December
James shook the rattle in front of Harry. Chubby hands reached for it, grunting merrily. Lily chuckled as he grabbed it and shoved it into his mouth. They sat on the front room floor, Harry playing before them. Lily leaned against James, hugging him from the side. James draped an arm over her shoulder. He ran a hand through her thick, red hair. She kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, James, this is perfect." He looked up at the golden Christmas tree before them. Only one thing's missing.
There was a soft knock at the door. Lily jumped and looked at him. "Who could that be?" she asked. He shrugged and started to rise. "No. I'll get it." Damn. He stood behind her, picking up Harry as she crossed to the front door. She opened the door cautiously at first, then threw it open. "Sirius?" she rounded on James. "James Potter! Why?! Why did you give Sirius this address?!" She shouted, a murderous gleam in her green eyes. "Now we'll have to move again!"
"This is your home, Prongs?" Sirius asked, entering the warm house. "You promised to be good." He laughed as he removed his black, leather jacket.
"I was good. I am good. It's just . . . Well, its Christmas."
Lily gaped, "I don't believe you!" She glanced out into the dark, cold night. "And what is that?" she asked, pointing.
"What?" James asked, not daring to move towards her.
"That monstrosity in my front garden!"
Sirius looked out. "That's my bike," he said, smiling.
"Your bike?" Lily looked at James. He shrugged.
"I've brought presents," Sirius offered, holding out three large shiny boxes. Lily glared at him. He gave her the smile. She sighed after a minute and hugged him.
"Oh, Sirius. It wouldn't be Christmas without you. Come in. But, if Dumbledore makes us move again. . . You'd better help pack." She smiled up at him.
"Of course. Now," he edged past her and made his way over to the Christmas tree. "These are for you." He passed her a large red present, "Open it."
Lily sat on the carpet at his feet and opened hers first. She gasped, "No, Sirius. You didn't." Tears glistened in her eyes. "It's beautiful." She held up a shimmering green blouse. "I can't--"
"Just say 'thank-you'," he whispered, kneeling before her. She dropped the blouse back into the box and threw herself into his arms. He hugged her back.
"Thank-you," she whispered, crying quietly.
"Padfoot, that's beautiful," James said sitting beside them, setting Harry in his lap. He's shown me up! Oh well, she can open mine tomorrow. At least they're not the same color. Lily pulled away from him.
"I've been thinking how nice it would be to have something pretty and impractical," she said, wiping her cheeks. Man! You owe me big, Padfoot! "Here, she took Harry from him. "Go ahead, James, open yours." Sirius handed him the green-wrapped one.
James turned his over in his hands before tearing the wrapping paper off. Once the wrap was off and the box open, he looked up at Sirius. I don't believe it! He pulled out four miniature motorcycles. Sirius chuckled.
"What do they do?" he asked.
"Guess." He pulled out his wand and tapped them each in turn. Miniature engines buzzed to life and the bikes took off into the air. James and Harry laughed in unison.
"Just like yours!" James crowed. "Did you make them too?" He glanced at Lily, realizing what he'd just said. She was studying him closely but didn't say anything. Idiot! You just said you didn't know about Sirius' bike! Sirius nodded.
James pulled out his own wand, sucking on the tip as he thought. He watched the bikes. "There's a spell to control them?" he mumbled half to himself. With a shrug he commanded, "Accio, bikes!" pointing to each bike in turn. The four mini-bikes zoomed towards him. James caught them and set them in a neat row in front of him.
"That's cheating," Sirius pouted.
"I'm sure there's a wonderful spell to control them. I'll have it figured out by the end of the month. I just want to see what's in Harry's package."
Sirius handed the silver-wrapped box to Harry. "Here, mate," he said. The baby pulled the box to his mouth, tasting it. The three adults chuckled. He dropped the box and stared up at them, green eyes big with surprise. A huge grin split his face and he reached for Sirius.
Sirius plucked him from his mother and kissed his nose. "Whatcha smiling at? Huh? What?" he cooed. Harry grabbed a fistful of black hair. Sirius laughed as he shook the lock of hair. "Okay, troublemaker. Here." He wrestled his hair from the baby's chubby fist and sat him down with the box. "Now, watch," he said. He unwrapped the present for Harry.
Inside sat a large golden snitch. It was twice as large as Harry's fists. Sirius tapped it with his wand too. It rose from the box, trailing a silver cord ending in a soft cloth cuff.
"Is that what I think it is?" James asked. Two thick, silver wings unfurled and the toy snitch started lazily around the carpet, inches from the ground. Harry watched it intently.
"See," Sirius grabbed the cuff and slipped it around his wrist, tethering the snitch. "You can put it on anything, even Harry." He caught the snitch as it fluttered by and handed it to Harry. The baby laughed and tried to drop it but it hovered in front of him. His brows knitted together and he grabbed it again and tasted it.
"Thanks so much, Sirius," Lily said, beaming. "And now your present." She stood and went to retrieve it from the tree.
"It's not much," James added. She brought back a large, narrow box. Sirius took it gingerly and opened it slowly. He pulled out a photo album. He looked up at Lily and James. James smiled.
Sirius opened it to the first page. "Oh Prongs, Lily," he whispered. Harry's baby pictures adorned the pages. He slept and kicked, rolled over and laughed on every page. Tears welled up in Sirius' eyes. "He's so beautiful," he whispered. Then this I promise you, James and Lily. I will be here for your family. Until the day I die I will keep your family safe from everything and everyone. I know you will, Padfoot. James looked away from Sirius, ignoring him as he wiped a tear from his cheek. When he reached the end of the album, Sirius closed it gently. He smiled up at them.
"I really ought to have offered you something before, Sirius," Lily chimed in. "Would you like a warm butterbeer?"
"Oh, well, actually, I was wondering if I could steal James for a few drinks at the pub."
"Well," James looked at Lily.
"No, go ahead. You two go have guy time. I've got to put Harry to bed anyway. Besides, I'll have you all day tomorrow," she smiled at James.
"Are you sure?" She nodded. Now I'm going to have to tell her about Sirius' bike. But not until I get back. "Alright. If you're sure." James studied her, looking for hidden anger.
"I'm sure," she smiled, kissing him gently and picking up Harry. They all stood. Sirius hugged her and kissed Harry good-night. Then James grabbed his overcoat and headed for the door.
Outside, Sirius zipped up his leather jacket and headed for the bike. "In this weather, Padfoot?" James asked. "Let's just apparate." Sirius stared at him.
"Why?"
"Well. I never told Lily about October so. . ." He trailed off.
Sirius shrugged, "Whatever you say, Prongs. The Teakettle?"
"As good as any," James agreed, pulling out his wand and disapparating.
---
Two hours of warm butterbeers and pleasant conversation saw them back outside the Teakettle pub. Sirius leaned on James' shoulder. "Where's your house from here?" he asked.
James giggled. "Off that way," he said. They started down the lane in the direction James had waved. Sirius slid in the slush and grabbed hold of him. Rather than halting the fall, James joined him. SPLAT! They went down into the snow and mud of the lane. Sirius laughed, great barks in the night. "Ow!" James cursed, "Get off!" He tried pushing Sirius off.
James struggled to his knees and rolled over; his back covered in freezing mud. Sirius knelt in the mud, unable to get his feet under himself. Regaining his feet, James slipped and almost fell again. A new fit of laughter knocked Sirius to his knees again.
"Oh, forget it!" James started off down the road. A cloaked figure appeared from behind the bushes. "I'm leaving, Padfoot!" James called over his shoulder. He pulled his wand from his coat pocket.
"Wait, Prongs!" Sirius called, another fit of giggles breaking up his words. James disapparated as Sirius screamed.
James stood staring at his front porch, mind hazy with drink. He stared at Sirius' bike. Something nagged at him. One too many butterbeers. He started through the piles of snow but stopped after a few steps. A hooded figure. Sirius' scream. The fog of drink blew away. "No," he breathed.
James reappeared on the muddy country lane. Sirius lay on his belly in the mud. Screaming! Screaming! The hooded figure stood over him, laughing, wand dancing lightly as Sirius' limbs contorted, his back arching. James rushed the hooded figure. With a scream of his own, he plowed into the Death Eater, knocking him into the mud, pummeling the covered face, adding his own screams to the night.
"Prongs!" Sirius shouted, breathless. "Come on! There are more coming!" James hit the Death Eater again, the satisfying crunch of bone coming from beneath the hood. He looked up. A dozen more hooded Death Eaters were running up the lane. "Come on!" Sirius called again. He had regained his feet.
"Go!" James rose. "I'm coming!" Sirius disapparated.
"Expelliarmus!" James' wand flew across the road. NO! He dove for it.
"Crucio!" Three voices called in unison. Searing pain hit him. A scream tore past his lips. His skin felt peeled away from his body. His bones burned inside him. He fell to the road. No! He crawled forward, eyes ablaze, locked on his wand. Sirius! His muscles knotted, spasming violently.
A black boot stepped down on his wand. "That's enough," a soft, cultured voice said. The pain left him. James knelt in the road, gasping. His eyes stayed on his wand. Come on, Sirius! Where are you?!
The Death Eater bent over and retrieved his wand. James followed it upwards. "Well, well," he hissed, "James Potter." Defiance hardened James' face. The Death Eater removed his hood. James' defiance melted into his stomach, puddling like liquid metal. Dark eyes glared at him, holding only hatred. Handsome, chiseled features contorted by rage. "I ought to snap this wand first. And then snap you," he hissed.
"Voldemort," James breathed. Sirius! Damn it! Where are you?!
"Lord Voldemort," the older man hissed.
"Lord of the loo, perhaps," James offered.
Pain exploded and stars flashed across his vision. When his head cleared, he was on his back in the mud. Voldemort stood over him, shaking the hand he'd used on James' head. Good! I hope you broke a bone! James rolled over onto his knees. "Crucio," Voldemort hissed, under his breath. More pain wracked James' body. He screamed. "Yes. Scream for me, Potter. You and your friend Mr. Black have been nothing but trouble of late." The pain subsided. "Where is Black? I thought he'd be back for you. Perhaps he has turned coward." James glared up at Voldemort. Never! Voldemort took an exaggerated look around him, peering into the night. The Death Eaters chuckled appreciatively.
James gathered himself while the dark wizards laughed. "Maybe he really isn't coming. No matter. We'll get him right after you're gone. Maybe it'll be a double funeral. Cru--" James roared and leapt for Voldemort. His weight bore them both to the ground. All around him Death Eaters moved forward. With a serpentine hiss, Voldemort brought his wand up. James tugged his wand from the front pocket of Voldemort's robes. Disapparate!
Lily stood crying in the snow, pacing beside Sirius' bike. "James!" she screamed hysterically, flinging herself on top of him when she saw him. Sobbing on his shoulder, she stood with him. He pulled her back, looking into her face.
"Sirius!" He shouted, "Where?"
"He went for Dumbledore," she answered. He pulled away. "No!" she screamed, clamping a death grip on his shoulders. "He said for you to stay here! James!" She sobbed. "Stay with me! Please!" He looked at her; really looking into her pain-filled eyes. Behind them, Harry's sobs suddenly rang out in the night.
"Oh, God, Lily." He hugged her fiercely. I almost lost you! I almost lost Harry!" His own tears burned his eyes. "Let's go inside," he said, leading her towards the house. The CRACK of someone apparating brought them back around. Relief flooded through him. Sirius bounded through the snow. He threw himself into them.
"Prongs! I knew you'd be okay! I," he stopped, "I thought I'd lost you when you weren't right behind me." He hugged him close. They stood breathing together in the snow for a moment. Harry's plaintive cries broke the silence. Lily turned towards the house and ran in to rescue him.
Another CRACK and Dumbledore stood beside them. "Did you get any of them?" Sirius asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "Some, some," he said.
"Voldemort was there, Dumbledore. He was there! I . . . I fought with him." A wave of cold crept over him. I fought with Voldemort and I'm still alive. Sirius' grip on him tightened.
"Prongs, If I'd have known. . ." he trailed off.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No. We didn't get him." Sirius glared at Dumbledore for a long time then screamed wordless rage into the night. James jumped beside him. "James, you were very lucky tonight. I can count on one hand the number of people who have faced Voldemort and lived to tell the tale," Dumbledore confided. Beside him, Sirius shook with suppressed rage. "Calm yourself, Sirius. We caught several of his followers and that will have to be enough for now." He glanced over at the motorcycle, studying it.
When Sirius had calmed, Dumbledore motioned towards it. "What is that?" he asked.
"It's my bike." Sirius' head tilted haughtily, "I asked Arthur. He said I could make it."
"And, what exactly, is it doing in James' front garden?" James caught Sirius' eye.
"It's Christmas," they chorused. Dumbledore stared at the pair of them.
"We'll pack tomorrow," James whispered head down.
"Oh, why bother," Dumbledore sighed. "In another few months Sirius will just be at your new house." Sirius chuckled. "But no living together."
James held up a hand, "That's a promise I can keep."
James shook the rattle in front of Harry. Chubby hands reached for it, grunting merrily. Lily chuckled as he grabbed it and shoved it into his mouth. They sat on the front room floor, Harry playing before them. Lily leaned against James, hugging him from the side. James draped an arm over her shoulder. He ran a hand through her thick, red hair. She kissed him on the cheek. "Oh, James, this is perfect." He looked up at the golden Christmas tree before them. Only one thing's missing.
There was a soft knock at the door. Lily jumped and looked at him. "Who could that be?" she asked. He shrugged and started to rise. "No. I'll get it." Damn. He stood behind her, picking up Harry as she crossed to the front door. She opened the door cautiously at first, then threw it open. "Sirius?" she rounded on James. "James Potter! Why?! Why did you give Sirius this address?!" She shouted, a murderous gleam in her green eyes. "Now we'll have to move again!"
"This is your home, Prongs?" Sirius asked, entering the warm house. "You promised to be good." He laughed as he removed his black, leather jacket.
"I was good. I am good. It's just . . . Well, its Christmas."
Lily gaped, "I don't believe you!" She glanced out into the dark, cold night. "And what is that?" she asked, pointing.
"What?" James asked, not daring to move towards her.
"That monstrosity in my front garden!"
Sirius looked out. "That's my bike," he said, smiling.
"Your bike?" Lily looked at James. He shrugged.
"I've brought presents," Sirius offered, holding out three large shiny boxes. Lily glared at him. He gave her the smile. She sighed after a minute and hugged him.
"Oh, Sirius. It wouldn't be Christmas without you. Come in. But, if Dumbledore makes us move again. . . You'd better help pack." She smiled up at him.
"Of course. Now," he edged past her and made his way over to the Christmas tree. "These are for you." He passed her a large red present, "Open it."
Lily sat on the carpet at his feet and opened hers first. She gasped, "No, Sirius. You didn't." Tears glistened in her eyes. "It's beautiful." She held up a shimmering green blouse. "I can't--"
"Just say 'thank-you'," he whispered, kneeling before her. She dropped the blouse back into the box and threw herself into his arms. He hugged her back.
"Thank-you," she whispered, crying quietly.
"Padfoot, that's beautiful," James said sitting beside them, setting Harry in his lap. He's shown me up! Oh well, she can open mine tomorrow. At least they're not the same color. Lily pulled away from him.
"I've been thinking how nice it would be to have something pretty and impractical," she said, wiping her cheeks. Man! You owe me big, Padfoot! "Here, she took Harry from him. "Go ahead, James, open yours." Sirius handed him the green-wrapped one.
James turned his over in his hands before tearing the wrapping paper off. Once the wrap was off and the box open, he looked up at Sirius. I don't believe it! He pulled out four miniature motorcycles. Sirius chuckled.
"What do they do?" he asked.
"Guess." He pulled out his wand and tapped them each in turn. Miniature engines buzzed to life and the bikes took off into the air. James and Harry laughed in unison.
"Just like yours!" James crowed. "Did you make them too?" He glanced at Lily, realizing what he'd just said. She was studying him closely but didn't say anything. Idiot! You just said you didn't know about Sirius' bike! Sirius nodded.
James pulled out his own wand, sucking on the tip as he thought. He watched the bikes. "There's a spell to control them?" he mumbled half to himself. With a shrug he commanded, "Accio, bikes!" pointing to each bike in turn. The four mini-bikes zoomed towards him. James caught them and set them in a neat row in front of him.
"That's cheating," Sirius pouted.
"I'm sure there's a wonderful spell to control them. I'll have it figured out by the end of the month. I just want to see what's in Harry's package."
Sirius handed the silver-wrapped box to Harry. "Here, mate," he said. The baby pulled the box to his mouth, tasting it. The three adults chuckled. He dropped the box and stared up at them, green eyes big with surprise. A huge grin split his face and he reached for Sirius.
Sirius plucked him from his mother and kissed his nose. "Whatcha smiling at? Huh? What?" he cooed. Harry grabbed a fistful of black hair. Sirius laughed as he shook the lock of hair. "Okay, troublemaker. Here." He wrestled his hair from the baby's chubby fist and sat him down with the box. "Now, watch," he said. He unwrapped the present for Harry.
Inside sat a large golden snitch. It was twice as large as Harry's fists. Sirius tapped it with his wand too. It rose from the box, trailing a silver cord ending in a soft cloth cuff.
"Is that what I think it is?" James asked. Two thick, silver wings unfurled and the toy snitch started lazily around the carpet, inches from the ground. Harry watched it intently.
"See," Sirius grabbed the cuff and slipped it around his wrist, tethering the snitch. "You can put it on anything, even Harry." He caught the snitch as it fluttered by and handed it to Harry. The baby laughed and tried to drop it but it hovered in front of him. His brows knitted together and he grabbed it again and tasted it.
"Thanks so much, Sirius," Lily said, beaming. "And now your present." She stood and went to retrieve it from the tree.
"It's not much," James added. She brought back a large, narrow box. Sirius took it gingerly and opened it slowly. He pulled out a photo album. He looked up at Lily and James. James smiled.
Sirius opened it to the first page. "Oh Prongs, Lily," he whispered. Harry's baby pictures adorned the pages. He slept and kicked, rolled over and laughed on every page. Tears welled up in Sirius' eyes. "He's so beautiful," he whispered. Then this I promise you, James and Lily. I will be here for your family. Until the day I die I will keep your family safe from everything and everyone. I know you will, Padfoot. James looked away from Sirius, ignoring him as he wiped a tear from his cheek. When he reached the end of the album, Sirius closed it gently. He smiled up at them.
"I really ought to have offered you something before, Sirius," Lily chimed in. "Would you like a warm butterbeer?"
"Oh, well, actually, I was wondering if I could steal James for a few drinks at the pub."
"Well," James looked at Lily.
"No, go ahead. You two go have guy time. I've got to put Harry to bed anyway. Besides, I'll have you all day tomorrow," she smiled at James.
"Are you sure?" She nodded. Now I'm going to have to tell her about Sirius' bike. But not until I get back. "Alright. If you're sure." James studied her, looking for hidden anger.
"I'm sure," she smiled, kissing him gently and picking up Harry. They all stood. Sirius hugged her and kissed Harry good-night. Then James grabbed his overcoat and headed for the door.
Outside, Sirius zipped up his leather jacket and headed for the bike. "In this weather, Padfoot?" James asked. "Let's just apparate." Sirius stared at him.
"Why?"
"Well. I never told Lily about October so. . ." He trailed off.
Sirius shrugged, "Whatever you say, Prongs. The Teakettle?"
"As good as any," James agreed, pulling out his wand and disapparating.
---
Two hours of warm butterbeers and pleasant conversation saw them back outside the Teakettle pub. Sirius leaned on James' shoulder. "Where's your house from here?" he asked.
James giggled. "Off that way," he said. They started down the lane in the direction James had waved. Sirius slid in the slush and grabbed hold of him. Rather than halting the fall, James joined him. SPLAT! They went down into the snow and mud of the lane. Sirius laughed, great barks in the night. "Ow!" James cursed, "Get off!" He tried pushing Sirius off.
James struggled to his knees and rolled over; his back covered in freezing mud. Sirius knelt in the mud, unable to get his feet under himself. Regaining his feet, James slipped and almost fell again. A new fit of laughter knocked Sirius to his knees again.
"Oh, forget it!" James started off down the road. A cloaked figure appeared from behind the bushes. "I'm leaving, Padfoot!" James called over his shoulder. He pulled his wand from his coat pocket.
"Wait, Prongs!" Sirius called, another fit of giggles breaking up his words. James disapparated as Sirius screamed.
James stood staring at his front porch, mind hazy with drink. He stared at Sirius' bike. Something nagged at him. One too many butterbeers. He started through the piles of snow but stopped after a few steps. A hooded figure. Sirius' scream. The fog of drink blew away. "No," he breathed.
James reappeared on the muddy country lane. Sirius lay on his belly in the mud. Screaming! Screaming! The hooded figure stood over him, laughing, wand dancing lightly as Sirius' limbs contorted, his back arching. James rushed the hooded figure. With a scream of his own, he plowed into the Death Eater, knocking him into the mud, pummeling the covered face, adding his own screams to the night.
"Prongs!" Sirius shouted, breathless. "Come on! There are more coming!" James hit the Death Eater again, the satisfying crunch of bone coming from beneath the hood. He looked up. A dozen more hooded Death Eaters were running up the lane. "Come on!" Sirius called again. He had regained his feet.
"Go!" James rose. "I'm coming!" Sirius disapparated.
"Expelliarmus!" James' wand flew across the road. NO! He dove for it.
"Crucio!" Three voices called in unison. Searing pain hit him. A scream tore past his lips. His skin felt peeled away from his body. His bones burned inside him. He fell to the road. No! He crawled forward, eyes ablaze, locked on his wand. Sirius! His muscles knotted, spasming violently.
A black boot stepped down on his wand. "That's enough," a soft, cultured voice said. The pain left him. James knelt in the road, gasping. His eyes stayed on his wand. Come on, Sirius! Where are you?!
The Death Eater bent over and retrieved his wand. James followed it upwards. "Well, well," he hissed, "James Potter." Defiance hardened James' face. The Death Eater removed his hood. James' defiance melted into his stomach, puddling like liquid metal. Dark eyes glared at him, holding only hatred. Handsome, chiseled features contorted by rage. "I ought to snap this wand first. And then snap you," he hissed.
"Voldemort," James breathed. Sirius! Damn it! Where are you?!
"Lord Voldemort," the older man hissed.
"Lord of the loo, perhaps," James offered.
Pain exploded and stars flashed across his vision. When his head cleared, he was on his back in the mud. Voldemort stood over him, shaking the hand he'd used on James' head. Good! I hope you broke a bone! James rolled over onto his knees. "Crucio," Voldemort hissed, under his breath. More pain wracked James' body. He screamed. "Yes. Scream for me, Potter. You and your friend Mr. Black have been nothing but trouble of late." The pain subsided. "Where is Black? I thought he'd be back for you. Perhaps he has turned coward." James glared up at Voldemort. Never! Voldemort took an exaggerated look around him, peering into the night. The Death Eaters chuckled appreciatively.
James gathered himself while the dark wizards laughed. "Maybe he really isn't coming. No matter. We'll get him right after you're gone. Maybe it'll be a double funeral. Cru--" James roared and leapt for Voldemort. His weight bore them both to the ground. All around him Death Eaters moved forward. With a serpentine hiss, Voldemort brought his wand up. James tugged his wand from the front pocket of Voldemort's robes. Disapparate!
Lily stood crying in the snow, pacing beside Sirius' bike. "James!" she screamed hysterically, flinging herself on top of him when she saw him. Sobbing on his shoulder, she stood with him. He pulled her back, looking into her face.
"Sirius!" He shouted, "Where?"
"He went for Dumbledore," she answered. He pulled away. "No!" she screamed, clamping a death grip on his shoulders. "He said for you to stay here! James!" She sobbed. "Stay with me! Please!" He looked at her; really looking into her pain-filled eyes. Behind them, Harry's sobs suddenly rang out in the night.
"Oh, God, Lily." He hugged her fiercely. I almost lost you! I almost lost Harry!" His own tears burned his eyes. "Let's go inside," he said, leading her towards the house. The CRACK of someone apparating brought them back around. Relief flooded through him. Sirius bounded through the snow. He threw himself into them.
"Prongs! I knew you'd be okay! I," he stopped, "I thought I'd lost you when you weren't right behind me." He hugged him close. They stood breathing together in the snow for a moment. Harry's plaintive cries broke the silence. Lily turned towards the house and ran in to rescue him.
Another CRACK and Dumbledore stood beside them. "Did you get any of them?" Sirius asked.
Dumbledore nodded, "Some, some," he said.
"Voldemort was there, Dumbledore. He was there! I . . . I fought with him." A wave of cold crept over him. I fought with Voldemort and I'm still alive. Sirius' grip on him tightened.
"Prongs, If I'd have known. . ." he trailed off.
Dumbledore shook his head. "No. We didn't get him." Sirius glared at Dumbledore for a long time then screamed wordless rage into the night. James jumped beside him. "James, you were very lucky tonight. I can count on one hand the number of people who have faced Voldemort and lived to tell the tale," Dumbledore confided. Beside him, Sirius shook with suppressed rage. "Calm yourself, Sirius. We caught several of his followers and that will have to be enough for now." He glanced over at the motorcycle, studying it.
When Sirius had calmed, Dumbledore motioned towards it. "What is that?" he asked.
"It's my bike." Sirius' head tilted haughtily, "I asked Arthur. He said I could make it."
"And, what exactly, is it doing in James' front garden?" James caught Sirius' eye.
"It's Christmas," they chorused. Dumbledore stared at the pair of them.
"We'll pack tomorrow," James whispered head down.
"Oh, why bother," Dumbledore sighed. "In another few months Sirius will just be at your new house." Sirius chuckled. "But no living together."
James held up a hand, "That's a promise I can keep."