Disclaimer: Please don't sue. I don't own Harry Potter and therefore having nothing for you to take, so it would really be a waste of your time, money, and effort anyway.

Chapter 26 Interrogations

Lily's father put her trunk in the car and then the three of them climbed into the car and headed into the evening traffic for their four hour drive home.

"Well, James seems like a nice young man," Mrs. Evans said.

"He's very nice, Mum," Lily said.

"Isn't he the boy who turned your hair green second year?" Mr. Evans asked.

"Well, yes…" Lily admitted.

"I told you, that's what twelve year old boys do when they like you dear," Mrs. Evans said smiling.

"Yes, Mother, you were right," Lily said rolling her eyes.

"I hope that he was telling the truth about treating you respectfully," her father said.

"Yes, Dad, don't worry. He would never do anything against my wishes. He's been a perfect gentleman," Lily said.

She tolerated her father's questioning only because she knew that he was a big softy at heart.

"Good," her father replied.

"I must say sweetie, this one does seem like a keeper," her mother said smiling.

"Mum, we haven't even been going out for two months!" Lily exclaimed.

"I quite agree with Lily," her father said.

Her mother simply gave them both a knowing look.

The Potters and Sirius arrived at home minutes after saying goodbye to the Evans's. Mrs. Potter went to check on Winnie and see when dinner would be ready. Mr. Potter banished the boy's trunks to their room.

"Dad, Sirius and I could have done that, we are of age after all," James exclaimed.

"Yes, I know, but it's so much more fun to annoy you by doing it myself," his father grinned. "Sirius, why don't you go get an update on when dinner will be ready."

Sirius looked at James and grinned, "Yes, sir," he said with a quick salute to Mr. Potter and then ran off towards the kitchen.

James sighed.

"All right, what do you want to talk to me about?" he asked.

"Just wanted to know how things are going with you and that girlfriend of yours. I know you have that lovely Head's Common Room all to yourself," his father said looking at him seriously.

"Dad!" James exclaimed simultaneously annoyed and slightly embarrassed by what his father was implying.

His father smiled. "Just checking. It's my job as a parent after all. So, you finally got her to fall for you huh?"

James grinned, "Yeah."

"So, how'd you finally manage it?" Mr. Potter asked.

"I stopped acting like a bloody wanker every time I was in her presence," James stated.

Mr. Potter laughed and then said, "Mind your language, James."

"Yes, sir, but it's the truth," James replied grinning.

His father laughed again. "Well, I'm glad. About time you came to your senses."

James grinned.

"You just make sure you remain a gentleman. I rather liked Mr. Evans, I don't fancy getting a howler from him telling me you've gone and knocked up his daughter. And if you do decide to lose your head and do something stupid at least have the good sense to use a contraception charm," his father added.

James stared at his father for a moment, his eyes wide, not sure how to react and then said, "Don't worry, Dad, you don't have to worry about getting a howler from Mr. Evans, Muggles don't know what howlers are."

"That," Mr. Potter said whacking James over the head affectionately with a copy of the Evening Prophet, "is beside the point. Now, let's go check on the status of dinner."

Grinning James followed his father out of the study and towards the dinning room.

Later that night James and Sirius were lounging in James's room listening to The Weird Sisters and reveling in the fact that even though tomorrow was Monday they didn't have classes.

"So, how are things going with Lily?" Sirius asked.

"Surprisingly well," James replied.

"Is it everything you dreamed it would be?" Sirius asked grinning cheekily.

"Better," James replied. "She's absolutely amazing. I don't think I've ever met another girl quite like her," James said staring off into space.

"Oh, no," Sirius said dramatically, "I think we've lost him."

"You haven't lost me," James replied. "I just have to divide my attention between you guys and her. I really am sorry that I've been spending so much time with her. It's just, it's new ya' know and…I don't know, I've never felt this way about a girl before…" James trailed off.

"You're not in love with her mate," Sirius said. "We're only seventeen. Well, we'll be eighteen soon, but that's hardly the point."

"I don't know," James replied even though it hadn't been a question. "We haven't been going out very long, but…I think I could love her…if our relationship keeps going how it has been…" James trailed off again.

"Bah," Sirius replied. "You'll get over it eventually. Besides love isn't real. It's all hormones, eventually you get over the hormones."

James snorted. "You're such a pessimist, Padfoot."

"No, I'm a realist," Sirius corrected. "You, on the other hand, are a delusional romantic."

James threw a pillow at Sirius but Sirius was too fast for him. He grabbed his wand and with a flick redirected the pillow back at James getting him full in the face.

"Prat!" James grumbled.

Sirius just smirked at him. "Well, I'm off to bed. Your Mum said something about making Christmas cookies tomorrow and I want to help."

"The Great Padfoot wants to help make Christmas cookies," James laughed. "If only the girls at Hogwarts could see you when you're here. Maybe I should take pictures, blow them up, and hang them in all over the Common Rooms."

"You do and I'll hex you into the afterlife," Sirius threatened.

James laughed. "What are you going to do attack me with cookies?"

"Sod off," Sirius grinned leaving James's room and heading off to his own.

James got ready for bed and climbed under the covers. He wasn't tired yet though and so he summoned a book on Transfiguration from his bookshelf. He didn't often sit in bed reading but occasionally he'd make an exception and he'd started this particular book before leaving for school and wanted to finish it. He had thought of bringing it to school but he found it almost impossible to read there, outside of what was assigned for class.

Besides the fact that he usually didn't feel like it after doing all his reading for class, Sirius usually wouldn't give him a moment's peace if he tried to read something. Besides he wouldn't have had time last term between his Head duties, Quidditch, class, homework, and trying to find time to spend with both his friends and Lily. But tonight there was time.

The next morning Lily woke up and after getting ready went downstairs to the kitchen to get some breakfast. She was happy to find her mother in the kitchen with eggs, toast, and sausage.

"Good morning, dear," her mother greeted her.

"Morning, Mum," Lily said smiling. "When's Petunia getting here?"

"Oh, she's not coming until this afternoon. She said she had stuff for the wedding this morning," her mother explained.

"Ah, how's that going?" Lily asked.

"Oh, stressful. You know Petunia, everything has to be perfect."

Lily nodded as she helped herself to some breakfast.

"So, you finally agreed to give that poor boy a chance," her mother said.

"Yeah…"

"And?" her mother pressed.

"He's wonderful, Mum. He's sweet and thoughtful and he works hard. I honestly don't know how he manages to balance being Head Boy, Quidditch Captain, and the obscene amount of homework we have and still make time for me," Lily said. "He's absolutely brilliant. And tell Daddy not to worry, James would never do anything that he would disapprove of."

Her mother laughed at Lily's last comment. "Lily, you know you're father was just giving him a hard time. I mean, you've never had a boyfriend that you've actually introduced us to before," her mother pointed out.

"It's just never come up," Lily said. "I mean you just kind of ran into the Potters."

"True, but can you honestly tell me that if we hadn't invited him to dinner tonight that you wouldn't have brought it up eventually yourself?"

Her mother was right, of course.

"No," Lily admitted. "The thought of not seeing him for all of Christmas break is rather horrible."

"Oh dear, I think my little girl's in love," Mrs. Evans said smiling.

"Mum, we haven't even been dating for two months," Lily said looking at her mother in disbelief.

"Give it time dear, I saw the way you two looked at each other when we were at the station. I wouldn't mention this to your father, however, he might be traumatized," her mother laughed as she said the last part.

"Sure, Mum," Lily said resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

"So, what made you finally break down and agree to give him a chance?" Mrs. Evans asked.

"He stopped acting like an arrogant, bullying, toe rag, and took his job as Head Boy seriously," Lily said. "He even took twenty points from our House and gave his best mate detention because he had another student hanging upside down by his ankle."

"He had him hanging upside down by his ankle?" her mother asked.

"Oh, it's a fairly simple jinx," Lily said. "Pretty harmless, really, just embarrassing when one is wearing robes instead of pants."

"Ah," her mother replied.

"But he's really funny too. I never noticed it before, I guess I was too busy finding him annoying," Lily said.

"Well, that's good. It's good to be with someone who can make you laugh," her mother agreed.

Lily had to admit she missed her mother when she was at school.

"All right, well, when you're done do you think I could employ your assistance today?" her mother asked. "We're having guests tonight and this house isn't going to clean itself, I could use your help."

Lily grinned at her mother. "Actually…I have an even better idea."

Lily quickly shoveled her last couple of bites of egg into her mouth and put her dishes in the sink. She then pulled the curtains on the kitchen windows. They were lacy, and therefore full of holes, but they would keep the neighbors from being able to see inside. Lily pulled out her wand and with a few flicks the sponge was washing the dishes of its own accord and a rag was rubbing down all the kitchen surfaces.

Lily's mother watched in awe. "That's amazing," her mother said. "I think you may have to be in charge of cleaning the kitchen from now on."

"Oh, Petunia would love that," Lily said sarcastically.

"Who cares, she doesn't live here anymore," her mother said. "Just think of all the time it saves."

Lily smiled. "So, what other rooms need cleaning."

With Lily's help, or more accurately, with Lily doing all the work by magic, every room in the house was spotless in less than an hour.

"Well," said her mother. "Since I put the morning aside to do that, what do you say we go do some window shopping in town this morning instead and have a quick bite of lunch before it's time to make dinner?"

"Sounds fabulous," Lily grinned. It wasn't often she got to go shopping with her mother.