Chapter Twenty-Three
Our Job
Something's wrong, shut the light
Heavy thoughts tonight
And they aren't of snow white
Dreams of war, dreams of liars
Dreams of dragon's fire
And of things that will bite
(Enter Sandman - Metallica)December 18th, 1971Snow blanketed the grounds of Hogwarts whilst the students gathered their trunks
together and prepared to spend the Christmas holidays at home. Few children remained at
school, though the weather was perfect for snowball fights. Gideon and Fabian Prewett
had even created a school-wide competition that ended up with seven Slytherins—and four
confused Hufflepuffs who got caught in the crossfire—in the hospital wing. James, Sirius,
and Remus had come out on top in the first year division of the games, but all three boys
nearly got frostbite because of it. Mia refused to participate. Three of the Marauders,
however, caught her giggling over the top of her book as she sat nearby when their
fourth—Peter—was buried beneath a sheet of fresh snow that fell from the roof.
It was the day after the last full moon of the year, and Mia thought Remus was
looking surprisingly healthy, considering. Somehow, over the months, being able to be
there for him before and after the full moon appeared to make his recovery much easier.
It also helped that she knew how to treat his wounds and what potions worked best to get
him through the pain. He had put weight back on, and the colour had returned to his face.
Christmas was approaching, and the holidays had never felt better for her.
"Sirius, why are you still in your pyjamas?" Mia asked as she descended the staircase
from the girls' dormitories. "We need to leave for the train soon."
"Mum.. ." Sirius said the word with a scowl on his face, "told me to just stay here."
He had sent letters home, specifically to his father and brother, leaving Walburga
out of the equation after the Howler she had sent him months ago.