A/N I want to say, that since not everyone believes in God--I'm keeping away from the subject of Christmas celebrating Jesus' birth. So, that might explain this chapter omitting that.
Also, for those who saw--that last chapter really did a funny thing didn't it? It the lyrics?? I didn't notice for a while...Oops.
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Mr. Grinch
James Vs. Christmas. Will James Potter Finally Get In the Christmas Spirit?
By
Sierra Sitruc
Just hear those sleigh
bells jingling
Ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
And friends are calling "You Hoo"
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap let's go
Let's look at the show
We're riding in a wonderland of snow
Giddy-yap giddy-yap giddy-yap it's grand
Just holding your hand
We're gliding along with the song
Of a wintry fairy land
Our cheeks are nice and rosy
And comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together like two
Birds of a feather would be
Let's take the road before us
And sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
For a sleigh ride together with you
Chapter 7
6 Days Until Christmas
Lily's alarms she'd decided to set up the night before, did not keep the love sick boy away it seemed, because that morning Lily felt even more violated to find that she was floating on the lake in her bed, with seven swans swimming around her.
"How'd he get me out here?" Lily wondered, it also occurred to her, that it seemed a warming charm had been cast around her, because the cold air didn't bother her at all.
She would have felt enraged, had she not seen the gold painted lily flower, sitting beside her pillow. "Aww," she couldn't help saying as she picked it up, feeling suddenly light and giddy.
"How sweet. Now... How do I get back to shore? And while I'm thinking of that...How do I get my bed back to my dorm?" The lily the mystery boy had given her, made her feel less disturbed by the fact that she and her bed had been carried all the way down to the lake--or as it was more likely--floated down to the lake by magic.
"I'll give him an 'A' for creativity," she muttered, as she let her fingers trail lazily in the lake--surprised to find the water was warm. The mystery boy had taken every precaution it seemed. It also explained why the ice on the lake had disappeared. "Now I don't feel so sorry for the swans." As long as no one was freezing she didn't mind waking up on the lake.
She waited for an hour before she noticed a small group of students walking towards her, they were unidentified until one called out. "LILY!?" It was the three remaining Marauders. Lily waved.
They managed to charm her back toward them, she floated along. Simply sitting cross legged, the swans following along behind her.
"Lily, I'm not even going to ask why you're out there." Sirius said, shaking his head in dismay.
"It's a good thing James woke us up early, or who knows how long you'd be stuck out here!" Remus exclaimed, and James smiled weakly, looking a bit uncomfortable.
"Come on, Lily," he said, giving her a hand off her bed. "I think I can transfigure your bed into a small toy one--then we can carry it up to your room again." He said thoughtfully.
"What about the swans?" Lily asked.
"What have you been doing with all the other birds?" James questioned back.
"Giving them to McGonagall for future classes to transfigure," Lily said sheepishly.
"Just give them to her--she'll understand," James advised her.
"Right."
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"I can't believe Dumbledore arranged this!" Lily cried, very excited, running about towards her destination through the snow on the Hogwarts grounds.
James, Sirius and Remus lagged behind her. "Yeah, I can't believe it either," James muttered.
"Oh! Don't be silly! Even YOU have to like sleigh rides!" Lily said, waiting for them to catch up. "Maybe it will even get you...In the Christmas Spirit!"
"How exactly do you define Christmas Spirit, anyway?" James asked her, as he caught up to her. Lily linked arms with him.
"Christmas Spirit?" Lily repeated, the question seemed difficult--but then she found an answer. "I guess it's actually just--simply feeling Christmas all around you- in the air, in the snow, in the voices of little kids, in-" she giggled, twirling around, "-Santa Claus!"
"But how do you know when you've felt it?" James asked.
"How do you know when you're happy?" Lily pointed out.
James was quiet a moment, looking pensive. "Well, I see what you're saying--but how will I know if I feel it anyway? Christmas is just a bunch of stuff going on to me. I mean--there's decorations, presents, annoying singing... How is there a feeling from that?"
"You'll know James. 'Christmas' is just the label. It's... I think what it really is--is just enjoying the Christmas time and for the moment there is so much love and caring around you--and fun--it's what Christmas brings, Christmas doesn't just bring decorations, singing and presents--it's the time where you celebrate being loved and having friends and family. It slows everyone down long enough to take the time to bother with family..." Lily paused, thinking of her own family. "Or friends," She added hastily, also recalling James' family had passed away.
"So--Christmas is just the time where we celebrate things we've had all year?" James asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"Yes, it's--giving all those things a special time of year to really flourish." Lily explained.
"What things were these again?"
"Love, family, friends--kindness..." Lily listed. "All the good things in life that we don't always see too much."
"Wow," James breathed.
"What?" Lily asked, turning her head towards him.
"I don't know--but that was just...Never mind."
"James Potter--did you--?" Lily started to ask.
"No. It was just--" James started blushing deeply. "You looked--really beautiful just then. I mean--you were so passionate about it."
Lily's eyes widened and she felt a blush sinking into her cheeks. "Um...Yeah, you know I can't help it," Lily mumbled.
They were quiet for the moment. "So... sleigh rides, huh?" James asked awkwardly. "Did I tell you I fell off one once and broke my arm?"
"You did!? Oh no wonder you don't seem to enthusiastic about it!" Lily laughed, the awkward moment completely forgotten.
Lily had been oh-so-excited when she found out they were going to get sleigh rides around Hogsmeade. It was an afternoon thing, and they'd be back after dark. They were going to look at Hogsmeade's Christmas lights--they had a muggle like thing where they set up all sorts of fancy magical lighting displays.
James and Lily chatted until they got to the spot where the horseless sleighs awaited them. They were different from the ones they took to Hogwarts from the train stop at the beginning of the year. These were smaller--two people to each sleigh.
"James, I claim you as my sleigh partner!" Lily giggled, grabbing his hand and finding one of the numerous sleighs to ride in. James all the while rolling his eyes and grinning.
Remus and Sirius looked highly uncomfortable for a moment, discovering they were going to be riding in a sleigh together--it made them feel like they were--dating or something. (A/N *chants* I won't slash them...I won't slash them...I won't slash them...) That was until they were saved by two cute Ravenclaw girls, who they paired off with instead.
"No offense Sirius," Remus whispered, "But I'd rather hang around a pretty girl then you any day."
Sirius chuckled and whispered back, "None taken, and you aren't much in comparison to a pretty girl either." With that the two jumped into their sleighs.
Lily laughed as she watched the two converse. "Your friends are funny, Potter." She said to him.
"I know--I've been teaching them for years," James said nonchalantly.
Lily snorted, "Really? I would have thought they'd taught you!"
"Hey! I'm way funnier then they are!" James said, pretending to be insulted.
"Oh, shut up, you know I'm kidding. You are all on the same funny level." Lily said, waving it off.
"I'll take that as a compliment then." James said haughtily. "Though, maybe I shouldn't..."
"James--just drop it," Lily said, trying to be stern, but a few giggles escaped her.
"You are too happy," James said, shaking his head.
"Too happy?" Lily was about to say more, but the sleigh took off and interrupted her train of thought. The sleighs got them to Hogsmeade in no time, and it slowed down on the snow covered streets of the village so they could all take in the view.
It was a tight fit in the sleigh with all their thick cloaks and winter apparel. Lily tried not to feel uncomfortable being that close to James, but it was hard--especially when he decided to put his arm around her. Lily felt her cheeks heating up and kept her eyes glued ahead. When she did finally manage a glance at James she caught him blushing as well.
The Hogsmeade Lights were beautiful, there were fairies and sprites everywhere lighting up the place. House elves handed out candy and several drunken dwarves dressed up as Santa's elves and serenaded them with songs.
"This is so much fun!" Lily laughed, throwing her head back. James however did not seem to share her opinion, he looked rather miserable, his head resting on his hand--staring into space. "James? Perk up a bit why don't you! This might be your last happy time 'til New Years!"
"I'm worried something awful will happen to me if I start to enjoy myself," James told her.
Lily snorted disbelievingly. "Really James--nothing's going to happen."
"How do you know that, might I ask?" James inquired.
"I'm here, and as long as I'm here--you won't break your arm, or something crazy like that," Lily told him fake comfortingly, as she patted his mass of messy hair.
"I feel so safe," James said sarcastically.
"I thought you would," Lily said, then she burst out, "Oh, bloody hell! Look-y there!" She pointed behind them, she and James scrambled up on their knees to watch. "I can't believe it! Willa Watson and Davy Gudgeon! The most popular girl and boy in school--are snogging like bunnies!"
"Technically," James said thoughtfully, "Bunnies can't snog."
"True, but still--I thought they hated each other!" Lily said, trying to digest what she'd seen in the sleigh behind them. "Um, I'm turning around now--this is getting past the rating of PG."
"Huh? PG?" James asked clueless.
"Muggles rate movies. PG-Parental Guidance recommended, and don't ask me to explain." Lily decided to avoid questioning she should steer clear of that subject. "Can you believe it though--I didn't see it coming! Willa and Davy!"
"Well, some people are really good at hiding their inter feelings." James said, as he and Lily found a comfortable position against each other.
"True, I think...Some people don't know what they feel--and they just keep it inside when they're confused about it," Lily said contemplatively.
"Or maybe, they did know what they felt--but were unsure of what the other felt, and so they kept quiet and put on this crazy facade of hating one another to keep it a secret. Maybe Davy teased Willa like he did, so she wouldn't catch on that he--loved her or something," James said musingly.
Lily stared at him, "James--that was..."
"Stupid?" James offered, with a lopsided grin.
"No, sweet." Lily said, giving him a shy smile back. "Now--changing the subject--did you just see that candy cane!? It was REAL and it was like--8 feet tall." Lily and James leaned over to the right and stared.
"Ugh, look how many people are licking it at once! That thing has to be--40 centimeters wide!" James exclaimed. "Bloody muddy hell!"
"Muddy?" Lily giggled.
"It was something Sirius made up..." James said sheepishly.
Lily took one last look at the biggest candy cane she'd ever seen in her life and settle back down, leaning against James and he awkwardly put his arm around her.
They continued to observe the lights for about an hour, before the sleighs turned around and took them back to the school.
"That was so wonderful," Lily said, as James gave her a hand down to step out of the sleigh.
"It was okay," James said with a shrug. "But I think the candy cane was the highlight of the whole event."
"You know what? I think you're right. That brilliant--not hard to do--but brilliant. I found it ever so funny." Lily said, smiling at the memory.
They grouped up with those from their house, and headed back to Gryffindor Tower all of them talking excitedly about everything they'd seen. Remus and Sirius agreed that it was 'okay', and James said, 'it was an inch from torture', though it might have been exaggeration.
"James, can I ask you something?" Lily asked, coming up beside him.
"Yeah?"
"Would you help me out?"
"With what?" James asked.
"Well...You know, I've been getting strange presents...And tomorrow--if all follows the same pattern. I'm going to wake up with eight maids, and that means eight cows. In my dorm." Lily told him. "And what I need from you...is to--well--set up some charms to catch them in action. I want to know who it is."
"Sure I'll help."
"Thanks! I really owe you one..."
"Don't even mention it." James said.
They both went to work, once back at the tower, casting all sorts of alarms that would go off when someone passed. They also added some protection charms against bad smells. If cows did get into her dorm, she didn't want to have them stench it up.
Lily thanked James as he was leaving. "It wasn't a problem."
"Yeah, but it was still very sweet of you." James looked a bit embarrassed. "You've been awfully quiet for a while, are you feeling okay?"
"Uh huh, I'm fine. Good night Lily."
"Night James."
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A/N This chapter had more Christmas stuff then the last, so that's a good up point. I don't like this chapter though--it's awful!! Argh! I can never make things the way I want--but, there were hints of L/J you just have to take a look, no I didn't go right out and TELL you and I didn't make it so obvious...But it's there. :-) Things are starting to get good.
Ok, if you want me to point it out--James and Lily were talking about the snogging couple behind them. Hmm, is that enough snogging to hold you off reviewers?? LOL.
I'm sorry if the ending sucked, but--well, I can't make it any better.
Today (December 12th) was supposed to be my real birthday, so enjoy Chapter 7!! While I try and convince the DMV I really am 15 by due date of birth...I always have been a late child...I just HAD To pick Christmas to show up on though...
THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS!! Honestly, when I got home from school after carrying boxes of heavy cookie dough everywhere, and I saw that I had gotten 190 reviews and had only asked for 175...I laughed and squealed a lot, typical teen reaction I guess. You have NO idea how much I appreciate it!
My current best story, has been in the slumps lately, so this really cheered me up. Yeah FWTE, as I know a lot of you read, is on break until I feel satisfied with the review amount and with chapter 21.
Chapter 8:
Well...I can't say too much on it, as it isn't planned out like the others, but--James gets gripey about Christmas, and will (as it is in process of being typed) probably have Lily find out why James hates Christmas...I think, but it's not a sure thing yet! I'm just going to let you wonder about the cows...Am I THAT crazy?? I'm not sure yet...
REVIEW! Only to 210, and I'll TRY and update, I might not have it finished and betaed yet, but I'll try and type as fast as possible, I've been rushing like a mad person to get this done, while doing tons of other things and being stressed out with school, so I think this is going AMAZINGLY well, normally it takes me forever to post...
REVIEW REVIEW! And be...Merry.
Merry Christmas Reviewers! I'd send you presents, but I'm poor!!
*~Sierra~*