Little Lupin

Chapter Nine: A Little Holiday Mischief is a Good Thing

It was early December, and Alyssa could tell something was going on in the castle. On the days she sat in on her father's classes, she could hear excited whispers amongst the students about their plans for something coming up. Not only that but the other Professors were decorating the Great Hall and their respective classrooms. Hagrid had brought in twelve giant evergreen trees to put in the Great Hall. Professor Flitwick was hanging golden baubles he'd conjured and was draping them over the branches like a scarf.

"Is there a holiday of some sort coming up, Daddy?" she asked Remus while they were watching the Great Hall get a makeover.

Remus frowned. Had Alyssa never heard of Christmas? He should have expected this, he told himself. Kathryn probably never had any sort of holiday cheer in her house, wanting to starve Alyssa of any happiness.

"Christmas is on the twenty-fifth of this month, why?"

"I was just wondering why the school was getting decorated all of a sudden," she said shrugging.

"Well, cub, Christmas is considered by many as the biggest holiday of the year. They decorate for it a lot," he answered, gesturing to the beautifully decorated Great Hall, which now had snow falling from the ceiling that disappeared a foot above the tables. "There's usually a lot of food, and people exchange gifts."

"I've never celebrated Christmas before. She never even gave any sign that the day was special. No decorations, same food, and especially no presents," Alyssa said. Remus was pretty much expecting that, but it still hurt to hear. By 'she', Alyssa was referring to Kathryn. She never called her 'Mother' anymore; Kathryn did not deserve the title.

"We're going to change that. Starting now and here on out, you will get to experience Christmas," he told her. He had already bought a few presents, nothing big, but some things he thought Alyssa needed or would like. But now, he felt obligated to make up for the last six years by making this Christmas as happy for her as possible, even though the full moon would be that night. Stupid moon. They really should blow it up.

"Really? I get Christmas?!" she asked, eyes lighting up like a Christmas tree.

"Absolutely," he said, bopping her lightly on the nose, causing her to giggle.

Just then, the resident troublemaking duo walked up to them, both wearing identical grins.

"Hello, boys," Remus said kindly. "Not causing trouble, are we?" he asked, though he knew that was exactly what they were doing. He could smell Dungbomb stench on them.

"'Course not, Professor," one of them said, but his grin gave him away. Alyssa guessed it was George. She was still trying to figure out how to tell them apart.

"Yeah, we would never cause real trouble," said the other.

"Maybe a little mischief every once and a while," said George.

"But we know where to draw the line," said Fred.

"Even if we occasionally step a toe across it," They finished at the same time.

Alyssa grinned at the twins' back-and-forth routine. She had talked to them a few times and they got along very well, almost as well as she got along with Harry, whom she thought of like a big brother. They too were also become brother figures for her.

"George, I think little Lupin is enjoying hearing us talk about all the trouble that we are not causing," Fred said with a wink at the girl.

"Right you are, Fred. We were just thinking about inviting little Lupin to participate in some holiday cheer-spreading," George said, looking to Remus for permission.