Chapter 29

Black Christmas

On Christmas morning, Mark who was jumping up and down on the bed shook Harry wide-awake. "Arugh! Mark!" yelled Harry, throwing the pillow at him who promptly jumped off the bed in time.

"Happy Christmas Harry!" said Mark cheerfully. Harry couldn't help but grin, the two ran down the hall in clad pajamas. Their laughter and thundering footfalls shook the hall.

"REMUS! SIRIUS!" yelled Mark, pouncing onto the bed, "TIME TO GET UP!" Harry jumped on the bed, however more softly than Mark did. Sirius yelped in surprise then groaned in pain. Remus had his werewolf acuity sense of hearing and had turned from Harry in time to avoid any collusion.

"That really hurts Mark! It's..." he looked at the clock and exclaimed, "five in the morning! Are you mad!?" Mark and Harry only grinned cheekily at them two.

"Pleeease, can we open the presents now?" asked Mark, with puppy eyes.

"Why, we've never opened this early before!" complained Sirius.

"Aw come on Sirius," said Harry, playfully punching him. "Let's enjoy Christmas as long as we can!"

"I don't see why not, they won't go back to sleep, the state they're in," said Remus, grinning.

"But I ... I wanted to sleep in 'til noon!"

"Sorry Sirius, not today," said Mark, dragging Sirius off the bed. But Sirius grabbed hold one of the bedpost. "Nuh-huh, lemme sleep in another few hours at least!"

"Fine, you won't get to open presents then," said Harry, huffing.

"Okay, okay!" said Sirius, letting go of the bedpost. He shouldn't had done that as he fell to the ground. "AUGH!" The three laughed at him as Sirius rubbed his shoulder from ramming into the ground. "Not funny," said Sirius gloomily. The four finally made down to the living room, where they had decorated the tree the night before. Presents lay under the large pine tree covered in candles and ornaments. Harry sighed happily to himself, cherishing the moments he had with them, of last night and for the rest of the Holidays.

"Who's first?" asked Harry.

"Youngest goes first," said Remus as he summoned tea for

Harry saw Mark pulling his present out, the size of a small box. Mark stared at Harry questionably and proceeded to open the present. Out came a necklace of pure silver, on the chain is a coyote howling at the moon. Mark gasped, marveling the piece of jewelry.

"Harry..."

"Like it? It's not just for show, it's a portkey. It will take you to Headmaster's office in case you get in trouble. All you need to do is hold the coyote with your hand and say 'Be as one,' and you'll be in Dumbledore's office."

"Thanks Harry, I appreciate it," said Mark.

"Harry, you next," he said with an air of anxiousness. Harry went through the piles of presents and found one with his name on it. He ripped the wrapping and to his semi-surprise, he found a book in his hands. 'Guide for my fellow Parsletongues' by Salazar Slytherin. Then Harry did blanch out at the name. The book looked nearly new!

"However, no one really knows what that says, so I thought you could-" Harry interrupted him.

"But- But -But it says it is a guide for Parsletongues," said Harry in awe and confused and the three glanced at each other and at Harry. "I assume this is written in Parsletongues that none of you can read?"

"Yeah, I was going to say that you could crack it... guess you already did," said Sirius, chuckling. Harry had to laugh, it was just purely a coincidence and he set that aside. "Who's the youngest of you two?" asked Remus and Sirius. However, Sirius pouted as Remus grinned. "You?"

"Yes Harry," said Remus, chuckling as he picked up a present.

"I had assumed that it was Sirius...."

"Well, personality and looks can be deceiving," said Remus as he opened the present. He held up a glass figurine in a shape of a wolf and a dog. "Oh this is most beautiful, thank you Harry."

"You think that is just for display?" asked Harry, smiling.

"What else can it do?"

"It protects you against most hexes and jinxes if you keep it inside a pocket or turn into a necklace. It is much tougher than it looks, it won't break as it has unbreakable charm on it," explained Harry.

"Wow, that's a really thoughtful of you," said Remus, setting it on the table as if it would break, despite what Harry said. Sirius picked up a present and opened it with vigor. He held what looked like a rune stone, but on closer look, it seems like a plain black rock. He frowned, thinking that he got a coal. Harry got his wand out and pointed at the rock.

"Revelo," said Harry and the rock changed into three rings. "Those," he began, "are healing rings, which will heal all minor cuts, bruises and other minor injury."

"Heh, we all know that I need these!" said Sirius, grinning as he put them on his right hand. "Thanks Harry, however you had me there with the rock!" Harry laughed.

"I couldn't pass the opportunity up like that Sirius," said Harry as Mark picked up something long and rectangular.

"I bet I know what this is!" exclaimed Mark as he ripped the box open, only to find three set of books. "What!" yelled Mark, frowning. Harry had to laugh again, as well as Remus and Sirius who laughed the hardest. Sirius got his own wand out.

"Sorry, revelo," the three books merged into one and became a Firebolt. "Happy Christmas Mark," said Sirius, Mark blanched at the sight before him and punched Padfoot on the arm.

"That was for scaring me!" said Mark, but a smile made his way on his face as he studied the broom. "Thanks Sirius! Can we go flying?" he asked, eagerly.

"After we've done with the presents! Plus, it's still dark out if you haven't noticed," said Harry as he opened another present. He found that Remus gave him a scrapbook. Feeling compelled to open the book and found that it was dedicated to years at Hogwarts when the Marauders had reigned and in later pictures, of his mom. Trying to hold back tears, he set it next to the book.

"T-thanks Remus," said Harry. Remus smiled at him.

"You deserve the scrapbook," he said and for the next two hours of fun opening presents and laughing. Remus got breakfast going, making pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and orange juice. After they had disposed of wrapping papers, they all ate a hearty breakfast meal. The four got their brooms, but Sirius complained that the two have Firebolts and they only had Shooting star model.

"Should've thought of getting one then Sirius," said Harry cheekily.

"Oh shush Harry, I'll beat you somehow in racing!" said Sirius indignantly. Harry and Mark only laughed as Remus chuckled.

"Sure Sirius, sure," said Harry as he mounted his broom as did Mark. "You are saying such inane things you know!" said Harry to Sirius as they took to the air. However, at first, Harry considered serious equity in broom racing with Sirius. Nevertheless, he knew that it would infuriate him to no end. Therefore, he ended up racing Mark. Using his own skills and experience, he kept outdoing Mark, but several hours later, Mark had closed in distance with Harry. He grinned at Mark who grinned back.

"You're improving Mark!"

"Thanks! But it's getting freezing out here!"

"Really? I'm sweating," said Harry, laughing at Mark's face crest fallen.

"You work hard at flying don't you?"

"'Course I do, how else would I have not caught snitch?" he asked, grinning at somewhat a neophyte flyer.

"True Harry, true," said Mark, flying side by side with him. The pair flew over parts of sylvan forest near by Remus' place. Harry took in the breathtaking view, blanketed in black snow that seemed to sparkle. At least the clouds weren't affected.

"That's it, I want to see some white snow!" said Harry, irritated.

"Well, it's not actually that bad. Imagine, Black Christmas," Mark said, laughing but Harry did not laugh at the moot point. He wanted a white Christmas. Black reminded him of Tengu, which also reminded him of Voldemort and then the impending prophecy. He sighed, shaking his head.

"Let's go back, we should get something to eat for lunch," announced Harry. Harry resolved to himself that he would try not to be so testy today, no matter what it takes. He couldn't let whatever is happening to him take control on one of the most magical days of the year. Mark and Harry flew in motif movements as they flew towards the other pair, who was trying to outdo each other.

"Come on Moony, you can fly faster than that!" taunted Sirius.

"Sirius, drop that attitude," said Remus, grinning, "You wouldn't want to be caught in a snow fight would you?" Sirius paled as Harry and Mark flew to their side.

"What about the snow fight?" asked Harry.

"Don't you dare tell him," said Sirius, glaring at Remus who was about to explain. Remus rolled his eyes and told him a short explanation.

"Back in our fifth year, during the holidays, James, Padfoot and me raced each other and," he chuckled.

"And both of them and Wormtail started throwing snow balls at me so to slow me down so Remus can finally win," said Sirius, smiling slightly, not to abject the memory anymore.

"See, it was funny wasn't it?" asked Remus, grinning. Sirius realized this and widened in mock-horror.

"Moony!!! How could you!? Snorolower!" he shot the black snow from the ground and splattered Remus from below and soon covered the entirety of him. Remus spluttered in surprise, and took out his own wand.

"Snorolower!" gasped Remus, shooting the snow from the ground up at Sirius who was laughing and yelped in surprise when the snow hit.

"Hey!" pouted Sirius. Harry laughed, taking his own wand out.

"Snorolower!" said Harry, trying out the spell, however, it didn't just get Sirius, but Remus and Mark as well. Harry stopped, frozen in horror. "W-wha-" stuttered Harry. Sirius frowned in a way that he thought that it wasn't fair that Harry got him with the snow but then grinned when he had accidentally got Remus and Mark as well.

"Snow fight!" said Sirius, flying down towards the ground as the other three eagerly followed, with relieved Harry in tow.

'At least they didn't make a huge deal out of it... I really need to focus my magic,' thought Harry, landing with a soft thud.

"No magic!" said Remus, packing a snow into a ball and threw at Harry square in the chest.

"Hey!" said Harry, packing a snowball and threw at Remus who ducked and the ball landed square in the first-year's face.

"Ow! Oi Harry!" he yelled, throwing at Harry who had rolled to the left, effectively hitting Sirius in the stomach. The snowball fight turned into a full-blown magical snow fight an hour later. Harry felt intermittent pains causing from the numbness of snow, but ignored as he enjoyed the moment. He would worry about the pain later; he couldn't wait to sit in front of the fire, drinking hot chocolate...

Not once all day, did he had any image of effigy about Voldemort or his followers, as everyone trooped inside as they had called a truce when Mark finally went down. Remus had cooked a large dinner meal where the Weasleys and the Grangers joined them for the hearty meal. It was one of those days where Harry would never forget and he subconsciously stored the special memory away for use when calling upon a patronus.

It was several days later, when the true horrors have begun during the holidays. In a town not far where the four are staying, are under attack of Voldemort. Harry felt intolerable pain in his scar, realizing that Voldemort wasn't so far away, perhaps five miles away. His face screwed up in pain as he fell off the warm, seemingly safe couch in front of the fire. He couldn't hear other people calling his name. All he knew was that Voldemort was attacking wizards and muggles alike.

"V-Voldemort's... attacking," said Harry, gasping.

"What, are you certain?" asked Remus, paling, knowing that Harry had always been indubitable when it comes to these matters.

"YES!" said Harry, enraged and trying to stop the pain in his scar. His best shots at trying to have a derelict mind off Voldemort, trying to occlude his mind. But when he tried that, the pain worsened, if that was possible. "Augh, I can't occlude my mind!" He didn't care if he would have indictment on his actions if he did something rash, such as facing Voldemort right now. He couldn't take it anymore, he had to finish Voldemort once and for all.

"I... am going to face him," snarled Harry, swaying on his feet as he got up from the ground.

"No Harry! I can't let you go!" said Remus, alarmed. "Don't you understand the complicity of that action?"

"...Yes Remus, now let me go," said Harry. "This has gone on far too long for my liking."

"No, not now Harry, how would you find him?"

"Easy, accio Firebolt!" said Harry, calmly as he waved his wand that he somehow gotten from the sleeves of his robes. True, Sirius and Remus were agnostic about the whole thing coming from Harry; they simply had to find a way to hold him back.

"No Harry, you're not leaving alone!" said Sirius, determinate as he summoned his own broom. Harry sighed but saw that as an action of loyalty and smiled. Remus literally growled in irritation, not caring if his words were anything of diatribes towards the two people he loved and cared.

"No, I will not let you two go off and fight. I don't care if you feel that you need to do something. We must stay here and I do not care if Voldemort is attacking in few miles away! What all I care right now is keeping all of you safe!"said Remus, panting, but worried and fatigued showed on his face. "Please, just stay, for the stake of this, our family?"

Harry flew his broom down lower, realizing his reasons, but he felt that he had to fight, to protect other people. He couldn't believe that Remus didn't care about other people dying, only to keep his, our family alive and not broken. When it is so newly formed only less than a month ago. Harry hung his head in shame; there he did it again, wanting to be the hero again, though he felt that it was his responsibility.

"But Remus, it feels as if it is my responsibility to save them..." said Harry quietly, frowning as the pain from his scar throbbing rather painfully.

"But it is not your job, you're, I know you will hate this, but you're still too-"

"No," Harry cut him off angrily.

"Harry, I said I know you hate it, but if you could just put yourself in our shoes and see people your age when it comes to... these stuff. You can only imagine..." said Remus sadly. Harry remained quiet and still, thinking. He finally sighed and nodded.

"Yeah, I suppose, thinking about kids younger than me, like ten, eleven year olds... no offense meant Mark, but I can't see you doing anything major," said Harry.

"You see?" said Remus.

"But that's besides the point, when I was eleven, I fought Voldemort who was living on the back of his head, fought a basilisk in my second. Not to mention, learning patronus from you in my third, seeing Cedric die in my fourth, and general hell in Azkaban in fifth year, and now, well..." Harry trailed off, sighing wearily.

Remus pulled him into a hug, rubbing his back up and down and sighed. "Oh Harry... you shouldn't have to do so many things at such an age. When you're older, you will understand why you shouldn't have had faced so early on..."

"I do understand," said Harry. "You're a werewolf and you had been one for a long time haven't you? You shouldn't have had the burden to become a wolf every 28 days."

Harry suddenly realized that the pain in his scar had faded completely and widened in surprise.

"What is it Harry?" asked Sirius.

"My scar... it's... gone, he's gone now, not dead of course," he added. "But gone for the moment... can we go see if there are any survivors?" asked Harry, pleadingly. Remus sighed, and nodded.

"Let me contact Dumbledore, he needs to know about this new attack... or perhaps he already knows..." Harry nodded. Remus went off for some floo powder and returned. He sat in front of the fireplace and threw in some powder.

"Albus Dumbledore!" Remus called, and a few seconds later, his face appeared.

"Yes?"

"Devon's been attacked, but we're okay because he didn't come out into the country, but we thought we'd ought to let you know...'

"No one left to fight?" he asked, worried if someone had gone to do something rash.

"No, no, everyone's fine," and the two heard a snort.

"You two don't trust me not to do something rash?" asked Harry. "I'm hurt," he said sarcastically. Dumbledore sighed in relief. "Anyways, I'm going to go and inspect the damage and find any survivors," said Harry, getting up from his seat.

"Not yet Harry, some could still be lurking," said Dumbledore sternly. "Remain where you are, and his head disappeared. Harry growled in irritation. But he did keep perspicacity on the matters at hand, as not to waste any second when he was allowed to go and help. With a sudden jolt, staring at the fire.

"Bloody damn!" cursed Harry.

"Harry!" reprimanded Remus.

"We could've saved them..." said Harry, face crest fallen.

"What do you mean?" asked Mark.

"We could've told Dumbledore just when my scar had started to hurt... we've... I've..." Harry buried his face into his hand, curling up into a fetal position on the couch. Remus realized that Harry was feeling guilty and tried to tell him that he couldn't have had known.

"I could have known! I was being stupid and rash; I could've called Dumbledore and the order! Lives could've been saved! Don't you see Remus?" asked Harry, eyes brimming with tears as he stood up and mounted his broom in the living room. He tore out of the house, through the window in the kitchen. He couldn't believe he wasted time when he could have put into a good use. He feared in what state the town was in. Five minutes of high-speed broom ride, he arrived at the town and gaped at the predicament the town is in.

Everyone was in utterly chaos; aurors were trying to calm wizards, witches and muggles alike. Harry saw a slew of dead bodies, some where charred beyond recognition, others had the terror frozen on their faces before the, what he guessed, killing curse hit them. Harry's heart sank even deeper as he told the broom to go down. Among the bodies, held Madam Pomfrey's frozen terror face, body in haphazard way. He stopped in front of the medi-witch, unbelieving.

The medi-witch had been helpful in times of tiring time. He knew he had thanked her for her care but he felt a deep pang of loss, grief. He did not want this caring, yet strict woman to go. More importantly, the research for Werewolf cure seems to be lost. There may have been some secrets, some ingredients that she may have taken to the grave. Kneeling down next to the matron, feeling worn and sad, Harry stifled a sob as he stared at the medi-witch he knew for five and half years. In which time she had been a wonderful help to Harry, how she was a constant in his new world, in his new life and now she was gone.

With renewed vengeance, he stood up, pulling his wand out, ready to strike any Death Eater or particularly, Voldemort, to death. He knew he already had enough, but this was the breaking point where he had to find someone to kill. He swore revenge on the murderer who killed the matron of Hogwarts. "UP!" yelled Harry, his broom jumping up to his hand and Harry mounted. He tore off.