23rd December 1971
The Hogwarts corridors stretched out before Sirius, eerily silent. It was Christmas Eve, and the castle, usually bustling with activity, was now a ghost of its former self. Most students had departed for the holidays, leaving behind a handful of stragglers who, for various reasons, remained within the ancient stone walls.
Sirius leaned against a windowsill, gazing out at the snow-covered grounds. A pang of loneliness echoed through him, a feeling amplified by the festive decorations adorning the deserted hallways. Garlands of holly and mistletoe hung from the rafters, their cheerful colors a stark contrast to the emptiness surrounding him.
Sirius missed the feeling of normalcy, the illusion of a typical childhood that he craved but could never fully grasp. His family, with their ancient traditions and their suffocating expectations, cast a long shadow over his life, a shadow that followed him even within the supposedly safe haven of Hogwarts.
A few days earlier, a formal letter had arrived for him, bearing the Black family crest and his mother's elegant script. It was a summons, a demand for his return to Grimmauld Place for the holidays. The letter was devoid of warmth, filled with veiled threats and reminders of his duty to uphold the family name.
Sirius had crumpled the letter in frustration. He longed to remain in the place that offered freedom, acceptance and where he could be himself, without the weight of his family legacy bearing down on him.
He'd been surprised when James, Remus, and Peter had approached him with a plan. "We're staying," James had declared, his eyes shining with determination. "We're not letting you stay here, alone."
"But your families..." Sirius had started to protest, but James cut him off.
"They'll understand," James had insisted. "Besides, Christmas at Hogwarts with my best mates? Sounds like an adventure to me!"
Even Remus had nodded in agreement. "We're with you, Sirius."
And so, the four had hatched a plan to stay at Hogwarts for the holidays. They'd sent owls to their families, explaining their decision and assuring them that they were safe and well. To their surprise, their families had been understanding, albeit with varying degrees of reluctance.
They spent their days exploring the deserted corridors of Hogwarts, playing pranks on the portraits and suits of armor, and indulging in forbidden midnight feasts in the kitchens, courtesy of Tippy and the other house-elves.
"This is the life," James had declared one evening, his mouth full of treacle tart. "No rules, no parents, just us and the magic of Hogwarts."
"And Tippy's amazing cooking," Sirius had added, grinning.
Remus, usually more reserved, had nodded in agreement. "It's nice to have some peace and quiet for a change," he'd said.
Peter, ever the loyal follower, had beamed. "I'm just glad to be here with you guys," he'd chirped.
But their peaceful interlude was shattered one morning during a rather subdued breakfast in the Great Hall. A scarlet envelope arrived for Sirius, bearing the ominous mark of a Howler.
The envelope burst open with a deafening roar, and his father's voice boomed through the hall, laced with fury and disappointment. "SIRIUS ORION BLACK!" his father's voice thundered, shaking the very foundations of the castle. "YOU HAVE DISGRACED THIS FAMILY FOR THE LAST TIME! YOUR MOTHER AND I GAVE YOU AN ORDER, AN ORDER YOU HAVE IGNORED! WE WARNED YOU ABOUT YOUR DEFIANCE AND YOUR REBELLION, BUT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO DISREGARD US! YOU ARE A BLACK! YOU WILL NOT SHAME THIS FAMILY ANY LONGER! RETURN HOME THIS INSTANT, OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES! WE WILL NOT TOLERATE YOUR INSOLENCE! YOU WILL LEARN YOUR PLACE! YOU WILL OBEY YOUR PARENTS! YOU WILL NOT DISGRACE THE BLACK FAMILY NAME!"
The Howler raged on, its voice growing louder and more menacing with each word. The entire hall trembled, and students cowered in fear. Sirius felt his face burning with anger. He wanted to scream back, to defy his father's every word, but he knew it was futile.
Finally, the Howler ripped itself to shreds, leaving behind a stunned silence. Sirius, however, simply smirked, a spark of defiance in his eyes. He met the gaze of every wide-eyed student in the hall, a silent challenge in his expression. He would not be cowed by his parents' threats, nor would he be ashamed of his choice to stay at Hogwarts with his friends. He crumpled the remnants of the Howler in his fist, a surge of anger and determination coursing through him. He would not be controlled. He would not be a Black. He would be Sirius.
James, Remus, and Peter exchanged proud glances with Sirius before turning to face the rest of the hall, their faces etched with a mixture of amusement and defiance. "Well, that was interesting," James remarked, breaking the silence.
"Seems like someone's in a bit of a mood," Remus added, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Don't let him get to you, Sirius," Peter said, his voice filled with admiration. "You're better than them."
Their support warmed Sirius's heart. He wasn't alone in this fight. He had his friends, his chosen family, who accepted him for who he was, flaws and all.
He lifted his head, his eyes meeting theirs. "Thanks, guys," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
They exchanged smiles, a silent vow of solidarity passing between them. They would face this together, as a team, as a family.
On Christmas Day, the Gryffindor common room was transformed into a festive haven. A magnificent Christmas tree sparkled with enchanted ornaments, casting a warm glow over the room. Garlands of holly and mistletoe adorned the mantlepiece, and a roaring fire crackled in the hearth, filling the room with warmth and cheer.
The first year Gryffindor boys, along with a few other students who had remained at Hogwarts for the holidays, gathered around a table laden with delicious treats. There were roast turkey, crispy potatoes, plump sausages, and all manner of festive desserts. Tippy and the other house-elves had outdone themselves, creating a feast fit for a king.
Laughter and conversation filled the air as they shared stories, exchanged gifts, and enjoyed the sense of camaraderie and belonging. Sirius, despite missing his mother's cooking, felt a warmth in his heart that he had never experienced at his own family's Christmas gatherings.
James had received a new broomstick, a sleek, mahogany model that he couldn't wait to try out. Remus had been gifted a collection of rare books on magical creatures, which he devoured with his usual enthusiasm. Peter had received a set of enchanted joke gadgets, which he eagerly demonstrated to his friends, much to their amusement. Sirius had received a beautiful, leather-bound journal, a gift from James, Remus, and Peter.