The Prince & The Pauper

(A Marauder Story)

Chapter Ten: Quidditch Cheers and Christmas Tears  

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The next few months passed by, pretty uneventfully for the Marauders in fact. The first disturbance was the Gryffindor vs. Slytherin Quidditch game coming up. Especially after the "Great Entrance," as it was called by most of the students, the enmity between the two houses was pretty high. Slytherins would try to humiliate and harm Gryffindors. Nothing was stopping them, and for weeks Madame Pomfrey was stuck in the infirmary with over 20 students until every teacher, including Spur, was threatening 200 points off Slytherin if it continued.  

The Marauders were beyond caring though. As far as they were concerned, they had gotten the Slytherins (and Snape) bad, and that was worth it all. The following Saturday morning was the Quidditch match.  Lily was awoken early in the morning by 4 super-hyper marauders bouncing on her bed. 

"Lilsies! Waksies!" Cass squealed happily, bouncing from her bed to Lily's and back. 

"Noooo. Sleepsies!" Lily whined. 

"Rise and shine, sweetums!" Melodia giggled in delight. 

"Noooo I'm tired, leave me 'lone!" Lily rolled over.  

"WAKE UP LIL-EEEEE!" Sirius screeched. 

"S-Sirius? James? YOU'RE NOT S'PPOSED TO EVEN BE HERE! LEAVE. Me. ALONE!" 

"Morning, sunshine," James said sarcastically. 

"Why are you all here?" Lily moaned. 

"QUIDDITCH MATCH TODAY!" They all chorused gleefully.  

"But…you've probably waken Michele and Jana!" Lily protested triumphantly. 

"Nopes! Jana is with us on this one, and Michele was put in the infirmary by S.S.es!" Melodia replied. 

"S.S.es?" Lily asked, not sure she wanted to know. 

"Sneaky Slytherins, of course!" Sirius said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

"Right, now why don't you leave?" Lily yawned, and went to pull the covers over her head.

"We're gonna sco-o-ore tonight! We're gonna sco-o-ore toni-ight! We're gonna rock, we're gonna roll, we're gonna fly, we'll score some goals! We're gonna sco-o-ore tonight!" Sirius, James, Melodia, and Cass sang as they pranced out of the room.  Lily groaned and pulled her quilt over her head. She sighed. That incident had only proved one thing: she absolutely HATED Quidditch! 

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Eventually, Lily was convinced by her friends to get dressed and out of bed, but by that time…let's just say the whole Gryffindor tower knew Lily as "The first year who likes to sleep-late and a lot." So, after getting Sirius back from the infirmary (Lily had hexed him-she was getting very advanced for a first year in hexes), they all trooped down to the Quidditch pitch. 

The infamous Benny Weasley was acting as commentator, with McGonagall and Spur there to keep an eye on him. The Gryffindors were all excited about the match: everyone (except Lily, who complained that scarlet clashed with her hair horridly) wore scarlet scarves and hats. Little scarlet and gold flags were waved and a huge banner was at the top of the stadium, at least fifty feet up that stated: LIONS! BEAT THOSE SNAKES! (or else). Lily really couldn't understand the big deal. Sure, she got the spiel from Cass, but she was going only to see people fly, and because she was frog-hopped down to the pitch by 4 mad marauders. Peter and Remus, who both agreed with Lily in terms of Quidditch, sat next to her. Peter said that he was afraid of heights, so even though he liked watching it, he refused to play it. Remus just thought it was dull, and Lily agreed whole-heartedly.  

"C'mon, Lil, stand up! We're gonna start a wave!" Cass said, her eyes wide and her cheeks flushed. 

"Nooo," Lily whined stubbornly. 

"I'd not bother her if I were you, Cass. She can get rather violent," Sirius shuddered. 

"Aw, has poor Sirius been beat up by Monster Lily?" a mocking voice came from behind them. It was Bella, with her Ravenclaw buddies. 

"Bella! Don't tell me! You've come to save me from the school idiots?" Lily asked. 

Bella laughed, "No, sorry Lil. I actually came to formally introduce my Ravenclaw acquaintances…" 

"Bel-la!" Cass groaned. 

"Sorry, Darling Sister," Bella smiled. Lily noticed how happy and more relaxed she looked now. Whether it was that her twin was talking to her again, or if it was her new friends, but she was a lot less austere now.

"AND NOW, THE GRYFFINDOR QUIDDITCH TEAM!" Benny yelled enthusiastically. 

"WOOD, BELL, CALVIN, ABRAM, SHAWN, FIGG, AAAAAAAAND JACKSON!"  

"You're sister's on the team?" Lily asked Bella, as Cass was too busy screaming,

"GO LIONS! BEAT THOSE RUDDY SNAKES! SLYTHERINS SUCK! GOOOOOOO GRYFFINDOR!" as the Slytherins were announced ("And here are the Slytherins. Damn, they showed up, didn't think they would after that prank. Maybe the other one in the locker room wasn't triggered? Uh, right Professor M, back to the game!") 

"Yeah, Allyson is. She's a fifth year. Ally, Lorelei Abram, and Derek Shawn are Gryffindor chasers, Jarred Calvin and Alex Bell are beaters, Timothy Wood is the keeper and captain, and Tabitha Jackson is the seeker," Bella said. 

"PENALTY! C'mon, ref, what're you talking about?" James and Sirius were protesting. Cass was booing as well, but was a bit distracted from laughing at the Slytherin keeper, who was having some...er, problems keeping his glasses on. Every couple of seconds they'd fly off his face. 

"HEHE! CAN'T EVEN KEEP HIS SPECS ON!" Cass started to screeched, before Lily firmly planted her hand over Cass's mouth. 

"Aw, Lily, you're takin' all the fun outta it!" Cass pouted once she had regained control of her mouth.  

"You're embarrassing me, young lady, so shut up!"  

"Yes mother," Cass rolled her eyes.  "Don't start with me," Lily threatened her playfully. 

"Cass! Did you do that?" Bella scolded.  Cass grinned guiltily,

"I plead the Fifth." (A/N: Ok, it's an American thingy…has to do with the Fifth Amendment in the Constitution…Bella will explain.) 

"Cass, we're not in the States! You can't plead the Fifth!" Bella said, rolling her eyes. 

"Says who?" Cass challenged. 

"Says…me, that's who! You can't spare yourself from answering by pleading the Fifth Amendment in the Constitution of the UNITED STATES in ENGLAND! Not to mention it's a MUGGLE law!" said Bella exasperated.  

"Well, maybe we should get it. It'd save us from all the trouble. Actually, come to think of it…less detentions! Maybe I shouldn't have pleaded the Fifth!" Cass said worriedly. 

"Shut up!" Sirius whined. 

"Yeah, we needn't know about American muggle laws in the middle of a QUIDDITCH game!" said James. 

"Well, now that I've gotten your attention," Bella started, but Sirius had already turned back to the match. 

"Ahem. Now if you all will listen as I introduce my friends," Bella said, but half of her Gryffindor friends, Cass, James, and Sirius, plus half of Melodia (listening in one ear, out the other) weren't paying her any attention. 

"SIRIUS LEO BARTHOLOMEW SOLOMON ISAAC HENRY NATHANIEL JEREMIAH BLACK!" Bella yelled and stamped her foot. 

Lily, Melodia, Peter, Remus, and all the Ravenclaws burst into laughter.  Sirius had a pained expression on his face. 

"See, Lil, I told you I was truly a member of the UCCEON club!" He said sadly, and Lily giggled. 

"The what?" Melodia asked. 

"The Unfortunate Children Cursed with Extremely Odd Names club," Sirius said impatiently. 

"Well, my dear friend, it is most certainly true," Remus smirked. 

"S-Sirius…L-l-leo…B-BARTH-BARTHOLOMEW!" Melodia was rolling on the floor under the bleachers. 

"Shut up," Sirius pleaded. 

"SOLOMON! I-Isaac…H-Henry…Na-Na-NATHANIEL JEREMIAH…Black!" Melodia burst into a new wave of hysterics.  

"Who're you to be laughing at me? Doesn't your name mean Melody Night?" Sirius shot back. 

"So? At least I don't have 10 names!" Melodia giggled. 

"Nine! NINE names!" Sirius corrected quickly. 

James laughed, "Buddy, if I hadn't known your names, I'd seriously reconsider being your best friend, and I'd be joining our fellow classmates, rolling on the floor." 

"Fine! Be that way! Make fun of me because of my name…s," Sirius said, faking a hurt look. 

"Don't worry, Sirius, we will," Peter said. 

"Gee, thanks Pete," he said, shaking his head sadly. 

"AND GRYFFINDOR GETS THE SNITCH, 150-0! If we hadn't won, it'd be a quick, boring game! But we BEAT those stinkin' Snakes! Er…sorry Professor," Benny finished up, and the match, surprisingly, was over just like that. 

"Great, now you've made us miss it," Cass said miserably. 

"Don't blame me! By the way, this is Rose, Aimee, and 'Thea. They're all Ravenclaws," Bella said. 

"Nice to meet you," Lily started, but the boys, Cass, and Melodia started walking past, planning their next prank. 

"C'mon, Lils! We gotta go rub it in the Snapey-poo's face that he lost, get 5 galleons from Ken Ziffner of Hufflepuff since we won, and plan our next…outing," James called back to her. 

"Bye Bella and Bella's friends!" Lily called, and hurried to catch up with the Marauders & Company. 

~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~ 

Life at Hogwarts pretty much went quickly (and smoothly) after that. The Marauders played plenty of jokes on Slytherins, Snape, Slytherins, Benny Weasley and Deana and their friends, Snape, other kids that got on their bad side, Slytherins, professors, and Slytherins.  

By December, however, things started catching up again. Lily received a letter from Sari and the orphans, which basically expressed just how much they missed her, and how they so wanted to see her again. Lily sighed and wrote back a letter, explaining how she'd be staying at Hogwarts over winter break, but maybe she could visit Mr. Potter and go to St. Bernadette's for a day.  "Hey Lily!" Bella smiled as Lily entered the library.  

"Hi Bella! Hi…Rosalba, right?" Lily asked. 

"Yes, but please, call me Rose. I hate my full name," Bella's friend smiled. 

"Okay, Rose. Bella, I've been told to take you to HQ. We need, to quote Sirius, 'reinforcements,'" Lily said, shaking her head. 

"Again?" Bella groaned. Lily shrugged her shoulders sympathetically.  "Um…HQ? Fill me in, Bell," Rose said. 

"HQ is standard code for Head Quarters, really, Rose, you should know that! Oh, and my sister, god-brother, and their friends are always coming to me for new spells to use in pranks," Bella explained. 

"God-brother?" Lily asked. 

"Yes, Edward Potter is Cass and my godfather. For whatever reason, we share him, we didn't get separate godparents. Marianne, his wife, was our godmother, but she died a long time ago," Bella said.. 

"James is your god-brother? Why didn't I know?" asked Lily, looking scandalized. 

"Lil, relax. I guess it never came up," Bella said delicately, "C'mon, let's go to the room, Rose can come. I bet I can beat you there!"  Lily, never one to give up on a challenge, agreed immediately, making a mental note to bring up the subject another time, and ran off to the room the Marauders had donned "MHQ," or "Marauder Head Quarters." 

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A week before Christmas, McGonagall came around to her Gryffindors with a sign-up sheet for the holidays. James sighed when he saw it. Lily was immediately reminded of his "explosion" during the holidays. Sirius also seemed to be eyeing his best friend carefully, which is more than most people would think of him. By now, Lily knew better. She knew that Sirius' family wasn't all too loving towards him, and that they were thankful that; first Mr. Potter had practically adopted him, and second that Hogwarts actually accepted him. Most people would think it understandable, but Lily knew Sirius was slightly hurt, and resented his family somewhat for it.  

After being friends with them for a little over 4 months, Lily knew that James and Sirius were similar in more ways than pranks and looks. They both weren't overly pleased with their families: in fact, by some mutual silent agreement, they were each other's family. God help you if you said something bad about Sirius within James' hearing, and vice versa. They were rather overprotective when it came to their friends. So when Lily saw Sirius looking over at James worriedly, she was a little apprehensive. 

"Sirius, don't look at me like that, I'll be fine. Knowing Father, I'll get an owl tomorrow with his apologies and an invitation home for the holidays, even though we both know I have to go, it's not an option," James said, without even looking at Sirius. 

"Well, if you're going, buddy, so am I. Write your father back when he sends you an owl and tell him," Sirius said immediately, the ever faithful companion.  

"Sirius--" James started, but Sirius cut him off. 

"Honestly, Jay, as if I'd have it any other way? Besides, it's not like I'm going home to my family, I avoid them AMAP-As much as possible," he said. 

"Well, alright, but I'm inviting the rest of you over for the New Year's Party, my father's never home for Christmas," James said to the others, aware that they were all listening in on his and Sirius' conversation.  They all tried to look as un-guilty as you can when you are, in fact, guilty. Sirius laughed and said, "Don't worry about it, guys. Just come! We'll have a lot of fun!" 

"Well, I'm supposed to go home, and spend the holidays with Mum, Dad, and Jonathon. My brother," Peter added when he saw confused looks, "He's only seven." 

"What about the rest of you?" James asked. 

"My Mother is sick so I have to visit her over the break," Remus said, looking pale and tired all of a sudden, "But I'll see if I can come to your house on New Years if I-she's doing better." 

"I'm going home with Jake and Stephen this year. My family tradition, go home every other year. Turns out this year I get to leave," said Melodia. 

"Same goes for me and Bella, we're going home. We have to, all million of us. Ariel and Briane and Courtney and Allyson and Bianca and Bella and me. And my dad and my step-dad, who surprisingly get along. So basically, full house. I'm sure Bella would be just as relieved for a chance to stay at the Garden, Jamsie boy," Cass said, sighing at her family. 

"Lil?" Sirius asked. 

"Well, as I'm not allowed to go back to the St. Bernadette's 'til summer break, so I'm obviously staying," Lily replied, looking a little sorry for herself, which was unusual for her. James winced, "Sorry, Lily. You're more than welcome to join Sirius and me at my house. Chances are we'll be staying with Charles half the time, but it'll be better than staying here by yourself. 

"Well," Lily said hesitantly, "I don't want to be a trouble." 

"Trouble? Are you kidding, Lils? Eddie loves you!" Sirius said, ignoring James' scowl at his father's pet name, "He practically worships the ground you walk on, Charles is no different." 

"Really, Lily, come! You can't be the only Marauder not there!" James added, flashing her his brightest smile and Sirius started begging her on his hands and knees, literally. 

"Pweese? Pwetty Pweese?" Sirius said, giving her a puppy look.  Lily laughed, knowing in her heart she was relieved that her friends were so persistent about it, as she didn't want to spend another Christmas alone. 

"Fine, but only if your dad says it's okay, James," Lily finally gave in. 

"YES!" Sirius and James exchanged high fives, and the group of seven youths all smiled.  

Lily looked out the windows, and saw some snow falling.  

"Oh, the weather outside is frightful! But the fire, is so delightful. And since we've no place to go…Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" Lily hummed quietly, and the others turned to watch her. 

"Oh, it doesn't show signs of stopping. And I've brought some corn for popping. The lights are turned way down low…Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!" she sang, more confidently. Melodia smiled and joined her.

"When we finally kiss goodnight, how'll you'll hate going out in the storm. But if you really hold me tight, all the way home we'll be warm! Oh, the fire is slowly dying. And my dear, we're still, goodbye-ing. The lights are turned way down low let it snow…let it snow…let it…snow," they sang, and the group was quiet for a little bit. 

"So-wanna have a snow ball fight?" Sirius asked, ruining the moment, but the others all grinned. 

"You bet! Boys against girls, after we get Bella!" Cass shouted, and thus began the first annual Marauder Snow Ball Fight, AKA Hogwart's Worst Nightmare. 

~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~

Later on, after it was over (the guys had won, but hey, they had James and Sirius on the same team. It could've been Sirius and James versus the rest of the school and the two of them would've won!), Lily and James sat sipping hot chocolate in the common room. Sirius and Remus were bent over the magical chess board. Cass and Melodia had just went up to bed, and Peter retired early too.

"You have a nice voice, you know," James said to her. 

"Thanks. I think I got it from my mum. I remember her singing this song to me, every night," Lily hummed it for him. 

Beautiful Dreamer, wake unto me,

Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;

Sounds of the rude world heard in the day,

Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!

Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,

List while I woo thee with soft melody;

Gone are the cares of life's busy throng

Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

 Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!  

"What song is that?" James asked. 

"Beautiful Dreamer," Lily replied, trying to picture her mother that she lost so young. 

"Hey-are you okay?" James asked, concerned. 

"Just trying to remember my mum. I remember…she had bright green eyes, like mine, and dark red hair. I looked a lot like her. She was beautiful," Lily said quietly. 

"I know how you feel. My mum died as well, and I've basically lost my father," James said, looking at the fire. 

"JAMES POTTER!" Lily shouted, looking extremely angry.

"What?" James asked her innocently. 

"Don't you dare say that about your father! He loves you, whether or not he's good at showing it, and he's trying his best! I think it's about time that you try yours!" Lily stormed off. 

"Well, James, made the Lady Lily mad, I see?" Sirius smirked. 

"Don't smirk, you look remarkably like a Slytherin," James said, and then went up to the dorm to go to sleep. 

Sirius quickly took the look off his face, "Do not," he said. 

"DO TOO!" a voice shouted from the dorms. 

Remus gave him a Look, and said, "Checkmate." 

"Yeah, yeah," Sirius pouted, and got up to go to sleep. 

~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~ 

Lily woke up on the 19th of December from Melodia shaking her.  

"Stop," Lily moaned. 

"Oh. My. God. What did I deserve to be stuck with the world's worst morning person? You-Never-Wake-UP!" Melodia shouted, shaking Lily over and over to no avail. 

"Lil-eee!" Sirius sang up the staircase, and in a second Lily was up and in the bathroom. 

"How does he do that?" Melodia asked Jana, another Gryffindor, who just shrugged. 

Lily hurried out of the bathroom after taking a quick shower. She was going to James' house today! Lily couldn't wait to get to The Garden. She wanted to see Charles and Mr. Potter, and to see the girls at the orphanage. Even though everyone called it "Going home for the holidays" Lily called it "Going away for the holidays." Hogwarts was her home.   "Hey Remus, James, Sirius, Peter," Lily said as she sat down at the Gryffindor table.  

"Took you long enough," Sirius smirked. 

"You're doing it again, Siri the Slytherin!" James laughed. 

"You did not just call me a Slytherin," Sirius spat out the last word.

"Wanna bet?" James asked, rising to the occasion. 

Sirius and James started running around the Great Hall, throwing pancakes at each other. James ran behind the Staff Table to hide and get more "ammunition."  

"Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore asked, amused. 

"Yes, sir?" James asked, and most of the people watching quieted down when they saw their headmaster speaking to a troublemaker. 

"Might I suggest you try attacking Mr. Black with the French toast? It's stickier," Dumbledore said nonchalantly. 

"Thank you sir, will do," James said, and quickly grabbed a plate of sticky French toast to throw at Sirius. 

McGonagall threw up her hands, "I finally think they're getting in trouble, and what does he do? 'Might I suggest you try attacking Mr. Black with the French toast?'" McGonagall mimicked Professor Dumbledore.  Lily, Cass, Melodia, and Remus started to laugh. Sirius promptly ended the fight after getting syrup in his hair ("JAMES! I'LL KILL YOU!") and soon it was time to go on the train. 

Surprisingly enough, the ride home was mellow. The boys went "exploring" and the girls stayed in a compartment with Bella, Aimee (another Ravenclaw), Michele (another Gryffindor), and Jana (another Gryffindor). All seven of them played Exploding Snap until the ride was over, which was a shame, according to Cass. Bella rolled her eyes at that, and followed her off the train. 

They all gathered outside the Muggle barrier to Platform 9¾.   

"Bye Aimee! Nice meeting you!" Lily said as the Ravenclaw went off. Michele and Jana had already left. 

"Bye guys," Peter said, and they all chorused their "Good byes." 

Soon after Remus, the twins, and Melodia left. 

"I'm going home with you, James," Sirius said. 

"That's if my father decides to show up," James said coldly, ignoring Lily's glare. 

"I'm sure he will," Lily said evenly. 

"Master James! Miss Lily! Master Sirius!" Charles called out. 

"Hi, Charles," James said dully after seeing it be Charles to pick them up, but Sirius shook his hand and Lily gave him a hug. 

"It's wonderful that we'll be having you over the holiday, Lily," Charles smiled. 

"I'm glad I won't be the only one left at Hogwarts." 

"We'd never have allowed that," a deep voice came from behind them.  They all turned. There, standing behind them, was Edward Potter. 

"Father, you've come. I'm surprised, I have to admit," James said. To most it wouldn't sound cold, but all present flinched at the cold tone. 

"James, I won't have that tone. I've apologized plenty of times, James, and I can't do much more! I've already cancelled so many appointments to be here instead of in Australia with the P.A.G. What more do you want, James? Do you want me to leave my job?" Edward Potter asked his son, frustrated. 

"Ideally, yes, but you'd never give that up," James stormed away and went into the limo. 

"What is wrong with that boy?" Mr. Potter sighed.  Lily and Sirius turned to him, surprised, and he smiled. 

"I didn't mean it that way. I love him more than anything, I do, but when I can't be home he stops believing it," Mr. Potter sighed. 

"Lily blew up at him," Sirius said. 

"Did you?" James' father asked, amused. 

"Yup. He should be grateful he has a father!" Lily said, feeling her face get red. 

"Don't worry, Lily, he's just upset," Mr. Potter said. 

"I know. Thanks for having me, by the way, Mr. Potter," Lily said.

"Please, Miss Lily, Edward, Ed, Mr. P…Mr. Potter is too formal," Edward said. 

"Or you could call him Uncle Eddie!" Sirius laughed, and chased Lily back to the limo where James was sulking.  

"Having fun with my father?" he said coolly. 

"As a matter of fact, yes," Lily answered, just as icily.

(A/N: I'm shivering…burr…ok, bk to the story) 

They spent the rest of the limo ride in silence, except for Sirius who was humming "I Love Rock & Roll," driving James crazy.  

"At least when Lilith or 'Lodia sing they have good voices! Shut up, Sirius!" James whined. 

"As flattered as I am, refrain from the 'Lilith' as that's NOT my name!" Lily yelled. 

"I love rock and roll! Put another dime in the juke box, baby! I love rock and roll…" Sirius sang incredibly off-tune. 

"SHUT UP!" James and Lily screamed. 

"…so come and take your time and dance with me!" 

"BLACK!" Lily shouted. 

Edward Potter shook his head, and Charles grinned. The Marauders were back! 

~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~ 

The holidays started out pretty quickly. Lily helped Charles, James, and Sirius decorate the manor. Lily had never really done that for the holidays. It was pretty funny, watching Sirius rap Charles' body together with strings of popcorn. 

James and Lily were attempting to hang all the gigantic Christmas ornaments on the 12 foot Christmas tree Mr. Potter set up. The ornaments were all softly humming "Carol of the Bells," and glowing. Enchanted snow fell from the ceiling. Mistletoe showed up in different hallways, and lights surrounded the house. It was the most beautiful Christmas Lily had ever seen. 

On Christmas Eve, they all got dressed up. Lily wore a dark green dress she'd been allowed to get last year for her birthday at the orphanage. They ate dinner and sat by the tree, talking. Lily told them of her adventures at St. Bernadette's, and James and Sirius talked about their many prank-pulling escapades. Lily laughed at their antics. For once, James seemed to be getting along with his father. His eyes sparkled as Mr. Potter waved his wand and heard a trumpet sound. A group of house elves came out and preformed a skit of the Christmas elves. 

(A/N: I'm not British…I was gonna write Santa, then Father Christmas, but to be safe, I left it at 'Christmas Elves') 

They were all laughing and eating cookies when Charles came back in, looking somber. He motioned for Mr. Potter to join him and whispered something in his ear. Mr. Potter went pale. He straightened up, said, "One moment, kids," and hurried over to the fireplace where, Lily jumped as she saw it, a head was. 

"Carl Johansen, only higher British representative than my dad in PAG," James whispered to his friends. 

After a couple minutes of whispering in the fire, Mr. Potter walked over to them, his face white. Outside it was dark, with crystal snowflakes fell. The blaze in the fireplace gave off an eerie glow, and the ornaments on the trees were still humming softly. 

Hark how the bells, Sweet silver bells. All seem to say, throw cares away. Christmas is here, bringing good cheer,  To young and old, meek and the bold. Gaily the ring, while people sing, Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here.  

"Sirius, I'm afraid I've some bad news." 

Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas. Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas. 

"Your parents they've been killed." 

On, on they send. On without end. Their joyful tone, to every home. Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong. Ding.

~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~*^*~  

*This chapter is dedicated to the lovely Harmony Slytherin who beta-ed it for me! Thanks so much Harmony, I appreciate it! I don't usually do dedications, but she's so nice and an awesome writer! This is for you, girlie!*

Authors Note: Hi guys! Sorry again for taking so long…it's long though, as usual. I'm going to attempt a new schedule: about 2 weeks for each new chapter. I've already started chapter 11, so I'll be trying, I promise. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed A Novus Vita too, hugs to those who did! About the chapter now-a lot of songs, I'm guilty, but most of them fit pretty well, if I do say so myself! The whole 5th amendment thing is kind of an inside joke…stupid, but hilarious to anyone who gets it…no one who'll read it, but whatever. THANKS TO ALL THE REVIEWERS!!! You guys make my day! ^_^ And those wonderful people are:

Bunny chan *^* You reviewed! I was in shock…the famous Bunny Chan, reviewing something I wrote…for all the chapters…I'm in awe. *bows down* thank you thank you thank you!

Colee *^* Thanks for the review! I'll try to hurry with the next chapter…promise! Glad you liked my story!

Cquill13 *^* Hiya! Thanks for reviewing! :) Glad you liked the pranks…I'm not a prank player myself, so it takes me awhile to get one to be realistic or funny…wish I had magic too! Um, well, Benny Weasley would be my theory for the Weasley twins we all know and love…

Destiny Phoenix *^* Thanks, as always, for the review! I'm glad you think I'm brilliant, I do try my hardest for you guys! Yes, you should update…or have you already and I was a bad girl and didn't check? Uh…email me when you update?

Dhiammara *^* Interesting name…thanks for the review! In answer to your question: Lily and the girls did get some credit, but they really didn't care. It was the boys who soak up the attention and detention if you know what I mean ^_^ Good question! Hope you like this!

Diana Snape *^* Thank you so much for reviewing! The expressions are basically Traci's personality, glad you think I'm funny, I'm happy *someone* was okay with the Annie (I didn't mean for it to be so similar, but it was the first thing I ever wrote…), and Siri has to be hilarious it's his nature, I'm only the author ;) Thanks again!

E.R.C. Potter *^* I've always pictured the Marauders (Sirius in particular) doing something stupid like that…taking the credit openly…anyway, thanks so much for reviewing! I love your stories too!

Fried Coffeeholic *^* Interesante pen name…oh no! It's the evil keyboard! Run for your life! I have this theory that Lucius Malfoy is older then the Marauders…maybe he'll be a 7th year so they'll prank him too…I'll think about it. Thanks for the review! Good luck on writing your fic!

Enelfitay *^* I'll try to keep it up, thanks! I adore heights! Honest! Ok, well, thanks for reviewing! In the words of your theatre arts teacher: Yeah you! (for reviewing…) ^_^

Harmony Slytherin *^* Hi girlie! Like the dedication? Well, I luv Cass too…don't we all? No? right…thanks for reviewing all 9 chapters! I was so honored that you did, I remember reading your story and feeling so odd, like I could never get that good. It's so nice to see that some people do like my story (to my surprise). Well, more James vs. Mr. P here! Thanks again!

Jilly Chan *^* Actually, you said 'Donna' not 'Bianca' instead of 'Traci' dearie. No matters, though, I got the point! I need more expressions for when she visits them, either next chapter or over the summer…haven't decided yet. Thanks for the reviews!

Le Chat Qui Garde La Lune *^* Hello my French reviewer! (I remembered this time) Thanks as always for reviewing, you're so nice! So now I'm a fly? Okies…anyway, I took my own time, sadly for you, but here it is, nice and long! Hope you like it!

Ley *^* Thanks sooooo much for reviewing! Poor Ms. Doufahn is so messed up, I'm evil lolz. So glad I left you in stitches…I think…right, well, thanks again!

Lily Evans *^* You make my life difficult! 'Lovely…' How should I respond to that? I need a comment I can write back to you…actually, that took up a whole line…*grins* thanks! :)

Mati *^* Glad ya love my story *tears* I feel so loved…er…next chapter will be relatively soon, although I can't say this one was…hope the length makes up for it though.

Milkyweed *^* Glad I'm so funny! Peoples tell me that, and I don't really believe them…you people must be easy to please! Thanks a lot for the review, hope this was good too!

Naavi *^* Bestie! Hugs yet again for reviewing! I'm glad you look forward to my chapters (I know I do for yours). Don't ask about the long chapters *sigh* It's a bad habit…although, it does make up for my long updates. Oh, and we settled the cheer thing…I can cheer, you've got everything else athletic :) Luv ya!

Orange *^* I'm assuming you meant funny, not farni prank…thanks! I liked it too…is that un-modest? Right, well, thanks!

SilverPhoenixWings *^* MWAZ! Thanks for reviewing so much! And chattin' with me online! You're so nice! I can't believe someone dared to call me a goddess splat There goes my ego! I'm not brilliant, but thanks anyway. I've always wanted to be a lefty, by the way (they get special scissors!). I luv spazzing Cass…You had to think Bella would rub off sooner or later. Thanks for all the reviews, I luv ya!

Star*Dust *^* Thanks for reviewing so far, hope you get to finish! I'm definitely happy that you have looked at this, your opinion means a lot to me, like I wrote in Harmony's comment, you were another of those people I thought I'd never be as good as or get a review from. Thanks so much!

Star Angel *^* Hi! I loved your happy dance *nods* Very talented. I'm actually watching Olympic ice dancing as I type. Thanks sooo much for the review! ^_^

Storm Witch RD *^* Is it just me or did you switch pen names? Anyway, I'll try my hardest not to break canon rules…I know I'm not brilliant, but as this story was my first, I'm excused (I hope). Thanks so much for the review!  

~*Twisted*LJ*Fan*~ *^* Ok, it took me forever to get all the ~ and * to be in the right spot…thanks for the review! I'll try to keep things up…hope this is good too!

Valicity *^* Nice pen name…it's sounds cool…thanks so much for the review!

Young-at-heart *^* Thanks for the review! Glad you think I'm hilarious, although truthfully, I'm not. But if you say so, I'll just nod and agree! Lolz. Thanks again!