The reviews were once again appreciated guys so thank you!  Now chapter 37 is up so hope ya like it! Talk 2 ya later! 

A few days before Christmas holidays Ron and Harry found themselves in the library with Hermione. They had their potions Christmas final tomorrow so Hermione was borrowing a book which dealt with potions as Snape had promised a few "surprises". While Hermione was searching for the book, Harry and Ron were conversing about the philosopher's stone…again.

"So…are you sure that Sirius didn't let slip that the stone was here?" Ron asked discreetly.

"No….but why else would they be so concerned about Quirell?"

"I guess but…."

"But what?"

"Well…..Quirell is not the type to be in league with Voldemort now is he? Snape on the other hand….he is more likely Harry."

"Ya I know Ron but….."

"Oh please don't tell me you two were going on about that damn stone again! We have a potions exam tomorrow incase you have forgotten!" Hermione stated irritably as she came back to the table with her desired book.

"That damn stone? Hermione…."

"Shh!" The librarian ushered. Harry looked around and mouthed "sorry."

"Hermione that stone is Voldemorts ticket back to power. Therefore it is important that we figure out where it is and who is trying to steal it. Okay?" Hermione threw her hands up in the air as she said…

"Okay Harry whatever. Now can we please focus on the potions exam?" She stared defiantly at Harry and Ron who nodded.

Three days later, Hogwarts students found themselves on their way home for Christmas holidays. James and Sirius were waiting on platform 9 and ¾ for Harry, Rob and the Weasley s. The train had just pulled in. Within seconds students began polluting the platform.

"See them anywhere Padfoot?"

"No. No not a sign Prongs mate." Sirius replied looking all around him. Harry and company just got off the train and headed in the direction of James and Sirius since they saw them in their carriage.

"Wonder where the hell they are….."

"Dad! Sirius!" Both men looked around at the sound of Harry s voice and saw him running towards them with the others following close behind. Harry crashed into his father almost knocking him off his feet in the process. Sirius sniggered as James smiled and hugged his son back fondly. In the meantime Rob had made it to his guardian and Sirius embraced the child securely.

"How are you Champ? Alright?" James asked after Harry released him.

"Oh ya I'm brilliant dad. You?"

"I'm great Harry mate!" James replied as he ruffled his son's unruly mop. Harry then turned to his godfather who had his hands on Rob s shoulders as he was talking and laughing with Fred, George, Ron and Percy.

"Hey ya Sirius." Harry said attempting to get his godfather s attention. Sirius turned to face his godson and smiled. He removed his hands form Rob s shoulders as he held out his the palm of his hand. Harry smirked and slapped him a high five which resulted in Sirius embracing him briefly.

"How ya been Prongslet?" Sirius asked as they headed out to the car park

"I've been good Sirius. What about you?"

"I can't complain Harry mate." Sirius replied smiling down at his beloved godson.

James was walking up the front on his own while Fred and George were behind him laughing about some fond memories. Ron was walking with Percy silently…..Harry and Sirius took up the rear.

"Sirius…can I talk to you later on about something?" Harry asked meekly.

"Of course you can mate. Is it serious? Something to do with school?"

"Eh….well ya it is. But don't worry I'm not in trouble or anything like that…" Sirius half laughed as he said…"Okay Prongslet. Whatever you say mate!"

"When they reached the car park, there were two cars waiting for them, just as James ordered.

"Okay Sirius mate you take one with Rob and the Weasley troops and Harry and I will take this one."

"But dad….that car will be over crowded."

"These are not ordinary cars Harry. They are ministry official cars. They look small on the outside but inside they are like stretch limousines." Sirius said kindly to Harry. Harry wore a long face so Sirius said…" Don't worry about me Harry. We'll see each other at home and there is a surprise waiting for you and the others which your father, Remus and I have worked up."

"Really? What is it Sirius?" Harry asked brightening up.

"Wait till you get home mate. Alright you lot inside now. Go! Go! Go! Go!" Sirius shouted amusedly as the kids jumped into the car. "See you both at home." Sirius replied as he winked at them and got into the car. James and Harry walked to their car as Sirius took off with his crew. Once inside James ordered the driver to go as he placed a silent charm in the backseat area so that the driver couldn't hear what he and Harry would be talking about. There was two backseats so Harry sat opposite his father.

"Harry the reason that I wanted just the two of us to travel was because we need to talk about something." James said gravely.

"Well…what is it dad? Is something wrong? Are mom and Arielle alright?"

"Shh Harry its okay son. Your mother and sister are perfectly fine as is Remus and Sirius kids. No what we need to talk about is the philosophers stone."

"What about it dad?" Harry asked perplexed.

"Well…has there been any further revelations on it? Has there been any strange occurrences at Hogwarts lately?"

"Um….no. No dad just the troll business but you heard about that…."

"Yes. Yes I did Harry. So Snape or Quirell….they haven't been….acting….peculiar?"

"No not from what I can tell. You still think that Quirell is not to be trusted?"

"I don't know what to think Harry. All I know is that Snape is saying he isn't and Dumbledore believes him."

"Well couldn't it be a cover up? You know…couldn't Snape be putting on a front for Dumbledore…"

"I doubt that even Dumbledore is that trusting Harry. No for now I shall reserve judgement on Snivelus…"

"There is something I found. Well Ron, Hermione and I…."

"What is it son?" James asked concernedly.

"Well a few weeks ago, after you, Sirius and Remus came, the three of us were going back to the dormitory after dinner and the staircase moved so we got off on the third floor. But we didn't realise where we were initially…."

"Go on Harry." James ushered curiously.

"Well when we did realise where we were we saw Filchs cat so we ran and hid inside this room. Once we were inside we came across a dog. He was huge dad! The size of a house I swear…"

"James' chuckled at Harry s exasperation.

"….But he had three heads…" James smiling face faded to one of great hostility.

"Three heads? The size of a house?"

"Ya and Hermione reckons that he was guarding something…"

"She does? Any ideas as to what?"

"Well no. I was hoping maybe you might know…"

"No I haven't a clue what there could be Harry. Quite strange…." James said as he looked out the window. Harry looked at him quizzically wondering how much his father knows about the philosopher's stone.

"Oh hey look were home Harry. Come on." James said as he opened the door for his son and him to get out.

An hour or so later when Harry and Rob had unpacked, they met their families in the garden. Remus had gone down to the Weasleys to bring the kids up. When Harry and Rob stepped outside, James beckoned them over to the balcony area where Lily and Sharina were standing with the kids and Sirius. As they approached the patio further, what they saw left completely stunned. For the garden was replaced by an ice ring. The two boys looked at each other with their mouths wide open. "Wow." They uttered together as they focused on the ring again. The adults smiled satisfied with the result. Remus returned with the Weasley clan in tow. Ron and Ginny were left speechless whilst Fred and George just stared at the ring and then at Sirius and James in awe before saying….."Wicked!"

"Did you to do this Sirius mate?" Fred asked.

"James, Remus and I combined Fred mate."

"Wow. You guys are so awesome! Can we go now?" George asked excitedly.

"So long as your mother consents…."James said staring at Molly emphatically.

After a few moments consideration and receiving puppy dog eyes from the twins she relented.

"Fine go ahead. But be careful." Molly ushered.

"And ginny is your responsibility boys."

"Yes dad." They replied in unison as James conjured a pair of roller blades for them.

"Oh don't worry about a thing Molly darling because you see…if they are up for it that is…we are going to play a game." Sirius said.

"What is it Sirius?" All the kids asked

"Well have ye ever heard of a muggle sport called ice hockey?"

"No." The Weasley boys said whilst shaking their heads. Harry and Ginny nodded however.

"Harry mate you and I watched it so often that you are a pro kid!" Harry laughed a little whilst Rob stared at him…."Ginny darling where did you hear it from?"

"Well….Arielle told me about it coz you and her watch it sometimes and I saw it a couple times with ye too."

"Ah right ya okay. So you know something about it too. Well that's good. Okay for those of you who don't know what I'm talking about….its a muggle sport as I said and in some respects its like quiddtich. You see the object of the game is to try and slam this thing here called a puck into the opponents net before they do by using these…" Sirius pointed to a pile of hockey sticks behind him…."hockey sticks. Everyone follow?" They all nodded.

"Okay. Now all we have to do is split up into two teams so…since Remus won't play I guess James and I are captains unless somebody wants to volunteer? No? Okay. James call your first team mate."

"Alrighty….Ryan would you care to join me?"

"Ya sure James." Ryan said smiling as he ran to James side.

"Okay then. Harry mate you coming or staying?"

"I'm there Sirius." Harry sped towards Sirius side.

"Rob." James called.

"Well you took my two kids so….Arielle darling would you care to join me?"

"Yup Sirius."

"I knew you would choose my kids so I thought I had better choose yours before you got them too…..Ron."

"Ooh crafty James mate." Sirius said half laughing before he said…"Fred…."

Of course Sirius mate!"

"George…"

"No can do James mate." George said. James looked perplexed so Fred said…..

"We never play against each other."

"Okay then. Ginny?" She came running.

"Hey hey George mate!" Sirius said as he ran and slapped him a five as he passed to stand at the back of the row.

"So you think you got the better team Sirius? Well we will show you mate!"

"You're on Prongs. May the best team win ya?"

"Exactly Sirius."

Remus stayed on the patio with Lily, Sharina and the twins whilst the rest of them played ice hockey.

"So why didn't you play Remus? Could have been fun."

"Really? So what is your excuse Shari may I ask?"

"Oh well….I'm not really an athlete you see. Besides I had to keep Lily company and mind the girls…"

"Ya ya whatever you say Shari…"

"It's the truth Remus." Shari said half laughing. Lily and Remus just smirked at her.

"So…do we know how many are coming to Christmas dinner?"

"Well apart from us Remus…..I think about ten more at least."

"Why who is coming Lils?" Shari asked.

"Well…Sirius cousins….you know Andy, Ted, and Tonks….but I'm not quite sure about Lucia and her husband…."

"Tonks is coming? For definite?" Remus asked nervously.

"Yes as far as I know Remus. Why? Is that a problem?"

"Oh no of course not. It's just that….we haven t really spoken since the wedding….it could be awkward…."

"Oh well you know Tonks…she will always find something to talk about in any circumstance."

"Ya…" Remus said half laughing. "That's true. Oh hey look Harry scored the first goal."

"Oh. Now why doesn't that surprise me? Like father like son." Shari said smiling at Lily.

"He is except for the fact that he isn't a womaniser…."

"Give him time Lily. If he is really like James…he will be…"

"Oh god spare us all….."

"YES!" Sirius shouted.

"Looks like another goal for Sirius team." Lily said.

"Yay Harry!" Samia and Kyrah shouted in unison clapping their hands. The adults just smiled at them.

Half an hour later James team was ahead by one goal. Since it was starting to rain, it was between Harry and Rob to finalise the game. Rob had vindictively blocked the last two goals that Harry had attempted to score. The question was would he do it again?

"Okay come on Harry you can do this mate." Fred ushered.

"Ya go on Harry mate." George said egotistically.

Harry gauged himself a few metres away from the goal post where Rob was bend over slightly determined to block this goal and win the match for James.

Harry lay his hockey stick down next to the puck, studied his position. He then aimed the puck at the net, raised his stick as he belted the puck which left the ground and came flying at Rob s face. Naturally Rob darted to the side in order to avoid the puck which walloped off the net before it came crashing down on the ice. Sirius team won. Everyone swarmed around Harry, hugging him, ruffling his hair, patting him on the back…Rob was next to the goal post glaring maliciously at Harry and the attention he was receiving. James noticed this and so approached him and concernedly asked…..

"Hey Rob are you okay?" Rob looked up and said….

"Ya James why wouldn't I be?"

"Well you just seem a bit off…"

"We lost the game James incase you hadn't noticed…"

"Oh come on Rob mate. That was only a bit of fun. Don't take it so seriously…."

"Just for once I wanted to beat him you know? Just once.."

"Beat who?"

"Harry of course! He is so good at everything and everybody loves him!"

"Rob that's not fair now. You know how much Snape hates him." Rob laughed a little which made James smile.

"You know, nobody is perfect. Harry does have his faults, like the rest of us. Okay I will admit that he has the knack for quiddtich and apparently ice hockey….."

"Ya…."

"But don't be down about it. Okay? Harry isn't much of a student. He is only average at school. Not because he is stupid or anything….but because he more of an athlete than a scholar. I don't expect him to get too many outstandings in school but I do hope that he wont get many ds either. We all have our talents Rob. You are more academic than Harry. We all love you too okay? So don't forget that. There is no such thing as favourites in this family I promise you that mate."

"Okay…thanks James." Rob said smiling a little. James smiled warmly at him in turn and patted the back of his neck as he said…"No problem." The rumbling of thunder was heard and the rain began pelting down so James suggested they head inside. They both ran into the house where tea and hot chocolate awaited them.

Later on that night Harry lay restlessly in bed. It was 11:00 at night and he had been in bed for the past hour. He decided to get up and get a drink in the hope that it might help him sleep. As he entered the kitchen he was rubbing his eyes tiredly and he heard someone say….

"Hey Prongslet." Harry immediately put his glasses on and saw Sirius sitting at the kitchen table with a cup in front of him.

"Sirius? What…why? How come you're here?" Harry asked before taking a seat at the table.

"Oh well….I was talking to your parents and Remus. But they have all gone to bed and I cant sleep without at least two cups of tea inside me so I was just finishing it. Everyone is gone to bed."

"So it's just us?" Harry asked smiling.

"Yep. It's just us." Sirius replied reciprocating Harry s smile.

"Cool." Harry muttered.

"So what is your excuse for being up so late?" Sirius asked before taking another sip from his cup.

"Oh well I couldn't sleep…"

"It must run in the family."

"Ya. It must…" Harry said smirking.

"So what can I get ya mate? Tea? Hot chocolate? Milk? Coff…oh no you don't want coffee. Keep ya up all night..."

"Hot chocolate will be fine thanks Padfoot." Harry replied politely.

"Okay no problem." Sirius got up and got the container out of the cupboard. He then pulled out a saucepan quietly. He placed it on the ring hob and fetched the milk from the fridge. He poured the hot chocolate and milk into the heated saucepan. He turned around to face Harry and asked….

"What is it that you wanted to ask me anyway? At the train station earlier on you said that you wanted to talk to me about something…."

"Oh ya..that. Well….a couple of weeks ago Ron, Hermione and I…we were going to the common room after dinner and um…the staircase decided to change and we ended up on the third floor…."

"Oh don't tell me that ye had a run in with Filch…."

"No we didn't but we did see his cat. So we ran for it…..through this door….and behind this door was a huge dog with three heads!" Sirius turned away from Harry and started stirring the hot chocolate.

"I expect it belongs to Hagrid…."

"Well ya he does but….Hermione thinks that the dog was guarding something……"

"Really?" Sirius said with his back still turned to Harry.

"Yes, really Sirius. So…do you what?"

"The saucepan began bubbling so Sirius poured its contents into the mug beside him. He then took it over to Harry and sat opposite him. After a few seconds Sirius said…

"You have put me in an awkward position here Harry. I hope you realise that."

"It's the philosophers stone isn't it?"

"I cant say Harry….."

"Yes but I can tell by your eyes Sirius. I know it is…."

"Well so what if it is Harry? What are you going to do about it?"

"Well….I……"

"Harry you are not dealing with elemental stuff here! This is powerful magic that we are talking about. I don't want you in harms way okay?"

"Okay…"

"No you see you can't just say that Harry. You have to mean it! Something sinister is going at Hogwarts and I have no clue who is behind it. Your safety is questionable. I don't mean to scare you Harry but…it is the truth. Somebody is trying to access that stone to return Voldemort to full power. And in return…..kill you…."

"Kill me?" Harry asked anxiously.

"If you think that if and when old Voldie returns that you won't be his first victim then you are wrong Harry. Despite our lack of knowledge Harry….we will protect you. That I promise you."

"But how can you if you don't know who is behind it?"

"We will uncover the truth Harry. I promised you the day you were born that Id protect you no matter what. And I still stand by that. Now go on get to bed Harry. You should be asleep by now."

"Okay. Goodnight Sirius." Harry said as he got up from the table and headed to the door.

"Goodnight Prongslet." Sirius said solemnly to himself as he smiled sadly at Harry s shadow going up the stairs. He banged his fist on the table and sighed. Sirius massaged his forehead tiredly before rising from the table to drain the remainder of the contents of the cups down the drain. He then switched off the light in the hall and in the kitchen before leaving and going into his own house.