I don't own anything that somebody else owns.
Chapter 28: The Surprises of Christmas
James spit out the feathers in his mouth to exclaim to everyone, "Wake up! It's Christmas, which means… PRESENTS!"
A loud bark sounded through their dormitory. Seconds later, a large black dog bounded through Sirius's bed curtains. He stood eagerly in the middle of the room, his tail spinning like a windmill. Harry and Remus were still in bed, not making any sounds other than their deep breathing. Padfoot barked again. The next moment, he, too, was covered in pillows. After what sounded like a dog snickering, Padfoot pushed the pillows aside so he could breathe properly. Panting with his tongue sticking out, the large dog sprang through the pile of pillows, free at last. The dog trotted over to the end of Sirius's bed to where a small pile of presents lay. He sniffed them enthusiastically. It seemed as if one had a particularly good scent to it, for the dog pushed that present away from the rest with his nose. In an instant, a young man with black hair was sitting on the floor, though he was only still for a second. The next second, he was tearing open the parcel.
"Food!" Sirius Black yelled before stuffing his face with the contents inside the present.
"Did I just hear a—a—a dog bark?" yawned Harry, blearily rubbing his eyes. He grabbed his glasses and slid them on. Stepping out of bed, he noticed the pile of presents at the end of his bed, which was certainly the smallest out of everyone's. Despite this, he grinned like a jack-o-lantern.
"Thanks for waiting for us, Padfoot," grumbled Remus as he stepped out of bed.
"But Mrs. Potter's fudge was calling for me," said Sirius after he gulped a large quantity of food down his throat. He held out the package, waved it about, and said in a soft, high-pitched voice, "Eat me, Sirius, the best looking guy here, eat me!"
"Didn't you ever hear of the saying, 'Don't play with your food,' Padfoot," snickered James.
"No," said Sirius.
"Oooh, there's chocolate fudge?" said Remus excitedly, hopping down onto the floor, sifting through his parcels at lightening speed. The other boys laughed as they, too, started to open their presents.
Harry's pile consisted of gifts only from the four Marauders, Hermione, and Lily. The two girls had given him a combination present that was made up of books and sweets. Each Marauder had given Harry a little trickster's knickknack from Zonko's Wizarding Joke Shop. Harry had reminded them earlier as Christmas was approaching that they shouldn't spend too much money on himself or Hermione, since they might need that money later on. Harry flopped back onto his bed, thinking he was done opening his presents. But James called out and pointed to a letter and a very small parcel underneath Harry's bed.
"What's that?" asked James, handing Harry the letter.
Harry turned it over in his hands. The handwriting wasn't familiar, so that ruled out the Marauders, Hermione, and Lily, even Dumbledore. It looked feminine. All that was written on the envelope was
Harry Thewler"Well, open it!" said Sirius, carelessly tossing the fanged Frisbee he had received from Peter so that it started to shred the old wrapping paper beside him. He and the other Marauders watched, intrigued, as Harry opened the letter. As his eyes skimmed the parchment, they grew larger and larger, until it seemed as if they would pop out. From the Marauders' point of view, a swell of emotions washed over Harry's face: amusement, puzzlement, horror, and finally panic.
"What is it?" asked Remus curiously.
"Who is it from?" James asked.
"Can I see it?" asked Sirius, diving for the parchment held loosely in Harry's hand. Harry, too shocked, didn't react to Sirius's attack. Sirius, the parchment in his hand, read the letter to himself and, once finished, laughed his head off. He read it aloud to the rest of the curious Gryffindors:
"His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,
His hair is as dark as a blackboard.
I wish he was mine, he's really divine,
To kiss him I must, oh dear lord!"
The sixth year Gryffindor dormitory was echoing with gales of laughter seconds after Sirius finished reading. In between the mirth was either gasping or quoting the poem, or both. Sirius was actually rolling on the floor.
"Who….is…it...from…?" Remus managed to gasp between his laughter.
Sirius dragged himself across the floor, partially because his hilarity had affected his ability to move properly. He snatched the envelope from Harry's hands. "Jenny Wesley," he read, and as he spoke, the volume of his laughter increased.
"She's a fifth year Ravenclaw, isn't she?" Remus asked. He picked up the parchment after Sirius had dropped it, eyeing the handwriting.
Harry sat, opened mouth, with the package that went along with the letter opened on his lap. "I don't believe it."
"There's more?" asked Sirius hysterically.
Harry didn't respond verbally, but held out the opened parcel. Inside was a chocolate frog, and where its eyes should have been were two emeralds. He reread the poem again, confusion still in his eyes.
"Looks like Thewler has been hiding something from us," Sirius commented to James.
"I don't think I've even talked to this girl," said Harry in a hollow voice.
"Yes you have," said James. "At the Masquerade. She was the one who was flitting about our table, finally asked you dance at the end, tripped over Sirius's foot, and splashed loads of punch onto Snivellus."
"Oh yeah…"
"I like her already," commented Sirius.
"But—what do I do?" asked Harry frantically.
All the boys started to laugh again. "Having some girl problems, mate?" asked Sirius.
"Oooo, this'll be my first chance to help my son with girls," squealed James excitedly.
At that comment, Remus turned quickly towards Harry. "Don't listen to anything he says." James threw a pillow at Remus. The lycanthrope just laughed, but as soon as James turned away, he motioned Harry to plug his ears. Harry snorted.
"Seriously, though," Harry said loudly. "Whoever this is—"
"Jenny," corrected Sirius with a toothy grin.
"All right, Jenny shouldn't even know that I exist," continued Harry. "I mean, if I respond, that'll change the future… Ack! I already have! What if I change this person's life! What if she was supposed to send this poem to the boy she ends up marrying? I would be ruining their entire future!"
"You worry too much," said Sirius, sounding annoyed.
"But Sirius—"
"No buts." Sirius sighed. "Look, Dumbledore knew that you would somehow change the future. By letting you stay here, that says that he was willing to take that chance."
"Wise words," James said, clapping his friend on the back. "Just don't let it get to your head."
"Too late," mumbled Remus as Sirius's chest puffed up and a smug grin snuck on his face.
"But—how do I tell her no without disturbing too much of the future?" Harry asked in a mouse-like tone.
"What? You don't like her?" asked James.
"No," said Harry at once, all too quickly. The boys gave him a shrewd look. "I don't! And I can't."
"Ah, but which comes first?" asked Remus.
"I've never even talked to her."
"We'll change that," said James, a Marauder glint in his eyes.
"Don't you dare," growled Harry.
James and Sirius just returned to their presents, whistling a jaunty tune.
All four Marauders (they assumed Peter had gotten one, too) received a gift from Mrs. Potter, James's mother and Harry's grandmother. It had reminded Harry of the packages he used to get from Mrs. Weasley. Inside were some pieces of her own chocolate fudge, a bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, and instead of a Weasley sweater, Mrs. Potter had made them scarves, each one a different colour. Remus's was blue. James's was red, as was Sirius's. Peter's was usually yellow.
Synchronically, Remus, James, and Sirius took the scarves out of the parcels. Remus wrapped the scarf around him the proper way—around the neck. James and Sirius, on the other hand, did it quite foolishly. While James draped it around his head like a nun would, Sirius covered his entire head with it, looking like a red mummy. He created a little mouth opening so he could stuff more "Potter Fudge," as he called it, into his mouth.
Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, who definitely weren't the richest people in the country, had sent Remus a new cloak and a note saying "you'll probably get all the chocolate you want from your friends." Sirius laughed at this, and pointed to the present he had wrapped for Remus. Inside the parcel was… chocolate. More specifically, a chocolate Christmas tree with gumdrop lights that would sparkle if tapped by a wand. A few days earlier at Hogsmeade, Remus had eagerly pointed it out to Sirius.
"I was joking, you know," Remus said, smiling all the same as he carefully placed the chocolate tree on his bed.
"And that's why I got it for you," answered Sirius with a wide grin.
James probably had the most amounts of presents, since his family was so huge. He received books, both Muggle and non-Muggle. From cousins he got excellent pranking items. From his parents came their traditional package, plus a note reminding him to stay out of trouble, which he and Sirius guffawed at. After opening Harry and Hermione's present, James spotted one halfway under his bed. He pulled it out to see that it was from Lily! Violently tearing it open, he grinned: it was a book. On the cover read the words, "Much Ado About Nothing."
Sirius had a relatively small pile too. Sure, he had presents from the Marauders, but even then, Harry, Hermione, and Remus couldn't spend much. Predictably, not a single parcel was from the Black family. ("Huh, no present from Uncle Alphard," commented Sirius quietly to himself.) James, on the other hand, had given Sirius something wonderful (not to mention quite expensive). A flying motorcycle—or rather, a promise for a flying motorcycle once summer came, since they weren't permitted, and not to mention quite useless, at school. From Hermione he received a rather odd present. It was a box of doggy treats, which she had enchanted herself. Instead of a meaty flavour, the taste of the treat changed to whatever the eater desired. James laughed as he saw it.
"She knows you too well, Padfoot," said James over the crinkling of wrapping paper.
Sirius looked up with doe-like eyes, his cheeks stuffed full with the dog treats. He gulped a large quantity of food down his throat, waited a moment, belched, and grinned. "Mmm… tasty."
"You won't want to eat too much, Padfoot," said Remus warningly. "Breakfast is coming up soon."
"You don't think I can eat that much? I thought you knew me better, Moony," said Sirius in a hurt tone. Remus rolled his eyes. The boys stayed up in their dormitory for just a while longer. Sirius, his stomach growling like a dragon, suggested that they head down for breakfast.
Professor McGonagall was calmly walking down the corridor that led to the Great Hall. Everything was going well. It was Christmas. She had gotten a pair of wool socks from Dumbledore. There were no students hexing about. Scratch that. Everything was going great! But as the Deputy Headmistress was nearing the Great Hall, a slight tingle ran up her back, tickling the hairs of her neck. Something was afoot. She could sense it. This could only mean one thing.
The Marauders were at it again.
"You ain't nothin' but a hound dog, cryin' all the time!"
"One day, that's all I ask," muttered McGonagall to herself as she heard the singing wafting through the cheery, Christmas-filled air. She turned the corner to enter the Great Hall and stopped at the sight before her, groaned, and made her way to the one large table set up (since there were so few students staying at Hogwarts for the holidays).
Sirius was standing on top of the only table set up. More accurately, he was dancing on top of the single table. Even more so, he was singing while on top of the sole table. Most importantly, he was dancing and singing to the Elvis Presley song, "Hound Dog" on his own accord, because of the Marauder Dare that had been set up the previous night.
"You ain't never caught a rabbit and you ain't no friend of mine," sang Sirius. James had fixed his friend's hair to look similarly to Elvis Presley and enchanted his pajamas into Elvis clothes. Sirius even had the American accent going, along with the Elvis lip.
The next part of his song was a musical interlude. This was where his dancing came into play.
It turned out that Sirius wasn't such a bad singer and dancer as was thought. He had the "Elvis Pelvis" down to a "T", doing it best while in front of Hermione. She was in full hysterics by the end of Sirius's dance. At one point, Sirius slid across the table on his knees and he stopped right in front of Snape. Sirius stroked Snape across his chin, winked at the growling Slytherin, and carried on singing, more and more animatedly with each verse. The song ended with Sirius wildly strumming his air guitar, facing away from the teachers, and twisting his pelvis in a way only Elvis would.
"Why do we put up with this, Albus?" asked McGonagall quietly during Sirius's last verse. She looked at the headmaster to find him bopping his head to the beat.
"Well, it provides free entertainment," said Dumbledore, smiling, still moving his head from side to side in step with Sirius's singing.
"Ah, thank you very much," Sirius said at the end of his performance to no one in particular, imitating Elvis's voice while jumping off the table into his spot between James and Harry. After taping his head with his wand, returning his hair back to normal, Sirius looked expectantly around at the Gryffindors sixth years. "Ratings?"
"I'd have to say a six," said Remus, laughing at Sirius's outraged face.
"A six! That's it! Why?" cried out Sirius.
"I thought you were going to have a special dance for McGonagall. I never saw her head hit the table."
"Ignoring the critic, what are everyone else's ratings?" Sirius said, shooting Remus a glare.
"Ratings?" repeated Hermione.
"Yeah, after every Marauder Dare, the others have to rate at how well their performance was," explained James.
"Ten high, zero low," added Sirius.
"An eight, then," said Harry. "I didn't care to see Sirius dancing on top of a table…. Just wasn't my cup of tea."
"Cheers," said Lily.
"Oh, Evans, you know you liked it," said Sirius, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Seven," she said. "And you're lucky to receive that."
"Nine, ole Padfoot," said James. "And a bravo to you. I especially liked that part where you were… dancing for Snape. His face was priceless."
"Yeah, and now I have to wash all that grease off my hands from touching his chin," said Sirius, looking nauseated at his hands. He looked away from his hands, which he was wiping on his pajamas, and glanced at Hermione. "We're waiting for the final and deciding vote."
"Well, it'll leave some disturbing images, I'll say that much," said Hermione with a large smile. She spoke of the time where Sirius was dancing right in front of her, almost too close for comfort. "But all around, I'd say… and eight and a half."
Sirius let out a whoop. "Beat that, Prongsie!" he yelled. "That is almost forty out of 50 points."
"Oh, I will beat it," said James, an evil smirk on his face.
"What's this about Marauder Dares?" asked Saumya, who was out of the loop completely. Sirius and James started to animatedly explain how they looped the two girls into doing a Marauder Dare themselves. The story became mysteriously different as they continued retelling it. Lily set them straight.
Completely out of the blue, Harry yelped at a pitch so high no one else would think possible, and dove underneath the table. James, Sirius, and Remus automatically looked at each other. "Jenny," they chorused before looking at the entrance of the Great Hall.
In entered a single girl, which was a rare sight on its own, and the girl was stepping nervously into the dining area. She walked slowly, as if the ground was about to crack from the very semi-light weight of herself. The fifteen-year-old was actually quite pretty. She had long, wavy locks of an earthy brown hair and freckles dotted her fair cheeks. Jenny stopped right before she reached the table.
Lily waved her hand to grab Jenny's attention. "Hey Jenny, sit with us!" the redhead called out, pointing to a seat next to her and across from Harry. "Ouch!" she grunted as something hit her shin. "Harry, what are you doing underneath the table? Get up." The three Marauders snorted. Still oblivious, Lily said to Jenny, "Happy Christmas," as the fifth year sat down.
Underneath the table, Harry groaned. This was not going well. Sighing, he conjured up a fork, grasped it tightly in his hand, prepared himself, and slid back onto his seat. There she was, sitting right in front of him.
"Hi Harry," Jenny said cheerfully yet nervously at the same time.
"Hullo." Another snort from the Marauders.
"Did you have a good Christmas?" she asked timidly.
"Still got plenty more to go through," said Harry. He checked Remus's watch. "About fifteen more hours left." Harry's insides froze: she started to laugh. This can't be happening!
"Are you the only fifth year here, Jenny?" asked Lily kindly.
"No," said Jenny, still smiling. "There's still David Harrison and Amanda Carrick. But Amanda is still sleeping."
James, however, was staring at Harry's face, contemplating on something. "You know, Thewler, I think you should get new specs. The ones you have are just too… I don't know. They just don't seem to fit."
"They're the same as yours," growled Harry, sensing his father's plot.
"I just don't know," continued James, completely ignoring Harry's comment. "Hm… What do you think, Jenny? Do you think Harry should invest in some new glasses?" James forcefully twisted his son's head so that it faced Jenny.
The young girl blushed at being asked, but looked at Harry anyways (blushing even more). She tilted her head while gazing at him, a dreamy smile on her face the entire time. "I think they're perfect the way they are," she said at last.
The Marauders, once again, snorted and chuckled quietly.
"I can't wait for my Dare," whispered James to Sirius and Remus. "Half of the student body looking like me and Harry… We'll especially have fun with this one," he said, jerking his thumb towards the starry-eyed Jenny.
"I still can't believe Evans was actually on Prongs's team," said Sirius as the four Gryffindor boys walked out of the common room.
"Neither can I," said James dreamily.
A good handful of students had joined the Marauders for a snowball fight. James Potter being the leader of "the Walruses", which consisted of Lily Evans, Harry Thewler, Kyle McFly, Keegan MacTarnahan, Katie Rawson, and Bridget Bell. The opposing side, named "the Dolphins" and lead by Sirius Black, was composed of Remus Lupin, Hermione Snicket, Saumya Kim, Amanda Carrick, Billy Shears, and Zach Wood. A few girls watched from the sidelines, including none other than Miss Jenny Wesley herself.
The Walruses had won with a little bit of cheating on James, Harry, and Kyle's part.
After the battle had been declared over, all of the students rushed back inside to get warm and dry before Christmas dinner. The Marauders, on the other hand, were rushing inside to ready James's potion, which was to be distributed that same night.
"For the last time, Moony, WE KNOW!" shouted James and Harry together. Remus had been checking through the list of ingredients needed for the Multisap Solution repeatedly for the past twenty minutes. "The potion has already been made, Moony, so relax," added James soothingly.
"You aren't going to feed it to us, are you?" asked Sirius.
James never commented, but continued to prance out of the portrait hole.
"Steer clear of the Great Hall! A massive swarm of billywigs has invaded the area! Stay back for your own safety! Dinner will be ready in ten minutes!" James shouted repeatedly throughout the halls, enchanting his voice to sound like Professor Aylward's so that students would take him seriously. As soon as the Marauders reached the Great Hall, it was empty. "Excellent," said James, his voice his own again. He whipped out his wand and transfigured the scraps of paper from his pocket back into his Marauder Dare potion. Then, while the other three boys stood guard at the entrance, James walked around the table and poured some into each glass, whispering a spell that allow only males to drink the potion. He walked away whistling. "Let's eat, shall we?" he said to the others, who turned to face him.
Five minutes later, the rest of the entire school (or, at least, those who hadn't left for the holiday) walked into the Great Hall to see James, Sirius, Remus, and Harry sitting placidly at the table, hands folded, as if waiting for everyone else. Professor McGonagall shook her head, rubbed her temples, and sat in between Professor Dumbledore and Professor Sprout.
"What took you all so long?" asked James innocently, directing his question at the two Gryffindor girls who just sat down.
"I suppose you're reason for all of that," said Lily, her voice full of humdrum.
"Of course," said James proudly.
"Pay up," said Lily to Hermione, "I knew it was Potter's fault."
Begrudgingly, Hermione handed two sickles over to Lily. Hermione turned to Sirius. "I had faith in you Sirius. And what did you do? You let me down." All through her speech she was smiling and holding back giggles.
"What?" asked James and Sirius, both feeling completely confused.
"Hermione and I had a bet going on: whose fault it was for the delay of dinner," explained Lily, happily stashing away her winnings. "Hermione thought it was all Sirius's plan. I was betting that it was yours."
"Thanks…I think," James cautiously said.
"So predictable, you can even bet on him," commented Sirius.
"Predictable, eh?" challenged James. With lightening speed, he grabbed a spoonful of mashed potatoes and flung them across the table, aiming for Sirius. Sirius, however, ducked at the right time, the mashed potatoes flying over his head and hitting Remus right in the ear.
"Would people please stop throwing things at my ear!" rumbled Remus exasperatedly. His face full of disgust, he dug the mashed potatoes out of his ear, leering around in search of the suspect. "James!" Remus grabbed his wand and shot a line of peas towards James. James rapidly moved to his left at the last second.
They hit a Ravenclaw seventh year right between his eyes. Thinking it was Sirius who had thrown the peas, he aimed a large spoonful of gravy at the Gryffindor.
Sirius deflected it using a Shield Charm. The gravy darted across the table lengthways, and stopped as it splattered onto Professor Dumbledore's face. Everyone stopped talking and waited for the Headmaster's reaction.
Dumbledore lifted his finger, wiped it across the face to catch some of the gravy, and popped it into his mouth. He smiled while wiping his glasses. "I suggest that you all try this gravy," said Dumbledore. "It's really rather good." He looked up. "Oh, continue with your food fight. Just, when you have the chance, try it. It's quite tasty."
"You heard the Headmaster," said Sirius. "FOOD FIGHT!" he yelled before launching a handful of chipolatas at Snape.
"James Potter! I cannot believe you pelted me with Christmas Pudding… that had the sickle inside of it!" growled Lily. She was nursing her head with some ice, since that was where she had been hit. Groaning, Lily flopped down on to one of the Gryffindor common room's chairs.
"Well, think of it this way," said James weakly as he fell on top of a nearby couch. "I earned you three sickles today."
"Not helping," whispered Hermione as Lily let out a snarl.
"I guessed as much," returned James quietly.
"Oy, Sirius," Remus called out to his friend, who had just hopped through the portrait hole. "Did you know that you still have some gravy in your hair?"
"WHAT!" yelped Sirius, jumping three feet in the air. His hand flew to his hair at once. He immediately shrieked as he felt the gooey substance sticking to his perfect, black hair. Sirius dashed across the common room in mere seconds and took three steps at a time to reach a sink with a mirror.
"Do you think he'll ever get over his hair?" James asked to no one in particular.
"Nah," answered Remus. "I think he'll just live life with a mirror always in his pocket, checking it every so often. And if he ever forgot it…. Phew, I wouldn't want to be there."
James laughed. "Yeah, the day Sirius gets greasy hair is the day one of us will join the Death Eaters." Remus and Lily laughed along with him. Hermione and Harry, however, remained dead silent. James leaned back in his couch, putting his legs up on the opposite armrest. "I can picture him thirty years from now, always making sure he still looks the best out of all of us, which we know is impossible as long as I'm alive." He winked at Lily.
Harry had to turn away.
"I'm back," sand Sirius from the top of the stairs. "And with my gorgeous hair, too."
"Wait, you missed a spot, Padfoot," smiled Remus.
"I did!" cried out Sirius, making for his pocket mirror this time. But before he even grasped its handle, Hermione took her wand out, aimed it at his head, and said, "Scourgify" and his hair was clean and shiny. Sirius let out a relieved sigh. "I could kiss you right now, you know."
"We know, Sirius," droned James, Remus, and Lily.
"Hermione," said Sirius smoothly, strolling down the set of stairs while ignoring everyone else. "You've never looked so tasty with that whipped cream on your cheek." He sauntered towards her. "I can get rid of it for you." He leaned forward with a playful grin to lick it off her fair cheek, only to be blocked by Hermione's hands pushing against his chest.
"Don't you even think about it, Black," said Hermione, a sparkle in her eyes and smile.
"Too late," whispered Sirius with a wink.
"Did you see Aylward during dinner?" asked James to break up the two starry-eyed teenagers. Hermione gazed bashfully at her shoes before sitting down in a chair. Sirius grinned inwardly as he jumped onto the couch next to James. Satisfied, James continued. "He never got hit once. I can see how he made the team, the Falmouth Falcons, as a Chaser, having to dodge all those bludgers and players and all..."
"I'd say knowing loads of spells as a Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher could help just a tad bit, don't you think?" added Lily.
"Just a tad," winked James.
"I still think that Snivellus was pathetic," said Sirius, making himself quite comfortable on the couch. "He was sniveling like a baby while hiding underneath the table, wasn't he?"
"Maybe that's because someone was chucking two full bowls of chipolatas at him, Sirius," said Remus, staring pointedly at his friend. Sirius just pulled off an innocent face, looking like an odd cow caught in headlights.
"Oy!" James cried out suddenly. "Has anyone seen Thewler?" James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, and Hermione all sat up in their positions, searching around the common room. There was no trace of Harry.
Harry tightened his scarf around his neck as he walked down the cold corridor alone. Actually, the scarf had originally been James's. It was a "Potter scarf," as Sirius liked to call it, since it had been hand-woven by Mrs. Potter a couple of years previous. Harry had lacked a scarf when the Gryffindor sixth years headed outside for the snowball fight, so James had lent him one of his old ones. Afterwards, Harry had tried to return it to James, but his father refused it, calling it a gift. "Think of it as a souvenir from the past," he had said with a smile. Harry accepted it, and it had not left his neck since.
Harry turned the corner.
This Christmas was most certainly the best one he had had in his entire life, but a pain lingered in his heart all the same. Harry was finally spending Christmas with his mother and father. Sure, the two weren't on the best of terms at the moment, but even then, having them around made Harry's heart burst with joy. And ache with a stabbing pain. This would be his last Christmas with them, too. His last time to sit around a Christmas tree and tell jokes, open gifts, and enjoy each others' presence. Sirius, too. Harry was never to spend another Christmas with Sirius. Today was his second and last Christmas with his godfather.
No more jokes, no more Marauder stories, no more barking laughter, no more starry-eyed bickering between James and Lily, no more family, no more. Ever.
Harry wiped his eyes with his scarf before tugging it around his neck some more.
He missed Ron, too. (The Potter scarf had reminded him of the Weasley sweaters.) Not a Christmas had gone by without Ron at his side since Harry had arrived at Hogwarts. Ron was always there, saying excitedly "Oy! Presents!" in the early morning. Harry missed hearing Ron's grumbling about maroon sweaters, his admiration for his other presents, and sharing several Bertie Bott's with Harry. He and Ron were brothers, and Harry missed him terribly.
Harry started to climb a set of stairs.
He wondered how Ron was fairing in the future. Harry had tried not to think about it for the most part of his time in the past, because it hurt too much. Ron was without his two best friends in a time where Voldemort's presence was well known. The most terrifying thought came suddenly to Harry's mind like a strong gust of wind. His stomach felt as if someone had knocked the air out of him.
What if someone died?
What is someone whom Harry was close to was murdered or was brutally tortured because of Voldemort or his supporters? Automatically, Harry would blame himself. It would be his fault if someone died at the hands of Voldemort, because it should have been Harry and Voldemort's battle. Harry would never forgive himself.
If there was one thing that made Harry's mind at rest while being back in time, it was the absence of the prophecy. Harry didn't have to worry about being attacked by Voldemort or dementors or Death Eaters. The most he had to watch out for was Snape, mistaking him for James. Even so, Harry's mind found a way to lose his nerve sometimes. He was still putting others at risk in the future by being in the past.
Harry continued to wander aimlessly.
He and Hermione would be leaving in two to eight weeks. Harry found himself unprepared for it, even though he knew it would be coming sooner or later. He just wished it were later. He couldn't face going back to his era without James or Lily or Sirius. He would never be the same after this trip.
Once again, Harry sniffed, and resumed his meandering.
Couldn't he just warn James about his death? Couldn't Harry just let slip some vital information for the future? Did he really have to leave without giving his parents a warning? It was almost too much of Dumbledore to ask Harry NOT to tell his parents about the future. The future is too painful already. Now Harry had to return, having lost loved ones again.
Harry found himself standing in front of Headmaster Albus Dumbledore's office.
"Chocolate Frogs," Harry heard himself say, though never realized that he was speaking or how he knew the correct password. The gargoyle leapt aside, revealing a stone staircase that was continuously moving upwards like a spiral escalator. Without really comprehending why, Harry walked forward, stepping onto the moving staircase. Moments later he was standing in front of a pair of rich, oak doors with a brass knocker shaped like a griffin. Harry heard faint humming and pacing footsteps from inside.
Harry knocked.
Late in the evening, hours after curfew and hours after Lily had retreated upstairs, a lonely girl sat in the Gryffindor common room. The bushy-haired sixteen-year-old was curled up in a well broken-in chair placed near the Gryffindor fireplace. In her hands was a cup of hot cocoa laying snuggly between her folded up legs and her chest. The steam diffusing from the hot temperature of her drink made her surroundings look mystical. At the moment, Hermione was delving deep into her mind, not aware of any sound, smell, or sight around her. Yes or no. Yes or no. Yes or no. That was all that repeated in her head. Yes or no.
"What are you still doing up, Hermione?"
"Waiting for you," Hermione automatically answered. She looked up from her trance to see Sirius sitting down in a chair opposite her. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, posed ready to talk.
"Well, I'm here now," said Sirius softly. "What is it?"
"Where were you?" asked Hermione, ignoring Sirius's question. She continued to stare at the fire rather than his eyes.
"I was at McGonagall's office, discussing my detentions from this morning," answered Sirius with a smile. "Seriously, what's on your mind?" he asked strongly, noticing Hermione's odd behavior.
Hermione sighed. "When McGonagall was talking to us, Harry and me that is, she told us that we would be traveling back to our own time… in two to eight weeks." She gazed with bated breath at Sirius, waiting for his reaction.
Sirius mustered up all the strength he could as discretely as possible. "Well that's good, isn't it?" he said very convincingly. Hermione looked surprised. He continued. "You'll get to see your parents again, your friends, your boyfriend…" He trailed off, looking uncertainly at Hermione. She was about to open her mouth when Sirius continued. "I just thought… that might be the reason why you won't… you know… with me. 'Cuz there was someone else back home."
"Oh Sirius, that's not it at all," Hermione said at once. "Well, there is someone, but he's just a friend. I don't fancy him… the way I fancy you." Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"Does this mean—"
"Yes," Hermione answered at once. A twinkle lit her eyes. "I know that I shouldn't be doing this, neither should you, but… I'm willing to try." She was beaming. Sirius grinned with her. They were both glowing.
"We should seal the deal with a kiss, though, shouldn't we?" Sirius dared to ask. He waited for her reaction.
"I couldn't agree more," said Hermione, taking a step nearer to Sirius. She laid a hand on his neck and kissed him straight on the lips. He returned it full heartedly, running a hand through her bushy hair. It was a few moments before they broke apart. Their faces a couple of inches away from each other, they were both smiling sheepishly.
"That was nice," was all that Sirius could manage to say.
"Hmm," came from Hermione, still slightly dazed.
"Although, we must find something to do with your hair," said Sirius, taking hold of her hand. "My hand kept getting entangled in its massive puffiness." They both laughed as they started to walk toward the back staircase.
Thunder sounded through the stairs as someone ran speedily down. It was James, shouting Sirius's name repeatedly. He bounded down the set of stairs, taking three at a time and jumping over the last six steps. He landed nimbly and quietly. He noticed his friend immediately. "There you are, Sirius," said James through his huffing. He didn't seem to be in his usual light and humorous mood. He held out a parchment for Sirius to read.
Sirius let go of Hermione's hand to take it, asking, "What's this?"
"Sirius," said James solemnly, "Your Uncle Alphard is dead."