As Harold drove up the driveway to the cottage Lily saw something that made her smile warmly. There, on the steps up to the front door, sat Belle and Honey, wrapped up warmly in scarf's and hats, seeing as it was still December.
Lily bolted out of the car as soon as it came to a standstill; she ran to her friends and engulfed them into a hug.
"Guys-" Lily croaked, her eyes watering once again.
"Oh Lily, we're so sorry, and just before Christmas." Belle said, a single tear running down her porcelain face.
"Oh, I'd completely forgotten." Lily cried. Her friends looked at each other, Lily was a wreck, she was usually so excited about Christmas.
"Lily, dear, why don't you and your friends come in for a cuppa tea?" Anne said softly guiding the crying girl into the house. James stared on at the scene heartbroken, he couldn't stand seeing Lily like this, every tear she cried he felt himself break just a little bit more.
Sirius came up behind James and clapped him on the back.
"Don't worry James, we'll all help her." Sirius said.
James nodded and walked silently into the house.
Lily was perched on a chair in the kitchen, Belle and Honey were either side of her rubbing her back comfortingly, Anne was rushing around trying to get the tea to hurry up and brew.
"Oh I feel horrid. The Potters have been so kind, and all I do is cry, all the time." Lily said between sobs.
"Please Lily, you're welcome here anytime, we're glad that you're here." Anne said placing a cup of tea in front of Lily.
"Lily, we won't lie to you. This won't just go away." Belle said softly, wanting to comfort her friend, but knew that the truth was the only thing she should be hearing right now.
"But Lily do you think your mum and dad want you to sit here crying?" Honey asked.
"I never told them I love them." Lily said sobbing.
"They know sweetie, they know. Every parent can tell how their child feels about them. It's a gift. You're parents always knew how you felt." Anne said, Lily smiled lightly at this. The redhead swiped at her eyes and smiled.
"Thank you." Lily said softly.
James walked into the kitchen and smiled at Lily, she wasn't crying anymore. Not that he minded but he couldn't stand to see her cry.
"Hey." He said softly kneeling down beside her.
"Hey." She replied looking down at him, with a small smile, she was so grateful to him. He kissed her cheek, before grabbing a packet of crisps, and walking back to Lily.
"I'll let you girls catch up alright." James stated, he kissed Lily on the forehead then left.
"You've got a winner there Lily." Belle said. Honey nodded and the two giggled, Lily even chuckled a bit.
The rest of the day wore on and it was too soon before Belle and Honey had to leave. Sirius hugged Belle goodbye.
"You're not staying at Aunties are you?" Sirius asked worried.
"Merlin no! Honeys parents are letting me stay there." Belle said as relief washed over Sirius' face, it was strange but the cousins had gotten a little bit closer since the beginning of the year.
Belle hugged James, making sure to tell him to look after Lily.
The she hugged Lily, no tears were shed, instead the promise of seeing each other soon.
Honey hugged Sirius and was mildly surprised to find she quite liked it.
Then James, reminding him that if he upset Lily in the slightest, he better run.
Then Lily and again no tears were shed, just a promise to see each other soon.
Lily was curled up in a ball, on her bed staring out the window, watching as the sky darkened, deep reds and pinks however loomed in the sky. The redhead heard the door open and turned to see little Emma walk in wearing a light blue cotton nightdress.
"Aren't you meant to be in bed?" Lily asked teasingly.
"I couldn't sleep. The bad man keeps coming." Emma said her brown eyes wide.
"Come here then sweetie." Lily said, she tucked Emma into her bed and lay next to the little girl.
"Can you tell me a story?" Emma asked. Lily looked down at Emma and nodded.
"Once upon a time there was a beautiful little girl. She had a really nice mummy and daddy, and a lovely brother. Well one day the little girl was wandering around her huge castle, but soon found she was lost." Lily said in a dramatic whisper. "The girl cried and cried, she was very scared. However what she didn't know is that her brother could sense when she was scared and upset. So for the longest time as she cried her brother sent out many people to search the castle, hoping to find his little treasure. It was dark and cold before he stumbled across his little sister. He carried her all the way back to the kitchen, just so he could make her a hot chocolate, then sent her to bed, but not before banishing all the nasty people who had entered the little girls mind. It was then that everyone realised that as long as he was around. She was safe." Lily said, she looked out the window, the sky had turned from red to indigo, and then she looked down to see that Emma was asleep.
Then closing her own eyes Lily drifted off to sleep.
The next morning Lily was woken by Emma shaking her.
"Lily! Lily! Wake up Lily! It's Christmas!" Emma cried out happily. Lily giggled at the girl's excitement and ran down the stairs with Emma, both still in their warm pyjamas. When they reached the living room they found Anne, Harold, Sirius and James all waiting happily by the Christmas tree.
Lily plonked herself down beside James, Sirius on the other side of him and Emma on the other side of Sirius, Anne and Harold sitting on the sofa watching as the four kids fidgeted excitedly until they could open their presents. Lily felt really out of place, she was meant to be spending today with her parents, but they were gone, and she couldn't cry, because the Potter's hand been so kind to her, and she didn't want to spoil their Christmas.
"Ok go!" Harold said and they were off reaching for the presents with their names on.
Soon al four of them had nice piles of presents before them.
Wrapping paper went flying and everyone was talking about their presents.
Emma; Sirius had gotten her a box on beginner pranks. James had gotten her a huge box of Honeydukes chocolate. Remus had gotten her a book on muggle fairytales. Lily had gotten her a cute cream dress and accessories. Anne and Harold had gotten her a kitten and a mini Quidditch set.
James; Sirius had gotten him a prank set from Zonko's. Remus had gotten him a book on Defensive spells. Peter had gotten him a box of Honeydukes chocolate. Lily had gotten him a fully functional mini snitch. Emma had gotten him a broom servicing kit. Anne and Harold got him a full size Quidditch set but with only one bludger which wasn't so powerful and a new owl cage.
Sirius; Remus had gotten him a book on Quidditch that focused on Beaters. James had gotten him a new beaters club. Peter had gotten him a box of Honeydukes chocolate. Lily got him a muggle book called 'Dangerous book for boys'. Emma got him a box of pranks from Zonko's. Anne and Harold got him a personal journal which they claimed was for a pranks and detentions.
Lily; Sirius had gotten her the new edition of Hogwarts a history, and a year planner. Remus had gotten her a book on charms. James got her a silver necklace with an emerald heart hanging from it. Peter, surprisingly, got her a box of chocolate from Honeydukes. Emma had gotten her a photo frame with a picture of the both of them in. Anne and Harold got her some muggle make-up and a magical camera.
Anne and Harold got mainly chocolate from everyone and stationary.
"So Emma what are you going to name your kitten?" James asked as Emma played with the little black kitten.
"I don't know. Is it a girl or boy?" Emma asked.
"It's a girl sweetie." Anne said smiling fondly at her daughter.
"Ok, well because she's really pretty, I think it should be called Beauty." Emma said smiling at Beauty. The kitten meowed as if she were happy with the name.
"I love Christmas." Lily said with a sigh. She really wanted her parents around, which was strange for her, but she did truly miss them.
"I know. But let's not be sad." James said as Lily sat down on his lap. There was a tapping at the window; Lily looked over to see two owls sitting there. Sirius jumped up and opened the window.
"Lily there's one for you and one for all of us." Sirius said throwing the letter at Lily.
Dear Lily,
Thank you so much of the necklaces, Tell James we say thanks for the chocolate and the mini prank sets? Lol. Remus got us a book each, one on poems for Belle (ooer) and mine was on magical creatures (how did he know?). Sirius got Belle a book on pranks, she's wants to use it on her family, she really hates Bellatrix and Narcissa, loves Andromeda though. Sirius got me this really pretty silver necklace with a ruby droplet hanging from it.
By the by your present is coming with another owl, it might take a little bit longer though.
Love you lots
Honey & Belle.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
Lily smiled at the card, she looked up and saw another owl had found itself sitting on the window sill, the bird hoped into the room and waited for Lily to remove the packages.
There were three of them, one with James written on it, another with Sirius and the last with Lily.
"Boys, these are from Belle and Honey." Lily told James and Sirius.
Lily opened hers to find a beautiful top, it was long and made of silk, it was deep purple with a low v-neck and little angel sleeves, and it had rhinestone detail around the neck.
Under the top was a pair of matching stiletto heels, they were pointed at about four inches high with rhinestone detail around the edge.
James and Sirius had got an arrows t-shirt each, seeing as Arrows were their favourite team.
Once the teenagers had opened their presents from Belle and Honey, James handed Lily the other letter.
Dear Lily, James and Sirius,
Thank you very much for my presents, Lily thank you for the book on potions, it will come in handy. Sirius thanks for the boxers, but please not again, it's kind of creepy that you bought me under wear. And James thanks for the book. Well I really hope you enjoy your Christmas.
Best wishes,
Remus.
Lily chuckled.
"You got Remus underwear?" Lily asked Sirius who grinned.
"Why wouldn't I?" Sirius asked in return.
"Like Remus said it's kinda creepy, plus you know what underwear he has, it's a little well weird." Lily said laughing.
"Dear Lily, you know nothing, I have known boys who wear each others underwear." Once Sirius said that he received a smack up the back of the head for grossing out Lily, from James.