Welcome back! I really had fun writing this chapter, so I hope you'll enjoy it as well! As usual, thank you millions to JilyPevans1998(No, it's not included. Here's what happened, though: students came into the common room directly after he said "Speak of the devil, and she shall appear.", effectively diffusing the situation and letting Sirius stalk off angrily.), deathbucks11(I'm actually not a fan of love triangles. They're cliche, and we all know who she'll end up with, but I do have a bit more in store for Markus than just being a complication… *evil laugh*), Cinder Luna(Thanks so much! I'm glad you like the story.), and Lovejilly(I love reading your reviews! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate the amount of detail you put into them! Yes, he did, and the map isn't the only secret Sirius has let Dorcas in on…) for reviewing! It means the world to me!

This chapter is written partly in letters:

Lily: Italics.

James: Bold.

The Little Things

Chapter Fourteen: Winter Holiday Part One

Lily,

How's your family? Is your dad still doing okay? I can't help but think that awful sister of yours is putting a bit of a damper on the holidays, but I hope you're still festive.

Are you feeling better? I know you said you felt fine on the train, but still. Oh, and I thought you'd like to know that me and Moony showed those Slytherin pillocks a thing or two about jinx etiquette.

Ireland, as it turns out, is bloody wet. They've somehow managed to combine below freezing temperatures with rain. Isn't that impossible? I reckon it is.

Have you found some sort of substitute for the joy and happiness I usually bring?

James

P.S. Happy Howlidays, my darling.

James,

My family's doing well. Dad's doing better and Petunia has been pleasant, though I suspect that has little to do with me. She's found herself a boyfriend; Vernon Dursley. Rather brick-like and terribly boring if you ask me, but at least Tuney's happy.

There's such thing as jinx etiquette? That's completely ridiculous. What, are there rules that one must follow when hexing someone? (Please note the chuckle that has followed this.)

Yes, Ireland is a wet place. Have you become a walking puddle yet?

I'm dying to know - what do leprechauns actually look like?! Have you seen one? Are they really short like the fairy tales? Do they were little green lederhosen? Oh! Is there actually gold at the end of rainbows there?

Joy and happiness are the same thing, you arrogant sod.

Lily

P.S. We're not doing owl puns again, Potter. It's time to peck a new subject.

Lily,

Do elaborate on what, exactly, "rather brick-like" means. I'm sure it's nothing good. Is he staying with you? How boring are we talking, here? Details, Evans! I need details!

It shocks and appalls me that you've never heard of the Jinxer's Decree of 1971. Founded in part by Your Future Husband and Remus J. Lupin in 1971 in response to nine shattered chandeliers, fifty-seven cracked marble tiles, and scorch marks along three walls, it has acted as a guideline for all those who wish to jinx, hex, and/or prank. The decree was established with five rules, but there have been three measures added since that time; the Hogwarts Faculty Exclusion Act of 1972, the Fortnight Recovery Proposition of 1974, and the Invisibility Cloak Prohibition Bill of 1975.

James Henry Potter proposed the Lily Evans Exemption Clause in 1974, but was unable to secure the votes necessary to put it into affect.

Below are the decree's eight standing rules and regulations, accompanied by their purpose.

I - The Testimony Adjudication Plan: the effort to stop confessions of guilt or betrayal to foes.

II -The Holiday Suspension Formality: the halting of any and all ongoing jinxes, hexes, and/or pranks from December 24th, 11:59 pm to December 25th, 11:59 pm to allow for unbothered celebration.

III - The Transformation Security Act: classified.

IV - The Plenilune Recovery Term: classified.

V - The Restriction of Beasts Article: the prohibition of any use of monsters, beasts, and creatures that have an XXX, XXXX, or XXXXX rating from the Ministry of Magic in any jinxes, hexes, and/or pranks.

VI - The Hogwarts Faculty Exclusion Act (added in 1972): the agreement to prevent Hogwarts faculty from involvement, ascertainment, and/or mitigation in all jinxes, hexes, and/or pranks.

VII - The Fortnight Abatement Proposition (added in 1974): the right to one fortnight betwixt any and all jinx, hex, and prank retaliation before being jinxed, hexed, or pranked once again.

VIII - The Invisibility Cloak Prohibition Bill (added in 1975): classified.

Well, if you'd have ditched Prosser to come with me, I wouldn't have to tell you about the irritating little things, now would I? They're green, around fifteen centimeters tall, and wear nothing but leaves. Pesky little creatures, really. Always causing trouble and pulling pranks — hang on, you better not relate this back to my behavior! I'm not a bloody leprechaun! They've got gold, yeah, but it's Fool's Gold. They trick people into thinking it's real and sell it for a massive price markup. I didn't know muggles have fairy tales about leprechauns, but then again they have stories about almost every magical creature. (It's adorable that you're so keen on finding out what they actually look like.)

That'd be a no, then? Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find some way back to happiness when I'm not with you. I know I said I'd never leave your side, but my hands are tied if you won't tell me where you live….

James

P.S. Alright, then. Onto the hex topic; magic, perhaps?

James,

I feel terribly rude calling him brick-like, but I quite honestly can't think of a better way to describe him. I think our sofa has acquired a dent from where he's sat, and sometimes he just stares off into nowhere, with his mouth hanging open! My sister must have gone mad.

When in Merlin's name did you have time to make that!? And why, for that matter. That is absurdly long and complicated! And what's with the "classified" nonsense? You are, in every sense of the word, completely and utterly ridiculous.

They sound like leprecons, if you ask me. (Don't patronize me, James. I'm only keen 'cause I've no clue how they are.)

I'm not insanely depressed every time you leave the room… you do know that, don't you? So there's really no need — and there never will be any need — to give you my address.

Lily

P.S. It can be magic, if you wand.

Lily,

Your sister has always been mad, from what you've told me.

Lily Evans, did you just let me calling myself your future husband slide? Without so much as a stern comment! This is a sign! A gift from the heavens! So you've finally succumb to my charms, have you? About time! I was beginning to think you weren't interested — what an insane idea! Well, now that you return the feelings, we must get together soon! You'll be breaking up with Prosser, obviously, but when do you want to have our second date? I'm thinking New Years. Does that work for you, my darling?

I'm not patronizing you, love. I would never. For out wedding cake, do you prefer chocolate or vanilla? See, Padfoot doesn't like chocolate, but I'd be willing to disregard that and get a chocolate one anyway, my sweet, if that's what you'd like. Now you'll come with me on all my adventures! We'll be a power couple. Absolutely unstoppable.

Well now I've got to have your address. How else will I know where to pick you up? England, for sure, but what town? London's too obvious. You're not a London girl. And no wizard towns, so mine's out of the question. Bristol? Cambridge? Or perhaps York? Maybe a sort of smallish town…?

James Your One True Love

P.S. I'll guess your town eventually, Evans. It'll just be quicker if you'd tell me witch one.

Potter,

I have not succumb to your "charms" (Is that what you call it?) and I never will. We're not going on a second date.

Ever.

Don't call me "love".

Ever.

I'm not giving you my address.

E. V. E. R.

Evans.

Lily,

Really? We're back to "Potter"?

Don't be cross with me. I was only joking, love.

You didn't really give me a lot to work with, so…? Ireland is still cold and wet, for the record. I still wish you'd come. Perhaps your absolutely stunning beauty would blind the Irish pricks I'm staying with. That'd show 'em.

Birmingham? Manchester? What about Liverpool? Nah, you don't live in Liverpool.

James

P.S. Really? Nothing? Does that mean "(swish and) flick off" in 'Evans'?

Potter,

Have a nice holiday. I'm leaving for Mark's tomorrow. Don't write me while I'm there.

Evans.

Lily,

Have I done something? I was only kidding! You're just too damn beautiful for me to resist….

James

P.S. Do I have to spell it out for you? I-M S-O-R-R-Y. (Really, I am.)

She'd been in a fowl mood ever since arriving back home to be greeted by one of Vernon's icy glares. He was as if her sister had multiplied, gained two hundred pounds, and lost a few million brain cells. Perhaps that was how she should have described him to James.

James.

His letters had been comforting, and she knew that being so cold to him wasn't fair, but she couldn't lift herself from the pissy mood she was in from the family dinner she'd come from. She hated eating with that man. Food spilled out of his mouth and you'd be able to hear him chew from miles away. His constant inquiry as to where she lived, his entire letter filled with flirtatious comments, along with having to make conversation with her sister's boyfriend had put her over the edge. She didn't feel like putting up with James over the holidays.

Moody and not wanting to chastise him, she simply let the letter fall to her desk, and began hauling her trunk to the door.

-::-

Her stomach lurched and her vision blurred as the pair disapparated in front of her house. Her body squeezed and stretched and then, as quickly as the sensation had come on, she was back to normal. Her head spun and staggered as they landed. Markus weaved a hand around her waist to steady her. She'd always hated apparition. She wasn't very good at it, and it always made her unbearably dizzy.

"Easy," he soothed as she took a deep breath. "Easy… that's it. Are you alright?"

She nodded, still slightly disoriented. Swallowing, she took in her surroundings. Where moments ago was her small flower-lined house, now stood an absolutely enormous mansion.

Tall hedges lined the grounds, and the two of them were standing beneath an archway. Her mouth parted slightly in awe as she took in the gurgling fountains and white swans dotting the courtyard. The house itself was a dark wood, with windows placed between elaborate gargoyles and pillars. She thought a home of such great size would be humming with the bustling noise of people inside and wildlife in the gardens, but it was eerily silent. The only sound that could be heard was the crunch of gravel beneath their feet as he pulled her towards the door. The grand, ornate door, that probably cost more than her entire house. He laughed, giving her an amused glance.

"How…" started Lily, but even she wasn't sure how the sentence would end. "You're… you live here?"

He grinned, clearly pleased with her astonishment. "Yeah," said Markus proudly. "D'you like it?"

Honestly, she thought it looked quite vampiric, but she wasn't about to voice that opinion, so she just gave him a small nod. They reached the door and it opened without so much as a knock. As it swung open her eyes widened in surprise.

It was the most empty room she'd ever seen. Yes, there were chairs, and rugs, and lights, but not one thing was out of place and there was nothing in the room that gave her the impression that there were people living in the house. No books on the side tables, no flowers or plants; but that didn't mean it wasn't flamboyant. Intricate paintings and lamps adorned it, and green silk damask curtains hung from the windows like somber veils. The paintings' portraits — all of whom looked like rather unpleasant people, in Lily's opinion — turned their heads to look at her disapprovingly, before returning to their regal stance.

A house elf, dressed in beige rags sewn together, was holding the door open, bowing. Markus walked in ahead of her, and the house elf looked up at her as she continued to survey the furnishings.

"Does the girl wish to come in?" croaked the elf, turning his head towards Markus, who gestured for Lily to come inside. She took a few hesitant steps forward, and house elf shut the door behind her.

"Does the girl have a trunk?" grumbled the elf.

"Yes, but it's already here," snapped Markus, more harshly than Lily had expected. He seemed irritated at the elf's offer to help. "Make yourself scarce, Proddy."

Proddy bowed his head again and scurried away. Lily frowned as Markus led her through aureate rooms, until they reached a flight of stairs.

"My parents are out for the next few days, but they'll be home in time for New Years," explained Markus, walking briskly up the steps. "So I thought I could show what a true wizard's town looks like! If you want, I mean. We can do whatever you'd like."

"Are they really that different than muggle towns?" asked Lily dubiously. "Aside from magical shops and floating signs, what could change all that much?"

Markus snorted. "Wizard towns are loads of fun! There's much more to do."

A small smile passed over Lily's face, though Markus couldn't see it. "Owl believe it when I see it," she muttered.

"Hm?" said Markus, turning his head slightly.

"Oh, nothing," said Lily, shaking her head. "Just that it's been more than a few minutes since we left your front entrance and we still haven't reached your room!" He laughed, and Lily tried to shake James out of her head, though her efforts were only partly successful.

-::-

Dinner was served at eight o'clock, sharp, and while Markus assured her that she needn't dress up for the occasion, it still felt strange to be going to a meal in such a formal setting wearing just jeans and a hoodie. The nervousness that had settled in the pit of her stomach only worsened when the arrived his Markus's dining room.

It could hold at least a few hundred people with room to spare, but the only person sitting down was Sacharissa, at the head of the table. She was wearing a night gown, with her hair in two neat braids down her back. She looked up as they walked in, and two more plates appeared as Lily and Markus strode towards her. They took their seats on either side of the brown-haired girl, leaving an enormous section of the table unoccupied.

The two siblings chatted with each other about various magical topics for the majority of their meal, and Lily only supplied her own opinions when she happened to know what they were talking about.

She felt a tug on her jacket, and looked down to see the small house elf from before, yanking her sleeve.

"Proddy, don't bother her," said Markus irritably as the elf continued to tug at her hoodie.

"No, it's fine," Lily reassured him, though he didn't look convinced. "What is it?"

Proddy presented a letter to her, with her name written in a familiar scrawl on the front of the envelope. She took it from the elf, who backed away after receiving a glare from Markus, and bit her lower lip.

She'd told the boy not to write her while she was here. She didn't expect him to listen, of course, but it hadn't even been a day since his last letter. Since she was finished with her meal, she quietly tore it open in her lap, pulling out the parchment inside. It was shorter than normal, though that may be due in part to her decision not to reply to his last one.

Lily,

How's Prosser's house? Is it big? I bet mine's bigger.

131 Falter Lane, Clarmanock's Ridge, England, by the way. My door's always open, if you'd like to see for yourself….

Oh, right. Size doesn't matter. ;)

James

P.S. Though if it did, I should have you know hat mine is far superior. (You know, like a witch hat? It's a stretch.)

She scowled, angry that she found his letter comforting. Perhaps it was the familiarity of it, as she was currently surrounded with golden goblets and fine china, that led her to find solace in the letter.

Brushing her thoughts aside, she tucked the parchment back into the envelope, folded the whole thing in half, and stuck it in her back pocket.

She took a sip of the bitter wine from her cup, doing her best not to wince.

"Who was it from?" inquired Markus casually, taking another bite of his food.

Lily shook her head, putting a smile on her face. "My mum," she lied, though not quite sure why. She didn't think telling him she'd been writing James was a good idea. "Just wishing me luck for the rest of the year."

Markus nodded, and went back to his conversation with his sister. Lily swallowed, her eyes staring at her fork. She felt staggeringly out of place in his house, and suddenly was beginning to wish she'd heeded Sacharissa warnings not to come.

"So, Lily," said Sacharissa, turning her attention to the red-haired girl. "What do you think?"

"Of what?"

"The Prosser Mansion," said Sacharissa, sarcasm dripping from her every word.

"Oh, it's — it's really, um, big." Lily had to stop herself from grimacing from how forced her voice sounded.

"Brilliant observation," said Sacharissa, raising her eyebrows.

"Er, yeah. And it's really…" said Lily, searching for the best word. "Really stately."

Sacharissa snorted. "Well I hate it," she said matter-of-factly, surprising Lily. "It's much too malevolent. Very over-the-top, and—"

"Watch your tongue, young lady!" screeched a painting from behind Lily, making her jump. Sacharissa just rolled her eyes, apparently used to the behavior. "This house has been in our family for generations, and I will not have you disrespect—"

"Oh, piss off, Aunt Egeria" she said. "Lighten up."

"I most certainly will not 'piss off', and I will not be desecrated in my own home—"

"Lily, happen to know any spells to shut her up? I promise I'll say I did it, so don't worry about getting in trouble," said Sacharissa with a grin.

Lily hesitated. She didn't want to get on anybody's bad side, but perhaps helping the girl would make Sacharissa like her more….

Lily swiveled in her chair to see the painting was glaring down on the brown-haired girl ferociously, and she got the feeling that Sacharissa wouldn't be acting so headstrong if the woman was actually in the room with them.

"SACHARISSA HYPATIA PERPETUA EGLANTINE PROSSER, I WILL NOT HAVE YOU—"

"Silencio!" shouted Lily, pointing her wand to the painting. Immediately, the woman's barks of rage ceased, and she was left mouthing an unintelligible lecture.

Sacharissa laughed, and clapped.

"Brilliant!" she squealed, and Lily smiled sheepishly.

"Is… is that really your full name? Sacharissa Hypa— Hypor— Hyper… oh dear."

"Sacharissa Hypatia Perpetua Eglantine Prosser?" offered Sacharissa, looking extremely pained. Lily nodded. "Yeah. It's horrid. My initials aren't great, either. Shpep. I mean, Shpep. It's awful."

Lily gave her an sympathetic smile. She'd never even heard of any of those names before today. Sacharissa smirked.

"Mark's got it worse, though," she said mischievously.

"Sar, don't you dare—" warned Markus.

"Markus Ignatius Secundus Adalbert Prosser, the third." Markus put his head in his hands, groaning. "Mark, your initials are Misap. You're literally just one big mishap."

"Sod off, Shpep!" countered Markus irritably, scowling.

"Hold on, wait," said Lily, as Sacharissa opened her mouth to reply. "There have been three Markus Ignatius… er, Second? And then, um, Albert? Then Prosser, I know Prosser."

Sacharissa giggled, and Markus shot her a glance. "Yeah. My grandfather, who went by Secundus, for whatever reason. My father, who goes by Ignatius, and me."

She shook her head disbelievingly. "I…" said Lily. "Wow." Markus sighed.

"I don't suppose you have some terrible middle names, to even the playing field?" said Markus.

Lily chuckled. "'Fraid not, though my family is very into, how shall I put this… theme names."

"Go on…."

"Well my name is Lily Rose Evans, and my sister's name is Petunia Violet Evans," explained Lily.

"Oh, hell!" said Markus, throwing his hands in the air angrily. Lily looked to him in confusion, unsure of what she'd done. Upon seeing her puzzled expression, he elaborated. "I get the most horrendous name in the entire universe, and you get two flowers. It's damn beautiful! This is so unfair."

Lily smiled bashfully. Perhaps she could fit in, after all.

-::-

Lily,

Write back. I miss you yelling at me. It's no fun being obnoxious if you're not here to scold me, my darling.

James

P.S. Evans, this is a prossing matter. Time sensitive, and all that, so write back. (Pressing, Prosser? I'm trying, okay.)

She sighed as she read over the letter again. Clearly, he had no intentions of stopping. She shoved the letter into her trunk, and sent Rowlf back out the window, looking over her shoulder to confirm the clatter of the owl's talons hadn't roused Markus. He was still fast asleep; his hair disheveled and splayed out on the pillow under him. She'd only ever seen it neatly styled, and tilted her head to examine him. Though he'd offered to let her stay in one of their many guest bedrooms, she thought sleeping in two separate King-sized beds to be an insane idea, so she ended up sleeping in his room.

It was, quite like the rest of the house, eerily disconnected from the usual clutter that day to day life brings. There weren't posters on the wall, or books on the shelves. The only thing that gave her any sign that someone lived in the room at all was his wand, lying on the bedside table.

She turned back to the window, and watched the black owl fly higher for a few seconds, before heading to the bathroom. After taking a quick shower, brushing her teeth, and getting dressed, she made her way down to the dining room. She got lost more than she'd care to admit, but eventually sat down in the same spot as the night before, and Sacharissa smiled at her.

Markus arrived moments later, kissing her in greeting and taking his own place at the table just as food appeared on their plates.

"So," said Markus with a sigh. "My parents will be returning in a few days, so I think we better, er, talk about a few things."

"Oh, okay," said Lily, confused.

"What he means," said Sacharissa groggily, very clearly not a morning person. "Is that our parents are the worst."

"Sar!" chastised Markus.

"What? They are."

Markus scowled. "Anyway, I just think there's a few things you should know before you meet them. Like, for instance, they're not huge fans of Gryffindors, so I wouldn't go parading that around."

"And they're not too keen on Muggleborns, either," muttered Sacharissa. Lily's head snapped towards the girl, and Markus jumped from his seat and glared at her.

"SAR!" he barked, and she put her hands in the air defensively. He jerked his head towards the door, and she begrudgingly left the room. Lily was suddenly wide awake, and her heart was beating fast as Markus sat back down. "I'm sorry about her," he said, though his voice didn't sound very apologetic.

"Is that true?" asked Lily quietly.

Markus grimaced, and nodded. "Yes," he said tersely.

She wasn't sure how to respond, and she couldn't manage to say anything other than, "Oh." He bit his lip, and sighed.

"I'm sorry—"

"No, no… don't be," mumbled Lily. "S'not your fault."

Markus looked like he wanted to say more, but his eyes flicked away from her, looking somewhere just behind her.

Her arm was tugged down, and she turned her head to see the small house elf once again pulling her shirt.

"Away with you, Proddy!" barked Markus.

"Mark, no!" said Lily, taken off guard by the commanding tone that Markus held. "It's perfectly fine." She looked back to the elf, who was already shoving a letter into her hands and scurrying away. She shot Markus a look.

"You didn't have to yell at him," said Lily, as she began opening the letter that was, no doubt, from James.

"He should have waited for us to finish," said Markus pointedly.

She sighed as she saw the Gryffindor boy's handwriting on the parchment.

Lily,

This silence is crushing, my darling. I'm suffocating in your torturously persistent indifference.

Would it help if I told you I've just arrived home? Sirius has destroyed my room. Bloody burn marks on the walls. I'm telling you, this is why the Jinxer's Decree is in existence. Though, he didn't technically break any rules, the cunning bastard. But I really didn't expect anything else when he came to live with us! I reckon I should've seen it coming, actually….

How's Prosser? Still inferior to me? Ah, good. That's just how I like it.

James

P.S. No, Siriusly. Write back. I miss you, Evans. Just look at what your absence has done to my pun abilities!

Lily blinked. She hadn't know that Sirius was staying with him. Perhaps his own parents were on holiday as well.

"Who's writing you so much?" inquired Markus curiously.

Lily's eyes snapped up to his. "Nobody," she said quickly, instantly regretting how unsure she sounded. He must have noticed as well, because he raised one eyebrow.

"Nobody's been writing to you?" he asked dubiously. "I didn't know that quill's had become sentient."

"Um, James and I've been writing over the holiday."

His eyes flashed, to Lily's surprise. "You and — for the whole… why?"

"Why? Because we're friends!"

"Friends?" repeated Markus suspiciously.

Lily frowned. "Yes, friends."

"Are you sure that's all you are?"

"What? Of course!"

"Right, and is that why you felt the need to hide it from me?"

"No, I — there's nothing going on between him and I, Mark. Surely, you must know that."

He looked away from her, crossing his arms and glaring out the window angrily. Her expression softened. She had been hiding it from him. He was allowed to be mad about that.

"Hey," she said softly, standing and walking over to him. "I'm sorry. The only reason I didn't tell you was because I honestly thought you wouldn't care."

Markus opened his mouth, but closed it again without uttering a word. He sighed, and turned back to Lily, taking one of her hands in his own. He smiled. "Forget it. It's fine."

"Sure?" said Lily, lacing her fingers with his.

He kissed the tip of her nose, resting their foreheads against one another. "Sure," he said.

They kissed, and they spent the rest of the day wandering about Addermouth — the magical town to which Markus belonged.

Not once did she think of James.

-::-

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Lily frowned and snuggled deeper into the blankets. Sleeping in Markus's bed was like resting on a cloud; forest green velvet as light as air, yet as warm as any comforter she'd ever used. Lily suspected they were bewitched to have such qualities, but she found no need to complain about it. She sighed happily.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Her eyes flickered open just the slightest bit. Warm sunshine hit her eyes, and she immediately rolled over to relief her eyes of the brightness. She found Markus on her other side, and her nose was pressed into his back. She relaxed again, burying her head in his shirt.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She groaned and rolled back over, opening her eyes all the way. Just outside the window, she saw Rowlf, pecking the glass with his beak and demanding that he be let it. She pushed the covers off of her, and swung her feet off the bed. She pulled herself groggily over to the window, and unlatched it. Pushing it open, the owl swooped gratefully inside, and landed on the owl perch just beside it. She took the letter from his talons and slowly unfolded it.

Lily,

Stop ignoring these. I know you're getting them. It's not nice to give people the cold shoulder.

James

P.S. Sirius has just told me that Prosser has a 'New Year's Bash' every year? Good luck with that. Oh, and aren't his parent's just loveLily people? (Really straining here, love. Give me something to work with!)

Lily frowned, and reread the letter. Markus hadn't mentioned a party. In fact, he'd suggested they go out on New Year's. Did he not want to be seen with her? Was he embarrassed of her? She felt anger bubble up in her stomach, and she glared over her shoulder at the sleeping boy behind her. She placed the letter gingerly on the desk, and strode over to her boyfriend. Shaking him gently, he stirred.

His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled when he saw her.

"Good morning," he said, and stretched. Giving him a terse smile, she sat at the edge of the bed as he pushed himself into an upright position and rubbed his eyes. "How'd you sleep?"

She shrugged distractedly. "Er, fine. Hey, are you—"

"Good," said Markus, cutting her off. He rose from the bed, and came to stand in front of her. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her. Under normal circumstances, she would have gladly kissed him back, but she was still vexed that she hadn't been invited to the party. She pushed him away gently, and he frowned in response. "What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just… well, what are we doing for New Year's?" questioned Lily cautiously. Perhaps he would tell her on his own.

He straightened. "I was thinking we could go to the North side of town. They've got a big Christmas tree in the square. You'd love it!"

She pursed her lips. "We're not… going to your party? At all?"

"What— who told you about the New Year's Gala?" inquired Markus, looking harried and impatient, as if he were scolding a young child.

"The New Y—" started Lily, but stopped mid-sentence, deciding not to address the fact that he just called his party a gala with complete seriousness. She took a deep breath and stood up. "It doesn't matter who told me, Mark. What matters is who didn't. That would be you, just so we're clear. Do you not want me there?"

"Was it Potter?" spat Markus. "Did he tell you in one of his letters?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "This again?" she said in exasperation.

"Yeah, Lily! This again!" shouted Markus, crossing his arms. "You expect me to believe you're just, what, pen pals?"

"That's all we are! I haven't even been responding to him since I got here. There's nothing between us."

"Rubbish."

"Excuse me?" seethed Lily, her eyes turning to slits.

"Everyone knows the prick's in love with you! How am I supposed to feel about you writing him over the holidays, and not me? What am I supposed to think?"

Lily rolled her eyes. "He's not in love with me."

"Yes, I'm sure he just waited outside the hospital wing for twelve hours because he thinks of you as a really great friend! Merlin, and you've been writing all holiday. Did you think I wouldn't find out? How thick do you think I am?"

"Wait, hang on. You think I've been cheating on you?" said Lily, the anger draining from her voice, though her temper was still flaring. It stung that he thought so little of her, but Lily was more unnerved over the fact that, once, she almost had.

Markus said nothing, just lifted his head. Lily looked at the floor. She knew that this was the time to tell him about The Incident, but she hadn't a clue how to begin.

"I've never cheated on you," said Lily quietly, keeping her eyes trained on her shoes. "But I — I…."

She took a deep breath. "James and I, er, almost kissed. I don't really know how it happened. We were just walking down the hallway, and then we were almost kissing. I— I pulled away, though! I told him that I wasn't interested. I told him to stop trying!"

She forced herself to look at him, and found a pair of blue, emotionless eyes looking back. She could see the gears turning in his eyes; see him calculating and weighing every word of what he was about to say.

"Why are you dating me, Lily?" said Markus slowly, and deliberately.

Lily frowned. She wasn't expecting that. She thought he would yell, or be angry, but he seemed strangely calm. "Wh-what?" stammered Lily.

"Why are you dating me?" repeated Markus. "If Potter makes you so giddy and lovestruck, why are you even here?"

"He does not make me giddy or lovestruck!" insisted Lily, raising her voice at his accusation. "I can barely stand him!"

He snorted. "Barely stand not being with him, you mean? So much so that you wrote multiple letters a day!"

Lily groaned, and ran her hands over her face. This was not how she'd wanted this conversation to go at all. "Mark, listen. I'm with you. Not him, you. If I had feelings for James, don't you think I'd break up with you?" said Lily, growing weary of their quarrel. Markus looked at the ground.

"I don't know what you'd do anymore," he muttered under his breath.

"What the bloody hell is that supposed to mean?"

He sighed. "Oh, for the love of — you can come to the gala!"

"Oh, please don't do me any favors!" she scoffed. His invitation sounded forced and impatient to her, and she was becoming annoyed with his tone.

"Lily, I'm not… I'm sorry, alright? I want you to come."

She stared at him, arms crossed. His eyes searched hers, but she turned back to his letter sitting on the desk. Folding it, she stuffed it into her trunk and felt his eyes following her.

"Fine."

-::-

Lily hadn't, of course, packed a formal dress in her trunk. She wasn't expecting to attend any parties, and she didn't have nearly enough galleons to buy a new one from the town's shops, so Sacharissa let her borrow one. While the garment was, in her opinion, much too sparkly and tight, she didn't complain as the brown-haired girl helped fit the sapphire dress to her size using magic. She'd been the one to want to go the party in the first place, so she let Sacharissa make her up and tried to keep the grumblings to a minimum as her hair was pulled this way and that.

By the end of the process Lily was regretting the decision to go, but as she looked at herself in the mirror she couldn't help but feel vaguely like a princess attending a grand ball of some sort. Equipped with enough beauty products to kill a small child, she descended the grand staircase on New Year's Eve with Markus, who'd also dressed up for the occasion. While wearing only a hoodie and jeans had felt too casual, she now felt ridiculously overdressed.

However, as she descended their amusingly regal staircase and caught sight of the other guests, she realized that compared to the rest of the people attending the party, she was relatively plain. While all she had on was earrings, the people around her were adorned with golden rings, bracelets, necklaces, broaches, as well as earrings. The women's gowns sparkled and moved in the light, and the men's suits danced just along with them.

Though the discovery that she didn't stand out like a sore thumb helped her nerves, it didn't help much as Markus lead her gently over to a couple that could only be his parents.

They were exquisite, but the sort of beautiful you'd never approach. His mother was a thin women whose age was beginning to show, though this did nothing to decrease her beauty. She was pale and dark-haired, and looked like an older version of Sacharissa. His father was too a slender man, though he was much taller than his wife. Beautiful as they were, they did not appear to Lily as welcoming or friendly in any way.

They turned as Markus and her approached, looking Lily up and down as she smiled nervously.

"Welcome home," said Markus, taking Lily's hand. "How was your trip?"

"Exemplifying — is this her?" said his father tersely. Jerking his head towards her and examining her disapprovingly again.

"Yes, this is Lily," said Markus. "Lily, this is my mother and father."

She smiled, and held out her hand. "Hello. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

They did not smile back. She gulped as neither of them made a move to shake her waiting hand, and awkwardly lowered it back down after a few ungraceful moments.

Perhaps they should have gone to see the big Christmas tree instead, after all.

A/N: The party is very… eventful. That's all I'll say at the moment…. :) Remember to review! This got loooong! This is also, apparently, the Markus chapter, so there you go. What do you think about his house? What do you think will happen with his parents? *insert ominous music*