January 27th, 1977

It was what seemed like the coldest day in the history of winters. Most classes in school had even been canceled- all the plants in the greenhouse were frozen and withered up, and the magical creatures had all gone to hide from the cold.

Nobody dared to leave their common rooms unless they truly had to- a rumor had spread that anyone who even took a step outside would freeze. Even the ghosts avoided spending too much time outside. Most people spent the time catching up on their homework or sleeping in.

When James woke up that morning and realized what was going on, he went straight to the fireplace and took out his maroon book bag and set out all of his homework in front of him.

He had a lot to do.

He started writing his transfiguration essay, with a thick, crimson blanket on his shoulders. It was still cold, despite the roaring fire that was right in front of him.

After about three hours of work, he decided to take a break. He got up to see only how many people were sitting in the common room. Most of them had their wands standing upright with a small, cerulean flame coming out of it. The first years, who undoubtedly didn't know how to produce the flame, just wore thick coats or covered themselves with blankets or sat near an older student's wand and hoped it would be enough.

For a minute, he thought about how much more enjoyable it would be to be at the Three Broomsticks with his friends, drinking tall glasses of hot butterbeer…

Right now, drinking anything that was hot would be wonderful.

Barely had the wish formed in his head when a soft hand tapped his shoulder. He turned to see the one and only Lily Evans, with her warm smile, holding a milky-white mug that had an adorable picture of a snowman with a blue-and-green scarf. Inside the mug contained a strange liquid that had a deep shade of burnt sienna, with tiny marshmallows floating on top of it.

"You looked cold," she said quietly. "I made you hot chocolate,"

James raised an eyebrow. "Is that another Muggle thing?"

"Don't tell me you don't know what hot chocolate is. It's just- never mind. Just drink it. It's chocolatey. You'd like it,"

James stared at the drink for a couple more seconds before taking a small sip.

"Hmm. That is pretty good,"

"I know. It is,"

"You know, if we get married…"

"Don't," Lily said firmly, but while smiling, failing to contain a giggle.

James put his arm around Lily. "Your birthday is coming up, isn't it? You're going to be of age. Do you want something in particular?"

Lily gave James a sly grin.

"Surprise me,"