Flick and Swish || A Harry Potter Anthology

JJ and Rat's Entry

Prompt 1: "We somehow ended up being the last two patrons in the three broomsticks because we weren't paying attention to the weather outside and now we're snowed"

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Sirius was humming a little tune, his hips swaying minutely as he rigorously wiped down tables, and benches, rubbing circles into the dark weathered wood. A smile has permanently fixed a spot on his face, the anticipation of Yule this week has him on cloud nine. The feeling has taken to the streets of Hogsmeade, already Christmas decor has been strung across shop windows, and curled around street lamps, students who stayed for the break have been making their rounds, shopping for last-minute gifts, or playing around. And the sight of it has nostalgia curling between Sirius's ribs. Glancing out the window absentmindedly he's struck by the sheer amount of white flecks pelting it, leaving his task he sidles over to the window reaching up to press a pale hand against the freezing glass, a bite against his fingertips. The outside of the window is so white he can see his reflection in the glass, it's astonishing. His mouth hangs open a little and he's filled with childish glee, the first snow of the season. He chuckles a little, overcome by the sheer feeling of joy, his fingers curling against the window. Feeling childish he breathes out deeply against the pane, the glass fogging in response he starts to draw stars and snowflakes against the glass.

James watches through the window as Sirius's lighthearted smile is wiped off his face. His manager flails her arms around like a bird ready to take flight, spouting word after word. Her face is red as she shoves the keys into Sirius's arms, the rag he was holding falling to the floor. James watches curiously as she stomps to the back, Sirius's shoulders slump as he attaches the keys to his belt loop, picking up the rag and tossing it into a nearby bucket. Rosmerta comes strutting back into the front soon after, James quickly sweeps himself to the side of the building as the heavy wooden doors open with a loud creak. Faint music can be heard from the inside, jingle bell rock leaks out into the cold air but soon fades away as the doors slam shut. James peeks around the corner when the crunching sound of snow under his boots gets farther away. Smoky puffs of gas dance in the air as Rosmerta zooms out of the nearly empty parking lot. James smirks to himself as he slips around to the front doors, raising a fist and banging as hard as he can. 

Sirius stills as the door bangs, "Rosy, I'm sorry I know you scrubbed them I-" Sirius pushes open the heavy wooden door to a familiar bespectacled git. Suddenly it's like ice has frozen in his chest, his breath catches and he can feel a part of him swoon as a huge derpy smile worms its way onto James's frost-bitten face, his cheeks warm and his nose red. And all Sirius wants to do is gather him in his arms and smother him, which he does. Heaving James in by his coat lapels, he wounds his arms around him, nuzzling his nose into his quite-ice-like neck. He's ice cold but doesn't hesitate to wrap his arms around Sirius pulling him closer. They stood there, snowflakes parting around them through the open door, and at last, Sirius feels full, at peace, like a part of him that he didn't know was missing, returned.

"Merlin Jamie! I thought you were old rosy coming back down to the shop to rip my arse a new crack!"

James smiles, "Course not! Although I can rip you something else if you want." A loud fart ripples through the air making Sirius's nose crinkle before he bursts out laughing. James stares at Sirius, his infectious laughter filling the old walls of the three broomsticks. "Thanks, I needed that." Sirius shoots James one last smile before turning around and grabbing a new rag from the back. James follows close behind like a lost puppy, nearly knocking into Sirius as he stands so close. Suddenly Sirius turns around, their faces inches apart. "What're you doing here James? Shouldn't you be getting ready for the holidays?" James stares at Sirius with softened eyes, "I dunno, just wanted to come to see my favourite person I guess." A goofy smile overtakes James' face and Sirius feels his heart jump to his throat. James reaches over and his hands lightly brush past Sirius's ear and into his hair. James looks down at the leaf he'd just plucked from Sirius's hair. It must have gotten stuck when he let James inside.

 Sirius feels flush and turns his head away from James, the loose strands from his bun falling into his face.