𝕐 𝔼 𝕃 𝕃 𝕆 𝕎 | 𝐒𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤

21. H o l i d a y s

Nora laid on her bed, staring up at the ceiling in a day dream as the family festivities continued below her. The Lysander's hosted a large Christmas evening party for the whole family and any friends that the Lysander children wanted to invite. The music and excited chatter downstairs was drowned out by her thoughts, wondering what her friends were doing at that moment. Her siblings naturally invited their closest friends to attend but Nora wasn't sure if it was something her friends would enjoy.

Lysander parties, although quite fun, could be rather political at times and even Nora, who found interest in almost everything, found she would want to go to bed early every time someone would mention family types. Never the less, she had owled Lily about it on the first day of the Christmas holidays. She had informed her of the party and told her that she didn't have to attend if she didn't want too. She also mentioned that she was sceptical about inviting the others in fear of their speculations of her home and family.

Needless to say, Nora's doubts were swallowing her up and making her feel unwell. Knowing that her mum would worry about her, Nora made the effort to get dressed in a warm mustard gold short dress with long sheer mesh sleeves, sparkling slightly to represent her house colour. Sighing, Nora made her way down stairs, greeting people on the way until she reached the main room where the party took place. Groups of people littered around the room, consuming finger foods and drank merrily. The room adorned an antique and rustic fireplace, green flames arising from time to time as more guest arrived via Floo Powder. Nora spotted her brother across the room, dressed nicely in a slight reddish maroon coloured attire, turning away from his friends momentarily to beckon her to join him. She shrugged as she made her way over, forcing a smile as she looked up at him and two other boys.

"Nora, this is George Tanner and Henry Thompson; They work with me at the ministry." Ben introduced them, Nora nervously shaking their hands as they smiled. Trying her hardest to engage in small talk, she noticed the glimpse in Henry's eye to be similar to the one that many boys at school would give her. Realising her brother was trying to set her up with one of his friends, she tried her hardest to refrain from laughing.

A green flash caught her eyes, another person entering through the fireplace. Nora's eyes lit up as Lily, sporting a stunning short velvet emerald green dress, looked around at the party. Excusing herself, Nora ran over and grabbed her hand. The pair of them embraced, Nora feeling more at ease and happy that her friend had came.

"Oh Lily, you didn't have to come! Thank you!"

"Of course I did! Besides, I needed an excuse to the wear this dress! Let's get some food!" Lily looked around for the food table, rubbing her hands together to warm from the cold.

- - - - - - -

Together the two girls mingled, opened some presents and danced around with Nora's sisters. They were having a wonderful time. Sitting on a near by love seat, the girls took a break and carried on drinking, feeling the buzz grow. "I have a surprise for you" Lily mumbled in her ear, looking over at the fire place, the flames turning green again. Nora giggled, looking over to see what she was watching when her heart suddenly picked up in pace. Four boys, dressed very handsomely walking into the main room, cheeky grins plastered on them and mischief in their eyes. Lily dragged her up and over to them, her cheeks wide from smiling as she wrapped her arms around James' neck, planting a kiss on his cheek. Nora hadn't told her family, apart from Deanna and Georgia, that she was dating Sirius yet, she was waiting until he would eventually visit to tell them. It was suddenly that time.

Her mother and father walked over to meet them in the middle, knowing smiles on their faces.

"Hello! You must be Nora's friends. I'm her mother, Glynis and this is her father Andrew, thank you so much for coming!" Her mother beamed, bringing over a tray of drinks which they all happily took. Nora bit her lip, her stomach churning with anticipation at their first meeting. Calm, cool and collected, Sirius pushed back his even longer hair before putting his hand out and shook each parents hand.

"Pleasure to meet you, I'm Sirius Black. I'm Nora's boyfriend." He proudly introduced himself. It was like time froze, a warm and blissful liquid pulsed through her blood stream, her cheeks heated and her hands frozen. I'm Nora's boyfriend. She hadn't heard him say it aloud nor had they needed too, yet she couldn't help but replay it over and over, satisfied with the sound of it and besotted with pleasure of it. With time restoring back to reality, Nora looked at her parents again. A Black? A member from a pure blood crazed family dating one of their own? Surely they'd disapprove knowing the history of that family. Instead, her father smiled brightly as they held on the handshake.

"Pleasure is ours, I hope Nora hasn't been a handful for you." He chuckled, looked down at Nora's blushing face. Sirius looked at her also, taking her hand and squeezing gently

"Quite the opposite." He returned the chuckle, happy to be holding her tight. Sirius and Nora blushed at each other, having not properly said hello to each other again.

"Deanna has told us a lot about you in her letters home so I better find that pesky girl and have words with her about spying on people!" Glynis rolled her eyes, a playful smirk danced across her beautiful lips. "Lovely to meet you darling."

As Nora's parents headed off back to their hosting duties, Nora said hello to James, Peter and Remus before turning back to Sirius and looked upwards to his charming and smiling face. "Hello trouble." He muttered, his hand pressed gently to her waist. Nora looked downwards to see her siblings watching her. Deanna was grinning as she ignored the lecture their mother was giving her, Georgia was smiling proudly and Ben looked confused but happy that this Christmas Nora was happy compared to the year before...

Taking his hand, Nora pulled him away and out of the room to go to the family living room. The room was dimly lit with the lights on the Christmas tree, candles placed around and nothing but the faint sound of music from the party could be heard. Sirius could feel a lump form in his throat, an overwhelming and fulfilling warmth took over him. He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist as they silently looked at the tree.

"Well, I've met the parents. Mine next?" He snorted, breaking the silence as the two of them laughed at the idea. They swayed in each others arms, muttering sweet nothings and enjoying the quiet away from the others. "Your house is lovely by there way, makes ours look like a shed." He hummed, turning her around finally to face him. She reached her hand up and stroked his bearded cheek, thankful that he, as well as the others, were there.

"I'm sorry I didn't invite you properly. This kind of event.... I know how much it reminds you of your younger years." Her eyes watched his, hoping to understand if he was feeling uncomfortable or sad. Sirius had attended many banquets and pure blood parties as a child, each new person he met would force fed him their backwards beliefs. He shook his head and swayed them again.

"You're right it does, but the difference is that it's welcoming and kind here. Your parents know about my family; everyone knows, even before your sister told them about me. They know about the kind of family I came from and admittedly, I was scared for a moment because of how many glares I got around the room but your parents... they didn't even give any inclination that I was like them. They welcomed me like a brand new ordinary person and I'm genuinely giddy right now." She had never seen this calm and relaxed side of Sirius; he was always dramatic, over the top and hyper. He was standing before her with a gentle touch and very whole heart. "Lysander. Can I take your last name instead of you taking mine?" He chuckled lightheartedly

"We're getting married? Shoot, I better start looking for a dress..." Nora laughed, her mind fluttering to the idea and found it to be rather intriguing.

"One day." His voice dropped along with his head before their lips met, the twinkly lights from the tree cascading into a romantic backdrop. Thinking back on last years Christmas disaster, Nora was truly having a very merry Christmas this time.