Hogsmeade is caked in mud and muck. The snow fell and melted into the earth, the ice broke the grass and the sludge squelched under boots. Everyone else was crowding Honeydukes, hungry for warmth, but Lily chose to walk outside. Her trainers sinking into the snow with every step, chilling her toes. Lily shivered, trying to admire how pretty Hogsmeade looked at this time of year. Covered in a blanket of white, black silhouettes dotted the distance like a Christmas card, the lamplight dimly faking a cordial persona.

Christmas break was a week away and then Lily would be with her family, sat round a dinner table, stuffing her face with parsnips and turkey. But now Christmas was ruined. Well, it was still her favourite holiday, but it had been slightly tarnished. Not perfect, but still enjoyable.

The bittersweet feeling crept back inside her. Petunia still refused to speak to her. The only time she did felt like a dagger twisting painfully in her heart. In front of mum Petunia was determined to act like nothing had ever happened between them. She would pretend that her 'freak' of a sister was still her friend. And that's what hurt the most. The whole thing had to be kept as their horrible secret.

"Lily?"

She frowned, glancing over her shoulder to see James Potter standing there. His hands buried in his pockets, a lopsided grin plastered to his face and his hair thoroughly ruffled like he'd never used a hairbrush in his life. Lily felt her heart stutter.

"You want to come in? We were going to meet up in The Three Broomsticks when everyone finished Christmas shopping."

"You already finished?" Lily turned fully to face him, raising an eyebrow. Everyone knew James loved to give presents. He usually over-bought for everyone. Finally, Lily let the empty feeling slip aside. She didn't need to focus on Petunia until she arrived home and had to face her.

"You seem to be."

"I already bought my presents. I like to be prepared."

Who was Petunia to ruin everything? Lily knew Petunia wouldn't be giving her much thought. She would only realise she had a sister until Lily was standing directly in front of her, when she'd be forced to acknowledge her existence. Lily snapped from her thoughts when she noticed how close she was to James. They seemed to draw each other in a lot lately. Had she been stepping forward or had he? The countless times they'd been this close, and only this close, before. Almost touching. Aching to touch. And then not. Lily couldn't handle it happening again: being interrupted; getting embarrassed, blushing, and moving away. Lily decided in that moment she'd had enough. She was done over-thinking. Petunia would glower at her when mum and dad weren't looking and there was nothing to stop that. She should be happy. It was Christmas, right?

Without giving it a second thought, her lips were on his.

James almost stumbled back, his eyes wide. After a pause, he closed his eyes, sliding his hands around her waist, pulling her near. His lips were soft and warm, hers were cold but smooth. She ran her fingers through his hair gently before pulling away.

"What was that?" He asked. He leaned forward to kiss her again, but she moved away. A faint flush rose up her neck and onto her cheeks. He couldn't tell whether it was the harsh Winter or he who was the culprit.

"Nuh uh uh." She smirked, pressing a finger to his lips. "Merry Christmas, James." And then she opened the door to The Three Broomsticks.