Although I do consider J.K Rowling as a definite role model, this does not, in any way shape or form, make me her. Or Pearl Jam, for that matter. If so, I still wouldn't be in bloody high school

Let me rephrase that, the most positively worst invention known to males and females ages 15 and up. Yes, it is true. Don't believe that stupid lecture that Jr. High is so much worse compared, as this, is a lie. And we all know that I must not tell lies.

On with the story! By the way, this is Christmas Eve, so almost two weeks after our last encounter, and due to an unfortunate mishap (read and discover) the four boys, Lily and the Slug Club are at Hogwarts for Christmas.

-Silence Nevermore

-James-

'Help me hang this, will you?'

I glanced over in Remus' direction whilst keeping my own tree aloft. He was struggling to hang three strings of garland in one go.

'Give him a hand, will you Peter? The rest of us are preoccupied at the moment'

He nodded quickly and followed Remus into the Great Hall. We were decorating the school, as you can see, for Slughorn's detention as it was his turn to lead the party.

'Higher, Ms. McKinnon, higher, we need to see that star'

Marlene grumbled under her breath, however, complied

'And Mr. Potter, do help Lily with those decorations. She will need another hand'

I nodded quickly and left without question, my tree thumping on the floor, narrowly missing Elizabeth Beraty (Hey!) and half jogged over to Lily

'I hear you need a hand'

Lily stopped, her hand holding a single lit candle 'Oh, sorry. Didn't see you there'

I picked up my own candle, lit it (lacarnum Inflamarai) and levitated the lot to the remaining boughs

Lily brushed of her hands and looked at her feet 'Thanks'

I grinned 'Don't mention it, Lily'

She shook her head and looked up 'what?'

'What, what?'

'You called me by my real name again'

'You told me to'

She reached over and picked up the box and walked to the next tree 'Yeah, but I didn't figure you'd actually listen'

I smirked

'Why wouldn't I listen?'

Lily blushed down to her toes, her fingers twitching anxiously

'Hey, why are you even here? Christmas break was out weeks ago'

Lily sighed, regaining her usual composure 'I didn't want to'

'Why's that?'

'I don't want to talk about it James.'

I then silently lighting and levitating candles to the next trees, leaving the Red-Headed Nightmare to sort through her thoughts

'Do you really want to know why I'm not going home?'

I turned around 'I want to know why you're so upset'

Lily looked down and murmured something incoherent

'Sorry, what was that?'

I lifted up her chin and was surprised by her swimming eyes

'Lily-'

She bit her lip and stared into my eyes 'It's my, my parents. I haven't heard from them in-in weeks'

My mouth sat agape

'Oh no, Lils. That's not it. Don't think like that'

I wanted so badly to take her in my arms, but as I began to reach out, she cried out and fell into my arms. So I held her softly, praying that my baby wouldn't have to sob tonight

After what seemed like seconds, Lily pulled away and stared without looking at a single candle

'Hey,' I said softly 'Let me'

So I walked over and placed the lit candle in her outstretched fingers. Her face sat illuminated in the flickering shadow. It was then that I noticed the once noisy hall was now reduced to murmurs, and all were looking at our frail embrace

'James,' Remus said softly, carefully letting the holly slip through his fingers 'Is Lily okay?'

I shook my head, and pushed the soggy hair out of her pale frame

But Remus and Sirius stood frozen, their mouths stationary in a wide gape

'Thank you all' Slughorn said, clasping his sausage fingers together 'You may be dismissed'

So quickly and quietly, the fugitives and Slug Club members alike walked from the hall, leaving me to Lily's tears

'Lily,' I murmured, taking her hand 'Do want to talk?'

She nodded numbly, so I led her carefully to the stone steps and sat down; placing her head on my shoulder

'I remember what this feels like,' I said softly, unconsciously brushing her hair out of her face 'when you're surrounded by people yet feel completely alone'

She curled up her face in my chest and let the tears flow as smoothly, her body racked with shame

'Lily, I never told you, but I know how this feels. Last winter, exactly a year a year ago, my grandfather got murdered; murdered by You Know Who himself. This isn't that; you'd know as I did'

Lily rolled over, her eyes glassy and red 'You promise?'

I smiled weakly 'Course.'

'James I'm so worried'

So I pulled her close and let a tear slip into her hair, a single tear; filled with remorse I couldn't begin to understand. She was in agony. Her parents; Lily's last family. They couldn't be gone; no, not on Christmas. Not her, not now.

But her tears continued to flow, despite all her dignity.

Right at the moment, a Muggle song Remus showed me floated through my head

Oh where, oh where could my baby be?

The Lord took her away from me…

I cradled Lily in my arms and whispered the words in her ears

She's gone to heaven so I got to be good

So I can see my baby when I leave this world

-Lily-

I tucked my body into James, gratified by the instant fix; we fit perfectly

I couldn't remember crying, but I could feel the steady stream flow down my cheeks. But James held me, and James loved me; that Christmas Eve when I believed no one else would.

I felt his body begin to rock me; back and forth, back and forth- a soothing feeling that was so undeserved. Who was I, to rely on someone so willing for comfort? It was Christmas Eve. He must've had a host of other things to do tonight. Things that would never had involved me

But then he leant down and whispered my favourite song into my ears

Oh where, oh where could my baby be?

The Lord took her away from me

She's gone to heaven so I gotta be good,

So I can see my baby when I leave this world

How did he know? I never told anyone

We were out on a date in my daddy's car

We hadn't driven very far

There in the road, straight ahead

A car was stalled, the engine was dead

I sobbed into his chest. This was the best thing someone had ever given me. I had dated before, of course, but I never had felt so secure in someone's arms that weren't my fathers

I couldn't stop, so I swerved to the right

I'll never forget the sound that night

The screamin' tires, the bustin' glass

The painful scream that I heard last

I muffled my voice into James chest, my body heaving in soft sobs

Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?

The Lord took her away from me

She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good

So I can see my baby when I leave this world

I let my voice abandon me, just being content in this boy's presence. He was all I needed to feel complete right now

When I woke up the rain was pourin' down

There were people standing all around

Something warm goin' through my eyes

But somehow I found my baby that night

I couldn't believe it. This song was exactly how I was feeling right now. But how had he known? He was a Pure-Blood…

I lifted her head; she looked at me and said

"Hold me darling, just a little while"

I held her close; I kissed her, our last kiss

I found the love that I knew I had missed

James lifted my chin and looked deeply into my eyes. Searching, exploring. Testing how broken I truly was. But he pulled me close and whispered the last stanza into my hair

Well now she's gone

Even though I hold her tight

I lost my love, my life, that night

Oh where, oh where, can my baby be?

The Lord took her away from me

She's gone to heaven, so I've got to be good

So I can see my baby when I leave this world

He then took my head in his hands; his soft, strong hands, and kissed me. Softly, yet forcefully; loving but careful. Everything I had ever wanted. The world sighed behind us as I kissed him back, my mouth soft under his. My first Christmas kiss

'Merry Christmas, Lily'

I looked into his eyes; his open, beautiful eyes 'Merry Christmas James'

That was so sad to write :( Sorry if you're all depressed now.

By the way, that song James sang is a new favourite of mine, Last Kiss- by Pearl Jam. I looked it up, and am trusting my Guitar teacher got her facts right that this song was popular some twenty years ago. (lol) Anyway, super cute, eh? Give it a listen, totally worth it.

Hope you all have an excellent weekend, and I promise to update soon :)

-Silence Nevermore

P.S: All these reviews are the best thing, like, ever. I believe that I'm up to twenty two now, but keep it up! And if you get a chance, check out my other story: Before the Ending began, post Deathly Hallows.

~8) (my thanks to iamabookworm for showing this to me. For all those who are unaware, its harry; his scar and glasses? Well, if not, at least it made me laugh