Christmas At the Potters
“who’s fucking cat is that?” Remus raised an eyebrow at the furball wandering about their carriage.
“that ravenclaw, Pandora, mums allergic so i said id watch him for holidays.” James grinned, getting away unscathed. most of the journey home was theatrical, Sirius liked to get all his energy out before he’d suffer for days.
Every half term was difficult for the group, James and Peter the least, but it was always hard for them to watch Sirius leave with his mother knowing there would be no letters, no sign of life for two weeks.
Sirius always got off the train first, the other three had to wait so as to not be seen with him by Walburga. Once they were gone the rest of the boys stepped onto the platform.
“Well, see you for new years boys!’ James smiled, hugging them both and lugging his trunk towards his parents.
Remus and Peter split off to their own families and made their way home.
“Freezing out there my goodness, kettle on Monty kettle on!!” Effie fussed clapping her hands at her husband and shooing him off towards the kitchen.
Pippy - the potters house elf- came and took away James’ luggage while he and Effie got comfortable on the sofas.
“So, who is this lovely new guest?” His mother nodded towards the kitten in James’ lap.
“Crookshanks..he’s..” James began to blush, “He belongs to Regulus, i promised to take care of him while he went home.”
“Regulus Black?”
“Yeah, Hagrid gave him the kitten, he was helping with.. something im not sure, but he needed someone to take him.”
Effie hummed quietly and sat back in her chair, closing her eyes.
“How is he? Regulus?” she asked after a few moments silence.
“Um? i think he’s okay we don’t really speak to him much, he and Sirius are on and off and we tend to not get involved i guess..”
“i’d like you to speak to him, make an effort, please. You are a sweet, sweet boy and you have a lot to give, a lot that some don’t have , people like Regulus.”
“Okay.” James smiled.
“Tea!” Fleamont announced, strolling over with a tray of 3 mugs and a bowl of biscuits.
That night James lay awake in bed, crookshanks curled up in a ball on his chest snoring quietly. He thought about Regulus, they knew Sirius was abused and very badly so, they knew Regulus was too, James in particular thought about it often.
None of the boys really knew Regulus, Remus in particular thought he was an uptight swot with the emotional range of a celery stick, but James had seen a side to him that they’d never seen before, a gentle side, a side that cared about the wellbeing of another. He was determined to pull that side out if he had to do it with his teeth.
The christmas break went by fast. James had spent most of his time with Marlene who lived three doors down from him. It was tradition that on christmas eve every year, He, Marlene and her brother Danny went down to brighton beach and had a cold swim. this had come and gone and new year’s eve was approaching tomorrow.
“James go and put something on please guests are arriving at 8.” Euphemia said as she squeezed his arm.
“Mum no one will care about me being in pyjamas.” he rolled his eyes looking to his father for back up.
“If i’m not allowed you aren’t either bud, we’re in this together.” Fleamont sighed sadly.
“Thats my boys!” Effie smiled sending James off up to his room to get dressed.
He’d put on a pair of baggy blue jeans and a grey sweatshirt he’d nicked off of Remus while their clothes got mixed up in packing their trunks.
“The boys are here!” Effie shouted from downstairs, James jumped up and raced down the stairs, tackling his friends to the ground like a dog.
“Off you big beast, off.” Remus giggled, he and peter thrashing around underneath James’ grip, trying to pull free.
“CUDDLE PILE!” someone shouted from behind and another body was thrown on top of the boys.
“Marls you made it!” Remus wheezed from the weight of them both on top of him.
“wouldnt miss a party.” she winked, climbing off and pulling james with her.
“One day you lot are going to kill me, heart attack, death by panic, whatever itll be, itll be your fault.” Peter grimaced stalking off to the kitchen to speak to Effie.
“Bundle of joy that one.” Danny grinned behind Marlene.
“Always our pete.” James smiled back, clapping him on the back and guiding everyone to the living room.
The party began to look lively by 10, Potter manor was full of cheerful guests, Butterbeer, Firewhisky, Snacks, and a Queen record on the deck, per request of Sirius.
‘if i can’t be there in person let me be there in the spirit of music boys.’ he’d said.
By 2am it had quietened down, Marlene, Danny and their parents said their goodbyes and headed off, Remus, Peter and James barely made it up to James’ room.
“I’ve never been this drunk before.” Peter whispered from the floor. “i feel like i’m on a broom.”
“Have you ever actually been on a broom mate?” Remus giggled.
“Yeah once in first year, fell off about two seconds into take off.” Peter laughed back.
“I love you guys.” James sighed, drifting off.