I own nothing but the plot, and not even all of that
After asking Hagrid to see Minister Fudge to the gates, Dumbledore hurried back to the conference room connected to his office. He entered in the middle of another argument.
"Regardless of what you claim," Professor Snape was snarling as he glared at Lockhart, "it would still be wise to evaluate all of the possibilities!"
"Even the Headmaster has conceded the identity of the beast," retorted Professor Lockhart, "and unless you have some personal knowledge of what this creature may be, it is pointless to speculate."
"Pointless?" responded Snape. "Why? Simply because the great Lockhart has proclaimed it? Forgive me if I put my faith elsewhere."
"Ahem," Dumbledore cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention to the fact that he had returned. Professors McGonagall and Flitwick were sitting uncomfortably with Bill Weasley while the two opposing professors had at each other. "I think that will be more than enough of that." Dumbledore took his seat.
"Not to prolong the argument," Bill said, somewhat tentatively, "but I agree with Professor Snape." Every set of eyebrows save for Lockhart's rose in response to this statement. Lockhart merely rolled his eyes.
"My lad," the Defense professor asked condescendingly, "have you ever faced a basilisk before?"
"Yes, I have," the young cursebreaker answered. "Have you?" Lockhart's eyes widened at this revelation.
"Well, no," Lockhart uncomfortably admitted.
"I faced one just last year, in fact," Bill said. "It was a rather unexpected guardian for an Egyptian tomb, and it took six of us to finally kill it. Three goblins and one wizard died fighting it, and the two of us left standing were damn lucky. Professor Snape is correct. Petrifying is not one of the basilisk's abilities, nor is this fear weapon you've described. Everything about a basilisk is lethal. My father is obsessed with muggles, and told me they have a saying that I feel goes very well with a basilisk. 'The best defense is a good offense.' No, this is something else."
"But, the villagers," Lockhart protested.
"Yes, you've mentioned the frozen village of Damangahr," Bill interrupted, "Gringotts's has come to the conclusion that what happened to them was a ritual gone wrong. I studied that case in my training. I've also taken a look at Mr. Kendet. I can say for certain that whatever caused this petrification is totally different. Mr. Kendet is merely petrified, and can be revived, once the mandrakes have matured. The villagers of Damangahr were completely turned to stone. There is no cure for them."
"Thank you, Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said, bringing the debate to a close. "I am afraid we are going have to table this discussion until tomorrow. Another issue has emerged that is going to require our immediate attention." Everyone turned to the Headmaster. "Sirius Black has escaped from Azkaban."
"Oh my goodness," Professor McGonagall exclaimed. "How in Merlin's name did he accomplish that?" Snape's eyes were blazing with fury at the thought of his greatest living nemesis free from the tortures of the prison.
"He escaped while being transported to an interview," Dumbledore began to explain.
"What interview?" Professor Snape hissed. "He should have never been taken out of his cell!" There were several outbursts from the rest of the staff, most agreeing with Snape.
"Settle down, please," Dumbledore called out, quieting the distraught professors. "As it turns out," he continued, "Sirius Black never received a trial before being incarcerated. With a lack of any actual evidence, there is a very good possibility that he is innocent." This was met with another outburst, this time of disbelief. Unsurprisingly, it was Professor Snape who was the least bothered by this development.
"It makes no difference that he received no trial," Snape said with a tone of finality. "Black is a danger to all and must be killed."
"That is enough," Dumbledore said, silencing the room. "The Minister for Magic has ordered that Sirius Black is to be captured alive at all costs. Lethal force may only be used to save innocent lives."
"Just him being free threatens everyone," Snape muttered.
"Allow me to clarify," Dumbledore added, eying Professor Snape. "Only if he is directly threatening innocent lives may lethal force be used. Now, I have some things to do in private, so let us reconvene tomorrow morning after breakfast to finalize the plans to find this creature, whatever it turns out to be."
Everyone but Snape stood up and left the conference room. Snape stared at Dumbledore with his black eyes until they were alone.
"Sirius Black showed he was capable of murder when he was sixteen years old," he breathed. "You haven't forgotten that, Headmaster? You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?"
"My memory is as good as it ever was, Severus," Dumbledore replied. There was some steel in his voice as he addressed Snape. "I also remember that you had a very good idea of what you would find if you pursued the course of action Black encouraged you on. I trust you remember the innocent young man who would have been executed had you been successful in your self appointed task that night?"
Snape rose from the table to leave.
"Severus," Dumbledore stopped him, "One moment. I apologize for asking you to delve into such... disturbing memories, but I must ask. Did you, in your service to Voldemort, have any knowledge of Sirius Black as being on his side, or encounter him at any meeting or gathering of Voldemort's followers?" Snape hesitated a moment before answering.
"No, Headmaster," he said, reluctantly. "That, however, proves nothing. None of us knew everyone who served the Dark Lord, and it seems that Black was a deeply held secret. He was obviously being reserved for a special occasion." Snape then turned and left the conference room without another word.
Waking with the sun, Sirius poked his nose out of the weeds he had slept in. It was a clear day, and the sun was a welcome sight. He saw a lighthouse sitting on a smaller island quite near the one he had landed on, and figured that was the source of the light he had seen the previous night. A farmhouse was near the field he had slept in, and plants were growing in lines. Padfoot dug up some potatoes and carrots and returned to his bed of weeds holding the roots in his mouth. Once hidden again, he transformed back into his human form to eat them raw. They crunched like apples, but they would hold him over till he could find something more filling. After God only knew how many years of cold porridge and potato soup, he was craving some meat.
It was another pleasant surprise to not feel the chill of the dementors. This close to Azkaban, he figured they'd be out in force searching for him. Maybe they though he'd drowned and had given up already? He shifted back into a dog and padded his way past the farmhouse. There was a very small village that only housed a few dozen muggles. Outside of a small post office he saw someone discard a newspaper in a trash bin. Sneaking up to it, he snatched the paper out of the bin and ran back to his weedy hideout. Transforming again, he began to read his stolen paper.
It was Christmas Eve. It was 1992. Those two facts swirled round in his head until he got dizzy. It was Christmas Eve. It was 1992. Finally, he came out of his dizzy spell and shook his head.
"Well," he said to himself. "Merry Christmas to me." Doing the math, he realized Harry would be in his second year at Hogwarts by now. This was a welcome realization. Not only did it limit the number of places he would have to search for his Godson, but he knew several secret passages into the castle that the Marauders had not even put on the Marauder's Map. He had always kept a few secrets to himself. He knew it wouldn't be safe to contact Remus, and he had to assume that his old friend would tell Dumbledore, at least, of his animagus form once the news of his escape got out.
Reading the rest of his stolen paper, he learned he was somewhere called Out Skerries Island, and that it was part of Scotland. It was a very small paper, mostly filled with local items and classifieds. It didn't even have a crossword. He would have to reach a more populous region to get any real information, and he'd probably have to go to Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley to see what had been happening in the magical world since he was imprisoned. He knew that Dumbledore would have the castle on alert for him, so he decided to take it slow. First things first. Food.
"Happy Christmas, Mother," Tonks said as she handed her mother a present.
"This is early," Andromeda Tonks commented as she gave her daughter a hug. She saw less and less of hee daughter now that Nymphadora had her own flat, but she was proud of her daughter and the career she was embarking on.
"Afraid I'm on duty first thing this morning," Nymphadora answered. "Is Dad home?"
"No," Andromeda said, "he had to go to St. Mungo's for an emergency." Ted and Andromeda Tonks were both healers at the wizarding hospital and often had to be called in on strange cases.
"Oh?" Nymphadora, asked, "what's he working on this time?"
"Some mishap involving a cat, a snargaluff, and a case of mistaken identity," Andromeda answered. Nymphadora blinked for a few seconds as she tried to process that. "At any rate, he won't be home for a while."
"I'll need some details on that one later," Nymphadora said. She handed her mother another present. "Do you mind giving Dad his present from me? I need to dash."
"Of course not, Dear," Andromeda answered. "We'll just hold onto these and do our Christmas once you're off duty. Is this to do with Sirius?"
"I can't, Mother," Nymphadora said. "You know the rules."
"Sorry, Dear," Andromeda apologized. She gave her daughter a kiss on the cheek. "You be careful, now, and we'll see you once you get some time off."
Doc was helping Dan and Emma Granger make breakfast on Christmas Eve morning. Harry and Hermione walked into the kitchen, and Harry held out a blue holocube.
"Good morning," the young Jedi said.
"Good morning, Harry," Emma said. "What's up?"
"I've just gotten a message from Headmaster Dumbledore," Harry explained. He placed the glowing cube on the table and pushed a depressed button on the holocube. A miniature image of Albus Dumbledore appeared and began to speak.
"Dear Mr. Potter," the ghostly image of his headmaster said, "I trust this finds you enjoying your holiday. I have some news which I trust you will find important enough to forgive this interruption. We have received information that one of the inmates in our prison may have had some information that might shed some light on the events surrounding the death of your parents. This information also revealed some... discrepancies in his case that needed to be handled. Very unfortunately, the inmate used the confusion to orchestrate an unprecedented escape from Azkaban. This prisoner was none other than Sirius Black, the former best friend of your father. We believe that he will be seeking you out, and I will be sending you two aurors. Please inform the Grangers that they will be arriving shortly. I would be most grateful if they were to extend their hospitality to these Aurors as well as your troopers. I'm afraid the only other option would be to have you return to Hogwarts. I would, however, prefer to keep all students away from Hogwarts as we attempt to locate the creature that disabled Mr. Kendet. Please return a message that indicates you have received this, and whether or not the Grangers can accommodate the Aurors or not. Trusting you are well, Albus Dumbledore."
Immediately after the message finished playing, there was a knock at the door. Shooter, who was working out in the game room, appeared as if summoned and took up a concealed position with his pistol pointed at the door. Doc also pulled a small blaster from the Force only knew where and set up a crossfire position behind a potted plant. Dan opened the door to find a middle aged man and a smiling young woman standing on the porch. The girl was attractive, dressed in a short skirt with a rock and roll band t-shirt. Her hair was dyed bright pink. The man was dressed in slacks, a button down shirt with a tie, and what looked like a black trenchcoat. He reached inside the trenchcoat and brought out an identification card, and Dan saw the trenchcoat was more like a trenchrobe. It was black on the outside, but pure white on the inside, and had no buttons or belt to tie it shut.
"Mr. Granger," the man said, "I am Auror John Dawlish, and this is Auror Trainee Tonks." Dawlish gestured to the pink haired girl.
"Wotcher," Tonks greeted.
"I'm Daniel Granger," Dan responded. "We were just informed you'd be coming. Please, come in."
The two aurors entered the house and were shown where they'd be sleeping for their stay. Dawlish would be with Harry and Shooter, while Tonks would be sharing with Hermione. By lunchtime, it was clear that Tonks was incorrigible, and delighted in teasing Harry and Hermione about how close they were. She nearly always got the blush she was trying for from each of them. Dawlish, on the other hand, was stoic and professional. He spent the morning examining the wards Dumbledore had laid down, searching for any weak points.
Bill Weasley was trying very hard not to be distracted by the trooper going by the name of Ice. It was Christmas Eve, and he was examining the corridor on the second floor where the creature seemed to have made all of its appearances. He would be returning to his parents home for a few days for Christmas, and wanted to examine the corridor before he left. When the blond haired female trooper had invited herself along, Bill had agreed. He was curious about these troopers, and hoped to get some information from her. It wasn't going well.
"So," he asked, "what's your real name?" He hadn't gotten much out of her yet, and she seemed unnaturally emotionless.
"It doesn't matter," she answered. "I gave it up when I joined up, and unless I make Commander I won't get it back anytime soon. Just call me Ice."
"Okay," Bill said, disappointed. She was devastatingly beautiful, but didn't seem to care about it one way or another. Either she'd thaw to him or not, he thought. He then chided himself for letting his mind wander and forced his attention back to what he was doing. He was sweeping his wand back and forth like a dowsing rod. The tip would glow as it passed over one section of the corridor floor by the wall.
"What exactly are you doing?" Ice asked.
"Looking for magical traces," Bill answered. "Normally there's far too much magic in the air here to detect anything. The background noise drowns everything out. There's been minimal movement through this corridor in the last few weeks, though, so it's a bit easier to get results."
"What are you finding?" she asked.
"Not much," Bill admitted. "The last sighting was almost two months ago, though, so any traces would have mostly dissipated by now."
"Then why are you trying that?" Ice asked, finally showing an emotion. Too bad it was exasperation.
"Because I wasn't here then," he answered. "I'm here now, and it won't hurt to try. Also, I'm examining the wall for any signs of hidden doors or secret passages." He continued slowly making his way down the hallway, switching his attention from his wand to the wall frequently. He spent a full five minutes examining a crack in the wall before declaring that it was just a crack.
"Tell me about Sirius Black," Ice commanded.
"I don't know that much," Bill sighed. He was beginning to understand why she went by the name 'Ice.' "He was supposed to be the best friend of James Potter, Harry Potter's father."
"The Commander," Ice clarified.
"Sure," Bill agreed. "Anyway, everyone has always said he betrayed them and gave up where they were hiding to You-Know-Who."
"No," Ice said, "I don't."
"What?" Bill asked, confused.
"You said I know who," Ice explained, "I don't know who."
"You-Know-Who, otherwise known as..." Bill hesitated here a moment before continuing, "Lord Voldemort... was the dark lord whom Harry defeated as a baby."
"You people have some funny beliefs," Ice complained.
"Yeah," Bill said, "anyway. Black escaped from Azkaban, which has never happened before. Now, it turns out he never stood trial and may be innocent."
"Rumor in the squad has it that Black may be heading here," Ice said.
"That's the best guess," Bill confirmed. "If he does, he'll be coming for Harry. Whether to make sure he's okay, or to try to kill him, we don't yet know. All I know is that he better not get near Ginny."
"Ginny?" Ice asked.
"My sister," Bill answered. "She's in her first year here, and according to her letters, she's having a bit of a rough time making friends. The last thing I want is for her to have to deal with Black, innocent or not. Well, let's get this finished. It's Christmas Eve, and if I'm not home for dinner, my mother will have kittens." Bill and Ice continued down the hall, examining every nook and cranny that they came to. Instead of learning more about the troopers, however, he ended up giving Ice all the information he knew about Christmas, his family, and kittens.
Sirius saw the first signs of aurors searching for him as he scouted out the ferry that serviced the island that afternoon. He had stayed in his dog form and befriended a young, nature loving couple that were finishing up their honeymoon on the isle. After confirming that no one owned the large, friendly dog, Jenny and Roger Williams decided to adopt him and take him home. He knew he was going to have to leave them, and sooner rather than later, but when Jenny gave him a bath he nearly fell in love. It was a testament to the bland diet he had lived on for a decade that the dog food they bought for him was also heavenly.
The Williams named him Boomer, and he made sure they knew that he was going to be Jenny's dog. He spent Christmas Eve night with the couple at their bed and breakfast, alternating between curling up in front of the fire and shamelessly cuddling up to Jenny. It had been so long since he had experienced any human contact that he was craving her touch as she pet him. They would be heading home the day after Christmas. Sirius would stay with them for a while, or at least until they got him near civilization. Depending on how the search for him was going, he might need to play the pet dog longer than he wanted, but Azkaban had taught him patience. At least he was treated well.
Christmas Day was rather quiet at the Granger's house. Their usual activities of caroling were cancelled. While the Granger's had introduced themselves around and were making friends in their new neighborhood, they had only been there less than six months. They were also trying very hard to remain inconspicuous, since their entire reason for moving was that the death eaters were aware of their previous home. Besides, with Sirius Black on the loose, Dan and Emma decided they'd just keep the kids home, a decision that met the approval of both the aurors and the troopers.
Dan and Emma gave their daughter the usual haul of books, as well as some new clothes. This being Harry's second Christmas with the Granger's had apparently elevated his status to honorary family member, because Dan and Emma had a gift for Harry as well. Opening it, Harry found two tickets for a movie called Home Alone 2, with money for snacks for the following evening.
"Oh, Harry," Hermione exclaimed upon reading the title of the movie, "You'll love going to the movies! We'll have to watch Home Alone first, though. We have that on the VHS, don't we Dad?"
"Yes, Honey," Dan said, chuckling. He and Emma would be chaperoning the outing, (Dan refused to call it a date,) and the Aurors and troopers insisted on going as well. Tonks was looking forward to going to the movies for the first time. When Dan had asked, Tonks explained that she learned of the cinema from her father, who was a muggleborn. Her mother, Andromeda Black, was by far the more tolerant of the Black sisters, but that didn't mean her tolerance extended to going to the movies.
If Dawlish had an opinion on movies, he kept it to himself. His task was to protect Harry Potter, and he would go wherever he needed to to accomplish his goals. His main concern was keeping sight of his protectee in a darkened theater with an excessively loud sound system. He told no one, but he made sure he had several tracking charms on Potter.
After the rest of the gifts were exchanged and opened, the group spent the day watching movies on the Granger's VHS player, including Home Alone. Shooter was intrigued by the concept and greatly amused by the protagonists antics in protecting his home, but Doc was indifferent. The film was described as a comedy, and she liked her entertainment more refined and serious, but she would still be attending the trip to see the sequel. She was a trooper first, and she went where her Commander went.
Ron Weasley had a fantastic Christmas. His mother was the best cook and even put Hogwarts to shame when she really tried, and she tended to go all out for holiday meals. Bill was even home since he was working up at the school for a few weeks. Charlie even came home from Romania to spend Christmas with them. The last time the entire Weasley family was home at the same time was shortly after Bill graduated. He left within a week to begin his training for Gringotts.
He was making good grades, and practiced writing every day in his journal. He had such a hard time in the first half of the year last year that he was determined that he would not fall that far behind again. He didn't think he'd ever be top of a class, but he was earning respectable grades and was proud of himself. His only real worry at the moment was Scabbers. The entire holiday season his pet rat had been restless. He had always been a rather useless pet, but Ron was still fond of him. He was a very old rat, though, and Ron didn't like to think about how many years he might have left. He made sure to give Scabbers plenty of rest and food, and hoped he'd feel better soon.
It was weird knowing that Sirius Black was on the loose. Everyone knew the story of how Black had betrayed Harry's Parents, and now the murderer was out and about. Bill had sat down with him and the Twins, and asked them to keep a better eye on Ginny while at school. Apparently she was having trouble making friends. She spent nearly all her time writing in her diary, and rarely talked to anyone as far as he knew. Bill was not happy about that.
"Look, guys," he admonished them, "you're older brothers. It's your job to look after her, and make sure she's doing well."
"But Bill," began one of the twins, "all she wants to do is write in that book of hers."
"Maybe," responded the other twin, whom Ron thought was Fred, "we could steal.. sorry, borrow the book and make a few alterations?"
"Absolutely not!" Bill retorted. "I won't hear of you pranking her. She's having a rough enough go of it to start with, she doesn't need for you to make it worse. Talk to her, make sure she's not lonely, that's all I'm asking."
"Ok, Bill," they answered.
"And if this Sirius Black comes nosing around,' Bill finished, "you keep him away from her!"
A/N - I love Christmas, but I hate writing Christmas scenes. I have no idea what people should get For each other, and feel that spending too much time describing gifts that will never be mentioned again will get boring.