'Jesus, was a wizard.' Sirius said, kicking a stone.
'No, he definitely wasn't.' James said.

The duo was walking down a random lane.
The Christmas evening greeted them with snow, snow and a little more snow.

'Are you kidding me? Jesus, was like yo bro, Avada Kedavra and boom.'

'You make it sound like he was Voldemort's ancestor.' A guy said from behind.

James and Sirius turned around to meet a young guy around their own age.
'Who are you?' James said.

'Um some people know me as a legend. Some as a normal person.' The guy smirked.

'Typical creepy overflow, man.' Sirius commented.
'Relax. I am not here to kill you.' The guy joked. 'The name's Dylan. Dylan Starc.'

'James Potter. But I guess you already knew that.'
'Yeah. I live right by the corner. Keep in a low profile, though.'

'So, why the unusual surprise, Dylan? Going in from house to house singing Christmas carols?' James said slyly.

Dylan laughed. 'Humour. That's great. Nah, I was bored. What about a round of quidditch?'

'If he's into quidditch, I like this guy.' Sirius said. 'Hey, I'm Sirius.'

'Nice to meet you, man. And about that earlier debate, Jesus was a wizard, obviously. Everybody knows that.'

'I definitely like this guy.' Sirius grinned with a told you so smirk to James.
***
Remus walked down the big house and knocked on the front door.

'Mary, get the door, will you?' A voice called out.
Probably Mrs Macdonald's.

The door opened with a bang.
'Thank god, you made it. Your dad isn't coming?'

'Uh, he's at work. He's going to drop by later, if that's fine with you.'

'Work? It's Christmas, for god's sake.' Mary sighed.
'The ministry has to go on, though.' Remus said coming in and closing the door.

'Do I get a back out chance, here? I am really nervous.'

'You'll be fine. Come on.' Mary said.
***
'So Remus, Mary has told us a lot about you.' Mr Macdonald broke the ice.
'That doesn't really assure me.' Remus laughed uneasily.

'Be assured, she has filled her description of you with compliments' He laughed.
'Now, I am much more comfortable.' Remus cracked a smile.

'So, Remus what do you plan on becoming when you grow up?' Mrs Macdonald.
'I haven't really decided. What with the war and all, it will be a miracle if I will grow up.' Remus said.

'Don't be so pessimistic, dear.'
'This lamb's really good.'

'Well, that's a start.' Mary's Mom smiled.
For a moment, Remus remembered his mother.

He realised that he wouldn't have any Christmas dinners with her anymore. No homemade treats.
For a moment, he grew misty eyed but he delved into reality back again.

As he looked at Mary, he thought that maybe there was still hope.
***
'This isn't any fun. Do you know anybody  who will join us? Then we can play doubles.' Sirius said.

'Not really. My best friend, Luke's in Philadelphia visiting his relatives.' Dylan said.

'Wait, Philadelphia? Luke Yorkshire?' James asked.

'You know him?' Dylan asked.
'He's dating a friend of ours.' Sirius explained.

'You know Dorcas Meadowes? Luke's head over heels over her.' Dylan said.
'He will get along with Remus Lupin, then.' James muttered.

'We should check with him.' James said.
'Nah, it's getting late. I promised Marlene I would be back by eight.' Sirius said.

'Maybe tomorrow.' Sirius said to Dylan.
'Same place. Ten in the morning, if you are okay with it and bring someone else.'

'Done.' Sirius agreed.
'Okay.' James said unsurely.

'See you, guys.' Dylan said, then walked away with a discrete hand wave in the air.

'What the hell, Sirius? These are dark times. You can't just trust some stranger.' James hissed.
'Be positive. I was just being friendly. And heck, the guy's friends with Luke. So he's not exactly a stranger.' Sirius said.

'I don't know, the guy seemed odd.' James said.

'Just be casual, tomorrow okay? Ask Remus to come tomorrow. Peter would have been a better choice since he lives nearer, but wormtail's in Greenland.' Sirius said.

'Greenland?'
'His family had a change of plans.' Sirius said.
'Merry Christmas and goodbye, I have someone waiting for me.' Sirius smirked getting over his motorcycle.

'Atleast you won't have to use the motorcycle, next year. January brings us apparition lessons.' James said.

'Apparitions okay. The motorcycle's a fashion statement.'
***
'Mom?' James asked.
'I am here.' She said from the living room.

James walked up and opened the door.

She had an album in her hands.
The photos were of his mom and dad together, and suddenly the last Christmas seemed ages ago.

'You two look happy.' James said.
'You three.' Said his mom, pointing at another photo of his parents holding him when he was a baby.

A sad smile crossed his face.
'What's for dinner?' James asked.

Up till now, his mother used to make a big Christmas dinner for the three of them, but this year nothing was the same anymore.
'I brought food from some nearby hotel.' His mom said.

***