Gryffindor Black brothers

Chapter 10

chapter summary: This chapter is a bit more focused on James and the Hindu festival of light, Diwali. I wanted to write this chapter to show not only a bit more of James' Indian heritage but to give a general overview of part of Indian culture. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

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The first two months of the marauders fourth year and Regulus's third year flew by and now it was November. This particular day James was jumping up and down, he was basically jumping of the walls of their dorm.

Slowly as they went down to the Great hall for breakfast Sirius asks "James mate, as much as I love you and all, I need you to do two things for me as of right now. First thing first. I need you decrease your energy by a bit and let me have some food before I can join you. Secondly why on earth are you so giddy?"

"I wish I can Sirius, but today is Diwali! And that means mum is going to be sending the sweets that she made and she's going to get me some new clothes, and I might even get some money!! That I can use for the upcoming Hogsmeade trip," James replies, his grin broadening even more.
"How come you never told us about it before?" Remus asked as Peter, Regulus and Sirius just nodded along.

"Well, the past three years it either came up on the weekend or on a Friday so I had the chance to nip home for a couple hours, before I had to come back," James replied shrugging.

"Wait, you are allowed to leave the school premises during the term time to go home, even if it isn't for family emergencies?" Regulus asks confusion clear on his face.

"Well, yeah. I mean, my parents told Professor Dumbledore and McGonagall about it. There are many festivals that Hindus follow, and they must have agreed that I go home for the main ones like Diwali, even if it is for a few hours, and if it is on a day that I won't be missing much like Friday or the weekend," James explained.

"But I've never seen any of the other students do that," Peter says, "So why do you get special permission?"

"Well, I don't think their parents know that they had the option, Pete. I'm sure they would have if they knew about it," James replied patiently answering all of their questions "Plus, I'm going to be at school today and won't be going home anyway."

By the time James had explained all of this, the five of them had gotten to the great hall and had taken their seats. The Gryfinndor fourth year girls also quite close by.

"When do you think, mail is going to come?" Peter asks eagerly looking up.

Just as the smallest of the Marauders asked a screech came from above, informing the hall that mail was here. All the students look up eagerly to see if they have gotten anything from home. James particularly seemed to be bouncing up and down in his seat. Most of Gryffindor looked at James when two owls, eagle owls landed in front of him with a large parcel. One of them Gryffindor knew to be his own, Artemis, the other owl was not that well known on the other hand.

Mary turns to James to ask, curious to see who's the other owl is "James why did two owls land in front of you? I know one of them is Artemis, but who is the other one? Eagle owls are quite expensive, aren't they?"

"This is Apollo, Artemis' brother. He is the family owl while Artemis is mine. Mum sent me some sweets, clothes and money for the upcoming Hogsmeade trip!" James explained.

"Why did your mum send you sweets and clothes? Money, I understand," Lily says, despite the animosity between the two Gryffindor's Lily was quite curious.

"Today is Diwali! We usually celebrate together, but this year I can't be home for it, otherwise I'll miss classes. So, mum sent me some sweets and clothes. It is part of tradition to receive clothes on Diwali, and they are usually traditional Indian wear!" James explained.