Christmas is Going to the Dogs

"Have you seen Padfoot around?" Remus asked James.

"'Fraid not, Moony," the other boy replied. "He wasn't even around for breakfast..."

"Oh," said Remus despondently. Pulling his worn cloak closer, the young wizard looked hopefully around the snow-covered Hogsmeade streets anyways, half-expecting Sirius to jump out from behind a street corner...or something.

"C'mon," James said, nudging his friend companionably, "let's go to the Three Broomsticks. We can get some butterbeer before the trip is over."

"Alright," Remus agreed. "And we can also bring back a bottle for Wormtail. It must be awful getting the flu on Christmas..."

"Yeah," James said, holding the door to the Three Broomsticks open for Remus.

The warm air rushed outward, welcoming the two wizards in. Wreathes of holly were hung festively around the pub, and a scattering of floating candles helped create a welcoming ambiance. Ordering their drinks (and an extra one for Peter), the two Hogwarts students managed to get a table to themselves and drank in relative silence until Remus just had to ask the question that had been plaguing his thoughts.

"Do you think Sirius is avoiding me?"

"Huh?" James asked, momentarily nonplussed. "Of course not! Why would he?!"

"Well..." Remus gazed down at the pitted tabletop, "it's Christmas Eve, and I haven't seen him at all. But maybe I'm just being silly..." he added as an afterthought.

"He might be plotting something," James suggested with a wink and a grin. "You know Sirius..."

Remus nodded, still not feeling particularly reassured. Tightly, he clutched the bag sitting on the chair beside him. For Christmas he'd gotten his lover a four-pointed star pendant that glowed pale-blue in the dark when its owner wore it.

He hoped Sirius would like the gift...

~~~

Taking the stairs two at a time, Remus raced up the last staircase on his way to the fourth floor. To his dismay, Sirius hadn't shown up for dinner. But a note had. Still clutching the scrap of parchment, the pale boy hurried to follow its brief instructions: Come to the fourth floor Charms classroom at seven o'clock tonight.

Finally--after what seemed an eternity--Remus reached the room. Knocking lightly on the closed door, he was answered with a welcoming bark. Pushing the door open, Remus stepped in and saw Sirius in dog form...and covered with red and gold ribbons! The black dog barked again and wagged its tail happily. Noticing a card around its neck, Remus pulled it off and read:

Dear Moony,

A very happy Christmas to you.

Love,

Sirius

P.S. I hope you like strays.

With a small pop, Sirius returned to his normal form, wearing nothing but ribbon, black silk pajama bottoms, and a devilish grin.

"What do ya think?" he asked. "Aren't I adorable?"

"Don't you mean "deplorable"?" Remus retorted dryly, the worry from earlier quickly fading.

"Gee, that's harsh," Sirius replied, feigning sorrow. "Do you know how long it took me to wrap myself?"

Trying to sigh irritably, Remus couldn't help but smile anyways. "I got you something too."

"Aw, Moony, you shouldn't have," Sirius told his beloved, hugging Remus's hips suggestively.

"I meant I have something for you in our dorm. Honestly, Padfoot, you're such a--a--!"

Sirius smirked, incorrigible as ever. "Dog?"