i really loved him

chapter 8

James POV

Wednesday, 25th December, 6:12 – On Christmas morning, James was up and out of bed before his eyes were even fully open.

Naturally, Sirius was still asleep, so he was careful not to make a sound as he groped around for his glasses. He was under strict instructions not to wake his friend until at least 7am.

"Mate, I know you love Christmas. But I swear to Merlin, if you wake me up before 7 tomorrow, I will strangle you," Sirius had warned him the night before.

Though, his parents had set no such rule. James stepped over the pile of blankets and pillows beneath which Sirius lay snoring, skipped downstairs to the middle-floor landing and burst into his parents' bedroom.

"Merry Christmas!" he said eagerly.

His mum, Euphemia, fluttered her eyes open and gave a dozy wave. Fleamont, however, leapt out of bed with impressive buoyancy for a man of over sixty and wrapped James in a bear hug.

"Merry Christmas, lad!" he beamed, and ruffled James' hair. "Is Sirius awake?"

"Never," he grinned.

"Thought as much. Let's leave your mum in peace for a bit and put the kettle on, eh?"

James followed his dad to the kitchen, and they made three big cups of tea, then brought them back upstairs. Euphemia was now sat up in bed and gratefully took the mug that James offered her.

"Hu aabhaaree chhu, māro dikaro. Merry Christmas," she said. "We'll start on breakfast in a few minutes, shall we? Then presents. Once Sirius is up, of course."

James nodded happily.

"Yup. I'm gonna write to Remus and Peter first, too."

He left his parents alone and headed back to his bedroom on the top floor. Grabbing a quill and two pieces of parchment, James sat at his walnut desk in front of the window. It was still dark outside, so he lit a candle and placed it next to the inkwell. Buzzing with excitement, he scribbled a letter to each of his absent friends:

'Dear Moony,

Happy Christmas! It's great you get to be with your family this year, but we bloody miss you. I hope you like your present – I don't have a clue about muggle fashion, but I know you like those woolly sweater thingys, so I just bought the first one I found and ran. Muggle shops are scary.

Have you started that Transfiguration essay yet? Can't believe Minnie gave us homework over the holiday. Outrageous. I'll probably just copy yours on the train, if that's alright.

Sirius says hi, by the way. Actually, he's still asleep right now but he probably says hi.

See you soon,

James x '

'Dear Pete,

Happy Christmas! I hope you're not too bored at home. It's rubbish you couldn't come and stay with us. Maybe next year, though. A Marauders Christmas would be bloody brilliant.

How are your lot celebrating? I reckon we're gonna freeze our arses off playing quidditch later. Can't wait.

Hope the rest of your holiday's alright. We miss you.

See you back at school,

James x'

He finished writing and looked at the alarm clock that stood on the bedside table. Just a few more minutes until Christmas could really start. After sending off the letters with Dottie, the family owl, James returned to his room and sat cross-legged on the bed, impatiently watching the clock hands crawl.