'slams head against desk' This chapter was being mean. Something just wasn't right, and I kept adding to it, and adding to it, and blah.
But, hey, longer chappy makes up for lateness, right? (Me hopes so) ^^;
As always – Read, Review, and Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own, nor claim to own, anything pertaining to Inuyasha nor Harry Potter. Just the ideas that pop into my mind ;)
—Year I; Part V: A Happy Christmas—
When the Potter twins finally stepped out from McGonagall's office after devising a tentative visiting schedule to St. Mungos over the holidays, it was with an understandably, but none the less unusually, quiet air.
It didn't last very long, because they soon ran into someone as they turned the corner.
By them, she meant James. And by ran, she meant bumped shoulders.
"Watch it!" the victim snapped nastily, just as James had opened his mouth to apologize.
James' face, which was already dark to begin with, darkened even more considerably so once recognition set in.
Severus Snape.
Not in the mood to argue for once, James just grabbed his sister's hand and went on his way, ignoring the Slytherin.
Snorting in disgust, Snape muttered something under his breath.
James stopped short, making Kagome nearly stumble into him. "What was that?" he said quietly, turning to give him a hard stare.
Severus only scowled at him. "I said it was just like a Gryffindor; think you're so great that you don't need to apologize," he bit out harshly.
'But Lily's a Gryffindor, isn't she?' Kagome quipped silently, but kept her mouth shut. She didn't want to add any fuel to the fire threatening to break.
If anything, James was more than happy to do that for her.
James' eyes narrowed at Severus with blatant distaste. "Oh, I was going to, but then I saw it was you," he shot back snidely.
A weary sigh passed Kagome's lips, and she rubbed a tired hand over her face. "Guys, just come off it," she mumbled. "James, we still need to go sign the sheet in the Great Hall," she reminded, hoping it would be enough to get them moving.
Snape sneered, ignoring Kagome's protests. "What, Mummy and Daddy didn't want you back for Yuletide?" he taunted nastily, pinning his glare on her brother. "Is that what's got your knickers in a twist?"
Kagome's hand slid from her face, her expression blank save for the darkening of her eyes.
Instantly, James' face twisted and he practically snarled. "Same could be said to you, Snivellus!" And suddenly, his wand was out and raised, a spell on the very tip of his tongue as he pointed it at Severus' face, but Kagome snatched his wrist.
"James," she warned lowly, halting him. "No."
James sputtered, gaping at his sister. "But, Kagome-!" he protested, face furious.
"Just… leave it," she stressed quietly, shaking her head. "He doesn't know, and I really don't want to deal with this… just – c'mon," she implored, tugging at him pleadingly. "Sorry Snape," she muttered half-heartedly as she pulled her brother along.
James let her, but not without throwing an icy glare the Slytherin's way, one that promised revenge.
Sweet, humiliating, revenge.
Severus blinked blankly as they left, confused, before brushing it off with a shake of his head. "Bloody maddening Potters," he muttered darkly, and turned to continue on his own way.
—o—o—o—o—
"Ugh," Severus grunted as he sat down in his seat across from Lily. "I just had a run in with your delightful dorm mate and her prat of a brother," he drawled, shaking his hair from his face. "I swear, if it wasn't for her, I was just one second away from hexing off his foul face." Severus let out a scoff and muttered under his breath. "And apparently they are staying over break as well...… here I was hoping for a peaceful Christmas too…"
Lily groaned in exasperation.
"Hey," Severus said defensively, straightening. "He bumped into me," he said before she could start on him.
"On purpose?" Lily inquired, an eyebrow raised. While Potter was quick to go on the offensive and retaliate, especially when it came to a Slytherin, and even more so for Severus, she knew he didn't usually start anything if Kagome was with him. Mostly because she'd try to stop him.
Severus shrugged noncommittally.
Lily scoffed, knowing that meant no.
Severus crossed his arms. "Least he could've done was apologize, but he's too good for that apparently. And then he got all mad when I called him out on it," he muttered.
Lily groaned, knowing Severus and his charming ways of dealing with James. "You don't know, do you?" she murmured, going to dig into her bag.
Severus groaned, exasperated. "That's what Potter's sister said - what is it I don't know?"
Lily pulled out a roll of newspaper, The Daily Prophet, and handed over to him. "Front page," was all she said.
Eyebrows raised, Severus unfurled the paper and read it. "An attack in Diagon Alley…?" he murmured.
Lily nodded. "Rumor is their parents got caught in the blast, and they're in St. Mungo's, which is why they're staying over break."
Severus shut his eyes, mentally groaning and feeling a tinge of guilt for saying what he said in front of Kagome. She had done nothing to have deserved that.
It was Potter he couldn't care less about…
—o—o—o—o—
"I could have taken him," James grumbled unahppily as his sister practically herded him to the Great Hall. "You heard what that git said - you should have let me-"
"What?" Kagome cut off sharply, glaring at him. "Hexed him? C'mon James - it wasn't worth it." Frustrated, she ran a hand through her hair. "Empty taunts are all they were - he obviously doesn't know what happened…" she muttered dully.
James turned, peering at her, before sighing. Reaching over, he curled an arm around her shoulder and pulled her flush to him. "Yeah, okay," he relented, for her sake. "But next time, he's getting a stinging hex no matter what you say."
Unbidden, her lips twitched.
"Kagome! James!"
At their names, the twins paused, turning.
Dressed to the nines in the blue and silver regalia that was Ravenclaw clothing and accessories was a girl, with deep black, straight hair pulled into a messy ponytail and sharp, almost doe-like blue-grey eyes, running towards them. Her pale cheeks were flushed red as she ran, and her unclasped cloak billowed out around her. Tucked in the base of her ponytail was her wand.
"Dorcas?" the twins chimed together, confused.
Dorcas Meadowes, a third year up and coming Ravenclaw and old playmate of theirs. Despite having gone off to Hogwarts a couple years ago, they still kept in touch with the occasional letter, Kagome more so than James, not to mention the occasional visit or two during the summers.
Now that they started attended Hogwarts as well, they saw each other more often in the halls and during meals. But with two years differences and being in different Houses, they didn't get to see each other that often either.
"Hey guys," she said breathlessly as she jogged up to them, and without warning, she pulled the twins into a bear hug. "I heard about your parents - Dad wrote me a letter," she murmured quietly, tone sad.
Coincidentally, her dad was a medic that worked in St. Mungos, so it was no surprise she knew.
"So you heard, huh?" James mumbled, returning the girl's hug.
"Yeah, Death Eating bastards blowing up shops in Diagon Alley," Dorcas said darkly, expression contorted into a grimace as she pulled away. "It's in the Prophet too, you know," she added, scoffing in distaste, but eyes softened as she nudged the twins lightly. "Rumor's that your parents got caught in the crossfire - I'm one of the few that knows it's actually true, but I figured you guys should know what's being passed around."
"Thanks Dorcas," Kagome murmured lightly with sincerity. "We appreciate it."
Dorcas nodded seriously. "Of course. Frank was looking for you guys to give the heads up - until he realized you were gone and that one of the Professors probably pulled you away. Marlene too," she added, walking with them to the Great Hall.
"Yeah, Professor McGonagall woke us up and told us the news," James said, shoving his hands into his pockets. "We just got back from visiting our parents."
Dorcas' eyes widened at the news, and gave them a sympathetic look. "How are they?" she inquired gently.
Kagome bit her lip, concern glinting in her eyes. "Both are pretty banged up, but okay. Mum's awake."
James let out a sharp breath through his nose, fists clenching in his pockets. "Dad's the worst one off though, and he hasn't woke up yet," he muttered darkly.
"Hey," Dorcas murmured, nudging him. "Mr. P - he isn't Head Auror for nothing. He's made of tough stuff - I bet he'll wake up in no time."
Kagome and James shared a disconcerting look. "Yeah, that's what we're hoping, too…" the former whispered.
—o—o—o—o—
By the time winter break begun, Peter was the only one who went home. With their parents currently incapacitated at St. Mungos, Kagome and James found themselves staying behind with not only Sirius, but Remus as well.
A week earlier, Sirius' uncle had sent a letter diplomatically saying that it would be best if the young Gryffindor stayed at Hogwarts this Christmas.
Outwardly, Sirius didn't seem bothered by the letter, really. Once done reading it, he grinned and did a little jig, announcing Christmas had come early.
But the rest of the Marauders knew better. Having spent the last few months hanging out with the white sheep of the 'Ancient and Noble' Black family, they've gotten to know him pretty well.
They could see that, yes, Sirius was happy and relieved at not having to go back home. But at the same time, his grin didn't exactly reach his eyes. Behind the happy facade was resigned hurt at the declaration that his own family didn't want him back for Yuletide, and a suspicious inkling of guilt that none knew how to explain.
While it wasn't something Kagome could relate to, per say, she could try to understand. When all was said and done, they were still his family. And being unwanted wasn't something easy for an eleven year old to accept.
The reason for Remus staying behind this break wasn't as clear as Sirius'. His answer itself was a little elusive when he told them that his parents were off to France on a business trip, and between the choices of being bored over there or spending the holidays with his friends, he picked the latter.
James and Sirius seemed to accept it without any hesitation, but Kagome was a little more skeptical.
But maybe that was because she knew Christmas was just a couple days shy from when the full moon was set to come.
They were almost to the Great Hall when suddenly, James skipped through the doors ahead of them.
"Eager much?" Kagome heard Remus huff under his in amusement, and she snorted.
"More like hungry," she murmured wryly.
A growl to her right caught her attention, and they both turned to Sirius with smirks.
Sirius grinned sheepishly at them in return, patting his stomach. "He's not the only one."
James stopped suddenly just as he passed the entrance, and whirled around, a Chesire grin spread broadly on his face. "Hey, guys, guess what,"' he said suddenly.
The three tensed where they stood, eyes widening. Quickly, they glanced around, searching frantically. "What did you do?" Kagome demanded hotly.
But James only let out a loud laugh, "I spy with my little eye," he sang out wickedly, and pointed. "Look!" he said, practically giggling with glee.
As one, they all looked up to see. Remus and Sirius' eyes widened comically, while Kagome's lips twitched.
'A mistletoe?' she thought in amusement, and peered at her brother, who was still laughing. 'That little sneak has a damn good eye,' she silently murmured in exasperation.
The two poor boys were stammering by now in embarrassment, garnering the attention of not only other students, but some of the professors as well.
Rolling her eyes, Kagome threw her arms out and snagged the two eleven year olds, reining them in and having no qualms about kissing them.
Snickering at their yelps, Kagome pressed a quick peck on Remus' cheek, before darting over to press another on Sirius' cheek before he managed to escape her grip.
It caused the two to freeze in sheer embarrassment, and Kagome laughed at the disappointed look plastered across James face, clearly not getting the reaction he was hoping for.
Practically skipping along just as her twin did moments ago, she darted in to give a quick peck on James cheek as well, before speeding away.
"Kagome!" he roared after her, swiping at his now also red cheek.
"Didn't want you feeling left out!" she cooed cheekily, joining in when the remaining students staying at Hogwarts for Christmas started laughing.
Up at the table, the Professors were snickering as well. Dumbledore himself, with his rather obnoxious Santa hat sitting tilted on his head, was wearing a wry grin.
Even Professor McGonagall was chuckling softly under her breath.
"So," Sirius began after they were seated and he had started piling breakfast onto his plate. "Any idea when your parents will be released?"
Kagome snorted into her juice. "You make it sound like they're in prison," she muttered wryly under her breath.
Sirius flashed her a grin. "From what I hear, it is."
James snickered lightly, before his amused expression darkened eventually. "Mum says just a few more days. Monday maybe."
Kagome sighed, setting her cup down and propping her chin with the heel of her hand. "They want to keep Dad under observation since he only just woke yesterday, which makes sense I guess. Mum is allowed to leave, but she wants to wait for Dad." Reaching over, Kagome idly fiddled with the slice of toast on her plate, and a piece broke off. "So, for Christmas, they'll send some of the presents here and we'll open the rest at the hospital with them during our visit."
From across from her, Remus gave her foot a friendly nudge with one of his own underneath the table. "It's not a total bust then. You'll get to see them during Christmas."
Kagome offered him a small, grateful smile. "Yeah, you're right. Need to look at the glass half-full, not half-empty and all that," she murmured distractedly, and the boys stared at her blankly.
Kagome furrowed her eyebrows. "What?"
"Glass half-full, not half empty?" Sirius repeated, and stuffed a piece of bacon in his mouth. "Wassat mean?" he mumbled through his food, making Remus grimace in disgust.
"It's a saying - you know, like, every cloud has a silver lining?" Kagome said, laughing lightly... until it faded into a nervous titter at their still blank expressions. "It means, look on the bright side?" she tried feebly, and realized that she might have said something either a little too mature or too muggle.
The boys all shared a look, and though their confusion cleared, they still stared at her strangely.
"Another of your book things?" James guessed knowingly, this time causing Sirius and Remus to stare at him.
Jumping on the excuse, she gave a nonchalant shrug, trying to play it off as nothing. "Yeah, guess it is…"
James turned to the other two, jabbing his fork in Kagome's direction. "She read, like, a lot when we were growing up - still does actually. She's like a walking library, I swear."
Sirius snorted. "Just like Remus. You guys are we-eird," he drew out teasingly, brushing off Remus' baleful stare with ease.
"And here I was, just trying to be optimistic..." she muttered under her breath, indignant. Ignoring their snickers, she turned back to her breakfast.
—o—o—o—o—
James was lounging on one of the Gryffindor sofas when he announced it.
"I'm bored."
Kagome and Remus sighed simultaneously. Marking their places, they shut their books and put them aside, knowing what was to come next.
Sirius straightened, the beginnings of a grin spreading across his face. "So whatchya gonna do about it, mate?" he baited, eyes bright and dancing.
When one of them became bored, they would do whatever it took, however long it took, to fix it.
James eyes flickered around the room searchingly. Once his hazel gaze settled on the staircase leading to the boys' dorms, he straightened, eyes widening, before he quickly scanned the common room. Fortunately, it was empty save for them.
"Well," he drawled out, smirking. "We do need to figure out a way to smuggle Kagome into our dorm room. It'll be a lot easier to plot our pranks away from everyone. It's the perfect place -"
"Except there's no way up there for me short of taking a broom and flying through the window," Kagome finished for him, leaning back in thought. "And that idea's shot since I have to wait until next year to bring mine..."
James cocked an eyebrow at his sister. "Not if you used Kirara," he quipped wryly.
Sirius snorted, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, 'cause a cat the size of a bloody Hippogriff is totally not noticeable. Never mind that she's literally on fire."
Kagome slapped her hand across her forehead and groaned.
Remus turned to stare at Kagome blankly. "I'm sorry," he deadpanned. "But when did your cat grow to the size of a Hippogriff and obtain the ability to be 'on fire'?"
The two boys stiffened, and shared a look that straight up spelled, 'Oh shit.'
His eyes widened suddenly. "Peter didn't really see some random beast from the forest, did he?" he asked suspiciously.
James and Sirius shared a guilty look. "No…" they admitted sheepishly.
Kagome looked even more sheepish. "That was actually me… riding Kirara…"
Remus blinked at her, stunned. "Why were you riding your cat after curfew?" he blurted out incredulously.
She was looking anywhere but at him and was more than a little obvious about it. "…It was fun…?" she eventually offered quite lamely, shrugging.
Remus opened his mouth, paused, slowly shut it, opened it one more time, before shaking his head. "…The stairs…?" he prompted wearily instead.
Kagome bit her lip to hide a grin. "Right," she murmured impishly.
Sirius rubbed his hands together, smirking widely. "Y'know, this is the perfect time to do it, with mostly everyone gone," he mused.
James nodded eagerly. "Sirius is right."
Getting up, Kagome made her way to the staircase. "But it's how that's the question." She looked back, over her shoulder. "I mean, it's Hogwarts' magic - like, from the castle itself." Turning back to it, she crouched and poked warily at the bottom step, frowning when nothing happened. "How can we beat that?" she wondered, stumped.
The boys stood and approached the stairs as well.
Sirius shrugged. "Maybe we can trick it?"
Remus looked over, eyebrows furrowed in thought. "But how?"
Sirius' eyes narrowed, before his eyes widened suddenly and he gasped. "Piggy back ride?" he breathed out, snapping his fingers.
They all turned to each other to share a look, and excited grins spread out across their faces.
—o—o—o—o—
"Oo-omph," Sirius grunted. "Geeze, d'you have to kick me?" the curly-haired boy grumbled.
A giggle echoed in his right ear, and Sirius grunted once more when Kagome shifted. "Just trying to get comfy, is all," she murmured wryly.
"Lucky you," Sirius muttered, as he was anything but comfortable. "Why do I have to carry her? I came up with the idea - someone else should do this," he complained.
"Hey!" Kagome petulantly exclaimed, pouting.
Remus laughed. "You offered," he ever so helpfully reminded with a dry stare.
Sirius ignored him. "She's your sister!" he went on, turning to James.
James merely smirked. "Exactly why I knew better than to offer," he said matter-of-factly.
Sirius huffed. "I didn't know she was this heavy-ack," he said, cut off when Kagome's slim arms suddenly tightened around his throat.
Kagome let out a little exaggerated gasp for show. "Merlin - my bad! It felt like I was slipping," she said loftily. The evil, threatening look in her eyes ruined the innocent ruse. "Now! Giddy up horsey!" And just for the hell of it, she tapped her heels against his side.
Sirius' left eye was twitching like mad.
Remus bit his lip to keep from laughing. "Uhh, you should probably wait until she's off you before insulting her, Sirius," he couldn't help but point out.
In response, Sirius only sent a cold glare in his direction. "Let's just get this over with…" he muttered under his breath, and shuffled over to the staircase with Kagome perched on his back.
Hesitantly, Sirius placed a foot on the first step, and hoisted both of them up when he felt it was safe.
"One step down, however many to go," Kagome mused.
Sirius couldn't help but chuckle as he climbed another step. Still nothing.
"Hey James?" Kagome called out, turning her head as far as she could to look at him. "D'you remember how many steps I managed to get up to before it shifted last time?"
"Three, I think?"
Sirius sighed as he carried them up to the third step, this time without hesitation. "Should have said that in the first place…"
Kagome laughed. "Ah, and now we approach the dreaded fourth step," she announced with an ominous stage voice.
Sirius shook his head. "And here we go," he said, closing his eyes and cautiously taking a step forward.
They all waited with baited breaths as the stairs gave a shiver, before finally calming.
When nothing else happened, Sirius cracked an eye open and a grin split his face. "It worked!"
"Yeah!" James and Remus cheered, high-fiving each other.
"Yes!" Kagome cheered along with them, arms and thighs tightening snugly around the boy. "Try the next step!" she urged eagerly.
Grinning wider, Sirius confidently took another step - and another, and another, until-
"Bloody hell!"
-The stairs finally gave out from under them.
Sirius and Kagome toppled over forward, fortunately crashing into the stone on their sides rather than Sirius landing right on his face. And then, they began to slide down the transformed stairs before being deposited in a pile of limbs on the floor.
"Oww," Kagome groaned pathetically from her spot splayed sideways across Sirius, said boy echoing her sentiments. "That was not fun..."
A snigger erupted above them. "It was kinda fun to watch, though," James confessed, not bothering to hide his grin.
Sirius and Kagome mustered up the energy to give him the coldest glares they could manage.
Remus' lips quirked into a small, wry smile. "You know what his means, though, right?" he began, eyes bright.
They all turned, staring at him expectantly.
His smile widened into a rare smirk. "It worked - this proved we actually can trick the stairs."
Slowly, matching smirks grew on the rest of their faces.
—o—o—o—o—
Come Christmas morn, all was silent in the first year boys' dorm of the Gryffindor Tower - if you didn't count the various snores, of course.
The sun was just about rising when an almost mute click echoed the room and one of the windows was pushed open.
A figure climbed though it, sliding into the room. A much smaller figure leapt through a beat later, right into the former's arms, and the larger figure reached over to relatch the window.
Silently, the figure padde further into the room, and paused.
Kagome stood in the middle of the room, lips pursed, arms crossed, and foot tapping the floor, deep in thought.
And then, suddenly, a wicked, evil little smirk spread out across her face. "Kirara?" she whispered, eyes dancing with delight.
The cat's head bobbed up, and tilted questioningly as she let out a mewl.
Kagome's smirk widened, and she took a step back, gesturing around the room. "If you would do the honors?" She eyed the room speculatively. "I think you have enough room…"
If it was even possible, Kirara's orange eyes glinted and she leapt out of of Kagome's arms, bounding towards the middle of the room.
A fiery whirlwind encased Kirara, momentarily lighting the dorm up with a flash - fortunately, the boys left their curtains shut so it didn't wake them up.
Tip-toeing around the room, Kagome pulled back all the curtains, sniggering under her breath at the adorable sights they made: James was sprawled all across his bed, arms thrown around every which way and that like a praying mantis; Sirius was curled up into a bundle, with his mouth wide open and a little drool slipping from the corner of his lips; Remus, naturally, was the most normal of them all as he laid on his side, except for the fact he was cuddling his pillow in a bear hug.
Kagome looked back at Kirara, who was waiting patiently for the signal. "Next time, we're so bringing a camera," she whispered, and snickered when Kirara gave an amused meow.
Backing up to the door, Kagome gave Kirara the go ahead.
Crouching, Kirara let the flames licking at her feet flare and opened her maw.
'Rrrowww!'
The sound shook the dorm slightly, and the boys' reactions left Kagome rolling on the floor, laughing her heart out.
They all woke up with a jolt, automatically jumping to their feet in panic.
"W-what's happening!"
"We're being attacked!"
"Oh shit!"
That last one was Remus, who let out a startled yelp and scurried in the opposite direction until there was no more bed and he dropped to the floor.
Sirius, who had never had the pleasure of waking up to a scary monster flaming kitty, let out an unmanly squeak and backed up to the wall with a loud thump.
"Bloody hell - Kagome!" James roared, finally waking up completely. "You bloody git!" he yelled and whirled on Kirara. "You can cut it out now, Kirara!"
The roaring was cut short, and immediately Kirara transformed back to her normal size. Adorably, she blinked her wide orange eyes and let out a soft, innocent, "Mew?"
Kagome, who was still giggling so hard that tears streamed from her eyes as she clutched her stomach since it hurt so bad, shook her head in delight. "O-oh Merlin! Your faces!" She let out a stream of snickers. "Oh, Happy Christmas to me!"
Immediately, the pillow Sirius was clutching for dear life slipped from his fingertips and flopped onto the bed. "Christmas?" he parroted, eyes widening. A grin full of excitement split his face. "Well, what in the bloody hell are we waiting for! We have presents to open!"
They all watched with stunned fascination as Sirius shot out the room, easily leaping over Kagome as he left.
Kagome sat up, staring at the door, before laughing. "Someone's excited," she muttered, shaking her head and wiping at her eyes. "Ouch!" she squeaked suddenly, jumping almost a foot in the air when a light stinging hex . "James!" she exclaimed in outrage. "What was that for!"
James was smirking smugly, twirling his wand in his fingers. "That was for waking me up like that," he replied drolly.
Kagome huffed, and scrambled up. "If it happened to anyone else, you'd be laughing too," she muttered under her breath as she padded over to Remus' bed. She flopped on it, lying on her stomach and peering over on the other side, propping her chin up with a palm. "Hi Remus," she drawled sweetly. "How yah doin'?"
Remus gave her a baleful stare from his spot sprawled across the ground. "You're more evil than I first thought," he grouched.
Kagome's smile became cheeky. "Happy Christmas to you too!"
—o—o—o—o—
Together, the Marauders spent their morning ripping open presents with unbound eagerness and glee.
Aside from the various presents they received from their respective parents, or in Sirius' case, his uncle, they also exchanged gifts - small things, like assorted sweets or joke products.
This year, Peter gave Sirius a deck of Exploding Snap. James passed along a prank book to Remus. Sirius gave James a small pouch of sweets - that happened to give the consumer a case of the hiccups, James personally finding out when he popped in a sweet before Sirius could get a word of warning in edgewise. Remus, aware of Kagome's penchant for reading, gave her a muggle book, and in return, Kagome decided to supply and enable his chocolate addiction with a bundle of chocolate frogs and fudge.
A couple hours later, Professor McGonagall came around to escort the twins to her office for their visit with their parents.
"Happy Christmas, Professor!" the Marauders happily chimed in-sync when the older woman smoothly stepped through the portrait door.
Even Professor McGonagall couldn't help but indulge them with a small, amused quirk of her lips. "Happy Christmas, children," she replied in kind. She gestured to the open portrait door. "If you two are ready?"
"Have fun," Remus said quietly, a bright smile on his face as the two Potters waved their farewells and bade their 'see you later's. Sirius nodded his agreement.
"Oh, and I almost forgot," Professor McGonagall said casually, and strode towards Sirius and Remus. "I believe this is one of yours?" she drawled primly, holding up her hand. "I found it left on my desk this morning."
They all looked to see a little, garish, gray, pink-eyed toy mouse dangling by its tail from McGonagall's fingertips.
Immediately, all of their faces turned a mix of various shades ranging from purple to red from the effort to bite back their sniggers.
"We've never seen this before," Sirius managed to choke out in an impressively semi-calm voice.
"I'm sure you haven't," Professor McGonagall murmured dryly as she deposited it, though if one looked closely, her eyes glinted with amusement.
Sirius' hands shot out to catch it out of reflex.
"But I'm sure whoever left it there only did so out of the spirit of Christmas," Kagome said with the utmost seriousness.
"Of course," Professor McGonagall droned. "That would explain the saucer of cream they left as well."
Remus let out a delicate cough to hide his snicker while James gave a professional nod. "Naturally."
Professor McGonagall's gaze flickered over them all, taking in their innocent expression and charming smiles. Left with nothing else to do, she only shook her head in exasperation. "Let's get going then," she sighed.
Just before the portrait door closed, Sirius called out after them. "Just for curiosity's sake Professor - did you drink the cream?"
Professor McGonagall whirled around only to see a half a second glimpse of Sirius' cheeky grin and Remus doubled over and laughter before the door shut.
Kagome and James finally cracked, exploding with giggles to the point that they were clutching each other tightly so they could stay standing.
It was only when McGonagall turned her narrow-eyed gaze on them that their laughter faded into awkward, nervous chuckles upon the realization that they were left with the Professor to deal with the brunt of her ire.
—o—o—o—o—
"Dad! Mum!" the twins exclaimed as they barreled into the room full speed. "Happy Christmas!"
Kagome and James bee-lined towards their parents, both of whom happened to be occupying the same cot, Ella sitting on the edge of her husband's bed.
"Happy Christmas!" they echoed, smiling widely. Their parents shared a laugh when their children lunged, tackling them with hugs. "Careful!" Ella chided, hands steadying the two bundles of energy. "Daddy's still a little sore from his injuries."
Immediately, the two toned it down, grimaces on their faces. "Sorry!"
Charles chuckled, shaking his head. "Nonsense - I can handle a few aches to greet my little chaos dwellers." He reached over, kissing Kagome on her forehead while ruffling James' hair. "Did you two have a good morning?"
"The best!" James exclaimed, grinning widely.
"Thanks for the presents!" Kagome added brightly.
Ella swooped in to peck both of them fondly on the cheeks. "Thank you for yours," she replied in kind. "And speaking of presents, we have one more for each of you."
"Ah, that's right," Charles murmured, shifting over to reach to the stand for his wand. With a swipe and a silent incantation, two wrapped bundles flew out from under Ella's bed. "I know we usually spoil you two rotten for Christmas," he began wryly. "But with you two in Hogwarts now, we figured it's time that we trade in quantity for quality."
"These aren't like your other presents," Ella added gently, and the twins sat up straight at the serious tone she adopted. "These are very precious objects, not toys, and should be treated and used with respect and responsibility," she explained.
"Despite your mischievous tendencies, we know we can trust you two," Charles continued. "These are family heirlooms - passed down the family line." Charles reached over to grab the bigger present of the two, wrapped in shimmering dark green paper, before placing it gently into James' hands. "Just as my father handed this over to me my first year of Hogwarts, and just as his father did to him, I'm giving this to you, James. Use it well."
Ella picked up the remaining present, wrapped in shimmering deep blue paper, and slipped it into Kagome's grasp, letting her hands linger to cover her daughter's. "And just as my mother passed this along to me, as her mother did to her, I'm giving this to you, Kagome," she said softly, squeezing her daughter's hands.
"Well, what are you waiting for?" Charles prompted, smirking. "Open 'em up."
James and Kagome shared an excited look before doing just that.
"No way," they both breathed out in awe once the wrapping was ripped off their respective presents.
Silvery, silky cloth pooled in James' hands, eyes widening with delight as he turned it over only to see his body disappear. "An invisibility cloak..." James murmured with unhidden glee.
Charles only grinned widely.
Kagome, who was flipping through an aged leather book with a look of growing captivation, looked up quickly in astonishment. "Seriously?" she blurted out. Even she knew giving James an invisibility cloak was just asking him to pull more pranks now that he could better prevent getting caught. "Wicked..."
Not that she would ever mention that out loud and get it taken away, of course...
James peered over at Kagome's present. "What's that?" he wondered, eyes squinting at the blank pages before him. "A journal?"
Kagome looked at him strangely. "It's not a journal. Can't you see? It's like a personal spell book, but it's not only filled with spells - there's potion recipes and other incredibly useful stuff." Tilting her head away so that their parents wouldn't see, Kagome mouthed the words 'like for pranks' to her brother.
Immediately, James perked up in eager interest.
"It's a grimoire - passed along the female generation of my family. The spells, rituals, recipes... it's our family's legacy - our secrets. It's been added to by numerous generations, and because it is so precious, it's protected so that only a female of our blood can look into," Ella explained.
Kagome bit her lip and peered at her mother. "But what if I want James to look at it?" she wondered with a hint of concern and uncertainty.
It brought a smile to Ella's face. "You can always key him in, should you wish."
Kagome and James shared a grin, and the former didn't even miss a beat to reply. "How?"
As the two females turned their attention to the grimoire, James returned his attention to his invisibility cloak.
Slowly, a smirk formed on his face, his eyes taking on a wicked, dancing light to it.
"I expect you to use it wisely," Charles' reminder broke through his thoughts, his father guessing what that incorrigible mind of his was concocting at the sight of his son's smirk.
Holding back a laugh at how his son's face fell at that, he covertly looked over. When he saw that his wife was distracted with explaining Kagome's gift, Charles grinned wryly and leaned forward to whisper in his son's ear. "And if you use it wisely for not so respectable things that your Mum would never approve of, that's okay too," he added, discreetly turning his hand over in a secretive high five. "Just don't get caught and make sure you don't forget your sister either."
The grin that formed on James' face as he mutely returned the gesture was nothing but mischievous. "Oh, I'd never."
—o—o—o—o—
Maybe it was meant to be. Maybe it was destiny. Maybe it was the fates trying to balance themselves out.
Or maybe it was just a stroke of luck after a string of unlucky accidents.
When they were out and about, sneaking around Hogwarts under the cloak the first time ever, it wasn't long before they crossed paths with Peeves, a Professor doing the rounds, Mr. Norris, and Filch all one after another. It was after that, that they almost walked right into Professor McGonagall herself, ultimately leading them to a pleasant discovery.
Hearing footsteps once more, the four of them scurried to the side, pressing themselves against the wall as they waited with baited breaths.
"Bloody hell - how is it that we manage to bump into every person taking a stroll around Hogwarts in the middle of the night?" Kagome hissed ever so quietly under her breath.
Beside her, Remus let out a relieved sigh when the infamous strict witch took a turn around the corner. "I don't know, but I swear it's like they know we have the cloak or something."
"…There's no way they could, right?" James asked uncertainly. "I mean, everyone says the Headmaster knows everything that goes on in Hogwarts. Maybe they were warned somehow."
Sirius scoffed, rolling his eyes as he shoved James gently. "There's no way he knows everything," he muttered.
"Oi!" James exclaimed as he stumbled, and grasped the wall to steady himself, hands brushing against the portrait they were all leaning against.
They all froze when a click echoed through the air, and let out a chorus of yelps as they suddenly fell backwards when the portrait swung inwardly.
They tumbled and crashed to the floor, and when they managed to gather their bearings to crack open their eyes, they were greeted with the sight of numerous wide, bulging eyes just staring down at them.
Kagome would never forget the startled shriek Remus let out at the sight of so many house-elves just staring at them, just as Sirius and James would never let it go.
—o—o—o—o—
The next day, on the twenty-seventh of December, Remus fell ill that afternoon.
Or so he claimed.
The poor boy did look peaky, which worked in his favor as the boys easily believed Remus when he said he didn't feel good and headed to see Madam Pomfrey.
With one Marauder gone and another momentarily debilitated, the remaining three elected to stay in for the night.
Down in the Gryffindor Common Room, James and Kagome were sat on the floor by the table nearest to the fireplace, a chessboard between them. Sirius was lounging lazily on the sofa closest to them, munching on some chocolate as he watched the proceedings halfheartedly.
"Full moon tonight," James commented offhandedly as he looked away from the chess set before him, peering out the window and up into the sky.
For a moment, Kagome didn't say anything. But eventually, she hummed, careful to keep her voice even as she waited as James moved his chess piece. "Is it?"
Sirius snorted, and snapped a piece of chocolate of the bar and tossed it into his mouth. "Be'er be ca'ful," he mumbled through his snack, and swallowed thickly to get it down. "Tonight's when the werewolves come out to play," he went on, projecting his voice to sound deep, ominous, and scary - the fact that he was a few years shy from puberty and his voice was still high-pitched sort of killed the effect.
James and Kagome shared an amused look.
"They say that the forest is full of 'em."
James darted in to snatch a piece of chocolate out of Sirius' hands. He popped it in his mouth before Sirius could grab it back, eliciting an offended roar. "You think?" he mused, once he finished snickering. "Would Dumbledore really let them stay in there during the full moon, so close to the school?"
Kagome shrugged, casually giving her input. "There's a reason the forest's forbidden. Maybe that's one of 'em." She rolled her eyes when one of James' bishops threateningly waved their sword at her to get on with it. "Yeah, yeah, I'm thinking, okay?" she muttered exasperatedly. Eventually, she made her move.
James chuckled, shaking his head. His sister was pants at chess.
And it never got old when he beat her.
"Checkmate."
Kagome huffed, throwing her hands up in the air as her queen was viciously batted off the chessboard, falling with a small, shrill scream. "You play him Sirius, and kick his smug arse while you're at it," she muttered, climbing out of her seat.
Sirius smirked. "As thy lady commands," he replied with just a tinge of mocking as he took her spot.
"You think Remus will be better by tomorrow?" James wondered as they set up the chess board. "We still need to work out the New Year's prank."
Kagome rolled her eyes at him, and snatched up one of the magazines of Witch Weekly that happened to be lying around. "The concern for your friend's wellbeing is touching, James," she drawled with dripping sarcasm as she flipped a page.
James glared at her, and at Sirius as well when the boy began snickering. "Hey, he said it was just something he ate and Madam Pomfrey said he'd be fine, okay," he argued in his defense.
Kagome's lips twitched. "Right. We'll visit him in the morning, anyways. See if he's up to leave." She paused, thinking, and her eyes flickered to the moon unconsciously. "Maybe bring him some chocolate too, while we're at it. To cheer him up."
—o—o—o—o—
"Your birthday, huh?"
Kagome's voice, softened to a whisper, cut the silence weighing heavily on Sirius as he reclined before the fireplace in the Gryffindor Common Room.
Sudden and unexpected, her words startled him and his head snapped up to see Kagome staring right back at him. Her gaze was expectant as she stood propped against one of the chairs with her arms crossed.
For a moment, Sirius glanced down at the camera in his lap that he'd been staring at for the past half hour - a birthday present from his Uncle - before he placed it aside and stared into the fire. Eventually, he gave a noncommittal shrug.
Eyebrows furrowing lightly, Kagome pushed away from the sofa and padded over to him, her steps a mere whisper as her bare feet brushed against the carpeting. She took a seat, settling beside Sirius.
Kagome leaned back, and gazed into the flickering fire as well.
"Why didn't you mention it earlier?" she wondered curiously, squirming a little in her seat to get a bit more comfortable.
Sirius determinedly kept his eyes on the fire before them. "Didn't wanna make a big deal of it," he mumbled.
"Mhm," Kagome hummed, unconvinced. "Well, if you ever want to tell me the real reason, I'm right here," she told him, keeping her voice light.
Sirius' head whipped around, and he glared at her impulsively. But when she just turned slightly to stare back at him calmly, giving him a small smile, his temper faltered. "I - it's just, birthdays have never been much fun for me, okay?" he huffed hotly, tendrils of frustration coiling at the bottom of his stomach.
Unconsciously nibbling on her lip, Kagome sighed lightly before reaching over to curl an arm around his shoulders. "Your family?" she guessed knowingly.
After hesitating for a moment, Sirius finally gave in with a nod. "I - you know, they didn't even send me anything?" he said suddenly, tone lined with a bitter edge. "I mean, I've never got on with my family - not since longer than I can remember. So, it's not like I expect much from them - not anymore - but the thing is, they've always used to get me something! Even if it wasn't much, it meant, or at least I thought, that maybe they cared a little or something!" he ranted furiously, fists clenching his pajamas. "And the worst part is that I don't even know why I'm so upset about it! I stopped caring a long time ago, or at least I thought I did, but, but-" he stopped suddenly, letting out a frustrated growl.
"It just, makes it real," Kagome quietly finished for him.
And just like that, Sirius slumped against the sofa, shoulders dropping in defeat. "Yeah," he agreed dully.
Kagome gave him a comforting squeeze. "You know it's not your fault, right? It's theirs, and they're not very good parents if they can't love and accept you for who you are."
Sirius sighed. "Maybe I'm just not a very good son…" he muttered darkly.
Kagome took a moment to look at him, and when she didn't speak, Sirius looked up to peer at her curiously. Their eyes locked, and Kagome leaned against him in a one-armed hug, laying her head on his shoulders. "Yeah, I guess you're not - not to them at least," she affirmed, keeping her voice a careful, soft, but most of all, honest whisper.
She missed the way Sirius stared down at her, probably in hurt or incredulity or a mix of the two, but she did feel how he stiffened against her. However, she went on before he could say anything. "But, then again, when you think about what it would take for them to see you as a good son, maybe it's better that you're not," she mused, and fell silent to let him contemplate.
Eventually, though, Kagome was relieved when she felt Sirius wind an arm around her, returning her hug, and laid his own head against hers. She could practically feel him smiling - maybe even grinning. "Maybe you're right," he breathed out in satisfied realization.
After a couple beats of silence, Kagome allowed for a small grin to appear on her face. "So, it's still your birthday…" she brought up casually. "Y'know what this means, yeah?"
Sirius lifted his head to glance over at her with a questioning look.
Her grin widened. "We have to celebrate. And it's not celebration without cake," she told him with the utmost seriousness she could possibly muster with the impish grin slapped across her face.
It had Sirius' lips quirking to form a grin of his own.
"I do love a good chocolate cake…"
"It's a good thing I know you so well, then," she murmured, eyes dancing wickedly, and at just that moment, the portrait door swung open to admit James and Remus. The invisibility cloak slipped off a bit, revealing only their heads and hands, and the bounties they carried.
A rather large, double layer cake with chocolate icing sat on a platter in James hands while Remus carried the utensils they nicked from the kitchens, both sporting wide grins all the while.
Words- 7,884
D'aww, poor Sirius. I couldn't help add a little angst there. But at least I ended it on an up note, eh?
Next time, on Domino Effect:
James makes good on his vow for revenge on Severus and the New Year rolls in with a bang.(And some other stuff I don't want to spoil or haven't written yet… -_-)
On a side note, what's up with this mass deletion business? Since I last updated, FFnet has gone under a random purge for no reason, people are jumping ship to other sites, and petitions are posted everywhere I look.
Well, anayways, here are a few shout-outs of gratitude for the people whose ideas I used in this chapter:
First off to ArmyWife22079, for her general amazingness (of course). Hugz for the awesomeness ideas of getting Sirius a camera for a birthday present and the grimoire and all its tricks for Kagome (couldn't just give James the kickass gift that is the invisibility cloak without giving his sister something on its level, right?)
To fan of fic for suggesting to include Christmas.
And darksilvercloud to showcase the Marauders in the sneaky adventures.
Hopefully, I got them all lol. If not, my apologies and my thanks to all that I failed to mention!
Till laters!
RainLily^^
A big huge honking thanks to all those who read, alerted, and fav'd this fic, and to these awesome reviewers!
Magykrider, Wicken25, Atokibe, Speedykitten1643, Lorem tenebrae, Spastic Freak, kakashixangela, Umbra1219, darksilvercloud, quenofthieves, Venas, Anake14, ObsidianFrost, LoneWolfSage, MoonPrincess1989, Tenshi 'Gome, Bunny.W.K, Kitsune Kayls, InfiniteWhiplash, JollyLoser, TsukiyoTenshi, Bishonen'sFoxyMiko, CrescentMelody, WraithReaper, cristine44, Valleygoat, GoggleboxGirlie, RebornRose1992, Natsumi Tsuchi-Ookami, WhisterTrickster, Avulocard21, Aru Leonhart-Strife, dimensiontimetraveler, EternalSouls, TMH09, CroOledTwiSted, The KumiKo, Lemon Dropz, Guest
Danielle T- Hehe, thanks! And thanks for the ideas! I can totally see James getting overprotective and Kagome getting irritated by it, leading to a fight and awkwardness ensuing between the other Marauders hehe!
Yukio X- Awh, thanks, you're too sweet! I know, writer's block sucks so much. I'm just happy the muse hasn't abandoned me on the fic just yet ^^