Ch 8 Break
Two months had past and the joy of the Gryffindor win wore off with in the first few days, but joy was back now that the term was almost done. Everyone was excited to go home and have a break from school, Homework would be forgotten until after Christmas and fun would kick in for the first few days of holidays.
Gryffindor house was packing for the holidays. Sirius and James were just about to close their trunks when Peter and Remus came in and said something a little surprising.
"Snivellus is staying at Hogwarts,"
"So?" Sirius said.
"Well, that means his parents don't want him. We may have something on him that could help with a prank." Remus said.
" Or it could mean he doesn't want to go home," James stated.
"Do you have to take the fun out of it?" asked Remus.
"Well, just stating a fact. But, you do have a point. I say we do some digging." James said.
"We could ask our parents about the Snape's. See if they know anything."
"He's half blood isn't her?"
"True, but that doesn't mean his dad isn't the wizard."
"Well, we can try. Peter, pass me that sweater." Sirius said. Peter reached over and passed Sirius the sweater that was lying on a chair.
"Well, I'm all packed. James, do you think I could spend the whole holidays at your place so I don't have to go home."
"Well, my parents would prefer you to go home I'd think. They have to meet you first too, but I'm sure they won't mind you coming over. All of you will be over on the 27th and I expect you to stay at my place for a while. We need this prank planned perfectly."
"I don't mind staying at your place mate." Sirius said, "just as long as it means I don't have to go home, it's fine with me."
"Good, now let's get our trunks down and eat before going." James said and they grabbed their trunks and walked down to the common room.
The train ride was uneventful. The boys played exploding snap, a game where you play with cards until they blow. Sirius won two of the five games they played, James winning two as well and Remus winning one. Peter wasn't too good at the game and was usually the one to make it explode, always losing.
When the boys arrived at the station, James saw his parents waiting for him. He waved at them as soon as he got off the train and Sirius went to join them. Remus saw his parents an d went to say hi to them while Peter stood by the train searching for his.
"Mom, Dad, this is Sirius. Sirius Black, he's the guy I've been telling you about."
"Oh, is he the trouble maker then?" asked James mother. She was a pretty woman with blonde hair. She had hazel eyes and wavy hair.
"Well, technically it wasn't just me, ma'am." Sirius said. He wasn't shy at all. He seemed perfectly confident with James parents.
"Yea mom, it takes two." James said.
"Well boys, where are the other boys you've told us about?" asked James's dad.
"Well, Peter is the one standing at the train looking lonely," James said, "and here comes Remus."
"James, my parents wanted to meet you." Remus said.
"Well good timing because mine wanted to meet you." James said.
"Mom, dad, this is Remus Lupin."
"This is James Potter and Sirius Black." Remus said.
"It's so nice to meet Remus's friends. We weren't sure how he'd be able to handle school. What with his-."
"Mom, we don't really need to talk about it right now," said Remus. He seemed determined to stay away from a certain topic.
Sirius looked at James but James was looking at Peter. I wonder where his parents are. James thought.
"I'll be right back." James said and walked towards Peter.
"Oi, Peter, where are your parents?"
"Late, as usual."
"Well, come join us. We have Remus's parents and my parents there. They all want to meet you."
"Well I guess that'd be ok." Peter said, but on the inside he was feeling relived.
"Mom, dad, Mr. and Mrs. Lupin, this is Peter Pettigrew, our other friend. The fourth in our group."
"Well Peter, it is nice to meet you." James's mother said. Mrs Lupin extended her hand and so did the dad's.
"Sirius, where are your parents?" asked James's mother.
"Probably at home, they often forget about me. Especially now a day." Sirius said.
"That's just terrible."
"I'll have to have a talk with your mother," James's mother said.
"Now Vallery, no need to get involved." James's dad said.
"But, it's terrible. How will he get home?"
"It's alright Mrs. Potter, I'll just send an owl to my Uncle. He lives in London anyways. He's always been descent to me."
"But how could a mother forget her own son, or a father for that matter?" asked Mrs. Lupin.
"Well to be honest, it's probably because I'm a Gryffindor."
"What does your house have to do with anything?" asked Vallery potter confused.
"Well, Sirius's family is-."
"Actually it's every Black ever lived. My family has a history of Pure Blood. Not just any kind of pure blood either. My ancestors and living relatives have always been in Slytherin. I'm the first non-Slytherin in centuries, maybe even history. My family are dark wizards." Sirius finished a little ashamed.
"Well, we don't judge people by their family. You seem like a descent kid, and by what James's have told us, you don't have a dark bone in your body. Just one thing, your parents aren't any of those Death Eaters are they?"
"Of course not, but they believe in You-Know-Who's ways."
"Well, we'll forgive you for that. You can't control your family, can you?"
"I wish I could. If I could only get them to see how stupid it all is-."
"Sirius, dear, there's nothing you can do."
"She's right son," Mr. Lupin said.
"Well, we better get going. Hope we see you again James, Sirius, Peter. It was very nice meeting you Mr and Mrs Potter."
"Like wise, Mr and Mrs Lupin." Vallery said.
"Peter, are your parents here yet?"
"They usually meet on the other side of the wall, I think. When they dropped me off, they let me go through the barrier myself. They had to get going."
"I see, well, let's go then. And Sirius, we're going to bring you home."
"That's nice of you and all but impossible."
"How come?" James asked.
"Well, you know how I mentioned, so long ago, about my house being in a muggle town but invisible to muggles?"
"Yea," said James.
"Well, only my family can see it as well. Unfortunately, my dad has put powerful spells on it to block out unwanted visitors."
"We'll, we'll drop you off somewhere close and you can get in then."
"That's ok, Mr. Potter, but I think I can manage with my Uncle."
"Sirius, come on, let us take you."
"Ok," Sirius gave in.
The potters, Sirius and Peter walked through the barrier. Peter found his parents and left with them. Sirius and the Potters walked out the station together. James and Sirius were telling stories about their adventure, but they were sure not to say anything about the forest.
"You know James, your father and I haven't been too pleased about the letter we have received." Vallery said.
"Hunny, your exaggerating. I though the prank was brilliant boys. Whose idea was it?"
"Well, both of us really. But Remus helped a bit too. That guy is so smart." James said, to a disappointing look from his mother.
"How are your grade James?" Vallery asked.
"Fine, I'm no Remus, but Sirius and I are doing good."
"Sirius, where are we going exactly?"
"Grimmlauld Place."
"Well, unfamiliar to me, but I think Vallery, Mrs. Potter to you," Mr Potter said jokingly.
"Victor," Vallery said.
"Well, I believe Vallery knows where it is."
"A friend of mine's ex-husband lives there. He's a muggle." She stated.
"Mom, that doesn't matter. Sirius, do you have any friends there?" James asked.
"Friends no, enemies, plenty. Well, more my brother. His powers have just started developing and he liked to joke with the muggles. They all thought it was me and well, they all hate me."
"Your brother sounds like he'll be in Slytherin when he get's to Hogwarts."
"Probably, next year for him, and he'll be tearing up the school."
"Well, we could always put him in place."
"He'll be a hero in the family. Slytherin, a Death Eater when he turns sixteen, man, life will be hell."
Vallery and Victor looked at each other then at James.
"James, you don't talk like Sirius do you?"
"Because if you do young man-."
"Mom, dad, it's all right. I don't use language like that."
"Sorry, son, Sirius, go on."
"Yea, so my brother will be the hero for following the dark ways."
"Isn't there anything you can do to stop him?" Vallery asked.
"Mrs Potter, he wouldn't change for anyone."
"Such a shame, Victor, we should go here." She added.
The next little bit was spent talking about school and plans for the Christmas holidays. Vallery and Victor Potter were fine with Remus, Peter and Sirius coming over on the 27th and when they arrived by Grimmlauld Place, Sirius said good bye and when he was out of sight, the Potter turned to go home.
"Sirius seems like a nice boy." Vallery said.
"A little troubled though," Victor added.
"Well, his family is a little hard on him, but he'll be fine. He was wondering if he could stay with us through out the holidays after Christmas though. He doesn't really like his home life."
"I think that'd be fine, as long as it's ok with is parents." Vallery said.
"Don't worry mom, I'm sure they could care less."
And the three Potters went home.
James woke up on Christmas morning. It was a snowy day but it was Christmas. James hurried downstairs to wish his parents Merry Christmas.
"Happy Christmas James," Vallery said greeting him at the bottom of the second level of the house. "I was just coming to wake you. Breakfast is ready."
"Happy Christmas to you too mom," James said excitedly. Christmas was his favourite holiday.
"Your father will be back in a couple of minutes. He went to find some wood for the fire. He thought we should try not to use magic today. I even cooked from scratch."
James looked a little worried at what he was going to see for breakfast.
"I'm kidding, it gets you every year. Actually, your father went to talk to the neighbours. The Mickinnons just got a new cauldron that cooks food to your delight. Now, I'm not saying their lying, but your father knows people and he never heard of such a thing. Personally, I think Marcus is lying again.
"Here's your Christmas bacon." James looked down, it was tradition to colour code their Christmas breakfast. The eggs were always green, the bacon red and the hashbrowns white.
"So, when dad get's back, do we open presents?"
"Of course, tradition stays as always. Breakfast, presents then we go to my parents, then your fathers parents, spend the night, open their gifts, come home and then your friends can come over the next day. A perfect little Christmas.
"Ah, here's your father now." Victor had just walked through the door.
"Vallery, Marcus was lying again. He just wanted to beat our owl. Snow owl, rare in these parts and very special. He was hoping I was boasting but then Freats brought me the mail and it shut him up. By the way, James, you have a letter here."
Victor handed James a brown envelope. It was addressed to him and the writing was familiar, but James couldn't think who it was.
"Sirius!" James figured it out. He tore open the envelope and read,
James,
Parents forgot I was even coming home. They sent my gifts to Hogwarts, and when the owl returned he was injured so they couldn't send it back. Mother is furious I didn't write first and tell her I was coming home. When I said I told Regulus I was coming she yelled at me for trying to get my brother into rouble. She said any Slytherin would accept responsibility but she wouldn't expect anything else from a Gryffindor. I can't stand it here anymore, I'm afraid I'll do magic and get in trouble. Is there any way I can come over early? Write me back quickly before I do something that'll get me in trouble with the ministry.
Sirius
"Mom, dad, I think you should read this," James said.
He handed it to his parents while he sat and ate his breakfast. Vallery looked as if she wanted to cry and Victor looked shocked and a little angry.
"How could any parent do that or say something like that to their child?" asked Victor.
"Well, it's like Sirius said, his parents are pure blood dark wizards."
"That poor boy, maybe we could pick him up." Vallery said. She looked at Victor.
"I guess we should. We wouldn't want him to do anything he'll regret. James, write him back. Tell him I'll be there around noon. That way we can open gifts and still have time before we go to your mother's parents."
James looked excited and called Freats down. He quickly scribbled a note telling Sirius all was fine and that his father would be there at noon then attached the letter to the owl and let it go.
"Now, anyone for gifts?" asked Vallery. James was excited and ran into the family room.
The Potter's tree stood ten feet into the air and was decorated with fake snow, flying ornaments and colour changing bulbs.
"James, we didn't get everything you wished for, but I hope you like what we did get you." Vallery said, handing him a long parcel.
James took the parcel with a thanks to his mother and opened the gift. Inside was a nimbus 500 with an autograph on it, James, keep up the Chasing and you may end up just like me, Ziggy Zomber.
"Dad, how'd you manage to get my favourite chaser to sign a Nimbus?" asked James astonished.
"Well, it's not a working Nimbus. It was tricky to find a wrecked one but it was worth it. The magic some how wore off this broom and Ziggy was pleased to sign it."
"But how do you know Ziggy?"
"He walked into the Ministry the other day and I asked Barty Crouch to have him sign it. Crouch was pleased to, he my not be within the Magical games department but he has people who were pleased to help me out. After I made a donation to the Quidditch department, Ziggy thought it would be an honour to meet the man who made it possible for his team to be able to compete in the World Cup."
"Dad, did you bribe people?" James asked. He knew his father had a little problem one year because of a bribe that he claimed to be a donation.
"No, that problem was long gone and no one ever mentions that little unfortunate incident. Anyways, the point is Ziggy signed that broom and it can hang in your room as long as you'd like it to. I could even put a permanent sticking charm if you'd like."
"No, it's alright. Let's see, mom, this is for you and dad here." James hadn't got his parents anything too big.
"James, this is lovely." His mother said. He had got his mother a sweater and cup that said World's wickedest Witch something that she's wanted for a while as a joke to her friend's who say her family's pure blood makes her think evilly sometimes.
"Well, I know you wanted it and I saw it and thought that's for mom!" James said.
"James, what is that?" Victor seemed confused with his gift.
"Ha, I knew you wouldn't understand. Perfect. Once you figure out what it is, you could win one of three prizes. A thousand gallons, a thousand sickles or a thousand Knuts. You probably won't figure it out for a while."
James knew his father wasn't going to figure it out. He bought it at a special store over the summer. He had forgotten the name of the store but knew what the gift was. It was a charmed and transfigured muggle device. It was charmed because depending on how long it takes for the owner to figure out what it is it'll change itself from gallons, sickles and knuts. It was transfigured because it'll transform into the gallons, sickles and knuts after it's guessed. But James knew his father didn't know what a muggle disc looked like. His dad would never get it, and when he did, All he'd win was knuts.
"Ah, a game. James how well you know me. Here son, another gift for you."
This time James got a basket full of Berty Botts Every Flavour Beans, Chocolate frogs and Liquorice wand. His Favourite snacks.
"This is amazing, thank you."
"Here's your final gift. This one is from me." Vallery said.
James took the package and opened it up. Inside were a quaffle and snitch. James's two favourite places in Quidditch.
"Mom, these aren't real!" James said.
"Well no, they're not. These are practice balls. All that needs to be done is a simple charm, cast by the owner, so the balls will always come home. That way the snitch doesn't wander off into muggle territory."
"Mom, these are amazing. And thank you dad for the broom and both of you for the candy. This is the best Christmas ever!" James said.
Suddenly he heard a tap at the window.
"Freats!" James got up and ran to the window. The owl hopped in and held out it's leg. James took the letter and opened it up, it was very short.
James, thank your parents for me. I'll meet your dad at the end of Grimmlauld Place at noon. Sirius.
"Dad, Sirius says he'll meet you at the end of Grimmlauld Place at noon."
"Well, that means I better be off. Apparation and the possible sighting of muggles. We don't need problems. I'll see you in a bit and I'll have Sirius with me." Victor got up and walked out the door. He looked around to make sure no muggles were there, turned on the spot and was gone with a crack.
A/N: So, what'd you think? Let me know. Thanks for reading and please review!