A/N: James is such a Mumma's boy it's unreal. I love it. Also, he seems much more childish with his mum but I'm thinking that he may be like that cause he's gonna be the 'mum' of the group, so he's got to have someone to be his mum, ya know?

Sirius had bought a corkboard a week after Remus' first absence, and pinned notes systematically upon it informing the reader of various prank ideas, funny jokes for James and Re', and cheesy puns for Peter. Sirius was not known for being orderly, and James did not anticipate him being the list type, but, boy, did Sirius make a lot of lists; prank ideas, homework, potions ingredients, cool charms that caught his attention, cracks at James, and so many other things!

Sirius sat, scribbling away at a piece of parchment, with his legs crossed beneath him, his head bent over his work, black hair falling over his face, shielding his eyes from view. James could see his tongue poking out from between his lips in concentration, and chuckled.

"Hey, Siri?"

"Yeah, Jamie?" Sirius looked up from his parchment, mouth open slightly, a loose strand of his quill stuck to the corner of his mouth, blinking his eyes into focus.

"Whatchya writin'?" James, from his place on the bed with his bed, with his legs in the air above him, and his head slightly off the bed, tilting backwards, so he was able to watch Sirius, who was turning out to be great entertainment.

Sirius blew a raspberry, the piece of feather on his lip flying away, he went cross-eyed to watch it fall around his nose, "A list of why my mother is a shit one." James' brows rose in surprise, "So far I've got; she's a bitch, she's a bitch, and she's a bitch."

James had sat up and turned to face the other boy, watching him with calculated eyes. He saw the wry grin pulling at Sirius' lips, and the relaxed posture of his friend. He also saw the sad confusion within his metallic eyes, the taught sheets where Sirius had clenched his fists in them. He also saw the set jaw, the determined, furrowed brows, "I'm going to make myself so very muggle, just to prove my beliefs to that vile excuse of a mother." Sirius laughed dryly.

"Siri…" James trailed off, "Make sure you want to though, mate, like, don't go buy tons of clothes and stuff and then decide you don't want a bit of any of it. Don't let her control you." He stood up and sat down next to his friend. He threw an arm around Sirius' shoulders, and grinned at him, "But, I will help if you really wanna do it? Like, we could talk to Lily, or Marlene – is she muggleborn?" Sirius nodded, "Yeah, so… It'd be easy!"

Sirius smiled softly at his friend and bobbed his head up and down, once. He was so grateful for his friends. He pondered what it'd have been like if he had he been placed with the Ravens or Puffs instead. Not like this, that's for sure.

o0o

Remus and Peter were hiding out in a small alcove, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

"Now!" Peter whisper-screamed. Remus giggled and shuffled out towards the 'enemy'. In perfect position, Remus turned and nodded at Peter, who returned it and walked around casually, inspecting the surrounding area with an almost frightening intensity. All was in place. Remus lifted his wand and pulled a small green tub out of his pocket. He opened the tub to reveal a shimmering purple powder, and poked it with his finger, covering the digit with the substance, and approached the sleeping target. He lightly swiped the powder above the target's upper lip.

Remus sent a discreet thumbs up in Peter's direction before skidding across the stone floor towards the alcove.

Peter walked jauntily forwards, just to the right of the target, and subtly added his own orange dust to the target's upper lip before gently tapping his chestnut wand to the powders, then scurrying off, heading for Remus in the alcove.

He turned just in time to see Professor Slughorn sniff, then lick his lips, and contort in a sudden burst of red smoke. The boys walked cautiously to the chair. There, sat in the middle of the chair, was a snorting pig. The pig looked very indignant at its situation, and glared up at the two grinning boys above him.

Remus held his hand up for a high five. Peter slapped it firmly.

o0o

"I used to dream of dragons." Remus said suddenly. Sirius turned to look at him, "After… sleepless nights, I would lie in my bed and imagine the places I'd go if I had a dragon. I always decided on Sweden and Switzerland. They look beautiful, at least, from what I've seen of them in photos. And the infamous chocolate wouldn't hurt." A smile flitted across the scarred boys face.

"Why dragons?" They lay on a large rock near the lake, knees bent up and hands behind their heads, staring up at the orange abyss above.

"They're strong, and could protect me from people."

"Who'd you need protecting from?" Sirius turned his head towards the amber eyed boy, watching his profile.

Remus shrugged noncommittally and looked vaguely uncomfortable, so Sirius decided to let it go. "I'd go to the Caribbean, I think. I think I'd go alone, tan myself, come back looking prettier than I already do!"

Remus nodded and grinned wryly, "Of course, love, of course." He said sarcastically.

Sirius smiled and nudged Remus with his elbow, "Hey, Re'?" The lycanthrope hummed in acknowledgement, "Do you think Jamie and Pete are wondering where we are?"

Remus snorted, "Nah, they'll be off tormenting some poor third year. Probably not done their homework, knowing them. At least I do mine, the poor teachers'll hate us by the end of this term!"

Sirius laughed, "No! They'll hate me, and the other two, not you!" Remus looked at him quizzically, "One smile from you and they are at your beck and call! You have all the teachers wrapped around your little toe!"

"That's not the saying, and you know it, Siri. And I do not! They act like that with everyone!" Sirius snorted and shoved him with his foot. The scarred boy looked at him, amused, and pushed him back. The two friends began to puppy-fight and Remus came out victorious.

o0o

When late December arrived, a wintry chill had settled around the castle, students could be seen wrapped in thick woollen scarves, heavy robes, and multiple pairs of socks. For James, winter was a nightmare; it's cold nights were unbearable, the biting winds were frighteningly cold, and Hogwarts hot chocolate was mediocre compared to his Ma's, and there was none of his Ma's curry, or Dad's jam roly poly. He really missed his parents.

With this thought, he ran up to the dorm and burrowed under his duvet and multiple blankets to mirror-call his ma.

She picked up immediately, "Hello, darling boy." She smiled fondly through the mirror at her little boy.

"Hey, Ma! I was just thinking of your hot chocolate! You'd never believe how cold it is here, like I've got at least seven layers on! Not including my socks."

"I do believe it, as I there once."

"Yeah, but like, a hundred years ago!" His smile turned into a grin, "Bet the castle looked modern when you were here!"

She laughed, "Well I never! What a cheeky bugger being at that castle has made you!"

"Nah, that'll all be Siri! He's so sassy! Yesterday, he called Professor McGonagall, 'Minnie', ooh she went ballistic. It was very funny."

"I'll bet. I do hope, young Mister Potter, that you're not disrespecting any teachers in a similar fashion, are you?" His ma said it in a sweet voice, but her eyes were stern.

James' hazel eyes widened, "Oh no, Ma, I'd never. Not once in my whole wizarding life, I swear to Merlin's dirty boxers!"

"That is a very serious oath, my son, don't want to be saying that one too often!" She smiled as he giggled, his tongue poking out of his lips.

"Oh, don't you ever worry about that, Ma! You'll be the only witness to ever hear of my mistake!" She laughed lightly, the tinkling, bell-like sound warming him entirely.

They continued to talk for over an hour until James just couldn't keep it in anymore.

"I love you, Ma." He said, out of the blue, his eyes wetting.

"And I, you, my precious gift."

The first of many tears fell down the eleven-year-old's cheek. "What's wrong, Jamie?"

"I want a hug, and I want to be at home. I want to sit by the fire, and be all wrapped up with warming charms at night. I want my bed and you, and… and… I want to be with you and Dad!" The tears were rushing down his face but a mother always knows how to make her sweet baby feel better.

"Aw, James, it's only a week to go, soon you'll be back home wrapped up nice and warm, with a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of your dad's pudding. Don't worry, love." She searched her son's face and saw a slight brightness appear in his eyes, "I can't wait to see you either, it's only a week today and I promise that as soon as I see you, you'll be in my arms." He smiled at his ma sadly, taking in her familiar face, the soft creases near her eyes, the hazel eyes – the same colour of his own, her brown hair tied back loosely with a ribbon, strands falling around her face.

"I love you, little one, and I'll see you soon."

"Love you Ma. See you next week." She looked at him fondly, then he was looking at his own face in the mirror.

o0o

When Remus and Sirius walked in and saw their bespectacled friend, in his bed, staring at his mirror dejectedly. Remus walked over and put his hand on James' shoulder. James jumped and sat up, attempting to wipe away his tears before they saw. Sirius reached over for a hug and James accepted willingly. Remus put his arms around James' other side and nuzzled his shoulder. The homesick boy sighed, and pulled his friends down for a cuddle.

Remus smiled, they all knew of James' love for warm hugs and snuggles, and went willingly, along with Sirius. The blanket was pulled up around their shoulders.

"What is it, Jamie?" Sirius asked, once he was sure his friend was okay.

"Nuthin', just missing my ma. Can't wait for the holidays." Remus nodded but Sirius frowned.

"I think I might stay here for the holidays. Don't really wanna go home." James pulled back from him slightly to look into his eyes.

His brows were furrowed and his lips were pursed, "Hmm." He made mental note of something to ask his ma, "Why don't you come over to mine Sirius? I'm sure Ma and Dad won't mind. I'm gonna miss you guys loads anyway." Sirius looked at James in shock and Remus hid a relieved smile in James' shoulder. James, turning to Remus, said "We'll have to meet up at some point. You could come over for a while."

Remus watched Sirius carefully, who's only response so far was to gawp and hug James even tighter, a hand clutching Remus', but he answered happily anyway, "Yeah, that'd be great, if your mum won't mind, of course?"

"We could always ask now?" he held up his two-way mirror, the other two nodded.

"Hi Ma." He said when her face appeared.

She looked at James questioningly, "Hiya baby. This is very soon after our last chat? Is everything okay?"

James nodded, then held the mirror further away so that she could see his friends who still lay pressed close to him, "Yeah 'course, Ma. This is Sirius Black and Remus Lupin," He pointed at each, and Mrs. Potter smiled benignly at the two, "I – I mean, we – were just wondering if Sirius would be able to stay for Christmas?" Mrs. Potter caught on to what James was not-saying, the emphasis on Sirius' surname telling her all she needed to know.

"Of course, love. Will I need to set up another room or will your bedroom be enough...?" She grinned at the boys and their position. Sirius sighed in relief, James glared at her, and Remus blushed. "Am I right in guessing that Remus shall be over for a time, as well?" All three nodded.

"Yeah, if that's ok, Mrs. Potter? I don't want to impose?" Remus bit his lip.

James' ma simply smiled and shook her head, "Oh you won't, you silly goon!" The three friends chuckled, "How about Peter… was it Peter?" James nodded, "Will he be coming?" Remus looked at James, who looked at Sirius, who looked at Remus. They shrugged simultaneously, turning back to the mirror.

"Dunno Ma. I'll ask later in the week." She nodded, "See you Ma, probably mirror you tomorrow anyway. Love you loads Ma."

"And you dearest. See you next week boys," Remus and Sirius waved, "Bye Jamie darling."

She winked and her face faded from the mirror.

The boys smiled at each other and continued to lay together until they drifted off side-by-side.

o0o