Written for:

Advent Calendar - James/Sirius/Remus

Assignment 10 - Careers Advice 4 - Write about waiting for someone to arrive

Southern Funfair - Raffle: (Date) Christmas Eve / (Drink) Hot Chocolate / (Activity) Dressing as Santa

Northern Funfair - Building a Snowman - Ribbon: (action) shouting

Eastern Funfair - Christmas Eve Box - Stage 2: Write about James Potter

Seasonal -

Days of the Year - November 20th - Write about a child

Writing Club -

Character Appreciation - 2 (trait) friendly

Disney Challenge - Character 9 - Teddy Lupin

Amber's Attic - Rapper 6 - Write about someone changing their appearance

Buttons - Object: Hot Chocolate / Word: Excited / Dialogue: "Have you been naughty or nice this year?"

Em's Emporium - 3 - Parent & child relationship

Film Festival - 10 - Hot chocolate with marshmallows

Naughty or Nice

"I can't believe Sirius is late," James muttered, pacing the living room. Harry was curled up on the sofa, his gaze on the gameboy in his hands, and Teddy was watching The Nightmare Before Christmas. "He said he'd be here so we could do the Christmas boxes before bedtime. Teddy goes to bed in an hour."

"We can keep him up a little later," Remus suggested, slightly reluctantly. "He'll want to see Sirius before bedtime."

"It's our first Christmas. I made it clear he needed to be here on time," James insisted. "It's supposed to be us as a family. How can we do this without him?"

"We have tomorrow," Remus replied. "Today isn't as important."

James frowned. "We wanted to start some traditions. I've always made Harry a Christmas box and you've always had movies and hot-chocolate with Teddy. We're combining them and adding more, but without Sirius, it's not a family thing."

"He'll be here," Remus said. "Sirius was excited when we planned this." He lowered his voice as Teddy looked around. "James, you know he never had this growing up. No tree, no traditions. This is his first real Christmas so I don't want to start without him."

"You're right,"James agreed, sighing softly. "No-one deserves a perfect Christmas more than Sirius. We'll wait. What about putting Teddy down for a nap and waking him when Sirius gets here?"

"He'll be too tired that way," Remus said. "Let's give it half-an-hour. If he's not here, we'll talk about what to do."

"Is Uncle Sirius coming?" Teddy asked, looking between the pair.

Remus nodded. "I think he got lost," he said, smiling at his son. "I have an idea, how about we get one of the chocolates out of the box."

"But we had one," Harry said, glancing up from his game. "Dad, are we allowed another?"

"It's Christmas," James said, shrugging. "It won't hurt - go right ahead, bring Teddy with you."

Teddy rushed over to Harry excitedly and grabbed his hand. "Let's go!" he said impatiently. "Last time Daddy ate all of the Mars bars."

James chuckled, glancing at Remus. "Did you do that, love?"

"There was only two in there," Remus replied defensively.

...oOo...

"You wait there, I'll get it," James said, leaning in and placing a quick kiss to Remus' lips. He got up from where he had been perched on the arm of the chair and headed to the front door.

He pulled it open slightly, wondering who was knocking on Christmas Eve.

"Sirius?"

"Not Sirius, Santa," Sirius said, gesturing to the white beard. "Have you been a good boy, James?"

James leaned against the door, his earlier annoyance fading now that Sirius had turned up. "I have. Do you have a special… present for me?"

"Wrong, you've been very, very naughty. You're on my naughty list, James. And at Midnight—"

"Santa!" Teddy screamed from behind James. "Santa's here! Harry! Santa came with our presents early!"

Remus appeared behind his son and glanced between James and Sirius for a moment. "Come in, Santa," he said.

Sirius walked inside and headed into the living room, dropping down onto the sofa. "I'm not here with gifts just yet," Sirius said to Teddy who had followed him. "I just wanted to come here and tell you that you're on the nice list and that you'll be getting something special tonight from me."

Teddy nodded, looking completely starstruck at the sight of Santa. "Did you leave your reindeer outside?" he asked. "Did you know that one time a shark ate a reindeer?"

"I—"

"Did you know that boy and girl reindeer all have antlers?"

"Yes, I—"

"Reindeers are vegetarians which means they don't eat meat. I bet they like broccoli," Teddy said, his voice rising in excitement. "Uncle James showed me an internet about reindeer."

"A website," James corrected him. "Teddy, calm down and let Santa get a word in."

Sirius grinned. "Now, I have to go and feed the reindeer so they're ready for the flying tonight. But I brought you a little gift. You too, Harry."

"Thanks, Si… Santa," Harry said, walking over.

"Are you friends with Santa?" Teddy demanded, turning around to look at Harry.

Sirius pulled out two chocolate santas, handing them one each. "The big present will be here tonight," he said. "I have to get going now."

"Bye Santa," Teddy said, already ripping into the paper, his interest in Santa quickly fading in the face of chocolate.

...oOo...

"I've got normal clothes underneath this. I'll just go into Alice's place across the street and change out of this. Sorry I'm late, I had trouble finding the outfit and traffic."

"It's fine. It's made Teddy's night meeting you," Remus said.

"It made Teddy's night getting the chocolate," Sirius laughed. "So… the question is, do I bring this outfit to bed tonight? I thought I could use it when I ask: 'Have you been naughty or nice this year?' Though we all know you've both been very naughty." He looked between James and Remus. "I can keep the beard on."

"Outfit yes, beard no," Remus decided. "Hurry though, I'll get the hot chocolate on and we'll watch a movie before the boys go to bed."

...oOo...

Sirius sat on the sofa with Remus on one side and James on the other. Teddy sat on the other side of Remus, and Harry had chosen to sit in the armchair.

It was perfect.

The boys were dressed in their new pyjamas from their boxes and everyone had a mug of hot chocolate to drink as they watched. The two Lupins drinks were piled with chocolate sprinkles, whilst James and Harry had opted for marshmallows. Sirius had been generous with the cream on the top of his own.

"This is the best Christmas ever," Sirius whispered, not wanting to disrupt the film.

"This is the first of many," James assured him, turning his head and kissing him softly. "You're a part of the family, Sirius, so you have no choice but to spend every Christmas with us."

"This family is perfect," Sirius murmured softly. "I'm so happy."

"I hope so," Remus insisted softly. "Because you're stuck with us."