It was Christmas Eve and the adults of the house and Tippy were wrapping presents. Harry, being the little boy he was, was sitting on his bed listening for Father Christmas with droopy eyes and many yawns. He had tried to ask his uncles to let him stay up, but they told him that Santa wouldn't come if he were awake. So, he was going to stay awake and trick them, when he heard the reindeer, he was going to sneak down and surprise St. Nick. Right after he took a nap.
The house was decorated inside and out. Outside there were fairy lights everywhere, plastic statues of Christmas characters were also prominent and a small elf village was erected. Padfoot had gone wild with the lights and if the house could be seen from the streets, they would have kept people up with their brightness. The inside was more tastefully done, since Moony and Hydrus were in charge. The fireplace had four stockings and a few boughs of fir, a medium sized tree with old-fashion ornaments and white fairy lights sat in the corner, and a few sprigs of holly strung with green garland hung from the ceiling.
"I can't believe we were so stupid," Hydrus said out of nowhere, smacking his forehead and frowning.
"What?" Sirius questioned, putting down the game he was wrapping and glaring at the older man. Everything had been cheerful up to that point and he had to wonder what set the immortal off now.
"Why do you say that, Hydrus?" Remus was calmer about it. He too put down the gift he was wrapping.
"We've been looking at people from the war, even though we all pointed out that I had little to nothing to do with it. We should be looking at anyone who has been protesting the changes I've made. Death said I made this person, so it could be someone who died in my timeline, but not in this one," the immortal said as he paced the living room. "I think it was Rita calling her a Dark Lady that threw us off. I have to wonder how she even knew this person existed when we can't find anything on this mysterious woman."
"The problem with that is you do not know who died in the first war or after. I mean, you saved the Longbottoms, but I am pretty sure Alice is not your stalker," the werewolf said, running his hand through his hair.
"Then there's Barty's wife," Padfoot said, thinking over the women they knew about. "You said she died of a broken heart and took her son's place in Azkaban. Now that he's dead, she might have snapped."
"But how would she know I had anything to do with her son? No, I don't think it's her," Hydrus argued, still pacing the floor. "If it is then it wouldn't be for that reason."
"Well, I've kept my eyes and ears open at the Ministry, and I haven't heard any women complaining. There have been quite a few men disappointed at the changes, but most of the women stand by them," Sirius said. "There were a few wives that were up in arms when the Death Eaters were found. But, like you said they would have no way of knowing it was you." He rubbed his chin in thought.
"Are we sure it is not Narcissa?" Remus asked, turning towards Sirius.
"I made her take a vow not to hurt the family. Hydrus is part of the family, so, no, I don't think she'd risk losing her magic," the dogman said, shaking his head.
"Well, damn," the immortal sighed, sitting on the sofa, running a hand down his face.
"Tippy can be asking the house elves if they is hearing anything. As long as they does not tell thiers family secrets, theys can be gossiping," Tippy said as she finished wrapping a toy and putting Santa's name on it. She wasn't nearly as upset as the men. She knew her boss was the greatest.
"That would be a great help," Hydrus said, smiling brightly at the little elf. He was running ladies that had died in the war the last time with those who were still alive in this timeline. The problem was he didn't know many. His research had been mostly on his family and friends. He was berating himself for not bringing the old Daily Prophets from his timeline to compare. There was something he was missing. "Death said the reason the woman is troubled was hiding in plain sight."
"Let's go over the changes you've made. There are the stores, making everyone think for themselves and be brought up to modern times," Sirius said.
"Then there's the orphanage, so there are now more squibs living good lives," was Remus's addition.
"And the newspaper, making facts be know, so more politicians have to behave," Hydrus added.
"You got Frostwell to start his inventions early," Sirius said, holding up four fingers.
"You have helped others open shops, especially Muggle-borns." Remus held up five. "However, you were a silent partner, so I do not think that one counts." He put his finger back down.
"The only people I can think that would protest any of these changes would be Pure-bloods," the dogman said after a minutes thought.
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