Hey sorry for the delay here's another chapter. I hope you like it.
Nothing you recognize is mine. Sorry about the first post I will rty this
again.
~Stormie
"What you reading?" Sydney asked.
"The Merchant of Venice," Lily replied.
"What's it about?" James asked.
"Well it's about a guy, Antonio who lends his friend Bassiano some money but in order to do it he has to take out a bond or a loan. The man Shylock who he borrows from said if he can't pay it back he gets one pound of flesh. Well Antiono gives it to Bassiano thinking his ships with goods will come back and he will pay. Bassiano takes the money and goes to win the girl of is dreams Portia. He has to pick with one of three caskets has her picture in it. Each casket has an inscription. He finally picks the right one. Antiono's ships doesn't come in but they get him off the hook," Lily explained. "Sounds complicated," Sirius said.
"Shakespeare, right," Remus said it as more of a statement than a question.
"Yep, Remi, Shakespeare. But I thought he was a muggle," Lily told him.
"Nope he was a wizard. Where do you think he got all of his inspiration? He had a muse." Sydney explained.
"That's so cool. So he just published his work in the muggle world?" Lily asked.
"Yes. Why do you think the Globe Theater burned down?" Remus asked.
"A lit match?" Lily guessed.
"No, it was a wizard who started the fire. He wanted to get at Shakespeare for conversing with muggles. The wizard was like Malfoy a lot with his views." Sydney answered.
"That's horrible. I hope one day they rebuild the Globe Theater." Lily said.
James had been listening to the whole conversation but not saying anything. Finally he said something. "Lily can I borrow that book after you are done?" he asked.
"Wow James reading the greatest writer of all time." Lily said.
"I've read his stuff before." James defended himself.
"Like what?" Sydney asked.
"Macbeth," James said.
"Prove it," Lily told him.
"Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." James repeated to Lily with an old lady's cackling voice.
"Anything else?" Lily questioned.
"Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One: two: why, then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow'r to accompt? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?" James answered with an actor's pose.
"Wow you're good. I believe you now, you're good." Lily told him.
"Well I am a Potter," he said grinning.
"What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet" Lily looked at James and smiled.
Remus said, "You knew she was going to try to out do you."
James smiled, "Romeo and Juliet."
Lily and James went back and forth having their quote war. Everyone else in the compartment was looking in astonishment. Who knew that two eleven year olds would know so many quotes from old masters.
Lily finally stumped James by reciting Edgar Allen Poe's Annabelle Lee:
It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea; But we loved with a love that was more than love- I and my Annabel Lee; With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven Coveted her and me. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsman came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulcher In this kingdom by the sea. The angels, not half so happy in heaven, Went envying her and me Yes! that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we Of many far wiser than we And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee. For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride, In the sepulcher there by the sea, In her tomb by the sounding sea.
After Lily was done James told her, "That was really good. I can't top that right now but watch out, you're going down."
Lily smiled, "You just try."
"Can I borrow some of your books?" James asked.
"Take anything you want as long as you don't ruin them," Lily told him.
"Yea you better watch it. I almost set my drink on the cover of one of her books and she freaked out, and the book had a cover over it." Sydney said. Everyone laughed at this.
"So what? I like my books to stay nice and clean. There's nothing wrong with that." She stuck her tongue out at them.
"You know I think she has put charms on her books like the library." Sydney stated, everyone looked at Lily.
"What if I did?" she asked defensively.
"Once I was reading her book and fell asleep reading it and it bit my nose." When Sydney finished, everyone started laughing.
"Really?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Sydney replied.
"Well I don't want anyone drooling on my books,"Lily supplied. "I guess I will be careful," James said.
They finally reached the station. They helped each other unload their trunks and all walked out of the barrier together. They then split up and said goodbye to each other. Lily found her parents and Sydney, Sirius, James and Remus went over together. Lily's dad picked her up and hugged her.
"Hello I'm glad you could come and stay with us. First off there has been a change in plans." The kids looked at each other. "Don't worry, its nothing bad. First we are going to the Leaky Cauldron and Sirius and Remus you are flooing home and getting anything you need. Then go back to Diagon Alley. We are staying there an extra day incase you need to buy any last Christmas presents." After he was finished everyone was jumping up and down.
As they were pushing their carts to the car, Lily and Sydney were talking. "I know my book didn't bite your nose," Lily said.
"I know but look at it this way, James will be extra careful with them."
"I guess so. Plus now I could put some charms on them and have some fun," Lily grinned mischievously.
"Yea, you could make it every time Sirius touches it he gets shocked. We could see how long it takes him to figure out." They were both laughing at this.
"What's so funny?" Sirius asked innocently. Sydney and Lily needed their carts to support them they were laughing so hard.
When they got to the Leaky Cauldron they said goodbye to Sirius, Remus and James who were going together to get the things they needed. Lily and Sydney took their trunks to their rooms grabbed some money and went shopping.
First Lily and Sydney headed to Zonks.
"What do you think we should get the guys?" Lily asked.
"They just came out with a new item. I think its called 'simple pranks with the biggest results'. It's a book and kit. Maybe we should get that," Sydney suggested.
"That's a good idea the only thing is they will most likely pull them on us," Lily said.
"Oh well we can read the book first."
"Great idea but do you want to buy it together? It is kind of expensive." And when something is kind of expensive to Lily, that means its really expensive.
"Ok kill two birds with one stone." They paid for the presents and walked out.
On the way to their next stop Lily had an idea. "You know maybe we should write our own prank book. Put all of our greatest in it maybe sell it one day."
"That's thinking but what if the guys get it?" Sydney asked.
"You forgot about the charms that can be put on books. Anyway they wouldn't want to reuse a prank, that means they couldn't think of their own."
"To true. We could call it the most daring derivations of the delightful due-o." They both smiled.
"Do you even know what derivations mean?" Lily asked.
"No," Sydney smiled.
"You're getting to be as bad as Sirius." They both started laughing.
The girls finally finished their shopping and returned to the Leaky Cauldron.
Now stop rewind and freeze. We are with the guys as they arrive Remus's house.
"Hello mum? Grandma?" Remus called as he walked into the house.
No one answered.
"Look here," James found a piece of paper and handed it to Remus who read it.
Dear Remus,
Sorry we are not home to great you. How was your term at school? I suppose you did well right? Your grandmother and me had to run to your aunt's house. There was a fiasco happening as usual. Now remember be good at the Evans's residency and don't make too big a mess. Merry Christmas. Sorry we will not see you. Have a good time.
Love, Mum. After reading the note Sirius and James were mocking Remus. They were mimicking his mother's voice and saying lines of the note they thought were corny. Remus finally got everything packed in spite of the other two and they left to go to Sirius's home. When they arrived it was quite unlike Remus's house. In fact as soon as they walked in the room a little boy who also had black hair attacked them. Running after this kid was a girl a few years older than them. When she saw them they were all on the ground in a pile because she was unable to stop. They were all trying to get up at the same time, which wasn't working.
The girl finally gave up. "Sorry, but I can't move," she said.
"Neither can I," a little voice came from underneath them.
"Hold on. I will get up then James will get up then Sirius will get up and so on," Remus said.
There were a few "Okay"s. Remus managed to get off the pile then helped James. The girl got up next instead because Sirius had caught the little boy.
"Thank you," the girl exclaimed. "I have been chasing him to make him go get dressed, but he wouldn't listen."
"No problem. Orion listen to Cathleen and go get dressed." The little boy stormed off.
"Thank you. You're the only one he listens to. Probably because he wants to grow up and be just like you," Cathleen said.
"You make it sound like a bad thing," Sirius joked.
"Whatever. Before your mom left she told me to tell you and I quote 'be a good little boy and no dung bombs in the house. Also she didn't want to hear that you had not behaved yourself and if the house is not standing by the time you leave you will be in serious (don't you dare say anything) trouble.' I didn't add that last part." When Cathleen finished the other two were rolling on the floor laughing.
"It's not that funny. Anyway we better hurry up. You want to get the girls Christmas presents don't you?" this got Remus and James up. "I thought so. Cathleen if Orion doesn't listen tell him I will keep his Christmas present for myself." Sirius looked around the corner where his brother had been spying.
"Ok you know your brother gets the wildest notions in his head. He was going on about how you like me and I couldn't catch the rest he was talking too fast." Cathleen smiled and Sirius had began to blush.
"Well we'll be in my room." And they ran up stairs laughing.
When they got to Sirius's room they were laughing.
"So does Sirius like the babysitter?" James asked.
"No, yes, no. I don't know." Sirius was stuttering. James and Remus were laughing.
"You always wanted an older woman," Remus put in.
"Yea I mean how old is Cathleen 16, 17?" James asked.
Sirius didn't answer, he just started throwing clothes into a bag. When they finally stopped James just had one last thing to say. "So you now know how I felt when you teased me about Lily."
Quickly Remus changed subject. "What are you getting the girls for Christmas?"
"I don't know. Any ideas?" Sirius asked.
'I don't know, but what I get Lily will be really good." James was off thinking.
"Oh no, here he goes again." Sirius commented.
They were all quiet thinking about what they would get the girls.
Jokingly Sirius suggested, "We could give them Orion."
James laughed. "Could you see him under the tree with a bow around his neck like a dog?" They all laughed.
"How old is he anyways?" Remus asked.
"I don't know, let me think for a sec. Um.. he's four." Sirius finally answered.
"He's four and already acts like you. That's sad." James muttered.
'You know, I bet he would love to hear about the Marauders," Remus commented.
"Oh oh I know what I'm going to get Lily! I know I know. I'm so brilliant it will be perfect," James suddenly burst out.
'What are you going to get her?' Sirius asked.
"I'm not telling I want everyone to be surprised. It will be so unique." James trailed.
"What ever it is I am sure she will like it," Remus confirmed.
Sirius was finally packed and they went back to the Leaky Cauldron. When they arrived they bumped into Lily and Sydney.
"What took you so long?" Sydney asked.
"I know how long can it take to pack some clothes?" Lily asked.
"This comes from the two who had to charm their trunks to fit all their clothes in," James teased.
"Hey it's not our fault we have fashion sense." Lily retorted.
They were walking up stairs while saying this. Lily stopped, "That's your room," Sydney said.
Sirius tried the door. "It isn't open," he said.
"Of course not," Lily said.
James looked at them slyly. "Why not?" he asked.
"You haven't checked in," Sydney said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Why didn't you tell us this before we came all the way up here?" Remus asked.
''You didn't ask silly." Lily and Sydney ran to their room laughing. The guys were at their heels.
They quickly took out the prank kits they had bought and the wrapping paper, which had Santa Clauses and elves walking around on them. Lily also took out another present she had gotten for James. It was a picture of her and James at the Halloween ball laughing. The frame was silver with green and blue interweaved into Celtic design. When everything was wrapped Lily and Sydney headed over to the boys' room. When they knocked none answered.
'Wonder where they are," Lily commented.
"Who knows? You want to go hang out at the café? They turn the ice cream shop into one every winter but still keep the ice cream?" Sydney asked.
"Aite (all right) that's pretty cool. Let's go, maybe they have some hot chocolate," Lily agreed.
"I'm going to grab my book" Sydney started to their room.
"I can help you with French if you want," Lily offered.
"Yea ok, when do we start?" Sydney was jumping up and down.
"Let me grab a book." Lily ran to the room threw some clothes around and grabbed her book. As an after thought she grabbed a pen and paper. Lily went back to Sydney and they headed to the café. When they got there they ordered then went and sat by the fire.
"First you need to learn the sounds." Lily wrote down letters and went over the sounds. Sydney was a natural they then went to basics.
James and Sirius sitting on them interrupted Lily and Sydney 3 hours later. They immediately tried to jump up but were stuck.
"Hey!" they both yelled, "get off!"
"Sorry but you wouldn't pay attention to us," James whined
"We have been trying to get your attention for a while," Sirius put in.
"How long?" Lily asked.
Remus looked at his watch. "15 minutes," he said.
"Wow we didn't hear you," Sydney replied.
"We noticed," Sirius pouted.
"Sorry. What can we do to make it up?" Lily asked.
The guys thought for a moment then they formed a huddle and conferred. Lily and Sydney heard a lot of whispers. Finally they turned around. James as their spokesman said, "We want ice cream."
"But it's freezing outside," Lily pointed out.
"We don't care! We want ice cream," Sirius said.
"Ok," Sydney said.
The guys jumped up and down with glee. Well actually it was only James and Sirius who did the jumping. They went up to the counter and ordered the extra grande sundae. It had 6 scoops of different flavors. Then on top you could put chocolate, caramel or butterscotch syrup, whip cream, cherries and marshmallows. The boys got everything. They could have eaten all of it but the due-o thought they needed some help. They were having spoon fights to get a bite but it was worth it.
After they were done pigging out they broke up. Lily and James went off and Sydney went with Sirius and Remus. Lily and James were walking by a jewelry shop when Lily came up with a great idea. She was going to get Sydney a charm bracelet for Christmas. Lily dragged James into the shop and walked up to the counter.
"Excuse me, miss, I was wondering if you sold charm bracelets?" Lily asked politely.
The lady smiled. "Yes we do right over here. It there any particular type you want?"
Lily thought, "Do you have any simple silver ones?"
"Yes we do these right here." The lady pointed to a case in front of her.
Lily looked through them and picked out one. "This is perfect. Also do you have charms?" The lady led her to another case. Lily picked out one that said best friends. She paid and walked out of the store with James.
Lily and James walked around until James finally found a present for Sydney. They were in Florish and Botts and Lily decided that James should get Sydney a book in French or something along that line.
"James, what about this?" Lily asked.
"What is it?" he questioned.
"Um a book," Lily teased.
"I know that but what type of book?" he shot back.
"Now, now don't get mad. Its fairy tales," Lily explained.
"Why would Sydney want them?" James questioned.
"Its in French," Lily explained.
"I say again why would Sydney want that?"
"Possibly because I am teaching her French." Lily pointed out like it was obvious.
''Oh that would be a good reason. Here hand it to me."
"Through this in also. It's a dictionary. Just in case."
James paid for the books and walked out of the store. Now that they had their presents for Sydney they could hang out and just walk around till they had to meet back up. They walked around for a while but got cold so they went in the Leaky Cauldron. They ordered two butterbeers and went up to Lily's room. She actually had some to sit on her bed so they talked you a long time. At first they didn't even notice the others enter the room but Sirius could not keep quiet so he jumped on the bed.
"What the heck?" Lily jumped up. James knew who it was but went along. "Oh, no, we're being invaded."
Lily had put the full body bind on Sirius like he was a burglar. Sydney and Remus were laughing.
"Come on, Willy. Wet me out," came Sirius's mumbled plea.
"What the heck were you doing jumping on my bed?" she asked.
"Having fun,'' Sirius replied.
"Nope, wrong answer. You're going to sit there until you come up with the right one." Everyone laughed and continued talking without Sirius.
Lily finally let Sirius go when they went down to eat dinner. He was jumping around with all the energy he hadn't burnt.
"Sirius, sit down," Sydney told him.
"I can't, I have to move," he replied skipping around.
"That's just wrong," James put in.
"Why are you trying to annoy us?" Lily questioned.
"No, when you put me under the body bind you upset my energy balance. Now I have way to much energy and have to move," Sirius informed them like they should have know.
Lily smiled. "Note to self, next time charm Sirius so he is running in place. Uses up energy and will make him tired."
James smiled. "You know, you don't tell them stuff like that, they only use it against you."
"You know I would feel bad for anyone who got on their bad side let alone be their enemy like Snape and Malfoy are ours. They would go crazy in days," Remus hypothesized.
"Somebody once said 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' I don't quite know what it means by close but it makes since," Lily told them.
"So you mean I have to become friends with Snape and Malfoy?" Sirius asked confused.
"No." Sydney told him. "You know Sirius. It's one thing for people to think you're an idiot but another to open your mouth and prove it." Sirius went to open his mouth. "Don't say anything, just think about what I said."
Sirius had a perplexed look on his face. "Don't even try to think about it, you might fry what brain cells you have left," Lily told him.
After they were done eating they went to their rooms and talked until they were yelled at to go to sleep. The next day they left for Lily's house. The ride was interesting, Lily and Sydney kept sending spells at the guys. They had to duck or move out of the way. After a while they found out that the guys even if they did not move all the way the spell would ricochet off if Lily and Sydney used their wands but would hit them if they used their powers.
~Stormie
"What you reading?" Sydney asked.
"The Merchant of Venice," Lily replied.
"What's it about?" James asked.
"Well it's about a guy, Antonio who lends his friend Bassiano some money but in order to do it he has to take out a bond or a loan. The man Shylock who he borrows from said if he can't pay it back he gets one pound of flesh. Well Antiono gives it to Bassiano thinking his ships with goods will come back and he will pay. Bassiano takes the money and goes to win the girl of is dreams Portia. He has to pick with one of three caskets has her picture in it. Each casket has an inscription. He finally picks the right one. Antiono's ships doesn't come in but they get him off the hook," Lily explained. "Sounds complicated," Sirius said.
"Shakespeare, right," Remus said it as more of a statement than a question.
"Yep, Remi, Shakespeare. But I thought he was a muggle," Lily told him.
"Nope he was a wizard. Where do you think he got all of his inspiration? He had a muse." Sydney explained.
"That's so cool. So he just published his work in the muggle world?" Lily asked.
"Yes. Why do you think the Globe Theater burned down?" Remus asked.
"A lit match?" Lily guessed.
"No, it was a wizard who started the fire. He wanted to get at Shakespeare for conversing with muggles. The wizard was like Malfoy a lot with his views." Sydney answered.
"That's horrible. I hope one day they rebuild the Globe Theater." Lily said.
James had been listening to the whole conversation but not saying anything. Finally he said something. "Lily can I borrow that book after you are done?" he asked.
"Wow James reading the greatest writer of all time." Lily said.
"I've read his stuff before." James defended himself.
"Like what?" Sydney asked.
"Macbeth," James said.
"Prove it," Lily told him.
"Double, double, toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble." James repeated to Lily with an old lady's cackling voice.
"Anything else?" Lily questioned.
"Out, damned spot! Out, I say! One: two: why, then 'tis time to do't. Hell is murky. Fie, my lord, fie! A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our pow'r to accompt? Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?" James answered with an actor's pose.
"Wow you're good. I believe you now, you're good." Lily told him.
"Well I am a Potter," he said grinning.
"What is in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet" Lily looked at James and smiled.
Remus said, "You knew she was going to try to out do you."
James smiled, "Romeo and Juliet."
Lily and James went back and forth having their quote war. Everyone else in the compartment was looking in astonishment. Who knew that two eleven year olds would know so many quotes from old masters.
Lily finally stumped James by reciting Edgar Allen Poe's Annabelle Lee:
It was many and many a year ago, In a kingdom by the sea, That a maiden there lived whom you may know By the name of Annabel Lee; And this maiden she lived with no other thought Than to love and be loved by me. I was a child and she was a child, In this kingdom by the sea; But we loved with a love that was more than love- I and my Annabel Lee; With a love that the winged seraphs of heaven Coveted her and me. And this was the reason that, long ago, In this kingdom by the sea, A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling My beautiful Annabel Lee; So that her highborn kinsman came And bore her away from me, To shut her up in a sepulcher In this kingdom by the sea. The angels, not half so happy in heaven, Went envying her and me Yes! that was the reason (as all men know, In this kingdom by the sea) That the wind came out of the cloud by night, Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee. But our love it was stronger by far than the love Of those who were older than we Of many far wiser than we And neither the angels in heaven above, Nor the demons down under the sea, Can ever dissever my soul from the soul Of the beautiful Annabel Lee. For the moon never beams without bringing me dreams Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And the stars never rise but I feel the bright eyes Of the beautiful Annabel Lee; And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side Of my darling, my darling, my life and my bride, In the sepulcher there by the sea, In her tomb by the sounding sea.
After Lily was done James told her, "That was really good. I can't top that right now but watch out, you're going down."
Lily smiled, "You just try."
"Can I borrow some of your books?" James asked.
"Take anything you want as long as you don't ruin them," Lily told him.
"Yea you better watch it. I almost set my drink on the cover of one of her books and she freaked out, and the book had a cover over it." Sydney said. Everyone laughed at this.
"So what? I like my books to stay nice and clean. There's nothing wrong with that." She stuck her tongue out at them.
"You know I think she has put charms on her books like the library." Sydney stated, everyone looked at Lily.
"What if I did?" she asked defensively.
"Once I was reading her book and fell asleep reading it and it bit my nose." When Sydney finished, everyone started laughing.
"Really?" Sirius asked.
"Yes," Sydney replied.
"Well I don't want anyone drooling on my books,"Lily supplied. "I guess I will be careful," James said.
They finally reached the station. They helped each other unload their trunks and all walked out of the barrier together. They then split up and said goodbye to each other. Lily found her parents and Sydney, Sirius, James and Remus went over together. Lily's dad picked her up and hugged her.
"Hello I'm glad you could come and stay with us. First off there has been a change in plans." The kids looked at each other. "Don't worry, its nothing bad. First we are going to the Leaky Cauldron and Sirius and Remus you are flooing home and getting anything you need. Then go back to Diagon Alley. We are staying there an extra day incase you need to buy any last Christmas presents." After he was finished everyone was jumping up and down.
As they were pushing their carts to the car, Lily and Sydney were talking. "I know my book didn't bite your nose," Lily said.
"I know but look at it this way, James will be extra careful with them."
"I guess so. Plus now I could put some charms on them and have some fun," Lily grinned mischievously.
"Yea, you could make it every time Sirius touches it he gets shocked. We could see how long it takes him to figure out." They were both laughing at this.
"What's so funny?" Sirius asked innocently. Sydney and Lily needed their carts to support them they were laughing so hard.
When they got to the Leaky Cauldron they said goodbye to Sirius, Remus and James who were going together to get the things they needed. Lily and Sydney took their trunks to their rooms grabbed some money and went shopping.
First Lily and Sydney headed to Zonks.
"What do you think we should get the guys?" Lily asked.
"They just came out with a new item. I think its called 'simple pranks with the biggest results'. It's a book and kit. Maybe we should get that," Sydney suggested.
"That's a good idea the only thing is they will most likely pull them on us," Lily said.
"Oh well we can read the book first."
"Great idea but do you want to buy it together? It is kind of expensive." And when something is kind of expensive to Lily, that means its really expensive.
"Ok kill two birds with one stone." They paid for the presents and walked out.
On the way to their next stop Lily had an idea. "You know maybe we should write our own prank book. Put all of our greatest in it maybe sell it one day."
"That's thinking but what if the guys get it?" Sydney asked.
"You forgot about the charms that can be put on books. Anyway they wouldn't want to reuse a prank, that means they couldn't think of their own."
"To true. We could call it the most daring derivations of the delightful due-o." They both smiled.
"Do you even know what derivations mean?" Lily asked.
"No," Sydney smiled.
"You're getting to be as bad as Sirius." They both started laughing.
The girls finally finished their shopping and returned to the Leaky Cauldron.
Now stop rewind and freeze. We are with the guys as they arrive Remus's house.
"Hello mum? Grandma?" Remus called as he walked into the house.
No one answered.
"Look here," James found a piece of paper and handed it to Remus who read it.
Dear Remus,
Sorry we are not home to great you. How was your term at school? I suppose you did well right? Your grandmother and me had to run to your aunt's house. There was a fiasco happening as usual. Now remember be good at the Evans's residency and don't make too big a mess. Merry Christmas. Sorry we will not see you. Have a good time.
Love, Mum. After reading the note Sirius and James were mocking Remus. They were mimicking his mother's voice and saying lines of the note they thought were corny. Remus finally got everything packed in spite of the other two and they left to go to Sirius's home. When they arrived it was quite unlike Remus's house. In fact as soon as they walked in the room a little boy who also had black hair attacked them. Running after this kid was a girl a few years older than them. When she saw them they were all on the ground in a pile because she was unable to stop. They were all trying to get up at the same time, which wasn't working.
The girl finally gave up. "Sorry, but I can't move," she said.
"Neither can I," a little voice came from underneath them.
"Hold on. I will get up then James will get up then Sirius will get up and so on," Remus said.
There were a few "Okay"s. Remus managed to get off the pile then helped James. The girl got up next instead because Sirius had caught the little boy.
"Thank you," the girl exclaimed. "I have been chasing him to make him go get dressed, but he wouldn't listen."
"No problem. Orion listen to Cathleen and go get dressed." The little boy stormed off.
"Thank you. You're the only one he listens to. Probably because he wants to grow up and be just like you," Cathleen said.
"You make it sound like a bad thing," Sirius joked.
"Whatever. Before your mom left she told me to tell you and I quote 'be a good little boy and no dung bombs in the house. Also she didn't want to hear that you had not behaved yourself and if the house is not standing by the time you leave you will be in serious (don't you dare say anything) trouble.' I didn't add that last part." When Cathleen finished the other two were rolling on the floor laughing.
"It's not that funny. Anyway we better hurry up. You want to get the girls Christmas presents don't you?" this got Remus and James up. "I thought so. Cathleen if Orion doesn't listen tell him I will keep his Christmas present for myself." Sirius looked around the corner where his brother had been spying.
"Ok you know your brother gets the wildest notions in his head. He was going on about how you like me and I couldn't catch the rest he was talking too fast." Cathleen smiled and Sirius had began to blush.
"Well we'll be in my room." And they ran up stairs laughing.
When they got to Sirius's room they were laughing.
"So does Sirius like the babysitter?" James asked.
"No, yes, no. I don't know." Sirius was stuttering. James and Remus were laughing.
"You always wanted an older woman," Remus put in.
"Yea I mean how old is Cathleen 16, 17?" James asked.
Sirius didn't answer, he just started throwing clothes into a bag. When they finally stopped James just had one last thing to say. "So you now know how I felt when you teased me about Lily."
Quickly Remus changed subject. "What are you getting the girls for Christmas?"
"I don't know. Any ideas?" Sirius asked.
'I don't know, but what I get Lily will be really good." James was off thinking.
"Oh no, here he goes again." Sirius commented.
They were all quiet thinking about what they would get the girls.
Jokingly Sirius suggested, "We could give them Orion."
James laughed. "Could you see him under the tree with a bow around his neck like a dog?" They all laughed.
"How old is he anyways?" Remus asked.
"I don't know, let me think for a sec. Um.. he's four." Sirius finally answered.
"He's four and already acts like you. That's sad." James muttered.
'You know, I bet he would love to hear about the Marauders," Remus commented.
"Oh oh I know what I'm going to get Lily! I know I know. I'm so brilliant it will be perfect," James suddenly burst out.
'What are you going to get her?' Sirius asked.
"I'm not telling I want everyone to be surprised. It will be so unique." James trailed.
"What ever it is I am sure she will like it," Remus confirmed.
Sirius was finally packed and they went back to the Leaky Cauldron. When they arrived they bumped into Lily and Sydney.
"What took you so long?" Sydney asked.
"I know how long can it take to pack some clothes?" Lily asked.
"This comes from the two who had to charm their trunks to fit all their clothes in," James teased.
"Hey it's not our fault we have fashion sense." Lily retorted.
They were walking up stairs while saying this. Lily stopped, "That's your room," Sydney said.
Sirius tried the door. "It isn't open," he said.
"Of course not," Lily said.
James looked at them slyly. "Why not?" he asked.
"You haven't checked in," Sydney said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"Why didn't you tell us this before we came all the way up here?" Remus asked.
''You didn't ask silly." Lily and Sydney ran to their room laughing. The guys were at their heels.
They quickly took out the prank kits they had bought and the wrapping paper, which had Santa Clauses and elves walking around on them. Lily also took out another present she had gotten for James. It was a picture of her and James at the Halloween ball laughing. The frame was silver with green and blue interweaved into Celtic design. When everything was wrapped Lily and Sydney headed over to the boys' room. When they knocked none answered.
'Wonder where they are," Lily commented.
"Who knows? You want to go hang out at the café? They turn the ice cream shop into one every winter but still keep the ice cream?" Sydney asked.
"Aite (all right) that's pretty cool. Let's go, maybe they have some hot chocolate," Lily agreed.
"I'm going to grab my book" Sydney started to their room.
"I can help you with French if you want," Lily offered.
"Yea ok, when do we start?" Sydney was jumping up and down.
"Let me grab a book." Lily ran to the room threw some clothes around and grabbed her book. As an after thought she grabbed a pen and paper. Lily went back to Sydney and they headed to the café. When they got there they ordered then went and sat by the fire.
"First you need to learn the sounds." Lily wrote down letters and went over the sounds. Sydney was a natural they then went to basics.
James and Sirius sitting on them interrupted Lily and Sydney 3 hours later. They immediately tried to jump up but were stuck.
"Hey!" they both yelled, "get off!"
"Sorry but you wouldn't pay attention to us," James whined
"We have been trying to get your attention for a while," Sirius put in.
"How long?" Lily asked.
Remus looked at his watch. "15 minutes," he said.
"Wow we didn't hear you," Sydney replied.
"We noticed," Sirius pouted.
"Sorry. What can we do to make it up?" Lily asked.
The guys thought for a moment then they formed a huddle and conferred. Lily and Sydney heard a lot of whispers. Finally they turned around. James as their spokesman said, "We want ice cream."
"But it's freezing outside," Lily pointed out.
"We don't care! We want ice cream," Sirius said.
"Ok," Sydney said.
The guys jumped up and down with glee. Well actually it was only James and Sirius who did the jumping. They went up to the counter and ordered the extra grande sundae. It had 6 scoops of different flavors. Then on top you could put chocolate, caramel or butterscotch syrup, whip cream, cherries and marshmallows. The boys got everything. They could have eaten all of it but the due-o thought they needed some help. They were having spoon fights to get a bite but it was worth it.
After they were done pigging out they broke up. Lily and James went off and Sydney went with Sirius and Remus. Lily and James were walking by a jewelry shop when Lily came up with a great idea. She was going to get Sydney a charm bracelet for Christmas. Lily dragged James into the shop and walked up to the counter.
"Excuse me, miss, I was wondering if you sold charm bracelets?" Lily asked politely.
The lady smiled. "Yes we do right over here. It there any particular type you want?"
Lily thought, "Do you have any simple silver ones?"
"Yes we do these right here." The lady pointed to a case in front of her.
Lily looked through them and picked out one. "This is perfect. Also do you have charms?" The lady led her to another case. Lily picked out one that said best friends. She paid and walked out of the store with James.
Lily and James walked around until James finally found a present for Sydney. They were in Florish and Botts and Lily decided that James should get Sydney a book in French or something along that line.
"James, what about this?" Lily asked.
"What is it?" he questioned.
"Um a book," Lily teased.
"I know that but what type of book?" he shot back.
"Now, now don't get mad. Its fairy tales," Lily explained.
"Why would Sydney want them?" James questioned.
"Its in French," Lily explained.
"I say again why would Sydney want that?"
"Possibly because I am teaching her French." Lily pointed out like it was obvious.
''Oh that would be a good reason. Here hand it to me."
"Through this in also. It's a dictionary. Just in case."
James paid for the books and walked out of the store. Now that they had their presents for Sydney they could hang out and just walk around till they had to meet back up. They walked around for a while but got cold so they went in the Leaky Cauldron. They ordered two butterbeers and went up to Lily's room. She actually had some to sit on her bed so they talked you a long time. At first they didn't even notice the others enter the room but Sirius could not keep quiet so he jumped on the bed.
"What the heck?" Lily jumped up. James knew who it was but went along. "Oh, no, we're being invaded."
Lily had put the full body bind on Sirius like he was a burglar. Sydney and Remus were laughing.
"Come on, Willy. Wet me out," came Sirius's mumbled plea.
"What the heck were you doing jumping on my bed?" she asked.
"Having fun,'' Sirius replied.
"Nope, wrong answer. You're going to sit there until you come up with the right one." Everyone laughed and continued talking without Sirius.
Lily finally let Sirius go when they went down to eat dinner. He was jumping around with all the energy he hadn't burnt.
"Sirius, sit down," Sydney told him.
"I can't, I have to move," he replied skipping around.
"That's just wrong," James put in.
"Why are you trying to annoy us?" Lily questioned.
"No, when you put me under the body bind you upset my energy balance. Now I have way to much energy and have to move," Sirius informed them like they should have know.
Lily smiled. "Note to self, next time charm Sirius so he is running in place. Uses up energy and will make him tired."
James smiled. "You know, you don't tell them stuff like that, they only use it against you."
"You know I would feel bad for anyone who got on their bad side let alone be their enemy like Snape and Malfoy are ours. They would go crazy in days," Remus hypothesized.
"Somebody once said 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' I don't quite know what it means by close but it makes since," Lily told them.
"So you mean I have to become friends with Snape and Malfoy?" Sirius asked confused.
"No." Sydney told him. "You know Sirius. It's one thing for people to think you're an idiot but another to open your mouth and prove it." Sirius went to open his mouth. "Don't say anything, just think about what I said."
Sirius had a perplexed look on his face. "Don't even try to think about it, you might fry what brain cells you have left," Lily told him.
After they were done eating they went to their rooms and talked until they were yelled at to go to sleep. The next day they left for Lily's house. The ride was interesting, Lily and Sydney kept sending spells at the guys. They had to duck or move out of the way. After a while they found out that the guys even if they did not move all the way the spell would ricochet off if Lily and Sydney used their wands but would hit them if they used their powers.