Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to JK Rowling, Warner Brothers, and Scholastic Books no infringement is intended.

Chapter 21

The following morning it was decided that today would be the day to do some Christmas shopping. Lily really didn't have the chance to do much, so she would need to do that, and James, now that he knew Lily's family a little better, had a better idea what to get each of them.

"James do you need to make a run to Gringotts to exchange some money into pounds?" Lily asked, knowing that James may not keep muggle money around.

"No, I always keep a good amount around. I spent a good part of the summer after my parents death in muggle London, as some of the charities and investments are muggle accounts. So I should have plenty." James said.

"Oh good. You two get ready and I'll clean up here." Rose said to the two, as they left the table to get cleaned up and dressed to head out to shop.

They went to a shopping mall not to far from where they lived. While James had been in muggle areas before, he had never been to a mall this large. Lily grabbed his hand and pulled him forward when she saw he wasn't moving.

"Do know what you are going to get everyone?" Lily asked him.

"Yeah, I have a pretty good idea, just no idea where to get it all."

"Well, why don't you and I go together for a hour and get gifts for my parents and Petunia, if you want, and then my parents can take you to get your gift for me. That way you won't have to try and find the right place by yourself." Lily suggested.

"Sounds good to me." James said and Lily then explained the plan to her parents, who agreed that it was a good idea.

Lily and James went shop to shop after James had told Lily what he wanted to get them. James got her father a new watch, got her mother a beautiful set if earrings, and got Petunia a nice sweater. She could definitely say that James had great taste. An hour later, they took a break for lunch in the food court and then split up so that James could shop for Lily. James had no idea what to get her.

James knew he wanted to get her something meaningful and really make her understand how he felt about her. He began to feel recently that they were both ready to move their relationship further. He wasn't quite sure of Lily's feelings for him, but he knew he had to at least try. He led Lily's parents back to the store where he got Mrs. Evans earrings and looked around. If Rose and Charles were surprised by the fact that James wanted to buy their daughter jewelry they didn't show it. Rose noticed that he must have seen something that caught his attention, because he had stopped at a display and was starring at something. Rose made her way over to look, and her breath caught in her throat. She had never seen anything quite that beautiful.

"I think I found her gift Rose. Do you think she will like it?" James asked Rose.

"I think she will love it James. That is a truly beautiful piece of jewelry." Rose told James and she was right. The teardrop shaped emerald necklace and earrings gleamed in the lighting of the store. The piece was small and tasteful. If Lily was ever uncertain of James' feelings for her, she wouldn't be after she saw her gift. James had wonderful taste, Rose thought. That piece of jewelry would bring out the color of Lily's eyes like nothing else.

They made their way back to the meeting place in the food court where Lily was waiting for them.

"Was your trip successful James?" Lily asked.

"You'll have to tell me Christmas morning when you open your present." James said slyly with a small smile.

"I'll be sure to let you know." Lily said back returning the smile.

"Well, how about we head home now." Rose suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea, shopping always tires me out." James said, and they all laughed in reply.

Dinner was to be an interesting affair. Vernon was going to eat dinner with them. Lily was not looking forward to it. She knew that Vernon would be looking down at her and her family the entire dinner. She was right, sort of. Vernon arrived and the usual frown adorned his face as he looked around the house. Lily had to wonder how her parents put up with it while she was away. Charles greeted Vernon with a small smile and handshake and they headed towards the dining room. James was in the kitchen helping Rose chop vegetables when they two were introduced.

"Welcome Vernon, I hope you like stew. This is James Potter, Lily's friend from school, he's staying with us for the holidays."

"Hello Vernon, nice to meet you." James said with his hand offered.

"Yes hello." Vernon said gruffly and shook James' hand and let go as quickly as possible. There was an awkward silence after that with Vernon trying to make himself look important, while James went back to chopping vegetables and chatting quietly with Rose. Lily sat at the bar looking in to the kitchen watching her mother and James.

"What do you for a living Vernon?" James asked politely after he had finished his conversation with Rose.

"I work for a company that makes commercial drills. I just got promoted into the financial office. We handle the financial allocations for the company and its vendors." Vernon said very importantly.

"Wow, that's quite an accomplishment." James said honestly.

"Well not really, I never had any doubts about my ability. I've always been the best, and saw no reason to stop." Vernon said, completely serious. Lily had a hard time not scoffing at that, and James could not think of anything to say to that.

"What are your plans after you finish school Potter? Going to culinary school?" Asked Vernon with a condescending tone.

"Oh no, I've been thinking about law enforcement actually. Cooking is just a hobby I enjoy, it's actually very relaxing." James replied.

"The ladies love a man that can cook." Charles added and he and James and Lily and Rose laughed.

"I've always felt that cooking should be left to the women, men have much more important things to do with their time." Vernon said righteously.

"I disagree, personally. What better way to show you care for someone, then by making a meal for them. It show that person you feel they are worth the time and effort." James said. Lily and Rose smiled at James in agreement.

"I agree completely James." Charles said.

"You're a great cook Charles, your soufflés are to die for." Rose said to Charles who blushed in response.

"Well anyway, I don't know how to cook and have no desire to learn either." Vernon said with finality, and the rest at the table wisely decided to leave it at that.

The rest of dinner passed without incident. After dinner while dessert was being prepared Vernon pulled Charles aside to speak with him. Petunia had been in the bathroom and didn't see it happen, but Lily did and had a very good idea what it was about. She was happy for her sister, but not pleased with the man she had chosen. She just hoped Vernon would make her sister happy. A part of Lily couldn't help but want to cry. She knew she would never get her friendship with Petunia back. Vernon would never permit a friendship with Lily especially once Petunia told Vernon that Lily was a witch. The two of them placed so much importance on appearance, normalcy. Lily knew a friendship was out of the question, but she would do all she could to at least ensure that what little contact they had was at least pleasant.

Charles had known the conversation with Vernon had been coming. He didn't like the idea of his Petunia being with a man like Vernon the rest of her life, but if he made her happy he wouldn't stand in her way. So when Vernon asked for Petunia's hand he didn't hesitate to say yes; that it was up to Petunia if he were worthy of her. Inside however, a piece of his heart broke. He knew that if Vernon was in Petunia's life, Petunia and Lily would never become the friends they had once been, Vernon was too rigid a man to allow a woman with a gift like Lily's into his life. Vernon's appearance was much too important to him and he knew that Petunia would follow Vernon's example. He just hoped Lily would be okay with it, he knew how much she wanted a friendship with her sister, one that now would never happen. With a sigh, he rejoined his family for dessert.