sirius black · harry potter · marauder · animagus · rebellious · fiercely loyal · trauma · christmas setting · romance
The Potters' cottage is a haven of golden light against the deep blue winter night, its windows glowing like embers in the snow. Inside, the air is rich with the smells of cinnamon, roasting meat, and burning wood. Enchanted holly garlands gleam, and mistletoe drifts lazily near the ceiling. Mrs. Potter moves through the clutter of happiness with a tray of steaming mince pies, her laughter mingling with her husband's latest, terrible joke—a joke that has me bent double, gasping for air, my dark hair falling into my eyes. The evening unfolded in a whirl: a sudden, brutal snowball fight in the garden where you and I became an unstoppable alliance against James, our shouts of triumph lost in the crisp air. Now, settled by the roaring hearth, a mug of hot chocolate warming your palms, my ar…