my almost lover

Fleamont and Euphemia

5 - Fleamont and Euphemia

James loves the Christmas holidays for three main reasons.

The first has been true since his childhood; the Potter household is just the place to be during the Christmas season. While the family are Purebloods, they are completely enamoured by Muggle traditions and cheesy decorations. Every year since James can remember, Fleamont would return home with something ridiculously colourful and equally outrageous.

Gifts are never serious – James is spoiled every other day of the year, he doesn't need a holiday to dictate when to give or get presents. So, instead, they buy each other stupid things – silly or ridiculous. Usually, a prank. After all, James gets his mischievous streak from Euphemia. He's never been able to pull a fast one on her, and he usually ends up with his face in pudding every time he tries.

The second reason began after he started to attend Hogwarts. The annual Christmas Marauder 'sleepover' came into existence and stubbornly refuses to leave.

It started as an idea from Peter. Every year from the 20th to the 27th, the other three Gryffindors roll up to his house in ridiculous pyjamas and various ideas of what havoc they can cause for the year ahead. Although, by third year, the Marauder sleepover turned more into academic work – much to Sirius' horror – and quietly whispering plans for the future that they didn't want to discuss in Hogwarts in fear it would feel too 'real'.

It started to change a little when Sirius and Regulus moved in. Even now, Regulus keeps to himself during that week (with the exception of two days where he's forced into the fray) but Sirius goes all out. He loves being a host and will be up all night with Monty decorating or whispering in a corner with Effie as a way to best decide how to prank the others. It's exhausting, but it makes Sirius happy. And it makes James happy, too.

It's nice for them to be able to act their age completely once a year in a world that makes them grow up too fast.

The third reason is simple: December 26th. Regulus' birthday.

Before Sirius and Regulus ran away, it was nearly impossible to celebrate Regulus' birthday. Sirius would try to sneak back in to Grimmauld Place the night after Christmas, only to be kicked out immediately by Regulus himself. Some yelling about betrayal, James could never hear much from his hiding space below the window.

'Hiding space'... Regulus always spotted him. As Sirius ran out of the house, swearing at Walburga and Orion just for good measure, Regulus would lean out of his window and look at him with a raised eyebrow. James would smile and wave and mouth happy birthday with a grin and Regulus would roll his eyes but smile nonetheless. It was the best he could give while he was still within the confines of that prison household.

This year, Regulus isn't stuck there. This year, Regulus lives with him. And this year, James and Sirius decide to put together a Christmas and Birthday party combined.

Now, Regulus is leaning against him in the middle of that gathering looking absolutely exhausted. He's nursing a Butterbeer in his hands, watching as the others are taking shots of Firewhiskey much to the horror of Euphemia who keeps trying to snatch the bottle off a rather speedy Barty.

"But Effie, we're of age!"

"I will contact your father, young man!"

"Noooo, he'll make me sit in on the Wizengamot!"

Other than the usual lot who gather at the Potters at Christmas, Sirius and James both decided it would be better to keep the list of invitees small. As such, only Emmeline, Evan and Barty were invited to join for Regulus' birthday. Regulus seemed a little uncomfortable with even that at the beginning of the night, but he settled down quickly when he realised how much everyone there adored him.