Right then, here's the first proper chapter. I thought that this fic should begin with a little insight into Harry's feelings as they were pretty absent in ANB (and overlooked by Sirius). I warn you there isn't much going on in this chapter- seeing as it's half way through the school year it pretty much picks up with Harry's life as though we never left it, and I was in a very funny mood when I wrote it. Anyway, I'll let you read on.

Back To Hogwarts

The Great Hall was fairly empty when Harry, Ron and Hermione went down to breakfast. Harry was feeling slightly better now that he was amongst his friends. Ron and Hermione had both agreed that his jealousy towards Ebony was understandable, although Hermione was very reluctant to say so.

'We'll be able to cheer him up' said Harry, trying to convince himself that Sirius' troubles could be easily cured with a quick chat and a game of Wizards Chess.

The trio sat down at the Gryffindor table and helped themselves to the few platters of food that lay before them.

'It's really quiet this year isn't it?' said Hermione. 'Not many people have stayed for Christmas.'

Harry agreed with a half hearted nod, but he took Hermione's statement a lot more seriously than it had been intended.

Remus Lupin's return to Hogwarts had been marred by controversy. Many parents had complained but as Dumbledore had pointed out, most of the parents were at school at the same time as Remus and he never did them any harm. The complaints had apparently ceased (with exception to Snape who complained about Lupin's reappointment at least five times a day) but it did seem rather odd that so many students were missing this year.

Ron seemed to be following Harry's path of thought and said quietly. 'Of course, it is Full Moon in a couple of days.'

Hermione raised her eyebrows in protest. 'Oh don't be silly Ron' she scolded. 'No one cares about that anymore, it's not as thought Remus is going to kill any…' she stopped abruptly. 'Sorry Harry.'

Harry stared into his bowl of porridge, wishing that Hermione would stop staring at him so pitifully and go back to eating her own food.

He knew only too well that Remus was very capable of killing, it was a fact that he did not want to be reminded of. It was only four months ago that Harry had discovered the truth about the death of his father's sister, and the part Remus played in her demise; the wounds had still not healed.

An icy silence remained between the three friends until they had all finished with their breakfasts. It was then that Ron spoke.

'Do you fancy going down to see Hagrid?'

Harry shuddered. He rarely declined the chance to visit Hagrid but he was in no mood to spend his morning feeding Blast-Ended-Skrewts. However, Hermione seemed to think it was a wonderful idea.

'I bet he's missing Madame Maxime' she said sadly. 'It would be horrible to leave him alone on Christmas Eve.'

Before Harry could protest, Hermione had jumped out of her seat and made her way out of the Hall.'

'I'll just be a minute' she called out behind her.

'Where's she going?' Harry wondered aloud.

He had always been amazed by Hermione's compassion for others and her ability to sense the sadness of her friends. This time his wonder was short lived, however, as Ron grumbled

'I bet it's got something to do with those bloody spew posters she was making last night.' 

When Hermione returned she was indeed clutching a handful of brightly coloured parchment.

'I thought he might put these outside his hut so that people can see them during their Care Of Magical Creatures lessons.'

Ron raised his eyebrows comically behind Hermione's back and the trio set off across the school grounds towards Hagrid's cabin. As they got closer to the little, wooden hut the friend's became very aware of a very strong, unpleasant smell.

'What is that?' Hermione asked loudly, pegging her nose between her fingers.

'Smell's like Hagrid's dabbling in the kitchen again.' Harry grinned, knowing how fond his over-sized friend was of making his own culinary 'delights'.

By the time they were stood outside Hagrid's front door, Harry and his friends were beginning to feel very faint. Ron wobbling uncontrollably on the spot and Hermione looked very green.

'Hello, you three!' Hagrid grinned inanely, pulling his visitors bodily into his cabin.

'Wha' are you doin' 'ere.'

The gigantic smile upon Hagrid's face told Harry that he had indeed been cooking. He had thought of asking what exactly was producing the intoxicating odour, but common sense warned him not to-Hagrid might offer him a sample.

'Have you been baking?' Hermione asked innocently, as she held back the urge to gag.

'Well done.' Harry thought furiously, glaring at the girl.

Hagrid's smile grew even bigger 'Of sorts, 'Ermione, of sorts.'

The giant seemed to skip over to his stove and when he returned he was clutching a tin massive bowl of whatever was creating the nauseating smell.

'It's home-made brandy' he beamed.

Harry looked at the bowl unsurely; Ron looked as though he was on the verge of throwing up.

'It's a bit strong' he choked, hoping that Hagrid would take the pot back to were it came from very soon.

'Nonsense, Ron' said Hagrid with the same scarily large grin. 'Can't never be too strong.'

Harry grinned. It had just dawned on him why Hagrid was smiling so much- he was drunk.

'How much have you drank Hagrid?' Harry asked with an amused expression.

'Jus' half a flagon.' Hagrid replied defensively.

'Then it's too strong' said Harry, stifling a giggle.

Hagrid looked as though he was going to argue, but instead he moved the brandy out of sight and sat down next to his guests.

To Harry and Ron's despair, Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out the SPEW posters she had collected earlier.

'Hagrid' she began politely. 'Would you be so kind as to display these campaign posters around your…'

Hermione's eyes darted unsurely around the small, cramped, wooden hut.' ….er… around your house.'

Hagrid ripped the posters from Hermione's grasp and read them carefully. When he had finished he looked at her with great amusement. Before Hermione could speak, the giant let out a deep peal of laughter that was so loud his cabin shook unsteadily. Harry looked on in amazement as Hagrid dropped to the floor and began to roll around the floor in a thunderous fit of giggles.

'Er...Hagrid,' but before Harry could ask his friend what was so amusing, a giant roar ripped through the hut like an earthquake.

'Spew' Hagrid bellowed, clutching his large stomach. 'Spew!'

Hagrid was now laughing so ferociously that Harry was sure that he must be causing himself pain.

'Really, Hagrid.' Hermione said quietly. 'It's S.P.E.W.'

Despite her protests, Ron and Harry could see that she was amused.

'I think he's had slightly more than half a flagon' Ron grinned. 'Unless he confused his flagon with a barrel.'

'IT SAYS SPEW.' Hagrid boomed, louder than ever.

'Yep, I think we'll be going now. BYE HAGRID' Ron yelled heading towards the rickety wooden door.

'We should help him sober up' said Hermione, looking increasingly worried. Hagrid was now rolling around so much that he was knocking over chairs in the process. The small room was quickly developing the appearance of a battle-site.

'Yeah' Ron agreed. 'We'll leave him here 'til next Christmas. That ought to do it.'

Hermione watched Hagrid writhe around upon the floor, evidently still believing 'spew' to be the funniest thing on earth.

'Come on' Harry said eagerly 'I want to get back to the castle and wait for Sirius.'

Suddenly the laughter died and the cabin was once again still. Hagrid sat up, silent except for the occasional loud hiccup. He dried his watery eyes on his sleeve and held a gigantic palm to his flushed forehead.

'Sirius did yer say?'

'Yes.' Harry answered.

'I saw him no' ser long ago, jus' before you arrived.'

Harry's eyes widened, a soft smile flittered across his face.

'He's here!'

Hagrid nodded enthusiastically.

'Arrived wi' a young girl he did, long black hair…Ebony I think 'e called 'er'

The smile on Harry's face died rapidly.

'He brought her?' he raged, his face burning red with anger. 'How could he.'

Before Hermione or Ron could stop him Harry had stormed out of Hagrid's cabin and run off towards the school.

Hermione gave a hollow sigh as she shrugged her shoulders.

Ron gave her a sorry glance.

'I guess Christmas isn't going to be all that happy this year.'