Snow fell softly over the Scottish countryside. The term ended and trunks were dragged down to the Entrance Hall. Friends wished each other merry Christmas as they headed into separate carriages and left the school to go visit their families.
Up in the Gryffindor common room a fire burnt bright giving light to the darkened room. A small group of first years sat on comfy chairs each silent with their own thoughts, each wondering what this Christmas would be like. They had all decided it was best to stay behind so they could all attend the funeral of Lily's mother.
The first day passed quietly without anything happening, the group had come to a silent agreement where none spoke as they each did their Christmas homework. Morning came and the first of the unpleasant events of Christmas started with a visit from the Minister of Magic himself.
The group all went down to breakfast where to the surprise of Peter his father stood yelling at Dumbledore, he saw Dumbledore nod and Simon Pettigrew turned and meet eyes with his only son.
"What are you doing here, we have appointments to keep Peter, there is the Pure Ball in two days and you must be there."
Peter looked at the floor unable to speak. He could hear the mumbles of his friends as they moved towards the table to have breakfast. A hand landed on his shoulder and he meet eyes with Sirius as his father advanced.
"WHY DIDN'T YOU COME HOME PETER?"
He sniffed and then he heard Sirius speak up
"Sir, our friend's mother has passed away and we are to attend the funeral in a matter of days, it was decided it would be easier for us to stay, we are sorry for the worry we have caused you."
He heard his father mutter something and then turn to Dumbledore
"Is that true, a funeral?"
"Yes Simon it is true, Peter and the other first years ARE staying here for a funeral."
Peter looked up and saw the anger on his father's face, he knew that he would pay for this next time they were alone, after all he had just embarrassed his father in front of Dumbledore.
Simon stared around noting who was there before turning on his heel and storming off, Peter knew he had gone back to the Ministry, he may even have gone home and taken the frustration out on his wife.
Peter sniffed again as he took his seat on the table followed by Sirius. It was quiet for a few seconds before Branwen spoke.
"I can't believe you didn't tell your father you were staying Peter."
He looked down at his plate with a tear in his eyes as there was a mummer of agreement from around him, he wanted to go and hide until he felt a hand slide into his and a voice speak up.
"Leave Pete alone, he isn't the only one who didn't tell his parents."
The gasp that followed this caused the speaker to laugh uncontrollably.
"You…ha…should…ha…see…ha…your…ha…faces"
Before anyone could say anything an owl swept down on them dropping a red envelope in the middle of the table, each gasped when they saw it wondering who had received it. Nobody moved and still it burst open and a voice was heard over the hall
"SIRIUS BLACK HOW DARE YOU STAY BEHIND AT HOGWARTS AND NOT TELL US YOURSELF. A FUNERAL IS NOT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON YOU KNOW THAT THE PURE BALL IS IN TWO DAYS AND YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND. HOW ARE WE TO PICK YOUR BRIDE IF YOU ARE NOT THERE TO BE SEEN BY THE OTHER PARENTS"
A soft barking laughter could be heard under the noise as Amanda and Sirius shared a guilty look full of laughter, the voice of the howler soon changed
"AMANDA LYRA DIXON STOP LAUGHING THIS MINUTE, YOU ARE IN AS MUCH TROUBLE AS SIRIUS, NOW THAT YOUR SISTER IS GONE ALL ATTENTION FALLS TO YOU, HOW WILL YOU EVER GET A HUSBAND IF YOU DON'T ATTEND THE BALL, NO MAN WILL EVER WANT A WOMAN THAT DOESN'T KNOW HER PLACE."
Again the pair shared a look this time full of pleasure for the trouble they had caused, this was after all what they lived for. As one the two voices mixed as smoke rose from the letter
"YOU ARE BOTH IN MORE TROUBLE THAN YOU KNOW, YOU WILL BE PUNISHED WHEN YOU RETURN HOME FOR THE SUMMER."
Then the howler burst into flames and disappeared in front of them. Around the hall the few remaining people muttered about what they had heard, and Sirius and Amanda laughed even harder as Peter smiled up. He wasn't the only one to miss the ball, and he knew he was not alone when it came to the punishment he would have.
More days passed and the group became happy and excited, as Christmas grew nearer, each forgot about the awful events involving Peter, Amanda and Sirius as they became more excited, wrapping presents to family and each other.
It was with light hearts that they went to bed on Christmas Eve. They slept easily and as dawn broke the night each awoke to presents, and joy. They spent an enjoyable morning together showing off their presents and messing with what they had received.
As lunch grew closer they entered the Hall to find one large table set with many seats. The group sat together in the middle each laughing and singing as they went. Branwen smiled as Tad entered the room with Dumbledore lost in conversation.
She jumped from her seat and rugby tackled him into a hug, she heard the gasps from behind as he kissed her on the head, and she then turned and repeated this with Dumbledore. As they chose seats together, Branwen introduced her friends to Tad.
An excellent meal was served full of Turkey, potatoes (mashed, boiled and roasted) ten different types of vegetable, stuffing, sausages wrapped in bacon as well as Yorkshire puddings. The food was delicious and was even enough to fill both James and Sirius.
Crackers exploded overhead and the usual hats that everyone wore were replaced with entertaining ones that brought smiles to everyone's faces. Desert was squashed into the bellies of them all as they sat around the table each too full to move.
The students retired to their common rooms, leaving the professors alone to talk. Branwen sat by the fire looking into the flames when Tad joined them with her father and the headmaster himself.
The group of youngest sat around the adults listening to tales of their youth and adventures within the Hogwarts ground and the afternoon soon turned to evening. The youngsters were left to their own thoughts as the sunset and the night drew on.
The feelings of happiness began to slip as they realised with a start that in a matter of days they would be with Lily saying goodbye to her mother. It was with heavy hearts that each said goodnight and found themselves wrapped up in blankets sleeping another night away.