I'm back! I'm sorry I have been away. I was sick for two weeks and that movie called Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King came out. Yeah, I've seen it three times already, and looking to go for a lot more. I'm a big LoTR fan! So yeah I've been ignoring this fanfic for my RoTK PC game and the movies. I'm sorry. I give you though a long chapter, 10 pages! I hope you enjoy it! I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters, J.K. Rowling does!!!

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"Now where would three young Gryffindors, and one Ravenclaw be going when I believe," Uncle Alphard took out a large pocket watch out of his pocket and examined it, "there is a Christmas feast going on. And a fine one if I remember correctly."

"Ask your grand-nephew," Andromeda looked at Sirius, "he and his friends did something to the feast."

"Trouble makers?"

"Just giving people a laugh," Sirius shrugged.

"But see, we were going up to Gryffindor Tower, for our own Christmas feast. The house elves should have everything ready by now," James stepped up next to Sirius.

"Will you join us?" Sirius looked at his uncle.

"Well I don't know," Uncle Alphard looked skeptical. "Will it be as good as the Hogwarts Christmas feasts which I miss?"

"It will be better," Sirius smiled.

"Then young Gryffindors, please lead the way," Uncle Alphard put out one hand and Andromeda took it.

"The boys have not the patience to walk slowly," Andromeda laughed. "Go make sure everything is ready!" She yelled to the backs of the Gryffindors as they were already running and approaching the stairs.

"Do you think one of us should go down to the kitchens and ask for another plate?" Remus asked the other two.

"No, the house elves always know! Everyone has ears around this place, they know he's joining us."

"Just like at home, if someone came unexpectedly, and you were eating, there would be another plate but no one would have gotten up," Sirius told Remus.

"I've never had a house elf at my house."

"Want one? We have some real devils at my house," Sirius offered.

"I'm thinking that everything at your house is the devil," James laughed.

Sirius stopped climbing the stairs. "Everything?"

James turned back to look at Sirius, "Yes everything."

"Even me?"

"You are the worst of all of them," James smirked jokingly.

"Um. Well it is good to know that you know something," Sirius joked back and pushed James as he continued up the stairs.

"One day Sirius, people will hear your name and shake! All our pranks and jokes will come to their minds, we will be feared!"

"We will always be remembered!" Sirius added.

"We will be greatest mischief makers this school has ever seen," James continued.

"Mischief makers," Sirius repeated.

"That's a good name," Remus said quietly.

"We aren't troublemakers… we are mischief makers," Sirius started to nod his head.

"Mischief makers for life," James grinned.

"We need a true name, but for now mischief makers isn't bad," Sirius looked at the other two. "Mischief makers we are. Always."

"Bravery," James called to the Fat Lady. "Hey Remus, would you mind waiting for the other two?"

"Not at all," Remus sat down next to the Fat Lady. "Don't eat all the food." He called to James and Sirius as they entered.


When they entered Gryffindor Tower, they were pleased to see that their table had been set up, and now there was an extra chair and plate. Food appeared at that moment and the two boys looked up and down the table to make sure everything was there.

"Prefect. Our own little feast."

"And this one is edible." Sirius laughed.

"Wish they would hurry up, I'm starving," James sank down into a chair.

"Me too."

The two boys had to wait ten minutes for the common room door to open. It seemed Andromeda and Uncle Alphard had taken their sweet time, both were talking merrily about something and neither was out of breath.

"Thank Merlin for warming charms," Sirius said as they all sat down.

"My this does look good," Uncle Alphard who sat next to Sirius patted his arm. "Wanted to make your first Christmas at Hogwarts special?"

"Just wanted some peace from teachers," James laughed.

"I'm sorry Uncle, I didn't introduce my friends. Uncle Alphard, this is James Potter, and that's Remus Lupin. James, Remus this is my Uncle Alphard, he is one I wrote to."

"It's nice to meet you sir," James extended his hand across the table.

"And you young Potter. What's your father's name?"

"Henry."

"And his father is Patrick Potter?"

"Yes."

"I served with him in the War," Uncle Alphard nodded his head. "Fine gentleman, powerful wizard."

"He is sir," James agreed.

"We sometimes worked in a team, headed by your Headmaster."

"I thought he taught though," Andromeda asked her uncle.

"He did, but a wizard such as Albus could not stay in the school. He participated in many battles. He would show up and half of Grindelwald's supporters would flee. He is the most powerful wizard of our age."

"Though I believe when I showed up, it was always with two gentlemen," a voice said from the common room door.

"Professor Dumbledore," James looked up.

"Ah now I see why you four ran out of the Hall so quickly," Dumbledore looked at their feast.

"Have you had any luck with the feast?" Sirius asked eagerly.


"Alas no," Dumbledore's eyes stayed on Sirius who couldn't help but grin.

"Come and join us then Albus," Uncle Alphard waved him over.

Sirius and James looked at each other. They both knew that this Christmas feast was just about to get more interesting.

"If it is alright with you boys I will," Dumbledore looked at the Gryffindors.

"Of course sir," James nodded.

Dumbledore conjured a chair for himself and as he sat down next to Uncle Alphard a plate and silverware appeared.

"Very prompt house elves here," Dumbledore smiled. "I actually was here to punish you boys, but if you don't say anything to your Head of House, then you letting me eat with you makes us even."

James and Sirius grinned.

"I thought it was igneous and of course you have my compliments on your charming ability," Dumbledore started to pile food on his plate and everyone else continued eating.

"Thank you sir," the three Gryffindors thanked him.

"May we beg you for a story Professor," Andromeda asked. "About the war and Uncle Alphard?"

Dumbledore smiled at Andromeda, "Of course you may. Has he ever told you the time when we were on a raid and he fouled the whole thing up? The occupants of the house we were at had been at eating and the food was still on the table. Your Uncle got hungry, and left his post to eat. He was seen of course, and nearly captured."

"Ack, thank you for bringing that one up, I was young and foolish."

"Your appetite hasn't changed though," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in his direction.

"Tell us sir," Sirius asked eagerly. "What happened?"

Dumbledore told them the story about how he and Patrick Potter had to save Uncle Alphard when he had been feasting and ten of Grindelward's men had come up behind him and caught him with his wand down. During the story, Uncle Alphard kept his eyes looking at his plate and his head kept shaking.

Sirius, James, Remus and Andromeda listened intently. They had never heard stories of the War, and were all interested about fighting.

"Of course I have some good ones about you Albus, and age wasn't a factor with you," Uncle Alphard said triumphedly when Dumbledore was finished.

"Compared to now I was young then," Dumbledore smiled.

"How about the time-"

"I'm sure the children have heard enough stories today," Dumbledore cut him off. "Have you opened presents?"

The Gryffindors exchanged looks. Sirius would press Uncle Alphard for this story later.

They ate for about another hour, when they finished eating, everything was cleared and the desserts appeared. All taking deep breaths, they dug in again and ate what they could.

"Sirius, may I have a word?" Uncle Alphard asked when they were finished with dessert.

"Of course Uncle," Sirius got up.


"How about you lead me to your dorm?" Uncle Alphard suggested.

James glanced at Sirius who made no motion. He looked at his Uncle and went up to the dorm. He could feel the eyes of everyone on him.

In the first year dorm Sirius turned to his Uncle, "What's wrong?"

"All that talk about war and growing up made me think of you," Uncle Alphard told him. "What are you going to do with the rest of your life?"

Sirius was taken back by the question. He had never considered what he was going to do, it seemed so far away. "I don't know."

"You have to know soon."

"Why?" Sirius questioned.

"You are a Black in Gryffindor. They aren't going to be supportive of that. When you return to Grimmauld Place this summer, they will show their displeasure toward you. They will show their hate, their dislike, and their malice. They will threaten you with everything, every form of torture they can, you are not very popular right now."

Sirius took a step back; "I don't want any support from them. I don't want anything to do with them."

"But you need them."

"I don't need them! I don't need anyone!"

"Who will feed you, clothe you, or buy your books? If you don't need them then where will you stay? You need them; you need their funding until you graduate. Are you prepared to go through with this?"

"I'm happy in Gryffindor, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Just leave me alone! You are just like them! I'll live, I'll survive, I have friends."

"And if they punish you in ways only Blacks can think of?"

"I'm stronger than them. I'm not afraid."

"You should be."

"Well I'm NOT!" Sirius roared. He looked at his Uncle, and a change was obvious. His eyes were more threatening and he gripped his walking stick firmly. "Just leave me alone! I thought you were different, but you aren't! I'm a Gryffindor, and I'm not like them! I don't want anything to do with them!"

There was silence. Sirius had retreated to the far end of the room, and Uncle Alphard stood in the middle staring at Sirius. And then, after about five minutes Uncle Alphard started to laugh. He grinned and approached Sirius who took a step backwards hitting the wall behind him.

"I'm sorry Sirius, I had to do that," he spoke softly again. He casted his eyes down for a moment and then back at Sirius. "You are right, you are different from them. Blacks have no courage, yet you stood up to me." He stopped and thought a moment. "Um, I speak the truth though, but if you are prepared to go through with this, then I will do everything I can to help."

"There's no going back," Sirius shook his head.

"You could renounce your ways. There are many ways to go back Sirius. You just have to say the right things and act the way you use to."

"Act stupid, ignorant?"

"Yes that is how they like their children. The Blacks are famous for blinding their children, and by the time they figure out life its too late, or some never figure it out. Most Blacks are not leaders, but followers." Uncle Alphard sighed. "I will help you though, you must listen to though. They will not disown you, you are the Heir, and to disown the Heir looks bad for the family. If you keep your cool, keep your temper in control then you will remain in the family. Even now, they will be waiting for the chance to disown you, but you must make that move. If you walk out of that house, if you disown them, they will disown you. Becoming a Gryffindor was the first step, they are waiting for the final one."

"I don't want to be in the family though," Sirius shook his head.

"Sirius, you need to be though. For your own life, for your future, just stay."

"Then I will be committing myself to hell."

"Yes, but it will make you stronger in the end, and you might come out of it with the Black gold."

"I don't want anything from them."

"What about your future then? You don't have money." Uncle Alphard told him.

"I have friends."

"No, you need to be independent Sirius. Just stay calm, tolerate the situation and remember the times you have here. I am old Sirius, I am dying, I can feel it in my bones. I do hope there is something left that I can do for you."

"You're not dying." Sirius told him.

"Yes Sirius, I am not as old as Albus but well let us not be concerned with my health on Christmas."

There was a knock on the door, and Andromeda stuck her head in, "Presents?"

Uncle Alphard smiled and looked up, "Of course, run along Sirius."

Sirius bolted from the room. Andromeda looked between Sirius' retreating figure to her great uncle. "What was the conversation about?"

Uncle Alphard's eyes though were on the door that Sirius had gone through. He didn't answer right away, "He's a strong boy."

"Yes he is."

"I believe he will do something good in this world," Uncle Alphard nodded.

"What did you talk about?"

"The future, his future."

There was silence in the room.

"I do believe he will be all right," Uncle Alphard looked at Andromeda. "As long as he stays with his friends."

"He will, I've never seen a tighter bond than what those four have. Sirius and James especially though."

"A Black and Potter friends. Amazing. Such power."

"Come on Uncle, everyone else is waiting," Andromeda coaxed him.

"Yes, yes," Uncle Alphard nodded again. "The bonds of friendship can indeed go far."