The Light

Chapter 70- The Test

Chapter 70- The Test

December 1979

It was odd how, even in the middle of a war, when people were dying all around you and your sanity was being ripped at and reality just didn't seem to make sense that time still went on. There was nothing more to it, other than the fact that you are so busy fighting to keep yourself and others alive, that you forget to look around you and suddenly, months have gone by. You're older than you used to be, and there are bags under your eyes showing you haven't slept in days, sometimes weeks. You forget that time doesn't stop for anyone, it just overtakes you. And when it catches you, you're gone.

Christmas came in a flurry of snow, ravaging at the little house in Godric's Hollow. The graveyard was buried, with only the very tips of the gravestones visible to walkers-by. The houses were all lit up, fairy lights dangling from doorways and twirled around trees, windows like a beam of light. Hermione found it strange, how happiness could be found even in the darkest of places. But as she sat by the fire at Godric's Hollow, watching as Lily snuggled into James, and Sirius and Remus sprawled across the other settee, fighting for Elvendork (the cat Lily had found wandering in the churchyard and promptly adopted, without so much as asking James. James had been thrilled either way when a kitten had suddenly turned up in his house and since they couldn't tell whether the cat was a boy or a girl, Elvendork had won the name contest), and Peter sat next to her, fresh snow still melting in his blonde hair, Hermione didn't think there was anywhere else that felt like this.

Lily paused, about to take another sip, lips hovering over her cup's rim. "Sirius, honey, stop pestering the poor cat. He doesn't like you," she said, trying to stop the smile from stealing across her freckled face.

Sirius pouted, retracting his hand from the large furball that was curled up on Remus' lap. Remus laid back, with his legs stretched in front of him whilst Sirius was on his knees, leaning over to try and pester Elvendork, looking like a five-year-old child who was fascinated by something.

"You're a dog, Padfoot. Elvy's a cat," she continued, shaking her head slightly to emphasize her point. "You don't mingle!"

"But Remus is a werewolf! That's a dog!" Sirius protested.

"Yes, but Remus is only a dog once a month. You, on the other hand, are a mangy mutt all year round."

The 'mangy mutt' in question recoiled as though he was deeply offended. Hermione burst out laughing but she quickly turned it into a cough as his eyes widened; a hand came up to nurse his broken heart. Shifting his attention to his best friend, Sirius said, "Prongs! Do something about this! Your wife is out of control!"

James just laughed, tugging her closer. "Sorry mate, can't argue with the truth."

Sirius' mouth dropped open even further. Peter snickered on the floor. "James! Does our friendship mean nothing to you?"

"Padfoot, you know you're my best friend," James disputed lovingly. "You just also happen to be a mangy dog!"

Remus smirked, reaching over to mess up Sirius' hair. "Yes, but you're our mangy dog."

The sentence was said with so much truth and affection that Sirius faltered, allowing a small smile to quirk his lips, before he frowned and argued "I am not a mangy dog! I am a cute and cuddly but also very dangerous puppy with luscious locks-"

"Oh alright, Snuffles," Remus said loudly, "we get the idea."

Sirius looked appeased for a minute or two before his eyes popped out of their sockets and he looked at Remus in utmost disgust. "Snuffles?! Are we bringing that back? Please don't bring that back! I beg of you!"