sink or swim - r.a.b

𐙚 chap. 13 - christmas break pt. 5

Dear Regulus,

I have a feeling my letters to you are being intercepted, for you have not responded to Sirius' update, nor when I told you I was coming to your family's ball. Sirius has been put off bed rest, I thought you might want to know. I think my mind has accepted the shock of that night. If you simply have not found time to answer my letters, it's quite alright. I wonder how you're doing. I'm doing better, can't wait to see you.

With love, [Y/N] Euphemia Potter

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It had been three days since you and Sirius had tumbled through the hearth in your sitting room. Sirius was getting out of bed more often, and regaining his spark. He was still convinced you were in love with his brother, so it had not just been the side-effects of the pain killers your mother had put him on.

He was truly a delusional lunatic. James was also getting a lot better alongside Sirius. Seeing his best friend nearly die was very traumatic for everyone involved, you must say. No one liked to talk about that night. It was a very sensitive topic for everyone.

Your parents had left up the Christmas decorations longer than they normally have. You figured they were waiting for everyone to recover a bit more until they sprung the presents on them. The gifts for you and James that had been under the tree since a week before Christmas were starting to gather dust.

James was finally convinced that you weren't getting a pet. He had been asking for one ever since he was seven. You thought it was quite endearing that he had been hanging onto the idea of getting a new pet even after being disappointed for eight years in a row.

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The fourth day after Christmas was when everyone finally decided to celebrate it. So, at the crack of dawn as tradition, James woke you with enthusiasm just as he always had. You thought it would feel forced, but to your surprise, it was quite the opposite. Although waking up to a six foot tall quidditch player crushing you with his body weight was not ideal.

After he'd managed to get you out of your bed, you came downstairs to if feeling like Christmas morning had felt ever since you were a child, although a little late. Your mother had made hot chocolate, your father had gotten the day off of work to spend it with the family, and there was an abundance of presents waiting in the sitting room for the five of you to rip into.

James received a new Clean Sweep Four as his big present, along with the usual mountain of sweets, and a few new pairs of clothes. Remus got a few miscellaneous things from your parents, they never knew what to get him, but their hearts were always in the right place. Peter made the trip over the hill to his house to open presents, and Sirius got a record player. Your parents wanted to get him something, but since he had never been over for the holidays, they asked the other four of you.

After the celebrations came to a close, your parents started preparing for their new years get together. You decided to give sending Regulus a letter one last go, so you went up to your room. The process was starting to get repetitive. You sat at your desk, dipped your quill into the vile, and started writing.

Dear Regulus,

I'm starting to really think lettering you is useless. I don't mean to sound standoffish, but I'm getting tired of no responses. I know it's most likely not your fault. We finally got around to opening presents this morning. Sirius is completely off bed rest now. I don't know what else to include in this letter, so happy new year!

With Love, [Y/N] Euphemia Potter

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When the night of New Year's Eve came, you sat under the table with James, eating twelve grapes. His friend Mary Macdonald had told him about him about it. It was a muggle tradition that supposedly brought love and prosperity in the new year. James was convinced it would help him win over Lily.

Sirius had put a David Bowie record on that he and Remus had found when they were out in the muggle town nearby. A song called 'Starman' was playing in the background, and Sirius was convinced the song was about him since he was named after a star. Peter had decided to stay with his family for the last part of the break, and that was okay with everyone, so it was just the four of you.

Your father had invited a few friends from work who kept making snide comments about Sirius, calling him a queer. Nobody really appreciated it, so you and James just glared at them from your huddle under the table. "Okay, I don't get it." James finally spoke up. "Are we supposed to eat the grapes before the clock hits twelve? Or after? Maybe even half and half? Or do we just stuff them all in our mouth when the clock hits twelve?"

"Jamie, you're acting as if I have more muggle knowledge than you. I hate to break it to you, but you were the one who got told about it, not me. But I just say we do half and half." You shrugged. He nodded.
"That sounds like a good idea, and if it doesn't work, we can always try another way next year." You nodded this time, thinking it was better to just entertain his idea.

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As the clock struck midnight, and you were hastily shoving grapes into your mouth while the men raised their glasses, and women kissed their husbands, you wondered how you and James must look to them. Most likely childish, you were two teenagers shoving grapes down your throats. After a moment, you figured it didn't matter, because the two of you were having fun.

A/N
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awh we love the cute potter
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