AN:
Hi all! After nearly a week of nothing, I'm back!
The last chapter hotted some of the war aspects up a bit, but now we're off for some Christmas fluff in coming chapters. First though, we have to meet Mr and Mrs Evans, and deal with their questions about Hogsmeade.
Also, credit to a bit of dialogue inspired by the Big Bang Theory.
Anyway, please enjoy!
Gryffindors bustled through the common room, trunks and owls, cats and toads transported out through the Portrait Hole. Record numbers of students were going home for the holidays. Normally, the Marauders would happily have promptly signed up to stay (nothing called to them more than a virtually empty castle to have the run of), but they were ready to go as well. Sirius crossed his arms, dressed in his best heir to House Black clothing, his foot tapping impatiently. James stood next to him, head buried in that mornings copy of the Daily Prophet, casual in jeans and a red and white plaid shirt, leather jacket resting on his trunk. Peter had his upper body in his own trunk, searching for Merlin only knew what, emerging in jeans and an awful orange Christmas jumper patterned with a large snowman. Remus had gone smart casual in black trousers and a dark grey jumper, Gryffindor scarf ready to wind around his neck, overcoat waiting on his trunk. A trunk (this one marked with the letters RME) floated out of the Girls Staircase, the male Marauders sighing in relief. Rose followed her trunk out, smiling radiantly at her friends. Her purple cords and black plaid shirt were mostly hidden by a sheepskin coat that she snuggled further into. Sirius smiled fondly, wrapping his own scarf around her neck. "Are we finally ready to go, Rosebud?"
"Don't blame me, Siri" she glared playfully. "Lily couldn't find Snowflake and refused to go without the furball."
"I wasn't leaving without my cat, Rosie" Lily huffed, rolling her eyes at her sister. "I just taught her to scratch Petunia. You wouldn't deprive me of the pleasure of seeing that, would you?"
"I'd pay galleons to see that" James agreed absently. "We ready to go?"
"On your mark, Prongs" Remus smiled, wand waving over his trunk and cage containing his owl (a Horned Owl named Glimfeather), the items lifting into the air. Peter's screech owl, a tiny little thing called Smudge, hooted in excitement, setting off Sirius' Great Grey Owl Archimedes (names for all of Sirius' creative invocations of Merlin's name).
"Belt up, Archie" Sirius drawled, Lily doing a double take at his formal attire.
"You're going to miss the train" Marlene announced, appearing in the portrait hole.
"That's what I've been saying for ages" James groaned, Sirius patting him patronisingly on the shoulder and winking as he muttered under his breath. "You're an arsehole, Pads." Sirius nodded in unfazed agreement, his whole bearing screaming tell me something I don't know. The handsome Marauder waved his wand casually, chivalrously taking care of Rose's trunk and owl cage as well as his own.
The Marauders' usual compartment was more full than it had ever been. Lily and the Girls were packed in with them, Marlene bringing a wireless in with her. James muffled the compartment, his wand moving in gentle circles. The non-Marauders looked worried, so Rose hurried to reassure them. "We don't like being overhead. It's just a habit. Never know when someone might be eavesdropping."
"Exactly" Sirius agreed, his eyes smiling. Marlene rolled her eyes, but turned on her wireless, a new Christmas wizarding single - Driving Home For Christmas - playing cheerfully.
"How appropriate" Remus remarked dryly. "Why couldn't it be White Christmas? I like that one."
"Because it's not the fifties anymore, Rem" Rose grinned, Sirius' voice singing quietly along with the words.
"It doesn't have to be the fifties for someone to enjoy the song" Lily spoke up, Remus beaming at her. "Dad likes it."
"Your father is a man of rare taste" Remus praised, Sirius inclining his head thoughtfully. Rose hid a smile, knowing what was coming.
"Jim's not a bad sort. I quite like him."
"I can't believe he lets you call him that" Lily gaped, her mouth hanging open.
"Insists on it, actually" James sighed, pretending to be put upon. Lily made a noise of disbelief and was pulled into conversation with her friends, leaving the Marauders to their own devices. Sirius and James started talking about the upcoming (after the Christmas holidays) Gryffindor versus Slytherin quidditch match. James' hands waved about, illustrating whatever point he was trying to make. Sirius rolled his eyes, head shaking as his own hands gestured in opposition to James. Remus wisely pulled out a book, a content smile on his face as he explored the world of Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Rose saw Peter pull his beanie over his eyes, settling down for a nap away from the cheerful conversations. For her part, she just watched the countryside passing by, enjoying the comforting sounds of the company she was with. For the first time in weeks (not counting the times she was safe with Sirius), Rose felt herself relax and trust that nothing was going to happen to them; not while they were all together. Sirius' arm wrapped loosely around her waist, the tiniest hint of contact that they didn't even realise they actively sought out. Hestia gave her a curious look but otherwise didn't comment; the young witch had enough on her mind without bringing up 'interpersonal relationships'.
Darkness was falling, casting shadows on the icy grounds outside the train windows. Winter Wonderland played quietly from the wireless, the festive music weaving its spell on the sixth year Gryffindors. Lily smiled brightly, her emerald eyes twinkling like Christmas fairy lights. "It's really Christmas" she breathed, excited like a little girl. James looked away, resigned pain in his face.
"Did old Flitwick have live fairies in his classes?" Sirius asked, giving James a moment not to be so distracted.
"You'd know if you ever bothered turning up to class, Black" Emmeline smirked, getting an even look in reply.
"Marauders have better things to do" Remus replied offhandedly; Marauders closed ranks around each other - they took no crap from anybody, except each other. Sirius shot him a grin, a perfect orb of light dancing on his palm.
"We don't actually need to attend classes, Vance" James clarified helpfully. "We tend to learn ahead of the curve."
"Very far ahead of the curve" Remus agreed proudly. Lily broke the lowering cloud of tension.
"I've given up trying to understand the Marauders. You're impossible."
"We're not that hard to understand" James told her sadly. "Everything we do, we do for each other. We're family, a pack, a team. We make mischief and have fun because that's what we do, but-" He shook his head, drifting off. Sirius continued , voice lined with steel.
"But Merlin help anyone that tries to mess with us."
"I think Hogsmeade showed that" Alice murmured, each falling into their own thoughts. Remus fell asleep opposite Rose, James and Sirius starting a game of wizarding chess, and the others drifted off in their own directions to explore the train. Rose took advantage of the extra room and stretched out, James smiling at the sight of her.
"We need to shake off this cloud" the stag animagus said suddenly, prodding his sacrificial pawn forward.
"And how do you recommend we do that, Prongs?" Remus asked sleepily, eyes still shut. A conniving smirk spread across James's face.
"Thank you for asking, Moony" he winked, not noticing as Sirius' queen killed his Knight. "I, Mr Prongs, Marauder of the most noble order of the stag, hereby suggest that we again do the impossible." He leaned forward, a manic light in his hazel eyes. Sirius prodded Peter with his toe, Peter grumbling but pulling his beanie back up properly. "Ta, Pads." James grinned, puffing his chest out in exaggerated importance. "We (that is, myself, Mr Moony of the most protective order of the wolf, Mr Wormtail of the most canny order of the rat, Lady Astra of the most pure order of the unicorn, and Mr Padfoot of the most loyal order of the dog), are going to enjoy every minute of this Christmas holiday-"
"Ooh, that's impossible" Sirius smirked, James ignoring him with ease.
"And then we're going to show everyone how to have fun even in the middle of the war." Sirius held up a hand, then stuck his head out of the compartment door.
"Prongsie is a genius!"
"I thought you didn't prank people on the train" Lily yelled back, not missing a beat. The offense Rose expected to see on James wasn't there, a besotted smile on his face. Remus followed her eyes and groaned.
"You're not done with her, are you?" James stared out into the corridor wistfully.
"Our children will be smart and beautiful." Sirius' eyes rolled in direct contravention to the laws of physics.
"Not to mention imaginary, mate."
"Now how do you know?" James demanded, wagging a finger at Sirius' face. "How do you know?"
"Because he has eyes, Prongs" Remus offered, eyes twinkling in opposition to the innocence in his voice.
"Shall we have a wager?" James asked in the usual offhand way of Marauders making bets that they'd soon forget about.
"What are your terms?" Sirius drawled, bored. James smirked and whispered quickly to Rose. She nodded, that was genius.
"On the day that Lily and James inevitably have their smart and beautiful child-"
"You said that without sarcasm, Rosebud" Sirius interrupted, Peter muttering something under his breath about getting rooms. The rat animagus then squeaked as a heavy book (Remus', borrowed by Sirius) hit him in the stomach. Rose ignored Sirius' mischievous grin and carried on with the terms of the wager.
"When that event occurs, you three naysayers-"
"Naysayers?" Remus repeated disbelievingly.
"Hush, Rem, I'm talking" Rose sniffed imperiously. "You three will all-"
"Stand up in public and announce that you bastards were horribly wrong and that Lily Evans and I have smart and beautiful children." He nodded to seal his words, impressed.
"Er, Prongs?" Peter raised a hand. "Why is Rose exempt?" James looked lost and shrugged.
"Because" Rose sighed, put-upon "that smart and beautiful child will be my niece or nephew."
"Right" Peter agreed sagely. "So, in this mystical universe where pigs fly and Evans wouldn't rather snog the Giant Squid, Padfoot is also exempt." James pinched the bridge of his nose, but visibly itched with curiosity.
"Okay, Wormy, explain your logic" James invited eventually. Sirius also had a raised eyebrow, waiting for Peter to elaborate.
"It's obvious, isn't it?" Peter asked, eyes comically wide. "In a world where Evans is willing to put up with Prongs long enough to shag-"
"Oi!" James growled in warning. "That's the future mother of my child you're talking about."
"Yeah, dream on" Peter smirked, holding his hands up in surrender as James advanced upon him. "Anyway in that world, clearly anything can happen - including Sirius and Rosie getting hitched." Rose suddenly found the view of London approaching out of the window very interesting, Peter yelping after a thud or two.
"You know" Remus announced thoughtfully . "The rat has a point."
"Let's have a new agreement" Sirius proposed slowly. "You lot stop planning my- (sorry, Rosebud) our relationship, and Prongs and I won't do horrible things to you, Wormtail."
"Deal" Peter said quickly, Remus laughing and shaking his head at them. Rose grinned at her friends.
"No more bickering, we're coming into Kings Cross."
"Thank Merlin for that" James groaned, throwing his hands into the air. "It's snowing, so wrap up warm all of you." Playful mock salutes replied to James's request, the stag digging in his trunk for his Gryffindor scarf and leather jacket. Rose waved her wand, tidying up the mess that their compartment had degenerated into, waiting for Lily to return and grab her things.
The Marauders joined the throng of students departing the train onto the platform. The Girls not Lily said their well wishes and hurried off to find their families in the dark smoke. Rose stood near a barrier, watching for their portkey and trying hard not to bounce up and down like an excited little girl. James jogged back over with their portkey (a vinyl sleeve of the Beatles' Rubber Soul album) and announced they had less than a minute to go until transport. Lily beamed and clapped her hands, bringing back a memory of another Christmas oh so many years before. Lily and Rose had always adored Christmas; the only reason the Marauders had spent so many of them at Hogwarts was a) Remus and his Furry Little Problem and b) Sirius and his insane, blood-puritan parents. The handsomest Marauder wrapped his hands around her waist, pulling her back against his chest. "You okay, Sweetheart?" Sirius whispered, breath warm on her ear. Rose took in the sight of her wizarding family, and half turned to Sirius, warmth glowing in her chest.
"Never better."
"We've got blueness!" Peter yelled, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Don't wet yourself, Wormtail" Sirius requested tiredly, reaching out a hand to touch the record cover. Rose felt the uncomfortable navel tug that typified portkey travel and squeezed her eyes shut, resigned to ending up flat on her back.
Carollers were singing The First Noel, to a one blind to six teenagers literally falling from the sky. Magic truly was a wonderful thing. The light dusting of snow had given the usually dreary town a festive look, welcomed by the two Cokeworth natives. Peter was lying on his back in the snow, giggling at the absurdity of it all, James and Remus leaning causally against trees. Lily had caught herself on a wall, looking around the street with a smile, and Rose was exactly where she wanted to be; safe in Sirius' arms. James shivered in the cool wind, stomping his feet to keep up circulation. "Which way to the Evans'?" Lily rolled her eyes, but happily led the way, Rose content to trail along behind with her friends. The portkey (arranged personally by James's auror uncle, Charlus Potter) had dropped them off less than five minutes from the Evans home. Lily saw the open front door and ran in, yelling excitedly for their mother. Rose, on the other hand, saw an oh so familiar hazel eyed, brown haired man leaning in the hallway, and broke off from the Marauders.
"Daddy!" Jim Evans smiled and swooped her up into a warm hug.
"There's my little star" Jim breathed, content. He pulled back and fixed her with a piercing gaze. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"Literally never better, Dad" Rose assured him wholeheartedly. A little thing like torture from Bellatrix Lestrange wasn't going to stop her enjoying Christmas. Familiar footsteps signalled the arrival of the Marauders, Jim's smile widening at the sight of his adopted 'sons'. James got a half hug and a clap on the shoulder, Remus likewise. Peter went for a formal handshake and strolled off in search of food. Sirius' eyes widened in surprise as Jim pulled him in for a hug. Rose just smiled happily, her father had always liked Sirius.
"You're always welcome here" Jim said flatly, Sirius nodding his unspoken understanding. "Now, did you all eat on the train?"
"Only from the lunch trolley" Rose shrugged, hearing the blissful quiet that meant no Petunia.
"Petunia's out with Vernon" Jim made a face that said all it needed to about his thoughts on his future son-in-law. "Your mother's keeping a Shepherds Pie warm."
"I'm really not that hungry" Rose muttered, ignoring her father's concerned frown. Sirius had his back turned to them, hanging his coat up on the hook. Even still, Rose could feel the worried disapproval coming from him. "We practically bought out Honeydukes from that trolley." Silence. James and Remus shuffled off towards the kitchen, the cowards. Rose sighed and inwardly threw up her hands. "Fine. You win. Shall we go sample my mother's cooking?" Sirius took her coat and hung it up next to his own.
"I thought you'd never ask, Rosebud" Sirius replied, his eyes twinkling softly. "You coming, Jim?" Rose's father watched curiously and nodded once, Rose almost certain that she saw him wink at Sirius as they walked in.
The one thing you could always rely on the Marauders to be was distracting. And Rose was never more grateful for it than when her mother first laid eyes back upon her. "Rosie! Your father and I were so worried! How could you do that to us! Are you okay?"
"Mum!" Rose yelled, finally succeeding in stopping her ranting. "I'm fine. I'm home. It's Christmas. I really don't want to think about it at the moment." And she didn't. It was the last thing she wanted to be reminded of. Jim laid a hand on her mother's arm, giving her a look Rose recognised well.
"Violet, we've only just got them back for the holidays. Don't drive our daughter out now." Violet's mouth closed with a click, as if she was just remembering that they had company. Dinner passed in a tense sort of conversation, talking about everything but missing out on the best part of school in the Hogwarts infirmary - mostly because the Marauders controlled the conversation masterfully. Once every last morsel had been devoured, and the plates piled in the sink, Rose caught a wordless conversation taking place between her parents. The worry and fear that she had caused was still in their eyes, and Rose immediately felt horrible for lying to them. She felt torn between her family and staying with her friends. But they deserved to know, and James swore blind that they wouldn't try and stop Rose from going back to Hogwarts. But she needed-
"Sirius." He turned away from his conversation with James and the grin fell from his handsome face.
"What do you need, Rosebud?" In that moment, looking into his steady gaze, Rose knew that she could ask him to do anything, even the most outlandish things in the world (like marching into the Lestrange residence and getting revenge), and Sirius would do it without blinking.
"Stay with me?"
"Always" Sirius promised, making it sound both solemn and obvious.
"I'll show you three to your rooms" Lily offered, glaring at Remus until he sighed and pulled James to his feet. Peter just squeaked and fled the kitchen, never good at this kind of thing. James paused in the doorway, his eyes oddly blue in the light.
"Pads, Astra, if you need me just call. Otherwise, I'm going to hit the rack. I'll see you in the morning."
"Night, Prongs" Rose smiled, hoping it came out somewhat genuine. Sirius waved a hand, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Goodnight, deer." James narrowed his eyes.
"I'm letting that go, just this once."
Jim sat across the table, fingers tapping out an odd rhythm while Violet compulsively made tea behind him. Rose was silent, searching for words to describe everything; the hell that had led to one of the best things she had going for her. Sirius, for his part, met her father's retired judge gaze evenly, his thumb running in distracted motions over her knuckles under the table. Jim broke the silence as Rose knew he would. "What are you trying to find words to tell us?"
"Lily's first letter, the one she wrote in a panic, it was right" Rose admitted softly. "We went into Hogsmeade because we can and we're the Marauders - and whether the reason is important, which it isn't, it's not the issue. The town was attacked by Death Eaters-"
"They're witches and wizards that believe in blood purity" Sirius explained bitterly. "In how much non-magical blood you have. They're led by a psychopathic madman named Voldemort, and-"
"They're going to war with the rest of your world?" Jim finished, scrubbing a hand over his face.
"And yours" Sirius replied quietly. "Anyone they see as inferior or as traitors to their blood - myself and James prime examples."
"You were attacked" Violet prompted in a tremulous voice.
"Hogsmeade was" Rose repeated, for a moment almost back in front of the sweetshop with Sirius. "We could've run and left innocent people to the Death Eaters. But we couldn't. Marauders don't run from fights. James sent Peter back to the castle to get help, and he and Sirius took off to try and draw the Death Eaters to them. Rem and I, meanwhile, quickly found ourselves penned in. We, that is Remus, thinks that we were being toyed with, that someone was testing our strengths and weaknesses." Sirius made a distressed noise beside her, the guilt clear on his face.
"It wasn't your fault" Jim said flatly, tone leaving no room for disagreement.
"Doesn't stop the regrets" Sirius returned, but there was only resignation in his voice.
"Eventually, they set fire to Tomes and Scrolls" Rose continued, determined to get it all out now. "It's the bookshop. Rem loves that place. He chased after the Death Eater responsible, he has a very territorial nature, and I foolishly didn't follow. It was about then that I realised I was being watched. Four, maybe five Death Eaters chased after Remus; just the one stayed behind to, er, deal with me. Nine years more experience, dark magic, no moral compass, it's a miracle I lasted as long as I did." Rose laughed, but there was no mirth in the situation. "I tossed her into a wall, made her angry. She retaliated with the second of the three Unforgivables; the Cruciatus Curse." Rose looked away from her parents, knowing what they would expect next. "I can't describe it, so please don't ask me to. It was the worst, most excruciating pain you could ever imagine."
"Rosebud." Sirius' pained voice interrupted her; she was making him go through it again.
"Let's just say that Peter followed through with his job and he brought Lily and several Professors and aurors as backup. I don't remember much after that, except waking up in the Hospital Wing two weeks later with a new scar on my arm." Her mother was speechless in shock, Jim working through it in his head, but there was more still to tell. "Mum, Dad, no matter what you decide, we're going back to Hogwarts. We're at war, but even if we weren't, that's where we belong. I won't leave the Marauders, and there's no way in Merlin's City of Camelot that I'm going to leave Sirius, so-" Jim stopped her with a look.
"Your mother and I have already discussed this; we're not going to stop you from returning to Hogwarts. And we're not discussing this any more tonight. Go unpack and get some sleep, the both of you." Rose wanted nothing more than to do that, but her mind clearly had other ideas. Lily would later say it was the release of the stress brought on by everything, but she just collapsed. Tears were running down her cheeks, she found it hard to breathe. She missed her father's look of dawning realisation and approval, her mother's happy surprise, and Petunia stopping in the doorway in curiosity. Once again, it was Sirius' arms that held her while she cried, his voice that murmured soothing nonsense in her ear, his steady heartbeat that she focused on, his warmth that chased the cold from her heart. Eventually, she managed to pull away long enough to shuffle upstairs with him.
"We've got to stop meeting like this" Rose managed, her voice watery.
"That's not what I agreed, Rosebud" Sirius corrected gently. "You need me, I'm there. Even if it's just getting rid of a spider, or hexing someone into a grease spot." The levity left his voice. "Or being there after a nightmare, or telling Prongs to pull his head in about quidditch, or doing this. There is nothing in this universe that I wouldn't do if you asked me to, because I-" Sirius closed his eyes, and kissed her. When his grey eyes opened, Rose could see everything, just everything. "I love you" he breathed, breath tickling her lips. "I love the way you hate mornings, but always look gorgeous in them. I love the way your eyes light up when you're excited. I love that you're stubborn and obstinate and gentle and kind and loving. I love your vindictive streak and the burn of your redheaded temper. I love that you stood by a werewolf and a spoiled arrogant brat, a mummies boy and the disowned heir to a house of deranged psychopaths." He brushed her hair away gently. "I love your loyalty and your pranking ideas. I love that your family likes us just because you vouched for us. I love that you're insanely obsessed with David Bowie, and that your animagus is a unicorn. I love that you look at us and see us for who we really are. Most of all, I love you for all your imperfect perfection, because you're my Rosebud, and that's the only thing I need to know. You're MY Rosebud." Rose felt a tear escape while she smiled like the sun. Turnabout was fair play. She put her hand over his heart and kissed him for all she was worth.
"I love you more than the stars in the sky, unlike David Bowie, more than I know how to say" she said quickly, catching him while he was still catching his breath. Sirius was odd about emotional confessions. "I love your unwavering loyalty, and your strength and courage. I love that you're Merlin-sent handsome and you know it. I love that you're an incorrigible flirt but would never look twice at anyone else. I love that you make me feel safe and loved and protected. I love that you don't stop me from being myself, even though it hurts you. I love the way you hold me, and the way you love the other Marauders. I love that you love your brother even though he's as Black as you can get. I love your short temper, your rebellious nature and disregard for the rules. I love the strength that allowed you to leave behind your entire family because you knew what was right." Rose ran a hand through her hair. "Godric, Siri, you- everything about you, I-" The passionate press of Sirius' lips stopped her from making a fool of herself, but it was the way he treated her like she was the most precious thing in the world that said his words were true. He poured his love into his kiss, Rose could've stayed there forever.
I know, that last bit was OTT. And if you're wondering, I see Jim Evans kind of like Colin Firth.
Thank you for reading. Next time... Christmas carols and maybe a food fight.