CHAPTER 04 – Christmas Eve

A/n Thankyou Bma925 for your review i appreciate it very much and i will try keep upto your expectations.

December 24th, Christmas Eve 1983 – the Evans Family Residence near Barnet

A man with girth as much as he was tall on the Sofa sat in front of the Television. The Sofa-Cushion sank so low that the spring made severe sound, probably of discomfort. Lily Potter was making her way from the kitchen along with her mother witnessed the incident and heard the squeak made by the couch. Lily leaned into her mother her lips close to her mother's ears before whispering.

"I bet the cushion said 'Get off me you fat Cretin'."

Cameroon Evans swatted her younger daughter playfully, giggling at Lily's comment. She, like her husband, was shocked when an excited Petunia came home one day along with Vernon Dursley, his ring to her adorning her finger introducing him as her fiancé. John, her husband, was dead set against her even dating the human Walrus, but she had insisted that he not make his opinion open, and let her make her own mistakes. She had thought that the relation wouldn't last beyond six months. John's face looked like he had swallowed a bitter pill then, as he gave her his permission to date him. She was twenty one at the time. Two years later when she came in thrilled as Vernon proposed her they did not know what to say, and before they could blink, they were married and they couldn't say anything anymore, except accept the Hippo into their family. Since then he had been the butt end of many jokes curtsey of Lily and John. Cameroon tried to look on the positive side, Petunia was happy and they had a son together, but once father and the daughter were together, they were unstoppable, and the jokes flowed wine in an Irish wedding. Cameroon tried to change the topic on to the other Son-in-Law, James Potter, wiry, athletic and sharp as a knight's sword, enquiring about his 'fantastic cooking skills'.

"So honey, are you sure James knows what he is doing in the kitchen. John, in the early days of our marriage, thought that he had gift of making a splendid roast beef that his mother loved every time he made. It was a disaster, and he blamed the new kitchen crockery, I brought along, were responsible for throwing of his rhythm. He has never volunteered to cook again." The mother daughter shared a laugh at the expense of John Evans.

Lily, still giggling about her father's boasts, confirmed James claims

"No mother James isn't like father in this regard, but talk to him about his fantastic snow man making skills, he is like father there. But regarding culinary skills, he is actually quite good. Dorea says that he was gifted since he was kid and the time he spent with Blinky only nurtured them. I think she tries to drive away the guilty feeling of not being with him when he was a child behind with 'naturally gifted tale'. He isn't that gifted, but he is much better than anyone in the house, except Blinky. Shepard's Pie is his speciality."

"So, what now? Your husband kicked us out of the kitchen, Vernon's in front of the Tele, Petunia is taking her nap, and John is out with kids having the annual snowball fight." Cameroon wondered.

Lily was nervous. She knew that her father was uneasy about her marrying into a Political Family. "It's not safe pumpkin", he whined, "The political families have many enemies. It's an occupational hazard. You will be in indirect danger and always have to lead life wary of reports shadowing you everywhere you go. And later on, at one point or another you have to enter into the mud." Cameroon's smile turned into worry on looking into her daughters face as she was reminiscing something unpleasant. Her mother clearing her throat loudly brought Lily out of her unpleasant thought chain, where after telling her father about her involvement he was so shocked he nearly had an heart attack. Mind has the nastiest habit of exasperating the nervousness of person with horrible visions. Seeing her mother looking slightly worried Lily tried to assure her that it was not that serious but was serious enough.

"You have to be the one to tell dad about it, O.K?" Lily asked and she stalled her mother by continuing, "It's not anything like we are in trouble or so. It's just something that dad predicted, you know when he tried to make me revaluate my choice in my spouse." At this Cameroon smiled with relief. Here she was worrying about something of much serious nature, but it turned out much simpler. But Lily was not looking at her mother to see her facial expressions. She, Lily, thought she wanted to finish it now that she had begun the topic.

"You know about the health clinic I volunteer in that shady neighbourhood near Diagon alley that father was upset about. Well it so happened that they want me to run for the senate from their zone, and Albus and Charles said that it would give us much boost if we were to win in the opposition's stronghold and they were also thinking of introducing many women into the running anyway. So they want me to represent Our party there and you what father thinks of politics…."

Lily looked at her mother at this point into her smiling face, which confused her until

"They already told you? Who?" She demanded. Cameroon laughed gently. Her, no, no, not hers, John's daughter would always be worried about her father opinions not matter how old she got. She was always his little tigress, fighting with him but at the same time gelling together against any fights/debates or arguments with Petunia or Cameroon, herself.

"Well, are you going to tell me who told you about it? I think I remember Dorea saying that they would have daddy and your help too raising Harry and Blake. So, spill out mother." Lily ordered tapping her foot, bringing back many memories of the young red head to her mother. Seeing her mother still with a far off look she clapped in her face effectively bring her mother into the present conversation.

Cameroon huffed, before scolding her daughter.

"Lily Marie how many times have I said not to do that? You have no measurable amount of patience; how that boy, James, deals with you I do not know. Don't glare missy, your glares are ineffective against me, I raised you remember. Now back to your question, Dorea and Charles came to us the next day the proposal came from your 'devotees'. It seems James knew about your father's trepidation about you marrying into the Political family and later on they 'dragging you into the mud'. So they came to your father explaining everything. But they didn't have to, your father was so proud I thought his head would swell, and he would float away. He laughed about how you thought it was his serious concern, after coming back from his trip in the air, floating. You have to understand dear, he would have made some deleterious comments about anyone you decided to marry. You were his little girl, and he didn't want you to marry until you were 40 at the least." This explanation had Lily leak water from her eyes. She tried to wipe out the evidence of her emotion undetected as mother ruffled her hair lovingly. Just in time James announced that the Chief has finished cooking his specialities.

Ambience 9 a.m.-

It was snowing slightly that morning in Central England. North of London was the a borough of Barnet, a suburb built in twelfth century ten miles from Charing Cross and sixty miles from the Barnet were Chiltern hills and near the base of one of them was a Italianate styled house, home of the Evans since the mid 1800's. The house was designed after the famous Osborne House, which had sparkled the Italianate style of architecture in England, as an anniversary gift for the home's first woman, Amber Evans the great, great Grandmother of John Evans, Lily's father and the current owner on February 3rd 1859 by her husband Edwards Evans. The house was named 'Ambience' after Amber, Edwards's one and only love. It had an extensive garden, as Amber had a gift with earth that was transmitted through the Evans family, adjacent to a small lake. Primarily built as a farming estate, it was modified and rebuilt to suit the current owners, who were both prestigious lawyers now retired. The garage held two Fords, one for each of the two permanent residents and an ….. that of Vernon Dursley. The huge open spaces in front of the house were converted into Football and Cricket grounds as soon as John found out that his daughters were pregnant. John built them himself and it was one of the reasons he retired early at age of 50. He was a very proud grandparent of not only Harry, Lily's child and Dudley, Petunia's child but also Blake, Lily's Nephew.

The ground in front of the house was covered with snow, and through the snowfall one could see vaguely the outlines of four people, one adult and three kids. The three kids were attacking the adult relentlessly. The adult, John Evans, thought that he was fortunate that the kids were too small and had too little a power to inflict so real damage with their onslaught of snowballs. Cameroon Evans, John's wife always accused him of building the ground so as to bribe any of his grandsons into developing interest in sports, like him. He wanted them, especially Blake and Harry, hooked on the mundane sports before Lily permitted James to teach them flying. He didn't want to lose his grandchildren to the wonders of magical world completely, so he coached them in Football now, and planned on introducing Cricket later on. Last winter his wife berated him for bringing in his friend, Benjamin Mueller the coach of the Football team of the Barnet Special Talents Primary School, who entertained the kids with tales about his days as the mid-fielder of Barnet Football team, for his underhanded plan. She thought he, John, was trying to force Football on to the kids, as if John scoffed, recalling the tongue-lashing from his wife. A snow ball to his head brought him out into the present situation. Harry and Dudley were giggling uncontrollably while Blake was shouting out 'I got you Grandpa'.

As John avoided standstill giving his attackers more of a challenge, he could help but notice that Dudley was panting much more than either Harry or Blake. John's face contorted as he thought it was mostly due to the Fat bastard's Genes. He never wanted his daughters to get married so early, 'Tunia more than Lily. At least Lily chose an active Youngman with a penchant in sports, be that be in that Wizarding one. But his elder daughter's choice even now gave him a nasty headache. He didn't want her daughter to date that fat Hippo much less marry him, but his wife warned him not to interfere in her choice lest it drive her away from them. Grudgingly he acknowledged his wife's point, hoping that Petunia would divorce the Walrus soon. But now after six years and a son it looked like he was here to stay. Even though he hated Vernon Dursley from his pudgy face to his fat toes and Dudley was Xerox copy of his father, John loved Dudley and promised himself that he would flush the Dursley family traits, of heavy intake of carbs and minimum physical activity, out of his grandson. The genetic component Vernon passed over to Dudley was only half the reason john hated him. He, John, knew that if not for the money and the reputation the Evans had Vernon would even be courteous towards them. John also hated the sucking up 'Tuny's husband did to both him and His wife. Dursley family motto, if you looked at both Marge and Vernon, looked like 'Grow fat, Suck up to people in the higher social standing and Bully the ones beneath them.' James on the other hand was quite opposite. He hated to attend the Social Parties his family had to attend, and handed out help to anyone less fortunate. John laughed as remembered James seeking sanctuary at 'the Ambience' before a major politics Ball, where according to James everyone smiled as if they had stick in their bottoms, before Lily dragged him away admonishing him for his childish antics. He liked the boy (James), Of course after the initial gloomy period between the engagement and the first two months of marriage, where he blamed James for taking away his little Tigress.

As Lily and Petunia arrived the night before, John was treated to the tales of the awesome and talented Footballers tales of their slaughter of the Marauders and the fun they had flying around on the broomsticks from Blake and Harry along with the minute by minute description, with special effects, of the recently released Star Wars Movie they had watched, while Dudley's stories consisted of only of the tales of Television shows he loved. Vernon it seemed was intent on making Dudley his clone, Fat, Dumb and Useless. Petunia loved the boy too much and could never say no, which was not very healthy combination. John would be damned if he were to let 'Tuny's boy follow his father's footsteps. No, he had to light a fire in the boy's belly regarding outdoor sports. The next thing on John's to do list was the construction of Jungle gym in the ground. As petunia and Dudley stayed with them every summer and during the holiday season, he would have ample opportunity to implement his plan regarding Dudley.

Just as Harry, Dudley and Blake surrounded him and were about bury him in snow, Lily called them for lunch. John sighed in relief and the three kids groaned in disappointment. As they entered the lobby Lily's sweet yet admonishing voice entered his ears.

"Must you always insist on taking them into the snow father? All of you can catch cold and you're not as young as used to be. You have to take care of your health." John smiled lovingly at his daughter and embraced her "Well I have a daughter who's a magical Doctor, so I have no qualms about my health." She hugged him back, tears in her eyes.

"What is darling? Why tears in your eyes?" John enquired concerned. To which she just shook are head and replied, "I love you dad." John's concern melted as he replied in kind, before asking "Ahh so what embarrassing information did my wife give you about your dad?"

"How is that every time the Father and Daughter get together I am the one you blame? Doesn't matter, I am here as James is waiting for you lot and has refused to let us eat until everyone is there. So put you Father, Daughter bonding on the back burner, and let's go eat." Cameroon interrupted the pair. Hearing that James had cooked, Blake and Harry ran in eagerly. Lily charmed the duo, to dry and warm them, behind their backs before repeating it with Dudley and John.

Seeing the twosome run in expectation in their eyes, Cameroon observed "So James is good. The kids seem to be thrilled that he cooked." Lily laughed and corrected "No Mother, they are not excited because of his culinary skills; it's because of the show he puts on before he introduces each item."

"What Show?" both her parents asked, to which she just smiled and mimed her lips zipped.

"Alright let's not keep him and the kids waiting. James, bring on the show." John announced as he entered the dining room.

THE JAMES POTTER CULINARY SHOW BEGINS – 11.30

James Potter rubbed his hands gleefully as Harry and Blake cheered him on. John shared excited glance with Dudley whereas Cameroon and Lily rolled their eyes in exasperation. Vernon looked disgruntled. In his opinion men who cook were pansies. Petunia was jealous, she was always jealous of Lily. Lily had pretty red hair where as hers were plain & dull blond hair. She thought she won the battle when she married Vernon, assistant director of the Grunnings Drill company, But Lily one upped her by marrying James, son of Charles Xavier Potter, Minster of magic of the United Kingdom. Not only that, he was wiry athletic, supportive and worshipped Lily.

"So to begin the show we have Bisque, thick creamy with pureed crustaceans soup, a speciality of our lovely neighbours, the French." As he curtsied, the bowls of soup glided into the dining room through a mist, and to add more enigma, small blue sparks flew out of the bowls once they soared in front of everyone, landing softly.

Lily seeing the distressed look on Vernon at the liberal use of magic, tried to warn James.

"Love, I think you can skip the theatrics today." James mowed, and gave a pleading kicked puppy look, that caused further envy to Petunia, but before Lily tried to hint James at Vernon's discomfort, her father interjected.

"Oh let him do the show pumpkin, the kids love it." He said pointing uselessly towards the cheering kids, who stopped to give Lily the same look. "Besides its fun for us too, we hardly see this kind of magic." Bolstered by his Father-in-law's words, James maturely stuck his tongue at Lily, before continuing his show.

"Real mature James." Lily scolded amidst giggles from Harry and Dudley, while Cameroon comforted Lily placing her hand on her daughters shoulder, silently delivering her the message, conveying that men were genetically programmed to be stupid more often than advisable.

"So after we 'appetized' ourselves with the delicious French soup, we move on to the" He paused for dramatic effect, which was answered by John and kids through leaning forward in anticipation. "Scottish Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese and Lemon Juice" for honour of my lovely mother in law, Lily said you love it." John glared at him playfully as Cameroon blew him a kiss. The kids expecting a few more multi-coloured sparks however were disappointed.

"Along with the Smoking hot (James winked suggestively at Cameroon and Lily) Salmon We have, for Pork lovers", he titled his head to acknowledging Vernon, "We have totally English, 'Pigs in Blanket Pork and Sausage rolls for Christmas trimmings', and also 'Turkey with Gravy and Artisanal Brown Bread', for the Traditional food lovers." John and Lily clapped while Petunia granted as small tight smile."

Now he spun towards the kids, who were disappointed at the lack of any special effects during the presentation, he lowered his voice and theatrically paused, before disappearing. A moment later a disembodied voice whispered

"For the lovely kids who love the dessert more than the actual meal, your talented chef presents a delicious treat filled with Bananas, lip-smacking cream, mouth-watering Toffee with delectable 'Dulce De Leche' and sprinkled liberally with Biscuits and Butter, the Banoffee Pie." As each ingredient was mentioned the children shared happy gazes, wetting their lips in anticipation and when with shouting out the name of the Pastry, James appeared in front of the three eager audiences with the Pie, they clapped with gusto, cheering James for the show and also for his choice of dessert. John and Cameroon clapped along with the children, to which James responded with a deep bow and a greeting of 'Bon Appetite'.

"Hmmm yummy", John exclaimed for the benefit of the kids, who giggled in response, as he tasted the Turkey, gravy and Bread combo, "You have a real talent son. This is absolutely delicious." Vernon agreed, stuffing his face with Bacon. He turned towards his wife, and asked "What about your Smoked Salmon, Grace." [Lily's mother's name is Cameroon Grace Smith/Evans] Cameroon just continued eating without even acknowledging her husband's question, but swatted his fork away as he tried to steal some of her fish. Lily just smiled at her dad as he started to plead for some fish from his wife, who was impassive and belligerent. Lily blew James a kiss, exultant that she had such a loving husband that her parents approved him without any reservations. Petunia saw James's blissful expression and turned to look at her husband, who was stuffing his mouth with the bacon. That officially killed any appetite she had.

Tea Time - 4'O Clock, Christmas Eve, Ambience - the Lounge

After the stupendous lunch the kids took a nap. With belly full of the delicious pie, they were asleep before their heads hit the pillow. The grown-ups occupied the couches around the Tele and just surfed through the channels idly. For about a half an hour none of them did anything except groan heavily, with the exception of Petunia.

"James dear boy, I think you just killed me. I am so full I can hardly breathe." Cameroon complained while John and Vernon nodded mutely. James too couldn't answer but he did smile sleepily. After some more of these comments from Cameroon and John, the topic of discussion became 'Lily's political entrance'.

"So James Potter I allowed you to marry my little fiery tigress and you let her become so popular they wanted her to be their leader." John complained playfully but the proud look he gave his daughter turned her red with embarrassment. "Oh dad, can't you just forget it? " Lily looked at the others "any other topic please." She protested. Cameroon smiled "Honey, your father was floating around the next two days after Dorea and Charles told him that. He would be telling this story for the rest of his life. Be grateful that you're in the magical world and he can't tell it to his Golf buddies. And speaking about that," she spun around to face James, mock glaring him, "I have a bone to pick with you young man. When you married my daughter, you promised to protect her and yet I heard that you let her go into such dodgy place all by herself." Both John and Cameroon glared teasingly at James as Lily rolled her eyes at her parents while Petunia scowled, who smiled "You know your 'tigress' very well, once she decides something you better not get In her way or else she will maul you. We used call her 'Fiery McGonagall' at school." Lily just and huffed and said, "I am here too. Don't talk about me like I am not." Her parents and husband just laughed.

After an hour of chit chat mostly spent teasing Lily, reminiscing her childhood activities Blake interrupted them. "Lily-Mum it's my study hour and today it is math's turn." James just groaned loudly and carped to his mother-in-law, "Never before has a Potter been sooo excited about studying until your daughter corrupted the Potter tradition. She had him so addicted to the study hour that even if she forgot, which she seldom does, my Nephew reminds her. And while we are talking about corruption", he spun around to face John, complaining. "John you must stop coaching the kids Football. They are huddling together, scheming beforehand, they are faking a pass and most importantly, destroying us". This had his father-in-law smiling big.

While James was whining, Lily called Harry, who was still in front of the Tele, to complete his assigned lesson reading. Not to be left behind Vernon to called Dudley and had him colour the picture book (Dudley hadn't started reading). As Blake listened to Lily completely focused, Cameroon and John were stunned at what their daughter was teaching the Six Year old. Astonished they looked at each other, the expressions adorning their faces, comically, same. James saw the astonished faces of his in-laws and explained "I think my dearest wife wants to have Blake complete his masters in mathematics by the time he is ready for Hogwarts." Hearing James, the Dursleys, who were proudly watching their little tyke colour the cow pinkish violet, turned around only to be shocked to notice Lily teaching Year Seven (Sixth grade in USA) Mathematics to six year old. "She started teaching him Sciences and Math when he was four, and he took an instant liking to Math. And Lily seeing his interest was enthusiastic in her response." James's painful description caught his wife's attention and she retorted "Charles and Dorea have their masters in Arithmancy. It seems the Genes of Maths skips a generation", and went back to teaching her Nephew. James exchanged smiles with her parents. His wife was a Fiery one. Once Lily explained the theory behind the lesson Blake, with his tongue protruding out between his pressed lips, concentrated on solving the questions mentioned in the exercise.

As soon Lily turned her attention away from her coaching session her parents fired questions at her without giving her any time to answer.

"How far along is he?"

"What else did you teach him?"

"Are you sure he understands the properties of Circles & Polygons?"

"Did you teach him any Algebra?"

Lily just raised her eyebrows at her parents and both of them, slightly embarrassed, stopped asking and let her answer.

"As James said I started teaching him since he was four. I began with numbers and other standard stuff. I caught on early that he was somewhat gifted in Mathematics. So I ditched my lesson plans and slightly increased the pace, and he absorbed them like a sponge does water. So I jumped a couple of gears. He is not just gifted, he is prodigy. And he loves it. You can't get anything across him when he is in his zone." She looked at him; he was sprawled over his textbook and notebook, pencil in his mouth, as he tried to solve a particularly difficult problem. She turned back to her parents "Right now he is at the level equivalent to First and Second year of the Secondary School. He has complete grasp of division of Fractions and Decimals. I introduced Exponents slightly. He comprehends Pre-Algebra and little Algebra I, Ratios, percentages and proportions. I have started him on Geometry recently." Cameroon just stared wide-eyed, speechless while John had an idea. "Why don't you join him in Martin's Gifted Education Programme (G.E.P)?" At her husband's suggestion, Cameroon snapped out of her stupor excited, "Yes, yes, Callum Martin runs a very prized establishment in Barnet for brilliant young minds. Your Cousin Dylan mentioned it when he was here last summer. Some neighbour's kid, talented in drawing skills, was joined there. The teachers there are trained for such young talents. It has 9.3 rating on British Education Rating Score." Seeing Lily and James uncertain faces, John added "It will be good for Blake. Talk with Charles and Dorea and tell us your decision, I will talk with management and he can stay spend the rest of the day with us until you collect him in the evening. As it is we are bored, now that we have retired early and it will enjoyable having kid with us daily." Lily and James nodded their head contemplatively, and the topic changed from Blake to Harry, who finished his reading assignment and started to colour his own drawing book, and Dudley, and their painting of sharp colours on anything marginally dull.