The winter weather only got worse as November flew into December. Students found that Herbology classes were often cancelled due to the blizzard conditions but that still didn't stop them from having snowball fights in the grounds. James came into the common room one Friday afternoon after just finishing his last Ancient Runes class before the Christmas holidays started. He had decided to stay at school for Christmas this year, his last ever chance to do so. Most of the seventh year students were staying behind for the holidays, James assumed for the same reason why he was. On the plus side the rest of the house were going home so it would just be the seventh years in Gryffindor tower. James couldn't help but feel slightly anxious how Lily would take him buying her a gift.

He slumped himself down on the comfy chairs in front of the fireplace, he couldn't wait for Saturday. Tomorrow was the next Hogsmeade visit, he thought about asking the others in the house if they wanted to go for a drink. A few minutes later, he was joined by the other marauders, Lily, Marlene, Alice and Mary.

"God that was exhausting," Mary complained.

"You'll have a better day tomorrow," Remus explained.

"Why's that?" Mary asked.

"Because you're going to Hogsmeade with me," Remus grinned.

Mary blushed bright red.

"Remus, are you asking me out?" she mumbled.

"Yes I am," said Remus brightly.

Mary blushed a red the shade of a tomato.

"Alright then," she said with a grin.

Sirius laughed, "Steam could be coming out of your ears right now," he teased.

"Leave her alone," said Marlene.

Sirius stared at Marlene, eyes narrowed. She copied his actions. Sensing an argument could break out at any moment, James cleared his throat. Everyone looked at him.

"I was going to say we all meet up for a drink tomorrow, after we've finished our shopping" He suggested

Everyone smiled at him.

"Lovely idea, I'll bring Frank too." Alice beamed.

"Sounds like fun," said Mary.

"What do you think Padfoot?" asked James.

Sirius put on a fake smile, "Great," he grumbled and then he got off the sofa and headed toward the boys dormitory.

James rolled his eyes, he couldn't believe his best friend could act so much like a girl having a strop.

For the rest of the evening, he and the group stayed up well into the night just chatting, sharing jokes. He then found himself sat alone with Marlene.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Marlene shrugged, her eyes filling with tears.

"Not really," she said quietly.

"Listen, I know Sirius can be a bit of a prick at times-

"He won't listen to a word I say," Marlene explained.

"I know, he won't talk to me either," James sighed.

Marlene wiped her eyes and sniffed.

"I really like him, so much it hurts." she choked, tears falling slowly down her pale cheeks.

James put his arm around Marlene and pulled her closer to him. She rested his head on his shoulder. He'd come to think of this girl as the sister he had never had, he didn't like to see her suffering like this.

"That's exactly how I feel too," he sighed.

He felt Marlene nod her head against his shoulder as she used her sleeve to wipe her face. Little did they know that behind them, stood Lily. She had only heard the last thing that James had said to Marlene but she felt crushed. For six years, James had pursued her. For six years she had turned him down every time he asked her on a date. She guessed she enjoyed it that he took an interest in her, but she didn't want the boy who was arrogant and liked the attention he got way too much. She wanted the boy he was becoming, the boy who seemed to have grown up since the end of last year. If he had been that boy six years previously, she would've said yes to him. But now, he had moved on. And whilst she was happy for him, she would've preferred it if he had moved on with a girl who didn't happen to be her best friend and who she shared a room with. As she stared at the pair, she wondered if Marlene knew James's secret. She had felt honoured that he had confided in her, but clearly she wasn't the only person whom he felt like he could trust with such a secret. As her heart hammered in chest, she turned back towards the girl's staircase and went to bed.


The next morning, the seventh years rose to find the common room already empty. The other students had already left to board the train to take them home to their families. The Gryffindors dressed and headed into the village to do some last minute shopping before it was officially Christmas. Lily had agreed to go with Sirius and Peter to the village, as all of their friends were partnered up, they didn't want to be hanging around them like lost sheep.

Peter was the only one who was really interested in their shopping trip. Lily had already bought her family their presents and shipped them off home. Sirius didn't buy his family anything, he was living with James since he left home over a year ago now. He did buy Mr and Mrs Potter a box of fizzing whizzbees and a bottle of firewhiskey. He'd gotten James some Quidditch gloves. He did buy the girls a box of chocolates each when Lily was out of the way, he figured that since they were spending the holidays together as a group, it'd be nice if he got them a little something. Lily thought the same as she purchased some of fireworks from Zonkos. Deciding they had already done, they headed towards the Three Broomsticks.

Inside they saw Mary and Remus cosied up sitting opposite Frank and Alice in a booth in the corner. They strolled over to their friends and sat beside them.

"Butterbeer Lily? Sirius?" Peter offered.

"Sure," Lily smiled.

"Cheers Wormtail," Sirius grunted.

Peter nodded and went up to the bar.

"He's hoping to get a chance with Rosmerta," Sirius mumbled.

Lily chuckled, the pub landlady seemed to always attract attention from the boys at school.

"So, finish your shopping?" Alice asked Lily.

"Yeah all done," she smiled as Peter came back with three butterbeers and a sour look on his face.

Sirius grinned as he took his butterbeer.

"She turn you down again wormtail?" he teased.

Peter, with a sulky look, nodded and took a swig of his drink.

"I'll ask the elves to lay out the presents in the common room on Christmas morning, that way we can open them all together." Remus suggested.

"Oh that's a lovely idea," Mary squealed and stroked Remus's cheek. Sirius rolled his eyes and drained his drink dry.

"I'm getting another," Sirius grunted and headed towards the bar.

Just then, the door swung open and the winter chill hit them hard. James had entered the pub with Marlene, carrying shopping bags. They walked over to where the group was sat and dropped their bags to the floor.

"Spoil your mum again Prongs?" asked Remus.

James grinned, "Seeing as I'm her only son and she had to give birth to the most mischievous boy known to earth, I may as well remind her that I'm the best son she could ever possibly hope for".

"Does she remind you of that fact?" Lily asked as she took a gulp of her butterbeer.

"Every time she writes me," James replied as he met Lily's gaze.

"And how often is that?" she asked.

"Three times daily," James mumbled.

Lily chuckled.

"Mumma's boy," Marlene smirked.

James raised an eyebrow.

"Well no one cooks better than my mother," he replied.

"Does she iron your socks too?" Marlene teased.

James smirked back and nudged her in the ribs. Marlene rubbed her side as Lily's eyes went to a gold bracelet on her wrist.

"Nice bracelet Marley," she said admirably.

"Thanks, Christmas present from James," she said brightly.

She watched as Marlene looked at James with a thankful smile. She smiled and said "James is generous,".

James looked away awkwardly. It was a good thing that Sirius was chatting Rosmerta up at the bar.

Peter looked over at Sirius and sighed. He could see that Rosmerta was actually giving Sirius the time of day.

"I wish I was as smooth in the flirting department as Padfoot," he whined.

"Aw Peter, you'll find a girl one day." said Frank as he finished his drink off.

"Yeah when he's fifty odd," Sirius laughed as he returned to the table.

Frank checked his watch.

"It's getting late, we should head back up to the school." he stated.

"Yeah you're right, walk with me?" Alice asked him.

Frank nodded as he and Alice rose from their table. They bade the others goodbye and as Frank wrapped his arm around Alice's shoulder, they left the pub.

"Let's finish up and head off too," Peter said sulkily.

"Now don't be a sulk just because you can't chat up a girl," Sirius burped.

Marlene looked a little disgusted.

"Come on Marley, let's go." said James offering his arm to Marlene. Marlene nodded and looped her arm around his. Sirius watched as they left the pub.

"You're obsessed," Remus stated.

Sirius slammed the bottle on the table.

"I really like that girl and my best friend is dating her," he yelled.

The rest of the pub began to stare at them.

"I know you're hurt but if you just talked to James, you'd set the record straight." Remus snapped.

"It's alright for you, you've already got the girl you like, it's painful for me to see them two together." Sirius exclaimed.

Remus rose from the table and pulled Mary to her feet who like startled by Sirius's outburst.

"Sirius, you're nearly eighteen, man up and talk to James." he snapped and gestured Mary out of the now silent pub.

Lily quietly agreed with Remus on some level but she also agreed with Sirius. It was painful for her too.