Hello Fam :)

Happy Independence Day and Happy Reading...

Sirius woke up early in the morning, almost jumping from the bed and jostling James. When James groaned, he held his breath until the boy went back to sleep before grabbing two packages and the cloak. Covering himself up, Sirius went towards the recipient of his first Christmas gift. They would be leaving for London at eleven and he wanted to meet the two people in the castle. One of them being his baby brother, Sirius had to sneak into the Slytherin dungeons. Fortunately for him, the dungeons were devoid of any Slytherin snakes because of the early hours. Sirius made his way quietly towards Reg's dorm. He had been down here a few times mainly with James or Remus, Peter being too scared to get in, to prank the dungeons with and it always amazes him that the Slytherins had their own dorms instead of sharing them like the rest of the houses. It was good to have privacy but he wasn't jealous because he was happy where he was, sharing the dorm with the three idiots who meant the world to him.

Regulus was so immersed in his book that when Sirius came out of the cloak, he let out an undignified squeak before rushing to close the door and muttering the silencing and privacy charms. "Sirius, what the hell are you doing here?"

Sirius grinned and dropped his gift on Regulus's bed before pulling him into a hug. "Merry Christmas, Reg. I wish we could celebrate it together and I could give you this on Christmas day but I am sorry I had run away."

Regulus sagged against him, wrapping his hands around Sirius. "I would rather have you run away than let them force you to take the mark. I wish we didn't have to sneak in like this."

Sirius stroked his hair. "One day, Reg. I promise. One day we would be a family again and we don't have to pretend we hate each other." He felt Regulus tightening the hug for a moment before pulling back and eyeing the gift.

"I didn't get you anything. Or James too."

Sirius nodded. "Not that it's a Black tradition to celebrate Christmas or just be happy in general, so I understand why it didn't cross your mind to buy a gift. Also, James was the one who taught me the importance of giving gifts on Christmas, so sooner or later, he would explain the same. Until then, be a kid, and seriously Reg, are you studying now?"

"I am finishing some homework."

"Okay, back me up here, Reg. Have you already finished your whole Christmas holiday homework? What are you going to do during the Christmas break?"

Regulus shrugged. "Lily lent me some books. I was thinking I could read them."

Sirius rolled his eyes. If he didn't know better, Lily would form a trio bond with Remus and Reg, and Merlin, shouldn't the world be afraid of these three nerds getting together and destroying the world with their brains? "Don't let Lily make a nerd out of you more than you already are."

"You are being a prat."

Sirius huffed. "Yeah. I got you as a brother, of course, I would be a prat."

"I wish James was here", Reg almost whined. Almost.

"I will remember for next Christmas", he teased, loving the horrified look on his baby brother's face.

"Don't even think about it. Sirius, couldn't you just call me out instead of being a Gryffindor and walking right into the Slytherin common room? What if someone would have seen you? What if someone targeted you again? Not to mention any of our cousins. Bella is still here."

Sirius gripped his shoulders to halt his rambling. "Reg, I will be fine. No one saw me. I had the cloak on. Also, I can handle a bunch of Slytherins", he said. Well, it didn't work out last time when the Slytherins did corner him but he had run out just a while back and distracted enough to be caught off guard. He was fine now and a pureblood Black heir. Disowned or not, he had his training since he was three. Sirius sighed again looking at the still worried look on Reg's face. "Okay, fine. Next Christmas I would ask James to come along with me."

"Hopefully, somewhere outside the Slytherin dorms?"

"Fine, Reg. Now you are being a prat", he said but then pulled the boy into a hug. It warms his heart that Regulus still cares for him, and worries about him. "Merry Christmas, Reg. Don't let anyone cross a line with you. If you think you are in trouble, just owl me or you even know where the Potters live. You are always welcome there." Regulus was silent but he still has a few more years to save his brother so, Sirius didn't worry about it. Breaking the hug, he patted the boy's shoulder. "Let's meet after the holidays, okay?"

Reg nodded. "Put on the cloak, I will walk you out of the dungeons."

"What am I? A damsel in distress?", asked Sirius huffing.

Regulus shrugged as if that's an answer and Sirius punched his arm.

"At least, call me a Princess, you idiot."

"Remind me why is being modest not part of your stupid training?"

Sirius barked out a laugh. "We are Blacks, Reg. We are never modest."

XXX

Once Reg dropped him outside the dungeons, Sirius walked to the staff quarters and knocked on Professor McGonagall's door. He waited for a moment before Minerva opened the door, wearing a nightgown, and Sirius let himself in with a grin.

"What are you doing here, Sirius?"

Sirius handed her the gift. "Merry Christmas, Minnie."

"I thought we still have the time for it", she said, raising an eyebrow.

"I am leaving today for the holidays, Minnie", he told and hoped his grin wasn't a maniac. He had a home now to go to. A home he was even looking forward to. He couldn't put off the smile in a long time.

Minerva chuckled. "We still have owls, you know."

Sirius rubbed the back of his neck. "I just wanted to give you in person instead of sending it through the owl." When Minerva had tears in her eyes, he panicked. "I am sorry. Is that wrong? Am I not supposed to give the gift beforehand?"

Minerva shook her head before pulling the boy into a hug. "You are not wrong", she muttered before kissing his head.

Sirius grinned at her and waved at her, promising her of seeing after the holidays. "Don't miss me too much", he yelled and laughed when she rolled her eyes. At least there was a smile on her face.

When James asked at breakfast about his disappearance, he narrated his day and the boy ruffled his hair.

XXX

They reached platform 9 3/4 and John Lupin was waiting along with Peter's mother. Both of them greeted the kids before apparating with their respective sons. Sirius yelled at Remus asking him not to be a bookworm and asked Peter to enjoy his holidays. He saw Kreacher when the elf sneered at him before picking up Regulus's things and operating him away.

It was when James had looped their arms, getting his attention back to himself. "Hey, leave them but did you talk to Reg? Do you think he would be safe there?"

Sirius shrugged. "He would be fine. Also, I told him to come to Potter Manor if he couldn't take it anymore. I know, he wouldn't though."

James ruffled his hair. "Don't worry, Siri. We still have time and he is coming around."

Sirius nodded. He knew James would make anything possible.

"Can't believe I get to have weeks away from your plotting and pranks."

They turned around and found Lily Evans with Marlene. "Evans, don't even think about putting ideas into their heads."

Lily rolled her eyes. "Mars, they always have ideas when they are whispering to each other. Either that or romancing each other."

When Sirius turned to James, the boy was smiling somewhat dopily at her. Yeah, Lily Evans should be blind if she couldn't see that smile. So, he stuck his tongue out at the girls in retaliation. Just then there were hands on both of their shoulders and Sirius lifted his head to find Charles grinning at the girls.

"Well beautiful ladies, where are your parents?"

"On their way, Mr. Potter", said Marlene.

"Did these two take time apart from each other and invite you for Christmas eve or do I have to do that myself?"

"They did", said Marlene. "But I am going to Australia with my parents. So, I would miss your celebration."

"I would definitely miss you, Marlene. What about you, Lily?"

"I might come. I will talk to my parents", said the redhead.

"If she isn't coming, I would kidnap her from her house, Mr. P", said Sirius. He was planning to work on his bike and if it was really flying, it would be worth it to show it to Mr. Evans.

"If I had known you would be this insufferable, I would have never brought you home."

Sirius grinned. Charles talked with the girls until Lily's Aunt and Marlene's parents came to take their daughters home before apparating the boys to Potter Manor.

As he saw the big smile on Dorea's face, Sirius thought, after a long wait, finally, he was home.

I can't get enough of James, Sirius and Reg. But we have to move forward because there are interesting things in their 7th year. Also, an adorable head boy. :P