-This is a short, but sweet story about Christmas. Ends on a cliffhanger. Not sure what angle I want to take from here, but keep reviewing and I'd be glad to hear any suggestions of bonding moments or ideas for the tournament.-

Sirius and Remus stood outside Harry's door the next morning before waking him up. "Is Dobby bringing up the pancakes?" Sirius whispered to Remus, who nodded. "Then let's go."

Together the two Marauders stepped through the door into Harry's bedroom and smiled at Harry, who was nestled under the covers, still sleeping.

"Kid had a big night last night," Remus said, smiling.

"Yeah, he looks far too peaceful for Christmas morning, though, wouldn't you say Mr. Moony?" Sirius asked with a mischievous grin.

"Oh, I couldn't agree more Mr. Padfoot. Would you like to do the honors?"

"Absolutely," Sirius said with a chuckle before changing into his animagus form and pouncing on Harry.

Harry shot out of bed at the sudden movement, sending Padfoot flying with a loud yelp. Remus immediately doubled over laughing and, once he registered what was going on, Harry chuckled at the shocked look the dog was giving him. "Sorry Padfoot."

Sirius changed back and gave Harry a fake stern look. "Yeah, say sorry to my backside, I didn't realize how much force a fourteen year old could carry."

"Hey, your fault for waking me up. What do you want anyway?" Harry asked, turning to get back under the covers.

"Harry it's Christmas," Remus said, regaining his composure and pulling Harry off the bed and onto his feet.

Harry facial expression changed from confused to happy as he realized the implications of the day. "So…"

"So, go get dressed and meet us in the living room," Sirius said, pushing himself up off the floor and smiling at Harry.

Harry nodded enthusiastically and the older Marauders chuckled as they walked back outside.

"He's jumpy when he wakes up. I'm sure your aching backside will remind you not to try and prank Harry again when he's sleeping," Remus said, receiving a playful shove from Sirius.

"Moony, my dear friend, you know as well as I do that that was nothing close to the pranks that I could have pulled on our unsuspecting charge. I just chose to save that for another time, I'd hate for him to remember this special day as the day he got blue hair for a week." Sirius said with a smirk, sitting down on the couch to wait for Harry.

Harry walked back out in his new sweater from Mrs. Weasley. "I see you already got into one present," Remus said with a smile, patting the place on the couch in between Sirius and himself. Harry moved and sat in between the two. "Here Harry," Remus said, passing him a small rectangular package.

"Why don't you guys open presents before me? I've already opened Ron and Hermione's presents too." Harry said with a shrug, feeling guilty for being doted on when this was a family holiday.

"Nonsense, I'm sure Moony would rather watch you open presents than try on the socks I bought for him." Sirius said, nudging Harry. Harry grinned and grabbed the present out of Remus's hand.

Once opened, it was determined to be a book on world famous quidditch players and the teams they played for.

"Wow, thanks Remus! I love it." Harry said, smiling.

"Still doesn't beat your Firebolt from your favorite godfather last year." Sirius mumbled, smiling slyly at Remus.

Remus shot him a playful glare, then smiled back at Harry. "That's not all, go check your stocking over there."

Sirius looked betrayed as Harry emptied out loads of chocolate frogs, Bertie's Botts beans, and many other sweets and treats from Honeydukes and Zonko's. Remus smirked at Sirius before turning back to Harry. "Is it okay?"

"It's fantastic!" Harry exclaimed, opening a box of chocolate frogs to see what cards he got.

"Okay, okay, before you get a sugar high, why don't you open this present from me?" Sirius said, extending a larger rectangular box to his godson. His demeanor had changed from joking to nervous, and Harry himself could feel his heart beating faster.

Remus reached over and squeezed Sirius's shoulder before getting off the couch. "Dobby should have brought our breakfast up by now. I'm going to check on the kitchens, I'll be right back."

Sirius nodded but his gaze didn't shift from Harry opening his present. When he finally got the wrapping paper off, Harry realized it was a wizarding photo album, not unlike the one Hagrid had given him his first year. On the front was a picture of the four Marauders, Lily, and baby Harry. In the photo, the Marauders were facing Harry and Lilly and making bubbles shoot out of their wands for his amusement. Harry smiled at how happy they all seemed in the picture.

"Go ahead," Sirius said after a moment. "Open it."

Harry did, and on the first page he found a picture of him riding on Padfoot's back towards his mum, her expression one of mixed joy and apprehension. "How fast were you running to make mum look so worried?" Harry asked, chuckling.

Sirius smirked. "She yelled at me for that when you had gotten off, but you kept squealing 'doggy' and 'my Siri.' It melted her heart, and she quit yelling and let you go for another ride almost immediately."

Harry smiled and turned to the next page, which had four photos on it. The top left corner had a picture of James, Lilly, and baby Harry. The top right corner had baby Harry on Sirius's shoulders. The bottom two photos were pictures of Remus holding baby Harry and rocking him to sleep. As he continued through the album, Harry noticed it was mostly pictures of him as a baby, his father, mother, Sirius, and Remus. Very few had Peter in them, but if they did, they were group photos and Harry was situated far from him.

Sirius began to narrate some of the pictures as Harry went through the album. "That was your first birthday, your mum sent me that picture. Remember when I told you I bought your first broomstick? That was it. Apparently you almost killed your cat… but James was so proud. I wish I could have been there myself that night."

About three quarters of the way through the album, the baby pictures stopped and were replaced by pictures that had been taken in the last six months, since Harry had come to live with Sirius and Remus. Pictures of Sirius and him flying through their yard in the early summer mornings, pictures of Remus reading to Harry and Sirius (who were, not surprisingly, asleep), pictures of Sirius and Remus hugging Harry after the First Task - they went all the way up to pictures from the Yule Ball. Harry noticed there were still plenty of empty pages to fill.

Harry beamed up at Sirius, who tried to mirror his expression but still looked a little nervous. "Open it to the last page, Harry."

Harry looked back down at the album in his lap and flipped through the pages. On the last page, he found a stack of papers and on top of the stack was a note with his name on it. He looked at his godfather with a curious expression, but Sirius merely nodded. He returned his gaze to the letter and started reading.

Harry,

When you were born, we started out as a big family. There were the four Marauders, closer than brothers we always did say. Then there was your mother, Lily, a beautiful, brave, and intelligent woman, and one that I considered to be a sister. Then you came along and your father asked me to be your godfather - in fact, the proudest moment of my life was when he placed you in my arms for the first time and announced that I was holding my godson.

As you know, a lot has changed since then and our family has gone from six to three - But we are still a family despite all the odds. After twelve years, I found you again and, as I have said before, you saved me in more ways than one. I want to repay you. I don't want you to consider yourself an "orphan" anymore, or not understand what it's like to go home to a parent who holds you close and loves you. I want to adopt you.

You had parents who loved you very dearly when you were born, as well as two "uncles" who adored you. Now, you still have both of those "uncles," but I ask that you allow me to give you what your parents wanted me to should this circumstance arise. I want to be your father, Harry.

It is, of course entirely up to you. At this point, the signing of papers is just a formality, being that you are as good as my son. I will continue to treat you that way should this not be what you want. I will protect you, love you, and accept you, regardless of your decision. Just know that Remus and I are so proud, and your parents would be too. .

Love,

Sirius

Harry looked up at his godfather with tears in his eyes. Sirius still looked wary, like he didn't think Harry would accept his offer. "Harry, I will understand-"

Before he could form his sentence, Harry had grabbed a quill and signed all the forms required. He placed the documents and album on the ground before jumping on the couch and hugging his godfather - no, father, tightly.

"Can I still call you Siri?" Harry mumbled against Sirius's shoulder.

Sirius placed his hand behind the boy's head and pulled him closer. "You can call me whatever you would like. And I don't want to take James's place either. You can keep your last name and we can continue with the godfather, godson thing if you want. Like I said in the letter, this is moreso a formality, now you can be my heir and things like that. I've always thought of you as a son though, and now I guess I have even more reason to be the protective mother hen."

They pulled apart and Harry smiled sheepishly at his new father. "You know, I always dreamed about this as a child… when I was stuck in my cupboard. I hoped somebody would take me away and… I know it sounds childish but… I'm just really happy you showed up last year, even if you did scare everyone for the majority of it."

Sirius chuckled and ruffled Harry's hair. "I'm glad too, puppy."

They spoke to one another for a few minutes before Remus ran back through the portrait hole looking exceptionally pale.

"Hey Moony, guess who just adopted Hogwart's best seeker?" Sirius said smugly, throwing an arm around his son.

Remus tried desperately to smile and be happy for his best friend and his charge, but McGonagall had just shown him the Daily Prophet and he needed to tell him. "Congrats you two. Sirius, will you step outside a second? I'm afraid breakfast might have to wait a few moments."

Harry looked at Remus, concerned. Remus tried to give him a reassuring smile, but knew that Harry would hear the news soon enough so there was no point hiding his distress. Sirius patted Harry's shoulder before getting up and following Remus outside.

"What's going on, Remus?" Sirius asked, recognizing the severity of the situation.

"Sirius… it's Pettigrew. He's escaped."