Breaking Black (A Sirius Black Love Story)

Chapter 73

"Alexandra!" Mum squealed when Sirius and I Apparated into the parlor of Felix's mansion. "Sirius! I missed you both!"

Mum gave both of us a sloppy kiss on the cheek and hugged us. A house elf appeared and took both of our bags to our respective rooms.

"Ms. Stryker," Sirius greeted. "You're looking lovely as always."

"Sirius!" Mum scolded and wagged her finger at him. "How many times do I have to tell you! Call me mum!"

My mother pinched Sirius on the cheek and returned to the kitchen where she was cooking an elaborate Christmas meal. Multiple food items flew around the kitchen as she cooked, Felix trying to help her contain all the food to the pots and pans and not his ceiling. I couldn't help but smile at her. I knew she was lonely at home and loved visiting with Felix and Brittany. I could tell she was overjoyed to have everyone together for the holiday.

My mother was always optimistic, no matter what was going on in the world. She was starting to show signs of aging, her once jet-black hair was greyer, and more wrinkles framed her face. However, my mother was still beautiful to everyone who met her, accentuated by her sparkling personality.

"Your mother is gorgeous, babe," Sirius whistled as if reading my mind and admired her through the doorway. I swatted his back. "What? She looks just like you!"

"I was thinking about asking her to move in with us," Brittany announced from the doorway. It had been four months since I last saw her, and she had grown an obviously pregnant belly in that time. "She's always here checking on me anyways and I know she gets lonely at home by herself."

I wasn't surprised. My mother loved her job at St. Mungo's and probably considered Brittany to be her own personal patient to take care of.

"Just wait until you have the baby," I laughed and gave Brittany a hug. "Grandma is never going to want to leave you."

"I like to have my family close, I don't mind," Brittany smiled. The door reopened behind us and I heard the stomping of snow boots.

"So, this is the place?"

I heard a very familiar voice behind me. Sirius literally froze at the sound of the voice, like a dog on point. We whirled around, and I couldn't help but let my jaw drop.

"Moony?" I stated, stunned that our best friend was standing in my brother's home. Remus gave me a shy smile and Sirius ran over to hug him.

"This is the infamous Remus Lupin?" Brittany greeted. "I've heard so much about you from Marlene! And might I say, you're just as handsome as she always says you are."

Marlene blushed behind her sister as Brittany hugged Remus as soon as Sirius let him go.

"I didn't know you were spending the holidays with us!" I exclaimed.

"I didn't know where Marlene was taking me!" Remus explained. "I thought we were going to her parents'!"

"Staying with the girlfriend for the holidays already?" Sirius joked. "Things are moving a little fast."

"You know we aren't dating!" Remus exasperatedly proclaimed. His excuse that they weren't dating was getting more unconvincing by the day. "And James and Lily are already spending the holiday with the Evans family!"

"James spending a week with a Muggle family," Sirius whistled. "I can't wait to hear all about that!"

"We know, you're not dating, Moony. At least, not yet," I rolled my eyes. I threw my arms around Remus and Marlene and we started walking after Brittany, who announced she was making hot cocoa. "We're just happy we can all spend the holiday together!"