A/N: An-Jelly-Ca would like to take a moment to flip out right about now, she is really supremely agravated. fsdhklgfkjgdskjlkj. She had gone to all the trouble of typing out a lovely authornote to you lovely readers when her stupid God-forsaken computer decided it would be fun to tell her that the webpage had expired thereby obliging her to reload the website and begin writing a new author's note. What did she do to deserve this? (pointedly ignores remarks from the readerrs about the fact that do i need a pen name and herself never update their stories...)
Anyway, to get back to the point of the original author's note which she had authored before the website decided it would be fun to fill her with woe to the point that she was utterly woeful like a woe-filled woe-er.
This will be our last update for the year, 2009 that is. LOL. Lament the end of the year, but really don't. An-Jelly-Ca totally doesn't because the entrance of 2010 brings her and do i need a pen name's graduation year. YES! (does graduation happy dance) This may or may not please the reader as An-Jelly-Ca and do i need a pen name will then become seperated by several states making updates even slower, but never fear! For we shall still update...eventually, at some point or what not.
It shall be my solemn new years resolution to update faster, I am not sure if this will be do i need a pen name's resolution for I have failed to ask her, I should really get on that but w/e.
It has also come to our attention that several readers have been requesting longer chapters and therefore we have seen fit to provide you with this lovely 4,761 word chapter.
Thanks to all reviewers!!! :D
Disclaimer: There are several key issues with the theory that do i need a pen name and An-Jelly-Ca are J.K. Rowling many of which have been enumerated in an earlier chapter. Therefore the readers herein can be readily assured that we do not posses any of the characters described within this chapter (oh wait actually we do because we own Marlene's brothers and her parents to a certain extent for we have made them up, although we are positive Marlene had parents and probably siblings as the book mentions that the McKinnon family was kiled, but I digress).
Chapter Eight
Dear Sirius,
How is break so far? I know you didn't want to go home for Christmas, but I'm sure everything is going okay. And, if it's not we will get revenge on your cousins in a most painful and vengeful way.
You're coming to the Ministry Banquet for New Years right? I'm sure you are, because I'm certain your parents won't miss the chance to show off.
I'm attaching your present with this letter, as I am leaving tonight to spend the holiday in Ireland with my cousins. However, you must give me your solemn promise not to open it until Christmas, okay?
Love,
Marlene
Dear James,
How is break going? I went on a fantastic shopping trip the other day, to Diagon Alley, my mom sent me off with my brothers to get ice cream for a while, when she was off getting our presents.
Can you guess where she went?!
Quality Quidditch Supplies! I think she might be getting me a new broom!!! YES! It's a shame I can't have one at school though, it's a total travesty. So lame. Flying is the only coordinated thing I can do, and I can't even do it, how lame is that?
Marlene
P.S. Your Christmas present is attached! Don't open until the 25th!
Dear Remus,
So, guess what!!!
No, seriously, guess!
Why, won't you guess?!
For the love of Merlin, guess! Guess! GUESS!
WHY WON'T YOU ANSWER ME?!?!
-Marlene
Dear Marlene,
I hate to break the news to you, but I think you're slightly confused as to how a letter works. Let me clue you in, you write a note, mail it to me via owl post, and I then reply to it. There is no instant answer. I cannot guess what until such time as I have actually received the letter.
In the interest of stemming any further demands on your part, I will "guess what."
My Response: What?
Remus
P.S. Thanks for the Christmas present; I'll be sure not to open it until the 25th as per the tag attached to the present. I am willing to bet you that Sirius will open his early and end up being turned purple or something.
Dear Remus,
…oh, well then.
Anyway, I was shopping, and I got you the most absolutely perfect present ever, which you will absolutely love! But you can't see it, at least until the 25th.
Marleneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
P.S. Red with Green diagonal stripes, (or is it green with red diagonal stripes. O.o), actually.
Dear James,
You're a terrible correspondent, almost as bad as Sirius, you know that right? Honestly, sometimes I wonder why I even bother writing to the two of you. I've sent you both at least two or three letters already and I've gotten no response from either of you.
In case you were wondering, Ireland is beautiful this time of year (well personally, I think it's beautiful all the time, but you know, that's just me).
I saw the Irish Quidditch team play, they were pretty amazing, I think they're probably the best in the league. Being the great friend that I am, (ie. A much better one than you, because I ACTUALLY answer the letters sent to me, or I would if any one would answer me), I recorded some of the match for you, I'll bring it to the banquet on New Years.
Marlene!
Dear Marlene,
I am not speaking to you, any longer.
The person who is resolutely not speaking to you,
Sirius
Dear Sirius,
You opened the present didn't you?
From your amused friend,
Marlene
Dear Marlene,
… (that is me, not speaking to you).
Sirius
Dear Sirius,
I know you said your parents won't let you come to my house for Christmas, but I don't see why not, we're like second cousins or whatever it is. Christmas could have been epic, there are all these old passages in my house and I just found a new one that we could've explored. Alas, it is not to be.
I went to a Quidditch match the other day, it was so cool. I'm definitely trying out for the house team next year. I am going to be the greatest chaser this school has ever seen. You're going to try out for beater right? Do you think we could get Mar to try out, too? I doubt Remy would do it, probably not scholarly enough for him, and can you imagine Peter on a broomstick?
Anyway, I wrote to Marlene the other day and she said you were both going to the Ministry Banquet. We need to come up with an amazing prank, thereby putting our names down in history, even beyond Hogwarts.
James
P.S. Have you heard from Remus lately? I asked him to come over to my house but he said his mum is sick, so he needs to stay with her.
Dear Marlene,
Sheesh. Take a chill pill, Mar. It's not as though I wasn't going to answer you, you know eventually, at some point, before you died, or whatever.
Anyway, (gets on knees and begs for forgiveness), don't be angry at me, my dearest-friend-who-has-footage-of-one-of-the-most-amazing-Quidditch-matches-ever.
How are your brothers? Your parents? Your footage of the match?
James
P.S. I will definitely not open your present early, because I remember the, ahem, neon hair color incident, and am willing (for this time and this time alone) to admit that you're sort of, ahem, scary. Sirius however, will most likely open it, if he hasn't already.
Dear Remy,
I AM RED AND GREEN! RED AND GREEN WITH STRIPES!
This is a travesty, a violation against mankind, oh the humanity, oh the torment, oh the agony.
Do you know how to make, me, like, not red and green?
Sirius
P.S. James is concerned by your lack of letters, and lack of ability to come to his house. Is your mum all right? I really think the lot of you should be wrapped in bubble wrap or something.
Dear Sirius,
ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha (that is me laughing at your misfortune, in case you wondered).
Remus
P.S. Thank you for your concern, my mother is doing much better thank you. (I am going to disregard your mention of bubble wrap.)
James,
It seems like the Lupins have the worst luck in the world. This month his mum is sick, last month his aunt was stuck in a vanishing cabinet, before that his uncle got attacked by a swarm of flobberworms. Honestly, the whole lot of them need to be wrapped in a permanent cushioning charm or something.
Speaking of Quidditch how much do you know about Marlene's brothers?
Sirius
Sirius,
Why? What do Quidditch and Marlene's brothers have to do with each other? I know she has five of them. Two older and three younger, all with "M" names. I sometimes think her parents are too big on alliteration.
James
James,
Marlene's second oldest brother is Milo McKinnon. You know the famous chaser for the Irish team? He played at Hogwarts a couple years back.
She gets to go to any games where Ireland is playing for free. I actually met her at a match a couple years ago, her family usually sits in the top box, and the Blacks being the snobs that we are sit up there as well. I got to go with my Uncle Alphard, and he could care less who I talked to.
Sirius
Marlene,
YOUR BROTHER IS MILO MCKINNON?! The Milo McKinnon?! How could you not tell me this???
James
James,
It slipped my mind. Plus, I figured you would know, considering how you obsessively stalk like, every famous Quidditch player. That and we kind of have the same last name; it's a bit of a giveaway. But, tell you what; I'll get you an autograph to make up for it.
He's coming to the banquet, I'll even introduce you.
Marlene!
Marlene,
I get to meet him?! YES! This shall be one of the best moments of my young life.
This means that you'll try out for the house team with me and Sirius, right? You have to. Okay?
James
James,
I'll try out, probably, especially since like, half the team is graduating this year, there'll be plenty of openings.
Marlene
Dear Peter,
Merry Christmas!!!
You're going to come over to my house and stay from the 26th to the 28th, right?
No one else can come.
Marlene is in Ireland, Sirius is on house arrest, and Remus can't come either.
You and I will have fun though. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow.
James
P.S. Your gift is attached.
Dear James,
Merry Christmas, yes, I'm coming over tomorrow. Mum says she's glad to have me out of the house, so she and dad can "reconnect" or some lame thing like that. Although, I don't understand why they can't reconnect when I'm at school all year…but whatever.
Peter
James,
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!
I hope your holiday is merry and bright, and blah, blah, blah.
I'd love to write more but unfortunately dear old mum is screaming up the stairs for me to get downstairs before I regret being born, or she curses me into next week, etc, etc. We're going to a party at the Malfoy house. Oh to joy. It's basically a meeting of every evil pureblood family. Apparently it's very important for us to cultivate good relations with the Malfoys because they're plotting to marry Narcissa off to Lucius after she graduates. Bellatrix is supposed to marry Rodolphus Lestrange in a few months, and there's talk of marrying Andromeda off to Macnair, or Rosier, or something, although they've yet to draw up any formal documentation. I personally think Andromeda is interested in Ted Tonks, do you know him? He's a seventh year Hufflepuff. Not that he'd be considered acceptable material for a Black heiress.
Anyway, like I said, I better go, I can hear Kreacher creeping up the stairs muttering about how his mistress wants to kill the foul blood traitor, which you know, is my cue. See yeah, later!
Sirius
P.S. I've attached your present.
Sirius,
Merry Christmas!
Sounds like you have a fun night ahead of you, I doubt this will reach you before you leave for the party, as it sounds like your mum wanted to leave right away. Anyway, I'm glad we don't have that arranged marriage garbage in my family; I'd hate to end up marrying anyone other then my darling Lilyflower.
Although, I'm sure Narcissa has no problem wedding Lucius, as he will make her first lady of evil pureblood mistresses. And, Bellatrix just likes to control people, and Rodolphus should be easy enough for her to manipulate, as well as lacking in moral values. I wish Andromeda luck, Macnair is downright creepy (I saw him tormenting his owl the other day), and Rosier has that air of a quiet sociopath.
Anyway, I'll see you at the banquet on New Years,
James
P.S. You may notice a large package attached to the owl's leg, this is in fact your present.
Dear Sirius,
I understand that you're quite upset over your red and green state, unfortunately I cannot undo the charm, as it will last for as many days after Christmas as you opened it early, which means it will expire somewhere around January 2nd?
Did you at least like your present?
Anyway, Merry Christmas!!!
Love,
Marlene
Dear Mars,
I forgive you…I guess.
My mum is not very pleased with you I'll have you know, as I had to go to the Malfoy's party tonight red with green stripes, (which is why I forgive you, because anything that contributes to my mum's anger is alright in my book).
I very much enjoyed your present, it was incredibly thoughtful—what could suit me better than a pack of diversion creating smoke bombs?!
Anyway, Merry Christmas!
Sirius
P.S. Your gift is attached.
Dear Remy,
I am sadly still red and green. However, Mars and I have made up which is what really matters.
I hope you're having a good Christmas, Merlin knows you guys could use one after all the incidents your family has had so far this year (seriously, holidays are most likely to result in injuries, so stay away from knives, steep cliffs, nifflers, elves, eggnog, etc).
Sirius!!!
Dear Sirius,
You deserve to be red and green. Just because my family happens to have the occasional…er, accident doesn't mean that we can't be around "dangerous" objects.
I'll have you know that the Lupin family survived Christmas with no further injury.
In other news, how was your holiday? I hope everything went well. I've attached your gift, and I look forward to seeing you on the Hogwarts Express on January 2nd.
Remus
Dear Peter,
Merry Christmas! I haven't heard from you much over break, although I haven't had much time to write letters either (Marlene, apparently was quite upset by this, or so James informs me). Anyway, have a nice holiday, see you on the 2nd.
Sirius!
Dear Sirius,
Merry Christmas!
Yeah, I haven't had much time for letters either; mum has been dragging me around to visit a thousand and one relatives. Ugh. I may never recover from the psychological damage. Anyway, happy holidays!
Peter
Dear Remus,
Merry Christmas!!!
I am quite upset that I have not seen you for the entire break.
Are you quite certain you can't come over? Peter's staying from the 26th to the 28th.
James
James,
I'm quite certain. I'm going to go visit my aunt in Yorkshire. My mum is feeling well enough to go out, so we're going to go see her.
Anyway, break will be over soon, and you'll see me then.
Merry Christmas,
Remus
The Potter Household-Pre Banquet
"James, I'm sure I don't need to remind you that, I absolutely will not accept any misbehavior on your part, during this banquet." Dorea Potter said sternly to her only son. "I know what your new friend, Sirius, did at the ministry a few years ago-"
"How do you know about that?" James demanded, completely interrupting his mother while also ignoring her reprimand.
"I was a Black before I married your father," She replied, her tone implying that this should be obvious.
"I know that, but why didn't you ever tell me about it? I've lost so many years where Sirius and I could've been making history."
"Which is exactly why I didn't tell you, as if you needed any help creating mischief, you still don't actually. Although I seem to recall that Sirius was always a very nice child, you probably don't remember, but you used to have 'play-dates' with him when you were both around a year or two old. I stopped bringing you, because, well…I felt it better to keep some distance between us, Walburga and I never exactly saw eye to eye, but I haven't been disowned quite yet."
"I reckon his mum is totally nutters." James murmured in reply.
"James Harold Potter!" His mother scolded although James could tell her heart wasn't in it.
"It's true though."
His mother refrained from replying to his comment, instead she returned to the original conversation. "Anyway, I expect you to be on your absolute best behavior during the banquet. The last thing Sirius will need is any more trouble after getting sorted into Gryffindor, every Black for over a century has been in Slytherin, and no Black has ever been in Gryffindor. I assure you his parents will be vexed enough without you two and Marlene stirring up any more trouble."
"Sure, sure." James replied. Of course Sirius can only get in trouble if we get caught. He added privately to himself.
The McKinnon Household-Pre Banquet
"Marleeeeeeene. Tell Marcas to give me back my toy broom." Marlene's youngest brother, who was six and stubborn, complained loudly.
"I can't give you back something I don't have," Marcas, the eldest of her younger brothers, at ten, replied rolling his eyes.
"You have it, I know you stole it!" Maxwell replied heatedly.
"You probably just lost it in that travesty you call a bedroom." Merric, the second youngest at eight replied.
"Hey, now, let's not criticize people for having, ah, creative er, rooms…" Marlene, whose own room looked like it had been hit by a category four hurricane, hastily put in.
"Honestly, can't we have a moment's peace in this house?" Their father, Martin McKinnon, asked with fond exasperation.
"I resent the implication that I am anything like those barbarians." Merric complained. Marcas rolled his eyes at his brother.
"Please, who's the one who threw a tantrum last week because Maxwell took your fake wand?" Marcas retorted.
"Now, now, children," Their father reprimanded absently. "Aren't you four supposed to be preparing for the banquet tonight?"
"…well, yeah, I guess." Marlene mumbled while the other three murmured intelligibly.
"You better get to it, we're leaving in two hours, so go get ready," He ordered. "Oh, and, I expect the four of you to be on your very best behavior, you got that? There will be no conducting experiments on the other children, Merric. Maxwell, your toy broom will absolutely not be coming with us. Marcas, under no circumstances are you to set anything on fire, and Marlene, please, please, please, for the love of Merlin, please refrain from flooding, igniting, shattering, destroying, or otherwise touching anything. The ministry does not, I repeat does not, need to be re-decorated. I want no repeats of two years ago when you and Sirius decided it would be a good idea to break into the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures and unleash random animals. And, I don't care how big you think such and such lady's nose is, you are NOT to tell her so. Got it, you four?"
"Fine." They replied sullenly before storming past him up the stairs to get ready for the banquet.
Martin was left shaking his head fondly at his four youngest children. He was contemplating seeking out his wife when his second-oldest son, at eighteen, entered the room.
"Hey dad, I heard you lecturing the others, what'd they do now?" Milo McKinnon questioned, grinning when his dad scowled at him.
"I do not lecture, I simply advise, er, strongly," Martin replied to his son.
"Sure, sure."
"When did you get back? I thought you had some publicity thing or other?"
Milo was a Quidditch player on the Irish professional team; he had been recruited straight out of Hogwarts and was now beginning his second season. He had ostensibly been given two weeks off for the holidays, but he was still forced to attend various publicity events in support of the team.
"I did. I just got in ten minutes or so ago, I ran into mum, she said heads will roll if she doesn't see 'Lene, Marcas, Merric, and Max downstairs and presentable very, very soon. She also said that Malcolm had better not be late or so help her…and yeah, well, you really don't want to here the rest." Milo said trailing off as his father's face paled.
"Great, it's only four o'clock and your mum is already on a rampage. Milo, would you go upstairs and check that the others are actually getting ready as opposed to maiming each other and/or plotting mass destruction? And, I hope you're planning to change before the banquet?"
"Yeah, yeah, I'll check on them, but you know I really think you exaggerate their, er, destructiveness and what not, they're just eh, high spirited."
"Yes, and you were a little angel sent from heaven above." Martin said with a snort. Milo, like his four younger siblings had been a handful when he was younger (and still was, really). Malcolm wasn't much better than the others, but being the eldest of six, he was at least moderately more mature.
Milo rolled his eyes at his father good-naturedly as he headed upstairs.
The Black House-Pre Banquet
"Kreacher's mistress is telling him that the young master should be downstairs in his best robes in twenty minutes. She is saying that she will be extremely upset if you is not there. She said that she is finding a strong enough glamour charm to cover up your deviousness." The house elf finished his recitation and left the room muttering about how the mistress' eldest son was such a disappointment to his poor, dear mistress.
Sirius rolled his grey eyes upward as though praying for strength before going into his closet and seeking out the dreaded dress robes. He absolutely loathed them; they were utterly uncomfortable and ugly, if you asked his opinion, and more suited to a funeral than a celebration. They were made of an oppressive black material, and emblazoned with the Black family crest. He hurriedly changed into the desired outfit, figuring it would be best just to go along with it, so that his parents would be less suspicious of his activities later on (although he did stuff his inside pockets with several implements which would be crucial to his activities later on).
He got downstairs right after Regulus, but the way his mother went on you would think he'd kept them waiting for an hour. She hurriedly jabbed her wand at him murmuring the glamour charm, which would cover up Marlene's prank.
"I don't know who these friends of yours are, but anyone who finds turning you red and green to be funny is unacceptable in my book." Walburga said glaring down at her eldest son. "And don't you roll your eyes at me, or else you'll live to regret it." She paused for a moment before speaking again. "Regulus, dear, you look very handsome tonight."
Sirius rolled his eyes once more as he followed his mother and father out the door, Regulus taking up the rear. "This is going to be fun." He mumbled to himself. "I can tell already."
A/N Happy New Year, now press the lovely rectangular button which is beginning to grow on me although I do still feel pangs of sadness as I recall my old friend the periwinkly button. Anyway, do i need a pen name and my self strongly desire reviews, and upon recieving them will have an incentive to update faster and with long chapters. :D :D :D