𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧

━ twenty-four

MADDILYN SNAPE CURSED HER life as she and Regulus Black had no luck finding any hints of the supposed Horcrux that Voldemort had given Walburga and Orion Black to safekeep. Then again, it was possible that they had been misinformed. 

"If you were Orion or Walburga, where would you hide a part of a Dark Lord's soul?" Maddie asked the Black heir sarcastically. 

"Good question, Miss Snape, why don't I go ask my parents," Regulus said, as just sarcastically.

"I honestly give up at this point," Maddie said. "Hell, I'm willing to ask Dumbledore at this point. He must know something about the Horcruxes." 

"Of course Dumbledore would. Somehow, he always knows," Regulus replied. 

"But this is a fight we have to fight ourselves," Maddie said. "Bringing Dumbledore into the fold of plans we have will only destory them."

"I truly hate when you're right, Maddie," Regulus responded. 

"I know," Maddie said smugly. "No we have a crucifix to find." Maddie said as she went of to look.

"Horcrux!" Regulus corrected, following the onyx-haired girl. 

"WHAT THE HELL IS Yule?" Maddilyn Snape exclaimed to Regulus Black after they had been informed that the Malfoys had invited the Blacks to their annual Yule ball. 

"It's a pureblood holiday, one that's been forgotten in the majority of the Wizarding World. It's carried on by purebloods," Regulus replied. "Mother tells me that the Russian Royal family has extended their invites to us as well."

"Monarchy?" Maddie asked. 

"Yes, Maddie, in some parts of the Wizarding World, places are ruled by a monarchy," Regulus said. 

"Monarchies are so outdated though!" Maddie protested. 

"It's the way that the pureblood world works," Regulus said, shrugging. "Mother has given us some galleons to spend for an 'acceptable' outfit for both Yule balls." 

"Christmas is so much easier to celebrate," Maddie grumbled as the two left for Diagon Alley.

DESPITE THE POTTERS NOT being big on pureblood supremacy, they did however celebrate the Yule holiday, the Yule being the biggest pureblood holiday. It wasn't a very big affair for Yule, a party with the Nightshades, with Celestria Nightshade's girlfriend Clover Parkinson, whom Sirius Black and James Potter had been greatly surprised that Clover had managed to make it to America. 

Then, James and Sirius celebrated the Winter Holidays with their small circle of friends, Lily Evans, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, in which they did a "Secret Santa" gift exchange, which was, according to Lily, was a Muggle custom.

They had had fun exchanging gifts and having a generally good time. James had noticed that Peter seemed out of sorts, but was distracted by Sirius calling a game of truth or dare. 

"Truth," Sirius exclaimed, after Remus had asked. 

"Do you like Maddie or not?" Remus asked. 

After a moment of contemplating, "Dare," Sirius said. 

"I dare you to act on your feelings for Maddie," Remus said, his eyes alight. 

"Oof, Pads, Moony is being brutal today," James said, laughing. 

"Trust me, Padfoot, you won't regret it," Remus said. 

"She is literally dating my brother," Sirius replied, scowling.