Christmas has always been a magical time in the Potter household. If you ask James he might tell you this year is even more so, he might even tell you it’s better than years in the past. Because this year James gets to spend it with his favorite people of all time- minus a few who were home with their families.
This year the Potter home was filled with so many people but also so much love. James had invited all three of his boyfriends, pulling them from the confines of their own homes- that weren’t really homes at all, more like places to eat and sleep. Evan brought his sister, Pandora, along with him. Sirius invited Remus as always, Marlene and Peter were almost always around as they all lived on the same street. Marlene had even brought Dorcas this year. All this to say the Potter home was filled with love and fun all through the Christmas holidays.
——————
“Christmas is so magical here,” Pandora said to Evan who was sitting with her on the couch. “It’s nothing like this at home.”
“That’s because Mum and Dad do everything in their power to make it as miserable as possible,” Evan said back looking around at all the decorations they never had growing up.
“Hey, I brought hot cocoa.” James came into the room kissing Evan on the cheek. “Mum's secret recipe.”
“Thank you.” Pandora took her mug as Evan pulled James down for a proper kiss.
“Gay,” Barty said as he walked into the room holding Regulus’ hand. Both James and Evan pulled away to look at their other two boyfriends.
“Rich coming from you,” James said at the same time Evan said “That’s not what you said last night.”
Regulus rolled his eyes and walked over to sit in between Pandora and Evan leaning into Evan’s side. James stood up straight and walked over to Barty pulling him into a kiss.
“Gay,” Regulus whispered under his breath where only Pandora and Evan could hear. They both burst out laughing. Barty and James paid no mind to it and kept kissing until the door to the kitchen opened and out walked Euphemia Potter carrying a tray of hot cocoa.
“Oh stop that and come drink your cocoa.” She said setting the tray down on the coffee table. James and Barty pulled apart both a blushing mess. They all grabbed their mugs and sat down on the couches.
“Thanks, Mum,” James said and everyone else followed saying their own thank yous.
“Oh, it’s nothing. Now drink up.”
——————
Regulus had no idea why he was panicking. James had told him exactly what to expect but yet he had still locked himself in the bathroom, freaking out because why are there so many people here. All he did was look down the stairs and it was already too much.
“Reggie?” Someone knocked on the door. It was probably one of his boyfriends but he couldn’t tell too focused on trying to get the words out but they just wouldn’t come out. He let out a frustrated grunt and that’s all it took for the person on the other side to try and open the door but Regulus had locked it like he always did at home.
“Reg open the door.” The person said “Please?” They added on and that’s all it took for Regulus to open the door. Sirius walked in and sat down next to his brother.
“You okay?” Sirius asked knowing the answer was no but asked anyway. Regulus just shook his head knowing the words would most likely not come out. “Non-verbal?” Regulus nodded. “Can I talk or no?” Once again regulus nodded. Sirius pulled out his phone and handed it to his brother so he had some sort of communication. “What’s wrong? Why are you not downstairs with everyone else?”
‘too many people, too loud, too bright’ Regulus typed out.
“Do you want me to get James, Evan or Barty?” Regulus nodded “Which one or all of them?”
‘James but if he’s busy leave him be, I’ll be fine’ Regulus typed out not wanting to be a burden or ruin James’ fun.
“Okay, I’ll get him and even if he is doing something he will stop everything for you, understand?” Regulus just nodded. Sirius then got up and started looking for James.
A few minutes later James walked in and sat next to Regulus.
“Can I touch you?” James asked. When Regulus nodded he pulled him closed and hugged him tightly knowing Regulus liked the pressure. “How about we go to your room?” James asked but the boy in his arms just shook his head and pointed at James. “You want to go to my room?” Regulus nodded this time.
Regulus pulled out his phone and typed ‘Will you carry me please’ he looked up at James with pleading eyes. James just picked him up and carried him to his room. Once in the room he sat regulus down on his bed and started rummaging around his dresser looking for more comfortable clothes for his overstimulated boyfriend and himself to wear. They both changed and sat down just sitting in silence, cuddling.
Later on Barty and Evan came into the room having gotten the whole story from Sirius as to where their boyfriends had gone. They walked into the room to see Regulus sleeping on James’ chest.
“Hey, everyone is gone,” Evan whispered.
“Well everyone except a few. What’s this about a Christmas Eve sleepover?” Barty questioned.
“Oh yeah,” James said as if he had forgotten about one of his favorite traditions. “Basically everyone sleeps over in the living room and we watch movies, eat junk, and drink hot cocoa.”
“Ooh fun,” Barty said excitement in his voice while also trying not to wake Regulus.
“What are we gonna do with him?” Evan always the worrier asked looking down at his sleeping partner. Just as he said that though regulus grunted and looked up at Barty and Evan who were still standing next to the bed.
“Hey, baby,” Evan said. “Do you want to come and hang out with everyone? Most of the people are gone just our friends are left.”
“Everyone is going to sleep in the living room. We’re going to watch movies and stuff too.” James informed him. Regulus nodded so James stood up and picked up the raven-haired boy when he made a motion for him to do so.
The four of them walked downstairs to find the living room covered in blankets and pillows, everyone sprawled out on them. They all looked up when they heard the four boyfriends coming down the stairs. Sirius immediately stood up to check on his brother who was still in James’ arms.
“Hey, Reggie. You okay?” Regulus nodded not quite ready to talk yet. The four boys walked further into the room and sat in the spot that was made for them.
“He okay?” Marlene asked. Dorcas looked over her girlfriend’s shoulder wanting to know also. James nodded.
For the rest of the night, they are junk, watching movies and cuddling. Everyone is just happy to be together and enjoying each other’s company.
——————
Regulus woke up at around three in the morning aka his witching hour. He could fall asleep no matter what he did. He tossed and turned, he snuggled closer to James but none of it worked. Finally, he got up and went to the kitchen to get water hoping maybe that would help.
He got to the kitchen and decided maybe tea would be better. The warmth would hopefully help make him tired enough to sleep and the familiarity would help comfort him from the unknown of the next day.
At Grimmauld the place Christmas wasn’t a warm holiday it was dark and boring. They had gifts under the tree but they never had anything in them, they had a huge party where he had to put on a fake smile and pretend he wasn’t overwhelmed, and they had a very awkward family dinner where the only topic was politics and marriage. Those kinds of dinners always ended in a fight or someone running off and the slamming of doors. The only thing that comforted him on those Christmas’s was Sirius until he left and sneaking down to the kitchens to make his favorite holiday tea that he kept hidden under his bed.
Now sitting in the Potters kitchen drinking that same tea he was panicking. Not knowing what was going to happen was killing him. This was his first Christmas with the Potters and he had no idea how they did things. James hadn’t told him anything. Normally James would tell him exactly what was going to happen but this time he didn’t and this feels important.
Regulus was pulled out of his thoughts by the kitchen door slowly creaking open revealing a rather disheveled-looking Evan.
“Oh sorry didn’t think anyone would be in here.” He said walking further into the room going straight for the kettle and a mug. “what are you doing up anyway?” He asked waiting for the water to boil.
“just couldn’t sleep,” Regulus replied shrugging.
“I know that’s a lie so tell me what’s really got you up at 3 am?” Evan pulled out the tea bags put one in his cup and
moving to sit next to Regulus.
“I’m scared. I have no idea what’s happening tomorrow or I guess today. James and Sirius have told me nothing and this is my first Christmas with them I want to do it right. It just feels important y’know?” Regulus said leaning into Evan’s side.
“Yeah, I know.” Evan leaned into Regulus burying his face in the black curls. They stayed like that until Barty walked in looking like a madman hair sticking up in every direction, one hand rubbing his eye, and his other hand in his hair not helping the disaster it already was.
“What the fuck are you two doing up?” He asked
“Could ask you the same thing,” Evan replied.
“Fair enough.” And with that, Barty sat down stealing a sip of Evan’s tea. For a while, they just sat in silence until James came in looking for water but found his boyfriends instead.
“What are you doing up at whatever time it is?” He asked looking between all of them.
“Couldn’t sleep,” Regulus answered.
“Why?” James asked grabbing a glass from the cabinet. They all just looked at each other for a moment before Evan spoke up.
“Kinda panicking about Christmas.”
“Why? Christmas is amazing there’s food and presents and games.”
“James your Christmas’s aren’t like how ours have been like at all,” Barty said.
“And I have no idea how tomorrow is going to go. And you know how I am about needing to know everything that’s going to happen.” Regulus said looking him in the eyes like it was a warning.
“Oh yeah sorry.” James smiled sheepishly. “I’ll explain everything anything you want to know I’ll tell you.”
And as promised James explained everything from waking up and putting on matching pajamas to eating Christmas dinner. They talked and asked questions until finally, they were tired enough to go back to bed and sleep till morning.
——————
On Christmas morning regulus woke up to box at his feet and just like James said everyone had one and inside were matching Christmas pajamas.
Once everyone woke up they all changed and waited for James’s parents. When Effie saw them all matching she couldn’t help but smile.
“Oh, don’t you all look lovely.” She said as she pulled out her phone to take a picture.
After they sat around and opened their stockings full of fun little things. They then ate breakfast together much like any other morning of this holiday break. They had waffles and bacon courtesy of Fleamont Potter.
After breakfast, they sat around the tree and James began giving out gifts.
Regulus nearly cried when he opened his gift from James' parents. Barty, Evan, and James had gotten the same thing. Piece of wood with little symbols for each of the boyfriends their names carved under them. Barty had a sword, Evan had a rose, James got a sun and Regulus a star. He got other things too like books, a new sketchbook and pencils. But this one thing stood out the most. He couldn’t believe it when he saw it, fleamont had made them for the boys just like he had made them for the marauders at one of their first Christmas’s as animagi.
Later that day they had lunch and hung out in the backyard Remus read his new books, some of them playing quidditch, and Regulus was sketching occasionally making comments on the flower crowns Pandora was making.
In the evening they had a Christmas dinner and it wasn’t like any of the dinners he had a Grimmauld Place. It wasn’t awkward or silent, there was no talk of politics or marriage. The table was full of laughter and fun.
Later that night before they got into bed regulus pulled out the sketches he did earlier and handed them to their respective people. He had drawn each one of his boyfriends without them knowing and he loved it.
“Oh my god, Reggie you did these today,” Evan said in shock at how good it looked in such a short amount of time.
“These are amazing love,” James said looking down at his in awe.
“ I love it. I love you.” Barty said pulling Regulus into a kiss. Regulus just blushed and looked down not liking all the attention on him.
As they lay in bed all of them smiling at what was one of the best Christmas’s ever. Someone finally said it.
“Best Christmas ever.” James sighed and they all agreed before drifting off to sleep.
——————