Summary: "Is that my jersey?" I giggled. Oops. I had forgotten I was wearing that.

This story takes places in the 2nd half of the Marauder's last year of school & continues until just before Lily & James' death. It will be written in entirely Lily's point of view. Rating will be changed to M for later chapters.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros., Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

"Patio Lanterns"

By: Jennifer Cole

– Chapter 1: Biggest Patio –

I stumbled slightly as the portkey released us back into existence. We had just jumped using the portkey from the platform at King's Cross because I hadn't learned to apparate yet. James caught my elbow, straightening me back up, as I gazed up at where we had appeared.

My eyes peaked through the heavy wrought-iron gate and up the winding stone path towards the largest house I had ever seen. Ever. Actually, it wasn't a house... it was a mansion. Biggest mansion I had ever seen. It was sitting uphill a bit from where we stood, it's grey stone exterior rising high above the top of the gate. The massive gardens on either side of the stone path spanned across the entire front of the property. Alder, Hornbeam and Scots Pine trees speckled the gardens peaking out from the white blanket of snow. In the middle of the front gardens there was a large pond surrounded by beautiful frozen wildflowers. Even from a distance I could spot the purple tops of the Loosestrifes and the pink flowers of Ragged Robins enchased in ice crystals.

I dragged my eyes away from the beautiful gardens to look up at the Potter mansion. I could easily spot how each bedroom on the second floor had it's own balcony overlooking the expansive front gardens. I could see how each window was dressed with dark draping curtains and how each balcony had it's own miniature potted christmas tree. I could even see the sparkling lights on the main christmas tree that stood tall in the double story windows at the front of the house.

I brought my gaze back to the front gate. One either side of the gate hung a single lantern. I felt the corners of my mouth jerk upwards at the irony. It had been just a few hours ago that I had thought of James as my personal lantern.

Turning my head back towards James, I watched as he pulled his wand out and waved it in a complicated motion in front of the gate. There was an odd sort of clanking and then the gate seemed to melt away in a swirl of yellow light revealing an unimpeded view of the gardens inside.

"Ready?" James asked, his word hanging in a puff of warm steam in the freezing night air. He grabbed the handles to both of our trunks and wheeled them around to face the now open gate.

I nodded my head as I stepped through the gate after James. Looking back I watched as the gate seemed to grow back closed like rapidly blooming black vines. With a clunk the gate closed completely and the lanterns outside dimmed.

As I turned back towards James, to walk forward towards the front of the house, fifty more lanterns seemed to burst to life amidst the garden. The twinkling lights lit the entire front lawn making each ice crystal sparkle. There were tread marks in the snow trailing behind the two trunks James was towing, his footprints scattered between. I quickened my step to keep up with him, listening to the crunch my boots made in the snow as we walked in silence towards the giant double front doors.

The closer we got, the more nervous I began to feel. What a stupid idea it was to barge in on James' family christmas! I don't even know his parents! James and me aren't even really friends! I thought furiously as I shuffled my boots along in the snow. I sneaked a glance sideways at James. He was facing forward, the corners of his lips turned upwards, his eyes sparkling in the twinkling lights of the lanterns.

Before I was ready, we were at the massive wooden front doors. I could see the large metal knockers in the middle of each door, shaped appropriately as a lion's head. I could only assume what house the Potters' were all in and, in that moment, I was extremely happy that I was a Gryffindor too.

"Are you ready?" James asked me as he adjusted my crooked scarf for me. I stood still as he flattened down my wild hair... I couldn't even remember brushing it this morning.

I swallowed deeply and brought my eyes up to meet his. "Yes. I'm ready." I said, thanking Merlin when my voice didn't crack. "And thank you," I added on in a near whisper.

I wasn't sure if James heard me or not as he reached his hand out to open the front door. But before he could even reach the iron handle the door swung open on it's on accord, letting out a gust of warm air.

Standing in the warmly lit doorway were, what had to be, James' parents. The first thing I noticed was that James' parents were much older than mine had been. They had to both be at least in their mid-fifties, if not older. Mr. Potter stood slightly taller than James (who himself was a good 6'3") with the same high cheekbones. His face was aged and worn but his eyes, the same color as James', twinkled with a youthful spirit behind his glasses. His hair, although greying with age, was a dark brown shade. He was thin and dressed in dark grey slacks with a festive red vest hidden under a nice black cloak. The cloak clip was a pair of golden lions paws.

Mrs. Potter was quite a bit shorter than James' father, but was by no means short. She still towered over my pathetic 5'4" and looked slightly more stern than James' father. Her eyes, although slightly pulled down in the corners by the onset of wrinkles, were alive and calculating. Her lips were adorned with a rouge lipstick and her black hair (also streaked with grey) was tied back in a pretty twist, a golden poinsettia hairpiece fastened to the side. Her nose was a carbon copy of the nose on James' face. She was thin and dressed in a lovely long-sleeved christmas gown, speckled with gold threads and stitched mistletoe. She was quite beautiful and combined with James' father I could easily see where James got his good looks from.

Wait! What did I just think? Did I honestly just use the words 'James' and 'good looks' in the same sentence?

"Welcome to our home!" Mr. Potter interrupted my frantic thoughts with his greeting, extending his hand in welcome.

"Er... hi. Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Potter. I'm Lily Evans," I introduced sloppily, almost tripping over my feet as I hastened to pull off my gloves and step forward to shake the man's hand.

I could hear James chuckle as I stumbled, his hand catching my elbow and helping me balance as I shook Mr. Potter's hand.

"Oh please! No need to be so formal!" Mrs. Potter laughed as she pulled me into a hug. "Call me Elizabeth! And my husband is Henry," She patted me across the back beaming down at me.

"Er... okay," I flushed as Mrs. Potter... er Elizabeth... released me. I stumbled back a few steps to stand next to James.

James laughed slightly as he stepped forward to hug his father and kiss his mother. "Come on. Don't embarrass the poor girl!" He smirked back at me, his eyes brighter than I had ever seen them.

"Well come on in, let's get you two settled!" Mr. Potter snapped his fingers and immediately several house elves appeared, hurrying forward to gather up our trunks. I noticed each of the elves were dressed in festive christmas outfits, the males with little knit sweaters and the girls wearing little red skirts decorated with tuffs of white. "Let's go to the kitchens and get something to warm you two up," James' parents started off down the hall.

James placed his hand on the small of my back and urged me forward to follow his parents. I looked back at our trunks quickly, watching as the house elves gathered them up, three elves per trunk.

"The elves will be fine. Don't worry," James said, answering my unasked question.

I nodded and let James guide me through the main hall, turning left near the end, down three steps and into the sunken kitchen. I'm fairly certain my mouth hit the floor as it dropped open at the sight of such a big kitchen. There had to be at least twenty house elves in this room, jostling about, preparing what looked like a feast for a hundred people.

James laughed, probably at the sight of my face. "They are preparing for our family christmas dinner for tomorrow,"

My eyes bugged at the sight of three house elves, one standing on top of another, the top elf stirring something bubbling in a huge pot on the stove.

"How many people do have in your family?" I asked watching as another pair of elves were rolling out a massive piece of dough across a wooden counter.

James laughed and pushed me towards another small door to our right. "Just three. But, of course, with you here as our guest there is four,"

I went through the wooden door into a smaller kitchen area. There was a small wooden island with four bar stools around it. Mrs. Potter was stirring something with her wand on the stove.

James dropped his arm from my back and hopped up into one of the bar stools. "Don't forget I like chocolate syrup on top of mine!" James called to his mother as he waved me over to sit next to him.

Mrs. Potter's mouth opened in a smile. "Of course! How could I forget?" She slid a mug of hot chocolate in front of James and then one in front of me.

I starred down into the deep pewter mug, it's contents steaming up into my face. I wrapped my hands around it's exterior and sighed at the warmth that escaped through it into my hand.

Mr. and Mrs. Potter joined us on the two spare stools on the opposite side of the island. I watched as James gulped down some of his hot chocolate. I simply held mine between my hands, letting the steam from it rise to warm my cold nose.

"So Lily, James tells us you are Head Girl at Hogwarts?" Mr. Potter... erm... Henry asked.

I nodded, then realizing I wasn't being very social I added, "Yes, I work along with James."

Elizabeth laughed slightly as she sipped her own warm drink. "How's that working out for you? I hope James isn't making you do all the work."

James choked slightly on his hot chocolate and came up looking outraged at his mother. "Mom! I do stuff! I'm an amazing Head Boy! Tell her Lily!"

I took a small sip of my hot chocolate. It was warm and sweet and felt so good in my throat. "Don't worry, James is doing just fine." Then remembering I should be social I added, "He hasn't forgotten one meeting. I was actually sort of surprised." I took at sideways glance at James who gave me his trademark lopsided smirk before gulping down another swallow of hot chocolate.

Elizabeth chuckled and then, with a glint of mischief in her eyes, said "Well I hope James hasn't been trailing after you like a love-sick puppy all year. I tell him every September 1st to leave poor Lily Evans alone, but he never listens."

"MOM!" James exclaimed, having the decently to flush in my presence.

Of course, news about James' obsessive crush on me wasn't new. James had been asking me out for a date since third year. And I had been rejecting him since third year. But when James had returned to school for our final year, I was under the impression that his new found maturity came twofold with the end of his obsessive boyish crush. He hadn't, after all, asked me out all year.

"Don't worry, Elizabeth," I found myself saying. "James and I are just friends." I could call him my friend now, couldn't I? Friends are the sort of people who let you cry all over them for two weeks straight. Yes, I would say we were friends. "I think after my eighty-six rejections he kind of got the hint." I had counted.

Henry laughed and smacked James on the back, causing James to choke on his hot chocolate. Again. "Ouch son. Eighty-six."

James had finally managed to clear his airway. "Ya well, I was a bit childish back then, wasn't I?" He smirked at me sideways, using his mug to hide it from his parents.

"You think?" I laughed, taking a small sip out of my own mug. Laughing felt so good. I had been afraid that I had almost forgotten how to laugh.

Elizabeth and Henry finished their drinks and they placed their mugs in the sink. Elizabeth kissed James on top of his head and Henry patted James on the back.

"We are heading up for the night. James, you'll show Lily to her room?" Henry said at the doorway.

"Sure thing," James replied turning back to take one last swallow of his hot chocolate.

Elizabeth stopped to place a hand on my shoulder. "I am really sorry about your loss, Lily. Please let us know if there is anything we can do."

I blinked up at her, wondering why my eyes weren't filling with tears. My breath hitched as I panicked, thinking I was beginning to forget them.

" Thanks," I replied, my voice low and small.

Elizabeth gave me a small smile. "It does get easier," She told me. "And just because it gets easier, doesn't mean you won't always miss them. It's okay to start feeling alive again."

I nodded, my eyes now wet and stinging.

"Good night," Elizabeth kissed me on top of my head as well before she left, letting the door swing close on her way out.

I turned to look back at James. He was looking at me with patient eyes, a small smile gracing the corners of his lips. "It's okay if you want to cry again," He said.

But I shook my head. Here with James, at his house, with his family, I didn't feel as sad as I did earlier on the train. I had wept enough the past few weeks and I was ready to move on. Elizabeth's words hung in my mind, like a spider suspended from a web. Just because it gets easier, doesn't mean you won't always miss them. I was going to miss them. But I was going to miss more by not moving on with my life.

"I'm not going to cry," My voice came out strong. "I'm done crying," My voice was getting stronger. "I'm ready to try to move on."

James smiled and slid his arm around me. I leaned into him feeling, for the first time in a long time, that I was content. "I'm here to help," He said, again being so nice that I felt it was undeserved. But I was too selfish to say anything about it.

"Are you ready to head up? I can show you to your room." He smirked. "I know you will like it,"

"Why?" I asked, cautious of the Marauder glint that was reappearing in his eyes.

He jumped down from his bar stool and waved me to follow his lead. "You'll see!"

James was wrong. I didn't like my room. I loved it! It was a massive bedroom with a large four-poster king-sized bed in the middle with heavy red drapes hanging from the posts. Past the bed were a pair of large double glass doors that opened onto the balcony. I could see the small potted christmas tree just outside the doors. The wall opposite the bed there were several books shelves filled to the brim with wizard children's stories. I excitedly squealed as I spotted my personal favorite "The Fountain of Fair Fortune", which I read for the first time just this year, when I had spotted James' copy left out in our Head Common Room. In fact, I had never even known that wizard children had their own fairy tales until this year. Thinking about it now, it made perfect sense that wizards would tell their children fairy tales.

James laughed as I grabbed the book off the shelf. "I knew that you haven't read many of the wizard fairy tales, so I had the house elves bring a selection of them up to your room."

I placed the book on the little night-table beside my bed to read later and then smiled up at James. "Thanks, that was really thoughtful."

"Of course," James replied walked over to a door on the far side of the room. "The bathroom is through here. The house elves keep it stocked so everything you could need will be in there."

I nodded sitting down on the edge of the bed. I wondered how James could possibly live in a such a big house. I had never really thought about it but it made sense that James' family was wealthy. I knew, from what many others had told me, that the Potters were an old wizarding family. I was beginning to understand that old meant money.

"Where is your room?" I asked James as he walked over to sit with me on the bed.

"Just across the hall," The trademark smirk reappeared. "Why thinking about sneaking in while I'm sleeping?"

"No," I laughed. His humour, which I had once found annoying and childish, was starting to grow on me. "Just wondering in case I need something,"

James drew me into a hug carefully, as though I might break. "You'll be okay tonight?" He asked.

I didn't need to ask why he was asking such a question. He had spent every night with me for the past two weeks, soothing me as I cried. Although the prospect of sleeping alone was not one I was looking forward to, I replied "Ya, I'll be fine."

James smiled, wishing me good-night, then headed out to his own room closing my door with a snap as he left.

I got up and moved over to the foot of the bed where the house elves had put my trunk. I fumbled around for something that looked like pajamas. I tossed several pairs of sneakers onto the floor as I dug deep into the trunk that James had packed. Which evidently did not include pajamas. I sighed as I got up wondering what to do. I spotted a wardrobe on the far wall near the door to the bathroom. Leaving my clothes strewn out on the floor, I scrambled to my feet and made my way over to the wardrobe. I pulled open the double doors to find several old Quidditch jerseys handing inside. All were red with gold with Potter stitched across the back. I assumed they were James' old Quidditch uniforms that he had simply outgrown.

I pulled the smallest one I could see off the hanger, closed the wardrobe and headed into the bathroom for a bath. The bathroom was huge (although at this point I should have known better than to be surprised by the the size of the rooms in the Potter mansion). It was dressed in speckled marble. There was a large soaking tub in the far corner, a stack of fresh white towels sitting on the edge.

I placed James' jersey onto the sink cabinet and then stepped forward to draw the bath. As the warm water began to steam the room, I looked around for some soaps. I spotted a neat stack of bottles on the wooden table next to the sink and grabbed a nice pink looking bottle, squeezing some of it's contents into the bathwater. Immediately the tube began to bubble. I couldn't even remember the last time I had had a bubble bath. When I was four and my mother still bathed me?

I shook my head, trying not to think about my parents, and began to undress leaving my dirty clothes in a heap piled in front of the sink. I stepped into the warm bathwater, turning off the taps, and sinking down into the warmth.

I tried hard not to think of anything, to keep my mind blank. But I just couldn't. I had been having nightmares since my parents' funeral. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see were images of my parents, dead on the floor, eyes wide open. I could see flashes of green light and could almost hear a sinister laugh. It had been Voldemort who had murdered my parents. I was only grateful that my sister wasn't home when it happened.

After twenty minutes of soaking I got out of the bath, toweled myself dry and shrugged into the jersey I had found. It drooped down off my shoulders, the golden hem reaching half-way down my thighs. I stood looking into the hazy mirror, my wet red hair sticking to my cheeks. I searched in the sink drawers for a comb and upon finding one began pulling it through my long locks. My green eyes were still red and bloodshot, a result of my two-week crying stint.

Retrieving my wand from my dirty pants pocket, I swirled it over my head to dry my hair quickly. As I brushed my teeth, I tried not to think about going out into the cold bedroom and crawling into a strange bed all by myself. I stalled in the warm bathroom, gazing at my reflection in the mirror, not really seeing anything. I wondered if James would actually mind if I went to his room.

Giving up, I left the bathroom and went into the cool bedroom. I walked straight past the big bed, opened the doors to the hall and stepped out onto the cold hardwood floors outside. I closed my bedroom doors as quietly as I could and tiptoed across the hall. I stood with my hand on the handle to James' room, frozen, not sure if I should knock first or just go in.

Are you a Gryffindor or not? Where is your courage?

As my fingers picked at the red jersey I was wearing, I gathered up my courage and pulled the door open just enough to slid through, closing the door behind me.

James' room was slightly smaller than my guest room had been. It was dark but I could see enough in the dim light to spot the posters stuck to the walls, the clothes heaped in piles on the floor, and James laying on his side in bed facing away from me. I shivered slightly as I tiptoed forward towards his bed. James was sleeping on the far side so, as gently as I could, I lifted the corner of the blankets, slid my toes under and curled up in his bed, my back to James.

I snuggled into the blankets feeling like ice. Even though I had just had a warm bath, I felt so chilled. It wasn't a minute before I felt the bed shift. I froze and began to panic thinking that he was going to, any second, kick me out. Then James' warm arms came around me, hugging me to him. He tucked his face into my hair and whispered "Good night Lily,"

For the first time that day, I felt warm both on the inside and out.

"AHHH!" I screamed, as I suddenly woke up. Something was licking my face. I tried move backwards into the centre of the bed but something (or should I say someone) was blocking my way.

"What happened?" James yelped as he sat up straight in the bed, his hair sticking up in black spikes on top of his head.

I had raised my hand to defend my face from the licking attack so I couldn't see much. I could feel the bed shift as James leaned forward, one of his arms reaching across me to steady himself on the edge of the bed.

"Oh. That." I could hear the smile in his voice. "Happy Christmas Lily!" I felt the bed shift again as James leaned back into the centre of the bed.

I struggled up onto my elbow and peaked through my fingers to look down at the furry white creature looking up at me. I reached down with both my hands and scooped up the licking monster. It was a fluffy white cat with grey stripes with a big red bow tied around it's neck. It's little pink nose was wet and it's black beady eyes gleamed at me.

"Aw!" I cooed, scratching the little thing on it's head. I was rewarded by a purring sound. "This is for me?"

James laughed as he leaned back against the headboard and reaching out the scratch the cat's ear. "She was SUPPOSE to be downstairs under the tree for you. But I guess she got out of the living room."

I smiled down at the cute little thing as it cuddled up in my arms, purring contently. I'd never had a pet before. Even when I was young, my parents had been very adamant about not having pets in the household. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that it was a new day.

"I know you've never had a pet before," James said as he took his hand back from the little fur-ball in my arms. "So I figured having your first pet would help you to start over."

I smiled at how flawless his thinking had been. I couldn't even remember ever telling him that I had never had a pet. I looked down at the snoozing little cat feeling like I had started a new family. "What should I call her?"

James shrugged thoughtfully. "How about Danica? It means..."

"Morning star," I interrupted. "I took astrology too, James."

James gave me a kind smile. "I just thought it was appropriate since morning is like starting new,"

I agreed. "Danica it is," I cooed to the sleeping mass of fur in my arms. I felt like the name couldn't be anymore appropriate. I really did feel like I was starting over again.

"Is that my jersey?"

I giggled. Oops. I had forgotten I was wearing that.

Thud thud thud. There was a distinct pounding at my door.

"I'm coming!" I answered quickly pulling a green jumper over my head.

James' head appeared through the crack in my door. "Hurry up! I want to go down to open presents with my folks!"

I hopped on one foot as I jammed a sock onto my other foot. Danica meowed at me, watching lazily from my bed. She's probably making fun of how ridiculous I look hopping around. I thought furiously. Finally, having both socks on I kissed Danica on her head and then raced out the door, into the hall, to follow James downstairs to meet his parents' by the christmas tree.

"Thanks again for Danica," I told James sincerely as we tread down the wide marble stairway. "She's perfect!"

James smiled at me. "She's part Kneazle, just so you know."

"Oh?" That explained why her tail ended in a tuff like a lion. "So she'll be a handful then," I said.

"No more than you are," James laughed as he bounced down a couple steps ahead of me. We got to the doors to the living room at the same time. I straightened out my green jumper and flattened down my curly red hair. I had even put gold earrings in this morning. Everything in the Potters' house seemed to be gold.

James pushed the doors open and bounded into the two story living room. The christmas tree stood in the corner, it's lights twinkling in the sunlight that streamed through the windows. It was wrapped in red and gold ribbons with many colorful glass ornaments. A big gold star sparkled on the top. Beneath the tree were dozens of gifts, all wrapped in colorful papers and ribbons.

Beside the tree there was a massive stone fireplace with a warm fire roaring just inside the grate. The room had two armchairs, currently occupied by Elizabeth and Henry, and a large red sofa, which I decided was appropriate for me to sit on.

James jumped forward to the tree, ignoring the couch completely and sitting on the floor. "Happy Christmas!" He bellowed as he tossed a gift to each of his parents.

I felt slightly guilty for intruding on their personal family christmas. I hadn't brought any gifts and I felt like a horrible guest.

James was coming to sit by me now a large red package in his hands. He held it out to me, smiling.

I shook my head at him. "I didn't bring any gifts!" I hissed under my breath. I wished the couch would swallow me up into it's cushions. James winked at me.

"Oh Lily! Thank you!" Elizabeth exclaimed holding out a beautiful gold scarf with intricate flowers stitched into it. "You shouldn't have!"

I blinked stupidly at her, too shocked to say anything. James elbowed me in the side. "You're welcome," I squeaked. Apparently I had brought gifts. I made myself a promise to pay James back later.

And my generosity hadn't stopped there. I had also gotten Henry a leather holster, with a gold "P" etched into it, for his wand (which James later informed me was a useful gift as his Dad was Head of the Auror Department at the Ministry).

The Potters' were generous as well. I had received a beautiful dark green bathrobe, a pair of small golden holly shaped earrings, and a little red collar for Danica.

The house elves brought in treats for us to eat while we opened gifts. I sampled some treacle tart and sipped some warm tea. James had many presents from his parents and friends which included a new broomstick, robes, Quidditch posters, sweets, and a weird silver whirling instrument, that I'd read about in a book once, called a sneakoscope.

After gifts, James insisted that I come out into the gardens with him for a walk. I fought for ages to not go out into the cold, but thirty minutes later I found myself facing the front doors bundled up in my cloak, boots, scarf, mittens and hat. I glared at James as he happily grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him, outside into the cold air.

It was cold, but nice. The sun was bright and warm and shown like diamonds off the ice crystals of the newly fallen snow. James pulled me along around the the side of the house, our boots crunching loudly in the snow. We rounded the corner and climbed the few steps onto a raised patio. The biggest patio I had ever seen in my entire life. You could have fit my entire house on that patio.

James dropped my hand so he could clammer onto his new broomstick. I shook my head at him, laughing, as he took off into the cold winter air. I plopped down into the deep snow, spreading myself out like a star. I looked into the sky watching as James shot past overhead.

I smiled, as James flew by again waving down at me. I moved my arms and legs so that they would make a trench in the snow in the shape of an angel.

"You look like an angel!" James yelled down at me, from the spot he was floating at, twenty feet above me.

"Oh, har har!" I yelled back, carefully moving away from my snow angel, so as not to crush my masterpiece.

As I looked down at my snow angel, I suddenly felt something cold and wet slam into the back of my neck. I whipped around searching for the source of the snowball and spotted James ducking behind a snow-covered bench.

"You are so going to get it!" I shouted, gathering up some snow to make a snowball of my own. I grabbed my wand out of my pants pocket and waved it at the snow in front of me. Several more snowballs immediately formed on the ground.

Smiling I aimed my wand at the bench where James was hiding and waited. Just as James' head poked out from the top of the bench, I commanded "Mobiliarbus!" My group of well formed snowballs pelleted towards his face.

"Eek!" James screamed, as two of my snowballs got him in the face. "I surrender!" He yelped, ducking down to the ground with his arms over his head in an attempt to protect himself, in case any more flying hunks of snow found their way to his face.

I laughed loudly as I stepped towards him, victorious.

"You cheat!" James exclaimed as he got up, brushing snow out off of his neck.

I laughed as I slid my wand back into my pocket. "Since when is magic cheating?" I asked, raising my eyebrows at him.

James cocked his head sideways, shaking his hair with his hands. Bits of snow fell from his head and floated down onto the ground. "I never knew that Lily Evans could be so mischievous!" James laughed as he righted himself, satisfied that he got all the snow out of his hair.

"I do know spells other than the ones we learn in class." I defended myself. "I do read,"

The lopsided smirk again. "Of course you do,"

I glared at him, the rim of my hat falling forward into my eyes, ruining the menacing effect I was going for. James laughed more.

"Shut up," I grumbled as I turned past him to stomp back across the patio, towards the house.

"Hey!" He shouted after me. I could hear the crunching of his boots as he jogged to keep up with me. "Where are you going?"

"Back inside," I answered, pushing the hat back out of my eyes. "I'm cold."

"Aw," James muttered. "You're a spoilsport."

I glared at him. "No. I just hate the cold!"

"Well we might as well head inside because the elves will have the feast ready soon," James told me, rubbing his stomach for effect. "I'm starving!"

I giggled. "You're always hungry."

"I'm a growing boy!" He said defensively, as he pushed the front doors open, stepping aside to let me through first.

"You're 6'3" and seventeen years old. I think you are finished growing by now." I told him, kicking off my boots just inside the doors.

"Too bad you finished growing when you were thirteen," James snorted as he slung his jacket and scarf over a hook on the coat rack.

"Hey!" I said back defensively. My height (or lack of) was a touchy subject for me. All my friends towered above me. Well not towered, but they were all taller! Although, it wasn't hard to be taller than 5'4". "It's not my fault I'm vertically challenged," I handed James my coat and winter wear to add to the coat rack to dry.

"Love, you're not vertically challenged at all. You're just short."

I didn't speak to him all the way to the dining hall.

"I'm so full!" I pushed my chair back in emphasis. "This was the best dinner I've ever had!"

James shrugged. "Hogwarts is better," He shoveled another forkful of potatoes into his mouth.

"Don't let the house elves hear you! Or else there might be poison in your breakfast." Henry warned, chortling at the thought.

I felt so good. This was the first real meal I had eaten in ages. Turkey, yams, potatoes, beans, tarts, pies... Mmmm! The overwhelming amount of food was making me feel slightly sleepy.

As the house elves came in to clear off the table, the Potters' moved back into the living room to sit by the fire. I snuggled into the big red sofa, hoping James would come sit next to me. But he continued forward to pull one last gift out from under the christmas tree.

James excitedly brought the medium-sized flat box over to me. "Thanks for coming to spend the holidays with us," James told me as he handed me the gift. "This is for the second week of holidays!"

Although I strongly felt as though it should be me who was thanking him, I opened the top of the box and peaked in with a confused expression. Inside the box was a green bikini. I felt the heat rise in my face. What was James suggesting?

I looked up at the Potters' in confusion.

Elizabeth laughed. "Didn't James tell you? We always spend the second week of the Christmas Holidays in southern France!"

Well then, that would explain the bikini.

A/N: Chapter 1 complete! Yay! And don't you just love Christmas? In the letter Lily wrote to Sirius (the one Harry found in Sirius' old bedroom in OoTP... or was it HBP?), Lily mentions that she has a cat. So I thought now was a good a time as any to add the cat into the story.

At this point, it is pretty obvious that Lily and James are over their hatred of each other. I couldn't bring myself to start another story where they were on last name basis.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed my story so far. It puts a smile on my face to know that people really do read what I write. Thank you!

This story has 15 more chapters to come. Please R&R to let me know if you like it and if you want me to post more!