The Marauders' Memories

A Black Christmas

Extra Mini Chapter- A Black Christmas

-Since I missed out last week you get this extra mini chapter, plus this week and last week's ones!

Regulus groggily got up as light flooded into his room. He smiled a little when he remembered it was Christmas Day. He quietly got changed into some slightly more fancy than usual black robes, with a white shirt. He smoothed his hair down, and headed downstairs. His father was already downstairs scoffing at something said in the daily prophet. Kreacher placed a plate for him on the table and gave him a low bow. Thanking him, he sat down and ate breakfast. Half way through, his mother came down, holding a mangled book.

'Is that Sirius' present?' His father asked, looking up from the paper.

'Yes. Have you sent yours?' His father nodded.

'Regulus and I both sent ours yesterday. I gave him a little notebook; Regulus gave him sweets. What are you going to give him?'

'I wouldn't have if Cassiopeia hadn't insisted...' She held out the scrapbook. Regulus eyed it jealously, knowing exactly what was inside.

'So you got one, being the oldest right? My older brother got one. Lucky.'

'Centuries of precious Black research, all going to the wrong person.' Mrs Black muttered sadly. Regulus became slightly uncomfortable at the silence and asked,

'Did Sirius send anything?' His father smirked.

'Yes...a very considerate gift...' He took an envelope and shook out the contents. A letter, and three coin-shaped things fell out. His father first read out the messy scrawl on the sheet.

'To my family,

Merry Christmas! How are you? I don't care. I bet you'll enjoy Christmas without your disgrace in the house. I'll be the same knowing my family is miles away. Hope you like the gifts, chose you're favourite. Their hand made from muggle art stuff, like clay and glitter, and a stamp set I got. :)

Sirius.'

Sirius' father put away the letter and hovered up the gifts, looking repulsed. 'He made us glittery red key rings. One with the Gryffindor crest on, one with a lion on, and the final, with a picture of the sword of Gryffindor on it. Regulus shifted away from them, while his father magically shoved the key rings in the envelope and sent it away. Mrs Black waved her wand, wrapping the present in paper, and called Kreacher. There was a bang, but nobody flinched.

'Kreacher, take this to Sirius' She commanded.

'Certainly, mistress.' With another bang he was gone. Mrs Black sat down and began to eat her breakfast. After a few bites, Kreacher returned. 'This is a gift to mistress Black, from Master Sirius' he croaked.

Mrs Black looked at it with suspicion, Sirius wasn't normally this nice. She stared at the tall black bottle with the crystal topper. She muttered,

'Go get my presents for Orion and Regulus will you, Kreacher...' with a nod, he left. she reached out and started pulling out the stopper, just as Kreacher apperated into the room. The bottle was dropped. Everyone watched with fear, anticipation, worry, as it fell to the floor in one tense second. It smashed onto the floor and it shattered into a million shards. Everyone gagged as the smell of rotten eggs diffused through the room, and attacked everyone's noses. Regulus abandoned his breakfast and dashed out the room before he could throw up. His mother and father were right behind him. His father magically locked the door, as they all coughed and choked at the rancid scent. There was a crack as Kreacher apperated into the corridor, looking extremely apprehensive.

'Mistress Black, Master Black and Master Regulus, Kreacher sincerely apologises for starting Mistress Black, and causing the bottle to fall. Kreacher is also sorry for delivering the present that caused such distress and impleasure. Kreacher shall go and slam his hands in-between the wall and door.'

'No need, no need' Mrs Black panted. 'Just try to get rid of that smell will you?'

'Certainly Mistress. Thank you mistress. Kreacher won't sleep until it is done. ' He bowed, covered his nose, and went away. Then, he was back. 'Mistress forgot these.' He gave them all another bow and disappeared, leaving some presents behind. Mrs Black picked them up, and they all strutted to the living room. She them handed each of the boys a present. They opened theirs. Mr Black got a new, black cloak, with silver lining. Regulus got a gold locket with the Black Crest engraved on it. It opened to reveal a picture of him, with his father on his right hand side, his mother on the other side. He put it on immediately, causing his mother beam at him happily.

'Kreacher!' Mr Black called.

'Yes, Master Black?' Kreacher asked immediately as he appeared.

'Have you done?'

'Yes sir, Kreacher aired out the room, and added in nice smells, so the odour should be gone.'

'Excellent. Now go get us our presents.'

A few moments after Kreacher had left he returned with three dark green sacks. They all began opening their presents.

An hour or so later, they were all done. Mrs Black had Horton some more jewellery, clothes, and a new ornate picture frame from her sister, who accidentally cracked one in the squabble after Sirius' prank at the party. Mr Black had gotten several more robes (his robes got ripped due to the prank too) as well as some new additions to his collection of dark artefacts. Regulus got several things he assumed he would needing for Hogwarts. He got a stack of potions ingredients, several books, a black wizards hat, and an interesting game set. It had a dice that will roll the number you desire, a board game that is a little more than bias when it comes to helping the players, and a wizards chest set with both sets siding with him, and will trick the opposition. Regulus smiled as he read about it. It seemed very cunning yet fun.

The rest of the day, was spent in a very normal way. They relaxed, except from when Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa and their parents came to visit for Christmas dinner by Kreacher. They pulled a few crackers, everyone groaning as a muggle game was a prize, and all stopped playing. It became dark outside, and the three girls were apperated back to their manor. The other Blacks went straight to bed, exhausted. Their Christmas were usually less grand, just the presents normally. Regulus however, liked the change. The perfume, his cousins, it made Christmas a little more fun for him. He hoped future Christmases would improve. It was quite nice, after all, Christmas is certainly magical.