Sequel to Harry Potter and the Emerald Eye. (I suggest you read that
first, but you don't have to, it's just a good idea.) Harry's in for quite
a year when he starts seeing things that no one else can, is it a dream? Or
is he really going crazy? Questions start arising like what did Voldemort
do to his victim after he killed them? This has it all; mystery, insanity,
a lot of Sirius and Remus, and everyone calls Harry a lunatic at least
once! ;)
Thank you to all my reviewers! You guys rock!
This chapter is fluff galore, and all I have to say is enjoy it while you can, but the story takes a dark turn very soon. You have been warned.
Major thanks to my betas: Essence of Magic, Immia, sweets, and Wolf of Solitude who beta-ed this chapter also. They have fantastic, dealing with all my off-topic-ness, and warp sense of humor and everything! Applaud them everybody! Right now! Thanks girls!
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to sweets who helped immensely with this chapter. She co-wrote it with me, and if it wasn't for her I would still be writing it. I highly recommend her fics to everybody. If you like this then I sure you will like her story Unlikely Situations. It has a fantastic plot and a must for any Harry/Sirius, godfather/godson lover. Thanks sweets!
Disclaimer - This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I own the plot and a few original things. Elven itself all belongs to the master himself J. R. R. Tolkien.
Chapter 9: A White—er, I Mean—Black Christmas
"So what are you and Professor Black doing for Christmas?" Longo asked as he and Harry walked home from the last Quidditch practice before the holidays, their shoes crunching in the newly fallen snow.
"Staying here, all the professors have too, school ordinance 22G," Harry said with a grin.
Longo's mouth made a small "o" shape.
"What are you doing?" Harry said, changing the subject.
"Going home, spending it with my Dad, I guess," Longo shrugged. "The Weasleys are going home right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Ginny," said the younger boy simply.
Harry nodded, "Hermione's going home too, and her parents want her home with the threat of Vol— You-Know-Who."
"I'm not afraid of Voldemort's true name," said Longo quickly. "It's stupid not to say it, really."
Harry nodded in agreement as they made their way through the castle doors.
"See ya, I guess," muttered Longo.
"Yeah, by the way if I don't see you after tomorrow Merry Christmas," said Harry as Longo headed off in the direction of the library.
"Merry Christmas to you too."
~~
The sun dawned bright on Christmas morning, making the newly fallen snow glisten like a thousand diamonds. All the professors were still snug in their beds with one exception.
"Sirius? Come on Sirius, wake up."
Sirius Black's subconscious was vaguely aware of somebody shaking him. Didn't this person know that he had been up late last night? Or how much his back still hurt from a rousing game of Pitch Black? And if he or she didn't, they ought to. He'd yell at them later.
"Siri?" the voice whispered, shaking him again.
Sirius turned toward the voice, for some reason he couldn't remember at that moment he loved that voice. And under normal circumstances he would awake in a second to see its owner's face, but then again a man does need his sleep.
He felt something rub up against his cheek, brushing up against the short stubble that had grown over night. He wrapped an arm around whomever it was waist, drawing the person close.
The person, perhaps a boy or a teenager, his mind was still too fogged with sleep to distinguish one from the other, cuddled closer.
"Sirius, you have to get up," the boy said, trying hard not to sound like he was whining. "And shave, your cheek is really scratchy."
Sirius laughed, finally realizing who it was, hugging his godson all the more. "What's with the wake up call?" he said his voice thick with sleep.
"I wanted you to get up," Harry said simply. "It _is_ Christmas and I thought that maybe, if you wanted to, I mean you don't _have_ to, it's just . . ."
"Just what?" his godfather asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with one hand.
"I wanted to be with you," said Harry meekly, his eyes becoming especially large and innocent-looking.
Sirius smiled softly before laying his chin on top of Harry's head in a parental sort of way. "I'll be up in ten minutes."
"Ten minutes real time or ten minutes Sirius time?"
"Sirius time."
"Siiiriiiuuusss!" moaned Harry, tugging at Sirius's black t-shirt.
A slow, sly grin crossed Sirius's face then lunged at his godson, tickling him until he screamed for mercy.
"Ger off SNUFFLES!" shouted Harry, trying to push his larger and obviously stronger godfather off of him.
"Why should I?"
"Because I said so, and I'm the mighty Boy Who Lived!"
"And I am the mighty Dog of Doom!"
"So? What do you do? Guard Mount Doom or something?" Harry smirked.
Sirius shook his head dismissively before rolling off of Harry. He crawled back under the covers with every intent of going back to sleep. There was only one little problem, Harry. Who was flicking the back of his neck, repeatedly.
He growled loudly, batting away Harry's hand.
"Wake up!" was shouted in his ear after the hand finally stopped.
"No, go to beddy-by, Harrykins."
"No, Harrykins wants his godfather to get up."
Sirius couldn't help but grin, there was still some child-ness left in a boy who had to grow up much too fast.
Hauling himself up onto one elbow Sirius asked playfully, "Then why do you have to wait for me to open presents?"
Harry frowned, "I, er, well if you really want to sleep, I can go . . ."
Sirius smacked him playfully, "Of course not."
"You mean you're getting up?" Harry's eyes lit up, rubbing where Sirius had smacked him. "Seriously?"
"No, I'm kidding," Sirius said all thoughts of sleep forgotten with a roll of his eyes.
Grinning his head off, Harry hopped out of the bed, allowing Sirius to get up. "You know you don't have to Sirius, honestly you don't. I don't want to be a bother."
Ruffling his hair Sirius chided, "You? A bother? Never."
Harry ruffled Sirius's bed head hair in return.
"Is Remus up," asked Sirius.
"Nope, just us," Harry said, rummaging in the wardrobe drawers, presumably looking through Sirius's clothes.
"What are you looking for?"
"Clothes, aha! Something that isn't black!" Harry said, yanking out a baggy red t-shirt with the Gryffindor lion logo on the front. He tossed it to Sirius.
"I haven't worn this for decades though."
"You're only a hundred right?" Harry joked, pulling out a pair of black jeans.
"One hundred and four; get it right!" He replied with as much fake scorn as possible.
"Really, you don't look a day over one hundred and three."
"Thank you, dearie. You're ever so kind."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"All right, all right, get out while I get changed," Sirius said, jerking his thumb towards the door.
"You won't go back to sleep will you?"
"Now would I do a thing like that?"
"Yes!" shouted Harry while Sirius pushed him out of the room.
Several minutes later Sirius emerged wearing the shirt and jeans Harry had picked out, leaving his hair down. Although his manner was slightly sluggish, his eyes were bright and alert.
Harry looked him up and down; it was amazing to see Sirius wearing something that wasn't black, white, or navy.
Harry mumbled the password ("Dodecahedron") when they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, who had added a sprig of holly to her dress, and she swung forward.
"Nice Holly," Sirius commented on his way inside.
"Always a flirt!" twittered the Fat Lady before the portrait swung closed.
Harry muttered, "Flirting with the Fat Lady Sirius?"
"Old habits die hard," Sirius said wistfully. A far off look took over his eyes.
Harry looked at him peculiarly, but said nothing.
"Whoa, the house elves must like you!" Sirius gasped in awe of the common room's Christmas decorations.
"It's never been this decorated before," Harry said while gaping.
Sirius, who was examining some of the presents said, "Some of these have my name, why?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, "What'd you expect? Turnips?"
"Well no but..."
"Yes?" Harry asked, curiously.
"I don't know; it's just still surprising."
"How come?"
Sirius just shrugged still staring at the many gifts.
"Weird godfather," Harry commented
"Thank you."
But his words were lost upon Harry who was sitting on the floor shaking his first present.
Sirius sat down next to him, watching curiously.
No sound came from inside.
"You know," Sirius pointed out, "Most people put silencing charms on their gifts for exactly that purpose."
Harry looked at him, surprised.
"What? You never heard of those?"
"Yes, but I didn't know that you could do that to gifts."
"You can do charms on almost anything, Harry."
Harry waited patiently.
Sirius waved briefly, telling him to go on with the unwrapping. He knew full well that Harry would wait until he was finished speaking. For some reason Harry found anything and everything he said fascinating.
Harry casually nudged a present toward Sirius, as if to say we're doing this together whether you like it or not.
Sirius started to protest, but at the look of determination in Harry's eyes his complaints promptly ceased.
They spent the next twenty minutes opening presents and joking like they had done this before. What was most surprising was when Sirius received a Weasley sweater, black of course.
"How did Mrs. Weasley know I liked the color black," Sirius asked looking at his sweater.
"Sirius," Harry said," Everybody knows you love black, even the Weasleys."
Sirius shrugged, "Can I help that the fact I look amazingly sexy in it?"
"Sure you do. You just think that."
Sirius shook his head, muttering, "I don't get any respect."
"I could have told you that!"
"_Especially_ not from my _godson_."
"Am I that bad?" Harry asked with an innocent look upon his face.
Sirius smiled softly, "Nah, anyway here." He handed Harry one of the last presents under the tree. It was quite small, and the wrapping paper was a simple shiny red.
As soon as Harry took it from Sirius, his godfather became very interested in his sweater. Slowly, Harry took off the wrapping paper, as soon as the wrapping fell away his breath caught in his chest.
He held in hands a small gold trimmed glass box that sparkled in the weak winter sunlight. Within the box was a bright, glittering, golden ball with pearly white wings, each feather was trimmed with silver. Scrawled across the top of the box in gold lettering was the Snitch's name: The Bullet.
"S-Sirius h-how? B-but i-it m-must h-have c-cost, o-oh . . ."
Sirius shrugged. "Christmas is only once a year right? So, I guess . . . whoa! Harry!" He laughed as Harry gave him a smothering hug, shouting, "Thank you!"
"Would I be correct in saying you like it?" Sirius asked, playfully.
"No."
Sirius's mouth almost dropped.
"I LOVE IT!" Harry's smile broadened as Sirius's expression went from astonished to practically beaming.
"I thought you would," he said modestly, simply enjoying of the feeling the happiness that was radiating from Harry.
"Do you think we could . . . you know . . . try it out? Later?" suggested Harry, batting his doe-like eyes.
"Of course, no need for the Bambi eyes Har'."
Harry nodded, and scrambled off his godfather.
Now there was only one present left under the tree, Harry pushed it toward Sirius.
Sirius raised his eyebrows at Harry, the boy seemed almost nervous. He picked up the gift, giving Harry a bright smile.
Slowly, Sirius unwrapped the square package, and opened the box. Once he had pulled back the tissue paper, his eyes grew to the size of Quaffles.
"Do you like it Sirius?" Harry asked a bit uncertainly.
Sirius, too numb to speak, nodded fervently. "H-how d-did you know?" he asked a second later finally finding his voice.
"Ummm...Let's say I got a little help from a friend." Harry said a bit uncomfortably. "Ah, read the first page," he added as Sirius took the first book out of the book.
Sirius's eyes glanced over the first page as his eyes lit up. "Harry, you shouldn't have...I mean wow!" Sirius said at a loss for words.
"Yeah, I know! I guess first editions are hard to come by, huh?"
"First editions, Jesus, Harry you didn't have to do this. It's my job to spoil you not the other way around." Sirius said, holding the book as if it was his own newborn child.
"I wish it was more."
Sirius shot him a look, "Harry, do you know how hard first editions are to find?"
"Ummm...it wasn't really that hard to find." Harry said trying to get off the subject.
Sirius laughed, "If you consider wasn't really as near impossible."
"Sirius... it really was easy when you know somebody like Hermione," Harry said before clamping a hand over his mouth.
Sirius laughed again, "So, you have connections? Wish I had them."
"Really? But you didn't have to get me anything. I mean..."Harry trailed off and turned his head so Sirius wouldn't see.
He felt arm go around his shoulder.
"Sirius...Look at me now. I just went and ruined the first happy Christmas we've both had in a long time." Harry said trying to wipe his eyes.
Sirius smiled softly, gently stroking Harry's cheek. "You haven't ruined anything, Emeralds."
"Emeralds?" Harry said blankly.
"Just a nickname I had for you Harry. Or I could always call you shorty." Sirius said with a smile.
Harry looked up at his godfather, "A nickname? Really?"
"Why not? It's high time you had one." Sirius said looking at his godson. "Just a special one between us; and you can include Moony if you like," he added.
Harry grinned, "I remembered hearing it once, when I was younger."
Sirius's smile turned a little sad. "I always called you it."
"I like it, Siri," Harry whispered.
"Good. Just do me one favor?" Sirius asked as Harry looked up at him with questioning eyes. "Now that I'm free please never, ever call me Snuffles again okay? Makes me sound like an elephant with a cold," he added smiling down at his godson as he took Harry back into the hug
Harry nodded, "I'll just call you Snufflelubogous."
"A what?" Sirius asked puzzled.
"Never saw Sesame Street?" Harry asked.
Sirius's face remained blank.
"Never mind, then."
"Wait a minute, it that the one with the green guy in the trash can?" Sirius said, as if remembering something from very long ago.
"Yes Sirius. That's the one and the 6 foot yellow bird." Harry said nodding his head.
"Oh, sometimes I saw it when I was babysitting you, kiddo."
"It must have driven you crazy. I mean Dudley watched it till he was 10. "Harry said surprised. "Wait mum and dad had a T.V.? I thought wizarding households didn't have one. The Weasleys don't," he added
"Let's just say there were some things Lily didn't want to forget from the Muggle world," Sirius smirked. "And it knocked you out, by the way."
"Knocked me out huh?" Harry said a bit surprised
"Put you to sleep, usually on my chest."
"Really? You must have been very comfortable." Harry said with a grin.
"Your favorite pillow!"
"Did you baby-sit me a lot?" he asked as an afterthought.
Sirius nodded, slightly, wondering if he shouldn't have brought up the subject.
"What did all of you do?" Harry asked playing with one of the discarded present ribbons. "For a living I mean."
Sirius remained silent, laying his head a top of Harry's.
"I'm sorry Sirius; I shouldn't have brought it up." Harry said putting his arms around his godfather.
"Hmm?" Sirius asked, acting as if he had gotten a sudden case of amnesia.
"Sirius," Harry said softly.
"Yes?"
Harry moved his hands to goose Sirius in the ribs playfully.
"Hey! What was that for?" Sirius demanded.
"It was getting to tense in here," Harry said innocently starting to back away from his godfather.
"Oh, now you're gonna get it, Harry!" Sirius grinned and lunged at Harry.
"Siri...."Harry never got to finish his sentence as his godfather launched a tickle attack on him.
Within a few seconds both of them were laughing their heads off.
"Stop . . . please...Sirius I have to go" Harry said panting for breath. But he was still laughing to hard to get up.
Sirius helped him to his feet. "Feel like breaking in that new Snitch when you get back?"
"Definitely," Harry said taking off like the wind upstairs to the boys' dorm.
A few minutes he returned with the Firebolt over his shoulder, fantastically polished as usual.
"Do you have a broom to fly on?" Harry asked coming down.
"Of course," Sirius held out a hand and a broom came zooming into the room.
"Great! Race ya to the pitch, "Harry said darting out of the room with his Firebolt and practice snitch in hand.
"Hey, come back here you!" Sirius shout taking off after him.
"Catch me if you can," Harry yelled back to his godfather as he was half way down the hall.
By the time Sirius had caught up to him they were already at the pitch.
"Beat you!" Harry said triumphantly while breathing hard.
Sirius shrugged, before asking, "Are you all right?"
"Yeah...just not used to running all the way here, especially in the dead of winter," Harry said finally getting his breath back.
This didn't stop Sirius from feeling his forehead.
"_Sirius_, I'm fine really, "Harry protested but knew it was a lost cause. So he didn't bother, he simply mounted his broom and took off before Sirius could fuss anymore.
"Harry, get back here!" Sirius said. Reluctantly he mounted his broom if the boy was ill he'd know soon enough.
When he came level with Harry, he fixed his godson with a hard stare.
"Did that prove to you that I was okay?" Harry said as he lifted the box with the practice snitch out of his pocket.
Nodding, Sirius suddenly became very interesting in a spot on his broom.
"Sirius, are you ready? By the way nice pink color on your face there," Harry said as he got ready to release the snitch.
Sirius's smile became competitive, "Just release it runt."
"I resent that, "Harry said as he released the golden snitch. It fluttered a moment around both their heads and disappeared.
Before Sirius had realized it, Harry had zoomed half way down the field, leaving him in the dust.
~*~
Several hours later Harry and Sirius re-entered the castle, sweaty and tired.
"That was great Sirius! This is one of the best present I ever got," Harry said, gesturing to the snitch. "The other two being the Firebolt and the most important one was your freedom," Harry said this all in a rush. He was glad it was cold because he had just blushed after blurting it out.
"You really love that broom huh?" Sirius said, brushing some snow from his hair.
"Yeah, but I like you better."
Sirius ruffled Harry's wind blown hair. "It's almost dinner time you know."
"Yeah, I just want to get a shower and change," Harry said. "See you in a bit at the hall?" he asked as he headed towards the stairwell.
"Sure!" Sirius called to him before muttering something in Elven.
This made Harry stop. "Er, Sirius?"
"Yes Harry?" Sirius asked looking at his godson.
"Who is the Runes professor anyway?"
"Why do you ask?" Sirius asked obviously wondering why his godson would think of now to ask that question.
"Just curious."
"Oh," Sirius said before shuddering. "Trust me Harry you don't want to- -"
"Siiiriiiuuusss? Is that your charming voice I hear?" a high-pitch voice rang through the corridor.
"Oh shit," mumbled Sirius under his breath before saying. "Yes, Clarabell, it's me!"
"Clarabell?" Harry sniggered. "Is this a bad joke?" he added trying to control his laughter.
"Shh," Sirius snapped as the most outlandish person Harry had ever seen came into view.
She was very tall. Almost as tall as Sirius, perhaps a hair or two shorter. She was as thin as a broomstick, and with her long, loosely jointed limb and long hooked nose resembled a crane. She wore robes of bright purple with shocking pink trim. Around her neck was a long, fluffy, crimson boa with matched her hair perfectly. On her feet, instead of the common half-heel worn by most female professors, were a pair of neon orange, six inch stiletto heels. To top it off she wore a pair of gold glasses with rhinestones in the shape of hieroglyphics.
"What is that?" Harry whispered to his godfather shocked by what he saw
Sirius elbowed him hard in the ribs, while saying, "Merry Christmas Clarabell."
"And a merry, happy, wonderful, joyful Christmas to you as well," piped Clarabell before her cat like yellow eyes landed on Harry. "And who do we have here?"
At that moment Harry became like a small child trying to hide from the monster, and ducked behind his godfather.
Sirius smiled forcefully, but he couldn't hide the note of pride in his voice, "This is my godson, Harry." He tugged Harry in front of him. "Harry, this is Professor Clarabell Mot the Runes professor."
"Nicetomeetyou," Harry said as quickly as possible for he was afraid he'd bust out laughing.
"Well Sirius, isn't he a charming, handsome, adorable, and . . ."
"Sirius...I'll see you later. I just remembered something I had to do," Harry said and was off in a flash.
"You know Clarabell he's absolutely right, we're both sweaty and very tired. So I'm going to take a shower and see you later," Sirius said backing up slowly. "So, adios, au revoir, wiedersehen, ta-ta-ta, so long, farewell, and bye-bye!" With that he shot up the staircase and out of sight.
At the top of the staircase Sirius saw his godson sitting on the floor there. His head was on his knees. "Harry? Are you all right?" he asked coming to a stop in front of his godson.
Harry shook his head.
"What's the matter?" Sirius asked suddenly concerned.
"That was such a shocking thing to see I think my heart stopped." Harry said with a grin.
"Get up you runt," Sirius said, holding his hand out to help Harry up.
Harry just stared at Sirius.
"Runt? I am not a runt I'm just vertically challenged." Harry said matter of factly, taking the pre-offered hand.
Sirius pulled him up and slung a sweaty arm around an equally sweaty shoulder. "And now you know why I said don't ask."
"No kidding." Harry answered. Then he thought of something. "So Sirius, are there wedding bells in your future?" he asked mockingly
"Don't you even joke about that Harry James Potter."
"What?" Harry asked, with mock innocents.
"I think you're so tired that it's starting to effect your brain, or maybe it's the sweat." Sirius sniffed loudly.
"Hey, you don't smell like a garden of roses either. But I am tired," Harry admitted. "Maybe tired enough to skip dinner."
"A shower will wake you up, use mine, it's better than the dorm ones," Sirius said, leading them toward what Harry had dubbed the "teacher district".
"Er, Sirius, I don't have anything to change into." Harry said.
"I'll get some of your stuff while you're showering."
"Thanks Snuffles."
"No problem," Sirius said as the wolf rose letting them in. "Go ahead, I'll go get your stuff. Wash up."
"Okay!" He entered the room to see Lupin sitting in one of the armchairs. "Hi Professor Lupin," Harry said, before going into the bathroom and closing the door.
"Hi Harry," Remus said as he heard the water start running.
When Harry left the shower, a towel wrapped firmly around his waist, and found a stack of clothes on the hamper.
"So Harry, have a fun time with Sirius today?" Remus asked looking at him.
"What?" Harry asked, coming out of the bathroom.
"It seems you've met Sirius's stalker."
"Don't you dare," Sirius's voice boomed from another room.
"Oh what's wrong Padfoot? Afraid she's set her eyes on you?" Remus said with a smile.
Sirius stomped into the room, his hair dripping wet. "She has, she bugs me all conference period."
"Nice wet look Sirius," Harry said with a smile.
Sirius ignored him, turning to Remus, "If you tell him anything Moony I'll strangle you."
"Relax Padfoot. I haven't said anything," Remus said with a marauder smile. "Yet."
Sirius glared at his friend, "Let's keep it that way."
"If you don't whine about being Pitch Black again I'll keep my lips sealed." Remus bargained
"That's impossible," Sirius groaned.
"Exactly, if Harry doesn't find out from us. He'll eventually find out from the normal gossip of the school" Remus countered
"Harry, let's go before Remus says something he might regret," Sirius said, grabbing Harry's arm.
"Umm Sirius I need to get dressed first." Harry said blushing.
"Bedroom."
"Yes sir." Harry said running in. "See you later Remus" he said going out of sight.
"Not if I have anything to do with it!" shouted Sirius.
"Cut from the same cloth" Remus said chuckling to himself.
~*~
Several minutes later Harry and Sirius were walking down to the Hall. Harry was pumping his godfather relentlessly for information.
"Oh, come on Siri . . . Please tell me about her...Isn't it better I find out from you then from my friends and peers?"Harry tried.
"Sorry Harry, I have this deaf ear, it comes and goes you know."
"Maybe I should try shouting in the good one then." Harry mused.
"It's happens to both. Never telling when either, old age ya know."
"You're not _that_ old." Harry said
Sirius gave him a small smile, "Yeah I am, thirty-six! Almost as old as Dumbledore."
"Nah!"
Harry said, "You're not allowed to be old yet. You have to keep up with me."
"I know," Sirius smiled, but there was a sad note in his voice.
"Sirius, don't worry. Believe me you'll have kids one day and forget about me, "Harry said hopefully getting his godfather to talk. He knew he might get a yelling at but he'd take his chances
"No Bertie Botts every flavored bean way! I have one already and he's all I want."
"Aw shucks...but really don't you want kids someday?"
"Nope, I've got you," Sirius said, ruffling Harry's hair.
"But I'm damaged goods!"
"You're my damaged goods then, and I like it that way," Sirius said firmly. "Mind you're already giving me grey hair."
"That's what Five Minutes for Men is for," Harry said brightly.
Sirius slapped him lightly upside the head.
"Hey!" Harry cried indignantly. "I have enough brain damage."
"Huh?" Sirius said blankly.
"Oh look, here's the Great Hall," Harry said before Sirius could open his mouth again. But for some reason Sirius's eyes had gotten very large, and then he heard it. The unmistakable clunking sounds that very high heels made when walking on stone. The sound was coming quickly toward them.
Without hesitation, Harry ducked into the Hall, leaving his godfather to fend for himself.
"Er, hi Clarabell fancy meeting you . . . here," Sirius said as the Runes professor approached.
"Hello Sirius, have a dinner companion?" Mot asked.
"Er, well I was going to eat with Harry, but I'm sure we'd love another."
"Well that would be wonderful, peachy keen . . ." she said as she hooked his arm with hers as they walked in.
Harry nearly burst out laughing at the look Sirius had on his face when they entered the Hall. He had never seen somebody looking so horrified and disgusted at the same time.
"Nice to see you again Professor," Harry said trying not to laugh. "Nice bracelet Sirius," Harry added in a whisper to his godfather.
Sirius opened his mouth to say something but Mot cut him off. "Sirius, you have such a charming, polite, sweet godson."
"I know," Sirius said weakly. "Er, so Clarabell how was your day? Peaceful I hope."
"I wish I could say yes," she said sadly. "But it was not. Would you like me to tell you about it?"
"Well--," Harry began but was cut off.
"I was dodging spells, crossing blazing deserts, jumping over bottomless pits, avoiding Death Eaters, solving puzzling puzzles, running horribly long and meaningless errands, being subjected to terribly Christmas carols, and baking cookies . . . ah, cookies."
"All in one day," gasped Sirius. "You must be joking."
"No, and wouldn't it be stupendous if I wasn't?"
"Sirius, are you sure she's not off her rocker?" Harry hissed in his godfather's ear.
"We haven't gotten the test results back yet," he hissed back as she dug her lime green nails into his arm.
Harry muffled a giggle, and followed Sirius and Mot up to the high table. Even though so few people were there the golden plates and silverware were out and glittering the candlelight. Harry looked down table after claiming a seat next to Sirius. Dumbledore was in the middle of the table wearing evergreen robes with snow white trim. McGonagall was next to him in cranberry robes. At the far end was Snape in usual black with a high collar.
"Hello Harry," a voice said on Harry's left side.
"Hi Professor Lupin," the boy said brightly.
"Hello _Sirius_," Lupin said a little louder than usual.
"Hi Moony," Sirius said, his voice dripping with sugary sweetness
Harry noticed a twinkle in his eye and Sirius was fingering his wand. The old Marauder spirit was back in the wildest one of the four.
"Could you pass the roast beast Sirius," Lupin said, spooning some beans onto his plate.
"Sure," Sirius passed Lupin the heavy platter of roast beast.
Lupin took it graciously, not noticing the twisted grin on his friend's face.
Harry watched curiously as Lupin doled a few slices of meat onto his plate, and chewed a piece thoughtfully. "This is quite good—"
BANG!
The chair that had only a few seconds ago seated Remus Lupin now seated a very tasty looking roast beast.
"My, what is fine looking piece of meat doing in Remmie's seat?" asked Mot, eying the roast.
"Funny you should say that," smirked Sirius as the roast just about quivered in fear. "You could say Moony liked the roast _so_ much, he wanted to become just like it."
Harry lost it at that point, and started cracking up.
"I don't see what's so funny Harry," Sirius said stiffly. "If I man wants to become a roast then I support that decision."
"You're right Sirius," Harry said gaining control over himself. "I'm so glad I have an un-biased person like you for a godfather."
"You should, amazing the kinds of people who are biased against people who want to grow up to be meat."
"Imagine that."
Mot shrugged, and picked up a steak knife, putting it to the roast.
"No!" Sirius said quickly. No matter had furious he was at Lupin for turning him into a hacky sack he didn't want him to lose a leg or hand or even . . . he shuddered.
"Why?" Mot asked, confused.
"Because, I'm a vegetarian," Harry said quickly, pushing the meat off of his plate.
"Oh! Oh yes!" Mot said quickly, putting the knife down. "Vegetarianism is a great, fantastic, healthy way to live."
"Yes, I'm sure it is," Sirius said tapping the roast beast with his wand. "Just like wanting to grow up to be meat, 'cept I was one for a time."
"Vegetarian or meat?" Harry asked as the roast beast morphed into Lupin.
"Vegetarian, Moony's the fine piece of meat, right Moons?"
"Yes Padfoot," Lupin said, brushing gravy off of his sleeves.
"You have mash potatoes in your hair, Professor," Harry observed.
Lupin brushed the potatoes out of his hair, hurriedly; glaring at Sirius.
The rest of the Christmas dinner past without incident, unless you count when Snape's skin turned green but no one noticed—besides certain people—until it was back to its normal pallid color.
When the candles light had died down and all of their stomachs were nice and full they were all beginning to feel warm and sleepy. Harry watched as Mot snaked her arms around Sirius's.
"Siri, how about a stroll, its lovely out," she purred, or tried to.
Sirius's eyes which had been drooping shot open, "Huh?"
She batted her heavily mascara eyes, making the purring noise again.
"I-I," Sirius faltered.
Harry gulped; he knew that Sirius—despite whatever impression he gave—he would never outright say "no" to a woman unless she was a Death Eater. "Er, Sirius," he said quietly. "I have something to tell you."
Sirius turned to his godson.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Remember when you tried to look at me before we played and I said I was okay?"
"Yes," Sirius said catching on, making his voice fill with concern.
"Well right now I think I'm gonna be sick," Harry said running from the hall.
"What was all that Sirius?" Mot asked, her voice all a twitter.
"You'll have to excuse me but I have to check on Harry. I think we overdid it today on the Quidditch pitch," Sirius said as he got up. "I'll take a rain check on that walk, okay Clarabell?" he finished rising from his chair to follow his godson.
"Why, of course children first," she said with a hint of disappointment.
"See you later," he said leaving the hall.
He hurried to the Gryffindor common room where Harry was bound to be.
Sirius scrambled through the portrait hole to see Harry sitting cross- legged next to the tree, not looking remotely sick.
"About time," Harry said, not looking up from the book he had in his lap.
Sirius frowned, "You try to get rid of Mot."
"I helped," Harry protested. "You'd be on a romantic evening stroll with her right now if it wasn't for me."
"True," Sirius chuckled. "I owe you kid."
"I'm will be reminding you of that periodically."
"I know," Sirius said with an exaggerated sigh before sitting down with his back propped up against the foot of one of the couches. In one swift motion he picked up the box in which the Lord of Rings was in. He took out the Fellowship of the Ring, and began to read.
Harry watched Sirius for a while; he could now see why Lupin had called him a bookworm. He had never seen anyone--besides Hermione that is-- seem so absorbed by a book. He scooted closer to his godfather, almost instinctively. Soon enough he was sitting next to Sirius, following along with him as he read. Once or twice he almost told Sirius not to turn the page but caught himself in time.
Sirius must have noticed because he started reading aloud.
Harry listened happily, allowing his head to rest against Sirius's shoulder and his eyes to close, imagining Frodo's adventures, being lulled to sleep by Sirius's steady, soothing voice.
Thank you to all my reviewers! You guys rock!
This chapter is fluff galore, and all I have to say is enjoy it while you can, but the story takes a dark turn very soon. You have been warned.
Major thanks to my betas: Essence of Magic, Immia, sweets, and Wolf of Solitude who beta-ed this chapter also. They have fantastic, dealing with all my off-topic-ness, and warp sense of humor and everything! Applaud them everybody! Right now! Thanks girls!
Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to sweets who helped immensely with this chapter. She co-wrote it with me, and if it wasn't for her I would still be writing it. I highly recommend her fics to everybody. If you like this then I sure you will like her story Unlikely Situations. It has a fantastic plot and a must for any Harry/Sirius, godfather/godson lover. Thanks sweets!
Disclaimer - This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. I own the plot and a few original things. Elven itself all belongs to the master himself J. R. R. Tolkien.
Chapter 9: A White—er, I Mean—Black Christmas
"So what are you and Professor Black doing for Christmas?" Longo asked as he and Harry walked home from the last Quidditch practice before the holidays, their shoes crunching in the newly fallen snow.
"Staying here, all the professors have too, school ordinance 22G," Harry said with a grin.
Longo's mouth made a small "o" shape.
"What are you doing?" Harry said, changing the subject.
"Going home, spending it with my Dad, I guess," Longo shrugged. "The Weasleys are going home right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Ginny," said the younger boy simply.
Harry nodded, "Hermione's going home too, and her parents want her home with the threat of Vol— You-Know-Who."
"I'm not afraid of Voldemort's true name," said Longo quickly. "It's stupid not to say it, really."
Harry nodded in agreement as they made their way through the castle doors.
"See ya, I guess," muttered Longo.
"Yeah, by the way if I don't see you after tomorrow Merry Christmas," said Harry as Longo headed off in the direction of the library.
"Merry Christmas to you too."
~~
The sun dawned bright on Christmas morning, making the newly fallen snow glisten like a thousand diamonds. All the professors were still snug in their beds with one exception.
"Sirius? Come on Sirius, wake up."
Sirius Black's subconscious was vaguely aware of somebody shaking him. Didn't this person know that he had been up late last night? Or how much his back still hurt from a rousing game of Pitch Black? And if he or she didn't, they ought to. He'd yell at them later.
"Siri?" the voice whispered, shaking him again.
Sirius turned toward the voice, for some reason he couldn't remember at that moment he loved that voice. And under normal circumstances he would awake in a second to see its owner's face, but then again a man does need his sleep.
He felt something rub up against his cheek, brushing up against the short stubble that had grown over night. He wrapped an arm around whomever it was waist, drawing the person close.
The person, perhaps a boy or a teenager, his mind was still too fogged with sleep to distinguish one from the other, cuddled closer.
"Sirius, you have to get up," the boy said, trying hard not to sound like he was whining. "And shave, your cheek is really scratchy."
Sirius laughed, finally realizing who it was, hugging his godson all the more. "What's with the wake up call?" he said his voice thick with sleep.
"I wanted you to get up," Harry said simply. "It _is_ Christmas and I thought that maybe, if you wanted to, I mean you don't _have_ to, it's just . . ."
"Just what?" his godfather asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes with one hand.
"I wanted to be with you," said Harry meekly, his eyes becoming especially large and innocent-looking.
Sirius smiled softly before laying his chin on top of Harry's head in a parental sort of way. "I'll be up in ten minutes."
"Ten minutes real time or ten minutes Sirius time?"
"Sirius time."
"Siiiriiiuuusss!" moaned Harry, tugging at Sirius's black t-shirt.
A slow, sly grin crossed Sirius's face then lunged at his godson, tickling him until he screamed for mercy.
"Ger off SNUFFLES!" shouted Harry, trying to push his larger and obviously stronger godfather off of him.
"Why should I?"
"Because I said so, and I'm the mighty Boy Who Lived!"
"And I am the mighty Dog of Doom!"
"So? What do you do? Guard Mount Doom or something?" Harry smirked.
Sirius shook his head dismissively before rolling off of Harry. He crawled back under the covers with every intent of going back to sleep. There was only one little problem, Harry. Who was flicking the back of his neck, repeatedly.
He growled loudly, batting away Harry's hand.
"Wake up!" was shouted in his ear after the hand finally stopped.
"No, go to beddy-by, Harrykins."
"No, Harrykins wants his godfather to get up."
Sirius couldn't help but grin, there was still some child-ness left in a boy who had to grow up much too fast.
Hauling himself up onto one elbow Sirius asked playfully, "Then why do you have to wait for me to open presents?"
Harry frowned, "I, er, well if you really want to sleep, I can go . . ."
Sirius smacked him playfully, "Of course not."
"You mean you're getting up?" Harry's eyes lit up, rubbing where Sirius had smacked him. "Seriously?"
"No, I'm kidding," Sirius said all thoughts of sleep forgotten with a roll of his eyes.
Grinning his head off, Harry hopped out of the bed, allowing Sirius to get up. "You know you don't have to Sirius, honestly you don't. I don't want to be a bother."
Ruffling his hair Sirius chided, "You? A bother? Never."
Harry ruffled Sirius's bed head hair in return.
"Is Remus up," asked Sirius.
"Nope, just us," Harry said, rummaging in the wardrobe drawers, presumably looking through Sirius's clothes.
"What are you looking for?"
"Clothes, aha! Something that isn't black!" Harry said, yanking out a baggy red t-shirt with the Gryffindor lion logo on the front. He tossed it to Sirius.
"I haven't worn this for decades though."
"You're only a hundred right?" Harry joked, pulling out a pair of black jeans.
"One hundred and four; get it right!" He replied with as much fake scorn as possible.
"Really, you don't look a day over one hundred and three."
"Thank you, dearie. You're ever so kind."
Harry rolled his eyes.
"All right, all right, get out while I get changed," Sirius said, jerking his thumb towards the door.
"You won't go back to sleep will you?"
"Now would I do a thing like that?"
"Yes!" shouted Harry while Sirius pushed him out of the room.
Several minutes later Sirius emerged wearing the shirt and jeans Harry had picked out, leaving his hair down. Although his manner was slightly sluggish, his eyes were bright and alert.
Harry looked him up and down; it was amazing to see Sirius wearing something that wasn't black, white, or navy.
Harry mumbled the password ("Dodecahedron") when they arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, who had added a sprig of holly to her dress, and she swung forward.
"Nice Holly," Sirius commented on his way inside.
"Always a flirt!" twittered the Fat Lady before the portrait swung closed.
Harry muttered, "Flirting with the Fat Lady Sirius?"
"Old habits die hard," Sirius said wistfully. A far off look took over his eyes.
Harry looked at him peculiarly, but said nothing.
"Whoa, the house elves must like you!" Sirius gasped in awe of the common room's Christmas decorations.
"It's never been this decorated before," Harry said while gaping.
Sirius, who was examining some of the presents said, "Some of these have my name, why?"
Harry raised an eyebrow, "What'd you expect? Turnips?"
"Well no but..."
"Yes?" Harry asked, curiously.
"I don't know; it's just still surprising."
"How come?"
Sirius just shrugged still staring at the many gifts.
"Weird godfather," Harry commented
"Thank you."
But his words were lost upon Harry who was sitting on the floor shaking his first present.
Sirius sat down next to him, watching curiously.
No sound came from inside.
"You know," Sirius pointed out, "Most people put silencing charms on their gifts for exactly that purpose."
Harry looked at him, surprised.
"What? You never heard of those?"
"Yes, but I didn't know that you could do that to gifts."
"You can do charms on almost anything, Harry."
Harry waited patiently.
Sirius waved briefly, telling him to go on with the unwrapping. He knew full well that Harry would wait until he was finished speaking. For some reason Harry found anything and everything he said fascinating.
Harry casually nudged a present toward Sirius, as if to say we're doing this together whether you like it or not.
Sirius started to protest, but at the look of determination in Harry's eyes his complaints promptly ceased.
They spent the next twenty minutes opening presents and joking like they had done this before. What was most surprising was when Sirius received a Weasley sweater, black of course.
"How did Mrs. Weasley know I liked the color black," Sirius asked looking at his sweater.
"Sirius," Harry said," Everybody knows you love black, even the Weasleys."
Sirius shrugged, "Can I help that the fact I look amazingly sexy in it?"
"Sure you do. You just think that."
Sirius shook his head, muttering, "I don't get any respect."
"I could have told you that!"
"_Especially_ not from my _godson_."
"Am I that bad?" Harry asked with an innocent look upon his face.
Sirius smiled softly, "Nah, anyway here." He handed Harry one of the last presents under the tree. It was quite small, and the wrapping paper was a simple shiny red.
As soon as Harry took it from Sirius, his godfather became very interested in his sweater. Slowly, Harry took off the wrapping paper, as soon as the wrapping fell away his breath caught in his chest.
He held in hands a small gold trimmed glass box that sparkled in the weak winter sunlight. Within the box was a bright, glittering, golden ball with pearly white wings, each feather was trimmed with silver. Scrawled across the top of the box in gold lettering was the Snitch's name: The Bullet.
"S-Sirius h-how? B-but i-it m-must h-have c-cost, o-oh . . ."
Sirius shrugged. "Christmas is only once a year right? So, I guess . . . whoa! Harry!" He laughed as Harry gave him a smothering hug, shouting, "Thank you!"
"Would I be correct in saying you like it?" Sirius asked, playfully.
"No."
Sirius's mouth almost dropped.
"I LOVE IT!" Harry's smile broadened as Sirius's expression went from astonished to practically beaming.
"I thought you would," he said modestly, simply enjoying of the feeling the happiness that was radiating from Harry.
"Do you think we could . . . you know . . . try it out? Later?" suggested Harry, batting his doe-like eyes.
"Of course, no need for the Bambi eyes Har'."
Harry nodded, and scrambled off his godfather.
Now there was only one present left under the tree, Harry pushed it toward Sirius.
Sirius raised his eyebrows at Harry, the boy seemed almost nervous. He picked up the gift, giving Harry a bright smile.
Slowly, Sirius unwrapped the square package, and opened the box. Once he had pulled back the tissue paper, his eyes grew to the size of Quaffles.
"Do you like it Sirius?" Harry asked a bit uncertainly.
Sirius, too numb to speak, nodded fervently. "H-how d-did you know?" he asked a second later finally finding his voice.
"Ummm...Let's say I got a little help from a friend." Harry said a bit uncomfortably. "Ah, read the first page," he added as Sirius took the first book out of the book.
Sirius's eyes glanced over the first page as his eyes lit up. "Harry, you shouldn't have...I mean wow!" Sirius said at a loss for words.
"Yeah, I know! I guess first editions are hard to come by, huh?"
"First editions, Jesus, Harry you didn't have to do this. It's my job to spoil you not the other way around." Sirius said, holding the book as if it was his own newborn child.
"I wish it was more."
Sirius shot him a look, "Harry, do you know how hard first editions are to find?"
"Ummm...it wasn't really that hard to find." Harry said trying to get off the subject.
Sirius laughed, "If you consider wasn't really as near impossible."
"Sirius... it really was easy when you know somebody like Hermione," Harry said before clamping a hand over his mouth.
Sirius laughed again, "So, you have connections? Wish I had them."
"Really? But you didn't have to get me anything. I mean..."Harry trailed off and turned his head so Sirius wouldn't see.
He felt arm go around his shoulder.
"Sirius...Look at me now. I just went and ruined the first happy Christmas we've both had in a long time." Harry said trying to wipe his eyes.
Sirius smiled softly, gently stroking Harry's cheek. "You haven't ruined anything, Emeralds."
"Emeralds?" Harry said blankly.
"Just a nickname I had for you Harry. Or I could always call you shorty." Sirius said with a smile.
Harry looked up at his godfather, "A nickname? Really?"
"Why not? It's high time you had one." Sirius said looking at his godson. "Just a special one between us; and you can include Moony if you like," he added.
Harry grinned, "I remembered hearing it once, when I was younger."
Sirius's smile turned a little sad. "I always called you it."
"I like it, Siri," Harry whispered.
"Good. Just do me one favor?" Sirius asked as Harry looked up at him with questioning eyes. "Now that I'm free please never, ever call me Snuffles again okay? Makes me sound like an elephant with a cold," he added smiling down at his godson as he took Harry back into the hug
Harry nodded, "I'll just call you Snufflelubogous."
"A what?" Sirius asked puzzled.
"Never saw Sesame Street?" Harry asked.
Sirius's face remained blank.
"Never mind, then."
"Wait a minute, it that the one with the green guy in the trash can?" Sirius said, as if remembering something from very long ago.
"Yes Sirius. That's the one and the 6 foot yellow bird." Harry said nodding his head.
"Oh, sometimes I saw it when I was babysitting you, kiddo."
"It must have driven you crazy. I mean Dudley watched it till he was 10. "Harry said surprised. "Wait mum and dad had a T.V.? I thought wizarding households didn't have one. The Weasleys don't," he added
"Let's just say there were some things Lily didn't want to forget from the Muggle world," Sirius smirked. "And it knocked you out, by the way."
"Knocked me out huh?" Harry said a bit surprised
"Put you to sleep, usually on my chest."
"Really? You must have been very comfortable." Harry said with a grin.
"Your favorite pillow!"
"Did you baby-sit me a lot?" he asked as an afterthought.
Sirius nodded, slightly, wondering if he shouldn't have brought up the subject.
"What did all of you do?" Harry asked playing with one of the discarded present ribbons. "For a living I mean."
Sirius remained silent, laying his head a top of Harry's.
"I'm sorry Sirius; I shouldn't have brought it up." Harry said putting his arms around his godfather.
"Hmm?" Sirius asked, acting as if he had gotten a sudden case of amnesia.
"Sirius," Harry said softly.
"Yes?"
Harry moved his hands to goose Sirius in the ribs playfully.
"Hey! What was that for?" Sirius demanded.
"It was getting to tense in here," Harry said innocently starting to back away from his godfather.
"Oh, now you're gonna get it, Harry!" Sirius grinned and lunged at Harry.
"Siri...."Harry never got to finish his sentence as his godfather launched a tickle attack on him.
Within a few seconds both of them were laughing their heads off.
"Stop . . . please...Sirius I have to go" Harry said panting for breath. But he was still laughing to hard to get up.
Sirius helped him to his feet. "Feel like breaking in that new Snitch when you get back?"
"Definitely," Harry said taking off like the wind upstairs to the boys' dorm.
A few minutes he returned with the Firebolt over his shoulder, fantastically polished as usual.
"Do you have a broom to fly on?" Harry asked coming down.
"Of course," Sirius held out a hand and a broom came zooming into the room.
"Great! Race ya to the pitch, "Harry said darting out of the room with his Firebolt and practice snitch in hand.
"Hey, come back here you!" Sirius shout taking off after him.
"Catch me if you can," Harry yelled back to his godfather as he was half way down the hall.
By the time Sirius had caught up to him they were already at the pitch.
"Beat you!" Harry said triumphantly while breathing hard.
Sirius shrugged, before asking, "Are you all right?"
"Yeah...just not used to running all the way here, especially in the dead of winter," Harry said finally getting his breath back.
This didn't stop Sirius from feeling his forehead.
"_Sirius_, I'm fine really, "Harry protested but knew it was a lost cause. So he didn't bother, he simply mounted his broom and took off before Sirius could fuss anymore.
"Harry, get back here!" Sirius said. Reluctantly he mounted his broom if the boy was ill he'd know soon enough.
When he came level with Harry, he fixed his godson with a hard stare.
"Did that prove to you that I was okay?" Harry said as he lifted the box with the practice snitch out of his pocket.
Nodding, Sirius suddenly became very interesting in a spot on his broom.
"Sirius, are you ready? By the way nice pink color on your face there," Harry said as he got ready to release the snitch.
Sirius's smile became competitive, "Just release it runt."
"I resent that, "Harry said as he released the golden snitch. It fluttered a moment around both their heads and disappeared.
Before Sirius had realized it, Harry had zoomed half way down the field, leaving him in the dust.
~*~
Several hours later Harry and Sirius re-entered the castle, sweaty and tired.
"That was great Sirius! This is one of the best present I ever got," Harry said, gesturing to the snitch. "The other two being the Firebolt and the most important one was your freedom," Harry said this all in a rush. He was glad it was cold because he had just blushed after blurting it out.
"You really love that broom huh?" Sirius said, brushing some snow from his hair.
"Yeah, but I like you better."
Sirius ruffled Harry's wind blown hair. "It's almost dinner time you know."
"Yeah, I just want to get a shower and change," Harry said. "See you in a bit at the hall?" he asked as he headed towards the stairwell.
"Sure!" Sirius called to him before muttering something in Elven.
This made Harry stop. "Er, Sirius?"
"Yes Harry?" Sirius asked looking at his godson.
"Who is the Runes professor anyway?"
"Why do you ask?" Sirius asked obviously wondering why his godson would think of now to ask that question.
"Just curious."
"Oh," Sirius said before shuddering. "Trust me Harry you don't want to- -"
"Siiiriiiuuusss? Is that your charming voice I hear?" a high-pitch voice rang through the corridor.
"Oh shit," mumbled Sirius under his breath before saying. "Yes, Clarabell, it's me!"
"Clarabell?" Harry sniggered. "Is this a bad joke?" he added trying to control his laughter.
"Shh," Sirius snapped as the most outlandish person Harry had ever seen came into view.
She was very tall. Almost as tall as Sirius, perhaps a hair or two shorter. She was as thin as a broomstick, and with her long, loosely jointed limb and long hooked nose resembled a crane. She wore robes of bright purple with shocking pink trim. Around her neck was a long, fluffy, crimson boa with matched her hair perfectly. On her feet, instead of the common half-heel worn by most female professors, were a pair of neon orange, six inch stiletto heels. To top it off she wore a pair of gold glasses with rhinestones in the shape of hieroglyphics.
"What is that?" Harry whispered to his godfather shocked by what he saw
Sirius elbowed him hard in the ribs, while saying, "Merry Christmas Clarabell."
"And a merry, happy, wonderful, joyful Christmas to you as well," piped Clarabell before her cat like yellow eyes landed on Harry. "And who do we have here?"
At that moment Harry became like a small child trying to hide from the monster, and ducked behind his godfather.
Sirius smiled forcefully, but he couldn't hide the note of pride in his voice, "This is my godson, Harry." He tugged Harry in front of him. "Harry, this is Professor Clarabell Mot the Runes professor."
"Nicetomeetyou," Harry said as quickly as possible for he was afraid he'd bust out laughing.
"Well Sirius, isn't he a charming, handsome, adorable, and . . ."
"Sirius...I'll see you later. I just remembered something I had to do," Harry said and was off in a flash.
"You know Clarabell he's absolutely right, we're both sweaty and very tired. So I'm going to take a shower and see you later," Sirius said backing up slowly. "So, adios, au revoir, wiedersehen, ta-ta-ta, so long, farewell, and bye-bye!" With that he shot up the staircase and out of sight.
At the top of the staircase Sirius saw his godson sitting on the floor there. His head was on his knees. "Harry? Are you all right?" he asked coming to a stop in front of his godson.
Harry shook his head.
"What's the matter?" Sirius asked suddenly concerned.
"That was such a shocking thing to see I think my heart stopped." Harry said with a grin.
"Get up you runt," Sirius said, holding his hand out to help Harry up.
Harry just stared at Sirius.
"Runt? I am not a runt I'm just vertically challenged." Harry said matter of factly, taking the pre-offered hand.
Sirius pulled him up and slung a sweaty arm around an equally sweaty shoulder. "And now you know why I said don't ask."
"No kidding." Harry answered. Then he thought of something. "So Sirius, are there wedding bells in your future?" he asked mockingly
"Don't you even joke about that Harry James Potter."
"What?" Harry asked, with mock innocents.
"I think you're so tired that it's starting to effect your brain, or maybe it's the sweat." Sirius sniffed loudly.
"Hey, you don't smell like a garden of roses either. But I am tired," Harry admitted. "Maybe tired enough to skip dinner."
"A shower will wake you up, use mine, it's better than the dorm ones," Sirius said, leading them toward what Harry had dubbed the "teacher district".
"Er, Sirius, I don't have anything to change into." Harry said.
"I'll get some of your stuff while you're showering."
"Thanks Snuffles."
"No problem," Sirius said as the wolf rose letting them in. "Go ahead, I'll go get your stuff. Wash up."
"Okay!" He entered the room to see Lupin sitting in one of the armchairs. "Hi Professor Lupin," Harry said, before going into the bathroom and closing the door.
"Hi Harry," Remus said as he heard the water start running.
When Harry left the shower, a towel wrapped firmly around his waist, and found a stack of clothes on the hamper.
"So Harry, have a fun time with Sirius today?" Remus asked looking at him.
"What?" Harry asked, coming out of the bathroom.
"It seems you've met Sirius's stalker."
"Don't you dare," Sirius's voice boomed from another room.
"Oh what's wrong Padfoot? Afraid she's set her eyes on you?" Remus said with a smile.
Sirius stomped into the room, his hair dripping wet. "She has, she bugs me all conference period."
"Nice wet look Sirius," Harry said with a smile.
Sirius ignored him, turning to Remus, "If you tell him anything Moony I'll strangle you."
"Relax Padfoot. I haven't said anything," Remus said with a marauder smile. "Yet."
Sirius glared at his friend, "Let's keep it that way."
"If you don't whine about being Pitch Black again I'll keep my lips sealed." Remus bargained
"That's impossible," Sirius groaned.
"Exactly, if Harry doesn't find out from us. He'll eventually find out from the normal gossip of the school" Remus countered
"Harry, let's go before Remus says something he might regret," Sirius said, grabbing Harry's arm.
"Umm Sirius I need to get dressed first." Harry said blushing.
"Bedroom."
"Yes sir." Harry said running in. "See you later Remus" he said going out of sight.
"Not if I have anything to do with it!" shouted Sirius.
"Cut from the same cloth" Remus said chuckling to himself.
~*~
Several minutes later Harry and Sirius were walking down to the Hall. Harry was pumping his godfather relentlessly for information.
"Oh, come on Siri . . . Please tell me about her...Isn't it better I find out from you then from my friends and peers?"Harry tried.
"Sorry Harry, I have this deaf ear, it comes and goes you know."
"Maybe I should try shouting in the good one then." Harry mused.
"It's happens to both. Never telling when either, old age ya know."
"You're not _that_ old." Harry said
Sirius gave him a small smile, "Yeah I am, thirty-six! Almost as old as Dumbledore."
"Nah!"
Harry said, "You're not allowed to be old yet. You have to keep up with me."
"I know," Sirius smiled, but there was a sad note in his voice.
"Sirius, don't worry. Believe me you'll have kids one day and forget about me, "Harry said hopefully getting his godfather to talk. He knew he might get a yelling at but he'd take his chances
"No Bertie Botts every flavored bean way! I have one already and he's all I want."
"Aw shucks...but really don't you want kids someday?"
"Nope, I've got you," Sirius said, ruffling Harry's hair.
"But I'm damaged goods!"
"You're my damaged goods then, and I like it that way," Sirius said firmly. "Mind you're already giving me grey hair."
"That's what Five Minutes for Men is for," Harry said brightly.
Sirius slapped him lightly upside the head.
"Hey!" Harry cried indignantly. "I have enough brain damage."
"Huh?" Sirius said blankly.
"Oh look, here's the Great Hall," Harry said before Sirius could open his mouth again. But for some reason Sirius's eyes had gotten very large, and then he heard it. The unmistakable clunking sounds that very high heels made when walking on stone. The sound was coming quickly toward them.
Without hesitation, Harry ducked into the Hall, leaving his godfather to fend for himself.
"Er, hi Clarabell fancy meeting you . . . here," Sirius said as the Runes professor approached.
"Hello Sirius, have a dinner companion?" Mot asked.
"Er, well I was going to eat with Harry, but I'm sure we'd love another."
"Well that would be wonderful, peachy keen . . ." she said as she hooked his arm with hers as they walked in.
Harry nearly burst out laughing at the look Sirius had on his face when they entered the Hall. He had never seen somebody looking so horrified and disgusted at the same time.
"Nice to see you again Professor," Harry said trying not to laugh. "Nice bracelet Sirius," Harry added in a whisper to his godfather.
Sirius opened his mouth to say something but Mot cut him off. "Sirius, you have such a charming, polite, sweet godson."
"I know," Sirius said weakly. "Er, so Clarabell how was your day? Peaceful I hope."
"I wish I could say yes," she said sadly. "But it was not. Would you like me to tell you about it?"
"Well--," Harry began but was cut off.
"I was dodging spells, crossing blazing deserts, jumping over bottomless pits, avoiding Death Eaters, solving puzzling puzzles, running horribly long and meaningless errands, being subjected to terribly Christmas carols, and baking cookies . . . ah, cookies."
"All in one day," gasped Sirius. "You must be joking."
"No, and wouldn't it be stupendous if I wasn't?"
"Sirius, are you sure she's not off her rocker?" Harry hissed in his godfather's ear.
"We haven't gotten the test results back yet," he hissed back as she dug her lime green nails into his arm.
Harry muffled a giggle, and followed Sirius and Mot up to the high table. Even though so few people were there the golden plates and silverware were out and glittering the candlelight. Harry looked down table after claiming a seat next to Sirius. Dumbledore was in the middle of the table wearing evergreen robes with snow white trim. McGonagall was next to him in cranberry robes. At the far end was Snape in usual black with a high collar.
"Hello Harry," a voice said on Harry's left side.
"Hi Professor Lupin," the boy said brightly.
"Hello _Sirius_," Lupin said a little louder than usual.
"Hi Moony," Sirius said, his voice dripping with sugary sweetness
Harry noticed a twinkle in his eye and Sirius was fingering his wand. The old Marauder spirit was back in the wildest one of the four.
"Could you pass the roast beast Sirius," Lupin said, spooning some beans onto his plate.
"Sure," Sirius passed Lupin the heavy platter of roast beast.
Lupin took it graciously, not noticing the twisted grin on his friend's face.
Harry watched curiously as Lupin doled a few slices of meat onto his plate, and chewed a piece thoughtfully. "This is quite good—"
BANG!
The chair that had only a few seconds ago seated Remus Lupin now seated a very tasty looking roast beast.
"My, what is fine looking piece of meat doing in Remmie's seat?" asked Mot, eying the roast.
"Funny you should say that," smirked Sirius as the roast just about quivered in fear. "You could say Moony liked the roast _so_ much, he wanted to become just like it."
Harry lost it at that point, and started cracking up.
"I don't see what's so funny Harry," Sirius said stiffly. "If I man wants to become a roast then I support that decision."
"You're right Sirius," Harry said gaining control over himself. "I'm so glad I have an un-biased person like you for a godfather."
"You should, amazing the kinds of people who are biased against people who want to grow up to be meat."
"Imagine that."
Mot shrugged, and picked up a steak knife, putting it to the roast.
"No!" Sirius said quickly. No matter had furious he was at Lupin for turning him into a hacky sack he didn't want him to lose a leg or hand or even . . . he shuddered.
"Why?" Mot asked, confused.
"Because, I'm a vegetarian," Harry said quickly, pushing the meat off of his plate.
"Oh! Oh yes!" Mot said quickly, putting the knife down. "Vegetarianism is a great, fantastic, healthy way to live."
"Yes, I'm sure it is," Sirius said tapping the roast beast with his wand. "Just like wanting to grow up to be meat, 'cept I was one for a time."
"Vegetarian or meat?" Harry asked as the roast beast morphed into Lupin.
"Vegetarian, Moony's the fine piece of meat, right Moons?"
"Yes Padfoot," Lupin said, brushing gravy off of his sleeves.
"You have mash potatoes in your hair, Professor," Harry observed.
Lupin brushed the potatoes out of his hair, hurriedly; glaring at Sirius.
The rest of the Christmas dinner past without incident, unless you count when Snape's skin turned green but no one noticed—besides certain people—until it was back to its normal pallid color.
When the candles light had died down and all of their stomachs were nice and full they were all beginning to feel warm and sleepy. Harry watched as Mot snaked her arms around Sirius's.
"Siri, how about a stroll, its lovely out," she purred, or tried to.
Sirius's eyes which had been drooping shot open, "Huh?"
She batted her heavily mascara eyes, making the purring noise again.
"I-I," Sirius faltered.
Harry gulped; he knew that Sirius—despite whatever impression he gave—he would never outright say "no" to a woman unless she was a Death Eater. "Er, Sirius," he said quietly. "I have something to tell you."
Sirius turned to his godson.
"What is it?" he asked.
"Remember when you tried to look at me before we played and I said I was okay?"
"Yes," Sirius said catching on, making his voice fill with concern.
"Well right now I think I'm gonna be sick," Harry said running from the hall.
"What was all that Sirius?" Mot asked, her voice all a twitter.
"You'll have to excuse me but I have to check on Harry. I think we overdid it today on the Quidditch pitch," Sirius said as he got up. "I'll take a rain check on that walk, okay Clarabell?" he finished rising from his chair to follow his godson.
"Why, of course children first," she said with a hint of disappointment.
"See you later," he said leaving the hall.
He hurried to the Gryffindor common room where Harry was bound to be.
Sirius scrambled through the portrait hole to see Harry sitting cross- legged next to the tree, not looking remotely sick.
"About time," Harry said, not looking up from the book he had in his lap.
Sirius frowned, "You try to get rid of Mot."
"I helped," Harry protested. "You'd be on a romantic evening stroll with her right now if it wasn't for me."
"True," Sirius chuckled. "I owe you kid."
"I'm will be reminding you of that periodically."
"I know," Sirius said with an exaggerated sigh before sitting down with his back propped up against the foot of one of the couches. In one swift motion he picked up the box in which the Lord of Rings was in. He took out the Fellowship of the Ring, and began to read.
Harry watched Sirius for a while; he could now see why Lupin had called him a bookworm. He had never seen anyone--besides Hermione that is-- seem so absorbed by a book. He scooted closer to his godfather, almost instinctively. Soon enough he was sitting next to Sirius, following along with him as he read. Once or twice he almost told Sirius not to turn the page but caught himself in time.
Sirius must have noticed because he started reading aloud.
Harry listened happily, allowing his head to rest against Sirius's shoulder and his eyes to close, imagining Frodo's adventures, being lulled to sleep by Sirius's steady, soothing voice.
