Christmas with the Marauders

Merry Christmas, Baby -- Sirius Black

Snow falls behind the small window decorated in red and green paper chains. The small living room, adorned with a lovely plump Christmas tree and a warm fire, charmed to blaze a daring red, is full of warmth and an air of love.

The small kitchen of the Godric's Hollow cottage still smells of the roasted chicken Christmas meal as Sirius Black waits impatiently for his girlfriend to finish cleaning the final crystal drinking glass.

"What has you so excited, Siri?" His darling asks, glancing back to look at him before setting the glass down on the mat to dry.

"It's Christmas! What else do I need to have to be excited for?"

She shrugs. Finally done with the dishes, it had been her turn after all; she turns towards her excited boyfriend, whose face is bright and merry. "You look extra excited over there, grinning like a fool."

Sirius walks nearer, pulling her into his arms, "Only a fool for you."

"Oh, so it's got something to do with me, does it?"

"The grin, or the excitement."

She cracks a smile, "hopefully, both."

"Always both. Say, what time is it? Can we open gifts now?"

The agreement to open gifts from one another on the Eve of Christmas had come about when Sirius found out about (y/n)'s family's invitation to Christmas Day lunch. She had agreed because he had been so determined to have her all alone on Christmas Eve. Curiosity had filled the woman as to why her already excitable boyfriend had become even more jaunty and sparkling over this specific Christmas.

"It's half-past seven. What do you have planned, Sirius?"

He grins in that mischievous way that always had girls at Hogwarts trailing after him back in the day. "I would never give up my great plans so easily."

(y/n) sighs in pretend annoyance, "Of course, I should've known the infamous Padfoot would never."

"Infamous? More like-- glorious! Or... gorgeous even." He winks.

The woman rolls her eyes, "Come on then. Let's open gifts."

Sirius cheers, pulling her by the hand towards the tree where the gifts sit in red and green papers.

"We're sitting on the floor?" (y/n) laughs as Sirius sits on the rug.

"We have to do this right! Come sit in my lap."

"I'll be just fine near the fire," she giggles at his exaggerated frown.

"You rather sit on the itchy rug when my lap is right here?"

"Merlins--" (y/n) mutters to herself, "I promise you; you will get something much better tonight if you behave yourself for this short amount of time."

This seems to catch his attention as he sits angel-like. "Which one first then?"

"Open this one," (y/n) hands him a green box. Sirius tears the wrapping paper before opening the small clothing box. "It's not-- well, it's not the prettiest scarf. But, I made it myself."

Sirius holds up the hand-knitted red scarf, revealing the holes and mistakes, "You made it?"

"I did. It's fine if you don't like it--"

"Don't like it? I love it!" He wraps the scarf, a bit too small to be wrapped more than once around his neck, "And it's Gryffindor red. You know me too well."

"You spoil me with compliments. It's not that good!"

"Nonsense. It is great because you made it for me," Sirius presses a kiss to her cheek, "Open the red one with the bow now, darling."

"This one?" (y/n) holds the rectangle box up.

"The very one. I wanted to wait till the end, but I can't seem to wait a moment longer."

(y/n) shakes the present lightly, looking for a sign to what had Sirius so excited. "I wonder what it is..."

"Just open it!" Sirius demands with a chuckle. He scoots closer to her, waiting expectantly.

"Okay, okay! Geez, Siri. It must be something really good to have you this worked up." She slips her finger underneath the poorly wrapped paper, tearing slightly at the edge.

Sirius grins wider, "Sorry! I've just been waiting for ages to see you open this present. It's what has had me excited all afternoon."

(y/n) giggles, tearing the paper further away, a black velvet rectangular box sits is revealed. "Oh?"

Sirius nods as if to tell her to continue.

(y/n) discards the paper and opens the box. A dainty diamond tennis bracelet sits on velvet, sparkling in the warm Christmas lights. "Oh, Sirius! This is beautiful!" She pulls the bracelet from the box to get a closer look at the intricate diamond work. "You didn't have to buy me something, so-- I made you a ragged knit scarf, and you bought me diamonds?"

Sirius smiles, his arms warm with affection, "Nonsense. My darling girl, your gift is just as precious as any jewel. Now, let me see how that bracelet looks on you." He takes the dainty bracelet from her fingers, clasping it on her wrist with his nimble fingers. "Look at the way it compliments you. You are radiant, my love."

(y/n) giggles, moving forwards to kiss him. "You are the most wonderful, kind man."

Sirius holds her close to his chest, "Merry Christmas, baby."