Harry clucthed his broom tightly in his hand and walked out of the changing rooms for Quidditch. It was the first match of the season, and it was Gryffindor vs Slytherin. "A lovely way to start off the rivalry. Between the houses and between me and my brother," thought Harry dryly before he walked out onto the pitch with the Slytherins roaring at their team's arrival.
Madam Hooch was refereeing. She stood in the middle of the field waiting for the two teams, her broom in her hand. "Now, I want a nice fair game, all of you," she said, once they were all gathered around her. Harry noticed that she seemed to be speaking particularly to the Slytherin Captain, Marcus Flint, a sixth year. "Bloody favouritism," thought Harry.
Harry clambered onto his Nimbus Two Thousand. Madam Hooch gave a loud blast on her silver whistle. Fifteen brooms rose up, high, high into the air. They were off. "And the Quaffle is taken immediately by Angelina Johnson of Gryffindor - what an excellent Chaser that girl is, and rather attractive, too -"
"JORDAN!"
"Sorry, Professor." The Weasley twins' friend, Lee Jordan, was doing the commentary for the match, closely watched by Professor McGonagall. "And she's really belting along up there, a neat pass to Alicia Spinnet, a good find of Oliver Wood's, last year only a reserve - back to Johnson and - no, the Slytherins have taken the Quaffle, Slytherin Captain Marcus Flint gains the Quaffle and off he goes - Flint flying like an eagle up there - he's going to sc- no, stopped by an excellent move by Gryffindor Keeper Wood and the Gryffindors take the Quaffle - that's Chaser Katie Bell of Gryffindor there, nice dive around Flint, off up the field and - OUCH - that must have hurt, hit in the back of the head by a Bludger - Quaffle taken by the Slytherins - that's Adrian Pucey speeding off toward the goal posts, but he's blocked by a second Bludger - sent his way by Fred or George Weasley, can't tell which - nice play by the Gryffindor Beater, anyway, and Johnson back in possession of the Quaffle, a clear field ahead and off she goes - she's really flying - dodges a speeding Bludger - the goal posts are ahead - come on, now, Angelina - Keeper Bletchley dives - misses - GRYFFINDORS SCORE!"
Gryffindor cheers filled the cold air, with howls and moans from the Slytherins. Harry was hovering above the rest of the game looking furiously for the Snitch, and he could see his brother was doing the same from the Gryffindor goalposts. Occasionally he would duck down to play interfering seeker to help the rest of his team; he had to admit the Gryffindor chasers outclassed his own team's although he didn't like it. Even if they had been in Slytherin, Flint was too sexist to let them them play.
"Slytherin in possession," Lee Jordan was saying, "Chaser Pucey ducks two Bludgers, two Weasleys, and Chaser Bell, and speeds toward the - wait a moment - was that the Snitch?" A murmur ran through the crowd as Adrian Pucey dropped the Quaffle, too busy looking over his shoulder at the flash of gold that had passed his left ear. Harry saw it. In a great rush of excitement he dived downward Harry saw it. In a great rush of excitement he dived downward after the streak of gold. His brother had seen it, too. Neck and neck they hurtled toward the Snitch -all the Chasers seemed to have forgotten what they were supposed to be doing as they hung in midair to watch. Harry was faster than Thomas - he could see the little round ball, wings fluttering, darting up ahead - - he put on an extra spurt of speed - WHAM! A roar of rage echoed from the Gryffindors below - Marcus Flint had blocked Thomas on purpose, and Thomas's broom spun off course, Thomas holding on for dear life.
"Foul!" screamed the Gryffindors. Madam Hooch spoke angrily to Flint and then ordered a free shot at the goal posts for Gryffindor. But in all the confusion, of course, the Golden Snitch had disappeared from sight again. Harry couldn't even be annoyed at Hooch- Flint was way too rough anyway and the foul was unnecessary as Harry was ahead of his brother anyway.
And Lee Jordan, the so-called unbiased commentator, was finding it difficult not to take sides."So - after that obvious and disgusting bit of cheating "Jordan!" growled Professor McGonagall.
"I mean, after that open and revolting foul 'Jordan, I'm warning you -"
"All right, all right. Flint nearly kills the Gryffindor Seeker, which could happen to anyone, I'm sure, so a penalty to Gryffindor, taken by Bell, who puts it away, no trouble, and we continue play, Gryffindor still in possession." It was as Harry dodged another Bludger, which went spinning dangerously past his head, that it happened. His broom gave a sudden, frightening lurch. For a split second, he thought he was going to fall. He gripped the broom tightly with both his hands and knees. He'd never felt anything like that. It happened again. It was as though the broom was trying to buck him off. But Nimbus Two Thousands did not suddenly decide to buck their riders off. Harry tried to turn back toward the Gryffindor goal- posts - he had half a mind to ask Wood to call time-out - and then he realized that his broom was completely out of his control. He couldn't turn it. He couldn't direct it at all. It was zigzagging through the air, and every now and then making violent swishing movements that almost unseated him. Lee was still commentating. "Slytherin in possession - Flint with the Quaffle - passes Spinnet - passes Bell - hit hard in the face by a Bludger, hope it broke his nose - only joking, Professor - Slytherins score - A no... The Slytherins were cheering. No one apart from Harry himself seemed to have noticed that Thomas's broom was behaving strangely. It was carrying- him slowly higher, away from the game, jerking and twitching as it went.
Harry flew up to his brother, his brow wrinkled in confusion. "Thomas, what's happening?" he asked. His brother was a dick sometimes but he had no desire to see fall to his death.
"Go away Harry!" he shouted trying to look confident though Harry could tell by the grimace on his face he was anything but.
Another thing Harry was surprised about was that Thomas had called him by his nickname. Mostly it was just Hadrian, or slimy snake but this was the first time he had done so- a mystery to be solved. " you need to relex! Dumbledore will stop you if you fall," he added more quietly. Suddenly, there was a flash of blue fire in the spectator seats and Thomas suddenly regained control of his broom.
With a laugh he pelted back towards the game getting ready to find the Snitch. Harry followed him, grumbling his head in annoyance. And there- he had seen it and so had Thomas. It was pelting along the ground of the pitch, and both brothers dove towards it. They each stretched out their hands, but Harry was quicker- he dived off his broom and came to a tumbling stop on the ground. When he stood up he was holding the Snitch above signalling the game had ended. In the end Slytherin had won 290-270 since their chasers had been pummeled by Bell, Spinnet and Johnson. If he had been a couple moments too late they would have thrashed. After the initial celebrations, Thomas came up to Harry wthout his two pets (Hermione had started hanging out with him and Ronald after the troll incident) and to Harry's surprise quietly thanked him before walking away like nothing had happened.
Harry was very excited- Christmas was coming and he would be going back to Potter Castle to celebrate it with his friends and family. Although not all of his friends were as excited about the holiday as he was.
"You're a lucky bastard," grumbled Draco Malfoy the day before the holidays were about to start.
"Why do you say that Draco?" asked Harry knowing full well what was about to happen.
"You get to spend Christmas with people you like! I have to go to the Parkinsons for it cos they want to set up a marriage contract between me and Pansy! Father won't let it happen though, but that seems to be the only good thing he's ever done. And on top of that, I have to go to a ball the day before that as well !"
"Aw, is ickle Dracosad?" asked Daphne treating him like a baby. "We invited Tracey and her family to have Christmas with us so we got out of the Parkinson deal. Anyway, it's also an advantage of being a grey family- you can get out of stuff like this very easily. Shame you have to spend Christmas of all things with a girl that's head over heels in love with you," finished Daphne with a pitying look though everyone could see the amusement in her eyes.
"Draco- you've forgotten a couple of things. One- all of us have to attend the ball so you're not alone and you will have company. Two- I could easily persuade Grandfather to invite your family, over considering your grandfather would be pleased . And your father can't decline since its an order from great Abraxus Malfoy, I am sure he will accept it after all Black and Potters are celebrating Christmas together " said Harry with a knowing smile. He didn't like using his family's titles to do stuff unfairly but he supposed it was useful in situation like this.
Draco looked at him with a bright smile. "Thank you, thank you, thank you Guys!" he shouted. "Now my Christmas won't be ruined!"
So when all went home in christmas everyone had decided to give them surprises as their grandparents could not be found as all had decided to go to France for holiday together so harry was staying with rigel and his parents. Now they all had went to ministry Ball.
"Lord Black," Lucius said icily.
"Lucy!" exclaimed Sirius giving the man a hug. "So good to see you! Now, I feel like you've been avoiding me. I wonder why," he said with an inquisitive look. "Anyway, we can't have that, can we?" he asked. "That means that us two will be going for a drink sometime soon, and we're going to have the best of times, aren't we?"
"Yes, definitely," he said nodding his head like a house-elf whilst internally running into a dark corner of his mind and jumping into a bed. He was all too familiar with his cousin-in-law's antics, and knew that if he declined he was going to either get followed until he accepted or somehow be looped into it one way or another. He still didn't know how he did it. "Perhaps a date can be arranged when we both have a day off," he said not wanting to miss important business meetings just because the Black Lord had dragged him into partying with him.
"That's wonderful!" exclaimed Sirius with a feral grin, making Lucius flinch involuntarily. "Anyway," he continued turning to Narcissa, "You and ickle Draco," he said with a pause to ruffle the blond boy's hair knowing how much it infuriated him, "are invited over to the Black Manor for Christmas. You are family after all, and our parents are in France so we can enjoy together ," he added on knowing what it would mean. "And I suppose you can come as well Lucius."
"That sounds...wonderful," said Lucius with a pause that made Harry wonder he was somehow channelling Snape's spirit. "We will make sure to be there." Harry knew he couldn't decline and he wouldn't decline after they all were family.
"Great! That's amazing!"
"Will Andromeda and Ted be there as well?" asked Narcissa suddenly hoping to meet her only sane sister.
"Unfortunately not- Andy's been under the weather so she, Ted and Dora just want a quiet Christmas together," confirmed Marlene. "Anyway, we'll go now and we'll love to see you there." The trio waved and walked away, although Sirius did give Lucius a final hug and ruffled Draco's hair once more which had just set, leaving Lucius feeling very annoyed and both Narcissa and Draco feeling very relieved though the latter was furiously rearranging his hair.
"Draco," said Narcisaa once her husband had gone upstairs to brood and sulk. "Good work, if a little obvious."
"What do you mean, mother?" asked Draco feeling very confused.
"The plan was clearly your doing. And you wanted to get out of going to the Parkinsons, you could have just asked me, instead of planning with your friends" she said enjoying the way her son flushed.
"B-but I thought it was obvious! You know how much I hate going there every event. Just because William Parkinson is an important ally of Father's doesn't I like when they offer marriage contracts between me and Pansy!" he exclaimed feeling very annoyed.
"You do!" said Narcissa faking shock. "I thought you two looked adorable together," she said before she went upstairs leaving her son speechless.
Harry walked over to Sirius Marlene , Rigel giving them a big hug and saying "Merry Christmas," whilst secretly turning Sirius' hair a brighter flashing neon rainbow.
"Let's go in," said Marlene cutting both of them short as she hugged Harry as they led inside "Draco and Narcissa are going to arrive in a about 15 minutes," she said. "Narcissa told me Lucius was reluctant to go after the way you presented the invitation Siri." She was frowning, showing her clear dislike of the Black Lord. 15 minutes later, a beep was heard signalling that the Malfoys had arrived and had entered the wards.
"They're here," said Sirius jovially. As he stood up to to bring them in
A few minutes later, the three Malfoys entered along with Remus , and a very happy Sirius.
"Rigel" said Remus when he saw his Nephew, giving him a hug. "Hi Harry," he added when he saw Harry .It was not known that after Harry was sent away Sirius and Remus had reduced talking or rather broke with James and Lilly they never as close as before but they used to join together only for Thomas during his birthday or any other ceremony's
The rest of the day went along quite well, with everyone having a laugh and a fun time, witch perhaps the exception of one Lucius who behaved rather nervously as if he was expecting to pranked heavily. Harry ended up receiving buttloads of sweets, new Quidditch gear, cool rings that warned him about danger, a really cool plant from Draco that squirted thick slime at whoever you pointed it at (he instantly used it on Rigel and Draco, although they had gotten the same thing which ended in the 3 of them having a war with the things that only ended when Marlene and Narcissa put them into slime), books on spells, prank and really weird and useless stuff .
"We have an annoucement to make," said Sirius standing up giving a speech.
"I," began Marlene standing up as well. Everyone looked intently at her waiting for what she was going to say. "...am pregnant."2
All around everyone was shocked, their jaws hanging open and their eyes wide. Narissa was the first one to break out of the stupor and she rushed over to Marlene. "WHOO!" she cried hugging her and breaking everyone's shock. "Is it a boy? Is it a girl? Have you done the spell yet?" she began asking excitingly only to cut off as everyone began congratulating Marlene and Sirius.
After they had all settled down, Marlene and Sirius began sharing more information. "So, we have done the spell yet to find out if it's a boy or a girl, and we intend to keep it that way. We want it to be a surprise," said Marlene surprising everyone. It was very common in the wizarding world to do the spell to find out the gender of the child, but they supposed Sirius Black was as far from 'common' as you could have found. When Malfoy's had left Sirius and Remus stood up nervously both went near Harry
"Harry we have to talk" Remus told
"If its about James or Lilly I am really not interested and I have no grudge against you 2 as when I was living with them for 2 years you two were the only one who cared about me in that house" Harry said Coldly
"Harry we am really sorry we couldn't do anything about their decision you know they 2 had started to worship Dumbledore so much that what ever we used to tell they wont used hear us but you know we had planned to take you out from there but you Dumbledore holds a lot of power so no use wherever we kept you he would track us so we came to an agreement that when you would be sent to those muggles we would take you from there. Soon when you were sent there the next day we went there and when we asked about you we heard you had ran away they refused to tell us anything and when we went to privet drive after some time we heard they had moved somewhere else so we lost hope we had to wait till you came to Hogwarts" Sirius interrupted him "and I was relieved when I found where you were"
"WHAT! You knew idiot why didn't you tell me" Remus turned to him and bout to start to rant when Harry told "Its not his fault he was in oath to not tell anyone I was with my Grandfather"
" ohh ok but I want to tell you Harry I do love you and I am proud of what you have become" Remus told smilingly Harry genuinely smiled and hugged him and told him him not to tell anyone about where he was.
Soon Harry was in his room in Potter Castle which he decided to go as he only liked to sleep there he had assured Sirius and Marlene he would be okay and he actually enjoyed with house elves.