Chapter 14- Four seperate Christmases rolled into one
"Aw, mom!" It was amazing how many times three boys could say these two words. But to one boy, he was only reading about them.
Sirius was sitting in his dorm. It felt awfully lonesome when he was by himself. He actually caught himself wishing he was home. And then he remembered.
He wasn't welome there anymore.
He didn't exactly care. No, in fact, he was happy.
He never had to deal with those...dark, evil souls again. Never would he have to hear his father taunt him, hear his mother baby his little brother, hear his brother....act as he was raised to act.
No one knew where Sirius had gone wrong. He had always assumed it was his DNA, but that didn't work, seeing as his DNA was the problem in the first place. So, inevitably, it turned to fate. Fate was the one thing that led Sirius to the path of...well, a path. Fate was the one thing he held on to, believing that it was meant to be that his parents hated him. Meant to be that his best friend happened to be the opposition.
Meant to be what was about to happen to his best friend. And his family.
Siirus looked over at the window, where there was an owl hovering. It was odd, as Sirius didn't have an owl, but he assumed it was James'. He opened the window and watched the beautiful owl, which happened to be a simple barn owl, fly through.
As he suspected, it was from James. He didn't want to hear about what a 'miserable time' James was having. It couldn't compare to the horrors Sirius was facing. Boredom.
The letter then jumped up and did a little dance. At this, Sirius was amused, but not yet at the point where he was enjoying it. The letter opened itself up and read it aloud.
"I know you're all alone, so it doesn't matter if this is aloud or not. By the way, my father taught me this trick. Yes, you heard me, my father. So you can stop your worrying...about whatever it was you were worrying about. Dumbledore told him to relax with his family.
I knew I liked him. Anyways, as I thought, everything is the same. Although, I know how much you hate me saying it's miserable, so I'm going to say this-it's...eerie. Everyone seems to know something I don't ,and I'm not sure it's a good thing, like a Christmas surprise. One splendid thing to tell you, I talked to my mum and dad, and they say you can come to MY house for Easter holiday. If you want to, I mean. Don't go all nuts on me. Peter said he was going to get ahold of an owl or something, so don't be too frightened if a pigeon flies through the window holding a very dirty letter. He is enjoying his skiing, and no one has broken any sort of bones, although Pete thinks that he should learn how to mend bones-just in case. Can you imagine Peter doing any kind of real magic? I dunno, it seems...awkward to imagine any of us doing REAL magic, like hexes and all of that, but Pete himself would probably blow something up. Such as his leg.
Remus doesn't know if he'll be up to the task of writing. He looked a little peaky on the train. Gosh, his family sure does get sick alot, don't they? Hopefully nothing is too serious with him, and he'll be able to write you.
My mother is calling me down for the...er...scrumptious, brand new turkey...dinner..so I have to go. Your present is going to arrive on Christmas, as agreed by the four of us."
After this, the letter did a sort of jig and folded itself up into a neat little square. Sirius took the square of paper and put it next to his bed. It was nice to know someone was thinking of him during the holidays...
*~*
Christmas day arose, and all four boys were excited to see the presents at the edge of their beds. Sirius was extremely surprised as he didn't expect this many gifts. He though of his friends, and soon, the grin slid off of his face. In a matter of hours, a horrible gift would be coming for the Potters, and Sirius did not know what to do. He wasn't supposed to know, but he did, and if anyone knew he knew, than that would mean they knew he knew and..well..it wouldn't be good if anyone knew what he knew. But who could he tell...
OF COURSE! Why hadn't he thought of it before? He would go to Dumbledore!
But..where was Dumbledore this morning...breakfast was over..and by dinner it would be far too late.
Sirius jumped out of bed in search of Professor Dumbledore, and left his presents behind.
**********
At about the same time of Sirius, James awoke to see his presents. He ran to the pile and started picking out the best looking ones. By the end of his rampage through the sheets of wrapping paper, he had three sweaters, four pairs of mittens with matching hats, a stuffed dog, and a new broomstick from his parents. He then got to his friends, where he found that Remus had gotten him a book called "101 Ways to Prank Your Worst Enemies (And Your Best Friends)" Peter had gotten him a stack of chocolate frogs (probably in memory of the fateful trick) and Sirius had-well...Sirius was not expected to get anyone anything, as he didn't have any money, nor did he have any time to buy presents, yet James felt his present was the best of all, at least, in retrospect he did.
All it was was a photo album that played a film of the best tricks in history on the cover. Muggles were included in the film, and therefore there were the comedy sketches of the Three Stooges, and other acts of pranking. On the inside was a photo of their first prank, a strand of Lily Evans hair, with a picture of Lily Evans, fuming at the boys. A note slipped out of it.
"James, you idiot.
First off, take good care of this. If you don't, I will have to behead you. Don't ask how I got it, just enjoy it.
Secondly, I know you're asking yourself where the pictures come from. Well, it never hurts to have a camera lying around. And just so you know, I expect this to be filled by the end of our second year.
And we are so doing real magic. What did you think we were doing? Pretend? You thought we were pulling rabbits out of hats or something? By the way, why do people pull rabits out of their hats? I mean, do they really like their hats being filled with rabbit dung?
I would also love to stay at your house next holiday. I am bored to death around here. I almost hung out with some of the girls from Hufflepuff...can you believe that everyone in Gryffindor is gone? It's rediculous. One break, the four of us must stay behind and do every gag we can think of. Whipped cream in the pillowcases and everything. It will be heaven.
By the way, I strongly urge you and your family to get out of your house. Have a nice Christmas.
Siri"
James was wondering what Sirius was talking about at the end of the letter when his mother called him downstairs for breakfast. He forgot about the letter within seconds.
********
Sirius had run throughout the entire castle before realizing he was still in his pajamas. After a quick change into his robes, he ran around once again, in search of a teacher.
Eventually, he found Professor McGonagall, and pleaded with her that he speak to Dumbledore.
"No, Mr. Black, there is no reason to disturb him from more important business." She replied, at his request.
"But this is more important business!" Sirius pleaded, and McGonagall turned sharply at him.
"What do you mean, Mr. Black. Do you know something?"
"YES!" Sirius said. "I heard it a long time ago. They're gonna hurt the Potters!" Sirius said.
"When?" She said, turning chalk white. "Why didn't you tell me before?!"
"I-I mean, -and-I didn't.." He replied, startled at her change in stature.
"Come with me." the Professor said, and led him to an empty classroom. She said some words he didn't understand and Professor Dumbledore was in the room with him, holding an empty teapot.
"What is this all about, Minerva?" He said, putting down the teapot. "I believe I have just stolen the Potter's teapot."
"Tell him, Black." Sirius was confused, as Mcgonagall seemed angry at him. 'For what' he wondered.
"Well, see, I heard my family talk a long time ago-"
"Faster, we don't have time." She snapped.
"The Dark Lord is going to launch an attack on anyone who publicly joins you. They and their families are going to be killed." Sirius blurted out.
"When?" Dumbledore said, his face showing utmost urgency.
"At noon today..." He said, looking at his feet. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I kept hoping that they'd forget about it, or that James' father wouldn't be invovled by then, or that He'd be dead by now..."
"You told me, and that shows courage. You know what is at stake here, Mr. Black, and know that I am proud to have you in my old house." Dumbledore said, looking directly at Sirius. "Minerva, I would like to talk to you as soon as this is cleared up. For now, escort young Mr. Black to his quarters."
And with a poof, he and the teapot were gone again.
"You can't-" Sirius said, realizing that it was impossible to apparate inside the school.
"Professor Dumbledore can do many things that we can not. Come, Mr. Black. Time to go back to the empty dormitory we call Gryffindor." And she sighed, not knowing what to think of young Sirius, who seemed to be so different from his parents, and yet, so similar.
Sirius could have said the same thing about Professor McGonagall, ironically.
**********
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Screamed an 11 year old boy, flying down a hill, covered in white, fluffy snow.
"Peter Pettigrew, you hush up this instant!" Scolded his mother. She had been hearing his yelps of joy all week, and it was getting on her nerves. After all, it was Christmas, and even before he opened his presents, he had to go down the hill just ONCE!
"Son! Get up here! Or the presents will all disappear!" His father laughed. He hugged his wife and whispered in her ear 'I love you'
"I love you too, but right now, I'm not so sure about our son!" The mother said, laughing all the while. The Pettigrew family may be small, and may not have too many members who stick together in it, but the pact of three were as close as you could get.
Young Peter eventually did come back to his parents, and opened his presents, including 3 from his new-found friends.
Peter could not believe his luck, either. Friends at last! He just hoped he wouldn't hurt them. Ever.
As he opened his presents, he found three tickets to a special exhibition of skiing tricks for that afternoon. As he, his mother and his father were watching, one of the skiiers was doing a sommersault and broke his nose. Peter laghed insanely, and as his parents asked him, he just said "it was something I did with my friends." His parents, also being thrilled at the notion of him having friends, smiled at their son.
All in all, it was the best Christmas one could have.
**********
Unfortunately, Christmas Eve. had been a full moon.
As Remus got up on Christmas morning, he dressed his bandages, cleaned up his mess of a room a bit, and walked out to greet his mother and father. His brother was out of town and could not be there this year. But he swore to be with Remus all the time after this one last trip.
He always said that.
Remus' mother and father put down their newspapers as they saw their son.
"Everything alright, son?" They asked. "Do we need to go out tomorrow to pick up anything?"
"No, it actually wasn't nearly as bad as before." Remus said. And it was true. Before, his attacks would leave him bleeding for days, with huge gashes spanning from head to toe. Large amounts of glass and ceramics were broken through the years, and Remus was reluctant of moving them every month.
The Lupin family spent their Christmas alone, mostly because their extended family refused to see Remus the day after an attack.
It was too much of a reminder of what he was.
But Remus wasn't bitter. Oh no, he had the love of his immediate family, and now, he had three great friends...who had all gotten him books of some sort. Except for Sirius, who sent him an empty can of silly string. Remus grinned at the memory of that first meeting on the train.
"An empty can? You'd think your friends would be sensible enough not to get you trash for Christmas. Is he poverty-stricken?" His mother asked.
"Oh no, you don't understand, mother." Remus said, and took the can with him to his room, his other presents untouched.
Although, he'd have to get around to reading "How to act your age" By James Potter...
****************************************************************************************************
You like? You no like? Please please please please please please
review!
In fact, I've made up a song about reviewing.
(to the tune of that improv song from Whose Line is it anyways)
I like to see reviews, I'd like to see them now
If you don't know how to do it, let me show you how
You push a button, write some words, they can be good or bad
But please don't tell me that I stink, or else I'll be real sad.
No, I'm kidding 'bout that last part, you can tell me what you choose.
Tell me that they're great, or give me lots of boos
I've written lots of chapters, while at the screen I sit.
But, don't review this song 'cause I know that it is shit!
Know that it is shit!!!!!
HAHA!
"Aw, mom!" It was amazing how many times three boys could say these two words. But to one boy, he was only reading about them.
Sirius was sitting in his dorm. It felt awfully lonesome when he was by himself. He actually caught himself wishing he was home. And then he remembered.
He wasn't welome there anymore.
He didn't exactly care. No, in fact, he was happy.
He never had to deal with those...dark, evil souls again. Never would he have to hear his father taunt him, hear his mother baby his little brother, hear his brother....act as he was raised to act.
No one knew where Sirius had gone wrong. He had always assumed it was his DNA, but that didn't work, seeing as his DNA was the problem in the first place. So, inevitably, it turned to fate. Fate was the one thing that led Sirius to the path of...well, a path. Fate was the one thing he held on to, believing that it was meant to be that his parents hated him. Meant to be that his best friend happened to be the opposition.
Meant to be what was about to happen to his best friend. And his family.
Siirus looked over at the window, where there was an owl hovering. It was odd, as Sirius didn't have an owl, but he assumed it was James'. He opened the window and watched the beautiful owl, which happened to be a simple barn owl, fly through.
As he suspected, it was from James. He didn't want to hear about what a 'miserable time' James was having. It couldn't compare to the horrors Sirius was facing. Boredom.
The letter then jumped up and did a little dance. At this, Sirius was amused, but not yet at the point where he was enjoying it. The letter opened itself up and read it aloud.
"I know you're all alone, so it doesn't matter if this is aloud or not. By the way, my father taught me this trick. Yes, you heard me, my father. So you can stop your worrying...about whatever it was you were worrying about. Dumbledore told him to relax with his family.
I knew I liked him. Anyways, as I thought, everything is the same. Although, I know how much you hate me saying it's miserable, so I'm going to say this-it's...eerie. Everyone seems to know something I don't ,and I'm not sure it's a good thing, like a Christmas surprise. One splendid thing to tell you, I talked to my mum and dad, and they say you can come to MY house for Easter holiday. If you want to, I mean. Don't go all nuts on me. Peter said he was going to get ahold of an owl or something, so don't be too frightened if a pigeon flies through the window holding a very dirty letter. He is enjoying his skiing, and no one has broken any sort of bones, although Pete thinks that he should learn how to mend bones-just in case. Can you imagine Peter doing any kind of real magic? I dunno, it seems...awkward to imagine any of us doing REAL magic, like hexes and all of that, but Pete himself would probably blow something up. Such as his leg.
Remus doesn't know if he'll be up to the task of writing. He looked a little peaky on the train. Gosh, his family sure does get sick alot, don't they? Hopefully nothing is too serious with him, and he'll be able to write you.
My mother is calling me down for the...er...scrumptious, brand new turkey...dinner..so I have to go. Your present is going to arrive on Christmas, as agreed by the four of us."
After this, the letter did a sort of jig and folded itself up into a neat little square. Sirius took the square of paper and put it next to his bed. It was nice to know someone was thinking of him during the holidays...
*~*
Christmas day arose, and all four boys were excited to see the presents at the edge of their beds. Sirius was extremely surprised as he didn't expect this many gifts. He though of his friends, and soon, the grin slid off of his face. In a matter of hours, a horrible gift would be coming for the Potters, and Sirius did not know what to do. He wasn't supposed to know, but he did, and if anyone knew he knew, than that would mean they knew he knew and..well..it wouldn't be good if anyone knew what he knew. But who could he tell...
OF COURSE! Why hadn't he thought of it before? He would go to Dumbledore!
But..where was Dumbledore this morning...breakfast was over..and by dinner it would be far too late.
Sirius jumped out of bed in search of Professor Dumbledore, and left his presents behind.
**********
At about the same time of Sirius, James awoke to see his presents. He ran to the pile and started picking out the best looking ones. By the end of his rampage through the sheets of wrapping paper, he had three sweaters, four pairs of mittens with matching hats, a stuffed dog, and a new broomstick from his parents. He then got to his friends, where he found that Remus had gotten him a book called "101 Ways to Prank Your Worst Enemies (And Your Best Friends)" Peter had gotten him a stack of chocolate frogs (probably in memory of the fateful trick) and Sirius had-well...Sirius was not expected to get anyone anything, as he didn't have any money, nor did he have any time to buy presents, yet James felt his present was the best of all, at least, in retrospect he did.
All it was was a photo album that played a film of the best tricks in history on the cover. Muggles were included in the film, and therefore there were the comedy sketches of the Three Stooges, and other acts of pranking. On the inside was a photo of their first prank, a strand of Lily Evans hair, with a picture of Lily Evans, fuming at the boys. A note slipped out of it.
"James, you idiot.
First off, take good care of this. If you don't, I will have to behead you. Don't ask how I got it, just enjoy it.
Secondly, I know you're asking yourself where the pictures come from. Well, it never hurts to have a camera lying around. And just so you know, I expect this to be filled by the end of our second year.
And we are so doing real magic. What did you think we were doing? Pretend? You thought we were pulling rabbits out of hats or something? By the way, why do people pull rabits out of their hats? I mean, do they really like their hats being filled with rabbit dung?
I would also love to stay at your house next holiday. I am bored to death around here. I almost hung out with some of the girls from Hufflepuff...can you believe that everyone in Gryffindor is gone? It's rediculous. One break, the four of us must stay behind and do every gag we can think of. Whipped cream in the pillowcases and everything. It will be heaven.
By the way, I strongly urge you and your family to get out of your house. Have a nice Christmas.
Siri"
James was wondering what Sirius was talking about at the end of the letter when his mother called him downstairs for breakfast. He forgot about the letter within seconds.
********
Sirius had run throughout the entire castle before realizing he was still in his pajamas. After a quick change into his robes, he ran around once again, in search of a teacher.
Eventually, he found Professor McGonagall, and pleaded with her that he speak to Dumbledore.
"No, Mr. Black, there is no reason to disturb him from more important business." She replied, at his request.
"But this is more important business!" Sirius pleaded, and McGonagall turned sharply at him.
"What do you mean, Mr. Black. Do you know something?"
"YES!" Sirius said. "I heard it a long time ago. They're gonna hurt the Potters!" Sirius said.
"When?" She said, turning chalk white. "Why didn't you tell me before?!"
"I-I mean, -and-I didn't.." He replied, startled at her change in stature.
"Come with me." the Professor said, and led him to an empty classroom. She said some words he didn't understand and Professor Dumbledore was in the room with him, holding an empty teapot.
"What is this all about, Minerva?" He said, putting down the teapot. "I believe I have just stolen the Potter's teapot."
"Tell him, Black." Sirius was confused, as Mcgonagall seemed angry at him. 'For what' he wondered.
"Well, see, I heard my family talk a long time ago-"
"Faster, we don't have time." She snapped.
"The Dark Lord is going to launch an attack on anyone who publicly joins you. They and their families are going to be killed." Sirius blurted out.
"When?" Dumbledore said, his face showing utmost urgency.
"At noon today..." He said, looking at his feet. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you before. I kept hoping that they'd forget about it, or that James' father wouldn't be invovled by then, or that He'd be dead by now..."
"You told me, and that shows courage. You know what is at stake here, Mr. Black, and know that I am proud to have you in my old house." Dumbledore said, looking directly at Sirius. "Minerva, I would like to talk to you as soon as this is cleared up. For now, escort young Mr. Black to his quarters."
And with a poof, he and the teapot were gone again.
"You can't-" Sirius said, realizing that it was impossible to apparate inside the school.
"Professor Dumbledore can do many things that we can not. Come, Mr. Black. Time to go back to the empty dormitory we call Gryffindor." And she sighed, not knowing what to think of young Sirius, who seemed to be so different from his parents, and yet, so similar.
Sirius could have said the same thing about Professor McGonagall, ironically.
**********
"WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" Screamed an 11 year old boy, flying down a hill, covered in white, fluffy snow.
"Peter Pettigrew, you hush up this instant!" Scolded his mother. She had been hearing his yelps of joy all week, and it was getting on her nerves. After all, it was Christmas, and even before he opened his presents, he had to go down the hill just ONCE!
"Son! Get up here! Or the presents will all disappear!" His father laughed. He hugged his wife and whispered in her ear 'I love you'
"I love you too, but right now, I'm not so sure about our son!" The mother said, laughing all the while. The Pettigrew family may be small, and may not have too many members who stick together in it, but the pact of three were as close as you could get.
Young Peter eventually did come back to his parents, and opened his presents, including 3 from his new-found friends.
Peter could not believe his luck, either. Friends at last! He just hoped he wouldn't hurt them. Ever.
As he opened his presents, he found three tickets to a special exhibition of skiing tricks for that afternoon. As he, his mother and his father were watching, one of the skiiers was doing a sommersault and broke his nose. Peter laghed insanely, and as his parents asked him, he just said "it was something I did with my friends." His parents, also being thrilled at the notion of him having friends, smiled at their son.
All in all, it was the best Christmas one could have.
**********
Unfortunately, Christmas Eve. had been a full moon.
As Remus got up on Christmas morning, he dressed his bandages, cleaned up his mess of a room a bit, and walked out to greet his mother and father. His brother was out of town and could not be there this year. But he swore to be with Remus all the time after this one last trip.
He always said that.
Remus' mother and father put down their newspapers as they saw their son.
"Everything alright, son?" They asked. "Do we need to go out tomorrow to pick up anything?"
"No, it actually wasn't nearly as bad as before." Remus said. And it was true. Before, his attacks would leave him bleeding for days, with huge gashes spanning from head to toe. Large amounts of glass and ceramics were broken through the years, and Remus was reluctant of moving them every month.
The Lupin family spent their Christmas alone, mostly because their extended family refused to see Remus the day after an attack.
It was too much of a reminder of what he was.
But Remus wasn't bitter. Oh no, he had the love of his immediate family, and now, he had three great friends...who had all gotten him books of some sort. Except for Sirius, who sent him an empty can of silly string. Remus grinned at the memory of that first meeting on the train.
"An empty can? You'd think your friends would be sensible enough not to get you trash for Christmas. Is he poverty-stricken?" His mother asked.
"Oh no, you don't understand, mother." Remus said, and took the can with him to his room, his other presents untouched.
Although, he'd have to get around to reading "How to act your age" By James Potter...
****************************************************************************************************
You like? You no like? Please please please please please please
review!
In fact, I've made up a song about reviewing.
(to the tune of that improv song from Whose Line is it anyways)
I like to see reviews, I'd like to see them now
If you don't know how to do it, let me show you how
You push a button, write some words, they can be good or bad
But please don't tell me that I stink, or else I'll be real sad.
No, I'm kidding 'bout that last part, you can tell me what you choose.
Tell me that they're great, or give me lots of boos
I've written lots of chapters, while at the screen I sit.
But, don't review this song 'cause I know that it is shit!
Know that it is shit!!!!!
HAHA!