I have been gone for ages! I know and I'm sorry. I've been very sick, I'm still sick. That combined with laziness, isn't the best motivation for writing. But here it is! And thank you, thnk you, THANK YOU for the nice reviews I've gotten. They made me very happy.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, I was only inspired.
Siria, James and Remus left their belongings in the compartment, like they earlier had been instructed, and got off of the train. As soon as they did, Siria caught sight of an unbelievably large man, in a moleskin overcoat, holding a lantern. Siria could barely see his face, as it was covered behind long, bushy, black hair and a great big beard. This man must have been at least 10 feet tall!
"Firs'-years! Firs'-years over here!" The man roared in a thick Chepstow accent.
Siria had never actually thought about how many first years there would be, but as she saw the amount of tie-less people that gathered around the big man, she could assume she would have between 100-120 classmates. Plus Andromeda had said there would probably be about 10-15 extra from Hogsmeade Village this year. James grabbed on to Siria, so they wouldn't get lost in the masses. Siria grasped on to Remus as well. She could tell he was anxious, he jumped when she took hold on him. She smiled reassuringly at him and he smiled back, however nervously. James began pulling forward and the three of them ended right in front of the enormous man.
"'Ello you lot! My name is Rubeus Hagrid, keeper of keys and grounds at Hogwarts. And I will be showin' ye' to the boats!" The man introduced himself."
"Boats?" James whispered. Siria just shrugged, she had no idea what was going on. "We'll be sailing over The Black Lake." Remus whispered.
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Hagrid lead them down a shady path to a lake, where a fleet of boats waited to take them to Hogwarts. "Ladies first" James said, grinning teasingly at Siria. "Bugger off!" She answered before pushing him and Remus into a boat, laughing. James was placed in the front, Remus in the middle Siria and in the back. They were looking around for the oars, when the boats started sailing automatically.
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It was dark, the sun had set and the moon was rising over the trees. The lake was pitch black. Siria stuck her hand into the water, it wasn't too cold. She was desperately looking for fish or any sort of life, but to no avail, it was too dark. However her eyes were soon occupied, as the Hogwarts castle came into view and caught her attention. It was a magnificent sight! It was huge and there were more towers than Siria would be able to count, before getting off the boat. It was obscure, ancient looking and the way the windows lit up, was without question one of the most stunning things, Siria had ever seen.
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The first years entered the castle for the very first time. It made Siria feel the same way she did after she got her wand. Peculiar yet blissful. She did a few turns right after entering, taking it all in, making sure she remembered every detail of this moment.
All of them were showed into a room where a tall, stern looking witch stood. She had black hair pulled back into a tight bun. She was wearing emerald green robes, that matched her eyes and she had her hat cocked to the side. As for style she reminded Siria of her mother, but the face was quite different. This witch did have a strict face, but she had laugh lines and a warm look. Walburga Black had neither, her face was forever cold.
"Silence! If you please… Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. House-head, Transfiguration teacher and deputy headmistress. In a moment you will be entering the great hall and be sorted into your house. The houses are: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Your house will be like your family. Now, we have a point system here at Hogwarts. Accomplishments will earn points to your house, any misbehavior and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup. The sorting ceremony will begin in a moment. " The Professor then left the room.
"Are you two as nervous as I am?" Siria asked Remus and James.
"Yes." They both answered.
"Well, then again. What's the worst thing that could happen? That we fall over?" Remus asked, clearly tense. "
"That I get placed in Slytherin?" Siria answered.
"That we are declared squibs in public and get banished from the wizarding community, being forced to work as muggle cat-breeders for the remaining of our lives." James retorted.
Siria laughed at this. Loudly enough that all the other first years turned to her. All seemed amused. "What? Where did that come from?" She finally choked out.
"I don't know!" James answered. "You know, you sound a bit like a dog, when you laugh?" He chuckled.
"Oh Merlin, I know! It's awful!" She replied, trying to catch her breath.
"Nooo!" Both boys disagreed simultaneously. Siria just shook her head at them, just as Professor McGonagall reentered the room and signaled them to follow.
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McGonagall opened a large double door and led them into the great hall. There were banners on the walls and two long tables on each side of where the first years walked. The tables were filled with students of all ages. Siria looked to the far right to see Andromeda smiling reassuringly at her. It was calming. Siria took a deep breath and looked up at the ceiling, only to discover that it was charmed to look like the night sky, complete with stars and everything. All the first years were placed to the side of the teachers table. "When I call your name, you will come forth and I will place the sorting hat on your head. After sorting, you will join your house table. Leopold Abbey!" McGonagall began.
Siria took a deep breath to calm herself. She hoped for anything but Slytherin. She didn't want to turn into the rest of her family! Sure Andromeda was different, but that had to be some sort of "once-in-a-lifetime-a-Slytherin-doesn't-go-bad" miracle. Their uncle Alphard was another miracle, but he could be bias, so he was only half-a-miracle. The point was she didn't want to be Slytherin.
"Siria!" James nudged her, causing her to wake up.
"What?" She jumped, she had been miles away. "What happened? What is it?"
"It'll be you soon, we're pretty far into the b's!" He answered.
"Oh, I zoned out. What did I miss?"
"It's fine, you didn't miss much. Just an astonishing amount of Ravenclaws!" He chuckled.
"Siria Black!" McGonagall sounded and the mood in the room suddenly changed. The tone of the table conversations was no longer bubbly chit chatter, but a malicious whisper from roughly half of the students. Siria couldn't say she was surprised. The Black reputation preceded her and it was vile. James smiled reassuringly at her as she stepped forward. "Why do they even bother sorting her? That's a Slytherin right there!" A boy sneered among the first years. The comment was followed by a yelp of pain. James had elbowed the boy in the chest. Siria glanced down at the Slytherin table and locked eyes with Andromeda, who smiled at her supportively.
Siria took a seat on the stool and felt the hat be placed on her head. "Ah yes. Another Black, I see! Am I dealing with a future Slytherin?" The voice of the Sorting hat was deep and hoarse.
"No thanks! Anything but Slytherin, please." She whispered inside her own mind.
"I see. No so much of a Black after all, are you? Hmm… I see kindness, loyalty and bravery! Talent! Yes yes, intelligence. Hmm... Will to self-sacrifice, a bit of mischief, passionate and unwary by nature. Good good! Hmm… But I also see: Recklessness, arrogance and a short temper!" The hat stated.
"Wha- Hey!" Siria bellowed out loud. The embarrassment shot her like a lightning bolt. She had not meant to say that out loud and she was receiving some strange looks because of it. McGonnagall raised an eyebrow at her, very much trying to hide her amusement. The entire great hall had a giggle-fit. Out of the corner of her eye, Siria could see James and Remus chuckling as well. "I told you about that temper!" The hat commented. She swore she could feel the hat smirk at her. She rolled her eyes. "Watch it!" She told it, this time careful, keeping it as an inner monologue.
"Ravenclaw is not for you!" The hat continued, not paying attention to Siria's remark. Hufflepuff is better but…Hmm…Not quite right… And you refuse Slytherin, you say. It's probably for the best! I know just where to put you!" "GRYFFINDOR!" The hat roared.
Siria smiled. This was much unexpected but it warmed her heart. She was a Gryffindor, a lion! She looked to her left to see James and Remus smiling and clapping at her. She also saw Andromeda nodding in approval, Narcissa shook her head, noticeably condemning her. Andromeda then nudged Narcissa in the ribs, forcing her to clap along. There wasn't a lot of clapping but Siria felt more or less accepted. Siria walked towards the table furthest away, the Gryffindor table, they were clapping with caution, but clapping nonetheless! They approved of her.
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The sorting ceremony was long and not particularly exciting after one had been sorted. But Siria was delighted to see both James and Remus sorted into Gryffindor. Lily Evans was sorted into Gryffindor as well, but immediately turned her back on Siria after sitting down next to her. Siria didn't mind, she focused on talking with James and Remus, who sat across from her. After the last sorting, Professor Dumbledore held a short welcoming speech, some of it was utter rubbish, but it didn't matter.
Afterwards the school song was sung, which was an experience Siria had mixed feelings about! She could see the amusement in it not having a decided melody, but honestly she just felt awkward, not really knowing how to sing it. She then continued to have a laughing-fit when the food finally appeared on the table, because as it did, Lily Evans almost jumped out of her seat and when Sir Nicolas, the Gryffindor house ghost made his first appearance, along with Peeves the poltergeist, she looked like she had a minor heart attack. Even though Siria laughed, she felt bad about it after. Magically appearing food and ghosts was certainly uncommon in the muggle-world, so of course Lily was startled. But it was still quite hilarious.
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Siria adored the feast! For the first time in her life she didn't have to worry about manners or etiquette. She stuffed herself full of food, laughed and chatted all the way through. It was simply divine! At the end of the supper, she sat leaning over the table, exhausted, having a staring contest with a piece of apple pie and the pie was winning.
She could not eat any more!
"You' gonna eat that?" James asked her, with his mouth full of trifle.
"Take it! I give up!" She told him, admitting her defeat. She pushed the plate towards him and he gladly took it.
"I've never eaten that much before! Someone's going to have to carry me to bed!" Siria announced. Remus chuckled. James just continued eating.
"How can you keep eating!?" Siria asked James, amazed at the amount of food he was able to consume.
"I'm a boy!" He exclaimed, mouth still full.
"You are?" Siria asked playfully, her eyes twinkling.
James lifted his finger, about to give some sort of protest, when he was interrupted by Dumbledore.
"I do believe… It is about time to retire. First years, you will be escorted by the prefects, to your respective dormitories. Timetables will be handed out at breakfast. Until then, I bid you goodnight." Dumbledore said. He then raised his cup and smiled.
The prefects rose from their seats and bellowed the first years to follow them. Siria yawned all the way while exiting the great hall. She was exhausted! James offered to give her a piggyback ride to the common room, as thanks for giving him the last piece of pie. Siria happily accepted, not kidding when she said someone would have to carry her. But seeing the flight of stairs that led to Gryffindor tower, James began to regret his offer.
"I fear, I may have promised you too much, when I said I would carry you, Siria!" James said.
"Fear is a liar, James. Take it like a Gryffindor!" Siria answered, nudging him in the sides with her ankles, like one would do to a horse.
Remus laughed, clearly entertained. Siria was happy he had loosened up a bit.
James sighed, but climbed every step with Siria on his back, like promised. All three of them were knackered by the time they reached the top. Tiredness had finally overcome the boys as well.
"Gather around, please!" One of the prefects shouted. "Welcome to Gryffindor tower! You will enter through the portrait, with a password." The prefect pointed at a portrait behind her. It was of a rather fat woman in a ghastly pink, silk gown. "This year's password is: Electiones. So you say it and the portrait will open. Inside you will find the common room and two stairs leading to your rooms, boys on the right, girls on the left. Your belongings will be by your beds. You will also find your name on the door of your room."
The prefect opened the portrait and directed them to enter, before leaving them to themselves.
.
The common room was a large circular room, decorated in red and gold. There was a large fireplace and lots of sofa's and squishy looking armchairs.
"Well, I'm off to Bedfordshire. If I don't, I'll fall asleep right here!" Siria told the boys, just as Lily Evans walked past them. Siria nodded to greet her, but was bluntly ignored. "I don't think Evans likes me…" She said as after Lily had disappeared upstairs.
"I think you're right." James agreed, frowning. "It's too bad really! You might have been able to introduce me properly."
Siria frowned at him, but she giggled at the same time. James just sighed. Siria shook her head at him, leaned in and hugged him goodnight. She then turned to Remus and hugged him as well. She could tell he was surprised by this action, it took him a second to hug her back. She told them goodnight and went upstairs. She found her room soon after.
"Siria Black, Mary Macdonald and… Lily Evans… This should be interesting!" She whispered to herself, reading the sign on the door.
Siria tiptoed her way inside. There was a blonde girl sleeping in the bed closest to the bathroom and Lily was sitting in the middle bed, braiding her hair. They said a short goodnight to each other and then Lily shut her bed drapes. Siria gave Artemis an owl treat and went straight to bed.
.
Siria woke up at dawn, once again because Artemis was hooting. "You have to stop waking me up at dawn, lass." Siria whispered to Artemis. She took her out of the cage, gave her a quick stroking and let her out of the window.
Siria went back to bed and slept a few more hours.
.
Siria was woken by a soft tabbing. She was confused. Kreacher was never that gentle in waking her. She finally realized it was Artemis tabbing the window, telling her it was time to get up. Siria beamed as she jumped out of bed. She wasn't at Grimmauld. What a relief! Siria had to stop herself from breaking into a dance performance on her way to breakfast.
When Siria entered the great hall, not many people were at breakfast. She was earlier than she had expected. But she wasn't alone for long, mere seconds after she had sat down, two identical, redheaded boys sat down on either side of her. They both leaned on one arm placed on the table and they stared at her, smiling. Siria was incredibly confused by this. What on earth was going on?
"Can I help you two?" Siria asked. She didn't try to hide how puzzled, the boys presence made her.
"'Just wanted to meet and greet our new housemate!" The one on the left began.
"We want you to feel welcome!" The one on the right added.
"A fine, young woman like you should feel welcome! And may I take the liberty to tell you, you look delightful, this morning!" The left one said.
"Remarkably delightful!" The right one said.
"It is a family trait, is it not? The lovely looks, that is." The left one asked.
"For the Blacks it certainly is! Or so we have noticed." The right one answered.
So that's what it was about! Her Name. Siria was beginning to understand. Sort of! She still wasn't sure if the boys' intentions were good or bad. Was it sincere curiosity or loathing that had these boys approach her? She didn't sense sarcasm in their speech, but she couldn't be sure just yet.
"Speaking of Blacks! Now that it was so conveniently mentioned! We haven't had a whole lot of those in Gryffindor before! Blacks, I mean." The right one continued.
"Actually, we haven't had any!" The left one said.
"That's right! Fascinating that you should be sorted in Gryffindor, don't you think?!" The right one said.
"It certainly is! But, what the hell do we know, right? Any thoughts, Miss Black?" The left one finally finished.
"… Okay, what do you two really want?" Siria finally had to ask. "Because you're not getting anywhere with all that jabbering! Now, is there something you wish to ask me?"
Even though she found the exchange between the twin boys amusing, she was running out of patience and just wanted to eat breakfast. She wasn't angry with the boys, but she wished, they would get a move on! Luckily they did.
The boys exchanged a long glance and a nod.
"We got curious about you after the sorting, last night. You being a Black and all! We wanted to see what you were like" The right one said. The entire tone had shifted. It was a lot more honest.
"And what have you discovered?" Siria asked them, she kept her tone soft as she did. She wasn't going to snap at them for being curious.
"You seem alright! I mean, you haven't hexed us yet, so that's always a good sign! That blonde relative of yours from Slytherin once stumbled over my cauldron and she had a fit of rage! She started yelling that I had tripped her and she casted a sardine hex my way! It was bloody disgusting!" The left one said. Siria could sense he was looking for laughs, but it was still in the same honest manner.
"Met my cousin Narcissa, huh?" She asked, They both nodded. "Well, I am not Narcissa! And I will have you know, in spite of an unusual introduction, I am very happy to make your acquaintance!" She formally shook both their hands and they both smiled at her. Two very genuine smiles. Siria grinned back. The boys introduced themselves as Fabian and Gideon Prewett. They were third years.
.
Siria was finally able to eat and she filled her plate with eggs, bacon, mushrooms and tattie scones. Fabian and Gideon stayed by her side and began eating as well.
James and Remus came down and joined them at the table soon after. Conversation struck up between them and the twins and they seemed to take a liking to each other. Remus and James had also brought their new roommate with them.
His name was Peter Pettigrew. He was a very short boy, with mousy brown hair, colorless eyes and… Well, he was fairly chubby. Siria also soon noticed that he was all foam, no butterbeer. But besides that he seemed alright!
However the following days he began to follow her, James and Remus everywhere. And no matter how much they tried avoiding him, they discovered they weren't getting rid of him anytime soon. So they accepted him as a part of their little group and she had to admit, he became useful.
Even though Remus, occasionally, could be talked into using his intellect to help plan a prank. He rarely, if ever at all, took part in the execution. Causing mayhem made him nervous. Siria and James tried their best to "convert" him, but to no avail. Peter needed no convincing, he was thrilled to participate. He was like her and James's own personal fan club. He would stare at them, captivated in awe, when they talked about ideas of mischief.
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After about a month or two, Siria was sitting at breakfast with the boys, when Artemis landed in front of her, with a letter. "Thank you, Artemis." Siria kissed the bird on the beak and gave her an owl treat, which she gladly accepted.
It was a letter from Regulus. It was only the fourth letter she had received from him. Neither of them had an awful lot of time to write. Siria was, of course, at school and Regulus was being forced to cram as much knowledge, as possible, into his head, before he had to start his magical education, the following year. He was particularly struggling with math, so that was where he was being pushed the hardest. Siria could sense in his letters, how much he resented it. But he had no other choice. Siria knew, she had been through the same, but she had not had as much difficulty with it as Regulus had. She pitied him for it and she felt horrible for not being there to help him. However, this letter was different. It was short note. Siria read it silently, mouthing out the words.
"Siri.
Mum found out about you being placed In Gryffindor. But I don't understand! She couldn't possibly have found your letters! I'm so sorry, this is entirely my fault, I'm sure!
She's sending you a howler!
- Reg"
Regulus's handwriting had never been nice to look at. But this was simply dreadful, he had obviously written it in a hurry. But she appreciated the warning, howlers were humiliating.
Mere seconds after she had finished reading, a great Eurasian eagle-owl flew in, which Siria recognized to be Felix, the Black family owl. He landed right in front of her. Felix was huge, with dark feathers and big yellow eyes, which gave him a natural, sinister look. He was no friendly owl, you could be sure he would bite you, at any chance. Even more so if you forgot to give him a treat for delivering a letter. Siria threw a piece of sausage at him, hoping he would be satisfied with it. It seemed to work.
Siria picked up the red envelope. She considered running out in the hall, but it began to smoke before she could even stand up. She knew it was too late. So she ripped it open to be done with it.
"SIRIA WALBURGA BLACK!" The envelope shrieked. Walburga Black had always been loud, but Siria was so taken aback by the volume of this, she fell over backwards, off the bench.
"HAVE YOU MADE IT YOUR AIM IN LIFE, TO MAKE ME LOOK AS RIDICULOUS AS POSSIBLE? HERE YOU COME FROM A LONG LINE OF PROUD SLYTHERINS AND THEN YOU GET PLACED IN GRYFFINDOR!? OF ALL PLACES, YOU COULD HAVE DEGRADED YOURSELF AND YOUR NAME TO! I AM NOTHING LESS THAN REVOLTED! THAT IS A HOUSE OF FILTH! AND DID YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE YOU COULD KEEP THIS A SECRET? I MUST HAVE UNDERESTIMATED YOUR STUPIDITY!..."
Siria stayed on the floor, staring up at the envelope as it continued screaming at her. Out the corners of her eyes, she could see her friends exchanging mixed glances of pity or confusion, as they listened to Siria's mother yelling at her daughter. But parents sending howlers was not a new occurrence at Hogwarts. So luckily most of the students didn't even bother paying attention to this one.
"… AND YOU, YOU SHAME OF MY FLESH! YOU BETTER COME STRAIT HOME DECEMBER 18TH! AND IF YOU DON'T, MY FURY SHALL SEE NO END! TAKE YOUR MOTHER'S WARNING, SIRIA! I SHAN'T BE FORGIVING IF YOU DISOBEY! BE SURE OF THAT!"
And with that, the howler vanished. Siria got up from the floor, placed herself between James and Remus, and ate a piece of toast, as if nothing had happened. James nodded and played along, Remus looked concerned and Peter looked baffled about the whole situation. "Remind me not to go home at Christmas." Siria whispered to James. "Got it!" He answered and winked at her.
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Andromeda approached Siria as she made her way to astronomy that night.
"Siri?" Andromeda padded Siria on the shoulder to get her attention.
"Dromeda!" Siria greeted, smiling. They hugged and Siria introduced Andromeda to James, Remus and Peter.
"Listen, can I talk to you for a sec?" Andromeda asked. "In private." She added, eying the boys, still with a smile however.
"Sure." Siria nodded. "I'll see you at the tower, alright?" She told the boys. They nodded and left.
"What's up?" Siria asked Andromeda, now there were alone.
Andromeda pulled her to the side. "I just thought you should know that it was Narcissa, who wrote to your mother and got you in trouble."
"Why am I not surprised? But now I can at least tell Reg, it wasn't his fault."
"I just found out today. I yelled at her and told her, it was not her news to bring! I'm so sorry, Siri! But to be fair, I can understand her need to get even, the way you've been treating her!" Andromeda looked at Siria like a disappointed older sister would.
"She found out it's me who's been pranking her?"
"Yes, she knows it's you! Who else would it be? Who else would resent her this much?
"Everyone?" Siria asked, hoping Andromeda would see the humor. And she did. Andromeda giggled, like Siria hoped she would.
"But who else, if not you, would show their resentment in that fashion?" Andromeda asked, trying very hard to stop giggling.
Siria was about to protest, but gave in. "Touché!" She finally said.
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Astronomy was the easiest class, or so Siria thought. They were studying stars and she could answer all the questions, she was just listing the names of everyone in her family. It was also in astronomy that she really got to know her other roommate: Mary Macdonald.
Mary was a short girl, with honey blonde, shoulder-long hair, a long thin nose and big, round, chocolate brown eyes. She had become an intermediary between Lily and Siria, since Lily did not care much for Siria, and Siria couldn't bother doing anything about it. But she didn't seem to mind. She also didn't mind when Siria would poke fun at her being Irish. The teachers however thought Siria was bullying her and Siria's first ever detention consisted of writing the line: Mary Macdonald is not "after me Lucky Charms" 150 times on a single piece of parchment. When Siria had come back that night after detention, Mary had asked for the piece of parchment and hung it over her bed.
"I'm sorry you got in trouble, Siria. I found Professor McGonagall, while you were at detention and told her, they had misunderstood and it was all in good fun!" She had told Siria.
"It's fine. I was bound to end in detention at some point! And I'm sorry for teasing you!" Siria had answered.
"Don't apologize! I find it very amusing and I know you don't mean it in bad way…" She looked up at the parchment. "I'm gonna have that framed!"
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Halloween had passed with a bang and on the night of November 4. Siria sat in the window in the boys room, like she had many times before. It was raining outside and the glass felt cold against her back. Remus had just come back, after visiting his sick mother… again. "Poor woman." Siria had thought. "Her health must be terribly fragile."
Siria was wearing a pair of striped pajamas, she had nicked from Peter. He was sitting on the floor with a bag of pumpkin sweets he had collected at the Halloween feast. James was in his bed, looking at a catalogue from Bromstix. Remus was in his bed, reading something for History of Magic. It was a quiet night for them, they had had a long day, with charms, double transfiguration and extra flying lessons. Siria had spent her night writing a potions essay and then it was time for bed.
The window soon got too cold for Siria, so she moved over in James's bed.
"Are the new BSA broomsticks in there?" She asked him, eying the catalogue.
"No, the new line is specially made for quidditch and therefore only sold in quidditch shops." James replied.
"Oh right! You got anything special in mind?"
"I always liked Blue Star, but I don't know if I can get one! So I'm thinking Lightning, instead."
Siria nodded. "I'm buying a thunderbolt next year! I've been saving up for ages."
"Can't you get your parents to buy it for you, as a gift or something? Or at least chip in? They can certainly afford it." Peter asked.
"That, they can. But I know they won't, so why bother asking." We don't really give presents in our family." Siria answered.
"… You don't give presents in your family? Why?" Peter asked, confused.
"I suppose, we can't be bothered." Siria chuckled. Peter looked confused.
"I have occasionally exchanged gifts with my cousins and my brother on Christmas and birthdays. And my parents buy me clothes, school supplies and things like that. But it's never on special occasions." Siria told him.
"… Your family is strange!" Peter finally concluded. "No presents…" He mumbled quietly.
"Are you honestly surprised?" Siria asked him.
Peter shook his shoulders and offered Siria a pumpkin sweet. She declined. She had had enough pumpkin to last her to next Halloween.
Siria heard a small "ding" from the clock next to Remus's bed. It was midnight.
"Happy bonfire night." Remus said and put away his books.
"Happy, what?" James asked.
"It's a muggle holiday." Remus explained. "It's also called: Guy Fawkes night. People celebrate the night of the failed Gunpowder Plot, with fires and fireworks."
"Sounds fun!" James said.
"That's what the muggles were up to?" Siria asked. "I've been so selfish! My subconscious has always told me, it was in honor of my birthday." She chuckled.
Peter laughed. "Wait, what?" He then asked.
"Also, today is my birthday!" Siria smiled, teasingly.