Alright, guys, school's started and things are tough. I'm having trouble getting on the computer, much less updating, and I have another story in the makings. You'll like it, I'm sure of it! Anyway, I'm trying for once a week for both of them. The first chapter of the new one should be up in the next few weeks, but I'm not giving anything away, not even the title!

Also, for the reviewer who asked me to have Benji and Sirius do a prank on Slytherin; Sirius isn't confident enough to do that to them. He knows his mother wants him there, and he's concerned he'll end up there.

Anyway, this chapter goes rather fast, ending after the winter holidays. I really hope you like it!

By the way, I've written a one-shot about the Fat Lady's perspective of life at Hogwarts. Check it out, I personally think it's funny.

DISCLAIMER: Read the last four chapters, 'cause I don't feel like repeating it.

Hate Is Such a Strong Word

Chapter Five:

A Not-So-Merry Christmas

By PotterScar

It was nearly a month into the school year, and things were rough for Sirius. Gryffindor still hadn't accepted their newest member, and apparently, Sirius' mother hadn't been able to secure a Resorting.

So, he had recieved a letter (thankfully not a Howler) saying he wasn't to come home for the holidays and that he better not be making any Mudblood or half-blood friends, or else he would be very sorry. A few days later, another letter came, with his mother ranting about him making friends with Benji Fenwick, a half-blood. Sirius knew Bellatrix and Narcissa had ratted him out to his mother.

Time passed slowly through Hogwarts. Sirius buried himself in schoolwork, seperating himself from his new friend. Benji was concerned for Sirius, but whenever he tried to get Sirius to talk about what was wrong, Sirius would brush him off, making up some excuse and dashing away.

James seemed to get angrier with Sirius with each passing day. He looked for ways to criticize Sirius, but after an incident in the halls a few weeks from the holidays, he found himself doubting his beliefs.

James, Remus, and Peter hurried along the corridors of the dungeons, ten minutes late for Potions. Remus worriedly checked his watch as they half-ran.

James was fuming. Black and Benji hadn't even bothered to wake the three of them up! Remus glanced over at him, frowning. He was about to say something when a voice behind them made them pause.

"Three little Gryffindor firsties late for class?"

Bellatrix Black and several other Slytherins stepped out from the shadows, sneering. The three Gryffindors stopped five feet short of them.

"Well, it looks like we should teach them a lesson about getting to class on time, doesn't it?" sneered Hermes Goode, a burly third year. Bellatrix smirked.

"Accio wands!" she cried, before the three Gryffindors could think to move.

She sneered, and was about to say something when another voice sounded behind three first years.

"The height of cowardice, Bella," said a cool voice. Sirius walked down the corridor, eyebrows raised. Bellatrix scowled.

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, and Sirius smiled humorlessly.

"Slughorn sent me to find my dormmates," he said. His face was impassive, but his eyes showed annoyance, fear, and defiance. James frowned, looking from his wand, which was in Bellatrix's hand, to Sirius. Damn.

"Get out of here, Sirius," Bellatrix snarled, crossing her arms over her chest and bringing herself to full height. She was rather intimidating this way, and James took an involuntary step back. Sirius ignored her.

"If I remember one lesson Mother taught me correctly, a Black always holds honor," he said coldly. "Ganging up two to one on students younger than yourselves and attacking them while you're in possession of their wands doesn't seem that honorable."

Bella scowled. "They're filthly Mudbloods and blood-traitors! Honestly, you truly are turning into a Gryffindor! What will Aunt Celena say when I tell her about this?"

Sirius smiled mirthlessly. "She'll say exactly what I did. A Black always holds honor. If you'll excuse us, I believe we have Potions." He turned and walked back the way he came. Bella scowled, moodily throwing the wands at the first years, who snatched them up. With their wands returned to them, the three Gryffindors paused, then Remus followed Sirius down the hall. Peter squeaked, scurrying down the halls after the two others, and James, looking bewildered, followed.

The holidays began to loom closer, and James was confused with how he felt towards Sirius. He definitely didn't hate him anymore; he didn't seem to have any reason, and he didn't understand why Sirius had chosen to help him and the other two that day. He wasn't about to give up his pride and befriend him, though. Besides, if his parents found out, they'd be beyond furious.

A pitch black owl soared towards Sirius Black one week before holidays as he stuffed sausage down his throat. The owl clicked its beak impatiently until he finally looked up from his breakfast. Looking curious as to who in his family would be writing to him, he untied the letter from Hermes, the owl, and scanned it.

Son,

We have changed our minds of allowing you to stay at Hogwarts during the holidays. No point in giving you even more oppurtunites to tarnish our reputations.

Mother and Father

Sirius blinked at the short letter. Benji looked over at him, confused. "What is it?" he asked.

"A letter from my parents... they want me to come home for holidays," Sirius said suspiciously, tossing the letter to the side. "I guess I have to, or else they're going to drag me away themselves." He smirked.

Benji laughed, and the atmosphere lightened as the two continued with their breakfasts.

The winter holidays rolled around too slow for James's liking. He sat through class after class, impatiently tapping his quill against his parchment, making rather large blots on his notes. Remus would roll his eyes but let James borrow his notes later anyway.

James would spend every meal raving to Remus and Peter about Christmas at his home.

"... and then the house-elves cook this fantastic dinner, 'cause my mom hasn't a clue how to even boil water! It's fantastic," he finished during dinner the day before they would board the train to go home for the holidays.

"I live at an Inn, and Christmas is always celebrated with the guests we have. We have this big party on Christmas Eve, in the lobby, and then Christmas morning is spent with the family," Peter said, grinning. "It's always amazing, because there's always kids my age there."

"My dad takes the entire holiday week off work," Remus said, "and spends every hour of the day at home with Mum and I. We go to church on Christmas Eve, and after we do presents on Christmas morning, we go to my mother's house for supper."

None of them noticed Sirius listening to their conversation, a sad look on his face.

Finally, the morning of the holidays arrived. James was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, standing in the Entrance Hall next to his trunk. Peter was sitting on his trunk, half asleep, and Remus had one foot resting on his trunk, his elbow resting on his crooked knee. He was staring into space until James interupted him.

"I thought Black wasn't going home for the holidays." James was standing on his tip-toes, looking over the heads of the crowd. Remus did the same, spotting Sirius standing alone. He was looking dejectedly at Benji Fenwick, who was chattering with the Gryffindor girls.

James frowned at Remus. "I think that's what the letter was about. Remember, the one that came for him last week?" Remus said. James nodded, then frowned again.

"I thought Benji was friends with Black," he said, as Benji all but ignored Sirius.

"He was, until his parents sent him a letter a few days ago. They'd heard about his friendship with Sirius from Benji's cousin, Frank. Benji hasn't talked to Sirius since then." Remus frowned slightly as he continued to watch Sirius. Peter looked bewildered.

"He cut off a friendship with him just because his mum and dad told him to?" he asked, looking shocked and a tad angry at this. Remus nodded, a pitying look coming over his face. "Poor Sirius," Peter added, and James huffed, but didn't say anything.

"Alright, quiet, everyone!" McGonagall's voice suddenly cut short their conversation, and the three Gryffindors looked at their Head of House. "First years, over here! Second, over with Professor Sprout, and third, go over with Professor Flitwick. Stop dawdling, Goyle! Fourth years, with Professor Slughorn, fifth years, over there with Professor Vector. Mr. Longbottom, it does not take ten minutes to walk twenty feet! Sixth years, go with Hagrid, and seventh years with Professor Sinistra!"

The students shuffled away to where they were directed as McGonagall spoke. The first years congregated around McGonagall. Remus noticed Sirius having a heated discussion with his cousin, Narcissa, but he couldn't hear what they were saying, though Narcissa had a twisted smirk on her face, while Sirius looked annoyed and slightly distressed.

"Come along, make sure you have your trunks, the carriages are just outside! You are carriages one through ten, four to six to a carriage. Well, what are you waiting for? Go!" The students, who'd just been staring at her, jumped to attention and raced around, trying to claim the best seats. Remus saw Benji go with the Gryffindor girls in Carriage Six. He saw that Sirius looked out of place, notably upset after his discussion with his cousin, who'd gone with Dolores Umbridge, Emily and Margaret Richardson, and Mary Vixen.

He felt a wave of pity wash over him, and he approached him. "You want to sit with us?" he asked, not sure what Sirius' reaction would be.

To his great relief, though, Sirius shrugged and said, "Sure." Remus smiled and led Sirius to Carriage Nine, where Peter and James were waiting for him. Peter looked bewildered at their guest, while James scowled slightly and turned away.

The carriage ride down to the train station was silent. Sirius looked uncomfortable, as did Peter, and James looked angry and... was that confused? Remus frowned, before turning away from the three and looking out the window.

Finally, the carriages driven by invisible horses pulled up alongside a scarlet steam engine. Remus felt a smile break out across his face, while Sirius looked even more worried. James seemed to relax visibly as he scrambled out of the carriage first, grabbing his trunk and dragging it behind him.

Sirius looked over to Carriage Five, where Narcissa was getting out. She merely smirked, sarcastically waving at him before disappearing into the crowd of students. A scowl marred his features, and he stomped onto the train, passing James.

Remus didn't see Sirius again until they stopped at King's Cross. He saw Sirius walk dejectedly over to a haughty looking woman with stern, unkind features, who glared at her eldest son and grabbed his arm, half-dragging him away.

He then saw James determindly trying to ignore the look of sadness on Sirius' face, but Remus saw him glance over at the spectacle Mrs. Black was making. Remus saw the glint of pity in his eye.

James smiled at his parents as he hugged his mother. The holidays were finished, and the students who'd gone home were arriving on the platform with their belongings. They were excitedly chattering amongst themselves about their holidays.

James finished saying farewell to his parents and grabbed his trunk, dragging it onto the train. He peered in each compartment, looking for Remus and Peter. He finally found the two of them in a compartment in the back, talking about their respective Christmases.

"...and then she actually kissed me on the cheek!" Peter sighed, smiling. "I've got to remember to thank Mum for putting up mistletoe."

Remus grinned, before turning to James, who'd just entered the compartment. "Hullo, James. Nice Christmas?" he asked, smirking. "Peter's was apparently fantastic."

"I gathered that much," James chuckled as Peter turned pink. He moved to the luggage compartment to put his trunk away, just above the window, when James saw one of the last students walk it.

Sirius Black was completely alone. None of his family had come to say goodbye to him. James gaped, his trunk halfway into the rack, when he spotted a bruise the shape of a hand streaked across the side of his face. James could see, from twenty feet away, the pain, hurt, and burning anger in his eyes as he tried not to look at anyone, dragging his trunk behind him. Students began to whisper behind their hands, but Sirius resolutely ignored them as he boarded the train. Narcissa and Bellatrix, who were with their parents, were grinning at one another, snickering, and Sirius' aunt looked rather pleased while her husband looked annoyed.

"Oi, James! What're you looking at?" Remus asked as he and Peter crawled forward towards the window, drawing James out of his reverie. He finished storing his trunk, refusing to look at Sirius.

"That's horrible," Peter muttered, and James turned his back on the window, striding to a seat as far away from it as he could get. He knew that, if he looked at Sirius in that state one more time, his hate for him would disappear. James didn't know why he hung so desperately onto his hate for Sirius. It wasn't because he knew his parents would be upset if he befriended the boy.

He sighed, and, after gaining the attention of the other two Gryffindors, told them all about his fantastic Christmas, while unwillingly wondering how horrible Sirius' really had been.

Alright, guys, so do you like this chapter? Hate it? Feedback, people, I've only got thirty-something reviews here!

One question: Do you think I took to long with the developing friendship between James and Sirius and getting rid of Benji? I'm worried that I might have held onto Benji too long.

I'll begin the next chapter probably in a few days.

PLEASE review,

Love y'all lots and lots,

PotterScar