James Potter was in the Heads Common room. And was that?... Was he…. crying? No that's… that wasn't possible. But there he was. Potter's eyes were glistening with tears. Lily hadn't really been his friend, if you could even call him her friend, for very long. But she knew she had to comfort him in whatever way she could. "Umm.. er.. Potter? Are you OK?" Stupid really. Come on, Lily. He was CRYING! Of course he wasn't ok!

"They won't be there. I have to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas," he replied. James wasn't even looking at her. He was just staring into the crackling fire.

"Who won't be there?" Lily asked gently.

"My mum, my dad, Samantha. They're gone. Forever," James said, again not even looking at Lily. She assumed the worst.

"They… did they… are they dead?" James suddenly turned his head to face her.

"Killed. By Voldemort himself." Lily gasped. She had had no idea! How could a mere 17-year old… hell anybody live like that? How did he cope?

"Do Sirius and Remus know?" was all Lily could think to ask.

"They were at the quidditch game with me the night my family was murdered." Of course they knew! Duh, Lily. Wait… since when did Lily talk to herself? "Padfoot and I stayed with Moony the rest of the summer. But I don't want to impose on them again. So I'm stuck here at Hogwarts. With out my… even A family." James looked back at the fire.

Before Lily could think about what she was saying, "That's not true," came out of her mouth. James looked at Lily. What could she possibly be saying? Was she inviting him over for Christmas? Out of pity… no he would never accept anyone's pity.

"Evans, if you're inviting me to your house over the break, it's just out of pity. I don't want your pity," he said. But his eyes told her differently. James needed family over break. And she was going to do whatever it took to get him to her home. Even if it meant lying.

"I'm not inviting you, Potter," Lily said with a scoff. "Dumbledore told me to tell you that we have Head stuff to work on over the break. He said that we had to spend it together. And since you don't have anywhere to go (she added that part gently) and I want to go home, I think the most logical answer would be for you to come to my house. I would not say I invited you to my house, rather I was forced." And this particular lie she had said with conviction. Because James lapped it up like honey.

"Well, if Dumbledore insists," he said.

"Insists? More like commands," Lily grumbled irritably.

"Ok. Well then I better go pack."

"Good night, Potter."

"Sleep tight, Evans."

"Don't let the bed bugs bite."

"Will you go out with me, Evans?"

"How about… no, Potter," Lily answered with a smirk. That put James in a better mood, because for the first time ever, Lily had not just answered "POTTER!"

The next day Lily went to see Katy and Emma first. "Hey guys. I umm.. ok you're going to think I'm crazy but last night I invited Potter over for Christmas break." Both girls looked at Lily with shock.

"Are you serious?"

"Are you sick?"

"Should we send for Madame Pompfrey?"

"Girls, girls, I'm perfectly fine, serious and sane. It was odd circumstances. But I want you to promise me not to tell Danny." Lily didn't know what made herself say that last part. She didn't know where that came from. "Last night he was worrying that I was in love with Potter. Ha! But still, he would get really upset if he knew that Potter was going to spend Christmas at my house."

The two girls looked at Lily.

"Ok. This is really odd, Lil," said Katy.

"Yeah and really secretive. But we won't tell," added Emma.

"Thanks guys. Ok well lets get on then shall we," Lily asked her dearest friends.

"Yup, hello dearest," said Potter suddenly appearing.

"Ew. I was NOT talking to you, Potter." Lily then saw the flash of hurt in his eyes and felt guilty. It was gone almost immediately but it had been there. So she added, "But I guess you can join us in our compartment if you want."

"As you wish, Evans," said James with a bow.

The compartment with Katy and Emma on one side and James and Danny with Lily in between sat on the opposite side, was a little crowded but the train ride was fun all the same. Rhea and Thomas Evans were there to greet Lily and surprised that she had brought a boy along with her. They were even more surprised when she introduced him. "Mum, Dad, this is James Potter."

"My, my Lily. You never brought a boy home before… and your first is the infamous James Potter," exclaimed Thomas.

"Dad," muttered a blushing Lily. James smiled. So… he was her first boy to come home. But what was this? Mr. Evans had called him the "infamous" James Potter. James didn't think this was very good news. His beloved's family thought he was infamous. He'd have to work on that.

Lily looked at her mother who was obviously questioning the whole bringing-home-a-boy-for-Christmas thing. They exchanged a tacit glance, Lily promising to explain later. Rhea extended her hand, "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you, James."

"No, no the pleasure is all mine," he said with the famous Potter charm.

"Why, Lily, I don't see how this boy could be the same infuriating Potter you complain about," exclaimed Thomas.

"Ok, Dad, you can stop now!" sighed a smiling Lily who was at the moment the same color as the brick wall behind her. They all piled into the car. It was James' first car ride and he was so excited. He stuck his head out the window of the back seat. It was about 15 degress outside. The Evans were all laughing at his passion for the cold wind in his face. They arrived home. The house was well sized though not nearly as large as the Potter Mansion. They unpacked their bags and sat down for a delicious dinner prepared by Rhea.

"Mum, where is Petunia?" asked Lily.

"Who's Petunia?" returned James.

"She's my sister. She's not too found of magic, to put it lightly. But she loves me and I love her. So, Mum…?" answered Lily.

"She's coming tomorrow, with her fiancée, Vernon," Rhea finally answered.

"Tunia's engaged! Well, how is he? Is he handsome? Is he nice? Is he rich?" blabbered an excited Lily.

"Um. Well. He's a… good guy," answered her father, politely ignoring her latter questions. Dinner continued uneventfully. James cleared the table, washed the dishes and put them all away. He did this all with magic and very dramatically. Mr. and Mrs. Evans applauded and Lily just rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. It was good to be home.

"I'm going to go to bed," announced James.

"I'll show you to your room, then I'm turning in myself," said Lily.

"You mean we aren't going to be sharing a room?" whispered James to Lily as they walked up the stairs.

"Oh, shut it, Potter," she exclaimed and pounded him thoroughly on the shoulder. They reached his room. "Good night, Potter," said Lily.

"Sleep tight, Evans," responded James as Lily turned into her own room.

"Don't let the bed bugs bite," she ended as she closed the door behind her.

Downstairs, Rhea and Thomas had been listening.

"Oh, Tom, they're so cute together!"

"Honey, they're not even dating. We don't even know if they're friends!"

"What are you talking about? She brought him home! And didn't you just hear that? That was what you and Lily used to say to each other right before bed when she was little."

"Yes, I know. I remember. They do look so happy together. Well, we'll see."

Lily woke earlier than James the next day. She went downstairs to make coffee, knowing full well that the result would be her mother arriving downstairs. Sure enough, down came Rhea, groggy but happy to be smelling someone else making coffee for once.

"Hey, Mum," greeted Lily.

"Hey, sweetie. Thanks for making coffee," her mother replied. "I'm guessing your going to tell me why James is here now?"

"Yeah. Well, Mummy, James' family died, rather, was murdered over the summer. By Lord Voldemort. I just couldn't stand to see him moping about around Christmas without family. I mean that… it was just so sad, Mum," Lily explained to her mother.

Rhea was proud of Lily. It was so mature of her to acknowledge James' problem and try to comfort him when he had spent so long teasing her and she had hated him for what seemed like forever.

"I'm proud of you, sweetie," Rhea told her daughter. "You did the right thing. And really, James isn't that bad, is he?"

"I guess not, Mum, but I hope your not planning a wedding already. I'm still in love with and dating Danny," Lily reminded her mum.

"She knows, hon, and I think you did a really great thing, by the way," said Thomas, announcing his presence.

"Morning, Dad, how long have you been there?"

"Long enough. How did you sleep?" The morning continued as normal and James arrived in just enough time to inhale some of Rhea's delicious pancakes. When Pentunia and Vernon arrived, everyone was freshly showered and clothed.

"Hey, Tunia!" squealed Lily, jumping into Petunia's open arms.

"Hey, Lils. How are you? Oh wait. Let me introduce you to the love of my life, Vernon Dursely," Petunia responded in a rush. Lily looked to Vernon. He was huge! And he didn't even shake her out stretched hand. She pulled it back quickly, not wanting anyone else to see. But of course James had.

Vernon looked at Lily. How anyone like his lovely Petunia could be related to such a plain Jane he didn't understand. She wasn't even wearing any make-up, just jeans and a t-shirt. He then noticed the handsome man standing in the corner and immediately disliked him for being good looking. This was Vernon's natural tendency. (A/N: That's why he loved Petunia so much) Lily noticed Vernon's wandering eye.

"Oh right, Petunia and um Vernon, this is my um… er… this is James Potter," said an uncertain Lily. Luckily, James was unflustered. He immediately stuck out his hand, making sure that Vernon shook it.

"How nice to meet you, Petunia… Vernon. It really is a pleasure," James said with his natural Potter charm and smile. Even Petunia was a little taken aback. She pulled her sister aside.

"Quite a catch you got there, Lily," Petunia said, eyeing Potter.

"What? Me and POTTER! No way. Ask Mum to explain. For the last time, I'm dating and am still in love with Danny Kingsley," Lily retorted.

"Oh right, Danny. He's nice too, but why isn't Danny here and James- sorry, Potter- is?" smirked Petunia. Lily didn't have an answer so she just walked away, a little curious herself. That night, after dinner, the rest of the family heard the "Goodnight, Potter" "Sleep tight, Evans" "Don't let the bed bugs bite" and Petunia and Rhea exchanged knowing glances.

The next morning Lily woke up early and as a surprise for everyone for Christmas Day, decided to make fresh blueberry muffins. She had just started when she dropped the cupcake pan on the floor with a loud clatter. It was ok; her family members were all sound sleepers. But she forgot about James. She continued her baking, something she found she missed sorely while she was at Hogwarts. She turned on some music quietly and was dancing around the kitchen pouring, mixing, cleaning, cutting, and spraying. James watched on. He was tempted to hop into the kitchen and join her but he realized this was special Lily time. Yet, he still couldn't leave. God, Lily's eyes were so pretty, especially when she was so happy. They were sparkling like stars in the sky. She was so happy and carefree. He suddenly noticed that she was putting the uncooked muffins in the oven and tip-toed as fast and silently as he could up the stairs. He snuck back into his bed just in time to hear Lily following him up, coming to wake everyone.

They all groggily went downstairs where the finished blueberry muffins were just coming out of the oven and the fresh fruit have been cut. Suddenly, the knowledge of what day it was dawned on everyone. It seemed millions of "Happy Christmas" exchanges were made before everyone ate the delicious meal and thanked Lily profusely, except Vernon of course, who wasn't much into thanking people for things.

"Can I help you clean up, Lily?"

"I've got it, Daddy," Lily kindly replied. But Thomas got up to help her anyway. James saw the brief look of annoyance on Lily's face. Or maybe he didn't because it passed as soon as he saw it. He then smiled at Lily's fierce independence and knew that the look had been there. Every time Thomas opened a cabinet so that Lily, with her armful of dishes needn't put them down, she would put the dishes down on the counter, close the cabinets and reopen them. But she never did so in plain sight of her father. James heard Mrs. Evans sigh next to him and turned to face her. She was smiling as well.

"Sometimes I wonder if Lily is too independent. You know, everyone has to lean on someone else at least once in their lives," Rhea said absent mindedly, forgetting all the "leaning on" James had had to do recently.

"She's perfect just the way she is," James replied, turning back to face the comical scene unfolding between Lily and Thomas before him. He thought Rhea had been too absorbed in her own thoughts to notice what he said. But he was wrong, and Rhea turned to face James, with a mixed look of affection, wonder, awe and amusement.