December 14
"Do we really have to suffer through this week? Can't we all just die and be done with it?" Lily groaned throwing herself forward onto the table by the fire and nearly tipping over James' ink bottle.
"Just think, in eleven days you will be at my house having roast duck with the marauders."
"Roast duck?"
"It's a Christmas classic."
"Your family sure is fond of expensive dishes."
"It's Christmas, extra expense is expected." James grinned and Lily looked down at the ground. She had already bought James' present but it wasn't something expensive and she was sure it wasn't something he expected now. "What's the matter?"
"Oh nothing, nothing."
"Lily,"
"I'm not rich okay." She stood up and strode over to one of the tower windows.
"I never said you have to be." He was obviously confused.
"You're obviously expecting something extravagant for Christmas though because you have money and your friends probably do too." Lily's lower lip was trembling slightly. "I can't give that to you."
"You think we all have money and that I expect something to have a large amount of monetary value to be extravagant?" James almost wanted to laugh, but he could sense now was not the time.
"Isn't that what you just said?" Lily turned to him. "Extra expense is expected?"
"In terms of food," his hand flew to his hair. "Lily, presents have to come from the heart or they aren't worth a darn knut. If you think we have money, Sirius was estranged from his family, the only money he has is what his Uncle Alfred left him when he died. I only have money because my parents are rich. Remus and his family barely have enough to get by. I'm not sure Peter really has anything, yet they always manage to get me something and that's all I ask. It's all I care about. I don't care you buy the newest broom on the lot, because if you don't have the money then I don't deserve it."
Lily buried her face in his chest and he wrapped her up tightly.
"You're amazing, I hope you know that." Lily told him, not daring to look at his face.
"Thank you."