Disclaimer: All of the HP characters as well asthe HP universeare of course the property of J.K. Rowling. All rights are hers, I am merely a fan who is intrigued by the lives of the infamous Marauders, especially Sirius, and wish to explore more of his backstory. So, without further ado, may I present...

Shady Run

Diagon Alley, c. late December 21, 1978

Sirius was just finishing up some last minute Christmas shopping at Diagon Alley. So what if the holiday was only like two days away? At least he was getting it done; better late then never was a concept Sirius highly approved of. Why go worrying about things way far in advance when you could just procrastinate at your leisure? Which was why Sirius was among the throngs of fellow procrastinators, standing in long lines, and getting jostled by crowds, while Lily was back at the flat he had offered to share with her after her sister had insisted she find a new home, probably watching the television and eating a pizza.

"She better not have ordered a pizza." Sirius grumbled to himself, pushing his way into the Apothecary. Though he had brought on this situation himself, he was fine with that…until he began to think that other people might be having a better time than he was. "Well, OK, I guess I wouldn't be too bitter if she ordered a pizza, as long as she saves me half. At least half. Then it would be acceptable."

Sirius shifted his packages to one hand in order to raise his open mug of coffee closer to his lips. The mug was unusually heavy for a beverage and did not seem to be exhibiting amounts of steam like most fresh coffee, but that was merely because Sirius had developed a fondness for mixing syrup into the beverage. It made the normally bitter drink taste nice and thick, in Sirius' opinion, and gave it a good texture. Sirius nodded to the witch at the checkout counter, a pretty little blond by the name of Selene, if he recalled correctly (as it had been some time since they had dated), as he maneuvered down the aisles.

Sirius was just taking down a package of lovage, trying to remember if that was one of the potions ingredients Lily had asked Sirius to restock a few days ago, when a black clad figure came sweeping down the aisle, looking down at an open jar clutched in his hands, instead of looking where he was going. The man consequently smashed into Sirius, causing him to drop the package of lovage to the floor.

"Hey!" Sirius snapped, grabbing the person by the shoulder. "Aren't you gonna apologize?"

"Why would I apologize to you, Black?" Snarled an all-too-familiar voice.

"Snape?" Sirius asked, going from shocked to instantly on his guard in less than a second. "What, you're too good to keep your eyes on where you're going? Greasy hair obscuring your vision?"

Snape shoved back the hood of his robe and leaned in close to Sirius. "We're not at school any longer, Black. There's no Dumbledore to cry to when a confrontation arises. I would encourage you to apply more caution in picking your battles. You never know who you'll be up against."

Sirius snorted and took a step forward, his much more imposing physical form causing Snape to back up a pace. "I never "cried" to Dumbledore as you so insinuate. I simply waited for my chance to retaliate threefold. Secondly, Snivellus, that sounded an awful lot like a threat. Maybe you should reconsider who you're up against before you try and dabble in the big leagues with grown ups."

Snape curled his lip in distaste. "You, a "grown up"? Sirius Black, teenage runaway, perpetually caught up in angst because he had mommy issues, is standing here, claiming to be mature?"

"Shut up. You don't know anything about it."

"Aw, poor, poor Sirius Black! Let's all through him a pity party." Snape laughed in his face.

Sirius slammed his mug down on the nearby shelf and whipped out his wand, eyes flashing. "Fine! Let's do this Snape."

Snape laughed at him again. "See, this is exactly what I mean, Black. Temper, temper. You're always taking the childish approach. Never in control of yourself…so uncivilized." Snape smirked at him while Sirius fumed, still holding his and aloft. "I find it most barbaric to engage in such displays in public. In a crowded store before Christmas no less. Do you not have any shame, Black? While it was so very nice to have this little chat, I think I'd rather just purchase my powdered alihotsy, and be on my way." Snape held up the open container filled with a fine blue powder, which he had been carrying. He shoved past the visibly stunned yet seething Sirius and made his way up the aisle. In order to lay the taunt on even thicker, he tossed back over his shoulder, "Remember, Black, patience is a virtue."

Sirius glared at his retreating form, his mood worsening, all trace of holiday cheer evaporating. "Slimly git." He muttered.

Sirius retrieved his mug and took a nice, big gulp of coffee; caffeine and sugar always made him feel better. With a sigh, Sirius picked up the package of lovage from where it had fallen to the floor, and continued his shopping. He cursed to himself when he realized that a steady pounding was forming in his head; the beginnings of what was sure to be a splitting headache.

So much for having the "Christmas spirit." Sirius thought to himself miserably.