AN:

Happy New Year everyone, sorry for the delay, reasons after the chapter. Have fun.

A sudden jolt went through Harry's bed making him almost leap out of it. His eyes looked blurry into the darkness. A dark shape had jumped onto his bed in the middle of the night. But the smell of dog fur stopped him short of raising his wand to the form. Harry groaned his hand rummaging over his nightstand while Dawn chirped loudly at the intruder.

"Whas goin on Padfoo?" Harry mumbled out, turning his glasses around after putting those on upside down. The unfocused black blob turned into a large black dog that was jumping around his bed, barking in a laugh like manner. After a few moments, the furry animagus jumped back to the floor and returned to his human form mid-jump. Sirius Black wore some ridiculous sweater with a red-nosed stag pulling a cart where a black dog held the reigns.

"It's Christmas Prongslet! That is not a time for sleeping!" Sirius called out loudly, grinning at his godson. Harry'S enthusiasm wasn't on par with his godfather, as he glanced on the clock.

"It is five in the morning." The boy answered dryly, while he petted the annoyed and fluttering Dawn. The small phoenix was very close to pecking at the dog-man.

Sirius laughed. "So what? It is Christmas! Our first together. Get up." He waved his hands in an upward motion while speaking, the grin never leaving his face.

Harry smiled a little. That was true, their first Christmas together, the first as a family. The first he spends at home, with his family! The spirit started to rise in the boy and with it the smile broadened on his face.

Sirius grinned like a mad man, seeing his godsons smile. Harry pulled back his banket slipping out of the bed.

"All right, but let me first grab a shower, I feel icky." He rubbed his face, trying to get some blood and wakefulness inside of his head.

Sirius raised an eyebrow but nodded. "All right, but be quick. I will try to get Cissy awake." The older man turned to the door.

Harry smirked. "Are you sure that is a good idea?" He asked, picking Dawn up from his bed.

Sirius grinned. "We will see! It's Christmas!" And with these words, Lord Black left Harry's room.

The boy snorted in amusement and moved to his build-in bathroom. Quickly his clothes were thrown off and he stepped under the big showerhead. While he held Dawn to his chest, he thought about the last few days. It had been a bliss being back home, being in a comforting environment. Until he came back here he hadn't realised how much he missed the house and having Sirius and Narcissa as well as Kreacher around him. It was a warm feeling in his stomach when he thought about them.

His days were spent with mainly three things. Sessions with Andromeda, school work and also flying. It was his main getaway and Harry's godfather was more than happy to join him up in the sky. One time, even Narcissa joined the two of them but it was crystal clear that she wouldn't take part in their rough diving and occasional roughhousing. She drifted through the air in slow and measured paces, obviously more interested in the view than the thrill of fast movement. Of course, the view was wonderful that day. They had been spending the day at an island north of Holyhead, where the famous Quidditch Team was based. The island was small enough, that was warded against muggles and was a private plot of family Black. There was a small summer home there and even though it was in disrepair, it still was a nice place to spend the day there.

Harry turned under the shower, holding the still sleepy Dawn into the hot water. She fluffed her feathers as she was turning in the hot water, while her beak ruffled the feathers even more. Harry could feel her strange but loved mind slowly leave the sleepy grumpiness behind and getting into gear. Harry chuckled turning off the water. Like so often he picked up his wand and blew warm air on her feathers, getting this gleeful feeling from her. Dawn loved this part of cleaning.

For a while, Harry just blew onto her, until she spread her wings, flying through the room and signalling him that his administration had come to an end. Harry smiled at her before turning to his own towel and getting ready. It took him only two minutes to get himself dry and dressed before he moved out of his room. He just closed his door before a yell from his right made him turn his head. Sirius fled down the corridor, ducked and laughing like mad while behind him Narcissa, drenched and a furious expression on her face was chasing him. A morning robe was thrown over her wet night-dress and her hair was in disarray. She shot two more bolts of light at the man who almost jumped down the stairs.

"I WILL MURDER YOU! GET BACK HERE!" She yelled after him gripping the handrail. Sirius laughter echoed up the stairs. She took aim, sending another bolt and a painfilled yelp made her nod in satisfaction. She turned her eyes around, seeing Harry watch her. With a huff, she put her wand away.

"Oh Harry, good morning." She said, glancing down the stairs again.

"Happy Christmas Narcissa." Harry said softly, moving a little closer.

The tall woman smiled a faint smile. "Happy isn't how I would describe your godfathers waking this morning. But he will pay for it." And her smile turning a little vicious.

Harry snorted. "What did he do?"

Narcissa huffed through her nose, pointing down the stairs. "That idiot somehow levitated water through my closed door and dropped it right on my bed!" She huffed once more. "I will go get dry clothes on and then see how good I am at skinning dogs."

Harry chuckled and tilted his head. "Oh, please don't do that. I would very much like having my godfather around for Christmas."

Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "Fine. The dog lives. For today." And with these words, she turned on her heel walking towards her room. Just in the door, her head turned once more.

"Merry Christmas." She said with a soft smile.

Sirius waited in the sitting room, like a nervous kid on...well on Christmas. He was moving back and forth, twisting and turning the gifts under the big tree. He was finally satisfied with the result standing up. He checked once more the lights on the tree, blinking red and white. A look around confirmed that everything was ready. Mistletoes and branches of evergreen were placed over the windows and a large fire was burning in the hearth.

"Padfoot?" Harry's voice came from the doorway. He spun around, seeing the boy standing in the door looking around. He had Dawn in his arms, petting her back subconsciously. The black-feathered bird fluttered her wings, taking off from the hands and diving through the room into Sirius's arms.

Dawn had gotten better over the last couple of days. To feel her bonded partner relax had helped tremendously with her nervous behaviour. While she still got pretty upset when Harry left her field of view, she did leave his arms at least for short amount of times. It felt a little like the time when she first was born. Slowly but steady they learnt to live without constant body contact once again.

She rubbed her head against Sirius thumb, who in return nuzzled the back of her neck. "Hello there Dawn, a Merry Christmas to you too." He carried the bird who chirped back at him as she did so often when someone spoke to her. Harry sometimes wondered how much Dawn really understood. With no doubt she was intelligent. He knew she recognized her own name, not just when humans made noises in her direction. But the bond was based on feelings and therefore he couldn't make out quite yet, how much Dawn comprehended of the things he said. So he stuck with all of it.

With a pop, Kreacher appeared next to him, with a tray, filled with mugs of hot tea. The house-elf looked weird, his garment red and green, where the house sigil would be was a large mistletoe and on his head, he wore a pair of antlers. Harry blinked surprised. Kreacher held out the tray towards him.

"A cup of tea, heir Black?" He grounded out. Harry took the mug with a nod.

"Merry Christmas Kreacher." He said while sitting next to Sirius.

The elf bowed stiffly. "Merry Christmas heir Black."

Harry tilted his head. "You don't seem so happy. Do you dislike that garment?"

Kreacher shook his head, eyeing the now blushing Sirius. "Kreacher lives to serve and Lord Black told Kreacher to wear this." His fingertips lifted the corner of the red and green garment.

Harry shook his head. "You don't have to wear it if you don't like it."

Kreacher shook again his head. "Kreacher is ordered to do so."

Harry sighed and then glared at his godfather. "Padfoooooot." He said with a hint of steel in his voice. Sirius raised his hand apologetic, making Dawn flutter back to Harry.

"I merely suggested. I'm sorry. Of course, you can wear what you want Kreacher. That hadn't been a command." His voice made it uncertain whether this was true or not. The elf bowed his head, quickly setting down the tray and popped away. Harry turned fully to his godfather while holding his cup up to Dawn. She dipped her beak into the hot liquid. Dawn liked drinking tea sometimes and this seemed to be one of these days.

"Sirius, you can't say things like that to him. You know how he is."

The man sighed, nodding. "Yeah, I know. I sometimes forget. It isn't easy being responsible for someone else so entirely. That is why I like Amelia so much. She is such an independent woman. I will watch my words more carefully."

Harry nodded, looking down into his own lap. Dawn stopped drinking, looking at him intently, before rubbing her head in his hair. "I'm sorry Padfoot. I know looking after me is not easy either. I will try to be less demanding."

Sirius blinked surprised. Then shook his head. "Oh no, Prongslet I didn't mean it like that. You are different. I love taking care of you I really do. You have no idea how much I enjoy having you here again. You aren't a burden to me, you have to believe that. Kreacher...Kreacher is too much sometimes. He takes every word as a command. Not just mine but Narcissas too. His world can break apart with one word. I have to be on game all the time, with you it comes easy to me."

He reached out with a smile and ruffled Harry's hair. "Even if you keep me awake at night sometimes."

Harry thought about the attempt to take his life. "Sorry." He mumbled out.

Sirius actually laughed. "You should be. The night before Dawn was born, I couldn't get a single minute of sleep."

Harry thought back to that night, remembering Amelia Bones bend over Sirius desk. Naked! His face turned bright red and he reeled back, dropping the cup. "PADFOOT!" He called out, burning in humiliation, while Sirius keeled over in laughter.

The lord pointed at Harry. "You should see your face! Priceless!" He slapped his own leg while holding his stomach with the other. Harry huffed and at that moment a spell hit Sirius, giving him antlers on the head. The man shrieked turning his head.

"Cissy!" He called out, almost hurt by the sound of his voice.

Narcissa stood in the door, pocketing her wand. She only raised her eyebrow at him. She now wore well-fitting robes and her hair was in a simple braid.

"I guess I deserved that for this morning." Sirius said with a shack of his antler clad head.

Narcissa had a vicious smile on her face as she also shook hers. "Oh no my dear Siri. That was for making fun of Harry. I won't punish you for that other thing." Her smile widened. "For today."

Sirius smile faltered a little bit and there was somewhat worry in his eyes but he rebound quickly when he turned his eyes to the tree.

"Presents!" He called out, jumping from the couch and quickly moving over. He picked up four of the presents and placed them in front of Harry and Narcissa. The one in front of Harry was the size of a huge pumpkin, while Narcissa was barely the size of a small book.

"You guys go first." Sirius said with a wide smile, flopping down, holding the last two parcel to himself. Harry looked over at Narcissa who waved her hand at him, suggesting him going first. Harry grinned like a loon as he ripped the wrapping from his gift.

Inside was a box and when he opened it, he revealed an old bowl-like thing and a rack. The bowl was made from black stone and the coat of House Black was carved into the edge of it. Harry frowned, putting his hands inside. It was surprisingly heavy. He blinked, looking over at the rack. In it, small glass vials were placed and in those was some white mist. He looked confused up at the two others.

"What's that?" He asked. Narcissa leaned over and looked really surprised. She leaned in a little.

"That's the Black family pensive. Are you sure Sirius?" She eyed her cousin.

Sirius smiled. "Well, I thought long and hard what to get for Prongslet here. He has access to my money anyways, so an expensive gift, just for the sake of price, it didn't feel right. Also, I think you aren't that shallow either. No, don't worry, Cissy, the pensive isn't the gift. No this is." He tapped the rack.

Harry tilted his head. "Can someone explain to me what this is?" He gestured towards the bowl and rack.

Narcissa nodded. "It's pensive. Those are extremely rare and irreplaceable. There is a village in Africa, where they make those, but it takes so much time and is so hard, there are only 5 or so that get created in a century. No one else has ever been successful to recreate these and they guard their secret fiercely. So those are precious heirlooms. This one is over 600 years old. Their purpose is to see other people's memories, stored in those vials." She said, pointing at the rack.

Harry reached out and picked up one of them.

-James 18th birthday-

His hand shook slightly. "Are those?"

Sirius nodded, smiling. "Yes. Memories of your parents. Some important moments in their lives, but also just normal day to day things. Those are not only mine. I sent out word and quite a few people piped in as well. Minnie, Hagrid, Flitwick and Remus in particular."

Harry looked the rack over, finding one and pulling it out too.

-Wedding-

He stared onto the label for quite some time. His thumb slid over the label in a thoughtful manner. On his shoulder, Dawn perked up and after rubbing her head against his hair, she opened her beak and slowly started singing. It wasn't as loud or energetic as her former songs, just soft tones echoing through the room. Yet those sounds carried so much emotion in it, somewhere between love, pain, hurt and healing. It was a song that could be described as bittersweet more than any other word. She only sang for about a minute, but none of the adults interrupted her, while Harry stared at the vial in his hand.

In a careful manner, he reached out, placing it back into the rack, his eyes gliding over the wooden structure. It was probably forty to fifty vials in it, some only with a sliver of silver in it while others seemed to overflow.

With a smile, Harry rubbed the single tear of his cheek and smiled at Sirius.

"Thank you, Padfoot."

Sirius returned the smile. "No problem Prongslet."

They exchanged more gifts. Sirius had also bought Harry a training snitch, saying with Quidditch being stopped this year, it would be horrible if he lost his edge. Also, Sirius told him, his dad had one, playing around with it all day, mostly to impress Lily. Not that it worked really. Harry smiled at that bit, but he couldn't see himself walking the halls of Hogwarts that way. Maybe alone.

For Narcissa, Sirius had bought a very special and hard to get by tea, one she once told him during the last few months that she liked. It was amazing how well Sirius remembered certain things.

In return, Narcissa got him a rather surprising gift. You would think, she would gift him fine clothing or something fancy. Instead, it was a simple book.

"The Art of Pranking" had come out only a year ago. No one knew who had written it, it was just signed with FGW. Stil, it was hailed as the best book on the topic, even though it was rather a niche. Still, Harry had a feeling that he knew who wrote it.

For Harry, she got a rather fine set of dressing robes. Those were in a deep blue, of course, the colours of house Black but instead of a large embroidery, it was a silver pin with the coat of arms. It was elegant and quite fancy.

"For the new year ball." Narcissa said with a smile. At that Harry paled. He had totally forgotten about it. He was expected to go there, to dance. To have a partner. With him and Ginny broken up, he didn't see that happen all so easily. Thank god, Hermione would come over the next day as well as a few others, he could ask her then.

"Everything okay Harry?" Narcissa asked, seeing his pale face.

Harry swallowed. "I...Ginny was supposed to be my date for the ball."

Narcissa nodded. "I see. Give me a day. Maybe I can come up with something."

Harry nodded with thanks.

He had given rather simple gifts to the two adults. It was quite difficult to buy gifts in a family that had more money than they could ever spend in their entire life. Instead of buying them something super expensive, he bought them things that he knew they would never get themselves.

He had talked to Hagrid when he had once visited in the hospital wing. During that conversation, he had dropped that Sirius motorcycle was still in his shed. With the help of Dobby, he had gotten the thing into Grimmauldplace last night. Also, he gifted a book on the topic called "Motorcycling for dummies", a title that made Sirius laugh quite a bit.

Narcissa he got a simple ledger, yet it was the most difficult gift of all the ones he got for this Christmas. It was a simple book, with a thick leather binding. In it were pictures.

Narcissa's eyes welt up in tears and she lifted her hand to cover her mouth at the moment. It had taken quite some time and Harry felt a little bit guilty asking Dobby for help again, but the little guy was quite eager. So he had been given a camera and got to work for a few days, finding spots and moments where he could snap a picture unseen. They had different locations and places, but in the centre of each one was a pale blond boy.

Draco Malfoy.

No matter how much Harry disliked the boy, he was Narcissa's child and she loved him more than anything. Harry knew how much it hurt her to be parted from him, how much pain his interaction had given er, so giving her a piece of his life was some discomfort Harry gladly took upon himself. And in fact, when he was by himself, not sneering at someone, not holding his nose up in the air, he looked not as bad as Harry felt about him.

Narcissa clutched the book to her chest after hugging Harry in a very tearful way. It took quite some time for her to calm down enough to speak again. Again and again, she opened the book and the tears started welling once more.

Sirius rubbed her back, giving Harry a wink and a thumbs up.

Harry had even gotten Kreacher a present, a sentiment, which made Sirius smile and Narcissa frown. It was even harder getting something for someone who wasn't possessing anything rather than someone who could buy anything. In the end, it came to Harry just last morning when he watched the elf work on the silverware. He would squint quite a bit, so Harry sent an owl to a man who made magical glasses, same as his own, that would adjust itself to the needs of the wearer, only wider to fit the elves broader head. Kreacher almost brock down in tears when he was handed the parcel and it took an order by Sirius for him to accept the gift.

After half an hour there was only one gift left on the table. It was flat, about as thick as a book and wrapped in Black. Harry tilted his head slightly.

"Whos gift is that?" He asked. There were still gifts, a lot of them under the tree for those who would visit the next day, but that one was lying on the table. A strange scraping sound came from the wrapped object. Sirius smiled.

"I got that for the last one of us who didn't get a present yet." He held his arm out like he had done at the first task and Dawn took off from Harry's shoulder landing on the arm. Harry blinked. Of course, Dawn should also get a present. For him to miss that, damn.

Sirius lowered the black bird to the parcel and slowly pulled off the wrapping. Dawn's wings started fluttering and Harry felt a wave of glee and hunger through their bond. The gift contained a box filled with small bugs and other critters. Next to it was a box of Bertie botts every flavour beans.

"I asked Albus if there was something like phoenix treats and he said this was the closest that he ever came to finding something. Specific critters and Bertie botts every flavour beans. He thinks it is more about the variety than the actual taste."

Harr reached out, opening one of the been packets. Pulling out a bean, he held it out to his familiar. Harry laughed when Dawn all but jumped at his hand, eagerly pecking and pulling on the bean. Happiness sparked through the bond when she swallowed it and Harry tickled her chin.

"I think she likes it."

He sat in front of a door, waiting. His thumps were spinning around each other, in a calm manner. His legs were stretched out in front of him. He wore fine dressing robes, yet his black hair was falling over his shoulders like a waterfall. He looked handsome in the bad boy kind of way. He knew that a few witches turned their heads, looking at him when he passed by. He was sex on legs and he knew it. Maybe he should add to the bad boy image. An earring maybe? Or was that too girlish? He thought about a beard, clean-shaven as he was. That might work. He knew he could pull it off, hell he could pull off a potato sack and still the girls would swoon when he came close.

Maybe he should try his luck tonight. Marlene was there and she was sexy. He knew she had watched him for the past few days. He could land that he knew it with the knowledge of a veteran ladies man. But no, not tonight. That wouldn't do. The door opposite of him opened and Remus stuck his head inside. He looked good, clean-shaven and energetic. It was in the middle of the month, it was a new moon and that was by design.

"Is he ready?" Remus asked. He also wore a dress robe, one Sirius gave him. It had been quite an argument between the two of them until Sirius had swallowed the recite telling him he couldn't return it. After another hour of discussion, Remus had caved.

Sirius tilted his head slightly. "He will be ready when he says he is ready, Mooney." He said in a calm and collected way. Remus eyed the door Sirius sat in front of.

"Go looking."

Sirius nodded, after which Remus closed the door. He got out of his chair, knocking on the said door and then walked in without waiting.

The room was a mess. Robes were lying everywhere, a large mirror up against the wall and a man was turning in front of it in a nervous manner, plucking on the edges of his robes. He looked up when Sirius walked in with his casual swagger.

"Padfoot."

"Prongs"

Jame Potter turned back to the mirror, frowning. He pulled on his hair frowning. "This isn't okay. All days it could be like this but today I just once want it to stay put. It has to be today. How do I know if I am ready?" He pawed his own hair with more vigour, before pulling his wand.

"Maybe I should shave it off." He said aiming his wand to his head. Sirius stepped forward, taking the wooden object from his fingers. It said tones about their relationship that James didn't care for another person holding his wand. Or maybe his nerves.

"Do you really think Lils wouldn't skin you alive if you shave your hair off?"

James eyed him through the mirror. "You are right. But this robe isn't good, maybe I should wear the red one instead. Gryffindor, Lily likes Gryffindor colours." He started pulling on his robes, only once again for Sirius to stop him.

"You look great Prongs. You look great. Lily has seen you with your head stuck in a toilet. Twice! I think she will like you in whatever you wear."

James frowned. "But I want to be the best I can for her."

Sirius smiled, straightening the man's bow tie. "You will be the best you can. I know you better than yourself. You will be the best person you can with her and carry her on your hands. You waited for years for this moment, dreamed of it basically since I know you. You will do great man. So stop fretting about some stupid shit like the colour of your robe and get your game together man."

James slowly nodded. "You sure Sirius?"

For him to use the man's real name meant that he was talking serious buisness.

"Of course."

"Marauders honour?"

"You can bet your scrawny ass on that. Also, no one will look at you seriously. I mean everybody will look at this handsome man that is Sirius Black." He said, throwing a heroic pose.

James laughed and shoved him a little. "In your dreams."

After a moment of quiet James nodded, looking himself up and down in the mirror. And maybe it was magic at work or maybe just his confidant but suddenly he felt like it was perfect. His hair, his robes. Everything fit perfectly. He nodded to himself in the mirror.

"I'm ready."

Harry watched the memory of his father leave the room on his wedding day, with a smile on his face and tears in his eyes.

AN

A short thing. My Beta Reader worked hard the last couple of weeks to overhaul the whole story grammar vice. That is a crazy amount of work she put in it and I want to thank her a great deal for it. There are only 15-20 chapters left. I did the overhaul already and I am quite pleased. There is nothing big changed, mainly grammar or a few chapters are combined. That is also the reason why I haven't wrote something, this is seriously a lot of work and took quite some time even if it is only implementing those updates.

The only real change I implement is renaming a single character. The champion for the German school will be renamed Ulrich. Reasons are something I don't want to explain here. Just so you know that is the only real content change.

Now the chapter, I find it rather difficult to write presents. I am not very good at gifting, so it is hard for me and you want those gifts to mean something. I have spent quite some time thinking about it but in the end, I decided on these.

I might do a few of the memory things over the course of this story. But that felt like an extension of the book he got in his first year and I saw it fitting. And of course the Black Family has a pensive.

Narcissa getting the book with Draco pics. It felt weird if Harry had done it himself, but Dobby is so devoted to the boy, it felt okay. Honestly, I had no idea what to gift her and this was the only thing i came up with. Please don't throw stones at me.

Dawn needed a gift an I hope to get her a little more depth. At the moment she is pretty much a emotion metre for Harry and I want back to the adorable feather ball from the start. So we will see. But she is her own person and I will not let that go.

Next up: Christmas 2.0