Christmas morning arrived at Grimmauld Place with an atmosphere that was half–holiday warmth, half–magical catastrophe recovery.
Sirius—the newly christened Siri—had spent the previous night swearing vengeance while six girls experimented with hair ribbons, enchanted nail polish, and glitter-dusted glamour charms on him.
He had, in a moment of weakness, begged Severus for death.
Severus refused on principle, much rather willing to enjoy watching his previous tormentor now writhing in despair before his eyes at the hand of his own son's mischief.
Remus laughed until he choked, being cited as a traitor for taking everyone elses side rather than his own.
Cassius pretended to feel bad, but the smirk kept escaping, he had turned Ron and Harry into girls as a prank but that was to deter them from interferring with his plans.
By sunrise, the mansion felt festive again.
Snow drifted outside the windows.
The ancient portraits grudgingly donned enchanted Santa hats.
A massive evergreen tree—decorated in Blacksilver and Slytherin emerald—shimmered with charms that occasionally muttered insults.
And under the tree…
One by one, precisely labeled parcels waited for their intended.
Cassius stood before them, hands behind his back, posture princely as ever.
Only the faint lingering blush from last night suggested he was still human.
But i helped with his current state of dress.
Following with Muggle customs he had donned a full blown santa claus suit, and wearing a beard with his hair temporarily dyed white.
While not being tall enough or even fat enough to pull off the role successfully enough.
Seeing him doing this caused Cho and Hermione break out into smiles rushing to his sides while the others who arrived were at first confused but had the situation quickly explained and while it was confusing for them to be introduced to Muggle myths in this way they were open to it since it meant getting gifts regardless.
When all the girls had arrived and taken seats.
Remus followed with a tray of cocoa.
Snape arrived last, robe immaculate, looking like he had gotten precisely three hours of sleep and judged everyone who hadn't.
Siri arrived.
In the pink ballgown.
Hair curled.
Makeup done.
Tiara shining.
He scowled at everyone daring to breathe.
Cassius politely did not laugh out loud.
The girls absolutely did.
~
Cassius cleared his throat softly, breaking up the lively environment some as they all looked to the only oddly dressed member other than 'Siri' himself.
"I… er… have presents for all of you."
Ginny whispered to Hermione, "He looks nervous."
Hermione whispered back, "He kissed six girls yesterday. I'd be nervous too."
Cassius pretended he didn't hear that.
With a wave of his wand, the gifts floated from under the tree to each recipient like a carefully choreographed ballet.
Hermione tore into the rectangular package that arrived before her.
A thick, beautifully bound tome settled gently into her hands.
Her eyes widened.
"The Newest Arcanum Compendium of Advanced Magical Theory?! Cassius—this isn't even released in Britain yet!"
Cassius shrugged lightly. "I was able to request an advance edition."
Looking towards Remus as his source, seeing as how the Professor was official at least a member of the Arcanum thanks to the Lycan experiments.
Hermione hugged the book.
Then she nearly hugged him, stopped mid-motion, turned scarlet, and hugged the book again harder instead.
Cho received a long, sleek case.
When she opened it, she gasped.
"National-grade Nimbus Racing gloves… the reinforced kind used in trial qualifiers… Cassius, these are expensive!"
His smile softened. "You'll put them to better use than I ever could."
Cho bowed her head respectfully, overcome.
Daphne & Astoria Greengrass received two elegant, silver-tied boxes that floated toward the Greengrass sisters.
Matching, but customized.
Daphne opened hers to find luxury winter robes—hand-stitched, enchanted for warmth, with subtle serpentine patterns only visible under moonlight.
Astoria opened hers to discover a carefully chosen collection of enchanted accessories: gloves that sparkled with frostlight, a hair clip with a living snowflake charm, and a scarf that shifted between emerald and white.
Astoria squealed.
Daphne's composure cracked for a moment.
They both gave Cassius a matching look that said:
Yes. The battering rams are working.
Luna received a box that was shaking.
Softly.
As though something inside was humming.
She opened it and—
"Oh! A reversible box of Schrödinger Cards! They exist and don't exist until you look at them!"
Cassius nodded politely. "I felt it suited you."
"It does," Luna beamed. "And the Nargles approve."
Cassius had no idea what that meant, but Luna looked so delighted he counted it as a victory.
Ginny's gift was large.
She picked it up, confused, then opened the lid—
And froze.
Inside was a full, high-quality set of beauty and skincare line: enchanted creams, alchemical conditioners, starglitter mist, hexproof foundation, moon-kissed lip oils, and a limited-edition starfall hair serum.
All top-shelf.
All expensive.
Ironically these were all recipes created thanks to his Arcanum organization as well.
All things she'd only ever seen the others use sparingly, borrowing tiny amounts because the Weasleys could never buy them.
Ginny's throat closed.
"I—Cassius—I can't—this is—"
Cassius smiled gently. "I thought it was time you had your own. Not borrowed bottles."
Her eyes shimmered.
She wiped them quickly, embarrassed.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Really."
~
Remus received a neatly wrapped garment box.
Inside was a charcoal-gray suit, subtly enchanted against wear and tear, with silver runic threading to help maintain warmth through the winter nights.
Remus's eyes softened. "No one has bought me something this nice in… well. A very long time."
Cassius nodded respectfully.
"You deserve more than frequent repairs and old robes, Professor."
Remus gave Cassius a rare, warm smile—the kind that reached his eyes.
He might be making good money working for Cassius and being a professor at the school but the old softy still spent most of his money to help the others in the werewolf community rather than keeping the money for himself, but thanks to this the Lycan population of Britain would within another few years overtake the Werewolf population.
~
Sirius, in his gown, crossed his arms defiantly.
Siri—sorry, Siri—received a large rectangular present.
He opened it.
A muggle prankbook.
And a card.
He read it aloud:
"Study up, old man."
Cassius's face remained perfectly polite.
The room erupted in laughter.
Sirius turned pink beneath his blush foundation.
"You little— You absolute— I will get you for this!"
Cassius inclined his head. "You may try."
~
The last gift floated forward.
A long, obsidian box, sealed with silver runes.
Severus accepted it with a raised brow.
Inside:
A masterfully made potions-maker's kit, complete with rare stirring rods, calibrated crystal phials, and a custom platinum cauldron.
And—
A sleek, elegant bottle the label describing it simply as Hair wash but being a potions master himself Severus could tell the contents of this bottle were beyond premium.
As if someone had gone to the absolute pinnicle of what a hairwash was supposed to achieve and then, took it another step further just cause they could.
Severus stared.
The room waited.
He whispered:
"…you insolent little—"
He stopped.
Looked at the bottle again.
"…thank you."
Cassius dipped his head respectfully.
~
The fireplace crackled.
The tree glowed.
The chatter, teasing, and soft laughter wove together like warm threads.
Cassius looked around the room:
Snape—stern but not cold.
Sirius—absurdly glamorous but undeniably alive.
Remus—smiling gently.
Hermione hugging her book.
Cho admiring her gloves.
Daphne and Astoria showing off their gifts to each other.
Luna humming over her impossible cards.
Ginny holding her beauty set like a treasure chest.
They were loud.
Chaotic.
Ridiculous.
Not perfect.
But…
Warm.
Alive.
And for the first time in his memory—
Cassius felt something stir in his chest.
A feeling he had never truly known.
Family.
He let out a soft breath.
Warm. Content.
Almost—
Happy.
Daphne noticed his expression first.
She nudged his shoulder gently.
"You look at peace."
Cassius blinked.
"…Maybe I am."
Sirius pointed dramatically."Enjoy it while you can, Pup—because I swear upon Merlin's left buttock, I WILL get revenge—"
Remus put a hand over Sirius's mouth.
"Shh. Let the boy enjoy Christmas."
Severus sipped his tea calmly.
"For once," he said with a faint smirk, "I agree with Lupin."
Cassius laughed—quiet, real, and full.
"Happy Christmas, everyone."
And for once—
Every single person in that ancient, creaking, haunted house smiled back.
"Happy Christmas, Cassius."