Chapter 20 – Trees

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other – Burton Hillis

"Found it!" Harry announced triumphantly

"Well done, I knew you'd find it. Do you want to put it in?"

Harry nodded and scampered back to the puzzle that he and Remus were trying to complete. Sirius had gone to the ministry, explaining how he needed to rejoin the auror department, but that Remus would still be here; acting as Harry's teacher. Harry had nodded, slightly confused by what an auror was and hugged Sirius fiercely, somehow aware that his fear of Sirius not returning was completely irrational. Harry shook his head and placed the last piece in its place, completing the image. Harry gasped as the puzzle shone brightly and then dulled, the lines from the edges of the pieces suddenly invisible.

"I'm going to help some help getting the stuff for the tree. Do you know anybody who might be willing?" Remus asked with a smile.

Harry stared at Remus. He could do that job, he could help; though he'd never done it before. Dudley had been allowed to help with the tree last year, but Harry had had to watch, jealousy rising in him. Though Remus probably didn't mean Harry, he was probably meant to say Ron, or one of his older brothers. He had to check though, he did really want to help. "I could help, if you think I can"

Remus chuckled and picked Harry up, swinging him onto his hip. "I think you'll be perfect Harry" Remus smiled and Harry grinned back happily. Today was going to be a good day.

OoOoOo

Harry stared at the stag in his hands intently. Sirius said that it was made of cherry wood. It was beautiful whatever it was. It had been carved out of a single piece of wood – it had obviously taken Sirius a long time to carve it. It seemed oddly familiar, he knew it was special and it meant something, but he didn't have any idea why. He ran his small fingers over the intricately carved antlers and looked up. Sirius and Remus were both watching him and the stag sadly.

"Do you want to hang it Harry?" Sirius asked softly, so softly that Harry had to strain his ears to hear him over the wireless. He looked at the stag again. He wasn't particularly clumsy, but he didn't know if he trusted himself with the delicate wooden stag.

"You can do it"

Sirius sighed and took the stag from Harry's hands. "You have to tell me where to put it then" Sirius held the stag up to the tree, apparently waiting for Harry to tell him where to put it.

"Up…up…Perfect" Sirius smiled and took the wooden dog that Remus handed to him, after first offering it to Harry, who shook his head. The decorations all looked so delicate. They almost looked too pretty for him to touch. He figured it would be much safer for Sirius and Remus to do it, and for him to watch and maybe direct, as Sirius seemed so keen on making him do something.

"Sirius what did you do with the other one?" Remus muttered, leaning forward to try to avoid Harry hearing. It was however, pointless – Harry could hear every word they said. He knew he shouldn't listen to adult's conversations, but he was curious about this 'other one'. He had the strangest feeling that this unnamed 'other' was important.

"I thought I might burn it…as he burned us" Sirius turned around and smiled at Harry. "Harry will you help me do the lights? I need someone special to help me"

Harry shifted his weight from one foot to the other and stared at Sirius. He actually wanted Harry's help! Sirius trusted him enough to help him with the lights and Harry knew that was an important job. He wouldn't mess this up. He pushed his glasses up his nose and took the end of the string of lights that Sirius offered.

"We can do the top, can't we Harry?" Remus asked. Harry nodded, gripping the string of lights tightly as Remus lifted him onto his shoulders. Together, the three of them managed to string the lights around the tree, Harry grinning the whole time. He had to admit that from his vantage point on Remus' shoulders, that the tree did look good.

"Harry, can you reach to put this on the top? I think you might be able to reach from Remus' shoulders" Harry grinned and reached down to take the waving Santa Claus from Sirius. Remus stood up straight and Harry stretched up to place the Father Christmas on the top of the tree.

"You got it Harry? Good job" Remus congratulated him, while setting Harry back on the floor. Harry grinned broadly, he felt a surge of pride at Remus' words. He'd done what they asked and nothing had gone wrong, like it always seemed to when he was with the Dursleys. Harry counted that as a success.

"Do you want to help me sort the presents Harry? While Remus sorts dinner?" Sirius added hopefully. Remus shot a glare at Sirius and then walked into the kitchen, closely followed by Jethro.

Sirius' words hadn't really sunk in, until he saw the presents come flying into the room, one after the other. There looked to be a lot there, nearly as many as Dudley had got for his birthday. Harry caught the first one and turned it over, looking for either Sirius or Remus' names. What he saw nearly made him drop the package. His name was twinkling up at him. He hadn't expected presents; Sirius and Remus had already been so good to him, this almost seemed too good to be true.

"Ooof! Harry, are you OK?" Sirius choked out. In his excitement at having presents Harry had thrown himself at Sirius. The man bent down, pulling Harry close to his chest.

"Thank you Sirius" Harry exclaimed happily, tears of joy already filling his eyes.

"For what Harry? Your presents? Harry, did you really think we wouldn't get you any presents?"

A feeling of warmth spread through Harry's entire body. He didn't think he could be anywhere better than with Sirius and Remus. he truly felt like he belonged here and Harry grinned broadly at Sirius. It still hadn't really sunk in, he was actually getting presents! Uncle Vernon had always told him that freaks didn't deserve presents. But, neither Remus nor Sirius had ever called him that; in fact, the two men had deliberately gone out of their way to prove otherwise.

OoOoOo

"Harry, I think it's bedtime"

Harry looked up from the large picture that he was drawing with Sirius. Harry sighed quietly, he and Sirius had nearly finished the drawing. He climbed to his feet anyway and followed Remus up the stairs, Sirius following behind them.

"Arms up," Sirius ordered, pulling Harry's top over his head and replacing it with a red pyjama top. Sirius had brought him some new pyjamas the other day, ones with a lion on the front. Harry had to admit, he liked them. Harry ran to the bathroom, he needed to brush his teeth and wash his face, not to mention go to the toilet. Harry knew that he wasn't meant to wet the bed, Uncle Vernon had been furious last time, and so he had tried his best to avoid that. As soon as he was finished, he ran back to his bedroom and practically threw himself onto his bed.

"Do you want a story Harry, or are you too tired?" Sirius asked, smiling as he saw Harry stifle a yawn. Harry hadn't felt tired all day, but it was as if climbing into bed automatically made him sleepy. As tired as he was, he still wanted a story, if he was allowed.

"I'd still li-li-like a story, please?" Harry choked out, managing to force his words around a yawn. Sirius and Remus both smiled and took their usual places, Sirius sat on the bed and Remus on the chair next to the bed.

"Once upon a time, there were three boys that met on a train. You see, it was a very special train, it went to a magical school and all three of the boys had been invited to the school…"

Harry really wanted to hear more, but he was so tired. His eyes kept closing of their own accord and he kept yawning. Sirius handed him Finley and told Jethro to lie down on his bed. Harry smiled contently and felt sleep pull at him. He let it win; he was much too tired to fight it now. At least he didn't have to worry about having to be awake early; Sirius had told him that he could sleep as late as he wanted. Harry still wasn't sure, but they'd managed to compromise. No matter how early he woke up, he'd stay in his bedroom and play until they came to get him. He really couldn't be in a better place than with Remus and Sirius. Harry had everything he could everything he could ever want and more.

AN: Right, I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank every single person who has left a review, put this story on alert or favourited it. It makes me smile every time I get an email, so thanks :D

I hope you like this chapter, and please leave a review?