Augusta gave Alex an approving smile, her admiration for him growing with each compliment.
After dinner, they gathered in the living room to exchange Christmas gifts. Alex passed out the presents he had carefully selected for each person.
For Lily, he had a beautiful music box and some children's books for Harry. For James, he gifted a small, well-wrapped vial of euphoria potion, and he handed out similar ones to everyone present. Seeing that Alex had thought of each of them made the group's respect for him grow even more.
Augusta, realizing she hadn't prepared a gift for Alex, quickly unhooked a delicate silver chain from around her neck. It was originally a gift she planned to have made into a locket for Neville's photo, but she handed it to Alex warmly.
"Here, Alex, take this on behalf of the Longbottom family. I'll have a new one made for myself later."
The Potters gifted Alex a rare set of books titled Mysteries of Magical Defense, which included personalized notes and blessings from Lily and James.
Lily explained, "We know you're dedicated to learning, and these are hard to find. We hope they'll be useful."
Alex's eyes lit up as he admired the books. "Thank you both so much! I'll take good care of them."
He was truly grateful, knowing how precious the books were.
Then, Sirius approached Alex with a smug smile, pulling out a small flaxen bag. Handing it to Alex, he said, "Don't say I never think of you. Open it."
Alex took the bag, expecting something simple, but as he examined it, he realized it was an enchanted item—a small bag with an Undetectable Extension Charm, Capacious Extremis. Inside was a magically expanded space of three to four cubic feet, perfect for carrying everything he needed.
"Wow, this is incredible, Sirius!" Alex exclaimed, his eyes shining.
He had been thinking about buying something similar, but the price had been too expensive.
Sirius shrugged, looking proud. "I noticed how much you were lugging around the other day, so I figured this would come in handy. It should last you a good four or five years."
For once, Alex had no snarky comeback, only words of gratitude.
"Thank you, Sirius. This is… perfect."
Sirius grinned wider, pleased by Alex's genuine reaction.
As the evening continued, laughter and joy filled the air.
"Looks like the Death Eaters are keeping their distance tonight. I wonder how things are going at the Weasleys'," Sirius whispered to Alex, showing that he was still on guard, despite the festive spirit.
But a sudden, piercing alarm shattered the festive atmosphere, pulling everyone out of their Christmas gathering.
'Great, Sirius, way to jinx us,' Alex thought, alarmed, as he felt his stomach drop. He knew instantly that something was wrong.
The group reacted swiftly. Clearly, they'd been prepared for this possibility.
Wands were drawn in an instant.
James raised his voice, calling out, "As planned! Lily, Alice, Augusta—you stay in the room and guard the boys. The rest of us will handle the enemy outside. Frank, send a message to Dumbledore and the Aurors!"
Just as James finished speaking, a loud rumble came from outside. The defensive wards around the house had been activated; the Death Eaters had begun their assault on the home.
Frank raised his wand, summoning a silvery ferret Patronus. He whispered a message to it, and the Patronus darted through the wall to deliver the warning.
'So that's the Patronus charm,' Alex marveled briefly, though there was no time to dwell on it.
The men quickly moved outside, wands raised, while flashes of red, yellow, blue, and green lit up the windows from their spells. Lily, meanwhile, handed Harry over to Alex.
"Follow me," she said, her voice calm and steady.
Alex knew better than to try and act brave. He followed Lily closely, clutching Harry protectively as she led him, Augusta, Alice, and Neville to the basement.
Once there, Lily pushed open a door to a small storage room filled with shelves stacked with household items. Lily tapped a few bricks on the wall with her wand, and a wave of magic washed over the walls.
"This is a safe room," she explained. "Once the protection spells activate, it's nearly impossible to open from the outside. We should be safe here until help arrives."
Alex felt a bit of relief, holding little Harry close.
Augusta, keeping calm, looked at Alex reassuringly.
"Don't worry, lad. We prepared for this. These cowardly Death Eaters will regret coming here."
Alex nodded, seeing how experienced and prepared they were. He felt his own tension ease slightly, but the muffled sounds of spells and explosions from above reminded him the battle was ongoing.
After a while, Augusta even managed to joke, "Can you imagine their faces when they realized they've walked right into a trap?"
Everyone chuckled, sharing her confidence. But just as they were settling in, a faint, unsettling rustling sound came from outside the basement door. They exchanged tense glances, gripping their wands tightly. It wasn't clear if the noise was friend or foe.
Suddenly, the noise intensified—a series of loud thuds and blasts pounded against the door, accompanied by bursts of magic that sent ripples through the room's protective spells.
Alice, clutching her wand tightly, glanced around with worry. "Could it be that Frank and James didn't manage to hold them off? And why hasn't support arrived yet? Is… is it Voldemort himself?"
Augusta kept her composure, holding Neville close with one arm and her wand in the other. "Calm down. We don't know what's going on up there. Stay focused."
Lily nodded, keeping her voice steady. "Whatever's happening, the protective wards are holding for now. We'll have to rely on ourselves. Keep calm and be ready to defend."
Alex glanced at the weakening protective magic on the door. "The wards are getting weaker. Let's set up a barricade just in case they break through." He waved his wand, stacking boxes and furniture to form a makeshift bunker in front of them.
Everyone quickly followed his lead, moving tables, chairs, and anything else they could find to create a half-circle barrier around the room.