Only the Brave

Chapter 26: Christmas Break Part I

Potter Manor should feel daunting, because it's, quite frankly, monstrous in size. It never does. Not to James and, judging by the delight on Sirius' face, not to him either. How could it when it's lined with a garden full of flowers, and there's golden, warm light pouring from the windows? Potter Manor might be huge, but every nook and cranny of it is filled with happy memories.

Remus trails along behind them, talking to James' dad about an essay recently published and publicised on the Daily Prophet about why Gringotts should stop importing dragons to guard vaults. Remus and James' dad both agree it's inhumane to have the dragons chained underground for years and years, which as far as James can tell is the point of the essay.

His mum didn't come to King's Cross. She stayed home to oversee the preparation of dinner. It's a Potter family tradition that first dinner back from school should be grand, and James is looking forward to it.

The house is in Richmond, which used to work well for James because it's sufficiently far from North London--where Grimmauld place is located--but now means he's not going to run into Regulus. Not even accidentally. This James thinks is rather upsetting, but not much he can do about it.

"Hi mum!" James shouts when he's past the door. "We're home."

He drops his trunk against the wall, then moves out of the way for Sirius to do the same. Euphemia Potter is a beautiful woman. She's always smiling, and moves with a grace James has only ever seen in the Black brothers. She appears at the threshold between the receiving room and the corridor that leads towards the kitchens and opens her arms.

"Come here, the both of you, and give your mother a hug."

James and Sirius obey. They're wrapped in her arms as James' dad and Remus walk in. Without missing a beat, Effie stretches her arm a little more and says, "You too, Remus. Come on."

Effie holds Remus' gaze firmly. In her arms, James can feel Sirius tense, and he's sure that his mum notices it too, but she doesn't relent. Remus has no choice but to approach. As soon as he's within range, she's pulling him, too and they're doing a group hug now which has Remus squished against Sirius.

Sirius' cheeks are pink.

"Welcome home," Effie says, release the boys. "Drag your suitcases upstairs yourselves. Rolsy is busy helping me finish dinner."

Remus steps away swiftly, nervously glancing at Sirius who is doing his best to remain calm. James, who shares a braincell with him, can tell he's about to start shouting at Remus that they just touched and nobody died so stop being ridiculous and get over yourself.

"Right," James says swiftly, hooking his arm in Sirius'. "Let's go! Remus, you're across from me, as always."

There's no need for instructions for Sirius who has lived here since he ran away from his family. He's got his own room. The three boys levitate their trunks up the stairs and march up. To James' delight, the house smells of Christmas already.

Decorations are up, and they are beautiful. There are wreaths attached to the stair railings, garlands over everyone's room door. He hasn't seen the Christmas tree yet, but it's always in the living room, by the chimney with their stockings. Rolsy, the house elf of Potter Manor, is very good with details, and fills the entire house with small, festive touches.

To James, who thrives in the unique atmosphere of this holiday, finding his house so carefully adorned feels like paradise. He'll go to the bathroom and find towels embroidered with small trees. Red soap that smells of cinnamon or nutmeg. Little candles by the windows, and stars hanging over the glass doors to the gardens. There are even small, decorative trinkets attached to the doorknobs. The one in his room, which reads James in golden glitter, is a bauble like the ones they hang from the tree.