Sunday 1st December 1976

Slytherin Common Room, 15:00

Again, Severus' name was at the top of the list for students staying over the holidays. He wasn't even embarrassed anymore; everyone knew he did it. Actually, most of Slytherin House approved of him doing this. Who would want to go back to a muggle house anyway unless you absolutely had to? Not him. Yes, his mum was a witch but she certainly didn't practice magic at all that much, did she?

It was much better for him to be at Hogwarts. He was surrounded with the world he belonged to. That, and the food was miles better. Severus couldn't wait for Christmas Dinner. Definitely the best part of the holiday. Why couldn't they be served sausages wrapped in bacon the rest of the year as well?

"I can't wait for the holidays," he heard Avery brag, like he always did.

He always took the opportunity to make everyone aware of who's Christmas parties his family was attending. Sorry, Yule parties. This year, apparently his family had managed to score an invite to the annual Black Family one. Something Regulus Black didn't look to thrilled about if his eye roll meant anything. For once the younger boy hadn't been too discreet, that's how annoyed he was.

Actually, everyone in the close vicinity looked annoyed at Avery. This was not the first time he had bragged about this today. Or even this afternoon. There were rules about this sort of thing in Slytherin House and Avery was most definitely breaking them.

Not that Severus cared. Why would he je when all he was talking about a silly party? It wasn't like anything important happened at events like these. It was just another opportunity for purebloods to show off.

He didn't need to show off like that (not that he would ever be able to). His potions spoke for themselves, which was much better in his opinion.

That was another good thing about staying at Hogwarts, he could continue with his small Potions business that he had kept up. It really was ridiculous what people were willing to pay for. Hair products would always confuse him - they were just so unnecessary. But, bey, money was money and he wasn't going to argue with that. It meant he actually had money to spend for a change.

Not that there was much for him to spend it on. More Potions ingredients for his own stores which wasn't a lot considering he had the Forbidden Forest to harvest from. He was saving a portion of money for a new set of robes. A good set. Not the worn ones he always had to wear. Maybe even ones that had expensive lining. The world was wide open to him there.

Fourth Year Gryffindor Boys Dorm, 21:00

Sirius leaned his forehead on the window in their dorm, his breath fogging up the glass. He was looking out of the window without really seeing anything. There was a letter beside him and it wasn't a good one. Ones from his parents rarely were.

There was no real greeting, no enquiries about him or his schoolwork or, Merlin forbid, his friends. No, none of that at all. Just a letter detailing what the family was going to do over Christmas, parties they were hosting and attending people who were going to be staying for dinner. Like he was interested in any if that. None of it was a surprise either, these events always happened during December, the only difference was what houses they went to. Or deigned to go to.

Whatever. He didn't care. It wasn't like these were any fun, after all. They used to be, when he was younger and no one overly cared how you acted or who you interacted with. Everyone present was usually on an approved lost anyway. Now that's all they cared about despite the list pretty much remaining the same. Growing up sucked, especially when you couldn't seem to please anybody.

Maybe it was just his parents. James' didn't seem to be like this and he hadn't heard Remus or Peter say anything of the sort about his. Actually, Remus' sounded very protective of him and Sirius didn't think the Potters had a snobby bone in their body. He hadn't heard Peter talk much about his parents but when he did, they sounded nice if a little boring. But boring could be good. Sirius wished that his family was a little more boring. That would mean they shouted less.

He pressed his forehead against the window and closed his eyes. Yeah, less shouting would be good.

Tuesday 3rd December 1974

Great Hall, 07:30

It was far too early for anything this morning. James had managed to wake them all up at an ungodly hour by crashing into his drawers this morning and knocking everything off them. James really should know better than to go around without his glasses on - he was blind as a bat without them.

Either way, Remus could not get back to sleep. He never could once he was properly awake. Sirius, James and Peter doing their Animagus incantation didn't help, it sent shivers down his spine when they did it all together like that. Also, Peter still said his a little bit too loud - he was still excited that he had got past the first step and could join James and Sirius, he was no longer being left behind. Which was all well and good but it woke him up. Far too early. Had he mentioned that already?

Either way, he had been paying absolutely no attention to the conversation that was happening around him. Something about what they were doing over the Christmas break? Until Sirius sighed heavily. It was definitely not a good noise to come from someone.

"Not looking forward to going home?" Remus asked with a raised eyebrow.

Now, he knew that was a silly question. A stupid one in fact. All of them knew that Sirius hated going home for the holidays. They knew he wasn't treated right. It was just never talked about. What was the point when Sirius very obviously didn't want to and they all knew anyway?

Still, the noises Sirius was making required someone to ask it. For politeness' sake. Because they were "young gentlemen" after all, as Professor McGonagall was fond of admonishing them.

"No," Sirius replied in along breath. "Not at all."

Now, that sounded dramatic but it wasn't accompanied by Sirius' usually smirk. Was there something going on at Grimmauld Place?

Remus was trying to think of a way to diplomatically phrase that question when Peter interrupted them.

"Why don't you just stay at Hogwarts?" Peter asked. "Remus does it sometimes."

"Easier to deal with the full moon."

"I'm still amazed your mother let you do that," James told him. "She doesn't seem like the sort to want you to not be home for Christmas. My mum would be like that."

"Well, she didn't let me do it this year," Remus replied. "Threatened to drag me by my ear through the floo if I didn't."

They all snickered at that as Remus grumbled good-naturedly. She would do it too, Remus knew it.

Either way, he was going home this Christmas despite there being a full moon on the twenty nineth. At least it wasn't on Christmas Day or Boxing Day this year. That was never fun. Not that transforming into a werewolf was ever fun but missing holidays and stuff just added to the suckiness surrounding the whole thing.

"Anyway," Peter said loudly, obviously wanting them all to get back on track. "Why don't you see if you can stay here instead of be miserable at home?"

"You could come home with me,' James threw in. "My parents love you."

Sirius gave him a disbelieving look and shook his head.

"My parents would definitely never allow that."

"Then tell McGonagall that you want to stay," Peter urged. "It's not too late yet. The list is still up."

Sirius actually looked hopeful at that suggestion, straightening up as he thought. Then he slumped back down, a morose expression on his face.

"There's no way I'll be allowed. There's Yuletide Parties and New Year's ones too. I have to attend those."

"Maybe you could go home for just those and stay at Hogwarts the rest of the time?" Peter suggested.

They all stared at him, making him blush a Weasley shade of red.

"What?"

Sirius grabbed Peter by the shoulders and gave him a shake.

"Peter, you're a genius!"

Friday 6th December 1974

Second Floor Corridor, 15:30

"Doesn't your mum miss you over the holidays?"

Severus shrugged. "Don't think so. She hasn't said anything."

Lily pursed her lips and shook her head. Either Severus really was oblivious or he really was that uncaring. She didn't think it was the latter. Well, she hoped not.

They were talking about what they were both doing over the Christmas holidays or, rather, she was talking about what she was doing as Severus wasn't doing anything. Not even going home! Again! This would be the fourth year he wasn't going home. And the fourth time that she was wondering why he didn't go home. Or, maybe it was the third. She could sort of understand staying behind during first hear because everything was so magical and she almost hadn't wanted to go home as well. But surely it came to a point when the magic didn't distract you from homesickness?

"Don't you miss Christmas at your house? Hogwarts always looks really lovely but it's not the same."

Definitely not. Home was far more, well, homey.

"Nothing to miss," Severus said.

Lily frowned. What on Earth did he mean by that? She was about to ask when she was interrupted.

"Lily, Lily, did you hear?" Chryssie shouted, coming to a skidding halt in front of them.

"We're inside, Chryssie."

"Your point? Oh, hi, Severus."

Severus nodded to her in greeting.

"It means you don't have to shout."

"I'm not shouting."

Well, she may not be shouting but she was certainly speaking in a very loud voice.

"Yes, you are - oh, never mind," Lily said with a sigh. "What did you want?"

Chryssie got am excited look on her face - the kind that was usually reserved for Christmas and her birthday.

"All the cousins are coming over this Christmas!"

Lily winced as Chryssie loudly announced that. She knew that but she hadn't wanted Severus to know that. There was no way he has going to be persuaded to come to her house for Christmas now. He always got so edgy around new people. Though, it would be good to have them over. Less tiring than travelling to them. Uncle Owen and Aunt Caron lived in Wales you see, so they only really saw them once a year or so. Though, recently, it had been two years since she'd last seen them. It would be good to see Peter and Daisy again without having to go up to Carnarvon. There was literally nothing to do up there in her opinion.

It would also be good to see Severus over the holidays. They were the only time they could spend hours together without school getting in the way and it was only really Summer that they could do that. He literally spent all other holidays at Hogwarts. You shouldn't spend Christmas at school. It was a time for family. Or, at least close friends.

He had those in Slytherin, right? Maybe some of them were staying and that's why he was. That's what Lily hoped anyway. Being alone on Christmas was just too horrible to contemplate for anyone.

"That's great," Lily replied with a genuine smile.

"Can't wait!" Chryssie said with a wide grin before careening off... somewhere.

Lily rolled her eyes fondly at her little sister and turned back to Severus.

"Sorry about that, Chryssie loves Peter, our older cousin. He spoils her."

Severus smiled awkwardly at that and nodded his head.

"No problem. I hope you have a good Christmas with them."

"Oh, we will," Lily assured him. "We're all good friends as well as being family."

Which would make Christmas all the more fun. Friends. That's what she had been thinking about before Chryssie interrupted them, hadn't she? Severus' friends, in fact.

Not that she knew about any of Severus' friends in Slytherin. She hadn't met any of them. Not that that was surprising. Not with the type of people that seemed to be in that House. Lily knew what they thought of Muggleborns, she'd heard people in her own House talk about them. Not that everyone in Gryffindor thought highly of Gryffindors but at least they didn't think she shouldn't be in Hogwarts. Apparently, most of Slytherin did think like that. Which wasn't very nice of them. Severus' friends hopefully didn't think like that.

"Are you sure you're not coming home?" she tried again.

"No," he replied firmly, shaking his head. "Definitely not."

Monday 9th December 1974

Outside Gryffindor Tower, 12:30

'FLUMP'

"Aargh!"

That was cold! That was cold! Frank yanked at the back of his collar to try and free the snow from it. Why did snow always find the small cracks of exposed skin that even you didn't know about?

Kingsley and Elsie were laughing beside him, both suspiciously free of snow.

"Did you two-?"

"Hey, it wasn't us," Kingsley said, holding his hands up.

Elsie nodded her head in agreement. "We're not exactly capable of doing wandless magic."

Frank still gave them a suspicious look but knew they were right. Their wands weren't out and, just like they said, they really weren't capable of windless magic. Barely anyone was and they definitely weren't Hogwarts students as far as he knew. Though, the Potters were supposed to have an affinity for it but it still needed training. Then why on earth did he to get hit by snow? Did it fall off the roof? He supposed that could happen. The Tower didn't exactly have a flat roof, after all.

"Why am I the only one to get hit by snow falling off the roof?"

That was just a bit of bad luck.

Kingsley wiped at his eyes and pointed up at the tower. "I don't think it fell off the roof."

"What do you mean it didn't fall off the roof?"

It wasn't like a bird threw it at him or something. Elsie burst into fresh giggles. Kingsley just smirked at him. Frank glared at them both. Why was he friends with them again?

"Can one of you please explain yourselves?" Frank asked in a long-suffering tone.

All Kingsley did was point upwards. Frank followed his finger and squinted. Was that an open window all the way up there? It was! And a recognisable messy head of hair poked out of it. Frank didn't have to have the eyesight of a hawk to know that there was a mischievous look on the face.

"JAMES!"

Wednesday 11th December 1974

Greenhouse Three, 14:15

Chryssie frowned at her Puffapod in front of her and grabbed it firmly around the base. She had to do that or the cut she made along it wouldn't be straight and she would end up spilling some of the pods. She did not want that. It would be such a waste. Even if she did want to see what the blooming pods looked like. No. She was not going to be wasteful. She was going to do her work like a good Ravenclaw student.

Wiping her fingers on her robes, Chryssie frowned as they left behind streaks of pollen. Whoops. That wasn't supposed to happen. She tried rubbing it off but more just came off her fingers. Great, now it looked like she wanted to become a Hufflepuff. She was glad she wasn't a troll or she would probably be sneezing up a storm right about now. They were allergic to the spores, after all.

"Miss Meadowes, please refrain from spilling any more on the ground please," Professor Sprout said it a tired tone.

Chryssie looked around to see a handful of blooming pods on the floor. Oh, they were pretty. Shades of pink and purple were scattered everywhere as Martha gave a sheepish look when Professor Sprout handed her a dustpan and broom.

It seemed that every little movement made them bloom all the more. Huh. Interesting.

Chryssie eyed the plant in front of her, wondering if she would be able to do further experiments on one outside of class. It would be interesting to see just how much they bloomed and how much movement was needed for it.

A damp cloth was suddenly placed in front of her. She looked up at Professor Sprout in confusion.

"The spores can cause dizziness," she reminded her, gesturing at her robes. "You better wipe the pollen off your robes."

"Oh, yeah, thanks," she said gratefully, quickly doing just that. "I forgot."

"Be careful when handling the beans," Professor Sprout told her. "Anyone who spills them has to wrote an essay on their correct handling."

Chryssie flinched as Professor Sprout swept away to the next bench. More work is definitely something she did not want this close to Christmas.

It was nearly Christmas and all of the Professors were still working them hard. Too hard, in her opinion. It was like they didn't care that it was nearly the holidays and people were thinking of other things. Not that any of them would ever say anything of the sort to Professor McGonagall, she was scary. Chryssie didn't know how Lily coped with having her as her Head of House - she wouldn't. Professor Flitwick was such a sweetheart. And definitely not scary. And he was a Duelling Champion for crying out loud!

Anyway, back to why she was complaining. It was nearly Christmas and there was far too much schoolwork to be done. Way too much. And that wasn't even thinking about the homework they were sure to be assigned over the holidays.

"Argh!"

She didn't manage to save the pods and she had to watch helplessly as they bloomed across the table. Professor Sprout was frowning at her.

Looks like she was going to have even more work.

Saturday 14th December 1974

Hogsmeade, 10:30

James marched up and down in front of them, a serious expression on his face. Which looked more than a little ridiculous when his hat was pulled so low that you could just about see his eyes. Snow and slush flew up with each step of his.

"We'll each take a quadrant, spend twenty minutes in it and then swap clockwise with the next person," James announced, pointing down each street in turn.

They were basically standing in the centre of Hogsmeade, four main streets leading off it. Well, five if you counted the one going towards the houses but no one used that because it didn't lead to any shops. James thought it led to some caves up on the hills but no way was he going to go looking. He may like adventure but not when it involved potentially falling off a cliff of all things.

Either way, they had split Hogsmeade into four and they were going to tackle each bit in turn. Surely this was the most effective way to sort out Christmas presents?

"Any questions?"

Remus slowly raised his hand.

"Yes?"

"When," Remus ran a hand down his face. "When did shopping for Christmas presents become a military operation?"

"Since Sirius is extremely bad at spying."

"I am not."

James gave Sirius an incredulous look and put his hands on his hips.

"Not bad at spying or not spying at all?"

"I don't spy!"

Remus shook his head in disagreement. "Sirius, you tried to squeeze behind a clothes rack last year to try and see what I was buying you."

"I wasn't spying, I was trying to buy something!"

"Uh huh."

None of them believed that for a second. Sirius Black had no patience when it came to Christmas and his presents. He was always poking and prodding any he could get his hands on - trying to guess. They'd all taken to hiding his gifts or waiting to the last minute to get his now.

But not today. Because today, James apparently had a plan. He did! No matter what Remus sceptical look implied. He of little faith.

"Any more real questions?" he asked.

He got three shaking heads in return, making him beam. Perfect!

"Synchronise watches!"

Remus gave him an odd look. "Have you been watching Muggle TV?"

"...Maybe?"

Look, Aunt Batty actually had one of those contraptions in her house (apparently, she liked watching soaps but how that was interesting, James didn't know. Soap was definitely not interesting). James liked to have a look at it sometimes and every now and then he was lucky enough to see an interesting show - a lot of the time it was just the news. The last time he had been there had been all these cool spy movies. They had been really cool! And watches weren't just a muggle thing so he could do it too!

Remus was shaking his head at him for some reason.

"Are your watches synchronised?"

He got nods of varying levels on enthusiasm from them all. That would to do.

"Okay, go! Go! Go!"

Zonko's Joke Shop

Sirius frowned as he browsed the shelves. Nothing was really jumping out at him for any of his friends. They had sort of matured past using biting teacups and frogspawn soap. They were much more sophisticated now. And far more imaginative than mere hiccough sweets and dungbombs.

Well, maybe fireworks were still good. Those were always a laugh. Sirius eyed the shelf of them thoughtfully, wondering which ones would be best. There were quite a lot of options. A dozen, in fact. You know what? He grabbed one of each. Three divided into twelve. Everyone was getting fireworks this year.

Honeydukes

Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate. It was all so delicious and tempting but no, he had to focus. Focus, Remus, focus. He was not here to replenish his chocolate stash (though, he would do that as well) but to get treats for his friends. Some chocolate always went well with whatever else he got them. Especially everyone's favourite ones.

That was sugar quills for Peter, Fudge Flies for Sirius and Liquorice Wands for James. And some chocolate for him, of course, just to tide him over the Christmas break. He was bound to get some but you never knew how much so it was better to be safe than sorry. And he would be very sorry if he didn't have enough.

Of course, he passed right by the Pepper Imps- no one liked those. Although breathing fire sounded cool, it just left a nasty aftertaste in your mouth for days after. Not worth it, trust him.

Oh! A new flavour of chocolate!

Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop

Oh, wow, Peter was always amazed at just how many quills you could get. From the cheap ones that would splinter if you got frustrated in an exam to the fancy eagle and peacock ones that were actually kept behind the counter. So many colours as well.

Now, he knew that he would never be able to afford to give his friends some of the fancier ones - that would just be silly. That, and Sirius could be particularly fussy about his quill so there was no point in trying to get him one. Remus and James didn't really have any strong opinions on quills so it wouldn't be an exciting Christmas present. He supposed he could pick up some ink for himself while he was in here - you could never have enough of that especially when they were doing OWLs.

He knew that he wasn't going to be able to get anyone anything from here. Who got their friends parchment and quills? But it was only shop of interest in this quadrant that James had mapped out - the greengrocers was along here as well. At least on here there were things he could browse until his time was up. Like this selection of novelty quills in truly garish colours. Wow. They had to glow in the dark.

He picked a fluorescent yellow one that had purple spots. James would get a kick out of it.

Tomes and Scrolls

James scrunched up his nose at the smell of old and new books hit him right in the face. He didn't understand why Moony loved it so much - surely it would be even worse with his senses?

Well, Remus was why he was in here at all. There was a book that he wanted but was saving up for - too expensive for him apparently but not too expensive for James. It would be a great surprise for him. And James wouldn't have even known about it if he hadn't come in here with Remus on their last Hogsmeade Day and he had seen Remus regretfully put it back on the shelf.

One, two, three, four. He had been right! Four aisles down and basically the first book at eye height. Perfect. Yanking it off the shelf, James brought it to the counter and handed over the money for it. Perfect.

Refusing a bag, he carefully put it in the one he had brought. It had no shop logo on it you see, so it wouldn't advertise where he had been.

One down, two to go.

Friday 20th December 1974

Hogsmeade Station, 11:00

James looked suspiciously up at the sky.

"It better not storm over the holidays," he grumbled. "I want us all to do the next step together."

"You can't control the weather," Peter said.

"Don't remind me. If I had my way, we'd never have to play another Quidditch game in the rain again."

Yes, he was still annoyed by the last match. James swore he hadn't fully dried until about a week later and he got a cold. Neither of which was very fun.

"Why can't a thunderstorm just hurry up?" Sirius complained. "There haven't been any for ages!"

An odd thing to complain about for the average person but the Marauders certainly weren't your average people.

"Thunderstorms need unstable air, a temperature profile with warm air near the ground and cold air above. When an air parcel is given an initial push upwards it will continue rising without additional force. Thus, thunderstorms are more likely in the spring and summer than in autumn and winter," Remus lectured, reciting from the book he had taken out of the Library on weather systems.

Yes, there was actual a book on that. It had been quite interesting. There was a whole section about how the quick forming and isolated weather systems at the Lake District made it perfect for strengthening the magical qualities of certain plants. His dad would probably love it. James filed that away for a possible birthday gift. It didn't stop his blinking at Remus in confusion with Sirius and Peter. What in Merlin's name was an air parcel?

"Does that mean that when the sun warms the ground it holds the cold air up?" Sirius guessed, scratching his head.

Remus nodded. "In Spring, that is. That's when you're more likely to get thunderstorms."

"Tell that to London in July and August," Sirius grumbled.

Yeah, even James had heard how bad those could get. They were normally so spectacular that they were reported on the news. Not that it took a lot for the weather to be mentioned on British news.

"Does it not work the other way around in Autumn then?" James asked. "With warm air above and cold air below?"

"No." Remus shook his head. "Cold air on top is more unstable."

"How come?" Peter asked.

Remus opened his mouth to explain but James had officially had his fill of thunderstorm analysis. Yes, despite him being one of the ones to ask questions.

"No more, please," he begged. "Let's talk about something else."

"Like what we're all doing for Christmas," Peter suggested, brightening up at the thought of the holiday.

"Which basically starts from now," Sirius said with very little excitement.

James frowned; he knew Sirius hadn't got his way when it came to how he wanted to spend Christmas but surely, he still had something to look forward to?