Christmas

Roads Travelled
Part 1 - Road of Innocence
Written and created by Ida (ladyvisionary) || Beated by Joahn (CharmedChick)

DISCLAIMER
Buffy the Vampire Slayer belongs to Joss Whedon, and Harry Potter to J.K. Rowling. The original “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” belongs to Johnny Marks, though the wizarding version in this story was made by me. No money is being made from this story which is purely written for mine, and others, entertainment.

EPISODE RATING
PG-13 (T).

TIMELINE
Post BTVS season 2, and during the marauders last year at Hogwarts.

STORY SUMMARY
BTVS/HP crossover. Life had never been kind to Buffy Summers, and she thought she had earned a break. Boy, was she wrong. Stuck in another dimension, with no way back, Buffy must learn to leave her past behind her, and look to the future: New friends, new enemies and new relationships are just the beginning of what will prove to be the longest journey and perhaps the biggest trial of her life.

EPISODE SUMMARY
Buffy is staying with Remus over the Christmas break, though not everything is a dance on roses. Peter celebrates Christmas alone with his elderly mother, while James and Sirius spend their Christmas with their girlfriends in Potter manor.

CENTRAL PAIRING
Buffy/Remus

OTHER PAIRINGS
James/Lily, Sirius/OC, Peter/OC


Episode 18 – Christmas



“Do you think they’ll like me?” Buffy asked nervously, while looking around the snow-covered platform of 9 ¾ curiously, as it was her first time here. The train ride to the station had passed by mostly uneventful, the Marauders having played games to pass the time. The only trouble had arrived when Severus Snape entered their compartment with a Christmas gift for Lily, which she’d accepted with a small sigh, an even smaller smile and a soft “merry Christmas.”

If it weren’t for the fact that Snape had smiled at the Christmas greeting, James and Sirius would probably have come to blows, or at least blurt out an insult that was sure to ruin the Christmas mood – as it was, the shock had made them unable to do anything but stare at the Slytherin with dropped jaws until he left.

All Lily had said afterwards was that she might not agree with Severus’ views on certain matters regarding the good of the wizarding world, but there was no reason to be rude, either. They had been friends, once upon a time, and she would respect that time by being civil: Especially when he went to such an effort for her, even though she couldn’t accept the choices he made in the present, and probably would make, in the future.

“How could they not?” Remus said, smiling gently at Buffy, before waving goodbye to James, Lily, Sirius and Mandy, who had just been picked up by James parents – the next second, they disappeared from the platform, most probably through a portkey.

“I’m terrified I’ll mess up,” Buffy confessed. “What if they hate me, and they ban me from seeing you?”

“Now you’re just being ridiculous,” Remus scoffed. “They’ll love you. So stop worrying!”

“Bye Remus, bye Buffy,” Samantha said, before hurrying towards the wrought-iron archway that led to the muggle world. “I hope you have a nice holiday!”

“Bye, Sam, merry Christmas!” The couple chorused, before waving heartily to Peter, who, a second later, apparated away with his mother.

Slowly, the platform emptied, until only Buffy and Remus remained.

“I hope nothing’s happened,” Remus said worriedly, sinking down on his trunk and breaking the silence that had fallen over them.

“I’m sure they’re just running late,” Buffy said, though she was worried to, especially since the article in the Daily Prophet about the Death Eater attack.

Suddenly, a frenzied man with uncombed light-brown hair stumbled through the gate. Remus stood up quickly. “Dad!” He exclaimed. “What took you so long?”

“Sorry, sorry,” Jonathan Lupin said, with a wide but apologetic smile as he embraced his son. “We didn’t get your letter until this afternoon, and everything got really stressful as we had to get the cottage ready to receive a guest.” He smiled kindly at Buffy, blue eyes – the same shade as his son’s – sparkling brightly. “You must be Buffy?”

“Yes, sir,” Buffy said nervously. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“It’s very nice to meet you too,” Remus father said, chuckling. “But none of that proper stuff, if you please – call me Jonathan – ‘sir’ makes me feel old!”

Buffy grinned, already feeling more comfortable. Something about Jonathan Lupin was very relaxing. His presence immediately gave her a sense of calm and security, and made her feel as though she’d known him forever.

“Where’s mum?” Remus wondered as they left the platform through the wrought iron-archway, and navigated themselves trough the mass amount of muggles at Kings Cross station towards the parking lot.

“She stayed at home,” Jonathan answered. “She was feeling a little tired, and she wanted to be at her best when you arrived home.”

“She’s not ill, is she?” Remus sounded worried, and Jonathan ruffled up his hair while chuckling, until it looked even more uncombed than his own. Remus grimaced slightly, and tried to flatten it down, but Buffy could see he didn’t try very hard. In fact, he looked secretly pleased at his father’s gesture of affection.

“No, just a bit tired. The Christmas stress and all,” Jonathan said. “The news of another person arriving just added some more.”

Buffy immediately felt guilty, and it must have shown on her face, because Jonathan quickly spoke up again. “Not that we’re not happy to have you with us over Christmas,” he assured her. “In fact, it’s great news. It was just slightly unexpected.”

Remus smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, dad. It was sort of a spur of the moment decision.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Jonathan chortled. “Like I said, it’s great news. Remus has never brought a girl home before.” He winked at Buffy, who blushed.

“Dad!” Remus exclaimed, flushing as well.

“What, it’s true!” Jonathan said, ducking a swipe from his son. “Just a couple of visits from Lily, and your mum and I are perfectly aware that you’re just friends.” He grinned devilishly. “In fact, it became completely obvious during her first visit when she spent half the time ranting about some idiotic thick-headed prat named James Potter.”

Buffy and Remus both snorted with laughter. “They’re dating now,” Remus supplied, and Jonathan grinned.

“I knew it. What about your other two friends? Sirius and Peter? Have they settled down?”

“Believe it or not, Sirius has,” Remus said.

“I never would have thought,” Jonathan chuckled, shaking his head. “I thought he would be ever the bachelor.”

“So did he,” Buffy sniggered. “And then he fell head over heels.”

“It happens when you least expect it,” Jonathan agreed, chuckling. “It’s what happened to me when I first saw your mum.”

“Dad!” Remus groaned. “Buffy doesn’t want to hear about your escapades during your days of rebellion.”

“Yes, I do!” Buffy insisted, grinning. “Could be interesting.”

“Story about my rebellious youth, coming right up,” Jonathan promised. “Followed by embarrassing diaper-tales a la baby Remus and running-around-naked-in-the-garden-reminiscing. Ah, those were the days!” Jonathan sighed, while unlocking the muggle automobile that belonged to the Lupins – a white, slightly dirty, Ford Cortina Mark III.

“You drove the car here?” Remus asked, his voice slightly nervous for some reason.

Jonathan Lupin beamed. “Yes! You know your mother’s been giving me driving lessons over the years…”

“Years?” Buffy muttered to Remus, who nodded miserably.

“Yes. And he still can’t tell the accelerator from the brake pedal. Let me drive, dad!” Remus insisted, rushing forwards and taking the car keys from his dad, who took them right back.

“Nonsense!” Jonathan insisted, holding the keys high up above their heads. “The road is slippery. I already crashed into a lamppost on the way here! I am not taking any chances.”

Remus and Buffy looked down and saw a large buckle on the front of the car. They both visibly gulped.

“Really, dad,” Remus said firmly. “Let me drive.” He jumped up and forcibly grabbed the car keys from Jonathan, who opened his mouth to protest. “You need to rest, if you drove here,” Remus continued, ignoring his father’s spluttering. “I, on the other hand, rested on the train. You just get into the car with Buffy and entertain her with all the embarrassing stories you had about me.”

Jonathan brightened slightly, though he still looked uncertain. “Well, if you’re sure you can handle it…”

Remus practically forced his father into the backseat. “I’m sure,” he said, motioning for Buffy to follow.

“Do you have a driver’s license?” Buffy asked him with a whisper.

Remus flushed slightly. “No. But I know how to drive. I’ve just never gotten to actually taking the test…I haven’t had the time. But it’s way safer with me in the driver’s seat than my dad. So don’t tell him. I’m not even sure he knows you need a license… It’s a wonder he hasn’t been pulled over,” he added, looking at the buckled front with a grimace.

“My lips are sealed,” Buffy promised.


The moment James, Sirius, Lily and Mandy walked off of the train, they were separated from Peter, Buffy, Remus and Samantha, due to the large crowd. Everyone on Platform 9 ¾ seemed to be nervous and in a hurry.

Lily guessed it was because of the Death Eater attack a couple of weeks back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Amanda Lorne, the Gryffindor seeker, look rather lost. Her eyes were red-rimmed, her hair messy and clothes wrinkled, as though she’d done nothing but cry and her appearance had been the furthest thing from her mind.

Amanda has lost both her parents in the attack, and Lily wondered who was coming to pick the third year up. Her question was answered a second later when an old, stern looking woman took her by the hand and practically dragged her off towards the barrier leading to the muggle world.

“James, Sirius!” A bright voice said, breaking up Lily’s thoughts, and the redhead looked up.

“Mum, dad,” James said, embracing his parents quickly, placing a kiss on his mother’s cheek, flushed red from the cold.

“Hi Mr. and Mrs. P,” Sirius said, grinning widely and punching Mr. Potter in the arm with a familiar gesture.

Mr. Potter, though aged, with thinning hair that was more grey than black, and slightly wrinkled skin, was still looking very youthful and full of vitality. “James. Sirius.” His eyes twinkled merrily, making him look a lot younger than he actually was. “And this must be Mandy Walker, and the famous Lily Evans. I’ve heard a lot about you, over the years.”

“I am not surprised in the least,” Lily said, holding out her hand for the older Potter to shake. Mr. Potter, however, bowed down and placed a kiss on Lily’s knuckles instead, making the redhead flush. Only from this short action, she could tell were James got his joking personality. “I’m Harold Potter, and the goddess beside me is Lorraine, my wife. We have the honour of being your escorts today.”

Mandy giggled from beside Sirius.

“I would love to stay and chat,” Mrs. Potter interrupted, rolling her eyes. “But the quicker we get away from the platform, the better. I might be paranoid,” she said dryly, “but better safe than sorry.” She pulled out the long, ivory hairpin that had held up her hair in a bun. From the colour Lily could spy beneath and between the greying straws as it fell down to frame her face, she figured it had probably been a rather fetching shade of red when she was younger.

“Grab hold please,” Mrs. Potter said, holding out the hairpin.

“Portkey?” Mandy wondered, and Mrs. Potter nodded kindly.

“Yes.”

Everybody grabbed hold, and Mr. Potter tapped the hairpin twice, while muttering something Lily couldn’t catch. Lily felt a tug in her navel – she was glad she hadn’t stuffed herself full on the train – and the world disappeared in a swirl of colours.


The world finally stopped spinning, and Lily found herself sprawled upon snow covered grass, a familiar face peering down at her in amusement.

“Not used to portkey travel?”

“Help me up instead, will you?” Lily muttered, embarrassed she’d made a fool out of herself in front of James’ parents. Luckily, they didn’t seem to have noticed – they were instead moving their wands in the air, in several different and strange patterns, while muttering under the breaths.

James grinned, and held out his hand, which Lily took – and used to pull him down beside her, before jumping up.

James gave her a mock glare, brushing off his clothes as he stood up. Mandy and Sirius were snickering at them in the background.

“What are they doing?” Lily whispered to James, pointing towards his parents.

“Making an opening for you and Mandy in the wards,” James explained. “The Potter Manor is hidden beneath several layers of protective charms and enchantments. It takes ages to key someone new in, but it’s worth it. It’s completely unplottable, and extremely safe.”

“So where are we, map-wise?” Lily wondered. “Are we still in England, or…?”

“Jersey, actually, James supplied, grinning we he saw Lily’s surprised look.

“That’s quite far from the main land,” Lily remarked. “Isn’t it troublesome?”

“Not really,” James said. “You can always floo or portkey, after all. And once I crossed the English Channel on broomstick. It took ages, and it was freezing cold, but awesome!”

Lily rolled her eyes. Typical!

“It might have been more taxing to live here if my parents were still employed at the Ministry, but they retired soon after I was born,” James continued. “When they were still working full-time, they did live in London, but we moved here a couple of months after my second birthday - the Manor has been here for as long as there have been Potters. Practically everyone in the Potter lineage has lived here one time or another, so it was an easy decision to make.”

“There!” Mr. Potter exclaimed happily, interrupting their conversation. “That should do it. Come on!” He walked forwards, and Lily’s eyes widened as he suddenly disappeared. In one second, he was there, and the next, he wasn’t.

Hesitantly, Lily followed with the others, and a shudder went through her as she passed the place where Mr. Potter had disappeared. ‘A ward of some kind.’

For several seconds, it felt as though she was walking through a thick, deafening mist. She couldn’t hear anything, or see anything but white, and just as she was beginning to panic, the mist disappeared and a large manor came into view.

The next second, James was there, hugging her tightly. “I’m so sorry!” He exclaimed. “I should have held your hand as we walked through the ward – it is really disconcerting when you’re not used to it.”

Lily smiled weakly. “I’m fine. I was just surprised. What kind of ward was it?”

“I have no idea what it’s called, actually. Only what happens if you don’t have permission to pass through.” James shuddered. “You don’t want to know what it does, trust me,” he added at Lily’s questioning look. “It’s one of my dad’s crazier and more dangerous ideas.”

“Your dad came up with that ward?” Mandy asked.

“Yes,” James said. “He’s a ward designer. Well, he used to be, before he retired, anyway.”

“Are you coming, or are you going to stand outside in the cold all day?” Mr. Potter yelled out through a window.

“There’s food!” Mrs. Potter added.

Sirius and James gave each other a look. A second later, they rushed inside the large manor, shouting and whooping, leaving a stupefied Mandy and Lily behind in the snowy courtyard.

Mandy rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “Boys,” she muttered.

Lily grinned.


The Lupin family home was in Kent - a small homey looking cottage in front of a large forest. Several times through his childhood, after he was bitten, they’d had to move, because of their neighbours becoming suspicious, but they’d never sold this house. And when Remus went to Hogwarts, his parents had made one final move back to where he was born, bred and bitten, not able to stay away from a place with so many memories, good and bad.

Remus sighed as he finally pulled up in front of the building, turning the engine off. The drive home had felt twice as long as it was due to his father’s never ending comments about his son’s driving abilities – or rather, lack thereof. Remus had come close to almost cursing him more than once. And when Jonathan hadn’t been complaining, he’d been entertaining Buffy with embarrassing stories from his childhood that never seemed to end – Remus was quite sure Buffy would never see him the same way again. Not to mention, the blonde Slayer now had an endless source of blackmail.

The three passengers stumbled out, and were met by a woman with strawberry blonde hair and brown eyes who walked out of the cottage, hands on her hips. “What took you so long?”

“Hi, mum,” Remus greeted, walking up and giving the woman a hug, which Dana Lupin absently returned. “Don’t let dad take the car next time,” he added with a mutter.

Dana’s eyes widened. “Jonathan!” She exclaimed, glaring. “You took the car? I told you to apparate and then take the Knight Bus with the children! I swear, a woman goes to rest her eyes for two seconds, and her husband makes her regret it.”

Jonathan scratched his head sheepishly. “Well…it was such a nice day outside,” he defended himself. “And I only crashed once.”

It was the wrong thing to say. “YOU CRASHED WITH THE CAR?” Dana exploded, and Remus and Buffy winced, both in sympathy and because of the large volume.

“Nothing to worry about, I swear,” Jonathan said, smiling nervously. “It’s just a tiny bump, barely noticeable...”

Dana’s jaw dropped as she took in the appearance of the car for the first time. “A tiny bump?” She repeated in disbelief. “A tiny bump? You call that tiny?” She pointed at the large buckle incredulously.

“Well…” Jonathan let a hand run over the buckle slowly. “Maybe not tiny…perhaps…medium sized?”

Dana’s face became redder and redder, and Remus quickly intervened, sensing the impending outburst. “Mum! This is Buffy, my girlfriend. Buffy, this is my mother, Dana. I’m sure you’ll get along great.” Remus pushed Buffy towards his mother, before hurrying back towards the car and a visibly relieved Jonathan Lupin. “Dad! Help me with the trunks will you?”

“Hi,” Buffy said, smiling nervously, holding out her hand. “I’m Buffy.”

“Dana,” Dana said, shaking Buffy’s hand with a smile, albeit a slightly tense one. “It’s very nice to meet you.”

“You too,” Buffy said.

Dana nodded once, before walking back into the cottage. “Remus, join me in the kitchen when you’re done, will you?”

“Sure,” Remus said, his and Buffy’s trunks floating behind him, as he walked up to stand beside the Slayer, who was feeling slightly stumped at the quick dismissal from his mother. “So how do you like my parents?” He asked in a low voice.

Buffy flashed him a grin. “Your dad’s hilarious, just like you said he would be.”

“And my mother?” Remus sounded slightly apprehensive.

“She’s nice.”

“…But?” Remus added questioningly, worry in his voice when Buffy didn’t continue.

“But I have a feeling she doesn’t like me that much,” Buffy admitted with a sigh.

“Like I said, she’s slightly overprotective,” Remus said. “She’ll warm up to you soon enough.” He placed a kiss into her hair, and Buffy smiled weakly, not feeling even half as sure, especially not when she caught Dana Lupin’s narrowed eyes through a nearby window. The woman was frowning slightly, her lips pursed in disapproval.


“You wanted to see me?” Remus asked curiously as he entered the kitchen, where his mother was busy cooking dinner.

“Yes,” Dana said tersely. “Sit down.”

Remus frowned and crossed his arms, but didn’t sit. “You’re upset,” he noted.

Dana’s shoulder tensed up. “What makes you say that?” She said through gritted teeth, while chopping an onion, almost cutting off her own finger in the process.

“The fact that you’re attacking that onion like it’s a Death Eater, for one thing,” Remus said shortly. “And you blew up at dad, and made Buffy feel as though she wasn’t welcome.”

“Well, your father can be an idiot,” Dana snapped. “And as for your girlfriend – I don’t want her here.”

“Why?” Remus demanded to know, eyes flashing. “I thought you’d be happy for me!”

“I am!” Dana said, throwing the chopping-knife into the sink with a frustrated gesture while laughing hysterically. “I am happy that you’re happy and that you’ve found yourself a girlfriend. But did you have to bring her home with you?”

“I thought you wanted to meet her,” Remus snapped defensively.

“I did. But I’d like a bit more forewarning, next time,” Dana snapped back, turning around, eyes red-rimmed. “And maybe, next time, don’t bring her when you should be perfectly well aware of what time of the month it is!”

“The time of the…” Remus trailed off. “Mum, is this about the full-moon?” He asked gently, placing a hand on his mother’s shoulder, all his anger evaporating.

“What if she finds out?” Dana asked. “How are we supposed to explain to her why you have to disappear on Christmas Eve?”

“She already knows,” Remus said softly. “She figured it out. And she’s fine with it.”

Dana blinked. “She’s fine with it?”

“Yes,” Remus said, smiling gently, and pulling his mother in for a hug. “You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

Dana smiled shakily. “I wish that were true,” she muttered.

“Whatever it is that’s wrong, we’ll get through it,” Remus said. “Please, don’t cry.”

“I’m not,” Dana protested. “It’s the damn onions.”

Remus chuckled. “If you insist.”

Dana pulled away with a sigh, wiping her face on her apron. “I’m so silly,” she sniffed.

“A little bit,” Remus agreed, smiling.

Dana chuckled weakly. “I’ve just got a lot on my plate at the moment,” she said. “Your father’s bookstore wasn’t going well, and he recently had to close it, which means our only source of income is gone. I was going to sell the car, but the buckle will lower its worth, unless we repair it first, which costs money we can’t afford until we’ve sold it!” She breathed heavily, clutching her abdomen and sinking down on a chair.

“On top of that, you’re graduating soon, and unless a miracle comes along, I doubt you’ll get many well-paying job opportunities, despite your excellent grades, which is another worry and dent in our budget,” Dana continued rambling, slightly hysterical. “Greyback is sneaking around and he’s been sending death threats to your father who pretends like it’s nothing to worry about, and, I’m pregnant again, which means I can’t work, and in about six months time, we’ll have yet another mouth to feed…”

She buried her face in her hands. Remus stared at her with wide eyes.

“I’m going to be a big brother?” He asked, at the same time as another voice from the door opening said:

“I’m going to be a father?” Jonathan Lupin stepped into the room, wonder on his face.

“John…” Dana said resignedly. “I didn’t want you to find out like this…And I’m too old to be a mother again.”

“You’re not old!” Remus and Jonathan chorused.

“The Potters were a lot older when they had James,” Remus said.

“And if you’re old, I’m ancient,” Jonathan joked. “I’m ten years older than you, remember? And I don’t want to be ancient. I feel as though I’m in my prime.”

Dana sniffed slightly, her lips quivering, as she tried to smile. “But money…”

Buffy hovered in the doorway, feeling as though she was intruding on a family moment, especially as all three Lupins proceeded to engage in a group-hug, laughing and crying at the same time. “Let me worry about that,” Jonathan muttered to Dana. “It will all work out. You’ll see.”

Dana nodded jerkily, before looking up. She smiled at Buffy tearfully, holding out a hand. “Come here,” she said.

Buffy hesitated.

“Please,” Dana added. “And I apologise for my earlier behaviour. I was tired, but that’s not an excuse.”

Buffy grinned and walked over, joining the Lupins in the hug. “You don’t have to apologise,” she said, voice slightly muffled by Remus’ shirt. “I understand. And congratulations.”

“Though we may not be a family with the best of luck in the world,” Jonathan said dryly, “this child, however untimely it might be, is a Christmas miracle in itself.”

Remus and Buffy grinned.


25 December

Christmas Day came and went, and before they knew it, it was Christmas night. Remus spent the day curled up on the sofa, wrapped in several blankets and being generally spoiled as his parents and Buffy wanted him to be at full strength when moon rise came along.

Remus knew better than complain, as the pampering included chocolate in all forms, backrubs and feet massages by a dedicated girlfriend, lots of snogging, first dibs on the remote control to the television, and the first one to get to open his presents: He loved the notebook, in which Buffy had written Property of Moony, who likes to snuggle, chocolate, and Buffy Summers. Approach me at your own risk: I might bite.

Buffy had also gotten him and all of the other marauders tickets to the first Star Wars movie – she insisted it would be brilliant, and that James and Sirius especially would appreciate it, if not because of the movie itself, then because of it being their first movie-experience.

“What about Romulus if it’s a boy?” Jonathan suggested, pulling Dana into his lap as she walked by with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. “It goes with Remus.”

“We’re not naming my little brother Romulus,” Remus exclaimed, horrified. “That’s a disaster waiting to happen.”

“Well, got any better ideas, Mr. Genius?” Jonathan asked dryly.

“If it’s a girl, what about Sarah, or some other traditional name? Nice, simple, and pretty,” Remus said. “Or, since you named me after you, dad, maybe you should name this kid after mum.”

“That’s…not a bad idea,” Dana almost glowed with happiness. “Diana, maybe. Daniel, if it’s a boy.”

“Daniel, or Diana as a second name, then, since John is your second name, Remus,” Jonathan decided.

“Maybe Adrian. Or Chase,” Buffy suggested. ”And if it’s a girl, personally, I have always liked the name Elizabeth,” Buffy mused out loud. “When I was little, I always wished that was my real name, and that Buffy was only a nickname.

“Isn’t Chase really unusual though?” Dana wondered. “But I like Adrian.”

“And I like Elizabeth,” Jonathan said, grinning at Buffy. “Hmm…Elizabeth Diana Lupin, or Adrian Daniel Lupin. You hear that,” he said, poking Dana’s stomach, making her giggle. “Your name is either Elizabeth, or Adrian. And so mote it be – your parents, brother and your brother’s future wife have spoken.”

‘Future wife…’ Buffy mused silently. Though she didn’t tend to think about the future, this wasn’t a thought she minded at all. She grinned at a blushing Remus, a warm, tingling feeling of happiness settling in her stomach as he smiled back, blue eyes sparkling.

No…she didn’t mind it at all.


“Who is that from, Peter?” Mrs. Pettigrew – Margaret - asked from her rocking-chair, which was squeaking slightly as she leaned forward to give Peter’s gift a closer look.

“Samantha Lowell,” Peter said, while grinning widely at the sight of the large candy selection inside the basket that had been hidden beneath a large amount of wrapping paper.

Margaret frowned. “Lowell…I haven’t heard that name before. Is she a new friend, darling?”

“Yes.” Peter couldn’t help the slight blush that appeared on his cheeks. “We met this year. She’s very nice.” He wished Samantha could have come with him for Christmas. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so lonely then. But for that to happen, he would have needed to work up courage enough to ask.

Margaret gave her son a knowing look over her glasses, which Peter ignored. “I’m sure she is. Now, why don’t you open my gift?”

Peter nodded, and reached for a red-and gold wrapped package, which, if he was to judge from the softness of it, was some sort of clothing.

A bright turquoise robe with even brighter yellow stripes in stiff looking material fell out. It looked quite old fashioned, with quite a bit of lace, and on the back was some sort of purple embroidery in the shape of various flowers and stars. Peter turned a bright – albeit slightly forced - smile to his mother. “It’s lovely,” he said. “What is it?”

“Why, your dress robes of course!” Margaret exclaimed. “For your graduating ball. You will be the most handsome young man there.”

Peter was still smiling. In fact, it felt as though it was permanently stuck in its current position. “Oh. Well. Thank you. They’re…very…” ‘Ugly. Conservative. Strange. Blinding.’ “…Dazzling,” he finished. ‘I’ll look like an old maid.’

His mother beamed. “I knew you’d like them. I found them completely by accident, and they weren’t cheap – apparently they belonged to one of the Wizarding Kings, when our world still was under the rule of monarchy.”

“I’m flattered that you went to such lengths for me, mother.” ‘Was the King colour blind? Is my mother colour blind?’

“Stand up,” Margaret rose from her chair.

Peter blinked. “Huh?”

“Stand up! I am going to teach you how to dance. In fact, why don’t you put on the robes as well? I want to see how you look!”

Peter’s smile finally fell and his shoulders slumped. ‘Why me?’

“Oh, don’t look so glum!” Margaret scoffed. “You will thank me after the ball. I will not have my son romp around the dance floor, looking as though you had two left feet and was raised by baboons.”

“Yes, mother.”


Samantha sighed, looking out of the living room window morosely, staring at the snowflakes that had been falling ever since that morning.

“What are you thinking about?” A curious voice wondered, and Samantha turned around to smile at her younger sister, Melanie, her light brown locks tied up with a red ribbon.

“My friends. I sort of miss them,” she confessed.

Melanie frowned, scrunching up her face in confusion. “But I thought I was your best friend.”

Samantha grinned and ruffled up her hair. “You are. But I can have more than one friend, can’t I?”

Melanie pouted slightly. “I suppose…”

“Since when do you have friends?” Another voice cut in and a boy with hair a shade lighter than the smaller girl’s, pushed himself in front of Melanie.

Samantha rolled her eyes. Her brother could be such a little pest.

“Go away, stupid!” Melanie exclaimed angrily, stomping her foot.

Nine-year old William Lowell only stuck out his tongue at the six-year old in answer.

“Stop fighting,” Samantha admonished gently. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

“And you wish you were at Hogwarts, don’t you?” William asked, smirking.

Samantha frowned in confusion. “No.”

“Hot chocolate and glittering snow,” William recited theatrically. “A burning fire, a glowing ember. A smile. A laugh. Peter Pettigrew, a day in December.”

Samantha grew red. “You read my diary?”

William smirked. “It’s pathetic. You’re seventeen and you’re writing a diary about your itty-bitty feelings. Poetry! Blerk! And what kind of name is that, anyway? Pettigrew?”

“Shut up!”

“Make me!” William blew a raspberry before running off.

Samantha sighed, making a mental note to charm her diary so only she could read it. Will had a point though. She was sort of pathetic.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Samantha blinked, having forgotten Melanie was there.

“Eh…no.”

“Do you want to?” Melanie asked innocently. “Do you like that Peter person?”

Samantha opened her mouth to answer, but no sound came out. Her eyes fell on the muggle record player Peter had gotten her for Christmas. It had been really sweet of him. And really thoughtful. A lot better than her stupid candy basket. What had she been thinking? They might be just friends but she could have made a little more effort!

“Yes, I do,” she answered.

“Does he know?” Her sister asked curiously.

“No.”

“Won’t you tell him?”

“It’s not that simple,” Samantha said patiently. “Besides, I don’t know if he likes me that way.”

“Then ask him!” Melanie begged. “Write him a love letter!”

Samantha flushed slightly. “Uh…I don’t think so.” Her eyes fell on the record player again. “But I will write him a thank you note,” she added thoughtfully.

“A long thank you note!” Melanie prodded. “I think he’ll like that.”

Samantha laughed. “Alright. A long thank you note.”



You know Daisy and Milly and Lucky and Tatty,
Conny and Cissy and Delly and Batty.
But, do you recall,
The most famous house-elf of all?

Ruddy the eccentric house-elf
Only wanted to be free.
But all of the other house-elves
Said that ”that’s insanity.”

”Working and serving humans
Is the only thing we know.”
But the eccentric house-elf
Was tired of the constant bow.

And during all his slavery
His owner gave him clothes.
"Ruddy, you’re talented and good,
Go find your way to Hollywood.”

Ruddy felt his heart swell.
”Now I can travel far.
Now that I am a free elf,
I can act on stage and be a star.”

Lily and Mandy almost laughed their heads off when they heard the wizarding version of Rudolph, the Red nosed Reindeer stream out of the wizarding wireless, to the confusion of James and Sirius.

“What’s so funny?” James asked, pouting slightly.

“Oh, we’re just musing over the lack of originality within wizarding music,” Mandy chuckled. “The song that just played – it’s practically a rip-off of this muggle Chrismas carol. The only difference is that it’s about a reindeer instead of a house-elf, the plot is slightly different, but the overall message is the same.”

“How do you know it isn’t the other way around?” Sirius defended with a huff. “Maybe the muggles stole the idea from us wizards!”

Lily and Mandy exchanged a look, and burst out laughing again. “No one within the muggle music industry would ever redo a song like that! Their reaction would be like ours, but slightly more condescending,” Lily chortled. “I can see why a witch or wizard would see enough charm in the muggle version to make them redo it though. Compared to some of the other wizarding music I’ve heard, it’s actually pretty decent.”

“On the behalf of the magical population of Britain, we take offense to that,” James said, self-importantly, sitting up a bit straighter. “I don’t get what makes you so certain muggles are so much better at entertainment!”

“Have you opened the present from Buffy, yet?” Mandy asked amusedly.

Sirius shrugged. “Yes, so? It’s only paper-slips of some kind.”

“It’s tickets,” Lily corrected. “To the movie theatre. You’ll be going to see Star Wars. It’s a muggle movie, and it recently came out – it will premiere here, in Britain, the day after tomorrow. Buffy saw it in the future and she says it’s very good.

“Believe me, after you’ve seen it, you’ll agree that wizarding entertainment have nothing on what the muggle world can come up with,” Mandy added.

“Do you want to bet?” Sirius challenged, sticking his nose in the air. “I bet I’ll be bored, and afterwards, I’ll be the one laughing my head off.” James nodded in agreement, crossing his arms.

“No need,” Lily said lightly. “We don’t want to embarrass you more than necessary. But Mandy and I reserve the right to tell you ‘we told you so’ when the movie ends.”

“Now, now, children, don’t fight,” Lorraine lightly scolded, but with an amused smile as she entered the room with her husband, carrying a tray with glasses. “Eggnog, anyone?”


Published: 25/08 -09