Chapter 7
"Delbert, are we legally married according to the Muggle government?" Valene asked one afternoon as she cooked dinner, Delbert reading the newspaper in the next room over while James and Sirius tried to find a jinx to make their homework do itself.
"I don't believe the Muggle government knows either of us are alive," Delbert called back, turning a page in his newspaper.
"Ah." Valene paused to shift some onions onto the other side of her frying pan. "Then we shouldn't need to get a divorce, but rather just move out?"
"Hukmeedel," Sirius exclaimed suddenly, flicking his wand at the pile of homework lying between he and James. The two boys were leafing through a few spellbooks as quickly as they could, trying not to hear Mr. and Mrs. Potter's discussion.
"I can't imagine we wouldn't need to notify the Ministry in some way or another; they need to send us all of their rules on how to stay safe near dead cats hanging by their tails from three black ribbons," Delbert responded, not moving from his place in the living room.
"So we'll just send a letter to them, then?" Valene asked, picking a golden-brown onion out of her pan and popping it into her mouth.
"That sounds about right."
"How do you set things on fire again?" James asked, turning his head up to face Sirius.
Sirius let out a dog-like laugh. "You want to put our homework on fire?" he asked, sitting back in his chair casually.
"Or at least throw it off a cliff or something."
"Good plan," Sirius commented, opening up his spellbook once more and looking for a curse to set the books on fire.
"Delbert, who will be taking the boys once we move out?" Valene asked suddenly, turning off the stove and sprinkling some seasonings over her onions.
"I'd love to take the boys if you can't care for them," Delbert said eagerly, desperate to be able to keep with his son.
"They are going into their last year at Hogwarts," Valene reasoned, mixing her spices in with the onions.
"Right, but there's still Christmas, Easter…"
"I suppose," Valene said, opening her oven to check the garlic bread she'd put in there earlier. "But those are just temporary. Both boys should be living on their own by next June."
"Valene, you must understand that one of us will be in need to keep the boys' possessions — whatever won't fit into their trunks, that is."
"I can keep all that."
"Oh, no, Valene, there's no need for you troubling yourself over small things like that. I will keep two beds, a desk, et cetera."
James turned his head up to face his parents. "We don't have to come home for Christmas and Easter," he suddenly spoke up, unable to block out his parents' conversation, as he slammed shut his book.
His parents were both silent at his statement. "But James, there's no need for that—"
"Yes, there is. There will be more space at Hogwarts for Sirius and me than at your apartments or houses or whatever."
"James, I don't think you're quite grasping the situation." Valene paused before continuing. "The only people who don't go home for Christmas are the people who either hate their families or don't have anyone to go home to."
"I hate my biological family," Sirius piped up, deciding that he couldn't fully ignore the conversation.
"Yes, and I'd just be keeping him company there," James agreed.
"I don't think my family has ever invited me to come home for Christmas," Sirius continued, speaking to no one in particular.
"Well I suppose we could let the two of you stay," Valene decided hesitantly.
"Actually, I think the last time I had Christmas with my family was when I was ten or something."
"Are you sure about this, Valene?" Delbert asked, getting up and coming to face Valene.
"That's right, when I was ten. Mum was all, 'Get that stupid present out of here! Sirius what were you thinking, giving your brother a book of how to defeat the Dark Arts?'"
"I suppose there's no way around this," Valene reasoned, shrugging her shoulders.
"I don't think I ever got rid of that book, though. Never stopped telling my family that all the book said was how to shut up some little girl who sings nursery rhymes. Suppose little girls are all there is to the Dark Arts, eh?"
"Oh, we can still have them home, me for Christmas and you for Easter."
"My mum still can't stop screaming about that book. Dear, ol' mum. She's the devil, I'm telling you."
"No. They'll be off on their own come June, and until them, they'll be staying at Hogwarts."
"Alright."
a/n: i hope you all like it! thank you for the reviews. someone asked for who james and sirius would be staying with, so thank you for that; it momentarily got rid of my writer's block.
by the way, to anyone celebrating rosh ha'shanah-- shanah tovah! (good year!) i went to services this morning, and i technically shouldn't be typing or anything... but i owed you all a post.
&helen&
