Lily Evans hated him. How could Petunia do this to her! With three weeks to go before Christmas break.

She wanted revenge. Vernon Dursley deserved it. After all the things he had said to her. The summer holidays had been horrible, especially when Petunia realised that Severus was not going to visit, which given they were no longer talking after he cursed at her during their fifth year was not a surprise, though Petunia didn't know that, so clearly she thought they would make up as the pair of them had been completely inseparable since before leaving for Hogwarts. Her sister taunted her. Bragging about her boyfriend once again, about how well he was doing at work. This summer Lily had to smile politely after being finally introduced to him.

Vernon Dursely was dull and boring and worst off completely normal.

He laughed at her. Just because she wanted to go into Healing - though she a doctor in front of him. Petunia had made it very clear that he didn't know anything about her - or Hogwarts. What was so wrong with wanting to be a healer. Oh, Vernon thought a women's place was sitting at home.

Like she would ever be able to do that.

The matter at hand was that she was fuming. Vernon was coming for Christmas. He had proposed. And Petunia had stupidly said yes! How could she do this to her? Marry a man like that. Lily didn't understand it all. She remembered every painful detail of her sister's letter.

And bring someone with you.

Only because their mother had probably told her to let Lily have a friend join. Like she wouldn't have a boyfriend. Lily's hand tightened into a fist. Severus would have shut him down with his sharp wit. But Lily didn't have his friendship or wit to help her anymore.

She wanted to put Vernon Dursely in his damn place. Lily was no fool. She needed revenge.

What she needed was something she could get away with, something that Petunia couldn't pin on her. She needed to have a look of innocence and ignorance because she was terrible at lying. She needed to be someone who had charm, the ability to be able to get away with anything because they had been doing it for years. She needed a prank. She relished to herself. All the years she had been at the end of harmless pranks that annoyed her to no end. Oh, the irony of it all.

She knew who exactly could provide the resources.

The exact person she needed entered the Gryffindor common room. Looking completely windswept from his Quidditch practice. Oh yes, he would do. He was perfect in fact. Petunia and Dursley wouldn't see him coming.

"Potter!"

He blinked at her owlishly. She had never used his name with the tone of excitement before. She couldn't blame his slightly shocked state. His eyes narrowed in question.

"I need a favour."

"I'm not swapping shifts with you Evans. I'm shattered."

James Potter did look tired, Lily shook her head at him. They had only swap shifts once because he had forgotten he needed to be on the pitch for practice at the time he was scheduled down for a patrol. So it was a safe bet for him to think she wanted a return.

Feeling completely gleeful with herself, Lily blurted out. "I need you to spend the Christmas holidays with me. Well at least until Christmas Eve." This was too damn perfect. Lily ignored the silence of the common room, students, now very interested in where this conversation was going, and Sirius Black's mouth agape with utter shock. Potter was usually the one who blurted out date proposals.

So maybe there was a flaw in her sheer brilliant plan. Potter could say no. But she doubted that very much, not with the way his lips were curling into a smirk.

"What's it worth Evans?"

I just need you to be that charming dashing self, that basically can get away with murder if you wanted to. Lily thought though she would not tell him that, she needed Potter to pull the pranks of his own accord. And Potter was usually up to something, lately Lily had been letting that something slide.

"I know you're planning something. Something big. Something to do with the end of our last year," Lily said, "So you've got a one-time pass, a free pass. I'm not allowed to ask questions. Won't get you into trouble pass. To let you get away with that something. That's what it's worth."

Sirius splattered. "Fuck!"

James Potter was clearly thinking the same thing. He turned to Sirius and Remus. "Pads alright to stay with you?"

"Anytime!"

"Alright Evans, you're on. I'm holding you to that pass."

"If you want that pass, you're going to do exactly as I say. And you best call me Lily whilst staying with my family." Lily held her hand out for him to shake. Which he did.

"See you later boys. I've got a letter I need to finish."

Prepare the spare room, I'm bringing a boy home. His name is James. See you soon.