WOLFSTAR (AND HARRY POTTER) STORIES!!!

33 part 14

Christmas Eve started peacefully enough. James, Lily, Harry, Peter and Sybil came over to the cottage for a Christmas lunch and to exchange gifts; James gave them a dog basket and squeaky chew toy which they appreciated immensely, while Lily gifted them an obscenely large Christmas hamper filled with all their favourite festive treats. Sirius favoured Harry's gift, which he had picked out himself, above all others — a stuffed dog that looked just like Sirius when he was in his Animagus form. While the large bottle of Ogden's Firewhisky from Peter and Sybil was greatly appreciated, the copy of Unfogging the Future was less welcome and Remus suspected that it would be used as kindling before Sirius cared to read it.

After lunch, they sat in front of the fire chatting amongst themselves, Sirius lying on the floor with Harry playing exploding snap while James, Sybil and Peter talked about their work. Lily helped Remus clear up the plates and followed him into the kitchen to clean up the dishes from lunch.

"So..." said Lily lightly, a playful smile teasing her lips. "Sirius tells me that you and he have been working your way through that chequebook he bought last week."

"Did he now?" Remus grinned. He waved his wand and the dirty dishes and cutlery proceeded to form an assembly line by the kitchen sink, each one cleaning themselves in the sinkful of soapy water, then getting dried by a dish towel before stacking themselves back on the shelves. Remus and Lily sat at the kitchen table, watching with mild interest as the kitchen utensils floated across the small kitchen.

"You do realise that the twelve days of Christmas starts on Christmas Day," she pointed out. "Not on the fourteenth?"

"I know," he shrugged lightly. "It's a common misconception and I wasn't inclined to correct him. I didn't fancy waiting two weeks before I could start using the vouchers."

Lily bumped him gently on the shoulder, "You've got quite the Slytherin streak in you, Remus."

"You say that like it's a bad thing," he smirked.

James wandered into the kitchen brandishing his empty glass. "Any more mulled wine?"

"On the counter," Remus nodded in the direction of the open bottle. James poured himself another glass and sat at the table with Remus and Lily.

"So, did you ask him?" he queried, taking a sip from his glass. Lily drew him a sharp look.

"Not yet," she muttered. Remus glanced between his two friends trying to work out what they were talking about.

"Ask me what?" he asked curiously. Lily and James shared a meaningful look before turning towards Remus.

"Now, don't be mad..." Lily began. Remus immediately tensed. Whatever they were about to say, he knew that he wasn't going to like it.

"We've been talking about your work situation," James explained. "We heard about what happened with Mrs Davies—"

"Who told you?" Remus cut in, embarrassment and anger swelling up inside of him.

"Molly," said Lily. "Apparently, Mrs Davies contacted her to warn her about you."

Remus squirmed in his seat. "And what did she say?"

"She said that you're old friends and that Mrs Davies should piss off and mind her own business," James smirked. Remus laughed out loud, surprised and relieved. He was shocked that Molly Weasley would tell anyone to piss off, but he felt a great deal of gratitude for her support. He made a made a mental note to thank her personally next time he saw her. Maybe he could make her a chocolate cake..?

"Anyway, after we heard what happened, Lily and I got talking," James continued, looking expectantly at his wife. She bit her lip and turned towards Remus again.