This is great! It definitely is hard to write in the present tense, so kudos to you. I have one nitpick/request that I would like to give, and it's that you use contractions more frequently- it lets the story flow with more ease. For example, here: "since I had got together with James, we have become good friends", could become 'since I'd got together with James, we've become good friends".

That is all my opinion, however, so I would like you to know that I found this one-shot very enjoyable. Happy Holidays, and keep up the good work! :D :D :D

Author's Response: Thanks for the advice :) and thanks for liking my story :D Happy Christmas (I'm English, we don't say 'Holidays' for some strange reason) to you too!

Good characterizations, loved Sirius' reaction.

Author's Response: Thank you, Sirius is my second favourite Marauder (the first being Remus) :)