Two-Shot Christmas Drabble || For Becca, From Jessie
"Sirius?" his mother hissed. "Sirius Black!"
He turned towards his own parents and brother, tearing his eyes from the people in front he had been watching in mingled fascination and interest.
"Have I told you before not to stare?" she snapped.
Sirius paused for a moment, wondering if he’d dare ask the question that had been tickling his lips. Forever a rebel, he went against his better judgement. “Who are they?”
"It’s rude to ask questions." His mother pursed her lips.
"They’re the McKinnons," his father chipped in, absentmindedly. "There might- most probably- be the Potters with them too, like always."
"Blood traitors, the lot," his mother said sniffly. "They lack proper Wizarding pride." She took Regulus’ hand and walked ahead, her head held high.
Turning back around, Sirius found himself watching the family again. They were about 10 of them in total. The majority of them had a chocolate type of hair colours whereas about three of them had completely jet black. Much like Sirius’, actually. The older, undoubtably the parents, of them were sharing a conversation. The children were talking very fast amongst themselves and, even from this distance, Sirius could hear the sound of happy voices and hysterical laughs. They all looked so relaxed, so carefree. Sirius felt a pang of something then- envy, perhaps?- and he suddenly felt he was observing a scene from his 8 year old eyes but 30 year old mind.
His eyes locked with who looked like one of the youngest. She was talking to another small boy, who’s back was to him. They both looked around his age. Sirius studied her watching the way her eyes lip up, how her lips curved into a wide grin as she listened to the other boy talk. She tilted her head to the side, her eyebrows quirking up, and he was aware that she was looking at him. Before Sirius could do anything else, a sharp rap in his head from his father caused him to hurry up and walk alongside his mother and brother. Scowling at the abruptness, he seized a last chance to glance back once more, leaving him with a memorable mind image of the girl throwing her head back as she laughed and the dark-haired boy dropped tinsel in her hair.
Sirius shook his head as he remembered that it was still Christmas morning.
***
Marlene woke up early. It wasn’t unusual; though she liked to get up at the latest time possible, it was Christmas and she still regarded the festive holiday with childish excitement. She stared up at the top if her bed, listening carefully. There was only the sound of her roommates’ slow breathing, with an occasional snore, as they slept. She could hear the small, high-pitched chirps from the morning birds outside. Closing her eyes again, Marlene knew it was way too early and wondered how much longer she’d have to wait before someone else woke up.
Minutes passed but it only took about half an hour before Marlene caved in. Opening the curtains around her bed as quietly as she could, she lowered her sock-covered feet on the floor and her eyes landed on the pile of presents by the foot of her bed. Squinting her eyes in the semi-darkness, she gently lifted the presents and crept out of the door, downstairs. Settling herself cross-legged by the warm fire in the Common Room,Cher yes stared into the dancing flames that flickered and her fingers tapped rhythmically on the floor. This was her first Christmas at Hogwarts since she and James persuaded their parents to let them stay. Had it not been Christmas, she would’ve stayed in bed as long as James did. Sighing, Marlene turned to her stack of parents and debated whether to open them now. Suddenly, a door from behind creaked.
Whipping her head around, her eyes fell on a 11-year-old boy, still clad in his pyjamas.
His hair was dark, mussed like James’. Even at such an age, his face was effortlessly good-looking and very familiar. Of course, how could she not know him? This was James’ best friend now. Hitting Hogwarts, James found a boy to cause mayhem with him.
Sirius Black’s eyes showed every inch of how surprised she was on finding out how early they had awoken.
"Uhm, how early," he observed after an awkward pause.
"I know," she replied, trying to sound snarky but only managing to sound like a lame agreement in embarrassment. "What are you doing here?"
"I- er- couldn’t sleep," he told her hesitantly.
"Me, too," she said a little too quickly.
They lapsed into another awkward silence before Sirius spoke again, turning back towards the boys dormitory staircase he just came down.
"I’ll just head back," he said. "The others will be awake soon, probably."
Marlene nodded and waved her hand up in farewell. He walked up the stairs before getting halfway and stopping, he fished in his pyjama pockets for something and tossed it at her with surprisingly good aim. “Merry Christmas, McKinnon.” And he was gone.
Marlene caught what he threw at her. Taken aback, she realised it was a chocolate frog and chuckled. Christmas was already weird and it wasn’t even eight o’clock in the morning yet.
***
Dear Becca, Merry Christmas! It’s shorter than I wanted it to be but I hope you like it anyway! Hope you have a fab Christmas, Love, Jessie
