Chapter VIII + Christmas Holidays



Maria stared at the announcement. It would be the Christmas vacations soon, and she could either go home or stay in Hogwarts.

She decided it would be safer to stay in Hogwarts. Her family could be in danger if she was home. Scribbling her name on the bottom of the list of people that are staying for Christmas, she then looked at the other people's names. James, Sirius, Remus and Lily's names were scribbled onto the parchment. But Lily Evans was crossed out into Lily Potter, then crossed again and wrote Lily Evans. That was probably Sirius's work.

There were also a few others who signed up, but Maria didn't know most of them. She was glad that she didn't find any Slytherins on that list. She did, but they were a bunch of first years. What could they do to her?

"I see you're amazed by the announcement or something." Maria looked up to find Alison grinning at her, holding her school bag.

"I'm staying in Hogwarts." Maria said, pointing to the list.

"So are the guys and Lily." Alison smiled. "James was suppose to come home but he didn't want to. My, you will have a very merry Christmas."

"Why aren't you staying?" Maria asked.

"I miss my family… and I need a break from them." Alison laughed. "I love Remus dearly, and the others too, but… I need a 'break' from them."

"That's too bad, if you stayed we would have fun." Maria said earnestly. Alison laughed again.

"Nah, but I promise to send you guys owls everyday." Alison said. "That is, if any of my brothers aren't hogging the family owl."

Maria smiled but she shifted uncomfortably. She felt a bit intimidated by Alison. It seemed that Alison had a perfect life. Perfect friends, perfect family… she was well liked by everyone.

"Have you seen Remus?" Alison asked, scanning the hallways. "I've been looking for him. He's always hiding!"

"Sorry, I haven't." Maria said apologetically. Alison nodded and sighed.

"Alright, I will see you later Maria. Gotta go…"

***

Maria walked quickly around the corner, trying her best to avoid two pairs of eyes watching her every move. She reached the portrait of the fat lady, and quickly whispered the password. The portrait swung open and she hurriedly walked in.

"Maria, what's wrong?" Remus asked in a concerned fashion. The common room was packed with 3rd and 4th years, but only Remus was there from their year.

"Malfoy… Snape…" Maria panted. She plopped down onto the couch to catch her breath. "They… they…" Maria took a deep breath. "They were following me!"

"Don't worry, you're safe in here!" Remus assured her. Maria looked so terrified, she was actually shivering and her teeth are chattering.

"Maria, it will be alright, you're safe here…" Remus repeated, touching her arm. Maria's face was scrunched into a worried expression. Remus hugged her tightly.

"Shh… Maria, it'll be fine… REALLY…" Remus said, rocking her. Maria began to let out small sobs.

"Remus, I'm so scared! What if they catch me and force me into joining them?" Maria wailed. "I'm putting my family into danger… " She wept.

"Sshh…" Remus continued, comforting her. He let her cry on his shoulder. His robes were beginning to soak wet now. "Maria, believe me. Everything's going to be alright. You have me here, and I'll protect you."

***

The Christmas Holidays have finally started. Maria snuggled in her cozy bed, not wanting to get out. It was so warm and cozy she could sleep until next year and wouldn't care.

"Maria, wake up." Some one whispered. "Maria… wake up!"

"Humph… " Maria answered, snuggling more deeper into her covers.

"Maria, wake up!!!" The person said exasperatingly. "Maria … Mariaaa…. Mareeeeee-aa!"

Eventually the person ended up singing a terrible version of "Maria Maria" by Santana.

"Maria mariaaaaa…. She reminds me of a west side storyyyyyyy…" The person sang. Maria finally woke up and found the laughing eyes of Sirius Black peering down at her.

"'Bout time." Sirius grunted. "I'm not very good in waking people up."

"Oh… I want to sleep!" Maria said, pulling back her covers over her body.

"You can't! It's CHRISTMAS DAY!" Sirius said gleefully.

"Oh! It is!" Maria screamed excitedly. Then she clasped a hand over her mouth. "Oh no, Lily's still asleep… wait, we should wake her up."

"No need to, my Fair Lady!" Sirius smiled. "I've got that handled."

"What do you mean, oh kind sir?" Maria asked, deciding to play along.

"Oh, You'll see. It's no prank, don't worry." Sirius said, after seeing Maria's expression. "But you won't know what it is until you go down to the common room, now."

"But I got to change!" Maria protested.

"No, you don't! I'm still in my boxers!" Sirius pointed out. He was wearing a white t-shirt and boxers. "So get up, now!"

"Okay2, " Maria answered. She eventually got up and covered her pajama pants and oversized t-shirt with a blue terry-cloth bathrobe. Sirius nodded and led her downstairs.

"Where's Evans?" James asked, obviously slightly annoyed. "We don't get to open her presents until she wakes up."

"Well, why don't you wake her up?" Sirius asked. "I heard her muttering your name, James, maybe you should go and check it out."

"What? Are you kidding me?" James asked, his cheeks blushed a slight crimson color. "I mean, …never mind…" James stuttered, walking up to the girl's dorm.

"He's so in love with her it's not funny." Remus said, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, James had finally reached the girl's dorm. He slowly opened the door, and found the bed marked 'Lily Evans'. Her bed was in the corner, and her space and bed was bigger than the others, probably because she was a Prefect. James's bed was in the corner, like hers.

James looked down at the girl under the covers. She was sleeping peacefully, her lips on her innocent face were curled up in to a slight smile, and her red hair was tucked neatly. She obviously looked adorable.

"Evans, wake up." James whispered. "Yoo hoo! Evans!"

Lily didn't move. James could only hear her breathe.

"Evans!" James said, touching her arm. "Evans, wake up! Evans! Li-Evan-"

"Oh James." Lily muttered. "Of course I'm ready."

James's eyes widen. Was she sleep-talking to James? A million of thoughts flew into James's mind.

"I love you too." Lily muttered again, her smile was now wider.

Now James wasn't ready for THAT. Logically, Lily was probably saying that to the dream-James. Even though it was only a dream, but… hello! Dreams mean something!

"Um, Evans! Wake up! Evans… its Christmas…" James said uncertainly, shaking her bed. Fortunately Lily woke up, blinking her green eyes, which was staring back at James.

"What are you doing here, Potter?" Lily asked lazily.

"Christmas Day. Presents." James explained. Lily's eyes widen with excitement and she ran down to the common room with nothing but her pajama shorts and sleeveless shirt.

"Christmas! YO HOO!" Lily yelled, running down the stairs. The others looked at her as if she was some psychotic killer and she grinned.

"Happy Christmas Everyone." She said, smiling sweetly. The others smiled back.

"Happy Christmas, Lily! James IS still alive right?" Maria asked.

"I'm right here." James said, jumping down from the last step of the stairs to the common room floor. "Present time!"





A/N: Um… in the previous chapter I said that the song Lily and James danced to in Lily's party was Ginuwine's Twisted. I WAS WRONG!! Hehe. It's Keith Sweat's Twisted. (Sorry, I get a bit messed up between 'em)

Whoa, is there something going on with Remus and Maria? Uh no…! Lily sleep talks… hehe. James is sorta shocked when he discovers that Lily has dreams about him. Woohh… .

*~*~*THANKS to all the reviewers…

to nanashi barton… Yeah, I'll add in a few more Chinese words for tha effect. Hehe, Um, I'm not Chinese, but I live in china and learn Chinese… so… yeah…

To Ld Vld and Alison Johnson: heyregey! So, jadi nih buat cerita pake yg laen? Hihi… Ri, kapan cerita loe muncul? ^^& I'll be waiting… p.S: Love you guys~ (k)

Thnx again to all da peeps who reviewed…