Disclaimer: I don't own anything Harry Potter!

Hello everyone. My name is Lily Potter. Yes, that's right, Potter. I know, I know, James Potter, the one and only. The arrogant, bullying git, or at least he can be. So, yes, as much as I would sometimes like to deny it, yes. He is my husband. My husband, partner, friend, and lover. And as annoying as he can be sometimes, I still thank God for it every day.

As of right now, I am comfortably wrapped in his arms, with our new son, Harry, curled in my lap. A storm is raging outside, thunder, lightning, the whole works. I am gazing at the fireplace, watching the flames slowly die as the embers glow red. I have no idea what the time is. I suspect that we've been here, like this for some time now. Harry has been asleep for hours and James, considering his now loose grip on my waist, has just fallen asleep too.

These are my favorite times as a family. Not that I don't still love them awake. But when we're all together like this, it's nice to think about things. I love to reflect on us as a family without the crying of a baby, or Sirius, Remus, or Peter coming over. I mean I love Harry, and I don't mind having the guys over, but time having time with my guys, no interruptions, is my most treasured time.

I especially love to reflect during this time of year, Christmas. Christmas Eve is special to many people all over, but not like it is to me. Christmas Eve, is the night that I fell in love with James Potter. Not many people know that, I don't think even James knows it, but he doesn't have to. It's special to me. I don't know if it's because I had found the love of my life, though that's the most likely reason, but I happen to think it's ironic that he tried for seven years to win my love, and he won it when he wasn't even there. Are you a bit confused? Well let me tell you, I remember it like it was yesterday………..

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: 1987
(My seventh year at Hogwarts, one week before Christmas Eve)

"Peter, hurry! Come on! You're so going to miss the train!" I shouted to Peter, as we ran frantically down the corridors to the main entrance.

"I-I'm – coming!" he huffed, slowly making his way after me.

It was the evening before the start of Hogwarts Christmas break. It was also a full moon. James and Sirius were in their dorm with Remus before tonight, so I was left to help poor Peter haul his things down to the carriages. He was the only one of the four marauders to be going anywhere for break that year. I was also staying at Hogwarts that year. Alone with the remaining marauders. Consequently, almost the entire population of the school, including some teachers, were leaving for the two week period (I believe the Weird Sisters were performing somewhere in Bristol, probably where they were all going). Just my luck. I doubled back to help Peter, and about three minutes later, he was in a carriage driving away.

As I made my way back up to the castle, I heard it. The laugh. No I was not insane and hearing people laugh in my head, it was a real laugh. Not just any laugh either, it was the laugh of James Potter. The moment I heard it I knew it was trouble. James had a certain prank-making laugh so that you always tell when he was doing something stupid. I quickened my pace as I walked up to the castle. I didn't have to look very far as I got inside. It was Severus Snape. A Slytherin seventh year, and the mortal enemy of the marauders.

As I strode quickly over, I assessed the scene in front of me. James, Sirius, and some bystanders were all in a circle. In the middle was Snape. He now had crimson and gold striped hair, and was wearing an extremely ugly gold dress. He was also bound and gagged. He would have almost looked funny if it hadn't been so cruel.

"James! What did you do?" I shouted, my temper rising

"Come off it Evans, you know it's funny! And- hey, wait a minute! Why is it your shouting my name, Sirius's is the one who did it!" he said defensively

"I don't care who did it you git! You fix him right now! Both of you!"

As I stomped away, I could hear more laughter from the little group that had formed around them. He was so immature it made me sick! He was always pulling some prank or asking me out. He just wouldn't take the message though. I think I had already turned him down about 385 times just that year. As I was thinking, I heard it.

"Lily!"

I didn't even have to turn around, I knew who it was. It was James. And I already knew what he was going to do, say Snape had it coming, and then ask me out. So predictable. So I didn't bother to turn around. I ignored him and kept walking.

And I kept walking. I walked past many a classroom, bracing myself for the nagging voice of James Potter behind me. But it never came. I kept walking, all the way to the common room, my dorm, and finally to my bed, where I preceded to throw myself on top of the covers.

I didn't see the point of going down to and early supper, the marauders always ate an early supper on the day of the full moon. I think it had something to do with Remus's transformation, but I don't know what they have to do with it. Well whatever the reason, I didn't want to be around them at all. So I settled my self in a seat by the window with a very large, very heavy book, Hogwarts, a History.

After I had read it for a very short time, I felt my eyes start to wander. I glanced outside, it was getting dark already. I looked at my watch, 7:53, not too bad. I got up, took a shower and went down to the common room. Peace. Those annoying marauders were gone. I settled down with my favorite book, Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare.
I guess I didn't read it for too long, because I woke up to a dark common room. The fire was almost completely burned out; only small embers were left glowing. As I blinked my eyes, I heard something move from near the portrait hole.

"Who's there?" I asked, suddenly more alert.

No response. I slowly moved into a sitting position. I heard another creak, this time, in the shadow just behind the bookcase across from the couch where I was sitting.

"W-who's there?" I asked, a little frightened now. I knew that Hogwarts creaked and squeaked all the time, but it sounded like someone was walking slowly in the shadows. I stood up from the couch, carefully walking backward toward the door. Suddenly, I was grabbed from behind, and dragged into the darkness. My attacker was careful to cover my mouth with their glove covered hand so I couldn't scream. I was too scared to do much of anything though. No, this was not a marauder prank, they wouldn't go this far, or would they?