check back in with you tomorrow, have a good night".
"Night sis, talk to you soon, love you" Harry replied.
"Love you too" she said before disappearing.
Harry felt grateful that night for the dreamless sleep potion that was given to him to make his rest more comfortable.
The day after his near death experience Harry was released from the hospital wing under strict orders from Madam Pomfrey to do nothing strenuous for the next week.
As he was helped to Gryffindor Tower by Ron and Neville who were either side helping him walk in his heavy leg cast and by Draco who had been tasked with opening doors, he said "I hate this".
"Hate what?" Ron asked.
Draco jumped in "he's about to start complaining about how he doesn't want to be a burden to us".
Harry glared at his brother for a second before his look softened "Draco's right, that's exactly how I feel".
"Well that's a stupid thing to feel Harry" Neville told him seriously "you aren't a burden, we're your brothers, we may not be blood related but we view you as much brothers as you view us brothers".
"Just as Neville said Harry" Ron added "families look out for each other and you're our family, you always will be so it's not a burden to help you".
"You see, we won't let you be morose brother mine" Draco told him plainly "we're going to keep you cheerful and optimistic".
True to their word, his brothers and sisters (he viewed his friends as such) and his girlfriend spent the next two weeks leading up to the start of December playing jokes, playing games with him and laughing.
They had even declined to visit Hogsmeade for the first time unless he went with them for which Harry felt grateful if a bit guilty.
As Ron had put it "we've been there before so it's not that important".
Harry had been touched by this sentiment.
December arrived and with it the weather got colder and snow began to descend blanketing the grounds in a fine white powder.
In some places the drifts were so high that students were preventing from going there until it had been cleared.
Harry had just entered the Gryffindor common room after a particularly challenging Ancient Runes lesson with Hermione.
He sat down in his favourite armchair with Hermione sitting across from him and the two of them took out parchment, quills and text books and began to write out their homework assignment.
Professor Babbling had tasked them with writing two feet of parchment on the relation between the lightning rune and it's place in magical society.
Just as Harry had begun, the portrait hole opened and in stepped Ron and Neville.
They were both chatting animatedly about something though Harry couldn't hear from where he was sitting.
As they drew near he heard the conversation "should we really tell him?" Neville was saying "won't he think we're...you know...crazy?".
"Why should I think you're crazy?" Harry asked causing his two friends to jump in fright.
It was quite obvious that neither of them had noticed him sitting in the groups usual corner "ah...Harry...you're...you're here" said Ron.
"Well I'm not in the Great Hall Ron more's the pity" Harry quipped in amusement "but my question still stands, why would I think you're both crazy?".
Ron was about to speak when Neville got in first "it's just nonsense Harry, it doesn't mean anything, just ignore everything Ron says" he insisted.
Ron glared at Neville elbowing him in the ribs "shut up" Ron said.
He turned his attention back to Harry "something really weird happened in Divination class" he began.
Hermione scoffed "what, did someone choke on a tea leaf?".
Everyone present knew that Hermione had stormed out of the Divination classes at the start of November proclaiming them to be complete nonsense and nothing to do with magic.
Ron eyed her uncertainly while Harry stared at Hermione with his best "be quiet and listen" face.
"Sorry" Hermione said not sounding at all sorry and fell silent.
Ron continued "Me and Nev stopped to help Professor Trelawney clear up after class so we were the last to leave and as we were heading for the door, Trelawney who'd been saying goodbye...her...her voice changed..." Ron paused again as if feeling odd about what he was going to say "it wasn't her normal voice it was deeper and sinister, her eyes rolled back in her head and she began speaking, she said...she said beware the ferret, it bites, it will aim to do harm and when the moon is full and the wolf howls, the servant will set out to rejoin his master...and...and will become..." Ron gulped "greater and more terrible than ever before".
After Ron had finished he looked at Harry for his reaction.
Harry burst out laughing. He laughed and laughed until tears rolled down his cheeks and his sides hurt from the effort.
At length, he gathered himself together and replied "Ron, no offence mate but that is without a doubt the most ludicrous thing I've ever heard" he said, still smiling.
Ron still looked doubtful "but Harry she's a seer, she knows things, she can see the future".
"Poppycock" Hermione declared "she's a fraud and always will be a fraud, she's been going on about this sort of stuff for years according to Professor McGonagall".
"Hermione's right you guys" Harry said in agreement "Professor McGonagall said that she's only made one correct prediction in her whole life and not made another proper one since, it's obvious she's just got an obsession with talking about evil omens and death" Harry grinned "don't worry about it, it's all rubbish".
Two weeks before Christmas Harry and the other New Marauders were having tea with Hagrid as usual on the Saturday.
As they sat in his cabin talking about classes, homework and Quidditch, the subject flipped over to Buckbeak "Professor Dumbledore convinced the committee to move the hearing back to the twentieth of April so I've got more time to prepare" he told them with a smile.
"That's great Hagrid but you mean US" Harry responded happily and putting emphasise on the word us.
He was, as the others were, determined to help Hagrid build a strong case up.
Harry had decided that he would begin researching the subject during the Christmas Holidays when he would have more time to relax.
"I really appreciate the offer of help you lot" Hagrid told them as he took a sip of tea "Beaky's grateful as well" Hagrids face fell "I jus hope it'll be enough".
Hermione, Ginny and Luna went over and hugged Hagrid while the Draco voiced what they were feeling "it will be. It has to be".
Everyone else nodded at this and voiced their agreement.
It was already dark as they began their trek back up to the castle escorted by Hagrid with whom they were chatting happily.
The snow was coming down heavily and already had blanketed the grounds in blinding white as far as the eye could see.
Harry's thoughts turned to Christmas.
He was really looking forward to it this as his Mum had promised him that he could help cook Christmas dinner.
It was something he'd wanted to do for years but she'd always told him he wasn't responsible enough.
As he thought about it he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He froze in place staring.
He could see a pair of bright blue eyes in the darkness. Thinking quickly, he whipped his wand from it's holster, aimed it in the direction of the eyes and shouted "Lumos!".
His heart was hammering in panic.
He forced his breathing to calm.
Something about those blue eyes unnerved him immensely.
"Harry what is it?" came the voice of Hermione.
She and the others came to his side looking into the area illuminated by his wand "what are you staring at Harry?" Ron asked in confusion.
Harry swallowed and turned to answer over there "a pair of blue eyes I think it's a ferret".
"There's nothing there Harry" Neville said.
Harry turned back to the spot at which he'd been staring and noticed that, indeed, the creature was gone...if it had ever been there.
'Maybe I'm just imagining it' Harry thought to himself reasonably.
After all, why would a ferret be staring at him?.
As the group resumed the walk back to the castle he still could not shake off the ominous feeling that he had gotten from those eyes.
It had been like the creature was staring into his soul.
The Christmas Holidays finally arrived at last.
As Harry and the rest of the New Marauders found their usual compartment on the Hogwarts Express, conversation turned to Christmas and New Year and what everything was doing for it.
Neville revealed that he and his parents were off visiting his Grandmother and his Uncle Archie who had never married.
"I wish we were staying home for Christmas, I'd love to be there for Christmas Day" he lamented miserably.
"I'm sure you'll have a lovely time with your family Neville" Luna said trying to reassure him.
Neville snorted "yeah sure, a real cracking time" he replied sarcastically, "Gran comparing me to Dad as usual and Uncle Archie throwing spells at me to see how good my relaxes are.
"Well we're staying at home for Christmas. My Grandparents are coming to visit us so we're having Christmas dinner at home but I'll find some time to come over and chat" Hermione told the others.
"Well you may not have Hermione and Neville but you two still have me" Ron said grinning.
Harry smirked "oh yeah, thanks Ron, we're honoured".
"Oh it's noth...hey!" Ron said indignantly before laughing.
"Me and Draco are going to do some research for Hagrid over Christmas so we'll be busy anyway" Harry told them.
"Yeah we're going to enlist Molly's help" Draco added.
"Plus Mum and Aunt Janice say we've got to help Aunt Celia" Harry told them.
"Yeah with her being pregnant they said we've got to do more round the house".
"At least that's not a problem we've got, eh Ginny" Ron said chuckling.
They all laughed at this.
When the train pulled up to platform 9 and 3/4's the group grabbed their trunks and stepped off the train onto the platform.
They found it to be a lot less busy than usual.
Aurors still patrolled the platform, wands at the ready, vigilant for any possible threat.
It seemed to Harry that only one person from each family had been allowed onto the platform itself.
Harry glanced around and his eyes locked on his Godfather Sirius.
He managed to catch his Uncles eye and waved happily.
Grinning, his Uncle waved back to him "this way guys" Harry said as he pointed out Sirius.
It had been agreed that as Neville's Auror parents were busy, Ron and Ginny's Dad was busy and Harry's Dad was busy, they would all be picked up Sirius and Mrs Weasley.
They made their way over to the curly haired wizard and Harry halted his trolley "hey Padfoot" he said.
"Hey kid" Sirius responded as he ruffled Harry's hair.
"Hey Dad" Draco said smiling.
"Hey Son" Sirius said with a smile.
He then grabbed the two boys, protesting, into a hug worthy of Mrs Weasley "god I miss you guys every time you head to Hogwarts" he told them as he let them go "I miss planning pranks with you so much. Please tell me you played at least one this year" he said mock seriously.
Harry laughed "to tell you the truth Padfoot we've been a bit too busy".
"Too busy to play pranks!?" Sirius exclaimed in mock outrage.
They all laughed at this.
Eventually, Mrs Weasley arrived on the platform and greeted everyone with her usual bone crushing hugs.
After she greeted her children including Fred, George and Percy who had come up behind them, she turned her attention to Harry "I still say you don't eat enough Harry dear" she said in motherly concern.
Harry smiled "I eat plenty Mrs Weasley it just doesn't seem to go anywhere".
That afternoon as they arrived at the Manor and Harry with his Godfathers help put his trunk and Hedwigs cage in the hallway, a voice came from the nearby kitchen "Sirius is that you?".
Harry saw his Mum exit the kitchen.
The second she clapped eyes on him he could see tears brimming in her blue eyes.
Harry steeled himself for the most intense hug yet.
His Mother ran across the hallway and flung her arms around him kissing his forehead multiple times "oh my poor poor baby!" she exclaimed tearfully.
"Mum! get off!" Harry protested, trying to wriggle from her grasp.
Eventually his Mum let him do so "I'm just so relieved that you're home and not hurt" she said smiling.
Harry smiled "me too Mum, me too".
Before he could catch a breath a black haired blur had leapt at him and was hugging his waist tightly.
Harry felt the breath knocked from him slightly.
He looked down and laughed a little when he saw that it was his younger brother David "hey Davy, how's my favourite brother doing?" he asked smiling.
His brother looked up at him and he saw some tears in his brothers eyes.
It seemed that it wasn't only his Mother who'd been very upset about what had happened.
"Hey Davy don't cry" he said. He wiped the tears from his brothers eyes and said "hey mate, it's alright, I'm not going anywhere ok, I promise".
His brother still looked upset so Harry added "how about I convince your Dad to take us for a ride on his motorbike?".
At these words his brothers worried expression changed into a grin of happiness "yeah!" his brother exclaimed causing Harry to laugh.
"Right then, I'll speak to him and see what we can do eh? now, you go off and do...what were you doing?" Harry asked.
His brother smiled wider "building a lego mansion in my room".
Harry grinned "well you get back to doing that and when I've got everything unpacked and had a sit down I'll come and help ok?".
His brother nodded his head vigorously and ran off upstairs.
With the help of Draco, Harry managed to get his trunk into his bedroom.
As they were struggling along the first floor landing with Draco's, they heard an amused voice say "well if it isn't numbskull and numbskull".
Knowing to whom the voice belonged, they lowered the trunk to the carpeted floor of the landing and looked to the sound.
Sure enough, standing there, a smile as wide as Blackpool tunnel, was their sister Molly.
Even though they kept her updated with all the news of their adventures both good and bad and heard her news as well, it was no substitute for seeing her in person again after around three and a half months.
Within seconds, Harry and Draco had reached her and the three of them had grabbed each other in a three way hug.
True to their word, almost from the very moment that they arrived back at Marauder Manor, Harry and Draco took to the Manor's library.
It was a large spacious room with row upon row of bookshelves and full of comfy armchairs and sofas for long reading sessions.
There was even a wooden window seat, well padded for those who felt the urge to look out on the gardens of the Manor or the fields and hills in the shadow of which the Manor was nestled.
It was two days after they had returned and at this precise moment in time, Harry had his head buried in a book.
"Here's something" Harry said "in 1349 a Hippogriff was let off after savaging three people...oh no...it says here that that only happened because they were afraid of it".
Harry threw the book down in despair and ran his hand through his messy black hair, unconsciously rubbing his scar, while his other hand rubbed his tired eyes.
It was late, eleven pm to be exact and Harry was despairing of ever finding something to save Buckbeak.
He had hoped that their testimony alone could accomplish it but his hopes had been dashed after a conversation with his Dad who showed his the regulations on the control and disposal of dangerous creatures.
It showed plainly that testimony would not be enough and that a legal precedent had to be found if they were to have any chance.
"Found anything?" asked a voice from the doorway.
Harry looked over at the doors and found his sister Molly standing there looking concerned.
Harry shook his head miserably "nothing. It seems that every time this sort of thing has happened, the Hippogriff in question gets beheaded".
Harry's thoughts turned to Hagrid. He knew that if Buckbeak was killed, it would virtually destroy the big man.
After all, he may be tall and wide and look fearsome but he was the kindest, gentlest man there was.
He felt a surge of anger course through him at Nott. This was all that little gits fault.
Not content with jibes or attacks on Harry, he was now targeting Harry's friends.
Harry didn't know what his reaction would be Buckbeak were sentenced to die as a result of Nott's actions but he did know that it would not be good for the slimy Slytherin.
It wasn't only Nott and the issue with Buckbeak that had Harry feeling in a bad mood.
He remembered the incident with the Dementors. He shuddered involuntarily as he remembered the bony hands reaching out from the robes, the dark soulless eyes and the rattled breathing.
He felt very relieved that his Uncle Remus had consented to give him lessons to help combat the dark beings.
He was even more relieved that his Uncle had extended the offer to Harry's brother, girlfriend and friends.
He had warned them all however that the spell he was going to teach them would be very difficult.
When they had asked him what it was he had merely smiled and said cryptically "it's not written down in a book".
These words had left Harry and most of the others intrigued and desperate to find out while Hermione had been distraught to learn that it couldn't be found in a book.
He loved her like a sister and he knew books were important but Harry couldn't help feeling that Hermione relied on books too much and not enough on her own skill and instinct which were considerable. She wasn't called the brightest witch in their year for nothing.
It was late Christmas eve and Harry was sneaking along the first floor landing of the Manor to a certain bedroom.
He knocked as quietly as he could to catch Draco's attention.
The door creaked open and out stepped Draco, closing the door carefully.
In his hand was his wand and Harry noticed that Draco was dressed in all black clothing as he was himself.
"Ready?" Harry asked him.
Draco gave him the thumbs up "ready" he confirmed and the two brothers set off along the landing towards the stairs.
It was not easy getting downstairs without anyone noticing you, Harry reflected as his foot connected with the first stair which creaked loudly.
He froze for a moment but when he realised that no one had heard, he carried on downstairs.
Somehow, he and Draco managed to reach the entrance hall without waking anyone and soon found themselves opening the door of the drawing room.
"Lumos" Draco muttered and his wand produced a bright white light that illuminated the room in front of them.
Over in the corner, Harry could see the Christmas tree which was as tall as the ceiling and had been decorated this year as traditional by the children of the Manor including Harry himself.
Some people would have said he was too old to be decorating trees as they would doubtless say that he and Draco were too old for this particular escapade.
But as Harry would have told them if they'd said anything "we're only young once" and Harry and Draco both being thirteen now were trying to make the most of the childhood they had left.
They would after all be adults in just four years time.
They crept into the room quietly closing the large oak doors behind them.
As they inched towards the first sofa, Harry felt himself tread on something soft and a voice moaned "ooh, ow, bloody hell!" Harry froze and glanced over at Draco who seemed to be thinking exactly as he was.
They both looked down and saw..."Dad!" Harry shouted indignantly.
His Dad grinned before his face turned into a grimace "Padfoot, lights" his Dad said.
Soon the room was bathed in bright light.
Draco extinguished his wand as he asked Harry over the mental link "how do we play this?".
"Leave it to me" Harry replied back and they nodded to each other.
By now Harry's Dad had got to his feet and had been joined by Sirius, Remus and Peter would it seemed had all been lying in wait to catch them.
The four Marauders were looking at the two boys sternly but as Harry chanced a look at Sirius he found the corners of his Godfathers mouth twitching upwards and it was clear he was fighting a laugh.
After a moment of looking stern, Peter couldn't hold his laughter back and guffawed loudly for several moments.
"I thought I told you two last year that you had to stop sneaking looks at presents" his Dad said seriously.
"We weren't we were...uh..." Harry cast about for inspiration "uh...heading out for Quidditch" he lied.
His Dad rolled his eyes at this as did Remus "he hasn't got your talent for lying James" he remarked.
"I'm not lying it's..." his Dad held up a hand and replied "don't even try Harry. Tipper!" he called.
In a flash, the House Elves were there bowing before everyone "how can I help you today Masters?" Tipper asked squeakily.
Harry's Dad pointed to Harry and Draco "take these two boys back to their rooms Tipper and then come back here and guard the Christmas tree and presents until I say otherwise, they not to come back in here tonight".
Tipper bowed low again "it shall be done Master James" the old Elf said.
Harry groaned. Tipper was devoted to his Dad having been the Potter family elf when he was a boy.
He would not disobey his Fathers orders.
They were duly escorted back to their rooms after the adults had said goodnight.
Christmas Day finally arrived and Harry was as excited as anyone else to see what the day would bring.
It didn't matter how old he got he felt that he would never stop enjoying a family Christmas.
Early that morning, Harry, Draco, Molly and David all emerged from their rooms and converged on the first floor landing.
"It's Christmas!" they shouted happily to each other.
The four of them had got together a few days ago to plan a prank for Christmas day.
It involved custard and shaving foam being placed in their Fathers and Uncles socks and shoes respectively.
The four of them waited, giggling away happily as they eagerly awaited the results of their prank.
The effects were not long in coming "what in the name of bloody hell!" shouted the familiar voice of Harry's Dad.
He sniggered loudly and was joined by the other three.
Their laughter only intensified as another voice joined that of James Potter "I'll get whoever did this!".
From the bedrooms of their Parents and Uncles they heard loud bangs and more cursing.
The four of them were in paroxysms of laughter.
Harry himself was rolling around on the carpet, Draco was banging his fist on the floor and Molly and David were holding onto each other for support such was the hilarity of it all.
Loud footsteps could be heard from the stairs leading to the second floor and from their Parents bedrooms.
James Potter, Remus Lupin, Peter Pettigrew and Sirius Black all converged on the first floor landing.
They were all red in the face and looked at each other in shock as each realised that the others were covered in water, feathers and custard "uh...Prongs..." Peter began uncertainly "you do know you're covered in custard and feathers...right?".
Harry's Dad replied "so are you Wormtail".
They glanced over at Harry and his siblings and their eyes narrowed "you know I have a shrewd idea of who's responsible" Remus remarked to them.
The four of them grinned at each other "charge!" Sirius shouted.
Harry's eyes widened "run!" he shouted.
The four of them scattered, laughing all the while.
David being the youngest was caught first before even finding a place to hide.
Molly was the next to be trapped as she was caught in two minds in the kitchen.
Harry and Draco who fled together were able to hide the longest, running down to the Quidditch shed and Summer House.
Unfortunately, they were suckered into a ploy by Sirius who managed to do excellent imitations of their Mothers voices.
When all four of them had been caught they were mercilessly tickled and then thrown in the shower and soaked with water before being covered in treacle.
It took until late morning for Harry and the others to get cleaned up.
Once they had, they headed for the drawing room where their Mothers and Aunts gave them hugs and kisses and wished them Merry Christmas.
Their Dad's and Uncles ruffled their hair, gave them hugs and also wished them Merry Christmas.
The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent laughing and joking, opening cards and presents.
Harry was amazed to be given another Firebolt broom which had been jointly purchased by his Parents and Uncles and Aunts to replace the other one that had been wrecked by the Whomping Willow.
From the others he'd received a broom servicing kit, a signed moving photo of the Wimbourne Wasps, his favourite Quidditch team, from his brother he received a new t shirt with the lion of Gryffindor on it which he promptly pulled on, grinning happily.
He also received a new pair of trainers and various sweets and chocolates from his friends.
In the afternoon they headed to The Burrow and spent an enjoyable afternoon chatting with their friends, talking about the presents they'd received and playing games of hide and seek, wizards chess and Quidditch.
After a highly entertaining afternoon they all headed back to Marauder Manor accompanied by the entire Weasley family including Bill and Charlie who'd got time off work and Luna and her Parents.
That night they held an amazing Christmas party in the Manor's ballroom.
The tables groaned under the sheer weight of food.
There was roast chicken and roast turkey, roast pork, roast beef, mountains of new potatoes and roast potatoes, jellies and cakes of all flavours, carrots, swedes, mash, beans of every kind, pies and sea food.
There were massive gravy boats and bowls full of cream and custard and enormous pitchers of juice or water for the children and firewhiskey, beer and wine for the adults.
There was much dancing, playing games and singing of Christmas carols well into the night.
It was only after Molly and David both fell asleep during another chorus of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, that the party was ended and they said goodbye to all their guests.
As Harry fell onto his bed that night, too exhausted to get changed, he felt a sense of happiness and relaxation he'd not felt in a while.
He completely forgot about the blue eyed creature and the problems with Buckbeak.
Authors Note: Hello everyone, hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I really enjoyed writing it especially the part involving the prank.