Prompts:

Christmas Collection Challenge: (story title) The Nightmare Before Christmas

Gringotts Wizarding Prompt Bank: Once Upon A Time Dialogue Prompts: "One thing I excel at is surviving."

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Marlene stared down into the crib, the sleeping figure of her daughter barely visible in the dark. Knowing that she would be unable to sleep yet again, Marlene took a seat in the rocking chair close to the crib, wand held tightly in her hands. The uncertainty of her situation had her on edge. She felt that she couldn't be too cautious at this point.

Sirius had been missing for three days. He'd gone out with two other members of the Order to search for one of their own who was missing. They were attacked by Death Eaters, and Sirius was the only one who didn't come back. Edgar Bones, one of the two who had gone out with Sirius, said that they had all been separated, so he couldn't say for sure if Sirius was dead or alive.

Marlene had lived in a constant state of worry for the last three days. If he were alive, then why hadn't he come home? Was he in some sort of danger? Was he hurt? She wanted to believe that he was alright, but the longer he was gone, the more difficult that became. She felt like her worst nightmare had become reality.

A scratching noise made Marlene tense up. It was a still night. The chill December wind that they had endured for more than a week had finally let up now, just two days before Christmas. There was a slight pause before the noise started up again, more insistent this time. She had to investigate.

She crept silently from the room, wand held at the ready, listening for the source of the sound. It seemed to be coming from the back door. Marlene tiptoed down the stairs and through the house to the kitchen. Staying in the shadows next to the window as much as possible, Marlene tried to look out to see who might be there, but she didn't see anything.

I guess there's only one way to find out. Standing behind the door, she turned the knob and pulled it slowly open, waiting for someone to walk through. No one did. Instead, a big black dog peeked its head around the door and looked at her. She nearly screamed before she realized this wasn't just any black dog. She choked back a sob as he wearily walked fully into the room.

By the time Marlene had closed and locked the door, Sirius had transformed into his usual self again. She nearly jumped into his outstretched arms. They held each other tightly, neither one saying anything for quite some time.

"I'm sorry, Marlene. I didn't mean to worry you," he whispered against her hair. "I couldn't make it back until now, I was afraid they'd follow me. I had to lie low for a couple of days to be sure I'd lost them."

Marlene blinked back tears as she looked up at him. There was no sense in crying. He was safe now, back home where he belonged. "I was afraid you were -" She swallowed past the lump in her throat, unable to finish her sentence.

Sirius smiled at her tenderly. "One thing I excel at is surviving." He reached up and brushed a stray hair from her face. "I have too much to live for, too much to protect, to let them get me so easily."

She kissed him lingeringly, enjoying the closeness of him after so many days spent living with the fear that she would never see him alive again. "I'm so thankful you made it back to us alive and in one piece. But you must be exhausted, you should get some rest. We can talk more in the morning." She released her grip on him, but grabbed his hand, not wanting to let go of him in case he disappeared again.

"I am tired. Tired, hungry, and in desperate need of a bath and clean clothes. But first, I want to see my daughter." Concern filled his eyes at the mention of the child sleeping in the room upstairs. "Was she alright? Without me here?"

Marlene squeezed his hand reassuringly. "She seemed a bit lost without you around," she admitted, "and she cried for you a few times, but she did fine." She finally let go of his hand and pushed him in the direction of the stairs. "Go see her, let her know you're home, and then get yourself cleaned up. I'll make you something to eat and then you're getting some rest."

Only when he was out of sight did she let her tears fall. She smiled tremulously, her heart and mind at ease in the knowledge that their little family was whole again. The nightmare was over.