Author's Notes:

Hi everyone! I hope you all are healthy and safe at home right now. I'm currently stuck at home...My boss just laid off all of us at the brewery with the assurance we would be hired back once the pandemic had passed. This is not fun times. But that won't stop me from giving you more chapters! I thought another lighthearted one was necessary. The next chapter will be much the same as we follow James, Remus, Sirius, and Harry as they adjust to life at Potter Manor.

smallwjl: I know it was short; I just wanted to give you guys something to read during these dark times. midnitewanderer: I'm just copying and pasting your review because it literally made me laugh: "Aww this was cute. The 3 Musketeers reunited. I'll sing it again. Reunited and it feels so good! Now for Sirius and Harry to be reacquainted. How will it go down? Will our heroes ever find Peter before Harry's 3rd year? Will Harry start calling Minnie Nana? Will Lucius have his precious head of hair turned blue? Stay tuned folks!" Thank you for all your support.

Anyway! Thanks for reading and enjoy!

Chapter Ten: Christmas at Potter Manor

Everyone in Potter Manor was ecstatic to have Sirius home for the Christmas holidays. James had helped Sirius gather his things from his childhood home, Grimmauld Place. He was staying with the Potters for the time being.

Sirius' first night home was spent celebrating amongst the four inhabitants with food and butterbeer for the adults and juice for Harry. They had a good time reminiscing and catching up with each other.

The next night the four of them set up their Christmas tree and decorated the Manor for the holidays. Remus and Harry baked snickerdoodles for everyone to enjoy and to put out for Father Christmas. Remus learned that night that Harry had a knack for baking. Remus didn't have to do much outside of reading Harry the recipe in order for Harry to be able to bake his cookies and they turned out soft and delicious.

Sirius and James had commented on the cookies assuming that Remus had made them. They were all extremely surprised to learn that Harry was the mastermind behind the delicious dessert. Sirius had dubbed him the Baking King, BK for short.

Christmas morning arrived, rainy and dreary. James was the first person awake in the house. It was still dark as he rolled over to look at his alarm clock. The time read 5:45AM. He groaned and stretched on his bed before rolling and sitting up.

He ran his hands through his hair and then rubbed his chest before standing up and walking into his bathroom. He took a quick shower and brushed his teeth before taking a moment to look at himself in the mirror, preparing himself for the day.

James loped down the stairs and was met by Cirri at the bottom. She smiled and said, "Good morning Master James! We is done setting up the presents as you is asking us to do. We is putting the one present in the bathroom. We is keeping Master Harry out of that room when he is waking. What is you wanting for breakfast?"

James smiled and replied, "How about french toast, eggs, and sausage? I know Harry really enjoyed french toast when you made it the other week."

Cirri beamed, "He is enjoying the french toast! We is going to start that now."

James nodded and headed into the living room.

The tree looked spectacular. James had ordered fairies for the tree and he was happy that it hadn't been a mistake. their soft glow lit up the tinsel and baubles on the tree beautifully. Once he was finished with the fairies he would offer them space on their grounds to live until next Christmas or else make arrangements to send them where they wanted to go.

James looked up when, a moment later, he heard footsteps on the stairs. Remus emerged from the stairway.

"Morning," James said, sleepily.

"Good morning," Remus said as he headed toward the kitchen.

Gus must have read Remus' mind because he showed up with a large, steaming cup of coffee and handed it to a surprised Remus.

"Oh!" Remus said, "Thank you, Gus."

"You is welcome, Master Remus!" Gus said, "I is putting extra sugar in it just like you is liking."

Remus looked at James and held the cup up to toast him before taking a long, deep sip.

"Good bean water?" James asked.

Remus glared at James, "My coffee is delicious, thank you."

James scoffed and laughed, "Bean water," he corrected.

Remus rolled his eyes and continued to drink his coffee as he sat on the couch next to James. They sat like this for about an hour before they heard more footsteps on the stairs. Both men looked up at the noise and saw Harry coming through the entryway rubbing his eyes and holding his blanket from his bed.

Harry looked around the room and noticed the tree. He blinked and then walked over to sit with James and Remus, putting his head on James' lap.

"Morning little prongs," James said as he ran his fingers through Harry's hair.

"Morning," Harry yawned.

"Aren't you going to look at what you've got waiting under the tree? It looks like Father Christmas came!" James asked.

Harry shook his head, "No. I didn't get anything. I don't get Christmas presents. Only Dudley gets presents."

James furrowed his brow as he looked down at his son, "What do you mean you don't get presents? I promise there's something for you under there. Father Christmas wouldn't forget to bring you anything."

"Father Christmas doesn't bring presents to freaks," Harry replied sleepily.

James stared open mouthed at his son. He slowly picked Harry up and sat him on his knee before replying, "You are not a freak, Harry. Just because you have magic and you're different than the Dursleys doesn't make you a freak. That's something your Aunt Petunia never learned much to her disadvantage."

Harry shrugged.

"Well, if you're so sure, then I suppose we can just get rid of all these presents, then, huh?"

Harry's eyes grew wide as he glanced at the pile of presents, "Well," he said slowly as he turned back around to look at James, "Maybe we should just make sure."

Harry slid off James' lap and walked slowly over to the large stack of presents under the tree and began rooting around. James turned again to the stairs as he heard someone stomping down them. Not to his surprise, Sirius walked heavy-footed into the room and looked around.

"Damn, it's too early to be awake," Sirius said as he sat down between James and Remus.

"Sirius, you can't say 'damn'. Harry's here," Remus chastised.

Sirius looked over at Harry who was otherwise occupied trying to find his name on the gifts in front of him, "Noted," he replied.

Harry turned around with a wrapped present in his hands.

"What'cha got, little prongs?" James asked, "Did Father Christmas remember you this year?"

Sirius looked at Remus and whispered, "Why would Father Christmas have ever forgotten Harry?"

"It seems the Dursleys didn't give him gifts because of him being a wizard; prejudice like Petunia had towards Lily," Remus replied.

Sirius made an 'o' with his mouth as he watched Harry bring the present over to the couch.

"It's a present and it has my name on it!" Harry said excitedly.

"Well open it, BK!" Sirius said as he nudged his godson, "Maybe it's a box."

Harry's eyes went wide and then he turned his attention back to the package. He carefully peeled off the wrapping paper so he didn't rip any and then folded it before looking at the gift. It was a book entitled The Tales of Beetle The Bard.

"What is it?" Harry asked.

Remus took the book from Harry and pointed at the words as he said each of them, "It's called The Tales of Beetle the Bard, Harry. It's a wizards fairytale book."

Harry took the book back and began flipping through the pages, giggling and smiling at the moving pictures on each page. "Can we read one, Uncle Moony?"

Remus smiled at Harry and replied, "We can read one later. Right now I think you might have a few more gifts in that pile."

"Really? More?" Harry asked with wide eyes.

"More," James replied.

Harry jumped up and ran to the pile again, much more enthusiastically than he had the first round. Remus leaned forward so he could watch Harry better; Harry had just pulled some more gifts from the pile with his name on them. Sirius had leaned back and closed his eyes on the couch while he listened to Harry's enthusiastic noises. James had a camera out and was photographing Harry opening presents.

"Wow!" Harry exclaimed as he opened the largest present under the tree, "What is this?"

James looked out from behind his camera, confusion on his face, "Who bought Harry a broom?"

Sirius opened his eyes and laughed, "I did! He's your kid, he's going to love that thing. And since the last one I bought him was destroyed, it's only right that I replaced it," Sirius turned to Harry and engulfed him in a large hug, "Merry Christmas, BK."

"Thanks Uncle Padtoot!" Harry said, smiling.

Then, to much of the room's surprise, Harry jumped on the broom and began flying around the room, erupting with giggles every few seconds.

The broom didn't fly any higher than three feet off the ground but Harry was quite impressed with it because it moved very quickly. He began weaving around the furniture in the room and circled Gus when he came in to announce breakfast. Gus simply ducked and chuckled at Harry and told him to be careful.

Harry flew about the room for twenty minutes before James was able to convince him to land.

"Come on, Harry, I have one last surprise for you," James said as he led Harry towards the bathroom in the living room.

"You mean there's more than all the stuff I just got?" Harry asked excitedly.

James chuckled, "Yes, but just one more thing. We don't want to spoil you too much, do we?"

Harry shook his head as he followed his dad to the bathroom. Once they reached the door, Harry could hear an odd noise coming from inside. It sounded like scratching at the door. Confused, Harry opened the door at James' urging.

A small, black pug burst out of the door and began running around the room like a maniac. She was zipping around the furniture and people without breaking stride; doing her zoomies all over the room.

Harry let out a noise of surprise and then began laughing until he fell over and onto the floor. The puppy, noticing that something had changed, flew over to Harry and began licking his face while she crawled over his body. This only made Harry laugh more as he tried his best to hug the squirming dog who continued to move just out of his reach.

"We have a puppy?" Harry asked between fits of giggles.

"We do have a puppy! I thought a dog would be the perfect addition to our family. What do you think?" James asked Harry.

Sirius walked over and pouted at James, "You're replacing me prongs?" he put his arm over his eyes and feigned a sob, "Replaced at the ripe old age of 23. How could you!"

James rolled his eyes at Sirius, "Oh come on. You have someone to play with now."

Sirius sniffed and then transformed into his furrier form and began to run around with the puppy, knocking over stuff that was sitting on the table. James began shouting and chasing after the two dogs but he wasn't fast enough. Every now and then Sirius would stop and lean down on his front legs with his but in the air and wag his tail until James got too close; then he would run off again. Harry remained on the floor laughing until Remus came back from the kitchen to investigate their absences. Once he caught sight of the shenanigans he simply laughed and picked Harry up and took him to the kitchen for breakfast, leaving James to catch Sirius and the new puppy.

After Sirius and James were done running around in the living room they finally went into the kitchen for breakfast. Remus and Harry were almost done eating their french toast, having been in the kitchen for nearly twenty minutes at that point. They each helped themselves to generous portions of the french toast, eggs, and sausages sitting on the table; piling their plates high.

"Can I play with Coco when I'm done eating?" Harry asked his dad and uncles.

"Who's Coco," James asked between bites.

"The dog. I named her Coco," Harry responded as he speared some sausage on his fork.

"That's a wonderful name, Harry. Where did you come up with it?" Remus asked.

Harry shrugged, "She looks like chocolate."

Remus, Sirius, and James burst out laughing at this comment and Harry looked at them with wide eyes.

Once the laughter died down James said, "You can play with the dog Harry, just stay inside the house. We haven't added the wards to the outside grounds yet, ok?"

Harry nodded and scooped the last of his eggs into his mouth before rushing off to play with the now sleeping Coco.

Remus also wandered off having finished his meal saying something about the library. James was sure they would find him there later.

Just as James and Sirius were finishing their breakfast the fireplace lit up and someone came spinning out of it covered in soot.

Minerva McGonagall brushed herself off and looked up at the two men standing before her and said, "It seems like it's time to hire a chimney sweep, James."

Sirius was the first to his seat, jumping up at soon as he recognized who had come through the fire place and engulfing her with a hug, "McG! It's so good to see you! Where have you been all my life?"

Minerva blushed and patted Sirius on the back while saying, "Black, I've told you a thousand times not to call me McG. It's highly inappropriate," she looked over at James who had stood up as well, "I'm here to wish you three and Harry a Merry Christmas. I have a gift for him, if that's ok with you, James."

James nodded, "That's perfectly fine with me. I think he went into the living room; I'll take you there."

James and Sirius walked Minerva to the living room where they could hear the unmistakable sounds of Harry playing with Coco. The noises brought a smile to James' face. As he opened the door, however, that smile turned into a look of shock at the sight before him.

In the living room Harry was flying around on his toy broom chasing Coco who was running for dear life and hiding under anything she could find. The tables, the couch, the tv stand, everything. Harry was just giggling and following her.

"Harry James Potter what do you think you're doing!" James yelled.

Harry came to an immediate stop, shame written across his face as he turned his broom to look at his dad. He quickly dismounted and hung his head saying, "I was just playing with Coco."

"More like terrorizing the poor dog," James said as he scooped Coco into his arms. Coco was trembling and grumbling as James held her like a baby.

Harry continued to hang his head and said, "I'm sorry. I thought she was having fun. She was running around."

"Wouldn't you run around if someone was chasing you?" James asked.

Harry nodded, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

"You had better not or you'll get a time out. We don't act like this in the house. I also don't think you should be using that broom inside; it's more of an outside toy than anything."

"Ok," Harry said disappointedly.

Minerva stepped forward and into the room and said, "Well, I thought that was some fantastic flying. James, he's a natural! When he starts school, he'll need to try out for the team. Seeker or chaser I think with his slight build. He's not quite made to be a keeper or beater."

Before James could answer Minerva had been engulfed by a hug from Harry who was shouting, "Auntie Minnie, auntie Minnie!" over and over again. Sirius simply grinned at this.

"I like that, Harry. McG, I'm going to call you Minnie from now on since you won't let me call you McG anymore," Sirius said.

Minerva scowled at Sirius as Harry pulled her over to his pile of presents and began showing her everything he got. He showed off the books of muggle and wizarding fairytales that Remus had gotten him as well as the muggle video game system and games he had received from James and the broom with servicing kit from Sirius. Minerva was impressed with the gifts he had received and seemed most interested in the gaming system. James hooked the system up for them and Minerva and Harry spent a good portion of the afternoon playing Zelda. Minerva was surprisingly good at the game and had started having Harry draw her a map of the world they were in as they discovered it. Harry was surprisingly good at drawing the map and it was very clear what he was trying to depict. The two of them spent several hours playing Zelda together.

Finally, Minerva set the controller down and turned to Harry, "Harry this has been a lot of fun but I have to get back to Hogwarts for the Christmas feast. I would like to come back and play again sometime, if that's ok with you?"

Harry nodded, smiling, "Yeah! We need to save Zelda!"

Minerva smiled, "Good! And before I go," she held out a small gift to Harry, "I have a gift for you for Christmas."

Harry accepted the gift and opened it carefully, revealing a wizards chess set, "Thank you Auntie Minnie. What is it?"

"It's wizards chess, Harry," she replied, "I can teach you how to play. You're never too young to learn."

Harry smiled and hugged Minerva tightly before running off to test the new chess set. This would mean that he used the pieces to play army rather than chess, but Minerva would correct that next time she visited.

As Minerva headed to the fireplace she passed by Remus who was walking out of the library, "Leaving already Minnie?" he asked.

Minerva frowned and said, "I really wish you three would call me Minerva. It's one thing for Harry to call me Minnie because he can't say my name but an entirely different matter for you three."

Remus shook his head, "Nope. It's a matter of principal now, Minnie. Sure you don't want to stay for dinner?"

"No I really can't. We have the feast, you know," she replied.

"Ah, well, until next time," Remus said as he waived goodbye.

Minerva walked to the fireplace and grabbed a pinch of floo powder. Before she threw it into the hearth, she looked back at the empty room and smiled. Then she threw the powder down and went back to Hogwarts.

End Notes:

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