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Chapter 25

Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt! Bzzt! The doorbell rang excitedly making me sigh as I put the book I was reading down. Unfortunately for me, my parents and Greg were out of town so I had to open the door and converse with whoever was there. I tried to stop myself from rolling my eyes as I forced myself to walk towards the wooden door. I was greeted by three friendly faces as I opened the door. Hurray it was christmas carollers, ready to sing even though christmas was long gone! Just kidding, it was my all-time favourite group of boys. The marauders. I couldn't even try to contain the smile that appeared on my face once I saw them. It was like an immediate and automatic reaction that occurred when I hadn't seen them in a long time.

"So, a werewolf, stag and a mouse walk into a bar.." James said, smirking as he leaned against the doorway.

Remus laughed, "What he means by that is, hi." Remus's eyes twinkled with happiness, "It's good to see you Winnie,"

I cut them off with my laughter, "Yeah it's good to see you too." I moved away from the door to let them in, "Come on in before you freeze to death and catch hypothermia. Or is it pneumonia? You know what just sit down." I rambled.

Peter chortled as he walked in, "It's nice to know Winnie hasn't changed." I wasn't quite sure what he meant by that.

They all sat down on the couch before I shook my head and loudly exclaimed: "Wait, wait, wait - stand up again so I can hug all of you. Or you know what? I have a even better idea! Group hug!" I said, holding my hands out happily.

They all looked at each other and simultaneously responded with, "No."

I put my hands down and frowned, "Jerks much?" I sat down on the chair, facing them. "Anyway, what are you all doing here? Were you so overcome by your love for me that you just had to see me?" I said, resting my chin on my hand.

Remus snorted, "Yeah, that's it. You got us." He shook his head, "No, actually I have no idea. James sent all of us a letter asking, well more like telling us to show up at his house. But then we showed up and he took us here. Nice house by the way."

Oh of course! I had completely forgotten that James had insisted that we all meet up soon. But I was also fairly certain that he said to meet up at his house and not mine.

"Thanks!" I said, happily. "Oh, hey wait. I thought we were going to meet up at your house," I said, directing the last part to James.

He shrugged, "Change of plans. Mum's having a dinner party." he said, leaning back into the chair, "But since I had already told them to come, I just thought. Why not just go to your house?"

"Good call, Potter," I said, smiling. "Anyway! Tell me how you've all been! Peter I thought you were going to travel somewhere and Remus you said you wouldn't make it,"

Peter nodded, "Yeah we were going to but then my nan fell on the stairs and broke her hip." he said, passively.

I gasped, "Merlin's bright green eyes - is she alright?!" I said, unsure how he was talking about the subject so emotionlessly.

Peter shrugged, "She's alright, but she makes me massage her feet now. Twice a day too, apparently it helps her relax. "

I didn't really know how to respond to that, "Oh, well, that's nice I suppose." I said, laughing awkwardly.

James threw his head back in laughter, "Ah, what a beautiful ending to that lovely and entertaining story."

Remus nodded, "Honestly, I wasn't going to come but the full moon passed and I didn't really have anything else to do, I finished all the assignments that were due and I read all the school books so, I thought, why not visit my friends?" Remus said smiling.

"How noble of you, Remus James Lupin." James said patting him on the back, making us all laugh.

Remus furrowed his bushy brows at him, "My middle name is not James, James. It's John."

Peter scratched the back of his head, "I thought it was Jeremy." he squeaked.

I cracked my knuckles, "Hey Remus what about that girl? Anything happen with her?" I said, excitedly.

James grinned, "I forgot about that, thanks for the reminder Dot." He said and then jabbed Remus with his elbow, Remus looked like he would turn into a tomato from how red he was.

Remus sat with downcast eyes, "No - nothing happened, I promise. I went over to her house but no one was home. Apparently she's visiting family somewhere." He said, disappointment obvious on his face.

"Damn, I was really hoping for something to happen." James said, looking crestfallen.

Peter scratched his head, "What? Remus you like somebody? Since when?" He said, his small eyes spinning as he racked his brain.

We all exploded into laughter but then realised that a certain pair of grey eyes were missing from our group, "Hey - where's Sirius? He's the essence of the conversation we were all supposed to have!" I said, frowning.

"The essence of the conversation, how poetic," Remus said laughing. "I thought that he would be here, because you know." his eyes were lit with humor.

I gave him a look, "Because what? because everyone thinks we're secretly in love? Well he's not and we are certainly not in love," I snapped, clenching my jaw. It was annoying how I needed to verify that so often.

Remus raised his brows at me, "Whoa, Winnie - I was only messing about. Of course I know you're not secretly in love with Sirius. How daft do you think I am?" he asked rhetorically.

I winced, feeling a pang of regret. "I'm sorry Moony, I didn't mean to lash out on you. It's just the fact that ever since I've been friends with all of you I have had to tell people time and time again that no, I am not going out with any of you. It gets out of hand at times and I shouldn't have taken it out on you." I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

"I would be mad at you, but you really know how to apologise. That's good, not a lot of people know how to do that. You know? Give a sincere apology." Remus said, giving me a half-smile. "What conversation are you talking about?"

I cracked my knuckles, "Well, basically - you know what, I think it would be better if I told you when we were all here."

Peter nodded, "That's probably a good idea."

James cleared his throat, "Sirius couldn't make it. He's stuck at his house, his parents won't let him leave. Poor bloke." He said sadly.

"Oh, I should have guessed. They never let him visit during the winter holidays. Something about an important party or something." Remus said, disappointment written across his face.

Peter bit his lip, "I wish their was something we could do."

A look appeared on James's face, a look I knew all too well. "No, whatever you're planning to do. No, stop it." I said, wagging a finger at James but it was already too late. James already had come up with something and there was no stopping him now.

"Why don't we go pay our little friend a visit?" James said, grinning brightly.

I was shocked. I had expected a more reckless plan but it wasn't such a bad idea. We could rescue Sirius from his personal hell so he could actually enjoy the holidays for once. Everyone who knew Sirius personally knew that there wasn't anything he dreaded more than going back to his family.

Peter looked scared, "But isn't that..dangerous?"

Remus shook his head, "No, it's way too reckless. Besides what are we going to do? His parents hate anyone who isn't one of them. Which means they hate muggle-borns, half-bloods and blood-traitors as they like to call it. I'm pretty sure that none of us are on their list of favourite people." Remus said, sensibly.

I weighed the pros and cons in my head, 'That's true, but I mean - he hates it there. His parents are verbally and physically abusive. Why do we get to have fun on this break while he gets to suffer? Why should he be forced to stay somewhere he doesn't even want to be? It's not fair." I said, standing up and grabbing my coat that was lying on the chair.

James nodded, "Winnie is right. Look, you don't have to come with us if you don't want to. But we're not going to just let him suffer." he said standing up.

Remus seemed to think it over for a moment, "Look, fine. Fine. I'm coming but we can't go looking like that."

I gave him a strange look, "What do you mean?"

"This is what you meant, huh?" James said, facing the door of Sirius's house. This was it. Twelve Grimmauld Place. It was the complete opposite of what I had in mind. Sirius's description of the house was nothing like how it was in real life. He described a living hell but that was not the house was vast, a large white marble building with a shiny black fence surrounding the house. The home basically screamed luxury and money. But, despite how grand the place was, it did not give off that comfortable, cozy and welcoming feeling you would get at James's house or even mine. It lacked warmth and it made me really sad to imagine how he could have lived here.

Basically the Black family held an annual party during the holidays. Everyone who was someone, was invited. So we were all dressed in our most extravagant clothes. We never dressed up like this but according to Remus, the only way to get in was to look like you belonged. It was actually amusing, the fact that were all dressed so nice to actually sneak someone out of here.

Personally, I was just excited over the fact that I looked like a glamorous film star. I was wearing a long, emerald green silk dress accompanied with nude high-heeled shoes and my hair was wavy! I never had wavy hair! But it was not about how I looked, it was how I felt. Even though, I wasn't here to party - I felt luxurious and I loved that. Even if it was only for a little bit, it felt nice.

"Exactly. Now, this is what's going to happen. All of us are going to walk in there and act like snobs. Don't talk to anyone, stick your nose up in the air and act like you're supposed to be there. Then we find Sirius and then leave, got it?" Remus said, glancing at all of us.

I grinned and bounced happily, "This is so exciting! I feel like I'm in a spy film! Am I the only one who's having a good time here?"

Peter gave me a bleak look, "No! This suit is scratchy." he whined and tugged on the shirt he was wearing.

James rolled his eyes at Peter, "Who cares! Let's just get in and get out, as quick as we can." he said and then flashed me a grin, "I am kind of excited actually."

Remus laughed, "Let's go, you guys." he said and pushed us towards the door, the gate opened automatically and I gulped when I noticed a man standing outside with a list. Probably an invitation list.

But, I had to do what Remus said. Act snobbish. I stuck my nose out in the air and pushed passed the guys as if I didn't know them, I sashayed over to the man standing there with confidence, I moved to open the door but he stopped me.

"Excuse me, miss you can't go in there without an invitation." He said, putting his hand across the door to stop me from entering.

I guffawed at him, "Excuse you? Do you not know who you are talking to? Did you just try to stop me from getting into my own party? Do you want me to call my father right now? Because I can have you fired." I said, flipping my hair as I glared sharply at him.

He looked taken aback but still didn't let me cross, "I'm sorry, miss but I can't let you enter without a name." As he tilted towards me I could faintly see a scribble of the name 'Adderson'.

"Adderson, now will you let me pass or do I have to call security?" I said, crossing my arms at him. I felt really bad for snapping at him but he was collateral damage.

He looked at the paper and then nodded, removing his hand and giving me a slight nod. "Sorry ma'am, you can pass and please forgive me I did not intend to offend you." He said sincerely.

I nodded, "Alright." I said and quickly passed through, I turned around to see the boys there but before I could get a word in the door was shut and I was suddenly in Grimmauld Place.

The house was lit with floating candles and a large chandelier, illuminating the dark atmosphere of the house. There was a light coming out of a certain room and I could faintly hear the chatter of people as well as the clinking of glasses. I assumed that was the room where the party was being held at. But I felt the strange need to explore the house.

There were several paintings, but they were horribly ugly and distasteful. But what really caught my attention was the row of shrunken heads. Elf heads, to be exact. I gasped as I took in the monstrosity that lay in front of me. I couldn't imagine what kind of inhumane person would put a thing like this in the house. There were plaques too, and it took everything in me not to gag right there and then. Obviously, the Black family were proud of the elves they had or they wouldn't showcase it so evidently.

"It's awful isn't it?" A voice said making me gasp and turn around to face a tall, brunette with striking wide eyes. Kind eyes. She looked familiar, way too familiar.

I wasn't sure whether to keep up my facade or not, but I had no choice but to do so. "It's not so bad. Excuse me," I said shortly and tried to leave.

The girl stood in front of me, stopping me from entering the room where everyone was. "Now, just who might you be?" she said, but she didn't sound angered - she sounded amused.

"I don't think that's relevant right now." I said, glancing at the door. If she wasn't going to let me in that room, there was no way that I could get Sirius out.

The girl laughed, "Well, it is my aunt's house so yeah, I think it is pretty relevant." She tilted her head to the side, "Now, tell me who you are."

There was no way I could tell her the truth. "Adderson, Amelia Adderson." I said, randomly. I had no idea who that even was or if they even existed.

The girl widened her eyes at me, "Oh! Really? You're Amelia Adderson? The famous writer? How lovely it is to meet you." She said, smiling.

I wasn't sure if she was telling the truth or not. "Yes, yes. That's me, the famous writer." I laughed. "Look, I really must go and greet your aunt, I haven't had the chance to." I said, trying to escape her.

The girl then chuckled, "That's hilarious because Amelia Adderson doesn't exist! Listen here, how about you start telling me the truth because if not, I can get you into serious trouble. Look, I'll even tell you my name. I'm Andromeda and who are you?" She said, smiling.

Andromeda. Andromeda. That name sounded familiar, oh wait. I knew who this was! "You're Sirius's cousin - Andromeda Tonks? Aren't you?" I said, breathing a sigh of relief. She was his favourite cousin and I assumed someone I could trust.

She seemed surprised, "You're one of Sirius's friends aren't you?" She giggled, "How did you manage to get in here? Wow! I knew his friends were wild but I didn't think they'd manage to sneak in 'ere. You're what's your name -" she said and then snapped her fingers.

"Winnie." We said both at the same time and I laughed, "Yeah, that's me. Listen, we're trying to get him out of here. But I don't know where he is, can you help me?" I said, glancing at the door and at her.

She still seemed to be in awe, "Sirius is so lucky to have friends who would do things like that! Also, just look at you! You're absolutely gorgeous! I mean, he mentioned that you were pretty, but wow - your dress and everything. You're stunning!" She grinned.

It was my turn to be surprised now, "Oh, thank you. That's really kind of you." I felt my face flush, "Wait, Sirius told you I was pretty?"

Andromeda nodded, a smirk on her face. "Yeah and to answer your question, of course I'll help you! I'm sure that if I wasn't here with him then he would go insane. Poor him. Look, I'll go in first and then you follow. We can't go together or his mum will think that you're a blood traitor too. She doesn't like me much." She laughed.

I nodded, "Okay, sure. Let's do this." I laughed. "Wow, it's really nice to meet you. Sirius talks about you all the time!"

Andromeda laughed, "All good things I hope, " she said approaching the room, "Like I said, I'll go first. Good luck!" She said, throwing me a smirk before she went into the room.

Now it was my turn.