Soon, the train hissed to a halt at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters. After promising to keep in touch over the holidays, Alan and Vivian disembarked. Vivian was quickly ushered away by her family, leaving Alan alone on the crowded platform.
Just as he was preparing to head for the exit, he spotted a familiar, shaggy head of hair and couldn't help but smile. "Sirius? What are you doing here?"
"Haha! I was just worried you'd be lonely arriving all by yourself, wasn't I? I happened to be passing by and figured I'd give you a lift. Surprised?" Sirius, clad in a heavy brown coat, had his shoulder-length hair styled with characteristic nonchalance, looking every bit the untamed rebel.
"I think you're the one who's lonely," Alan said, seeing right through him. "I bet you were bored out of your mind and looking for an excuse to get out of the house."
"Being kind to you is like casting pearls before swine," Sirius feigned a wounded look. "I worry you don't have a single friend to greet you, and this is the thanks I get? By the way, who was that girl getting off the train with you? Don't tell me you've already got a girlfriend."
"Did you never talk to a girl when you were at school? Why are you so obsessed with gossip?" Alan shot back. "If you're that desperate for a match, I can introduce you to Madam Pince in the library. Your friends already have children, Sirius; it's high time you stopped being a solitary bachelor."
"Hah! I am destined to wander among the flowers my whole life without a single petal clinging to me. What do you know, you little brat?" Sirius barked with laughter. He found Alan's sharp tongue much to his liking; the boy didn't treat him with the stifling reverence others did.
The two continued to trade insults as they navigated the station toward the parking lot, eventually stopping in front of a motorcycle with a bulky sidecar.
"How about it? Isn't she a beauty? This is my treasure. I don't let just anyone ride in her. You're lucky today, kid," Sirius said, tossing a helmet toward Alan.
Alan looked at the bike with pure skepticism. "It's the dead of winter and you want me to ride in an open sidecar? Aren't you afraid the wind will freeze what's left of your brain?"
Despite his grumbling, Alan climbed into the sidecar, mostly because he knew Sirius had come all this way just for him.
"Oh, so my treasure isn't good enough for you? You should know this beauty can fly and turn invisible!" Sirius said, offended.
"Wait, this is a magical artifact?" Alan's interest was instantly piqued. He began prodding the metal frame, trying to deduce the enchantments involved.
"Hey! Watch the paint. If you break it, you can't afford the repairs," Sirius grunted, swatting Alan's hand away. "Now, where are we going? The Leaky Cauldron?"
"Yes. I've been staying there during the breaks," Alan replied.
Sirius frowned. He knew Alan had stayed at the pub over the summer, but the idea of a child spending Christmas alone in a dusty inn sat poorly with him. "Are you sure? Spending Christmas at a pub sounds miserable. Why don't you stay at my place? I live alone anyway; it'll be less quiet."
Alan considered it. As long as he could practice his magic, he didn't mind the location. Besides, the holiday party they were both attending was later in the week, and staying with Sirius would make logistics easier. "Alright. As long as I'm not a bother."
"Haha! I'm the one who's a bother, kid. Just don't mind the mess. Let's go!"
Sirius kicked the engine to life and sped off. Once they reached a deserted side street, he pulled back on the handlebars and the motorcycle soared into the sky. They roared over the London skyline, shielded by a disillusionment charm. The view was incredible, but the wind was brutal. Alan, unable to bear the biting cold, conjured a transparent barrier in front of the sidecar, finally finding some relief from the gale.
They eventually touched down in a quiet Muggle neighborhood, pulling into the garage of a small, two-story villa.
"Welcome to my humble abode," Sirius announced, leading the way inside. "I ran away from home and started living on my own when I was sixteen. I've been here ever since."
The house was decently sized, with a living room, kitchen, and bathroom downstairs and three bedrooms above. However, as soon as Alan stepped through the door, he was assaulted by a stale, dusty odor that made him sneeze.
The place was fully furnished, but it was a disaster zone. The floor looked like it hadn't seen a broom in months, and the dining table was covered in greasy stains. In the kitchen, a mountain of dishes sat soaking in the sink, some sporting a healthy layer of colorful mold.
Sirius seemed oblivious. He flopped onto a stained sofa and gestured vaguely toward the ceiling. "Two guest rooms upstairs. Pick whichever you like. Just a heads up—if I get busy with Order business, you'll have to forage for your own food."
"My goodness... are you even a wizard?" Alan asked, staring at the grime in disbelief. "Are you too lazy to even cast a Scourgify? How do you live like this?"
"What's the big deal?" Sirius grinned. "A house should be comfortable. And as you can see, I'm very comfortable."
Alan couldn't stand the filth, but since it wasn't his house, he kept his mouth shut and carried his luggage upstairs. The guest room was in better shape, mostly because it was unused, though a thick layer of dust coated every surface.
Once the door was closed, Alan put down his trunk and opened the window. With a sharp wave of his hand, he conjured a controlled gust of wind that swept the dust from the floor and furniture, swirled it into a tight ball, and sent it flying out into the winter air. Only then did he feel like he could finally breathe.