16th December 1972

Staying at Hogwarts for Christmas meant that the castle, usually bustling with students, felt strangely empty with most of them gone. But as he and Sirius trudged through the snow-covered courtyard that evening, he realized it wasn't so bad. The halls were quieter, the common room cosier, and most importantly, they had free reign to get up to mischief without worrying about getting caught in a crowd.

The four of them—James, Sirius, Remus, and Peter—had claimed their usual seats by the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room. A few other students had stayed behind. The absence of the usual noise made the crackling fire seem louder, the warmth wrapping around them like a heavy blanket.

"Alright," Sirius announced, stretching his arms over his head. "The way I see it, we've got two whole weeks without prefects breathing down our necks, no homework deadlines, and an entire castle at our disposal."

"You mean we have two weeks to break as many rules as possible before McGonagall catches on," Remus muttered, not looking up from his book.

Sirius grinned. "That is exactly what I mean."

James smirked. "I think we should take it easy. Maybe actually enjoy Christmas without landing ourselves in detention."

Sirius turned to him with mock horror. "Take it easy? James, are you ill?"

James lobbed a cushion at his head. "Shove off."

Peter snorted.

James rolled his eyes, but before he could argue, Sirius leaned forward, rubbing his hands together with excitement. "Alright, well, if James has suddenly turned into a saint, that just means it's up to us to make sure this Christmas isn't a boring one. We need a plan. A proper one."

Peter, who had been picking at the last of his chocolate frogs, perked up. "We could sneak into the kitchens and nick some of the Christmas pudding before they serve it."

James rubbed his chin in thought. "Now that is a plan I can get behind."

Remus sighed, closing his book. "Fine. But if we get caught, you explain it to McGonagall."

Sirius grinned. "Deal."

They didn't wait long to put their plan into action. Within an hour, they were creeping through the dimly lit corridors, navigating by the faint glow of their wands. The cold air nipped at their faces as they darted past suits of armour and took the long way around Filch's usual patrol routes.

The kitchens were warm and filled with the scent of gingerbread and spiced cider when they finally slipped inside. House elves bustled about, preparing feasts for the students staying behind, their tiny hands moving in a flurry of activity.

A familiar elf with enormous bat-like ears and a slightly lopsided hat perked up at the sight of them. "Ah! Young masters! Tippy knew you'd be sneaking in! Naughty boys always come looking for sweets before Christmas!"

James grinned. "You know us too well, Tippy."

Tippy folded his arms. "Tippy knows the young masters never follow the rules. But Tippy also knows the young masters like Christmas pudding." He clapped his hands, and in an instant, a perfectly plated pudding appeared before them, drizzled with sauce and dusted with cinnamon.

Sirius clutched his chest dramatically. "Tippy, I think I love you."

Tippy huffed but looked pleased. "Tippy does not accept love, only respect for good food! And no mess this time!"

"No mess," James agreed, though whether they could actually keep that promise was debatable.

With the pudding secured, Pip, another younger House Elf, eagerly fetched them bottles of butterbeer and an assortment of sweets. "Young masters must have a proper Christmas!" Pip said happily. "But be quick! Filch has been grumbling about students sneaking out again."

James threw an arm around Sirius' shoulders. "Then we'd better get out of here before we lose our pudding to Filch's grubby hands."

With their loot in hand and Tippy watching them closely to ensure they didn't pilfer anything else, they slipped back into the dimly lit halls, their laughter echoing softly as they disappeared into the night.

That night, after a successful trip to the kitchens (and an unfortunate run-in with a grumpy painting who threatened to alert Filch), James sat up in bed, listening to the quiet of the dormitory. Remus was already asleep, Peter snoring softly, and Sirius lay staring at the ceiling, looking more thoughtful than usual.

"You alright?" James asked, keeping his voice low.

Sirius turned his head slightly. "Yeah. Just thinking."

James didn't need to ask what about. Sirius had found himself spending Christmas at Hogwarts not by choice but because his parents had made it clear he wasn't welcome at home this year.

"You know," James said, staring up at the hangings on his four-poster bed, "my mum and dad would've had you over in a heartbeat."

Sirius let out a quiet chuckle. "Yeah, I know. But we couldn't have left Rem to fend for himself." Sirius exhaled slowly, rolling onto his side to face James across the room. "You ever think about the future? Like, when we leave this place?"

James frowned at the ceiling. "Sometimes. Why?"

Sirius was quiet for a moment before speaking again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Because I don't know what mine looks like anymore. Used to think I had it all mapped out—grow up, be the son they wanted, do whatever was expected. But now? Now I can't imagine ever going back."

James turned his head, meeting Sirius' gaze in the dim light. "You don't have to go back. You won't go back."

Sirius let out a hollow chuckle. "Easy for you to say. You have a family that actually gives a damn about you."

James sat up slightly, resting his arms on his knees. "And so do you. It's just not them. You've got us, mate. Me, Remus, Pete—we're your family now. You know that, right?"

Sirius swallowed hard, nodding once. "Yeah. I know."

James smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "And I'd say you've upgraded, really. The Potters are much more fun than your lot. We don't hex our house guests for sport."

Sirius let out a short laugh, shaking his head. "You're an idiot."

James grinned. "Maybe, but I'm right. And next Christmas? You're spending it at my house, no arguments."

Sirius didn't answer right away, but James caught the way his expression softened. "Yeah. That sounds good."