Next chapter will be here this afternoon.
December 22: 1975
3 days until Christmas…
"Waaaaaakeeee up!" James called into Sirius' room on his way downstairs.
"Go'way," Sirius mumbled into his pillow.
"We're having bacon sandwiches," James wheedled.
Sirius shot up. "Last one downstairs is a rabid doxy!"
The two shoved each other out of the way, tripping down three flights of stairs and landing in the living room.
"Well, well, someone's a bit hyper this morning," Mrs. Potter chuckled, sipping a warm mug of Butterbeer. "Presents are under the tree, but," she raised her voice as James and Sirius both started towards it, "breakfast first."
"Oh, come on, love," Mr. Potter argued, entering the room. "Just today?"
"I love you, mum," James added.
Mrs. Potter rolled her eyes. "Alright, then. Go ahead."
"Excellent!" James tore open his biggest parcel. "A Nimbus 1001! Thanks, mum, dad."
"You really didn't have to get me anything," Sirius protested as he unwrapped a Quidditch jersey for his favorite team, the Wimbourne Wasps. He shook it out and five tickets for their next game fluttered to the floor. "Merling, thank you! You shouldn't have."
"Well if you don't want them, I'll take them," Mr. Potter joked.
Mrs. Potter pulled out a clunky box camera. "Don't forget family pictures!"
Sirius got up to leave.
"Oh, no you don't, young man," Mrs. Potter scolded.
"But I'm…"
"…not part of the family?" She snapped a picture as James dove under a pile of shredded gift wrap to hide. "Don't even try that lame excuse on me."
"Sit up straight, dear. A little to the left… oh, that looks lovely!"
Click.
Click.
Click.
Bright spots were still flashing in front of Sirius's eyes as he sat down to breakfast.
But that wasn't all that was wrong.
He tilted his chair back and surveyed the room. Stockings, presents, food…
And then it struck him.
It was his first Christmas away from home. His first Christmas without his mother whining about his "dishonor to the family" and his brother yammering about Voldy-what's-his-face and his father glaring at his red-and-gold room disappointedly.
He didn't miss home one bit.