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The response from you guys last chapter was huge, holy guacamole guys! Thank you so much to Adibaa, mchurch1992, LarissaValentiMeedachi2613, Beetle126, Marie0907, .2017, raven that flies at night, Wintersunbunny, mazeygrace18 and madwamoose for their reviews! A lot of you are absolutely going to hate me this chapter! But remember I love you all loads!
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"When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things - not the great occasions - give off the greatest glow of happiness." - Bob Hope
3 weeks later
"Well I better get Lily a good Christmas present, she did make me maid of honour."
Sirius watched as she leapt over a pothole in the cobblestone street, her dark mane of hair flying back in the cold, clean, winters wind. Her cheeks rosy and lips turning blue. He squeezed her hand which was clasped in his, she turned around and flashed him a brilliant, toothy smile, brightening her pale face.
Merlin, he was the luckiest man in the world.
Elizabeth had woken up a week ago, and she had only been released yesterday; With only two days to Christmas, he couldn't say no to her request to go Christmas shopping, even if he wanted to keep her wrapped up in cotton wool and protect her from outside harm. When she realised how close Christmas was she'd gone into full blown panic mode and with careful manipulation had managed to convince the healers to let her home.
But he could not possibly put into words how thankful he was when she opened her beautiful blue eyes and spoke, the tears that filled his eyes at the sound of her voice. Her hand still trembled, but they said that that would dissipate soon.
She would be okay, just like she always was.
"Shame, that would make me look bad, I just planned on giving James a hug." Elizabeth turned and looked at him incredulously, she shook her head and let out a laugh of disbelief, of course, Sirius would do that.
"You are such a bad friend!"
Sirius rolled his eyes and let out a snort. "I became an animagus for my friend, what did you do?"
Elizabeth stammered for a moment, how true, she did seem like a lousy friend when that was what the comparison was; she gave him a pinched smile and let out a laugh, coughing slightly at the irritation that flamed up in her chest, as a result of the attack. "I buy Christmas presents."
Sirius rolled his eyes as they walked into a Muggle department store complex, which was packed full of people in their last minute rush to buy presents. He was almost one hundred percent sure these people were just there to buy more presents and that they'd already finished. He wanted to punch everyone who walked past them.
Elizabeth automatically went towards the handbags section, Sirius stifled a groan as Elizabeth dragged him off to expensive muggle brands. She went and picked up a black chanel shoulder bag adorned with a gold chain. He had to admit, she did have taste, it looked extremely classy.
"That's nice." He nodded, an idea forming in his head. He could imagine her carrying around a bag like that, it suited her.
"And expensive." She sighed, her eyes slightly downcast, "I guess Chanel doesn't have sales, even around Christmas." Sirius raised an eyebrow, she was exaggerating,
"It can't be that expensive, it's a bag." he snorted causing her to roll her eyes,
"It's three thousand pounds." Sirius looked up startled,
"Are you joking?" She shook her head sadly,
"I wish." She sighed, "I do want to spoil the girls, Lily swore she wasn't allowing us to pay for the bridesmaid dresses or jewellery and shoes! I feel bad! Neither her nor James have proper jobs." She shook her head and turned, looking at the rest of the chanel items, her eyes caught sight of the perfume, she walked over and lifted a small bottle. Sirius leant over her shoulder and smelt it. He scrunched up his nose and looked down at it.
"You forget that James is extremely rich." He laughed causing her to roll her eyes, not bothering with a reply, She shook her head and turned, looking at the rest of the Chanel items, her eyes caught sight of the perfume, she walked over and lifted a small bottle. Sirius leant over her shoulder and smelt it. He scrunched up his nose and looked down at it, it was disgusting.
"Chanel number five… it smells like something my mother would wear." Elizabeth looked up at him and scowled,
"This is an expensive perfume you dolt." She nudged him causing him to sigh,
"I just don't understand why you don't buy presents from Diagon Alley!" he exclaimed, Elizabeth rolled her eyes,
"Because muggle presents are more authentic and personal." She retorted and picked up a Star wars mug that changed colours based on temperature. She placed it in the trolly, at Sirius's curious look she added on. "it's for Remus. I'll get him a book or something else with it."
They walked through the halls, She picked up a monopoly board for Peter, he was surprisingly good at Board Games, like, brilliant! He bet everyone, even Sirius who was brilliant at Wizards chess. As they were passing through the clothing section Elizabeth wandered off slightly and picked up four tie die onesies. She would get Sirius to go and buy James new quidditch gloves abit later on. For Sirius she found a pair of ray ban aviators. For Mary and Lily she got them both satin pyjamas, dark purple for Lily and light pink for Mary. Whilst she was in the section she spotted a black, velvet, lacy crop top in black and she knew that she needed to buy it for Marlene. Now they weren't best friends. But nether the less she helped her when she was at her most weak. When she saw it, it was just so… Marlene. She picked up a wallet for her grandma and an eyeshadow palette for her sister, she would probably throw it out, but she'd regret not doing it.
Whilst Elizabeth was wondering around the complex he wandered back over to the Chanel section. He desperately wanted to buy her the bag, but it was 3000 bloody pounds. Next to it was the slightly smaller one to the one Liz picked up and even that one was 2,500 pounds, and that was the smallest. He was by no means poor but that was a lot of money. He watched her move around the pyjama section and his heart melted, after all she'd been through he couldn't not buy her the purse. He waved over the helper that was wondering around, stuff the price, seeing her face when she opened it would be enough compensation.
He then continued his turn around, as he was looking he was seriously considering buying most people muggle gifts, the stuff was so cool! Who knew muggles were so smart. He would order some things for the boys from zonko's and honey dukes as well as buying Remus an atlas book, he bought Peter an elvis vinyl and he bought James a box of condoms. Whilst he was wondering around he bought Lily a oversized denim jacket and he bought Mary a pair of nike sneakers. He bought Mars a large box of cigarettes and a travelling coffee mug and from Diagon Alley weeks prior Dorcas a Holyhead harpies quidditch tshirt. He bought Gideon and Fabian some Zonkos as well.
After well over three hours wandering through shops and alleyways, they were wandering through the streets, the gifts shrunk into their coat pockets. Their hands interlocked and swinging in between them as they strolled, the cold air resembling smoke as they exhaled and their laughter echoing through the streets. Abruptly, Sirius and Liz stopped as they saw a neon sign in the dark. Sirius's eyes lit up as they saw the tattoo parlour, an idea forming in his head.
"I've always wanted one." He stated, hoping that she wouldn't give him a weird look or scorn him like an elderly lady, he looked at her and gave her a roguish smile, his insides praying that she wouldn't react badly. Elizabeth turned to him and grinned, excitement churning in the pit of her stomach at the idea. "Get one, I'll get one too."
"Get one, I'll get one too." The smile that lit up on his face honestly was enough for her to go to bed with a large smile on her face.
They walked in hand in hand, Elizabeth felt nerves churn in her stomach, she was going to do this, she was going to get a tattoo, her parents were probably rolling in their graves. The man nodded at them as they walked in, his eyes squaring them up, he strode towards them and motioned for them to sit down on the leather benches.
"Hey you lot." He spoke in a deep cockney accent, "What cha looking for?"
They simultaneously shrugged unsure and out of their elements, the guy, who had a tight black thsirt on, had his large, muscly arms covered in tattoos, he looked at them in exasperation, obviously used to this response. Sirius spoke up, wringing his hands together in his lap.
"We saw the shop and decided that we wanted tattoos." The man nodded, rolling his light green eyes, he sounded immensely bored. Elizabeth was once told by a muggle neighbour to always research before a tattoo and make sure you get good vibes from the tattooist. Whilst hostile, the man had the air of a professional, and if he had any part in the tattoos covering his body, she would trust him with anything.
"I get that often enough, do ya have any ideas?" Sirius nodded immeadiantly causing Elizabeth to turn to him in surprise. she wasn't shocked that he had an idea of what he wanted, he was the type to go and get a sleeve of tattoos in one go. He leant over and sketched a rough image on the piece of paper infront of the man.
"I'd like that, on the side of my forearm, but less shitty." He poked at it and the man snorted, Elizabeth rolled her eyes, Sirius was no artist, the man would probably have to re-sketch the entire design. "And I want another one since I'm in the mood."
"We'll see how you feel about it after the first one eh, but go ahead and sketch it, I'm not stopping you." The man nodded once he was done. He looked up at Liz, his eyes scanning over her.
"Not often I get birds in here." She bristled slightly at the term, feeling slightly victimised, "Do you know what you want?"
She bit her lip anxiously, what if it didn't look good? What if she ended up one of those old people with faded tattoos "Yeah actually, I do; but I want them all in fine ink, nothing too dark or thick."
The man rolled his eyes, looking very much like he wanted to chug a bottle of vodka, "Would you like it to be invisible as well Miss."
"Well I like being unique, I'm getting three tattoos Sir." Sirius gaped at her, surprised at the bold statement, Liz really wasn't good with pain, could she even get a tattoo with all the potions she was taking, was it even allowed?
"You're just trying to one up me!" She nodded vehemently at his statement, flashing him an infuriating smirk.
"Yes I am." She laughed, Sirius looked at the man with a smirk, an idea formulating in his mind.
"Do you do Piercings?" Liz scoffed and crossed one leg over the other, shaking her head at his man nodded, chuckling under his breath at their banter. Sirius lept up out of his seat, "Which one should we do first."
"Its completely upto you, but the lady goes first, those are my rules." Elizabeth stood up and wiped her clammy hands on her jeans, walking behind the man and flashing Sirius a smirk.
Nearly an hour later, through tears and shouts, numbing charms, screams and swings of alcohol, Elizabeth had three brand new tattoos. She stumbled towards the mirror and even in her drunken haze, Maybe she drunk too much to mix with potions she was taking. She couldn't help but admire the beauty of the marks. On the back of her neck was a delicate tattoo of the canis major constellation, really faintly dotted, with a delicate star at Sirius. In her inner elbow she got the date of her parents death in really faint roman numbers and on the innerside of the ankle she got a lotus flower, in honour of Beverleys favourite flower.
Sirius sat down slightly anxious, he'd placed a numbing charm on himself but he knew that that was for injuries, not for tattoos and the guys would give him so much shit if they found out.
He too, about 45 minutes later admired the mans work, he had mischief managed tattooed in thin cursive on his inner forearm. And Elizabeth lifted her heavy arm in surprise as she saw the angel wings tattooed onto the back of his neck, near his ear, very finely drawn. She couldn't help but tear up, he got a tattoo for her, he loved her so much. She knew many that would disagree with her statement, but those tattoos looked beautiful on him, they made him look even more like a god than he already did.
The man sat down and took a swig of vodka, he looked at the exhausted pair, who were busy admiring their work. "Are you sure you are up for the piercing?"
Sirius's face brightened as he caught the man's eyes which were glowing with mirth, "Let's do it!"
A little over half an hour later Sirius was adorned with a thin silver ring in his nose. He looked in the mirror and let out a whoop of joy. It looked so good. He felt immature to admit it, but he felt extremely cool with a piercing and tattoos.
"It's brilliant!" he turned to the man and laughed, "Thank you very much sir."
Sirius and Elizabeth strolled through the gardens of Regent park, their hands interlocked with one another as they admired the beauty of the gardens and one another from afar.
Elizabeth couldn't help but watch him as he walked, the nearly full moon was cast shadows over his sharp features making him look even more beautiful than he was. He was so perfect. He was Passionate and charismatic and sophisticated and beautiful. Merlin he was the most beautiful person she had ever lay eyes on.
"Why did you get so emotional?" He whispered, his voice carrying through the wind, Elizabeth turned towards him and looked into his grey eyes, staring at his full lips that were slightly parted, the question was not whys he got emotional, but why he had to get clarification as to why.
"What do you mean?" She asked him as she turned away slightly, lightly touching the red tulip next to her that was illuminated by the garden flowers. He raised and eyebrow at her,
"When you saw the angel wings, you looked like you were about to cry." he ran a hand through her hair, savouring the softness of her locks. And to think he could have lost her, and all that she was.
She opened her mouth to reply, and then bit her lip as a sharp pain shot through her arm. Merlin she couldn't wait for the pain to subside and she could go back to living normally. Her hand trembled rapidly. She squeezed Sirius's hand as she breathed deeply through the pain, he looked up sharply, noticing her sharp grip and panicked when he saw the grimace on her face. She nodded towards the bench that was off towards the side. After they sat down he pulled her into his arms, careful to not come into contact with his tattoo.
"Are you-"
"I'm fine." She whispered, looking into his eyes as a source of strength as she breathed through the pain. Sirius felt hate course through him as she saw tangible proof of the suffering his cousin had put his beloved through. He hated her. He hated her and everything she stood for. He felt his heart melt slightly as he saw her staring at him, love stained in her eyes.
"I was about to cry." She whispered, rubbing his hand softly, "I really was."
"Why though?" he laughed lightly, "You basically had the same idea as me."
She shrugged, biting her bottom lip in deep thought. "I guess... all my life I was told that if I got a tattoo it had to be for something worth it, it was something that was permanent, you could never get rid of it." she took a deep breath, "I guess you permanently tattooing me onto your body just made me emotional, nobodys done something like that for more before."
He let out a bark of laughter, "Well I hope people don't go getting you tattooed on them as a hobby!" She shook her head, laughing at his humour. They lapsed into a moment of silence, he gathered her hair onto one side and admired the constellation tattooed onto her neck. It was a work of art. He couldn't wait until it was healed and he could press kisses all over it and mark her. He felt his pants tighten at the thought.
She looked up at him through her thick lashes, "Do you like it?" She whispered, running her tongue over her lips. He felt his heart begin to race as he watched her trace her lips. He wanted her lips on his in that moment, her legs wrapped around his waist...
"Its a work of art," he whispered, running a hand down her face, "I cant wait to be able to kiss it, and trace kisses up your leg, starting at that pretty little lotus flower, and trace those numerals on your arm."
She felt her heart begin to race, where exactly would those kisses up her leg end up...
"What are the numerals?" He whispered, clutching her face in his hands, running his thumb down her face. She bit her lip as her emotions crashed over her. She felt a dead weight drop in the bottom of her stomach.
"Its my parents death date." she whispered, tears springing to her eyes, "I needed to honour them. They did everything for me." Her voice cracked as a lump formed in her throat, "They fed me, raised me, clothed me, taught me, loved me." She shook her head as her hands trembled in her lap, "They were there for me everyday." She whispered, "Everyday, and for nearly a year they haven't been. Now I will carry them with me forever."
Sirius felt a longing within, the love he spoke of, that sort of affection and care. He could have only wished for it from his parents.
"They would've been with you regardless." he whispered back, leaning his forehead against his own, "In your heart."
She let out a laugh at his statement, "You sound like my mum. She would be rolling around in her grave right about now, she would've said the exact same thing."
"Great minds think alike." he laughed. She winked at him.
"Now as much as I love speaking about my parents, I'm horny, drunk and talking about my parents is killing my libido."
Sirius gave her a wolfish smirk and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer and engulfing her lips with his. They had a long night ahead.
James apparated into the flat, to his immense surprise he slipped in a pile of colourful tinsel upon arrival, there was so much of it even his head was covered by tinsel. He was drowning in tinsel, death by tinsel is what would be written on his gravestone, he wasn't even exaggerating it, he was actually going to suffocate from rainbow tinsel. Shameful, bloody shameful. What would his Great grandfather Fleumont say.
Muggle Christmas songs were echoing around the flat, baubles were rolling around the floor, tinsel was being thrown about. It took ages in his opinion but he eventually dragged himself out of the pile of tinsel, when he got out he collapsed onto the wooden floorboards. The group was raucously singing songs, he could imagine the next door neighbours cracking it at them. Lily was lying on the couch, holding her stomach trying to stop the pain from her laughter as she watched him struggle.
"You guys are ridiculous!" He snorted, pointing to the pile of tinsel, in horror. "Where are you going to put all that tinsel in this dingy place?"
The group looked at him as if he had three heads.
"Everywhere Prongs, get in the Christmas spirit!" Peter laughed and grabbed afew baubles and put it in the basket, Lily threw some tinsel at him. He handed it to Liz and Mary whom were on ladders decorating the large Christmas tree. All sorts of colours were being placed on the large tree, it looked like Christmas had vomited on the tree.
James rolled his eyes and walked over to the girls, whom had levitated the basket between them. Sirius walked out of the kitchen with a tray full of alcohol, as per usual providing the beverages for everyone.
"Drinks are served." He levitated the drinks towards everyone and conjured up another ladder, he leant it against the wall and climbed up next to the two girls. "Need help?"
"Its better you don't come any closer, we don't want to bloody tree to collapse." Mary snorted and placed a silver bauble on a branch. Sirius gave her a mock wounded look,
"How dare you insult me so?" Liz let out a laugh.
"Oh you're so dramatic." Sirius wrinkled his nose in distaste and leant closer to the girl,
"You love it." He whispered and pressed a kiss on her lips. He felt her smile as they kissed. They split apart to the sound of Peter and Lily atrociously singing 'Jingle Bells'. They let out a laugh as they watched the pair. Mary turned around and cast a mistletoe charm on James which nobody noticed. Lily walked past James and lightly patted him on the backside, only to find herself stuck on the spot. The two turned around .
"Get it on!" a hoarse voice yelled out along with the signature sound of apparition.
"Mars shut the fuck up!" James laughed and stuck up the finger at the blonde who was laughing at them all. Lily looked up at James with a knowing smile,
"Shut up and kiss me." And with that the couple passionately embraced as if they were old lovers that had been split apart.
After they split apart James moved away and transformed into a stag causing everyone to laugh. Elizabeth who was on Sirius's shoulders placing the star on the top of the tree. She begun to sing the tune of Rudolph the red nose reindeer and Peter turned to Prongs in stag form and charmed his nose red.
For the first time in a long time,
They laughed.
Awe, it was a happy chapter, and one I looked forward to writing for quite a while! There is some exciting stuff coming out! Below is the customary sneak peek!
"Remus?"
Ooooooh! I hope you're as excited as I am! If you enjoyed the chapter, leave a review to make my week end on a high (I have an assessment task on Saturday and I'm so exhausted preparing for it:() But ya know magic mike is on right now and its distracting me!Goodnight lovelies!Ruby xo