The Christmas Punch (Part 1)

"I had no idea your family was so into traveling," Lily remarked, looking up at a framed photo of the Lovegoods in Peru.

"For mum and dad's work," Pandora supplemented as she chopped ginger root. "Used to live in a new country every year."

Lily nodded, eyes straying over the many framed photos on the wall of the living room. She recognized some of the famous monuments in them but many were unknown to her; Lily had never left England before.

It was the third day of the holiday break and Lily was enjoying her stay with the Lovegoods more than she thought she would have. Xeno, Pandora's brother, was launching his own newspaper. He was out for most hours of the day chasing leads on mythical creatures and conspiracies, leaving Lily and Pandora alone in the family apartment.

Pandora's idea of a good time included brewing elixirs and listening to radio station shows about never-before-seen mythical creatures, giving Lily plenty of time to crack down on a case she'd been neglecting: Marlene's death.

"We may need to pop by the house," Pandora quipped, from the cauldron. "Xeno hasn't gone in weeks and that's where all the mail goes."

The Lovegoods had both a home out in the country, close to many other wizarding residences in Devon, and their London apartment. They were one of the older wizarding families, explaining the tell-tale signs of wealth Lily saw throughout the apartment.

Lily flooed out with Pandora, arriving at the Lovegood's home. She paced in the entry hall, looking at the snow outside that had fallen in the past few days. They were due for a snowy holiday season.

"There's one for you," Pandora said, coming from another room with a bag of letters. She extended one towards Lily and she took it. "Who's it from?"

Lily opened the letter, immediately shutting it as she recognized the handwriting. She used to sit next to the owner of this handwriting in History of Magic, watching as he and Sirius played games of exploding snap during the lectures.

"No one important," Lily managed, giving Pandora a tight smile. She was avoiding thinking about James, let alone writing to him altogether. Following their alcove kiss, Lily had immediately panicked, stumbling up and leaving him there.

For hours she'd felt overwhelmed and confused. James had hated her for months, ignoring her for years prior. They'd been the least close of her old friends, Lily even spending time tutoring Peter. But up until the past few weeks, she could count the moments she'd had one-on-one with James on one hand.

Having James hate her was easy. It made sense and kept everything as it should be: Lily on the outside and the Marauders on the inside.

Kissing him complicated everything.

She'd avoided him on their final day at Hogwarts, making a beeline for the train and finding an empty cabin to hide out in with Pandora.

After strolling around the woods near the Lovegood home with Pandora, Lily and her flooed back to the London apartment, red-cheeked and eager to prepare dinner. But when they arrived, they were met with the sight of Pandora's brother throwing things into a trunk.

"Thank Merlin you're back," he said, his blue eyes locking with Pandora's. "We need to leave immediately! There's been some type of accident in Cambodia and dad's injured."

"What happened?" Pandora demanded.

"Incident with a troll," he revealed with a wince. "They may need to remove his leg. I got an emergency floo appointment to the Cambodian ministry for us Pandora. Start packing."

He caught his breath before looking at Lily, hesitation in his eyes.

"Don't worry about me," Lily quickly said with a sympathetic smile as she squeezed Pandora's shoulder. "My sister lives in Piccadilly I'll be out of your hair in a jiff."

Lily robotically packed her belongings, assuring Pandora she'd be fine. What she didn't mention is that she and Petunia were hardly on speaking terms, Petunia having sent her one letter this entire term.

"I hope everything's alright," Lily said, wrapping her arms around Pandora. "Stay safe."

"I'm sorry we didn't get to have the hols I'd wanted," Pandora said, actively fighting the urge to cry. Lily let go of her, reaching behind her to extend the gift she'd gotten Pandora.

"Merry Christmas," she said, watching as Pandora's eyes widened at the book on nargles Lily had found in Hogsmeade. "Maybe you can read it there?"

"It's brilliant," Pandora said, shooting Lily a watery smile. Twenty minutes later, Lily was standing outside of the building with her trunk to her side as she debated her options. She had no way of getting back to Hogwarts until the train in January. Frank was spending the holidays with his mother in the country at the Longbottom family estate and Lily didn't feel like intruding. She couldn't even go to her childhood home, that house being sold weeks after her parents died to pay off the mortgage on it.

"Well you really came up short in the friends category Lily," she said aloud. With a sigh she summoned the Knight Bus, knowing that she'd have to hope Petunia kept her futon couch. After riding it for an hour, she was deposited in front of Petunia's apartment building and rung the buzzer.

"Who is it?" Petunia's voice crackled through the speaker.

"Lily," she answered. There was silence on the other end before the door buzzed. Lily lugged her trunk up several floors, finally reaching Petunia's loft. Her sister was waiting in the doorway with a tense expression. She looked the same, with perfectly set brunette hair, a neat dress, and her light blue eyes. She was the spitting image of their mother.

"What are you doing here?"

"My lodging fell through," Lily replied. "Mind letting me in this is heavy?"

Petunia watched her wordlessly as Lily shoved the trunk into the doorway and caught her breath.

"You can't stay here," she said, crossing her arms. "You didn't give me a heads up and I have exams and work."

Lily frowned at her sister. The two weren't close but she didn't think Petunia would turn her out on the street.

"I've got nowhere else to go," Lily said. "My friend's parents got injured and she had to leave."

"Can't you just go back to that freak school of yours?" Petunia protested. Lily blinked at her, shaking her head and Petunia made a noise of frustration.

"It's not like I pay half the rent on this place or anything," Lily said wryly, glancing around the living room. "And you've still got the futon— I'll sleep there and be out of your hair all day."

Petunia scoffed.

"I'm spending the holidays with Vernon's family," she revealed. "Leaving in a few days."

Lily nodded blandly.

"You can't come," Petunia added.

"Didn't ask to," Lily replied, forcing back a shudder at the idea of spending Christmas with the Dursleys. Petunia's lips managed to thin even more at Lily's comment.

"Fine," she said. "I have to go to the library for a review session. Don't touch anything."

Lily rolled her eyes at Petunia's tone, slumping into the futon and looking around the apartment as her sister ducked out. It looked the same as it had during the summer, neatly set with Petunia's taste. During the summer, Lily took on cases and worked shifts at a muggle bar, lying about her age, so she could help Petunia pay for rent and tuition. Their parents hadn't set aside any money and Lily wanted to ensure that her sister was able to afford school, Hogwarts stepping in and granting her a scholarship to get her books and new materials.

"Happy Holidays," Lily said to herself, sighing and shutting her eyes.

By the next day, Lily had set up camp in Diagon Alley. Petunia kicked her out early in the morning, exclaiming that she had a study group coming over. Lily had tiredly walked around muggle London before entering the wizarding street. She started her morning at a tea shop then finding herself scanning bookshelves in Flourish and Blotts by noon.

"Of course you'd spend the holiday surrounded by books."

Lily jumped in surprise at the voice close to the back of her neck, whirling around and looking up into James Potter's eyes.

"I've been trying to get a hold of you for days," he said, lips turning up. "Should've just pursed through every bookstore instead of badgering Longbottom for your location. That would have been easier."

Lily's lip twitched up of its own accord, unable to stop herself from staring at James. He was dressed in a green jumper and jeans, the sweater bringing out the gold flecks in his eyes.

"James," she greeted, watching his smile spread, even more, making him look almost goofy. But James could never look goofy, not with his perfect, white teeth and raised cheekbones.

"You've been avoiding me," he said, running a hand through his hair. Lily's breath caught in her throat when he moved closer to her, the scent of his cologne coming to her. She shot him an embarrassed expression and he coughed, looking down. "Look I need you."

"You need me?" Lily repeated, staring at him in complete bewilderment. James nodded his head.

"Maddie's in trouble," he explained. "And I need you to help me figure out what's happening."

"What kind of trouble?" Lily asked with concern, recalling how she'd seen Marlene's little sister arguing with James months ago. James bit his lower lip, looking at her with a frustrated expression.

"All term she would leave for hours at a time at night," James explained. "At first, I saw her sneaking out of Gryffindor Tower and assumed she was snogging someone. But then I saw her and one of her friends going off grounds to Hogsmeade."

"You lot did the same thing," Lily pointed out. "Drinking at the Three Broomsticks on weeknights if I remember correctly."

"This is different," James insisted. "Right before we left, Rosmerta mentioned to me that Maddie had been taking a room some nights or using the floor connection there other times."

Lily's brows knitted together and James sighed, crossing his arms.

"Ever since we've been home for break, she's gone all day," he added. "Comes back late at night and refuses to tell me where she's been."

"I imagine she's just seeing her friends and going out," Lily replied. "Probably doesn't want you to know."

"Spending all night with them in a room at Hogsmeade," James responded with a grimace. "Something doesn't add up."

Lily bit her tongue, knowing that there was definitely another reason Maddie was checking into the Three Broomsticks and flooing out.

"Look she's just a kid and I'm worried about her," James sighed. "Can you help me find out what she's up to? I'll pay double your usual."

Lily hesitated, holding his eyes and seeing the worry there. She'd planned to avoid James all break and continue that avoidance into the school year. But she couldn't just abandon him, especially not when he was asking for help with Marlene's little sister.

"No payment needed… I always liked Maddie," Lily said, managing to nod at him. "I'll help you."

"Great," James said, his face relaxing. "So when do we start the sleuthing."

Lily scowled at him, walking towards the entrance of the book store.

"We don't do anything," she clarified. "I'll tail Maddie and report to you what she's up to."

"No," James said. "I'll join you."

"I work best alone,' Lily said with a forced smile. She stopped as James raised his arm to the bookshelf to her left, caging her in.

"I'll join," he repeated firmly. Lily opened her mouth, prepared to argue with him. But she saw the resolution set in James's jaw and knew there was no way she'd be able to convince him.

"Fine," she sighed. "But we're doing this my way— no mischief unmanaged crap comes near this case."

James's lips twitched up.

"It's mischief managed."

The following day, Lily met James outside of the McKinnon family townhouse. The McKinnons, like many of the other rich pureblood families, had a London residence tucked away in between muggle townhouses. The McKinnon's family home was in Mayfair, just a short tube ride from Petunia's flat in Piccadilly.

Lily stood outside the grand white-painted houses, watching dogs playing in the nearby park. She hadn't been inside Marlene's home in nearly a year, having spent some holidays with the McKinnon family. James lived with them, on account of Marlene's parents taking him in after his parents died.

"Alright Evans?"

She turned, seeing that James had emerged from the townhouse, wearing a colorful scarf with a mishappen stag knit into it.

"Big fan of woodland creatures?" Lily asked, leaning up from the post to walk over to him.

"Frida made it for me," he replied. waving the scarf ends at her. "I think it's rather swishy."

Lily rolled her eyes before glancing up at the townhouse.

"Maddie's still in there?" she asked. It was early enough in the morning that most people were just starting their day.

"Yes," he replied, stuffing his hands into his coat pockets. "Got in at 3 am last night."

"Right," Lily said. "We'll stakeout and trail her."

"Won't Maddie notice the two of us?" James pointed out.

"Hadn't thought of that," Lily said sarcastically, pulling two vials from her purse. "Here."

"What's in it?"

"Polyjuice potion," she replied. "Nicked my sister and her boyfriend's hair."

James made a face.

"You realize that we can use magic," he said.

"We're not of age yet," Lily pointed out. James chuckled, gesturing to the street.

"There are seven wizarding families on this street," he mentioned. "No one's going to be able to trace a few hair change charms to you or me."

Lily's mouth fell open and she took that information in. She'd recalled Marlene and James using magic during breaks, assuming that it was fine within the McKinnon parents so close by. But she didn't know how lenient the rules really were for pureblood families.

"It's like no rules apply to your lot," Lily replied dryly, following James into a nearby alley. He changed his hair to a tame blonde and altered his face. Lily copied him, making her hair brown and her eyes brown as well. "You know I got a notice from the ministry for accidentally using magic my third year during the summer."

"De minimus non curat lex," James replied. "The law doesn't care for the smallest things."

"Pick up Latin in your free time?"

He rolled his eyes, looking at her.

"You make a shite brunette," James noted. "No... My mum made me learn it when I was a kid— thought it'd make it easier for me to learn spells."

Lily was surprised he mentioned his mother, having never really heard James speak of his parents. She didn't even know how his parents died.

After sitting on a park bench facing the McKinnon house for an hour, Lily could tell James was growing antsy.

"This is bloody boring," he grumbled.

"What did you think a stakeout would entail?" Lily asked in amusement, watching as he petulantly crossed his arms.

"The way people speak about what you do makes it seem more exciting than this," he explained. "I was expecting some type of chase and duel."

Lily laughed lightly, blinking as light snow fell around them.

"Sorry to let you down," Lily replied, shivering as a harsh wind blew to them. "I'm a lot more boring than I let on."

She could feel James glancing at her. Suddenly he brought his scarf around her neck.

"You're cold," he said gruffly. Lily paused at the kind gesture, feeling her cheeks flush a bit as James looped one side over her shoulder.

"Thanks," she murmured. "There she is."

Lily watched as Maddie emerged from the McKinnon's tucked away house, wearing a stylish coat and with her hair done perfectly.

"Time for the exciting stuff," she said, rising. She and James followed Maddie to Diagon Alley, staying a good deal behind the girl as she gandered at clothing in Glad Rags and met up with friends in Florean's.

"Think we're being too obvious?" James asked.

"No," Lily said, distractedly poking at the sundae they'd ordered to sit down.

"She's been looking over at us," James said in a low voice.

"Just pretend you're on a date," Lily replied, her eyes darting over to Maddie who was laughing at something Amelia Bones was saying. She was suddenly distracted, James sliding into the booth seat next to her. "What are you doing?"

"If this were a date I wouldn't sit across from you," he explained, bringing his hand over hers and locking their fingers together.

"I'm left-handed," Lily said dryly, suddenly distracted by the feeling of James's thumb brushing over hers.

"I know," he said, bringing a spoonful of the sundae to her lips with his left hand. "I am too."

"Are you really?" Lily asked, ignoring the spoon raised to her face. James looked at it and she indulged him, taking the ice cream into her mouth.

"Yep," he said, popping the p at the end of the word. James moved closer to her, and Lily's breath hitched. No one could recognize them with their disguises, but behind James's changed eye color she could see the warmth and excitement she'd always associated with him. "I wouldn't take you to Florean's either."

"What?" Lily asked in confusion.

"If this were a date," he explained. "I'd take you somewhere a lot more exciting."

Lily rolled her eyes at his grand claim.

"Like what?" she asked, glancing over at Maddie and her friends. The group was paying. Before James could answer, she grabbed her purse. "We should beat them out."

Trailing Maddie that day led to no new leads, with the girl returning home in the afternoon.

"She might go out tonight," Lily said, catching James's frustrated expression as they returned to Mayfair.

"Doubtful," James replied. "Mark's returning from a work trip tonight. Family dinner and all."

"Right— We can try again tomorrow night," Lily replied, moving to remove the scarf. "Thanks for this."

James nodded, taking it back and tossing Lily a light smile.

"It looks better on you," he said, before stuffing his hands in his pocket. "Where do you live?"

"Piccadilly," Lily replied. "Why?"

"Let me take you home," James insisted. Lily laughed.

"It's just a fifteen-minute tube ride," she said. "I'll be fine."

James frowned, running a hand through his hair that was quickly darkening to its original inky color.

"It's dark and you just moved to London," he said, his tone serious. Lily looked at him, catching the intensity in his gaze from the bright street light. She wondered why James was being particularly considerate to her, borderline friendly even. "Seriously Lily, I won't be able to sleep. I'll be up all night wondering if someone snatched you off the street."

James Potter was beloved at Hogwarts, considered a ringleader for the Marauders. He was charismatic and charming with the student body and he was intimately endearing to his friends. Lily had only witnessed this type of behavior directed to the Marauders and Marlene but never her. James's sudden display of chivalry was a far cry from him peeling out of rooms she'd entered during their previous years.

"No one will want to kidnap me. I'm much too annoying," Lily joked. But James didn't budge, crossing his arms and looking at her intensely. "Do you even know how to ride the tube?"

James smirked at her.

"How do you think Sirius and I know about so much muggle liquor?" he chuckled. "We've been going out in London since fourth year."

Lily sighed, begrudgingly walking with James to the tube station. As they stood shoulder-to-shoulder next to each other on the warm tube, Lily looked up to catch James watching her.

"What?"

"I thought you lived out in the country," he explained. "Mark used to have to connect your fireplace to the floo network when you came by the McKinnon's."

"I moved," Lily replied. "At the beginning of July."

"Why?" James pressed. Lily looked down, swallowing.

"London's more convenient," she said vaguely. Luckily, James dropped the subject and they exited the tube, taking the lift up to the street floor. He walked her to Petunia's apartment and Lily noticed James looking around at the drunk college students caroling and singing in the street.

"Here's good," Lily said, suddenly turning before they could reach Petunia's building.

"Frida raised me to walk a girl to her door," James returned stubbornly. Lily bit back a noise of agitation when they finally reached Petunia's building.

"Thanks for walking me," she said quickly, bringing the spare key out of her purse. "Do you know how to get back to the station?"

"I've got a good memory," James said, his eyes darting around the building. "Not going to invite me in for tea?"

Lily blanched at the idea of bringing James Potter, pureblood wizard extraordinaire, to meet her magic-hating sister.

"Not tonight," she said, with a soft smile, finally opening the door and leaving him.

It turns out that the secret life of a wizarding teenager was rather drab. Lily and James trailed Maddie for another day, both in new disguises. Lily had laughed at the sight of James with red hair, the same shade as hers usually was.

"Here's one of Maddie's old papers," James said, handing it to Lily. "I dunno why you needed it."

"Like to see what the fifth years are studying," Lily replied, stuffing it into her purse. She and James spent the day watching Maddie and her friends enter a muggle grocery store. While Maddie's friends made a beeline for the liquor aisle, Maddie went over to the magazines.

"Watch and learn," she said, leaving James and approaching Maddie. "Oh my goodness I just love that jumper!"

Maddie looked over, her beautiful bored face betraying no emotion as she looked at Lily in her disguise.

"Thanks," she said, looking back to her magazine.

"Where'd ya get it?" Lily asked. Maddie looked over at her.

"I dunno," she said. "It was my sister's."

Lily nodded, brushing off the shock as she recognized Maddie's green jumper. She'd seen the same one on Marlene ages ago. She glanced at the magazine and saw that Maddie was reading a story about a muggle celebrity couple breaking up.

"Oh it's such a shame," she declared. "I can't believe he was cheating on her. I don't know what I'd do if my boyfriend did that to me. What about you?"

"Excuse me?" Maddie said, looking at Lily like she was deranged.

"What would you do if your boyfriend cheated on you," Lily pressed. Maddie scoffed, shutting the magazine.

"He would never," Maddie insisted. Before Lily could press for more information, she felt someone's arm come around her.

"Babe, what are you doing?" James asked, his voice comically deeper now. Lily bit back a laugh at his voice.

"Just chatting," she replied, squeezing his hand almost painfully and watching James hold back a wince. She extended an arm to Maddie. "I'm Harriet and this is my boyfriend."

Maddie took her hand reluctantly.

"Maddie," she replied, before looking up at James. "What's your name."

"Oh er," James said. Lily felt his hand move up and knew he was about to run it through his hair so she held it tightly, afraid that Maddie would recognize the gesture. "It's Harry."

Maddie snorted.

"Harriet and Harry?"

Lily smiled widely at her.

"Serendipity am I right?" she laughed. "What's your boyfriend's name?"

Before Maddie could answer, one of her friends called for her and she slinked off with no further word. Lily exhaled sharply, whirling around on James.

"Harriet and Harry," she repeated. He held his hands up in mock surrender.

"Harry's a respectable name," he puffed. "Why'd you even approach her?"

"To get information," Lily said in a low voice. "Maddie doesn't have a boyfriend right?"

"No," James said with a frown. "I'd make sure to talk to anyone considering taking her out."

Lily rolled her eyes, feeling her lips quirk up.

"She mentioned a boyfriend," Lily explained. "I'd put my money on Maddie's late-night rendezvouses being romantic ones."

"Why would she leave the castle to see this bloke?" James asked with a frown. Lily looked at him with a shrug.

"I guess we'll need to find out who she's seeing."

She and James followed Maddie and her friends out. The girls purchased alcohol with fake muggle IDs before walking to the Bones' house. Lily and James waited outside before trailing them as they arrived at the Diggorys' townhouse where Amos was clearly having a massive party.

"Should we go in?" James asked.

"Don't you remember?" Lily said with a laugh. "Not really my crowd anymore."

James frowned and she shook her head.

"Look I've got dinner with my sister and her boyfriend tonight," she added. "You go without me. See if you get any leads."

She left before James could protest or insist on walking her home again. That night she took out Maddie's old essay, using it to match Maddie's scrawl. She wrote to Madam Rosmerta, asking for a confirmation on her upcoming reservation. Lily's owl returned before the end of the night with a note back from the owner of the Three Broomsticks that Maddie's reservation for the following night was still confirmed.

AN: I hope all of you had a great holiday! The reviews for Chapter 9 were just so kind! Guest: Yes, I'm going to try to outline it in the next chapter but essentially, Marlene's mother is a step-sibling to James's father and Caradoc's mother, who were both blood siblings, creating the interconnected nature of their family. Daily1Tunes: While physically together, Lily and James are not emotionally together yet. Lily's not the type of person to forgive and forget and that will cause several bumps in the road for them. Guest: Your review about feeling the same excitement they felt when little from these updates really blew me away! I am so thankful you feel that way. Lali.M.D. Yes! That story was a favorite of mine but was taken down ages ago. GirlfromN: More information to come on Marlene's baby daddy in the next few chapters! Emilia: In some ways Alice is Meg but she's also her own character. TiffanyToms: I'm just as excited that they finally kissed :) PB: Honestly the drama is really entertaining to write! Guest: What would friendship be without a Pre-Samhain ritual ;) Guest: Your reviews always delight me! Thanks for the kind thoughts on how I've fleshed out the story. Remus's coldness will be revealed in coming chapters.

In other news, just started watching Bridgertons on Netflix and highly recommend! I'm super excited to start getting the Christmas chapters out and write more about Lily sleuthing alongside the one and only James Potter. Thanks for all of the fantastic reviews! More information about the Marauders and Marlene to come in the next chapter. As well as more Jily of course!

R&R