This one's going to be something of a short chapter. It's an intermission before some of the upcoming plot points, so this is just a breather chapter. A neutral zone for everyone to catch their breath.
And, in the interest of full disclosure, this is another... element? Plot moment? Well - it is SOMETHING from the original story, My Dear Fellow. And since this won't exactly be spoilery, when I was young and stupid, I had written the Christmas chapter of My Dear Fellow, titled 'Three Christmases' with three different point of views. The thing is, since I have grown, I know now that I don't necessarily subscribe to having as many POV characters as I did in that story. In this story itself, I usually only have two perspective characters, and sometimes I lapse into a distant third-person perspective for the sake of a) comedy b) plot. bUt, because I wanted to keep some of the elements of the original, I used a third character perspective in this one. You'll soon see why!
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The kettle whistled sharply. Remus put his book down and turned off the stove, glancing at the clock as he did so.
"Late again," he murmured. He added tea leaves to the water, and considered throwing in a bit of lemon for good measure when there was a knock on the door.
Remus rolled his eyes before going to open it. "You're late," he said.
"You're an angel," said Sirius Black, standing at his doorstep in a leather jacket. He had that awful grin plastered all over his face.
"You're ridiculous," said Remus, standing aside to let him in.
"You have your lemon and ginger thing brewing?" asked Sirius, sniffing the air.
Remus nodded. He went to the kitchen and poured out two cups of tea, seasoned with lemon and ginger. "No milk?"
"None, thanks."
"How have you been?" asked Remus.
"Driving myself batty," said Sirius. "You won't believe this, Moony – James has started reading fucking Pride and Prejudice."
Remus was surprised. He indicated this with a raise of his eyebrows.
"Ooh, the eyebrow raise. You must be shaken," said Sirius, flopping down on the sofa.
Remus scoffed, handing him his cup of tea. "Thanks," said Sirius.
Remus sat down opposite him. He gathered his legs to the sofa and crossed them. "Why's he reading Pride and Prejudice?"
"Guess," said Sirius, blowing at his tea. "Impressing Evans."
Remus was amused. "It'll work, too," he promised.
"You think?"
"It's working for you, isn't it?" he pointed out. It was always a little hard to keep the edge out of his voice.
"Ha!" said Sirius. "I doubt I impress her."
Remus frowned. "Then why are you doing it?"
Sirius looked cross. "I like reading what she sends."
"Bravo, mystery-reader. I've been getting you to read A Christmas Carol for nearly a decade and she managed it in a few months."
"Aw, don't feel bad, Moony. You know you're my first love."
Remus really wished Sirius wouldn't say stuff like that. "What's she having you read now?"
"It's this heavy thing," said Sirius, his brows knitting. "The Source."
"Michener?"
Sirius nodded.
"Ambitious," murmured Remus.
"Fucking, right? I was getting really bored at first, with all the stuff at the dig and all that – but then the part about the Bee Eater started, and I think I was hooked. I dunno."
"She knows you well."
"She does, doesn't she?" said Sirius. There was something far away in his eyes.
Remus coughed. "Anyway. Do you want to read?"
"Let's do it, Moony."
It was what they did every time for lunch on Christmas Eve. A Christmas Carol, and a cup of tea. Sort of like half a tradition – to give Remus some time away from his mother, for Sirius to not have to be around his family. They weren't terrible people – it just took a lot from Remus to always be reminded of how his mother saw him, and Sirius had started this when he was still living at home with the Blacks. Now… there were fewer reasons to do this, but it was tradition after all.
Silence settled into the cupboards and the holly. The Great Hall – although beautifully decorated with Christmas Trees, with the corridors lined with mistletoe – was quiet. June didn't mind the silence at all – it was almost lucky things were so quiet. Having finished all her homework, she had been able to give a lot of time to her books. She had reorganised her boxes, she had stacked out a series of books she planned on giving Black. She had read four books already – smaller ones, of course. She had raided the library and read even more.
She carted around her books and her thoughts without fear of being caught. Lately, she had even started fingering the cover of A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration. Not hers – his. She had wondered at the scribbles in the margin, had thought (in moments of weakness) that perhaps she ought to read it, too. After all, he had access to all her thoughts. Besides, she had a strong feeling there were a few secrets in that book – some which she already knew, some which she might be able to decipher if she was observant enough. And no one was here to notice her – she was hidden away in her usual places, folding on herself as she read.
Her corners and secret places – those which had not seen her in all of this year – learned her name and body again. There were very few people left in Gryffindor tower. Lily had gone home (after an unsuccessful attempt at finding the girl giving Sirius Black his books), as had Marlene and Mary. Sarah had left, and so had all the boys from her year. Dorcas Meadows had stayed, and she at times badgered June into playing a game of Wizarding Chess with her. Dorcas was about the only other person who was as good as June.
Normally, this would be something June would do without wanting to. But now – without the company of Sarah or Sirius – to her own surprise, she was missing the regularity of human contact and conversation. She had begun to enjoy playing Chess with Dorcas, even being beaten by her some times.
She also went to visit Hagrid many times. They spent their afternoons together, drinking hot cocoa and chatting about the different books June was reading, or classes. Hagrid told her about all the creatures he had been visiting during the winter. "They need a little 'elp, y'know," he said easily. "Bein' winter and all. Food becomes scarce for the ones who don't hibernate."
June nodded, but told him categorically that her interest in Care of Magical Creatures aside, she was not going to come and help him leave extra meat for Thestrals. For one thing, she couldn't see them.
"Yer doing better, aren't ya?" asked Hagrid, raking his fire.
June's cheeks were pink, but she nodded.
This was a broad consensus. Even Dorcas had said something about this. "You seem more cheerful, Williams."
"Thanks?" asked June, examining the chessboard.
"It's good," she said. "You sound like you're happy."
She said it almost as if June might have been half faking it. Which she might actually have been.
It was a nice holiday – in that she liked having time to herself. But it also reminded her of – of being without people to be around. She missed Sarah more, since being around Black was still a little stressful. Christmas really was made of miracles.
On Christmas day, she was surprised to wake up to two presents more than what she was used to. She only ever got presents from Hagrid – and her mother. She spotted her mother's letter and present first. She decided to not even try reading the letter until after Christmas day; it would upset her too much.
Mother's present wasn't too terrible this year. It certainly wasn't half as bad as last year, when she had gotten an old handkerchief of Dad's. This time, in an effort to mend something – it was a woollen cap. Not a very nice one, but it was in a nice shade of red. Her father hadn't sent anything.
Hagrid's present wasn't rock cakes or anything that she would have to be careful eating. To her own surprise, Hagrid had gotten her a set of really nice Herbology tools. They were really sharp and clearly well suited to her. She was glad she'd had the good sense to send him something he'd really enjoy this time. She didn't think Hagrid would mind a present being delivered a little late.
Then, she picked the one that was obviously Sarah's. The card was simple:
Dear Idiot,
It has been good to have you around this year. Happy Christmas!
Yours,
Sarah
June felt a lump in her throat. It was an unfamiliar one – she hadn't felt something like it in a long time. Sarah had brought her a very large box of Honeydukes chocolates and candies. It was oddly thoughtful – June wondered if Sarah had been paying attention when she had absentmindedly mentioned not having money to buy too much at Honeydukes. She had sent Sarah a scarf, and she was again glad that she had the good sense to send Sarah something. It hadn't even occurred to her that Sarah might be sending something, until she had said goodbye to June before leaving for home and actually looked sad.
The last present actually made June feel bad. She had not been expecting Sirius to send her anything, and as such, she hadn't sent him anything either. She hoped it wasn't something good.
When she opened the box, what tumbled out was – snow boots.
June rolled her eyes. She opened the card next:
Williams,
Don't roll your eyes. It's dangerous to have boots too big for your feet, you know. And with all those visits you make to Hagrid's hut, too. Keep warm.
Best,
Your-Lord-And-Saviour
PS: I know you didn't even think to send me anything. I forgive you, but only if you promise to give me something magnificent when I return. Something befitting me in all my gloriousness. Maybe a crown. There, I gave you half an idea already.
Despite the order, she rolled her eyes. Now she had to think of something to give him – and it couldn't be books, because she was still harbouring the pretence that she knew little about reading.
But she had more important things to deal with. After breakfast, she picked up Hagrid's present from her dormitory. Lily had told her very strictly to take care that the present didn't destroy anything. June had been very diligent about that sort of thing – and had cleaned up well. Lily ought to have nothing to complain about.
She took her bag, her book, and the large box and trotted off to Hagrid's for lunch. He was expecting her. This was tradition.
"Hello!" she said. "I brought you your present!"
"Bit late, innit?" asked Hagrid.
"I had to fight with Lily to allow it," said June, pushing the box in his face. "It's unwrapped for a reason."
Hagrid narrowed his eyes suspiciously. The box must have moved. Might have moved.
"Merlin!" he said.
June had picked carefully. Hagrid liked monsters, but she didn't have the stomach to smuggle acromantulas. What she had gotten him was something far more trainable.
"June, he's wonderful!"
And he was. The small boarhound puppy didn't look like much, but he was clearly Hagrid's new favourite.
"He's cute, right?" asked June, glowing.
"O'course. Is this what you did during the last Hogsmeade trip?"
She nodded brightly.
"Yer a woman after me own heart, June Williams," said Hagrid, easily overcome with emotions.
June batted away his attempts to hug her and crush her – but he succeeded anyway. June felt her heart swell again.
"I think I'm going to name him Fang."
She grinned at the irony. "Perfect."
They spent the next hour getting things ready – preparing a small bed for the newcomer. June dug through Hagrid's kitchen to find him a bowl for his food. She also pulled out one of Hagrid's older blankets and performed a severing charm to cut it into a right sized blanket for Fang.
Once Fang was curled up in his bed, and the blanket had been thrown on top of him, June settled into Hagrid's large chairs again. "Ready?" she asked, reaching inside her bag.
He smiled mistily and sat down as well. The first thing she accidentally pulled out was A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration. Momentarily embarrassed, the second thing that emerged was A Christmas Carol. It was tradition, after all.
And as always, love them reviews!
