Chapter 9: Christmas
The next morning Bailey woke to the sound of James banging on the door. "Bailey get up it's time to open presents. Mum and dad are wondering what's taking you so long." James then opened the door.
"James, I'm up!" Bailey said panicking until she noticed Sirius wasn't there.
"Ok just making sure. What are you looking for?" James asked.
"N-nothing." Bailey stuttered.
"Ok well they want you to come down. Come on." James took Bailey's hand and started dragging her down.
"James let me get dressed first." Bailey said still holding the blanket to her.
"Your ducky pajamas are fine Bailey." James said taking the blanket away from her and pulling her out the door.
"Happy Christmas everyone." Bailey said coming down the stairs.
"Happy Christmas to you too." Lily replied, they all gathered in the Potter's music room.
"Sirius where did you go this morning?" Bailey whispered while she was hugging him.
"I thought James' parents might get upset if they found out their granddaughter was in the same bed with a guy. Beofre I came down I put pajamas on you just in case someone came in." Sirius kissed her on the cheek.
"Thank you." Bailey took Sirius' hand and sat on the couch besides him.
"Ok, we've had Shroner divide the presents into groups already. Daniel and I have to go to work for a few hours, but we will be home for dinner." Mrs. Potter said leaving.
"Why's your mum going to work?" Lily asked.
"Mum and dad are Aurors. They never stop working." James said picking up his pile of presents and setting them down by Lily.
"Yeah and it sucks when they have to work on days like this." Bailey said taking her pile of presents from James. Once everyone had their presents they started opening them.
"Just one thing James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter all have to open the presents they got from Lily and me at the same time."
"You'll see why when you open them." Lily said before James could ask.
"Ok then," James said getting his present. "One, two, three." All of the Marauders opened their presents.
"Oh my gosh Bailey, Lily." Said James, all the guys jaw's dropped in front of all of them was one part of a whole set of Quidditch.
"I figured you needed to train with the real thing when I asked Bailey about it she agreed to help pay for it." Lily explained.
"Thank you." Remus said admiring his Bludger and bat.
"You're welcome." Bailey said hugging Lupin. After the presents were opened James had given Lily a necklace and Sirius had given Bailey a Claddagh ring.
"Let's watch the Christmas parade." Bailey suggested, since they were watching TV anyway. A little while later an owl flew threw the window and dropped a letter on James' lap. Sirius noticed the black letter and looked at James. James' eyes begged him to take Bailey out of the room.
"Bailey let's go get some tea for everyone." Sirius said taking her hand.
"Ok, we'll be back in a minute guys." Bailey said leaving the room.
"James what is it?" Lily asked noticing the black envelope.
Dear Mr. James Potter,
I am sorry to inform you that your parents were in a terrible accident while helping a family of muggles. I'm sorry for your loss.
Sincerly,
Albert Chromag
Minister of Magic
"James I'm sorry." Lily said wrapping her arms around him. They heard the shatter of china behind them, Bailey dropped the cups and ran to her room locking the door magically behind her.
"Sirius I thought-"
"I tried she must have noticed the envelope." Sirius said. "I'm sorry James."
"It's okay. Can you go check on Bailey?" James asked.
"Yeah anything you say." Sirius said climbing the stairs.
"Bailey can I come in?" Sirius said trying to unlock the door. "Come on Bailey please." The door then opened.
"They're dead aren't they?" Bailey asked looking at the floor. Sirius didn't say anything but pulled her close, Bailey couldn't hold back the tears anymore.
"I'm so sorry Bailey. Think tomorrow we go back to Hogwarts so you can get your mind off of everything. Lily is owling Dumbledore to see if he will come and help James." Sirius said sitting Bailey on her bed. "I promise I'll stay here with you as long as you would like."
A couple of hours later James and Dumbledore came through the door. "Bailey can we talk alone for a minute?" Dumbledore asked calmly, Bailey nodded her head and Sirius left the room.
"Albus I don't want to move again please." Bailey finally said.
"That's what I came here to explain. Daniels' will said that if anythign happened to them James got everything even custody of you. So you won't have to move." Dumbledore said hugging her, and leaving the room so James and Bailey could talk. "Sirius you've been a great boyfriend for Bailey, thank you." Dumbledore said turning towards him. "Let James and Bailey have a few minutes to talk before you go in." Then Dumbledore disapparated.
"James you don't need to watch over me just because your dad's will said so." Bailey said sitting back down.
"I want to Bailey. I asked him to put it in there just in case. I knew the risks of being an Auror."
"James you aren't still considering becoming one are you?" Bailey asked terrified.
"Yes I am, I want to catch the people who did this to our parents." James replied placing his arm around her shoulders.
"Please be careful." Bailey hugged him and then went to the door to let Sirius back in. Dinner that night was quiet.
"Thank you for inviting us." Lily said to break the silence.
"Your welcome." Bailey said playing with her fork.
"Bailey you have to eat something." James said taking a sip of Butterbeer.
"You can't talk James! At least I have food in front of me." Bailey said setting down her fork.
Sirius took Bailey to bed even though she was unwilling to go. "Bailey you need to go to sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Sirius said helping an unwilling Bailey into pajamas, and placing her in his bed. "You can sleep here tonight and I'll sleep in your room." Sirius said walking towards the door.
"You said you wouldn't leave." Bailey finally spoke up.
"Ok I'll stay here." Sirius said walking back to his bed. "I'm sorry about everything." Sirius kissed her on her forehead and pulled her close.