CHRISTMAS OF '76!

DECEMBER 1976

6th Year

• • • •

James continuously shook Holland's shoulders, trying to wake her up.

"Holland! Wake up! It's Christmas! There are presents! And food!" The boy yelled in her ear.

"I was up by the first shake." Holland chuckled, sitting up.

"Well then come on!" James exclaimed, grabbing the Slytherin's wrist and pulling her out of bed.

"Do I at least get to brush my hair or teeth first?" The girl laughed.

"Nope," James shook his head, "And besides, you look fine."

"Exactly what a girl wants to hear." Holland hummed, putting her dark hair into a ponytail, as se was dragged downstairs and into the living room, where everyone else was talking, turning to look at the pair when they entered the room.

"I have awoken the princess from her slumber," James dramatically exclaimed, bringing her to sit down next to Remus on the sofa, him sitting on the other side of her, "That means presents." The boy grinned, rubbing his hands together, making everyone either laugh, roll their eyes, or both.

"Right, ours first." Euphemia said, as she and Fleamont got their gifts to the others from under the tree, handing them to all of the adults and teenagers.

Holland looked up at the mother, surprised, as she held a beautifully wrapped present towards the Irish girl.

"For me?" She asked.

Euphemia smiled gently at her, "For you." She affirmed with a nod, making Holland take the gift with a small smile, sharing a grin with James, as she opened the present.

Holland beamed up at the woman, looking at the woollen scarf that she held in her hands.

"Thank you." Holland said, running her hand over the soft, grey material.

"It's our pleasure, Dear."

Hope and Lyall were next to give their presents to everyone, and the Slytherin was once again surprised to receive a gift from the couple.

The girl smiled, unwrapping the two knitted jumpers - courtesy of Hope. She grinned, looking at the red and green jumper and the beautiful blue jumper, wondering how the brunette knew that was her favourite colour.

"Remus told me that was your favourite colour." Hope told the girl, answering her unasked question, making the Slytherin glance at her boyfriend, who also held two knitted jumpers in his hand, one red and green, the other a light brown.

Noticing the matching jumpers, Holland looked over at Hope, who gave the girl a wink and a warm smile, making the sixteen-year-old blush.

The Pettigrews all gave out their gifts - most of which being food - Holland grinning when she received liquorice wands, knowing Remus told him what to get her.

She also received a collection of Charles Dickens book from Remus, which was probably her favourite gift she had gotten that day.

James had gotten Holland Scrabble and Battleships, claiming that he would absolutely destroy her at, making the girl roll her eyes.

It was perhaps the present from Sirius that shocked her the most.

He handed it to her with an awkward smile, receiving one back, before opening it, smiling when she sae a complete collection of the Sherlock Holmes book, making Holland look up at the shaggy-haired boy with curiosity.

"I asked Lily," Sirius told her, "She suggested those. Sorry if you don't like them."

"No," Holland shook her head, "I appreciate it. Thank you."

"S'alright." Sirius gave her a curt nod, before the Irish girl got up, collecting her gifts from under the tree, as she was last to give them out.

She gave a nice, maroon jumper to her boyfriend, sweets to Peter, a new broomstick to James, to replace his that was broken in their accident - which was greatly appreciated. She gave Sirius hair gel and a beater's bat, Fleamont a jumper and Euphemia gardening supplies, Hope received a scarf and a scented candle, and Lyall a new tie and she also gave Peter's parents a mug each.

"Right," Euphemia stood up, after everyone had been given their Christmas presents, "Time for breakfast. I hope you're all okay with a full English." She said, gaining nods, before she, Hope and Mrs. Pettigrew made their way into the kitchen.

Holland started to make her way upstairs, passing her boyfriend, who whispered into her ear.

"Meet me down here after everyone's gone to bed." He told the girl, making her nod.

Jogging up the stairs, she entered her bedroom, going through the chest of drawers, pulling out a red, festive dress for the day, when there a knock on the open door, making her turn to Sirius standing in the doorway.

"Sirius?" The girl asked.

"Uh, I just wanted to say thank you," Sirius told her, "For the gifts. I was out of gel." He added, making Holland smile.

"It was no problem," She shook her head, as the two smiled at each other, "See," Holland smiled, "We can get along." The girl said, making them both smile and laugh slightly.

***

Sitting in front of the fire, Remus patiently waited for Holland to come downstairs, smiling when he heard footsteps come downstairs, and the Slytherin sat down next to her boyfriend, a perfectly wrapped gift in her hand, making the boy chuckle.

"What?" Holland asked with a smile.

"I had the same idea." Remus grinned, revealing an equally neatly wrapped present, "I'd rather give you a more personal gift in private." He said, making the girl nod in agreement.

"Me too."

"Here." Remus said, handing her his gift, which she carefully opened, smiling softly as she picked up one of the items in the wrapping paper.

It was a picture of the couple that they had taken on a muggle polaroid camera after their date the day before. In the photo, Remus had his arm wrapped tightly around his girlfriend, as she hugged him, both with large matching grins.

"I love this picture." Holland smiled.

"Me too." Remus beamed, as the girl snuggled into him more.

The other item in the wrapping paper was a beautiful leather notebook, with a beautiful dove engravement on it.

"My patronus." The Irish girl muttered softly, running her hands gently over the leather.

"A reminder that you were the first in our class to perform it. Because you're brilliant." Remus told her.

Holland beamed, kissing her boyfriend softly, "You're so cheesy." She chuckled.

"You like it." Remus smirked slightly.

"That I do." Holland laughed, before nervously handing him her gift, "Here."

Remus smiled, taking it in his hands, starting to open it, as Holland nervously watched on, playing with her pyjama sleeves, unsure of what of his reaction would be.

The Gryffindor opened the wrapping paper, grinning as he saw a large scrapbook underneath the paper. He looked at his girlfriend with a smile, who was watching his every move, anxiously biting at her nails. Remus opened the book, freezing when he saw the words that were neatly written on the page.

'Why I Love My Werewolf Boyfriend'

"Remus?" Holland gently asked her boyfriend.

The boy swallowed the lump in his throat, "You know?"

Holland nodded, "Margaret and I found out on the last full moon."

Remus bit his lip, putting the scrapbook on the floor, standing up, starting to pace around the living room.

"Remus," Holland said, standing up, "What are you thinking?"

Remus turned to look at her, "If you know I'm a monster, then why are you still with me?" He asked her.

Holland walked up to the boy, who looked at her nervously, wrapping her arms around his shoulders, looking at him in the eyes, "Because you are not," She told him sternly, "And because I love you."

Remus stared at his girlfriend, "Say that again."

"I. Love. You." Holland repeated.

Remus grinned, "You love me."

The girl laughed, "Yes. I love you, you bloody idiot. Every single bit of you."

Remus smiled down at her, "I love you, Juliet."

"I love you, Romeo."

The couple smiled at each other, sealing their statement with a deep, loving kiss.