Chapter 16: Christmas fun

James and Sirius were in the games room when Selena went to get them to come down to meet Olivia. They raced down the stairs, Sirius beating James by three seconds, to see a pretty blonde girl in a pair of muggle jeans and a red sweater. She had blue eyes and rosy cheeks from the cold. Johnny was helping her take off a travelling cloak and looked up at the sound of the thumping from their feet.

"Oi, have a little respect," Johnny said, hanging the cloak on a hook by the door. He took Olivia's hand and turned to the boys.

"James, Sirius, this is Olivia. Olivia, this is my cousin James and his friend Sirius."

"It's nice to meet you," she said sticking her hand out. James grasped it and shook, then Sirius.

"Johnny!" Selena said, "Mum wants you!"

"Olivia this is my darling sister Selena," Johnny said. Selena smiled at Olivia and Olivia smiled back.

"Johnny has told me a lot about you," she said, "It's good to meet you,"

"Really?" Selena said looking at Johnny, "what has he said?" Olivia laughed.

"He's told me all kinds of stories!"

"Hmm," Selena said eyeing Johnny.

"Olivia, we should go in here now," Johnny said leading her towards the living room. James, Sirius and Selena followed. Vallery was sitting straightening the room up and turned as the kids approached.

"Hello," she smiled at Olivia.

"Hi,"

"Liv, this is my Aunt Vallery."

"It's nice to meet you dear," Vallery said and Olivia smiled. "Johnny has told me a lot about you. You two met in Diagon Alley?"

"Oh yes," Olivia said taking a seat on the couch. "I was in Quality Quidditch Supplies getting a birthday present for my brother, he's a wonderful little chaser, and Johnny was there looking at broomsticks. He bumped into me and I tripped. When he reached down to help me out, well, it was love at first sight," she smiled radiantly at Johnny who blushed.

"Johnny," Sally called from the kitchen, "could you come here a moment?"

"Sure," he called back and turned to Olivia, "I'll be back in a second,"

"Go ahead," she smiled. He kissed her cheek and walked away. Olivia turned to James.

"So I hear you're a chaser as well?"

"Yup," James grinned, "I'm on the Gryffindor team as well!"

"Have you won any games?"

"Oh," James said his smile faltering, "The last game we had… it didn't turn out too well. I was…" he racked his brain for the right word, not wanting to give away what had happened to him. "Injured during the game."

"Oh that's too bad," she said, "My brother plays chaser as well, although he doesn't play on any big teams or anything like that. He actually has a camp during the summer where young kids can go to learn how to play Quidditch. My father hosts it, it's absolutely wonderful!"

James looked at his mother, "Can u go mum?"

"James you can already play Quidditch, you are already on a team, what more can the camp do for you?"

"Oh right," James said sitting on a chair. Sirius took a seat on the arm of the chair and Selena sat down beside Olivia on the couch.

"You didn't go to Hogwarts did you?"

"No," she said shaking her head, "Actually I didn't really go to school. I had a home tutor. My father did a lot of travelling and moving around and he needed me and my brother with him, since our mother passes away when we were really young. He got someone to teach us magic instead of going away to school."

"That's really cool, so were you able to use magic outside school then?" Selena asked.

"Well the same ruled were implied towards us. We still couldn't use magic around muggles, we weren't aloud to use it during the summer or anything like that, and we couldn't use it for no reason as well. It was strictly for school use only."

"Wow,"

James looked at Sirius. "Maybe we should drop out of school and do homeschooling,"

"But then we couldn't pull so many pranks!"

"True," James said.

"You are not dropping out of school James, you will continue to go. I don't care what…"

"Mum I was only joking," James said rolling his eyes. Johnny walked in the room then and James called him over.

"Johnny I need to ask you about those passages you gave us," he said in a low voice.

"Later," Johnny said quietly and went to sit on the other side of Olivia.

They talked with Olivia for a while, getting to know her a little more, before Vallery and Sally called them for dinner. They had a feast of roast chicken, three different veggies and mashed potatoes. Apple pie was served for pudding, then it was time for the boys and Selena to go to bed.

"James, you will finish the ballroom tomorrow," Vallery said, "Sirius, there's a bit more for you to do as well,"

"Ok mum," James sighed and then yawned. "Night," he called. Vallery hugged the two boys and Selena and the three of them walked up to their rooms. The boys changed and crawled into bed. They talked a little before turning out the lights and going to bed.

The next few days went by and before they knew it, Christmas had arrived. James and Sirius woke early and ran downstairs, still in the pyjamas, Sirius in a pair of dark blue ones and a black t-shirt, James in scarlet red ones and a white t-shirt. They ran into the drawing room where a tree was set up and a stocking was placed for each of them under it. James ran for his, pushing Sirius out of the way. Sirius, laughing, grabbed the back of James' shirt to stop him and they ended up falling to the floor, laughing.

The noise seemed to wake up the others in the house because they walked down the stairs, Vallery and Victor in their night coats, Selena wearing a pink night gown, Johnny, half asleep and hair sticking up, in nothing but a pair of black boxers, Olivia, hair in a pony tail, wearing a pair of light blue pyjama pants and a white tang top and Sally, the only one dressed, wearing red robes. They walked into the drawing room to see the boys still on the floor laughing.

"What is going on down here?" Vallery asked.

The boys continued to laugh and when they looked at Johnny James couldn't help but laugh even harder. It took a few minutes for the boys to sober up, in which time Johnny was told to put some pants on by his mother, and Vallery and Victor went to get dressed as well. Finally everyone was ready for the gifts.

"James this is yours." Vallery handed James a greed stocking covered in red quaffles. "Sirius," she handed Sirius a red stocking with a gold lion on it. Sally handed Johnny and Selena their stockings and even Olivia got a small something. The parents watched as the kids dug into their gifts.

James pulled out new dress robes, a book on Quidditch teams, new flying gloves, a set of handsome quills and a book, similar to a diary, but for James it was for all of their prank and plans.

Sirius also got a set of dress robes and a set of quills, but he also received a book on defence tactics. He received a gift from his parents as well, but not something he really liked.

"What is it Sirius?" asked James seeing the look on his friends face.

"Something from my parents,"

James looked concerned, "Uh, what did they give you?"

Sirius tossed the book to James. He caught it, looked at it, and his face showed nothing but shock. The book was entitled 20 fool proof ways to drive mudbloods away and on the cover was a picture of a muggle born being tortured. Johnny, who was walking past James at the time, stopped at peered at the book.

"Bloody hell," he muttered, "why would they give you this?"

"Sirius' family," James said throwing the book aside, "are dark wizards."

"What kind of dark wizards?" Olivia asked moving over for Johnny to sit down.

"The Black's," James said, "does the name ring any sort of bell to you?" Olivia thought about it.

"Well, my dad did mention something about an Orion Black, I don't remember the details but he was almost sent to Azkaban,"

"Oh yes that's my father," Sirius said bitterly, "I suppose that may be when he was trying to keep a muggle away from our house and he stunned him. No one was around but the Ministry weren't too sure if he would be safe in public. He got off though, gave them gold."

Silence fell in the room for a moment and Sirius picked up the book and threw it in the fire. After that, Valery suggested breakfast and Sally and Olivia, went to help, Selena trailing behind to watch. James ripped into his candy package he got from Remus and Peter, while Sirius stared at the fire, watching the book burn. James sighed and looked at Sirius.

"C'mon mate, cheer up, it's Christmas after all and my whole family is coming over tonight for a party. You can see Caroline," James didn't particularly like the fact that his mate liked his older cousin but he was willing to say anything to get Sirius to cheer up. It worked. Sirius's face broke into a grin and they carried their things up to their room, James tossing his on his bed, Sirius tossing his in his trunk.

They were called down for breakfast, the traditional coloured food, and then Sirius and James was asked to clean their room.

"And make sure the games room is clean as well,"

"Yes mum," James said rolling his eyes and Sirius and the two went to clean up. James threw most of his things in either his closet of his trunk. Sirius threw all of his stuff in his trunk. Before they left James pulled out a piece of parchment.

"So we're clear on the plan?"

"Yea, I already snuck down and added the stuff to the crackers and cheese."

"Alright, what about the pudding? Is it set to…?"

"Yeah, it will work, as long as Johnny charmed it properly,"

"Ok, now we better get to the games room before mum starts to suspect anything." Sirius nodded and they went off to the games room, where they found Selena playing some enchanted version of table tennis.

"Oh good you're here," she said, setting down her paddle. Instantly, the ball landed in the center of the table. "Johnny said everything is set."

"Perfect," James said, "and in here?"

"I set up anything I could,"

"Good, now what about Olivia?"

"She's having the time of her life. She never got the opportunity to pull pranks or anything before. Even though she thinks it's a little immature of Johnny, she agreed that since it's Christmas everyone deserves a laugh."

"Brilliant!"

"James, Sirius, Selena, time to get cleaned up and dressed!" Vallery called.

"Ok," they called back together.

"You better get ready Sel," James said as they turned to the door. "Meet us in the ballroom for the first part."

"Alright," she said and she was gone to get ready. The boys returned to their room, James taking a quick bath and then Sirius. They both got dressed, James trying his hardest to tame his hair before giving up, and headed down to the ballroom where they would meet up with their family.

"Everything's ready," Olivia muttered to them as they all stood by the entrance. "It'

S set to go off in twenty minutes,"

"Perfect," James whispered back. As the guests started to arrive, James kept glancing at the clock. When everyone arrived and mingles with each other, James and Sirius nodded at Johnny who nodded back. He waved his wand and instantly the lights in the room went out. Vallery picked her wand up to turn them back on but before she could, there was a BANG and bright green and red lights erupted like fire works, startling the guests.

Johnny waved his wand again, letting the lights emerge again, and the guests looked around to see the room decorated with confetti and streamers.

"James," Vallery said and turned to her son and his friend who were trying to hold back their laughter. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Whatever do you mean mum?" James asked, "I can't do magic out of school, I didn't do anything!"

"James," she said, "I hope this is the last if the pranks for today,"

"Lighten up mum, it's Christmas!"

"Vallery let him be," Victor said, "everyone seems to love it," sure enough all his aunts, uncles and cousins were looking around with smiles on their faces. Sirius and James high fived each other and then turned to Johnny.

"Great job mate,"

"Phase two is when?"

"When the food is served,"

"Alright, I'm going to introduce Olivia around. Meet back here?" James nodded and watched Johnny walk away with his girlfriend.

"C'mon mate," Sirius said, "I see Caroline over there." James sighed and followed his friend. They spent the next little while talking with cousins, catching up with everyone. James heard so much sympathy from those who heard what happened at the end of June that he was starting to get annoyed. Finally, his mother called that the food would be served.

"Phase two," James whispered to Sirius. They watched as Johnny and Olivia stood back. Selena, who had been talking with some of the younger cousin backed away as well. James and Sirius stood at the far wall away from the food. All the younger kids rushed to the table to get food, along with some of the adults. As soon as one of the youngest cousin grabbed a cream puff from the table though, it exploded, followed by the rest of the cream puffs on the table.

Whip cream flew in the air, covering all the guests in range. James and Sirius couldn't hold back their laughter this time and burst into hysterical laughter. Even Johnny and Olivia laughed a bit, until Vallery walked up to them.

"James Victor Potter! What is the meaning of this?"

"Sorry mum," James said laughing, "but it was too good an opportunity."

"You ruined the cream puffs! Your aunt Sally worked hard on those,"

"No she didn't. These are prank puffs, the ones Aunt Sally made are hidden away."

"What are you talking about?"

"Johnny swapped them," Sirius said, "Sorry Mrs. Potter, it was just a joke, and see, the guests are cleaning themselves off." Vallery turned to see the adults using their wands to siphon off the cream from themselves and any child as well.

"Will you two never learn?" Vallery sighed and turned back to the guests.

"She didn't seem mad mate," Sirius said.

"She isn't, mums good at hiding her emotions, she's laughing on the inside. Uncle Ed over there got what he deserved. He's always eating more then he should."

Phase three was for the kids alone. James went up to the games room with Sirius after everyone ate, the real cream puffs being replaced on the table. Selena followed them, leading a bunch of the cousins up. When they arrived, James and Sirius went over to the table tennis game and started to play while some of the other kids went off to play things like virtual Quidditch or some other game in the room.

Selena was watching for the perfect opportunity to put the final prank into action. The perfect time came when Maddi, a nine year old cousin, accidently blew up one of the machines when she lost against her older brother. As the smoke filled the room, Johnny snuck in and waved his wand, causing Maddi to cry a little and she felt her face to find a beard there.

"Selena!" she cried running to her cousin, "What happened?"

"Oh," Selena said looking down at Maddi, "that's what happened when you lose a game. You grow a losers beard."

"But what about this then?" asked another cousin, and he pointed to the moustache.

"Deformation," Selena shrugged, "no big deal. It'll go away in a week or two,"

"I have to walk around here with this for a week?" Maddi asked crying.

"Well there is a way to reverse it,"

"How?" Maddi asked.

"You out a Sickle in the pot over there," she said pointing to a black pot in the middle of the room. "It's an offering to rid of the losers punishment."

"I haven't got a sickle!" Maddi wined.

"Here," her brother said, "It's my fault you lost."

"James," Sirius said quietly, "that's not part of the plan! Johnny was supposed to reverse the spell!"

"I think Selena's trying to make money of our prank," James said and turned to his cousin.

"Selena, come here a moment,"

Selena walked over. "What?"

"The sickles isn't part of the prank. We'll be in bit trouble if they find out we were taking money from the kids,"

Selena sighed, "Fine, I was only trying to make a few,"

"I know but I don't think you want to be grounded, Aunt Sally may make you clean something with a toothbrush as well,"

"Maddi!" Selena called, the girl looked at her, "Now that the offering has been giving you get it back and the spell will reverse." She glanced at Johnny who nodded his head and with a wave of his wand the two children's facial hair was gone.

The rest of the party went by smoothly with no more pranks to pull. That night the boys went to bed content and proud of their work.

A/N: I'm sorry it took so long to update, what with school coming to an end and I had major writers block and everything… I don't think this is the best chapter either and I don't really like it but I had to write something so this is it… so let me know what you thought about it… is it as bad as I think it is or did you like it? I'll be bale to write a lot more since school is almost done… so keep your eyes open for more updates. Thanks for reading!