"There's just so many, it's hard to ignore" Sirius whined.
"Well if the Christmas tree smells like it I will curse you or neuter you" Harry warned.
"You wouldn't" Sirius exclaimed worriedly. "How will the witches of Hogwarts cope, what would they do without me?" he questioned dramatically.
"You mean Marlene" Peter interjected. "That's it" Sirius declared. "That's the last time any of you mention her or so help me I will curse you all" he threatened.
"Oh come off it Sirius, we all know you actually enjoyed working with her" James stated.
"I didn't have a bloody choice, neither did Harry or Peter" the boy pointed out. "How was it working with Rookwood, you never mentioned it?" he inquired.
Peter shrugged.
"He only really spoke to me once" he explained. "After that he just told me what to do".
"Well thank merlin it's over with now" Sirius sighed.
The journey passed pleasantly for the group as they played a few games of exploding snap and gobstones, talked amongst themselves and started planning a few more pranks for when they returned to school.
Soon enough the train arrived at Kings Cross and they pulled their trunks down from the rack and made their way on to the platform to meet the Potter parents who were waiting for them.
"See you in a couple of weeks guys" James called to Peter and Remus as they exited with their parents.
Both boys acknowledged the farewell with a wave as they left.
"Coming with us Sirius?" Dorea asked, shooting a glance further down the platform where Walburga was greeting Regulus.
"If that's ok" Sirius answered nervously.
"Always" Dorea replied with a warm smile.
Sirius breathed a sigh of relief before they themselves headed for the exit to floo home. They arrived at Potter Manor and were about to head upstairs when they were called back by Dorea who was looking a little nervous.
"We've been invited to the Black home for boxing day" She revealed with a sigh.
Sirius simply looked horrified by the idea and James did not look any happier.
"It's ok Sirius you don't have to go" she placated the boy. "And neither do you James" she added. "But you do Harry" She finished with a shake of her head.
"Why?" Harry asked with a frown as both Sirius and James were looking very relieved.
"Your Uncle Arcturus wants to meet you" Charlus answered. "He's promised it will be a small affair, so there is no need to worry" he assured the boy. "Unless you have something against corporal punishment and complete disdain for anything fun" Sirius muttered.
"Sirius" Dorea warned. "It's not that bad".
"Tell that to my left arse cheek, I swear it has been numb since I was five and he hit me with that stinging hex" he grumbled. "I swear you can't be related to him Aunt Dorea" he finished disbelievingly.
"You haven't seen her angry yet" Charlus mumbled.
Dorea shot the man a glare.
"It will just be immediate family and we won't have to stay long" Dorea explained to Harry.
He sighed and dragged his hand through his hair but nodded.
"It's not like I have a choice is it" he stated. "Bellatrix said he'd want to meet me" he added with a frown. "Well at least you will know one person there" Charlus pointed out.
"She's the one who cursed me in the back" Harry retuned.
"Ahh" Charlus deadpanned. "Well, I'm sure you'll be ok" he tried.
"So I take it you aren't coming" Harry stated questioningly.
"Someone has to keep an eye on these two" the man answered.
"It looks like I have another gift to add to my list" Harry sighed.
"Have you not done your shopping yet?" Dorea asked.
Harry shook his head.
"I didn't go to Hogsmeade, I had detention" he reminded her. "I'll go to Diagon Alley soon but you'll have to tell me what to get for him". Dorea nodded.
"You can go unpack your things now" she allowed.
The boys gratefully left the conversation and headed up the stairs.
"That's some bad luck there" Sirius said sympathetically.
"It can't be that bad" Harry countered.
"It's worse" James disagreed. "Believe me you will never want to go back, once is enough" he explained seriously.
Harry just shook his head.
He had certainly dealt with worse in his life than dinner with family members, dinner with the Dursley's could not be any better than dinner with the Black's after all.
(BREAK) It was a few days after the revelation that Harry would be spending Boxing Day with the Blacks that found Harry in Diagon Alley to complete his Christmas shopping. He had already written a list of everything he needed to get so he was confident that he could get through errand without too much trouble.
He had already sent Lily one of the charms books he had liberated from the room of requirement that he had no further use of, an exceedingly rare tome that had been written in the 1700's, something he knew she would enjoy.
He planned on getting Peter an advanced potion kit that he knew the boy would benefit from if he truly wanted to be a potioneer when he finished school and Remus some books on runes that he had helpfully identified that he did not have yet. He would send the gifts to the boys later on in the evening before Peter would be leaving for Sweden.
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