Authors Note:
Shuffles out of hiding, safe under protego.
Hi all! It's December already, huh? Really there's no excuses for the late posting. Real life has been incredibly busy, then again December is for all of us.
To celebrate the holiday season approaching, here's some more Christmas fluff!
Please enjoy!
Warm piano notes hung in the air like Flitwick's Christmas fairies, firelight flickering off loose ornaments and strings of gold and silver tinsel. Remus hummed to himself, carrying in a tray of gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate, the silver tray complementing his dark blue jumper patterned with white snowflakes. Peter's was bright orange and decorated with candy canes, while Lily's was black and patterned with emerald green Christmas trees. James's was a tasteful red dotted with reindeer, complementing Sirius' dark grey jumper covered with snowmen. Even Rose was wearing a purple one patterned with Holly. Lily had laughed in delight at the sight of them, swearing that nobody at Hogwarts was going to believe her when she told them. Rose wondered how fair it was to condemn all of them when it was James that adored tacky Christmas jumpers. Peter tuned the wireless with a flick of his wand, Frank Sinatra singing melodiously about being home for Christmas, much to Remus' approval. Sirius glanced up from untangling the strings of fairy lights, a fond scowl on his face. "If you lot aren't going to be helpful, the least you could do is not torture me and Prongs with that utter garbage."
"Don't insult Frank" Remus warned, Rose folding her arms and half-glaring in agreement. "Sinatra is a genius."
"He is" Lily agreed, but switched the station to one playing choral Christmas carols.
"Oh come all ye house elves" Peter sang, deliberately using the wizarding words to the carol. Remus threw a candy cane at him, rolling his eyes at the carolling Marauder. James moved to help Sirius untangle the lights, Lily's warm hands pulling Rose over to the boxes of baubles. Her face glowed with festive cheer and happiness, bouncing over to their faithful old artificial Christmas tree. Rose brushed a hand over one of the branches, smiling at the familiar texture. The tree was as much a part of their Christmas as anything else, and it had been for as long as Rose could remember. Sirius' hands found his pockets at he surveyed the Christmassy chaos that surrounded them.
"Your house, your Christmas, Evans, how are we doing this?" Lily narrowed her eyes, familiar annoyance in her movements.
"It's our Christmas, Black-" Rose rolled her eyes, an argument was the last thing they wanted tonight.
"Baubles, tinsel, lights, angel" she recited easily. "Just toss them on, it looks better like that anyway."
"And you said that Evans would never do anything the Marauder way, Prongs" Peter piped up, covering his head within his arms at the deluge of baubles tossed at him.
"Astra! Save me!" Rose maneuvered past James (bent double and in stitches) and hung a Gryffindor scarlet bauble on the tree.
"Don't think she's inclined to acquiesce to your plea, Pete" Remus mused, a silver drop shaped ornament in his hand.
"Means get stuffed, Wormy" James clarified, humming along to the carols playing. Lily's eyes rolled audibly, but she made no comment as she selected the right branch to put her golden ornament on. Peter stuck out his tongue, the six Hogwarts students working in silence as they slowly hung baubles on the Christmas tree.
Eventually, tired of analysing the layout of the decorations, Rose took a step back, straight into the familiar warmth of Sirius Black. His arms wrapped around her, hands clasping in front of her stomach. The slight tilt of his head had her looking back at the firelit tree, James and Lily working in an odd sort of synchronicity, weaving around one another as if they did this every year. "There might be hope for Prongs at last" Remus muttered, shuffling past with about ten different baubles.
"It's just a Christmas miracle, I don't think it'll last" Rose whispered back, enjoying the sight while it lasted. Sirius was even giving James the rare time with Lily, despite the fact he thought she was a 'prudish, rule-abiding, goodie-two-shoes, with the voice of a wailing banshee, a Gorgons death glare, and all the charming personality of a Red Cap with a hangover'. He hadn't even apologised for insulting her twin sister, but then again she hadn't really wanted him to. Rose smiled to herself and went to hang up the stockings by the fireplace, biting back a smirk at the playful bickering going on between Lily and the male Marauders.
"No bloody mistletoe and no bloody holly" Remus announced firmly, ignoring the chorus of boo's that he got in response. "Christmas, third year."
"Oi!" James tossed a bauble at his head, the ornament bouncing off Remus' forehead. "That prank was legendary. And, to be fair, Pads did tell you to get down. So it wasn't really our fault that you got a Christmas plum pudding in the kisser."
"Peter ended up with jellied eels in his pants, Prongs!"
"Wormtail laughed at my Christmas jumper" James yelled, pouting quite spectacularly. Sirius rolled his eyes, hands slapping the backs of their heads.
"Rudolph, don't get your antlers in a twist" the former heir to the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black smirked, James giving him the finger. "And, Moons, it's the most wonderful time of the year, not that time of the month. Tone down the crankiness, it's Christmas." Rose couldn't even blame them a little bit for tackling the smirking Marauder. She just shrugged and went to help Lily string the tinsel around the tree.
Fairy lights twinkled merrily to a soundtrack of crackling fire and Bing Crosby. Empty mugs of hot chocolate and plates containing tiny biscuit crumbs littered the coffee table, partly covered by empty boxes and bags. James Potter had red-and-green sock clad feet up on one end, the rest of his body wedged awkwardly in an armchair holding Violet Evans' precious Nativity set. Peter Pettigrew had his head resting on a fluffy snowman soft toy, arms and legs stretched out as he laid cat-like in front of the fireplace. Lily and Rose Evans lay curled in the other armchair, virtually indistinguishable with their eyes closed and hair covering their faces. A slightly threadbare pale purple blanket was draped over the twins, courtesy of Remus Lupin, who had used it to replace the photo album the two had had in their laps. Remus occupied half of the couch, his mouth slightly open and dark hair tousled. He had a hot chocolate mustache and gingerbread in his jumper, but his face was relaxed and happy. Sirius Black laid half under the tree, his face illuminated by the multicoloured fairy lights, resting smirk carelessly in place. His hands were behind his head, just where he'd put them before he'd fallen asleep to the memories the Evans twins were sharing. That was how Jim and Violet Evans found them when they came home at eleven that night, and that was how they woke up on December 21, full to the brim with festive spirit, batteries recharged, and ready to take on the world.
Rose looked at the formally dressed wizard in front of her sceptically. He wore a look of supreme distaste - clearly hating every second of being in Cokeworth - and appeared to be resisting the urge to brush past her. Rose would pay to see him try that, she was eager to try out some of the new curses James had been researching for them. The wizard had knocked on the door maybe ninety seconds beforehand, and was yet to say a word. "Can I help you?" Rose said politely, mentally calculating how long it would take her to draw her wand.
"I wish to see Sirius Black" he demanded, breath whistling through his nose. Rose crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway. As if she was going to let him in just because he said he wanted to see Sirius.
"And you are?"
"I represent Twill, Tanner & Twycroft, a legal firm based in London" the wizard sniffed. "I am Twill." Rose bit back the 'good for you' that longed to come out, and raised an eyebrow instead. She had it on good authority (namely Remus) that it adequately conveyed being distinctly unimpressed and underwhelmed. "I have urgent business with Mr Black" Twill said shrilly. "Believe me, I would not be standing here now if I did not." That Rose could definitely believe; he looked like someone had shoved dragon dung under his nose. Raising one finger in the universal signal for needing a moment, Rose walked to the corner of the house. Yep, noise was definitely still coming from the garage.
"Siri!" A screech of creaky hinges, and Sirius strolled out of the garage with casual grace.
"What is it, Rosebud?" Sirius asked, wiping his hands off on a rag. Only another Marauder would have been able to detect the undertone of concern in his carefree phrasing.
"Some lawyer wants to see you, I think he said his name's Twit."
"Twill!" Twill screeched, calling to mind Petunia at her shrillest.
"Pleasure to meet you, Mr Twit" Sirius smirked, Rose taking her cue to leave them to it.
Jaunty, deliberately cheerful whistling preceded Sirius' return to the living room. Rose had brought the others up to speed, and was now enjoying watching Remus comprehensively beat James at chess. "Dear old Uncle Alphard" Sirius chuckled, an official looking letter clutched in his hand. James looked up from another decisive defeat at wizarding chess and cocked his head.
"Black Sheep senior of the Black family?" Sirius nodded at the stag, expression caught between stunned, bemused and smug. "What about him?"
"Kicked the bucket" Sirius drawled. "Built up quite the fortune beforehand. Left it all to me." James chuckled darkly.
"That'll please your mother."
"Yes" Sirius agreed, a slow and slightly dangerous smirk blossoming on his face. "It'll be a very happy Christmas in the Black household this year. I imagine Walburga is getting ready to behead another house elf." He chuckled again. "They had the funeral yesterday, apparently they decided against inviting me. Didn't want any trouble at the graveside. Frankly, Alphard would've appreciated it. Loved a good argument, he did."
"Must be where you get it from" Remus muttered, Sirius making a sarcastic laugh.
"There's some things that need arranging, Prongs, Moony, you mind coming with me?" They agreed instantly, Rose understanding that this was something he needed to do with them - and it gave her time to spend with Lily for a change.
With Peter away visiting his mother for the day, Lily had decreed that they were going shopping. It was Christmas, and they needed boring muggle gifts for Petunia, and Lily wanted to buy a gift for Remus as well. Rose had to buy socks for Professor Dumbledore anyway (long, long story), and had nothing better to do, so she agreed to her sister's plan. They were in the shopping centre, walking out of the book shop (where else to buy gifts for Remus Lupin?), when they passed a group of out of tune carol singers. Lily's shoulders started shaking, paper bags crinkling, soft giggles escaping her lips. "Do you remember back in fourth year, when Potter sent those gnomes after me for a week?" The memory of gnomes (not exactly nature's serenaders) singing I'll Follow The Sun as they followed Lily around the corridors of Hogwarts burst like a firework in Rose's mind.
"Yeah, he wandered the corridors moping for weeks, moaning at us about how you weren't impressed that he charmed a fleet of singing gnomes to serenade you." Rose took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. "Rem threatened to chuck him off the Astronomy Tower if he didn't shut the Salazar up."
"I imagine Black was sympathetic" Lily muttered sardonically, Rose snorting in amusement.
"He was going to be the one to chuck him over" she grinned, remembering all too well. "In fact, he insisted upon it. Loudly and often."
"Black was going to chuck Potter off the Tower?"
"Yeah, but he would've had a broom waiting to save his sorry arse as well."
"What else are friends for?" Lily wondered rhetorically, laughing as Rose pulled them into an old arcade area. "Aren't we too old for this, Rosie?"
"You're never too old for fun, Lils" Rose grinned, feeling very Marauderish.
"Yeah, yeah" Lily's eyes rolled audibly. "Prepare to lose, Rosie."
"In your dreams, Lily."
After her smug and unfortunately fair victory, Lily dragged Rose around the mall, laughingly pointing out tacky gifts for Petunia, and of course helping Rose remember to select some socks for Dumbledore. Six pairs of thick (and sometimes outrageously patterned) woolen socks later, they bought boring presents for Petunia and the Walrus, and traipsed all the way back to the front to buy wrapping paper, ribbon and tags. A bit of carefully concealed magic in the women's bathroom later, their purchases were sent away to the Evans house, and their afternoon was free. The only question was how they should spend it. "Pictures, park or Christmas parade?" Lily glanced thoughtfully at her watch and grinned.
"Park. The colliery band should be coming past there on their route." They could disagree on many things, but something they both knew for certain was that nothing said Christmas like carols played by a brass band.
Arm in arm, Rose and Lily strolled the streets of their normally utterly depressing home town, content just to do this in each other's company. They waved and nodded at the familiar faces they passed, some looking away (clearly the spiteful work of Petunia), and reminisced about the years before Hogwarts, Snape and the Marauders. Snow, Santa's and lights greeted them from every corner and garden, bathing the dreary, grey town with seasonal cheer and a festive glow. It had been years since they'd done anything like this together, strolling side by side, chatting about everything and nothing. Lily laughed about her favourite Marauder pranks, and dished out gossip that Marauders weren't normally privy to. Little things that Rose had missed and made all the difference. Even without a war on the horizon, Rose needed her sister in her life, by her side. What was the point of building a family if Rose couldn't share it with the one person in both worlds that belonged as part of it? It was in the stars; Lily Evans was destined to be a part of the dysfunctional, weird, mischievous, barmy and completely mad but most steadfast and loyal made family around - James Potter's Marauders. "Okay, Rosie" Lily invited eventually. "Tell me about your Marauders."
There was a sense of hilarity and inevitability about the whole thing. Bright colours assaulted the senses, everything in complete Marauder like chaos. Cheerful Christmas wrapping paper and ribbons littered the room like an explosion had taken place in the house. Peter stood in the middle of it all with the most utterly woebegone expression Rose had seen since Lily cursed James's broom to hit him repeatedly upside the head in third year. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like he'd gone ten rounds with wrapping paper elves and lost. "The person who invented wrapping paper and ribbons is a sadistic Slytherin arsehole." Remus, Lily, James, Sirius and Rose shared a laughter filled glance. In all honesty, it was hard to take Peter seriously with ribbon in his hair. "Just look at this mess! Wrap them yourself, Moony said. It'll get you in the Christmas spirit, Moony said. I've had it up to here with Christmas spirit."
"Isn't he adorable when he's ranting?" James cooed, idly plucking a bit of golden ribbon off a lamp shade.
"It's like watching a squirrel get angry" Sirius observed, tilting his head just so.
"Oh very funny, Padfoot" Peter snarked sarcastically. "Because squirrels are rodents too, hmm?" Sirius' eyes rolled.
"No, because squirrels aren't exactly fear inspiring creatures, like you ranting, Wormtail." Peter took a second to consider that.
"Fair enough."
"Wonderful" Rose rolled her eyes sarcastically. "I get a whole lecture in the bloody hospital wing, and Sirius gets let off with a 'fair enough'? How is that sodding equitable?" Peter blinked at her.
"How is that what?"
"Fair, reasonable, acceptable" Remus rattled off helpfully, busy tidying up the mess Peter had created. The rat animagus sidled up to James.
"How do I get myself out of this one, Prongs?"
"I'd go with grovelling" Sirius confided, Peter looking horrified. "It's not the end of the world, you berk."
"Oh leave him alone" Lily chided, shaking her head at the Marauders' antics. "Look at it this way; it's Christmas Eve, and the Morecambe and Wise Christmas special is on tonight." James cheered, jumping up and down like Peter watching the Gryffindor Quidditch team score.
"Dad said Angela Ripon, John Thaw and Elton John are supposed to be on" Rose grinned, watching a slow smile creep across the faces of her fellow Marauders; they also had a special soft spot for The Sweeney. Sirius started singing It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas, waltzing Lily around the room - much to James's chagrin.
"I've had just about enough of you" Peter growled, glaring straight at an uncooperative parcel. Remus sank to the ground near him, and started to show him how to do it without magic.
"Have you done your Christmas wrapping?" The werewolf asked, fingers flying over themselves as he tied a perfect bow. James let out a long groan, wearing the expression of a man who knew he wasn't going to get a moment's peace.
"We've done our Christmas shopping, isn't that enough, Moony?"
"No."
"You're a sadist, Rem" James informed him, pointing a finger at his nose. Remus barely even glanced up, tone drier than ever.
"Sit down or we'll tell everyone the truth about you, Prongs." James gasped and staggered back, falling onto the couch cushions.
"You wouldn't dare." The bookish Marauder smirked widely.
"Oh but I would. Deer."
Thank you for reading!
Next chapter... The Morecambe and Wise Christmas Special 1976. And Christmas Day.