Book I: Birth of the Order

Chapter XXII: Christmas Gifts

Music Choice: Maggie May - Rod Stewart (Also Sirius x Marlene's theme)

Hogsmede - The Year-End Party 1978...

Sirius had just left Marlene waiting in the back hall of the pub at the year-end party when he made an excuse to fetch her another drink. She'd just announced that she wanted to cancel her plans to become an Auror and move in with him. Instead of going to the bar, Sirius ran to the table where James and his girlfriend Lily were sitting.

"James," Sirius said urgently as he arrived at the table, smacking his hands on it. "I need to talk with you."

"Not now mate, Longbottom says he's got some announcement." James said with one arm around Lily and another holding a beer. "Have a pint and don't look so stressed."

"James. I need you."

"What's wrong?" He said, sitting up a bit as he noticed his friends tone change.

"Where is Marlene?"Lily added.

"That's what this is about - Marlene." Sirius replied.

James and Lily exchanged a glance before he stood up and and pointed to the door with his beer. Both boys elbowed their way out of the crowd and onto the street.

"Ok mate. Whatever happens. We are here for you," James said clutching his beer.

"Thanks mate," Sirius caught his breath a bit and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to find the words to express his feeling.

"So... how far along is she?" James whispered.

"What? Oh Godric! You idiot. I didn't knock her up," Sirius shoved James back, causing him to spill a bit of beer in the dirt.

"Well that's a relief! What is it then?"

"She wants to move in with me."

"Awwwwww," James said. "You've got yourself a girlfriend!"

"Prongs, you don't get it," Sirius' tone remained sincere. "She wants to throw away her plans to move in with me."

"Oh. I see..."

"It's because of the way her Dad died I know it. She's scared. That's a feeling I don't think Mar's ever possessed in her life."

"Well if that's the case, Padfoot then you should be proud she finds comfort in you. That's why she wants to move in with you."

Just then they heard cheers inside. "Oh blast, Longbottom must have made his announcement." James looked back to his friend and rested a hand on his shoulder. "Mate. Just tell her how you feel. They aren't lying when they say the truth will set you free."

"Easier said than done..."

"You've grown a lot these last two years, Mate. I know you'll tell her the right thing."

"Thank's Prongs."

"And come back inside. Don't you know there is a party going on?" He nudged his friend and handed him his beer as an attempt to get him out of the funk. Sirius lingered outside with his thoughts and the beer as James entered the pub again. After a moment, he heard movement from the shadows.

"Who's there?" Sirius asked as he spun around and saw the smoke from a Wizard cigarette forming shapes in the shadows. From the darkness emerged Angus McKinnon. "Shit...How long have you been there?" Sirius asked nervously.

"Long enough," he sighed and dropped his cigarette on the ground. "I didn't mean to evesdrop, Black. You know that's beneath me."

"I know, McKinnon. I don't like to admit embarrassment often, but I think it's safe to say I've got my foot in my mouth right now," now he took a swig of the drink to hide the expression on his face.

"Don't be embarrassed. So where is my kid sister now?"

"Probably wondering where the hell I am and waiting for my answer."

"Well don't bother." Angus started for the door. "I'll handle it."

"Woah-" Sirius grabbed Angus by the arm. "Handle what? All due, respect, McKinnon, but this doesn't concern you."

"Doesn't concern me? My kid sister is planning on throwing her life away."

"So... you think being with me is throwing her life away?"

"Don't twist my words, Black. You're a good kid."

"You know, McKinnon, you keep using that word, 'kid'. A lot. News Flash, we aren't kids anymore."

"You're only 18."

"Which isn't much younger than you."

"What are you going to do for her, Sirius? Are you going to provide for her?" Angus' tone started to become more and more anxious.

"Why are you assuming I don't know what's good for her? For both of us?"

"I'm not letting my kid sister pass up the opportunity to become an Auror and make our father proud so she can move in with her fuck-buddy."

Sirius snapped at that. He swung his fist and hit Angus across the jaw who instinct-fully grabbed Sirius by the shirt collar, causing the beer stein to drop from his hand and crash at their feet. Angus hurled Sirius around and pinned him against the brick wall of the pub and said, "Don't." He took a breath without letting go of Sirius. "You're just proving my point. I like you, Black. You've always had guts, but surviving out there in this day is going to take more than that. You walked away from your father... but mine was taken from us. She is blinded by grief for him right now and just wants an easy solution. She deserves more than that, and Godric knows you do too. Think hard. Will being with Marlene be what she wants? Or what you want?"

"She told me that this is what she wants. Don't underestimate your sister, Angus. She knows what she wants and she gets it."

"Don't make me force your hand, Black," Angus asked desperately.

"You've got nothing on me. What are you going to do? I've graduated. You going to tattle to Flitwick that I had Peter write my final essay for me?"

"I know you're an illegal animagi." Angus blurted out.

"...You can't prove that."

"I have an eye-witness."

"...So?"

"So you pull my kid sister away from her future and I'll do the same to you. I'll report you to the ministry."

"Don't threaten, McKinnon. It's a bad look on you," Sirius huffed.

"I mean it, Sirius. You go in there. You say what you have to, do what you have to, to keep her from throwing her life away or you'll be facing an inquiry at the Ministry."

Sirius didn't answer but just stared. An inquiry? They'd look into his reasoning behind Padfoot and surely find out about Remus. He could get Peter and James in trouble as well and even get Mr. Potter's reputation at the Ministry would be at risk. He couldn't imagine how Angus had found out. Once again, Sirius' carelessness was coming back to haunt him.

Angus let go of Sirius slowly, rubbed his jaw and muttered, "Nice hit, by the way." He pat Sirius on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, it has to be this way but-"

"But you know best right?" Sirius sarcastically said.

"...I guess I'll see you in there."

Sirius stayed leaning against the wall as Angus entered the pub. He heard everyone cheering at Longbottom's announcement.

After a moment of thinking, Sirius walked in and saw Frank and Alice standing on the bar, Alice's hand covering her face embarrassed but happy with a ring on her finger. Sirius looked at the hall in the corner and saw Marlene waiting in the doorway. She was as present in the celebration as she could be while scanning the crowd, looking for Sirius. He was was like a dark cloud in a room of light and cheer as he pondered Angus McKinnon's words. He spotted Arista Thurlow at the bar beside Peter, clapping and cheering for her friend for getting engaged. Sirius locked in on her and when he was sure Marlene was watching, he elbowed his way through the crowd and heard Marlene's voice. "Black?" she called when she spotted him, but he ignored her. He instantly turned on his flirty smile like a professional actor, grabbed Arista by the hand and pulled her into his chest. She could barely react as he planted a kiss on her lips. Peter dropped his beer and his jaw as he stared at them. A small group beside them cheered, "ooooooooo" to draw more attention to the makeout session that Arista was enjoying throughly. Sirius pulled away and shouted, "Next round is on me!" He laughed and everyone cheered. Sirius felt someone grab his arm and he turned. He was expecting to see Marlene, but instead James was standing there.

"What the hell are you doing? What about Marlene?"

"Well you said it, James. You said to tell her how I felt. I don't really feel anything. We were just shagging anyway. Not even a couple like you and Lily."

"Lily is going to murder you. Marlene is one of her best friends. She's already pissed as hell that Delaney didn't show up to say goodbye tonight, now you ditch her other friend for some random 5th year? No offense, Arista..."

"You worry too much about people's feelings, Mate." Sirius said. "That redhead is rubbing off on you. Relax. Have a drink." He turned back to Arista who practically shoved her face into his to keep snogging. James stepped back with a look of dissapointment and scanned the room. He caught sight of Marlene's blonde hair as she exited the pub.

Gryffindor Tower - December 25, 1979...

Alice Longbottom woke first on Christmas morning, thanks to the little bundle of joy in her belly that was making her nauseous. "Oh little one," she sighed. "Can't you please let me sleep in just on Christmas?" Frank mumbled in his sleep, but she just tucked her husband in more and he snored away. She wrapped a blanket around herself as her feet touched the cold wooden floor and made her way down the stone steps to the common room. She wasn't surprised to see Sirius and Lily on the couch, waiting for James. Sirius was wide awake, gazing into the dying embers of the fireplace, and Lily had fallen asleep, her head on his lap. He fiddled with a strand of her hair.

"Why Father Christmas," Alice said. "You've lost some weight."

"Only some?" Sirius answered and looked at her without his usual smirk.

"So when did you get back from Saint Mungo's?"

"A few hours ago. I figured I'd let Lily take a break from standing guard for James. I promised to wake her when he gets back."

"He's still at the hospital?"

"He wanted to stay with them until... until the end of it. But I, um..."

"You needed to come make sure everyone was ok," Alice suggested knowing he wouldn't want to admit that he was afraid to watch the Potters die.

"Right. Someone has to look after you kids. Especially when the teachers are falling down on the job." He pointed out Theseus Scammander who had fallen asleep in the armchair by the Christmas tree. "Besides, I wanted to get back and make sure Lily didn't hate my guts. What Lestrange made me say to her yesterday. Well, I didn't mean to call her a.. you know."

"I know, Sirius. It wasn't you. Lily knows that."

"Does she? Does she know the kind of man I am? Does anyone?" He sighed, "I always said I wanted to be the man that Euphemia Potter could be proud of. So eager to win the affections of one mother that took me in... while killing the one I ran from."

"Black. You didn't kill her."

"The woman died of a broken heart, Longbottom. Who do you think caused that?"

"You don't know that." She sighed, "I don't want to pressure you to talk, Sirius. You seem vulnerable right now."

"Yea," Sirius smirked. "New look on me isn't it?"

Alice looked down sadly and tilted her head as she focused on his wrist. "What's that? Ink?"

Sirius glanced down and grunted, "Huh. Yea... It was on Marlene's fingers. She rubbed some off on me when I was trying to-"

"When Rudolphus was trying to kill her," Alice corrected. "Get it right. Hmmm. Wonder where she got ink on her."

Lily stirred at the speaking and woke up, lifting her head and looking around. "Is he back yet?"

"No," Sirius said. Lily just sat up and looked at him, squinting with tired eyes and resting her hand on his cheek. "No more tears?"

"I'm fine, Lily," he said bluntly not wanting to admit to Alice that he'd allowed himself to cry in front of Lily. "Thought I'd go check on, McKinnon."

"Have you slept at all, Sirius?"

"I'll sleep when James returns."

"Ok. Ooof," Lily clutched her stomach.

"Lily?" Sirius looked nervous. "You ok?"

"Yea... I just felt a little uneasy is all."

Sirius shot up and away from her. "No. The doctor at Mungos said they weren't contageous anymore."

"Sirius," Alice rest her hand on his arm. "Nobody here has Dragon Pox, ok? We are fine. My stomach is turning this morning too. We've all had a long night. You go see Marlene and bring us back some Ginger drops from Pomphrey's stash ok?" Sirius hesitated but she pat his arm. "Go on."

"Ok." He nodded and started to leave

"Sirius?" Lily called and he looked back. "Merry Christmas." He allowed himself to smile softly before leaving.

Alice just looked at her friend and sighed, "Oh Lily..."

"I know," she replied holding her stomach, "I'm a girl in trouble, aren't I?"

In the Hospital Wing...

Marlene stirred a bit as she woke up from the sound of a log breaking in the fireplace. Her eyes fluttered open and saw the blurry vision of Sirius standing over her.

"Black?" She whispered as her voice was still a bit hoarse from the swelling. Sirius held a finger to his lips and pointed at the bed next to her where Angus was sleeping. She pushed herself up and pat the bedside, requesting he sit.

Sirius did so with a smile then whispered. "So how's the craic?"

Marlene just chuckled softly at his nod to her Irish slang. "It's grand, mate."

"Good." He nodded over to Angus. "Doubt he'll leave us alone again. If he didn't trust me before he sure doesn't trust me now."

"It wasn't you, Sirius. I know now that you were being controlled."

"Now. But you didn't at the time. You probably thought I was mad."

"I was confused, I'll admit that. I knew something was wrong. I never thought you were trying to kill me though, Sirius. I could never believe you to be a traitor like that."

"Yea well... sometimes I wonder if I'd be beyond reproach like that or if you're just the only one other than James who knows me better than that. Let's be honest... I'm one foul swing away from all of you loosing faith in me."

"I could never loose faith in you, Sirius. If a day does come when people doubt your true intentions, be at peace knowing I will be here to defend you and find the truth" Marlene said resting her hand on his. "Believe me, I've tried to stay cross with you but... I'm convinced I'll always be able to see the best in you. No matter how you try to break my heart." She caught herself and pulled her hand away. "I mean, break my neck," she forced a chuckle but Sirius took her hand again.

"Mar. About that night. I understand now why you just wanted to run away with me. You'd just lost your dad. You just wanted to run away and hide."

"Yea, I expect you'd understand that now. Angus told me about the Potter's. I'm so so sorry, Sirius. And about your mother."

"I broke my own Mother's heart, Marlene. I turned ran away from my family. That night, you were ready to do the same. I just... I couldn't run away with you."

"I know."

"But.. you don't know everything." He stopped as he looked down at her hand and saw the ink stains again on her fingers. "Where did you get these anyway?" He lifted her hand gingerly and examined it.

"Oh. Right. That's why we weren't there right away last night. We made a quick stop. Of course, if we knew you'd fecked up and got yourself captured by your cousin-in-law, we would have skipped it."

"Skipped what?"

Marlene grinned and grabbed the Christmas edition of The Dailey Prophet that had just been delivered. She set it in his lap and said, "Dumbledore mentioned that the Prophet is still printed the old fashioned way with a standard press, but it runs by magic. Workers set the text tiles the night before and whatever they leave behind is printed and sent out first thing. That's a big gap of time for someone to sneak in and... change those tiles around a bit."

"You changed the paper?" He chuckled and flipped it open, trying to guess what she and Angus had changed. Quickly, he flipped the paper to the back and checked the list of The Undesirables - those being hunted by Ministry officials for treason. A few names were added that fit, Bellatrix, her husband and his brother, Lucious Malfoy, Fenrir Greyback and Maximus Forrestor. It wasn't the names there that concerned him though, but the name that was missing after months of being alphabetically at the very top. "Andromeda..."

"We thought if we cleared her name, she could come out of hiding."

"Marley. This is so," he paused and shook his head. "They'll just change it back tomorrow."

"How very like you, to never finish the page before jumping to conclusions." She gave an eye-roll then tapped the bottom of the page where a line read. "The Ministry hereby removes the charges against Andromeda Black Tonks for conspiracy and treason and have requested an immediate relief of the officials seeking her." She grinned, "Even the Ministry wouldn't dare contradict themselves in writing. Might just get better locks for the press room is all."

"She's free... Dromeda is free. She can come join us!"

"I just knew you felt alone. With James getting married and us having to leave the Potter's, I knew you were missing some semblance of a family. I thought maybe we could find a way to get your actual family back to you."

"Marlene."

"Merry Christmas, Sirius."

He reached up and brushed a blonde strand of hair from her face. He stroked her forehead with the back of his hand and ran his knuckles along her cheek. Sirius gently caressed her head and leaned forward to kiss her but stopped as she pressed her hand on his chest to push him gently back and said, "Sirius..." Sirius grimmanced as he realized he'd misread the signs and allowed his head to fall forward on to her shoulder. "Ouch..." He grumbled as his pride was bruised.

"I'm sorry. I can't let you do that." She said gently stroking his hair. "I... I cared about you. I risked a lot by confessing it that night. And you hurt me. I know last night you had no choice but to do as Lestrange told you. But you had a choice back then. And you chose to hurt me at time when I was my most broken. I know what I wanted that night. I knew what was best for me and I asked you for it. And you rejected me. Sirius, I can trust you with my life but not my heart. I'm sorry. You have no idea how much I want to. But you're not thinking clearly right now."

"Black." Angus said. Marlene and Sirius pulled away from one another and looked at him humiliated that he'd woken up and heard everything. "Maybe I should show you out. She needs rest."

"No," Marlene said in protest, "It's ok. I'm-"

"Don't apologize to me. I'm the reason you're in here remember." He stood and grabbed the jar of ginger drops from the side table and nodded to Angus. He then turned, hastily exiting and Angus followed.

"Black," Angus said the moment they were in the hallway.

"Thank you for saving my life, McKinnon. I do believe that makes us even right?"

"Sirius, please."

"You know what gets me-" Sirius said turning and walking back to him to lower his voice. "The fact that you haven't told her yet. What you did that night! And you know the worst part is that if I tell her what you did then I have to walk around with the guilt of knowing that I tore a brother away from her."

"Mar would never push me away."

"If you really think that's true then why haven't you told her yet?"

"Ok! Ok, you're right. I'm afraid! I'm afraid of loosing my sister and that night I was afraid of the same, but my pride got in the way. I know now that you used your animagus to help Lupin. Right? But, I thought giving you a choice that night-"

"Blackmailing me, you mean..."

"I thought I was asking you to choose between Marleen or Yourself because I thought you were just a selfish kid, but now I know the truth. You did choose selflessly that night. You put your friend first. You protected him... which is exactly the boy... the man, I would want her to be with. And I'm sorry. If there is anything I can do..."

"You can. You can march back in there and tell her. Go on."

"Anything but that..."

"I thought so. I don't blame you, ya know. I'm estranged from my brother. It's not exactly pleasant. I wouldn't wish that on her."

"No, Sirius, it's not about me. It's about Marlene. You saw what she did last night in that chamber. The magic she possess, mate, it's nothing I've seen. I've got to protect her. But I don't want to come between you two either."

"You know what? Don't worry about us. Marlene and I will keep being exactly what we are, McKinnon. Former fuck-buddies."

Angus cringed as Sirius threw his own words back in his face. Sirius turned and walked up the hall, leaving Angus alone.

Gryffindor Tower...

Tabitha sat in her old dormitory where the girls had been bunking and stared at the photo on the nightstand that belong to the room's current resident. She didn't know the girl's name, but the family looked happy. She wondered what their story was. If they were Purebloods or Muggles. She hoped they were muggles and the student a muggle-born witch. That would mean their world was far enough removed from the daily chaos everyone felt. In the states there were music festivals going on, movements for peace on earth and equality, and the most stressful thing a 20-year-old should concern themselves with was probably if they should go bowling tonight or stay home and watch the Johnny Cash Christmas Special.

She was removed from her thoughts when she heard a tap on the door.

"Tabs?" Remus called and and she turned around to see him standing in the doorway, peeking in to the dormitory. "Can I come in?"

"I won't tell McGonnigal if you won't," She laughed and saw him holding a box in his hand. "What's that?"

"A little something for Christmas."

"Didn't think anyone was going to exchange gifts this year, given the circumstances. Makin it to the end of the decade is gift enough."

He circled around the bed and sat on the bed across her. "Not everyone is, but I thought you would need this." He handed the box to her and she blushed.

"Remus, this is so kind." She began to unwrap but stopped halfway and looked up. "Rem. We never got to finish talking... that night that we were interrupted by Max Forrestor."

"No we didn't."

"We each shared a lot that night."

"Yes we did."

"I told you about my little brother. You told me about Grey-"

"Please," he lifted his hand. "Let's not invoke that name. This is a holiday."

"Right. Still. We shared with each other more than just our pains. I think we shared our fears. I see why you pushed me away that night you brought me home from Malfoy Manor, seeing what G- what that man did to me. But you would never hurt me like that. I want you to feel like you never have to push anyone away." She set down the half unwrapped box. "So before I open this," she started and stood, walking to her bag to pull a tiny box from it. "I'd like you to open yours."

"So much for no gifts," He smiled and stood up across from her. He took the box and gave it a shake before opening it. He pulled out a bottle filled with a potion and his heart sank remembering the flower he'd found on the common room floor. "Let me guess. Wolfsbane?"

"In addition to other things," she said looking worried about his displeased expression.

"So you can protect yourself against me."

"Oh for Godric's sake," she snatched the bottle and opened it and as he stepped back anxiously she took his hand. "It's not repellant, Remus. This isn't aconite potion I swear. Smell it." Remus leaned forward and took a smell and released the tension in his shoulders at the pleasant aroma. "Fair warning though. I've heard that it doesn't taste good. Slughorn's been corresponding with an old student named Belby, a real potioneer, and he's been searching for a cure to your condition. Of course he found out what we already know... that there isn't one. But he told Slughorn about this potion he's been making that can help you control yourself better each month. You will be able to control the beast Remus."

"Tabs..."

"It may not work, but it's worth a try. I've been practicing the brew in the dungeons and even met with Belby at Mungos when I was there. He's helping them with the dragon pox antidote."

"Tabitha. Why would you do this for me?"

"To prove that you're more than what you turn into once a month. Everyone has tried to tell you that even longer than I've known, I'm sure. But maybe, if this potion works, it will show you what we already know. That the man is stronger than the beast."

Remus rested his hand on her cheek and she awkwardly blurted out. "So my turn now, right?"

Walked back to the small box and finished unwrapping it. Her back to Remus so she couldn't see him clutching the potion that had delivered so much hope to him. "You really didn't have to get me anything, Remus. I-" Remus waited patiently for her reaction. She was silent a long time. Finally she turned and revealed her family wand, fully restored, in her hand.

"I know you told me to put it in the bin after it snapped. But your family is part of you, Tabitha. That doesn't make you victum to the circumstances and legacies they burdened you with. It just means you have to be stronger than them. Olivander has been working on it since last month. The patchwork isn't perfect but she's got a long life left in her still. Mr. Olivander had to replace the core though. Dragon Heart String this time. We thought it was more fitting to a true Gryffindor's wand.

Tabitha leaped across the room and into Remus arms, wrapping him in a tight hug. "Remus, you have no idea what this means to me."

"It's.. what friends do, right?"

"Right," she smiled, "Good friends."

"Happy Christmas, Tabs." He let her slide out of the hug and she looked up at him, so close they could feel each other's breath.

"Happy Christmas, Rem."

They stared into each others eyes and Remus thought through their months together and the moments they shared. He thought of how safe he felt when she was near. Finally, Remus reached up and rested his hand on her cheek. He leaned forward and Tabitha stood on her toes and both pressed their lips against the other's. The kiss had been a long time coming and both felt as though they'd never experience a moment of happiness like this again. When they pulled back Tabitha smiled and said, "What changed? You aren't afraid anymore?"

Remus considered the potion, Tabitha having a wand to protect herself back, and the promise Sirius had made yesterday to ensure the wolf would never take control. "Let's just say I have insurances that you won't get hurt."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Tabs. As long as I'm around, you'll never be hurt." Tabitha grinned and used her wand to shut the door as they both ended their Christmas Day together.

Hogwarts Bridge...

Sirius had wondered onto the bridge, not even wearing his coat on this bitter Christmas morning. He sucked on a ginger candy he'd snagged and stared over the snow covered highlands. He shut his eyes and listened to the silence. He thought of Regulus. Was his warning yesterday truly just a ruse or did the hint of sincerity come from somewhere deeper? Did Voldemort really exist? Had Regulus seen him? His thoughts were broken when he heard the creak of the old bridge as someone stepped towards him. He pulled back and looked down the winding path to see James. They didn't say anything. James' eyes looked as if they couldn't bare to look at anything more. His shoulders slunk as if the weight of the world was on them.

Finally, Sirius allowed himself to show his true expression - grief. As tears started, he ran up to his true brother and they both embraced.

"They're gone mate." James said in a tired, broken voice. "Dad went first. I saw him slip away last night. Mum passed this morning."

"Leave it to your mother to sneak in one extra day with you after sharing everything else in life with Fleamont," Sirius said with a smile.

James grinned and that and pulled back, seeing the tears in his friends eyes. "Oi," he said, "None of that now. Can't have the women-folk seeing us cry, can we?"

"Speak for yourself." Sirius pulled off James' glasses that had fogged up and wiped them on his sleeve before replacing them. "That's better, isn't it."

"Padfoot... Sirius..."

"What's up, Potter?"

"I love you, mate. I know your own brother didn't say that so I want you to hear it from the brother who does care about you."

Sirius was taken aback as he realized he'd never heard those words spoken to him by a friend nor his family. Only Mrs. Potter had said it, and said it frequently. But to hear someone he considered a brother say it carried a different weight.

"This is a war and tomorrow isn't promised. I want the people in my life to know how much I value them."

"I-" he choked.

"I know. It's hard for you to express your emotions, so I won't force it, but I know how you feel. I just wanted you to know that-"

"No-" Sirius choked and pointed to his throat to explain he really was choking.

"Oh!" James pat his friend on the back who coughed up the ginger candy and spat it over the edge of the bridge.

"Thanks..." he panted. They looked at each other and burst into laughter, embracing one another again at how fitting it was for a moment of sincerity to be interrupted by something so ridiculous.

"OH mate," Sirius sighed, "It's good to heard you laugh." He pulled back and saw something in James' coat pocket. "What's that?"

"Oh," he pulled the paper out and opened it to reveal different drawings of phoenixes. "I kept myself busy at the hospital."

"Haven't seen you draw in years," Sirius said taking the paper. "These are good mate. Inspired by our fire cast yesterday, no doubt?"

"I thought a group needs a symbol. The Death Eaters thought of that stupid skull and snake bit. I just thought ours could be-"

"A Pheonix." He smiled. "The Order of the Pheonix. That's got a ring to it."

"More than that, mate. It's got a meaning to it."

Gryffindor Tower...

While Christmas would be different this year for the group, the moments that made the holidays magical were still there. Everyone was together. True, not every moment was easy and some were filled with pain, but nobody was alone... nobody but Peter Pettigrew. Normally, he behaved like a child on Christmas. He was always the first awake and would bound down the steps to find a present under the tree sent from his Mother. Today though, he awoke and immediately found himself alone. He reached under the bed and pulled out the crystal ball he'd stolen from the Department of Mysteries. Over the last evening, he'd become more and more mesmerized by its message.

The Guardian will be the most trusted of the untrustworthy. Alone in this world, cast out at first breath, always seeking a master, preying on the pity of those he shall betray. Only he will Renew the son, Revive thy Master, and Resurrect the foe. All three will become one and from the shadows, a new life will begin.

"A new life..." Peter whispered to himself as he disregarded the warnings in the prophecy. He pondered what the prophecy meant and why he felt so drawn to it. Peter gave a started jump as he heard footsteps on the stairs. He waived his wand over the ball and said, "Evanesco," causing the crystal to vanish from his hand.

"Pettigrew," Frank Longbottom exclaimed as he passed the door on the stairwell. " I'm surprised at you, mate! It's Christmas. Why are you up here all alone?"

"Alone..."

"Yea? Come on. I bet Albus has some treats in the kitchen for us. Better get them before we admit to the mess we made at the Ministry last night."

"I bet Dumbledore already has an alibi worked out for us all," Peter said with a soft grin.

"No doubt. Well, come on then. Don't be long or I'm stealing your Christmas pudding." Frank bounded down the stairs yelling, "Now where is the mother of my child? The saint among women! The prettiest-" he continued as his voice vanished and Peter was left alone once more.

"A new life..." he said again as he thought back to the prophecy and a flicker of excitment grew in him. He jumped from the bed, slid into his slippers, and tottered off after Frank.

James entered common room and set down his coat. The fireplace cracked and dimly lit the room making a cozy warmth that reminded him of days past. He walked over to the wall that displayed photos of each Gryffindor Head boy from years past and he spotted the one of his father. Carefully he levitaed the picture off the wall and it landed in his hand. James smiled a bit and then wrapped the photo in a hug. So many unsaid words came to mind as he thought through moments of his childhood with his father. He'd always known they would die early in his life, being their ages, but never did he expect it so suddenly.

James grabbed his invisibility cloak from the coatrack where he'd left it and wrapped it around him like a blanket as he sat in front of the fireplace, his father's photo in his lap. After a few moments of solitude, Lily entered quietly with a cup of tea she'd snagged at breakfast. She spotted him carefully tip toed over, sitting beside him on the floor. It was the first moment she'd seen him since last night. He didn't say much or even look up at her, but he lifted the cloak to wrap her into it as well as they snuggled under the cloak.

"We're Orphans now." He said. He knew it wasn't true of her but he said it as he knew she understood his grief.

"Oh, my darling. She gently kissed his cheek then rested her head on his shoulder. "They'd be so proud of you."

"Would you sing it, a bit? That song that always soothed Remus after the moon."

Lily smiled softly and lifted her head. She nodded and James rested his head against hers as she stroked his hair. She sang "The Parting Glass" and he rested his eyes. The clock rang its chime, interrupting her tune, and she whispered, "Happy Christmas" and he did the same at the same moment. "Last Christmas of the 70's." She said in an attempt to change his thoughts from grief.

"Start of a new decade. Wonder what it will hold for us."

"Oh... I have a few ideas," She said with a grin he couldn't see.

"You know, it's crazy. In my first decade on this planet, life was pretty much the same. But this last one was fraught with change."

"Well, the 70's aren't over yet. There still is one more week. Enough time for one more surprise."

"No more. I'm scared enough to get out of bed in the morning these days."

"Are you really?" Lily lifted her head at that and looked at him. "James?"

"Yea. When Dad gave me this cloak, he told me the story of how it's meant to keep you hidden from death. Even now, Lils I feel like all of us are on deaths door with this war."

"But I'm here with you."

"Yes you are. We are both wrapped in it's safety together. I wish we could wrap the whole word in this cloak. Or I wish we could do something that manages to send a message of hope to everyone not to give in."

"I'm sure we will. The dawn of a new decade holds a lot of hope."

"I bet you're right. You usually are, Mrs. Potter." They both smiled and cuddled in closer as the fire crackled in front of them. Only a week more existed in the decade that had been home to so many memories and moments that molded our Marauders and their friends. The year to come would grow them as well, but not in such a nurturing way. For this war had only just begun. The bloodshed was about to begin. The darkest part of the night would have to come before any sign of daybreak and not all would live to see it. But for this moment, on their last Christmas at Hogwarts, Lily and James Potter were shielded from darkness as they thought of a new hope for a future. Lily though, had one special gift for her new husband that night. It would be the hope that they desperately craved, not just for their family but for the world, even though they did not know it yet. And on that night, in the final days of 1979, a new prophecy was heard by a seer for the first time which would make it's way to the shelves of the department of Mysteries, one that spoke a "chosen one" who would bring hope and light to the World. Although our Marauders had just missed this prophecy, it would not be forgotten to the shelves of the Department of Mysteries for long. In the meantime, our heroes had their own symbol of hope to comfort them as a new decade dawned.

Lily held James close and continued her song, "...but since it fell unto my lot, that I should rise and you should not... I'll gently rise... and softly call... goodnight and joy be to you all..." When she was finished she said, "James?"

"Yes love?" he asked as he closed his eyes, fighting off sleep as he listened to his wife's final surprise.

She stroked his head softly before muttering the words that would change not only his life, but the future of their world...

"I'm pregnant."

The Adventure Continues with Book II: Age of the Pheonix...

Thank you for reading. I'm looking forward to Book II but warning... it isn't going to be pretty. We will explore more of the gritty world of the Death Eaters, see their backstories a bit more, and start to say goodbye as the War begins claiming its casualties. Peter is going to start going down a new path, and of course by the middle of 1980 we will meet Harry and Neville! This book also focused mainly on the Potter Faction of the order, but get ready. We are about to meet some of my favorite characters of the era!

Be Sure to FOLLOW Me or this story in order to get an update to when Book II begins!

Please review this story. Thank you

- CC