Essex, England
"Merry Christmas everyone!" Sirius smiled as he entered the dining room where everyone was gathered.
"Merry Christmas Sirius." Euphemia smiled. "Would you like a Bucks Fizz?"
"Go on then." Sirius followed Euphemia into the kitchen.
"I'm sorry about last night."
"It's alright."
"No, I shouldn't have reacted like that. You're doing what's best for you and Remus."
"Thanks Effie."
"I will miss you though."
"Come here." Sirius hugged Euphemia tightly. "Merry Christmas."
"Where's Remus?" Euphemia asked as they broke apart and she started to make Sirius his drink.
"He's having a shower."
"But I thought Lily was having a bath?"
"She is." Euphemia raised an eyebrow and Sirius shrugged.
***
Essex, England
"Right Monty, you're there. Effie you're next to him. Dad there, then you Sirius. James you're on the corner, then Poppy, Lil and Sev." Everyone sat in their places by their present piles. "I'll be sat down here." Remus pointed to a pile of presents still sat by the tree. "I'm going to open one first because well because I just want to." Remus laughed. "Unless you think this makes me look spoilt?" Everyone shook their heads. Remus picked up a present and unwrapped it revealing a woollen jumped. He smiled at Sirius.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it, thank you." Remus stood up and kissed Sirius before returning to his place. "Right dad, you're next."
"Oh okay." Lyall picked up the smallest present from his pile. "This is from Lily, Severus and Harry."
"Actually Lyall, we've got you all the same so you may as well open them together." Everyone picked up their presents and opened them.
"It's a Snickers from a box of Celebrations." Sirius stated.
"You got the Snickers did you Sirius?" Lily nodded. "Crackin'."
"Rem, what did you get?" Remus held up the chocolate and smiled.
"Milky Way."
"Yeah, I also have Milky Way." Euphemia held up her own chocolate.
"Mars." Fleamont muttered.
"Lyall?"
"Bounty." Lyall sighed.
"You've drawn the short straw there, I'm not going to lie to you. I'll see if I've got some more on the bus." Lily said.
"I want to give Monty his present." Euphemia got up off the sofa. "Rem, will you help me carry it?"
"Blimey, what've you got me?" The pair carried over the large present and placed it down in front of Fleamont. He pulled off the paper and gasped, "A keyboard!"
"Yes!"
"Oh Effie, that's fantastic."
"Do you play Monty?" Lyall asked.
"Not really."
"He does, don't listen to him."
"I haven't played for years." Fleamont kissed his wife.
"Do you like it?"
"I love it."
"You never lose it Monty." Lily sighed. "I hadn't picked up a trumpet for seven years, Jools Holland and the Big Band were in town one night, they fancied a jam and before I know it I'm up there playing the Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy."
"That was a cracking night." Lyall smiled.
"Play something now dad." James said, cuddling Harry.
"I've got to set it all up."
"Do you know two become one by the Spice Girls?" Remus asked making Sirius laugh.
"Just give me a minute to work it all out, move onto the next present.
"I've got something I want to give Lily." Severus said.
"I thought we weren't doing presents?"
"I just thought I'd get you something." Severus handed Lily a small present. She unwrapped it and held up a cigarette box.
"Crackin'. Cheers Sev."
"No, look inside." Lily opened the box and tipped it's contents into her hand. "Lil, I'm in love with you I am. I want you to be my wife." Severus got down on one knee. "So, will you marry me?" Lily nodded.
"Yeah, I will."
"Crackin'." Lily smiled before kissing Severus.
"Oh my god Lil! Congratulations!" Remus said, pulling Lily into a hug.
***
Essex, England
Sirius sat down next to James and lit a cigarette. "Are you alright mate?" James nodded.
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. It's just been a bit of a shit Christmas, that's all." James sighed. "You're moving down there, my son is getting a new dad, they're all happy families. I just don't know what I'm doing with myself."
"I know."
"Do you have to go? I mean do you want to or are you just doing it for Remus?"
"I'm doing it for my marriage, for my husband." James looked down at the ground. "I have to put that first Prongs."
"It just feels like it's all changed so quickly. It's still changing. I just feel a bit on my own really."
"Oh, mate..."
"I'll be alright." The back door slid open and Remus stepped out.
"I wanna play battleships, d'you fancy a game?"
"Yeah, I'll be in now." Remus grinned before disappearing back inside. Sirius sighed and turned back to his friend. "Look, I don't want you thinking I'm going down there and everything's fine. I'm terrified." James looked up. "Not because I'm leaving Effie and Monty or even that I'm moving to a new place. I'm terrified because I won't have you around." James nodded.
"I know." Sirius put out his cigarette and sighed.
"You coming in?"
"In a bit."
***
Essex, England
Fleamont clapped his hands. "Here we go!"
"Let's sing something. Let's have a sing-song!" Euphemia said excitedly as she got up, closely followed by everyone else.
"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light." Fleamont sang.
"From now on our troubles will be out of sight." Euphemia joined in. Everyone else copied her.
"Faithful friends who are dear to us, gather near to us once more." Sirius put his arm around Remus.
"I think you're going to like living in Barry." Remus sighed.
"I know." Sirius put on a Welsh accent before grinning.
"You sounded like Lil then." Remus laughed.
"I've been practicing the accent, if truth be told."
"I love you." Remus smiled as he kissed his husband.
