Chapter 37

A/N: It's Christmas in Jily land. Not in reality though… Oh well. We'll just live through the characters! Hehehe. I'm so sad.

Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognise.

Enjoy :)

The journey to Kings Cross was a reflection of how much sleep I had been getting over the past few days. I couldn't stop yawning on my patrol of the train with Remus and when we returned to our compartment I was struggling to keep my eyes opened. However, the prospect of sleep wasn't welcoming as every time I closed my eyes for longer than a few seconds his face would swim into my brain. It was his face that haunted my dreams and it was his hand that seemed grab my ankle every time I fell asleep. Dreamless sleep potion was the only thing that let me sleep but somehow my mind seemed to overpower it after a few hours and I would be jerked into instant wakefulness.

Luckily, no one noticed this as they were all watching Sirius re-enact his most recent detention with Professor McGonagall after he'd forgotten his homework and tried to flirt his way out of trouble. James was imitating Professor McGonagall as Sirius played himself but I was too tired to scold them for their disrespect of one of my favourite Professors. As their performance came to a close and Remus and Peter began applauding them while Sirius bowed extravagantly, James sat down next to me. My eyelids were threatening to droop but I forced myself to resist the temptation.

'You alright, Lils? You look awful.' He asked concernedly to which I raised my eyebrow.

'Wow, James. You sure know how to compliment a girl.' I grinned tiredly. 'I can see exactly why you haven't had a girlfriend since…how long's it been...since 3rd year?'

'Haha.' Came his response. 'You should be grateful I save all my compliments just for you, Lilykins.' He ruffled my hair affectionately and I stuck out my tongue.

'James! You're pulling out my plait!' I grumbled as tendrils of my red hair began falling out. Hurriedly I pulled the rest of my plait out and began redoing it hastily.

'Leave it.' James said softly putting a hand on mine to stop me braiding. 'It looks fine like that.'

'Are you saying my braid looks bad?' I asked with mock hurt and James rolled his eyes. I yawned widely.

'That's the 20th time you've yawned this journey. Get some sleep, Lils. We've still got an hour left at least.'

'I don't nee-'

'Sleep!' James commanded. 'Now!'

'But there's nowhere to rest my head.' I argued lamely.

'Then lean on my shoulder.' He sighed in exasperation and I knew I had no choice but to do as he said.

'Fine.' I rested my head on him but did not close my eyes. I would not fall asleep. His face was already waiting to make an entrance – I could feel it. James, evidently under the impression I was falling asleep, shushed the others.

'Lils is trying to sleep.' He whispered. 'Don't look at me like that Pads.'

'You would get everyone to shut up if I was trying to sleep.' Sirius grumbled. 'No, you'd start singing or something.' But all of them grew quiet and engaged in a low volume debate about Quidditch. I felt James shift slightly and put his arm around me in a protective manner. Slowly my eyes shut and my tired brain began to lull me into a deep sleep.

James' POV:

While the others debated whether the Foulmouth Falcons or Puddlemere United were better, I sat with my eyes on Lily. She slept peaceably and snuggled into my protective hold. On one occasion, I had removed the arm I had around her to open a chocolate frog packet and she'd started shaking. Looking closely, I noticed she was mumbling and by straining my ears I heard her.

'Weak mudblood.' She muttered and squirmed as though something was on her leg and she wanted to remove it. 'No.' Lily shivered again. 'No! I don't like it.' She whispered like a pathetic child.

'Lils…' I murmured softly and put my arm around her again. Almost instantly, her shivering ceased but she remained tense. 'It's okay.' I reassured her sleeping form. 'I'm right here.' I held her closer to me as if trying to shield her from her own subconscious.

Back to Lily's POV:

When I awoke an hour after falling asleep I felt refreshed although I had definitely still dreamt of him. I hurriedly plaited my hair once more and attempted to straighten my clothes so I didn't look like I'd just woken up. The train had just arrived at platform 9 and ¾ so we all collected our things, James had taken a few attempts to persuade that I could pull my own trunk, and left the train. It was then that we wished each other a happy Christmas and went our respective ways. Sirius, James and I headed for where Mrs Potter stood waiting for us. She smiled at all three of us.

'Hello you three.' She greeted warmly. 'Honestly, boys you've grown at least another few inches since I last saw you!'

'Mum we're fine.' Sirius groaned while James rolled his eyes.

'Lily'll agree with me.' Mrs Potter winked at me as the two boys fixed me with pleading gazes. An evil smile slid on to my face.

'Definitely. They're absolute giants.'

'Noooooooooooooooooooooo!' Sirius howled and James groaned.

'Lils! Why'd you do that? We're going to have to sit through hours of fittings now!' James complained.

'Lily, dear, I have a feeling we're going to get along perfectly.' Mrs Potter beamed at me and we headed out of the station followed by the two boys who were grumbling behind us. We turned into a side street and once we were sure there was no one around did side-along apparition. James, Sirius and I, although we were learning at school how to, could not apparate and were therefore had to hold tightly onto one another and rely on Mrs Potter to pull us through the non-being.

My first few days at the Potter residence had passed quickly with a buzz of activity. Preparations for the Potter's infamous Christmas Party were well underway and I had been trying help in any way I could. I had spent a lot of my time helping Mrs Potter organise the seating arrangements and decorating the rooms. In my free time, I would mess around with Sirius and James outside in the snow and often in the evenings I would explain Muggle items to Mr Potter with James listening avidly and Sirius playing cards with Mrs Potter in the background. At other moments, I would help the boys with their homework, having already done my own, in particular their Muggle Studies work. Sirius had been set, alongside everyone in the class sans James, Muggle money questions. He was struggling greatly and I had been appalled to find out their teacher hadn't told them how but rather told them to look in their textbooks. Having grown up in the bakery I had extremely good addition, subtraction, multiplying and dividing skills. Working behind the till required those skills and had led to a passion for maths. The school library contained a section of Muggle textbooks which I had read and taught myself advanced mathematics. Arithmancy or the mathematics or magic as my teacher liked to call it was a subject I found incredibly interesting and had also helped my mathematical skill.

James had been set a different assignment, much to his disgust, because according to his teacher he was showing a deeper interest in the workings of the Muggle world. This had apparently come about due to the activities he had partaken in whilst staying at mine. Visiting a mill and working in a shop had given him a very different experience to that of his classmates. Their list of activities had included visiting the cinema and using the Tube but James' weren't like that which his teacher had taken to be his enthusiasm for the subject. It was true that James found Muggles interesting, a fact I found hilarious, but he had now been laden with an essay to write about the English Muggle education system. I was helping him but he was finding the concept of either going to college, sixth form or doing an apprenticeship after completing O levels confusing.

During my time at the Potter's so far, I had also attended a fitting. James and Sirius had been having new robes fitted when Mrs Potter decided she wanted to buy me a new set of dress robes for the Party. I tried to dissuade her but she would not have her mind-set altered so I gave in and let her find some. She'd been delighted because she'd 'never been able to dress James' and now she could do it with me. Nobody except Mrs Potter, the shop assistant and I had seen the dress robes because Mrs Potter wanted it to be a surprise.

The day of the Christmas Party dawned and breakfast was a merry affair because Mr Potter only had a few hours before he would be allowed to end what he called his 'house arrest' and everyone else called 'bedrest'. Around lunchtime, I was ushered upstairs to my room to get ready for the party by an excited looking Mrs Potter. James and Sirius laughed at me as I was chivvied out of the kitchen but I glowered at them causing them to cease immediately.

One of the House Elves, Layla, washed my hair and dried it before beginning to arrange it. The arranging of hair took so long I was tempted to shave all my hair off but Layla finished before I was forced to resort to desperate measures. Then it was time for my makeup and an hour later my dark-red-lipped self was helped into the dress robes chosen by Mrs Potter. She came in again at that moment in a stunning red set of robes that seemed to shimmer as she walked. He dark brown hair was tied in an elegant knot at the back of her head. Wow.

'You look beautiful Lily.' She smiled affectionately.

'You too Mrs Potter.' I answered and she steered me towards a full-length mirror.

'Now you can see what the whole world sees.' I stared at my reflection. The dress I wore was a dark emerald and in an off the shoulder mermaid shape. The material was lace and flowed to the floor in a train. My hair had been tied in a braid, at my request, but the braid seemed to have small green gems and threads of silver woven into it that sparkled in the light. My mother's crucifix necklace sat as always around my neck and seemed to compliment the rest of the outfit as its diamonds glittered happily. Mum would had loved to see me in this. I remembered she'd often spoken of one day seeing Tuney and I in finery like this dress. Tears formed in my eyes as I realised she'd never seen either of us in something as special as this dress; not Tuney's wedding dress, not my bridesmaid dresses, nothing. 'Oh, Lily. Don't be sad! You look absolutely lovely.' Mrs Potter enveloped me in a hug as I tried very hard not to sob. 'What's wrong dear? You can tell me.'

'I-it's nothing.' I mumbled. 'It's just my mum never got to see me in anything like this. She always dreamed of it.'

'Well, I'm sure she'd have loved it.' She said kindly. I nodded and bowed my head as we pulled out of the hug.

'I'm sorry. I don't know why this dress is affecting me this much. I mean, I've worn stuff like this before. At Mary's wedding…'

'We'd better head down, dear.' She smiled. 'Thank you, Layla. That'll be everything. You go rest for a bit.' Mrs Potter turned to leave but stopped when she reached the door upon realising I wasn't following her. 'Lily dear?'

'D-d-d'you mind if I stay behind for a moment. I'll be down soon.'

'Of course.' She smiled once more. 'Take all the time you need.'

Once Mrs Potter had left the room I walked over to the window and looked out at the view. It was dark so I could see no further than the Potter's snow-covered lawn illuminated by the lights from the mansion. From what was illumined I saw the trail in the snow left by James as he had dragged the Christmas Tree into the house. I had asked if he wanted help but he'd flatly refused. Sirius, who was now of age, kept charming the tree to run away from James and I had almost pissed myself laughing at the sight of James chasing after the tree.

I smiled slightly at the image of James running across the lawn like a headless chicken when Sirius then bewitched the tree to chase him instead. Unwelcome, the image of my mum's childhood home in Seldeton sidled into my mind. My grandparents on her side still lived there – with Uncle George. I'd never considered them proper grandparents nor the ones on my dad's side as one set were dead and the other set would rather me be dead than exist. If I ever had kids I would be glad they'd have my dad as a grandpa. If my significant other's parents were anything like Mr and Mrs Potter I knew my kids would have the best grandparents ever. Well, I just had to find a future husband and make sure he had nice parents. Easy. Really easy.

I sighed and turned away from the window. Hiding from the party would not make it end any sooner. The prospect of people noticing me was not welcoming but then again, they most likely wouldn't. I wasn't really a noticeable person. I left the room and headed down the corridor and town the staircase into the Ballroom to find Sirius chatting with a group guests. He wolf-whistled upon seeing me and I rolled my eyes at him.

'Lily!' He greeted smoothly. 'You're just in time to meet the charming Molly Weasley, her handsome husband Arthur, their delightful offspring and the life of the party Bilius Weasley.' He gestured at the cluster of redheads who all grinned at me.

'It's nice to meet you.' I said politely.

'Aw! She's just as beautiful as James described.' Molly gushed and hugged me excitedly. I shook Arthur's hand and Bilius clapped me on the shoulder before dragging Sirius and Arthur off to 'leave the women to talk about womanly things'. 'I'll introduce you to my boys. This is Bill, he's my eldest.'

The tallest boy shook my hand with an air of trying to seem refined.

'I'm 6.'

'Quite the young man then.' I smiled at him and he positively glowed.

'This is my brother Charlie. He's 4.' Charlie too shook my hand but much more shyly than his elder brother.

'And this little man,' Molly said indicating into the pram next to her. 'is Percy. He's only a few months old.'

'One of my best friends has just had a baby. He's called Oliver.'

'Is that Andrew's wife?'

'Yes.'

'She's quite a dear, isn't she?' Molly smiled. 'Do you know if the Wood's are coming this evening?'

'I think so.'

'Excuse me, Miss Lily…' I turned in surprise to look at Bill. 'Would you like to dance with me?'

'With such a gentlemanly offer, I can't refuse.' I beamed down at him. 'I would be delighted. I'll be back in a minute.' I added to Molly who laughed at Bill taking my hand and leading me on to the middle of the Ballroom where there were already a few couples dancing. 'D'you want to stand on my feet?'

'Yes please.' Bill stepped cautiously on to my feet and the two of us revolved around the dance floor. The song was a beautiful waltz and I couldn't help but smile my way through the whole dance. While we danced, Bill chattered about this and that. 'And then I told Charlie that there was a troll under my bed and he hasn't stolen my chocolate since.'

'That was quite clever of you.' I said with a nod. 'I mean, I wouldn't have known to do that.'

'Really?'

'Really. In fact…I don't think any of the adults in here would have thought of that.' Bill grinned in delight.

'I love being the older brother. Charlie does everything I say. I can't wait for Percy to do the same.'

'As the younger sister in my house I-'

'You're a younger sister? But you look so old!'

'Now Bill, what have I said about calling beautiful ladies old?' An amused James said drawing up next to us as the dance ended. I wanted to snort with laughter right there and then but I kept a straight face.

'I-I didn't mean…I just…' Bill looked extremely embarrassed and I glowered at James who was smirking.

'It's fine, Bill. Don't listen to him.' I reassured the 6-year-old who looked at me anxiously. 'And you,' I said turning to James and jabbing my finger at his chest. 'should know better than to say stuff like that.'

'Yes, dear.' He answered with an eyeroll. 'Women.' He added to Bill with a shake of his head. I elbowed him in the arm.

'Come on Bill. Let's go back to your mum.' I took hold of the little boy's hand and led him back to Molly who was fussing over Charlie's dress robes. James followed us and grinned at Molly when she saw us.

'You two looked quite lovely.' She said with a smile to Bill and I.

'Bill's definitely a good dancer.'

'He is isn't he.' She answered fondly and straightened Bill's robes.

'Mum!' He cried embarrassed.

'Why don't you and Charlie run along and find the playroom? Ingrid told me you two could use it. Ask Sirius to show you and if he says no tell him I asked you to.' The two boys scurried off leaving just James and I with Molly. 'Have you seen Bilius, James?'

'Last time I saw him he was playing chess against Sirius. Don't worry Molly. He hasn't had anything to drink.' James assured her with a grin. I had a feeling I was missing something because at James' statement Molly looked extremely relieved. 'Yet.' I heard James add under his breath but I wasn't sure anyone was supposed to hear him. In any case, Molly heard nothing and excused herself to go and find Arthur pushing Percy in his pram in front of her.

'So…' I began awkwardly and James smirked.

'You look great by the way.'

'You're not so bad yourself. You scrub up well, Mr Potter.'

'Why thank you, Miss Evans. I-'

'Jamesie!' A voice cut in delightedly. James' face immediately turned sour as the new arrival joined our conversation. The new comer had jet black hair, just like James did, which was slicked back in a fashionable style. They had tanned skin and bluey-grey eyes. They were…Daniel Stromdale! The lead singer of the Golden Snidgets was standing right in front of me. 'You didn't tell me you had such a beautiful friend.' He raised my hand to his lips and I forced myself to smile in a vaguely friendly manner.

'Hello Dan.' James acknowledged stiffly.

'And your friend is?' He prompted. I shuffled uncomfortably.

'Lils this is my cousin Daniel Stomdale. Dan this is Lily.'

'A pleasure to meet you, Lily. If you're wondering, I am indeed the lead singer of-'

'The Golden Snidgets. Yes, we know.' James snapped irritably.

'Don't mind him, Lily. He's just bitter he's not as handsome as me. Jealous of my musical ability as well no doubt.' Daniel-Daniel Stromdale-Mr Stomdale? winked at me and I thought for a split-second I heard James growl.

'Well it was lovely to meet you but I promised James a dance and I'm not sure how much longer I'll be able to move around in these shoes so…' I trailed off and James immediately led me to the dance floor. We began to waltz around the room as a new tune struck up. 'I thought for second back there that there was a bear talking with your cousin and I but when I looked it was just you.'

'He pisses me off is all.'

'I gathered that by your expression. Asking you whether you'd eaten 50 lemons was a very tempting question.'

'He doesn't ever shut up about how good he is at stuff.'

'That reminds me of someone I know. I can't think for the life of me what he's called. He's got black hair that's always messy, glasses and the look of someone who eats lots of lemons. D'you know him?'

'Watch it you! You want to be careful. I can be very good at stepping on toes when I want to.'

'And there I was think I was dancing with a gentleman.'

At 11.30 people began making their way away from the buffet table or the Ballroom and into the garden for the firework display that would welcome Christmas Day. I stood with James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Mary, Oliver, Andrew, Marlene, Kieran, Alice and Frank watching as Mr Potter and Mr Wood (Andrew's father) set up the fireworks. Eventually, the two men had finished and the display began. Swirls of colour burst into the sky and illuminated all the guests below them. The air was filled with crackles and bangs as the fireworks exploded above us. I laughed in delight and glanced to my side to see James watching me with a lopsided grin.

'Happy Christmas, James.' I said softly looking up at him.

'Happy Christmas, Lils.'

Thanks for reading!

I hope you liked this chapter. Our characters are back to school again next chapter. Yay school!

Please review :)