I am SO incredibly sorry that it has taken this long for me to post this chapter. I've been really, REALLY busy for the past week and a half and have barely had time to sleep let alone time to write. I'm actually in the middle of an amazing book right now that I also haven't had the time for *sigh* Christmas Break can't get here soon enough. And in the spirit of Christmas, here's a little Holiday adventure for you!! Enjoy, read and review!!! (Oh, and I think you'll find the wait worth your while. This is the longest chapter yet, AND things finally begin to happen for Lily and Jaaaaammmesss.....)
Chapter Fourteen
The snow was falling perfectly outside the pristinely kept front yards of Lily's childhood neighborhood. Feeling not so perfect, Lily was staring dismally at the snow and ironically wishing that James Potter and Sirius Black were there to taunt her into going for a romp in the snow.
Anything was preferable to the way she was about to be forced to spend her evening.
When thinking of her big sister's fiancée, she would never be accused of having pleasant thoughts. But the idea of spending an entire weekend with the bloody idiot and his family was beyond her current comprehension. She had wanted a simple, peaceful holiday away from the emotional tug of war at school. She doubted highly she was ever going to get it, however.
Upon arriving home, Petunia had immediately resumed her summer's habit of ignoring her sister, only gracing Lily with a nasty word or look when she deemed it appropriate.
When news had come from Vernon that he would be arriving with his parents in no less than a week, Lily had been quite sure that Petunia would either burst from joy, misplaced as it was, or from her efforts to extract a promise from Lily that she would allow absolutely none of her "freak business" to be leaked to the Dursleys.
She could still hear her shrill voice echoing down the hall as Lily had stormed away in anger, "Don't think I won't know! You aren't going to ruin this for me. Even if you managed to ruin this family, you won't ruin my new one!"
Lily had slammed the door rather hard in her fury but not before sending a silencing charm down the hall for good measure. It almost brought a smile to her face remembering the way Petunia had been clutching at her throat in horror when Lily had finally decided to answer the furious pounding on her door, almost.
"Lily why are you sulking in the dark?" Petunia suddenly appeared in her doorway dressed in a lurid red monstrosity that Lily supposed might be called a dress.
"I'm not sulking," Lily said, rather thinking that she had preferred Petunia not speaking to her. "I was watching the snow, it's beautiful tonight."
"Oh who cares about snow," Petunia snapped, brushing her limp blonde hair from her bony shoulder impatiently. "Get dressed! The Dursleys will be here any second and I don't want them thinking my family is some unprivileged mess. Try to look somewhat smart."
"Oh is that what you were going for, Petunia? Smart?" Lily replied sweetly and pointed her wand at the light switch so that the lights came on. "I thought you were going for festive. That is a Christmas bow you're wearing isn't it?"
Petunia turned purple, "This is a very fashionable dress and Vernon loves it, if you must know. And I told you! None of that freak business until the Dursleys have gone. If they find out what my family is really like, I think I might die."
"Yes, heaven forbid," Lily sneered and deliberately tucked her wand into the back pocket of her jeans so that Petunia could still see it.
"Oh shut up," Petunia snapped furiously. "You're only jealous."
With that the skeletal blonde spun on her heel and disappeared down the hall whining loudly for their mother.
"Oh yes," Lily thought struggling not to feel nauseous as she pictured Vernon Dursley. "Jealousy is definitely my problem."
Half an hour later, Lily descended the steps, dressed and primped to her own satisfaction, to find her father sitting alone in the living room.
He looked up with his identical green eyes and smiled at her, "Hello Lilykins."
"Hello Da," she smiled and plopped happily down beside him on the sofa.
He put his arm around her shoulders and she cuddled into him the way she used to when she was a little girl. There were some things you never grew out of.
"Excited for the visit tonight, then?" he asked and she could hear the smirk in his voice.
"With all of my heart, Da. With all of my heart," she laughed with him and had Petunia scowling at them both when she walked in.
Neither of them could have fathomed the hurt Petunia felt when she saw them. For Lily, things had always been easy. Warm affection came naturally between Lily and their parents, and it never ceased to drive home the fact that Lily was special. When Petunia entered a room with her father, it was always awkward and silent. She just didn't know how to talk to him, and she loathed the fact that Lily always knew what to say, how to make him laugh. Even with their mother, Petunia often only ended up arguing with her.
When they had found out Lily was a witch, Petunia had celebrated with her. They had been young then. But when Lily had returned from her first year at Hogwarts, Petunia had had her fill of her parents' "Lily this" and "Lily that". Especially when Lily told all of her amazing stories. The envy had nearly consumed her, and she had cut herself off. As far as she was concerned, from then on, the sister she had loved didn't exist.
"Get up," Petunia snapped, hiding the hurt deep in her gut. "They'll be here any minute, and I want a proper welcome."
"And remember we're normal," Petunia hissed in Lily's ear as she and her father preceded Petunia into the kitchen.
"All ready?" Mrs. Evans looked up happily at her family, smirking softly at the annoyance on Lily's face, the handsome amusement on her husband's, and the anxiousness of her eldest daughter. They were her family, take it or leave it.
A knock on the door prevented anyone from answering, and Petunia nearly jumped out of her skin.
"That's them," she glared around at them. "Be normal. Don't embarrass me."
She hurried to the foyer with her family in tow.
When Petunia opened the door and moved to welcome the Dursley's in, Lily had to clap a hand to her mouth to keep from snorting in laughter.
Vernon Dursley was a large man. Fat and very round, he always seemed to have a bow tie tucked under his many chins. But it was obvious now that the traits ran in the family.
As fat and blonde as their son, Mr. and Mrs. Dursley were comically stuffed into expensive coats. They each had their noses in the air the way that Vernon always seemed to when he was around Lily, and Mrs. Durlsey was carrying a bundt cake. Oh Merlin, was all Lily thought and moved aside to let in the pigs.
Her father took Mrs. Dursley's coat and soon they were all settled quite nicely in the living room. The ladies were all drinking tea, except Lily. She had opted to make herself hot chocolate, much to Petunia's dismay and was cozied up in the armchair by the fire while her mother and Mrs. Dursley discussed household chores.
Honestly, there was life beyond being a housewife.
Petunia kept sending menacing glares her way as she continued to remain antisocial. Lily hadn't promised to mingle she kept wanting to remind her; only that she'd be there and behave herself.
"Yes, that's right," Vernon suddenly said loudly. "I was just offered the job at Grunnings. In the drill business you know. I'm assitant director."
"Oh Vernon," Petunia cuddled his massive shoulders with her bony frame. "We're just so proud of you."
"Wouldn't have expected less of the boy," Mr. Dursley said gruffly. "Brought him up the right way."
"And what do you plan to do when you go to college next year Miss Evans," he turned his fat head and focused his beady eyes on Lily.
Lily shrugged after receiving a warning glance from Petunia, "I wasn't thinking of going to college." She didn't quite think that Petunia would approve of her trying to explain to the Dursleys that witches didn't go to college, they went into a field of work. She herself wanted to be a healer.
"Perfectly acceptable," Mrs. Dursley replied primly and looked at her expectantly. "Shall we be expecting you to get married soon after Vernon and Tuney, then?"
"Married?" The word escaped Lily's mouth before she could think. "Merlin, no."
Petunia narrowed her eyes at Lily's use of wizard slang. Vernon's parents were bound to find that odd, especially when Lily continued.
"I was thinking of moving around for a while, seeing some of the world," Lily said and saw the instant disapproval on Mrs. Dursley's face. "Family is nice, and I want that too, but there's just so much to see and experience." So much to learn, she thought wistfully.
"Better keep a tight leash on that one," Mr. Dursley told Mr. Evans somberly seeing the look of longing in Lily's eyes. "She'll slip right through your fingers and disgrace you."
Disgrace? Lily's temper started to boil. Just who did these people think they were?
Mr. Evans sent Lily a comforting glance and studied Mr. Dursley, "We encourage our girls to follow their dreams. Petunia is cut out to be a mother and a wife, she's always been that way. Lily will some day, but she has greater ambitions. I find no fault in that."
"Ambitions, dear sir, are not to be encouraged," Mrs. Dursley said as though she were talking to a two year old. "Ambitions can turn perfectly nice people into dangerous, irresponsible ones. No, no, women are best left to their families and homes."
"How dare…" Lily began to rise from her chair in order to speak more directly to Mrs. Dursley when a sudden loud pop came from the kitchen and had everyone frowning.
"My goodness, but I've never heard such a sound," Mrs. Dursley said and swung her fat head around to glance behind. "What do you suppose?"
Petunia glared pointedly at Lily and rose gracefully, "I'm sure it was nothing, old houses are always creaky."
She walked quickly into the kitchen and moments later they heard her soft uttered scream and her furious voice rang into the living room.
"WHO ARE YOU? AND HOW DID YOU GET IN HERE?"
***
James stared around the ballroom uninterested. It was his parents' annual Christmas Masquerade and he was bored out of his mind. Sirius was sitting next to him, idly playing with the silver buttons on his coat and gulping down wine. Marlene McKinnon was sitting cross legged in her voluminous dress with her chin sullenly stuck in her hand. The three of them had been attending this party since they were old enough to walk and it never ceased to bore them.
To the young females in the room, the sullenly disinterested, yet handsome boys were an object of constant scrutiny and the pretty brunette at their side an object of loathing. Sitting pretty in her beautiful gown and looking quite as though she belonged with the two beautiful young men next to her, she would have done well to pay attention to the death glares.
However, none of them were interested. Sirius was lost in thought, anticipation filling his daydreams about spending Christmas with Bella. He'd only been away from her a week and already he was missing her. James was looking beyond the hopefully radiant faces purposely strutting within his view and seeing the Great Hall and the wonderful look of irritation and arousal that had graced Lily's features the last time he had kissed her. And Marlene simply yearned for entertainment. There were no boys here that interested her and her best friends were very much absent.
"This ruddy dress will be the death of me," Marlene suddenly complained and shifted her wait uncomfortably in the tight bodice of her gown. She looked around at the two raven haired boys next to her. "Don't get me wrong Potter, your parents throw a hell of a party, but what do you say we get out of here and find something better to do."
Sirius brightened considerably, "I'm game!"
James smirked, "If I disappear my parents will murder me. Their only son deserting them on the night of their biggest socialite gathering. God, I hate these stupid parties."
"So let's go," Marlene whined and suddenly her eyes shone with an idea she was sure James wouldn't refuse. "Let's go get Bella and drop in on Lily. I'm sure the poor thing is bored to tears with that horrible sister of hers."
James grinned, he had just been thinking about her, as a horse faced red head across the room had glanced suggestively at him. If only the poor girl could have met Lily, she would never have begun to think that James were interested.
He sighed and looked at Sirius' hopeful face, just like a puppy. He grinned, "Oh all right, but when Mum and Dad try to skin me…this was your idea not mine."
"No problem," Sirius exclaimed and smirked. "Your mum loves me more anyway!"
Marlene rolled her eyes, "Shut up. Let's get out of these horrible clothes and get going."
Half an hour later, James, Sirius, and Marlene met on the upstairs landing of the Potter's mansion and grinned conspiratorially at one another. James and Marlene each took one of Sirius' arms and with a quick turn they all Disapparated, leaving the classical music to flow up from the ballroom to absolutely no one.
***
"But Mum," Bella exclaimed. "I'm allowed to use magic! I'm of age! And the house would look so pretty all lit up."
"Bella," Mrs. Deschanel looked skeptically at her daughter's wand. "Why don't you just let your father put the lights up? Won't it look suspicious if they just, uh, appear?"
"Mum," Bella groaned. "No one will see me. I'm not an idiot."
"I don't think you're an idiot Bella, but WHAT WAS THAT?"
A loud pop reached them from somewhere down the hall followed by a large crash, the hiss of one of their cats, and very clear cursing.
Mrs. Deschanel's face went white, "We're being robbed! And you're father and Stewart are gone!"
"Relax," Bella hissed and pointed her wand ahead of her as she crept down the hall. "And be quiet."
Bella tiptoed down the hall to the living room and peered cautiously around the corner. The sight that met her eyes, somehow, didn't surprise her. Sirius, James, and Marlene were all sprawled on the ground glaring evilly at the twin Siamese cats that Bella's mother prized so much. Sirius was nursing a scratched arm and James was busy cursing at the animals who had obviously been the reason all of them were currently seated on the floor.
"You could have used the front door," Bella said and stepped into the living room.
James and Marlene looked at Sirius pointedly who grinned sheepishly, "Well my aim was a little off, eh?"
"I'll say," Bella laughed and shouted back down the hall. "Mum! It's Sirius and some friends. They, uh, magicked themselves into the living room."
Moments later her mother appeared looking horrified, "Wizards and witches can just appear in my living room? That is not good, Bella, not good!"
Bella rolled her eyes and looked exasperatedly at her friends, "Relax, mum. It's not normal for people to just drop in like this. Sirius was aiming for the front porch and was just a little off, weren't you Sirius?"
She raised her eyebrows expectantly at the adorable boy she was so head over heels for. His signature grin lit up his face and he scrambled to his feet, knocking Marlene over again with a hard 'oomph' as he did.
"No worries, Mrs. D. I'm a little new at this. No one's going to drop in on you besides me," Sirius did his best to look embarrassed.
Mrs. Deschanel melted underneath his charm the way she had the first time she'd met the boy and visibly relaxed, "Well that's good. Are you going to introduce me to your other friends, Bella?"
"James Potter," James had finally righted himself and caught Bella's mother's hand in a charming kiss. The woman was well aware that the boy was only seventeen, but she blushed visibly right to the roots of her hair.
"I'm Marlene McKinnon, m'am," Marlene answered and rolled her eyes. "And we've come to kidnap Bells. We're going to surprise Lily. We heard she's being held and tortured by her horrible sister."
Mrs. Deschanel laughed, remembering the only time she'd met the sister of her daughter's best friend, "Oh poor dear."
"Whaddya say, Bells?" Sirius asked and had to fight the urge to jump on her. He would never be quite sure when it had happened, but he had lost himself completely when it came to her.
She grinned and looked expectantly at her mother who was instantly besieged by three more imploring looks.
"Alright, alright," she conceded with a laugh. "But you have her home safe, and try not to magic yourself into the ocean or something."
"Thanks Mrs. D!" Sirius exclaimed and bounded forward to grab Bella up in a hug.
"Let's get out of here before they start getting mushy," Marlene muttered good naturedly to James who only grinned. She quickly linked hands with him and turning they disappeared from the room.
"Be careful," Mrs. Deschanel said and kissed both Bella and Sirius on the cheek.
Sirius turned red and muttered something incomprehensible making Bella laugh, "Don't worry mum. We will."
With that, she grabbed tightly onto Sirius' arms and squeezed her eyes shut. She hated Side-Along Apparation.
***
"Ugh," as soon as they materialized on Lily's front doorstep James promptly sat down. "Next time you side-along. I hate that."
"Well you didn't know where she lived now did you?" Marlene said bossily and looked around curiously, "Sirius and Bella aren't here. You don't think he overshot again do you?"
No sooner had she expressed the thought then a shriek reached their ears from inside the pristine little white house in front of them.
James and Marlene exchanged exasperated looks and spoke in unison, "Yes."
***
Lily immediately jumped to her feet as her parents looked at her in alarm.
"What is going on?" Mrs. Dursley said looking around in terror. She struggled to see over her beefy shoulder.
"LILY!!!!!!" Petunia's scream bounced fiercely off the walls. "Get in here!"
Mrs. Evans sighed and Mr. Evans tried unsuccessfully to hide his grin.
Giving her parents a bewildered look, she shrugged and hurried into the kitchen.
Half-way through the door, she ran headlong into her sister who's face had turned beat red. The thought passed through her head that her sister appeared to be a big fluffy lobster, when said sister shoved her backwards.
"Get off me," she snarled. "Who are these people? They say they know you."
Lily looked up in surprise to find none other than Sirius Black and her best friend Bella cowering together in the hallway door looking hesitant and apologetic. Sirius particularly seemed to be keeping his distance from Petunia.
"They're friends Petunia," Lily sighed and she raised a silent eyebrow at them. "They didn't mean any harm. Sirius isn't exactly the best at Apparating."
"Shut up," Petunia hissed. "Just shut up. You get these freaks out of here or they'll be explaining to the police just how exactly they got into our home without being invited. I mean it, Lily. If the Dursleys find out about your little freak show, I'm going to KILL you."
"Petunia, it's not my fault they're here," she snapped loudly in her anger. "And even if they had used the front door instead of magically appearing…"
"Do NOT use that word," Petunia said deadly quiet. "Get out of here. Take your little friends and go. I'm not going to have-"
A knock sounded at the front door and Petunia looked to Lily, livid, as though it were her fault someone was at the door.
Lily looked at her two friends and her stomach dropped. They both refused to meet her eyes and she suddenly had a very bad feeling about whoever was at the door. Taking a deep breath, she headed down the hallway and hesitated before the shiny brass knob. She was certain of who was on the other side, and suddenly she wished she hadn't been wishing earlier that he would show up.
Opening the door she came face to face with familiar hazel eyes and immediately took a step backwards.
"Lils!" Marlene squealed and threw her arms happily around the red head. "We came to visit!"
"I see that," Lily replied sarcastically. "You're timing is terrific."
Marlene pulled back, "What's wrong? I mean I know your sister doesn't like all this magic stuff, but your mum and dad don't care do they? I mean if I honestly thought they would…"
Marlene trailed off at the aggravation on Lily's face, "What?"
"It's Vernon," Lily whispered and shuddered in mock horror. "And his family."
"What's the big deal?" James said loudly looking over her shoulder at Sirius who had suddenly appeared looking nervous.
Lily glared at him, "I'm sure this was all your idea as well. You're always getting me into trouble."
"It wasn't-"
"Can it, Potter," Lily snapped but her eyes were sparkling mischievously. "I need to handle something. Apparate to my room or something. I'll be up soon."
With that, she ushered Sirius and Bella out the front door and closed it firmly in their faces.
"Nice to see you too," James said to the door and his friends erupted in laughter.
***
When Lily finally made it up the stairs, she had to take a minute to compose herself. It had taken a ten minute battle of furious whispered arguing to win her freedom for the night. If looks could kill, she thought, she would never have survived it. Petunia was murderous.
Not that Lily was too happy either, she thought and wiped away a tear that had escaped from her emerald eyes. Had it been another night, her parents would have been thrilled to welcome her wizarding friends to their home. But it was Tuney's night and she was going to have her way. She was such a bitch.
And even knowing that, Lily couldn't shake the hurt that hung over her from Petunia's words. It didn't matter how often she said it, knowing her sister thought she was a freak was painful. It didn't help when it was constantly rubbed in one's face either.
Sighing deeply, she contemplated the door in front of her. They'd be sympathetic but they'd never understand. Resolutely putting a smile on her face, she walked through the door…
…and stopped short when she realized the only occupant was James Potter.
"Where is everyone?" she regarded him suspiciously. She wanted so badly to hit something at that moment and when that impish grin lit up his face, her fist clenched reflexively.
What in the hell gave him the right to look so damn smug? How was it that the sight of him tall, dark, muscular, and ridiculously good looking, stretched out on her small bed had her mouth watering? How was this FAIR? She was going to kill Marlene and Bella for leaving her alone…
He waited until he was sure she had finished her internal conversation with herself and then grinned, "Went to get supplies. We're going to sound proof the room, lock the door, and have our selves a very merry celebration."
"And why didn't you join them?"
"Well someone had to let you know what was going on," he replied. "Besides, you're the reason I came. Sirius came for Bella, Marlene is in constant need of entertainment, and I missed you. So…here I am."
His bluntness caught her off guard, and so she stood in silent surprise for a moment before she caught herself.
"What, you miss my lectures?" she retorted attempting to calm her fluttering heart. "Can't survive just a few weeks without them. I've certainly done just fine without you and your stupid pranks."
She moved forward with as much courage as she could muster and closed her bedroom door firmly. She meant it. That last prank of his had found her arguing with Snape and digging up painful memories.
James instantly sat up, he wasn't quite sure why he was being so honest with her, but it felt right so he rolled with it. He looked at her sardonically, "Lily, I'm serious."
"No…" she caught herself horrified. Had she really almost done that? She had almost just let slip one of their 'Sirius' jokes. She snapped her mouth closed stubbornly. What was getting into her?
James smirked, "I missed you too might be nice."
"Why would I miss you, James?" She didn't even realize that she had called him by his first name as she whipped around to glare at him. She had unconsciously stopped thinking about him as 'Potter' ages ago.
This time he stood up and took a threatening step towards her, "Oh, I can think of a couple of reasons. Mainly the ones that keep me up at night."
Lily struggled to control her raging hormones. Damn it all to hell, he wasn't supposed to be here. She'd had a plan and he was ruining it. How was she supposed to seduce him when he continually caught her off guard and seduced her. It just wasn't reasonable of him.
He walked towards her until she realized she had pushed her back up against the door.
"I'm not responsible for what keeps you up at night," she finally whispered looking up at him.
"No I suppose not," his voice was like silk and she instantly remembered his lips on her neck, breathing softly against her collarbone as that same fluid voice had caressed her name in the dark. Merlin, he wasn't giving her much of a chance.
He leaned forward, placing his hands on either side of her head and looked at her questioningly over his glasses. She hated it when he did that. She swallowed hard as her heart pounded just a little faster. It made her want to rip the damn things off and trace that little scar along his cheekbone with her lips. Among other things, she mused, which her poor mind was just too horrified to consider. She very much wanted James Potter, and very much wanted to run and bang her head against the nearest wall until she came to her senses. She couldn't decide at that particular moment which was the better deal.
"You look lovely tonight," his voice was still soft and silky, disarming. It was as though he were purposely trying to make her uncomfortable. She shifted restlessly and looked up in annoyance when he chuckled.
Why, he wondered amused, did that annoy her? She did look lovely. Dressed in a long red sweater with ankle length leggings and bare feet, she looked sexily festive…unlike her monstrosity of a sister. He wanted to kiss her brains out just looking at her, but he was quite certain that there was a war going on in her head right now that he didn't want to influence with hormones. He wanted her to know she loved him, because she did…not just because her body wanted him. He already knew where that road led. But refraining from physical romancing didn't mean he couldn't tell her she was beautiful.
Why didn't he just get on with it, she wondered. What's he waiting for?
She had been sure he was going to kiss her, and her body had responded accordingly. Now she was itching to dig her fingers into his muscular back and taste the spiciness of his mouth. She fully believed he was teasing her, as he simply stood there looking thoughtful. That only served to make her furious.
"What do you want, James?" her voice came out in a snarl.
"You," his answer was soft and simple and she instantly felt her knees turn to water.
She looked up at him unbelieving, telling herself she knew he wasn't serious, using her anger to fight the part of her that wanted to believe, "That's cruel James. I'm not playing you're stupid games."
"Damn it Lily," his temper snapped out at her and she let her body collapse against the door as she sought to escape it. "I've told you this isn't a game. I do want you, but not just your body."
He turned away frustrated and she almost cried out as his body heat left her feeling bereft. She watched him in confused silence. Was this happening?
He moved over to the window and she watched his profile turn moody as he observed the falling snow. He didn't look at her when he spoke.
"Don't take that as I don't want your body," he said softly. "I dream about you every night." He frowned. When had he decided to tell her all this? Hadn't he decided to wait for her to come to him? He wasn't one to bear his heart for all the world, especially not Lily Evans. He wasn't making any decisions consciously, he mused and his frown turned into a scowl.
She watched him scowl, "I don't like this at all, Lily. I never liked you. You were everything I fought against, rules and decorum. It's not me. But then I got to know you and it was like breaking through the ice. There was all of this lovely fire and courage underneath and you trapped me. I didn't walk into this willingly, but I just can't seem to help it. My pillow smelled like you for weeks after that night. It was torture."
"James, I don't know what to say," she murmured, not daring to venture using her legs quite yet. They still felt oddly like jello.
"Say you'll go out with me," he replied and turned to look at her. His hazel eyes were warm and very serious to all appearances.
Could he mean it?
"I don't know if I can James," she answered, and looked down at her feet when he continued to hold her gaze.
"Why?"
"Why?" Lily replied and there was sarcasm in her tone. "You know why. We don't go together. You infuriate me, you can't take anything seriously, and you're constantly getting me into trouble when I've done nothing. I like rules, and I enjoy studying. You throw everything off. Besides, we already know what comes after dating and you've already made it quite clear that you've had better."
"What are you talking about?" James moved back across the room to glower directly at her.
"That-that night after the fight with the Death Eaters," Lily stuttered under his black look and was angry with herself when her face turned a pretty shade of red. She gathered her courage and her temper, "You quite obviously didn't care about me or what happened between us, at least you seemed quite indifferent to whether I stayed or went. I seem to recall you telling me it took the pressure off of you."
James stared incredulously at her, "Me? You started that conversation. You said you didn't want to get attached. No expectations, remember?"
"I, um, I thought that's what you wanted to hear," Lily muttered, embarrassed all over again. "You don't exactly have a great reputation when it comes to those things."
James attempted to look insulted, but knew full well that she was right. She was the first and only girl he had ever allowed to stay the night with him, let alone expected her to cuddle with him the next morning instead of jumping out of bed the way she had.
"But I did want you to stay," he placed a finger underneath her chin and lifted her gaze to his. "I thought it was what you wanted, otherwise, I would never have let you go."
"Do you really mean that?" Lily asked, still so unable to trust him.
James dropped his hand, "I do. Lily I –"
He paused and his face contorted momentarily in frustration, "I don't know how to tell you this. Ever since that night, I think about you constantly. I think that I –"
"We're back!!!" Lily's bedroom door suddenly burst open and Lily jumped hurriedly out of the way to admit Sirius, Bella, and Marlene.
James' uncomfortable look turned black for a moment at the intrusion, but Lily was positive she was the only one who had seen it as his face was already lit up again when Sirius grinned at him and held up four bottles of firewhisky.
"Nice Padfoot," James laughed. "Where'd you nick those from?"
"I, erm, persuaded Madame Rosmertta into donating them," Sirius replied.
"Persuaded?" Marlene raised her brows and shared a look with Bella. "The woman practically threw them at you. I swear I have no idea what women see in you. D'you know she actually told him he could have whatever he wanted just for being so handsome?"
"She was a bit drunk I think," Bella giggled looking uncertainly at Sirius' gloating face.
"Merlin!" Lily exclaimed peering into the box Marlene had dragged in. "That's a lot of butterbeer."
James moved closer to her to peer in the box as well. He appreciated the seductive scent of her almost as much as the sight of the many golden bottles of butterbeer before him. He grinned at Sirius, "We are going to be toasted for the rest of the holiday."
Sirius gave a hoot, "You bet! Here's to our last holiday escaping our families."
He popped open a bottle of firewhisky and took a long pull. He laughed through the coughing as the liquid seared his throat and passed it too Marlene before conjuring the couch that he collapsed dramatically on.
When Lily took a cautious sip, the warm glow of the whisky spread into her limbs and left her smiling happily at her friends. Love him or hate him, even James was a welcome gift after the night she had expected she would be having. She loved that they were all spread comfortably across her room as if nothing else mattered.
Sirius was stretched out with Bella at his feet watching in amusement as he argued with Marlene about Quidditch. Marlene was spread prettily across Lily's bed, and looked quite at home. Lily was curled up in her big bay window with her very own bottle of whisky, and James was sitting beside her idly playing with his favorite Snitch.
He looked up at her and she grinned absently in her happiness. He smiled back and slipped his hand into hers. She didn't protest when he pulled her over to cuddle up next to him, nor when he slipped his arm around her shoulders. They fit together, she realized, like two puzzle pieces. She felt his sigh as he rested his chin on her hair and watched their friends with her.
She let the smell and heat of him and the warmth of the whisky coax her towards sleep and wondered vaguely when she had decided she would go out with him. She grinned slightly as she drifted off to sleep. Wasn't he going to be surprised?
***
James caught Sirius' eye a while later and grinned as Lily's steady breathing told both of them she had fallen asleep. Whether it was the whisky, or whether it wasn't, he was quite pleased to find her literally cuddled into his side and sleeping peacefully. How many nights had he longed for this? Only Sirius really knew the extent to which James had fallen for Lily and the two friends enjoyed the moment silently.
Relaxing into the cushions at his back, he felt Lily automatically adjust to him and go right back to sleep…as though she had always been doing it. She sighed softly in slumber and curled her hand into his shirt.
He smiled and slipped his hand over hers.
He watched the play of light on Lily's hair from the street lamp outside and was happy.
Glancing down at her face he resisted the urge to fight his next impulse.
His voice came out in a whisper, "I love you, Lily."
HAHA!!! Finally the stone begins to roll :) I hope that was satisfying for everyone and again I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting for this long. I have two more chapters left for this story and an epilogue (at least for the moment) and I'm currently working on the makings of a Sirius/OC fic that's been plaguing my brain lately. Well, anyway! please review on the way out and look for an update soon. I'm anxious to finish so I can start my next story.
Love to all, REVIEW!!!