~*~ Christmas with the Potters ~*~
~Whispers in the trees
~Hear that
~Murmur on the breeze?
~Understand anything
~Can you
~See what it saying?
~Can't you see me
~Falling...
~Quietly...
~Lost...
~Alone...
~Birds whistling and sing
~See them
~Take to the wing?
~Don't you get it at all?
~Can't you
~Tell that I'm falling?
~And that I'm lost, and so alone.
~So alone.
Petunia came home the next day. And so began the fun.
Or not.
Joey had slept the night, which made it easier. Or should I say, stayed over. We never actually got to sleep. But in any case, Petunia would not let up. Quite frankly, I was almost wishing I was back at school, even if that did mean leaving Joey and mum and going back to Malfoy. Petunia was enough to drive anyone crazy. As far as she was concerned, I should have stayed at my freak school with all my freak friends. Or rather, the other freaks, because according to her it was impossible for me to make any friends. I had rather calmly pointed out that if that was so, how come Joey was staying over, but she pretended to ignore me.
Then there was mum. I was glad to see her and all, but when you had someone following you around trying to drill you with twenty questions twenty-four seven, it kind of got annoying. She had been rather put-out when I had told her we weren't allowed to do magic out of school, too. I was beginning to think that magic was maybe a curse. But then again, it had its uses. Since Petunia refused to speak to me, she was unaware of the fact that as an underage witch, I was forbidden to use magic, which meant she was extra careful to keep her distance in case I turned her into a toad.
But for the first time, I was starting to get sick of having Joey with me every hour of every day, which worried me a bit. Though I guess even your best friend gets irritating after awhile, despite the fact I hadn't seen her for three months.
Anyway, one way or another, I was thrilled when I received a phone call from Hilary about a week before Christmas. When mum had told me who it was, I had practically bolted upstairs to use the phone in the spare room.
'Oh my god, Hilary - you can not begin to imagine how much I have been praying you would ring.'
'Right back atcha, girl,' Hilary laughed. 'Sorry if you haven't been able to reach me, our phone line has been down because of the snow. It's about six feet deep down here.'
'You're joking,' I sighed enviously, peering sadly out the curtains at the very thin sheet of snow that covered our drive way. 'We've only had a centimeter or so. You're so lucky. I wish I was there.'
Without warning, Hilary gave a shrill scream.
'Er, are you OK?' I asked. 'What happened?'
'Hang on a sec, will you?' she asked distractedly. I heard her slightly cover the phone. 'James, go away! I'm trying to talk to Lily!'
I could just imagine the innocent grin that would be on James's face, what ever he was up to. I smiled to myself. Suddenly, I heard protesting, some laughing, then a voice sounded on the other end.
'Hello?'
'Yeah?' I asked.
'Oh, hello Lily,' came James's casual voice. I heard Hilary laughing in the background. 'James, give me the freaking phone, now!'
'Oh, I think she wants the phone back. I should go. Goodbye, Lily.' I laughed. 'Goodbye, James.'
There was an incoherent exchange before Hilary returned.
'He is so annoying!' Hilary exclaimed, but I could tell she was smiling. 'He put snow down my bloody shirt!'
I laughed.
'It is not funny!' Hilary retorted defensively, but I couldn't help myself. 'Want to swap?'
'Gladly. Believe me, Petunia is a lot worse than James could ever be.'
'Not possible,' Hilary said. 'Uh-uh. Nope. James is the worst.'
'If you say so.'
'I do. Anyway, James suddenly needs to desperately need the phone, so I have to hurry up. He's just doing it to annoy me, but -'
A very loud 'Am not!' sounded in the background, and Hilary sighed.
'As I was saying, mum wants to know if you want to come over for our Boxing Day dinner and stay for the week. She'd invite you for Christmas dinner, but we supposed you'd want to spend Christmas with your family.'
'Yeah. Thanks, I'll go ask. Hang on, OK?'
'Yep.'
I walked out to stand out on the landing.
'Oi, mum!' I yelled. Mum appeared at the foot of the stairs.
'What? Lily, don't yell.'
'Sorry. Can I go to Hilary's for Boxing Day and sleep the week? Please?'
'Who's Hilary?' she asked, running a towel over a mug. I'd obviously interrupted her cleaning dishes.
'One of my friends from school. Can I? Please?'
'Well, I suppose so,' she sighed. 'As long as you're here for Christmas dinner. Otherwise, what was the point in you coming home? Go on then.'
'Thank you so much!'
I grinned, and ran back into the spare room and snatched up the phone. 'Hello?' 'Hello.'
'Mum said it's cool. Are you picking me up?'
'Yeah. Um, hang on...' There was silence for a minute. 'James says he's coming around on his broom to pick you up.'
I laughed. 'Sorry to disappoint, James - but I'd rather not.'
'James says he's dead serious and you better wear some warm clothes.'
'Very funny, James,' I grinned into the phone.
'He's serious, Lily. He says he hopes you have been practicing, because you're driving back.' 'Hilary, I am not flying to your house on a broom.'
There was another moment of silence.
'Um, Lily... James wants to talk to you. Here he is.'
The phone crackled for a little, then James picked up.
'Hello Lily?'
'Hello, James,' I sighed.
'I'm serious, you know.'
'So am I. I am not flying to your house on a broom.'
'Well, I guess you can't come then - because it's the only way you can get here.' 'What do you mean?'
'Well, we can't disapparate yet, so you can't apparate here. I'm presuming your fireplace isn't connected to the Floo Network, so you can't floo. And,' he continued, his voice smug, 'our house is snowed in. Therefore there is no way of you reaching us. Unless you fly.'
'We'll be seen,' I pointed out. Muggles weren't stupid. They would notice a flying broom zooming across the sky.
'I have all your bases covered, Lily Evans. You're forgetting my cloak. There's no way out of this,' he laughed. 'And whether you like it or not, I'm coming over on Friday. And when I leave, I'm taking you with me.'
'Kidnapper.'
'Call it what you like, Miss Evans. You're not stopping me.'
'You know I hate flying,' I protested.
'Exactly, which is why this will be good for you. Come on, Lily. It won't be any different to the two of us flying on the Quidditch pitch.'
'Of course not, James - there's absolutely nothing different about the fact it's a blizzard out near your house! It's snowing here, too. We'll freeze for god's sake.'
'Lily, stop making excuses,' James's voice said, gentle but firm. 'I am going to give the phone back to Hilary now. I will see you on Friday. Goodbye.'
'Hilary, please tell me he's not,' I whined when she returned to the phone.
'Sorry, Lillers. He's dead set on doing it,' she laughed. 'Oh Lily, the irony of it all.'
'It's not funny,' I complained, but I was actually trying desperately not to laugh. When James got an idea in his head...
'It is. And oh,' she said, dropping her voice, 'nothing about you being a muggle born, OK? My dad will flip. I've told him you're an orphan, and you just live with muggle guardians, OK? I hope you don't mind.'
I sighed. I couldn't believe someone could be so dead-set against muggle borns.
'Yeah, it's fine. I understand. I'll be really careful.'
'Thanks. I'll see you on Friday, OK? Oh, and you don't really need to bring anything. Just your toothbrush and stuff, you know - essentials. You won't need any clothes. Grr, James is bugging me about the phone - I gotta go.'
'Yeah, that's cool. See you on Friday. And, James too, I guess...'
Hilary laughed. 'You'll be fine, Lily. If you fall, I will personally kill him.'
'That's good to know,' I laughed. 'See you.'
'Bye.'
I hung up the phone with a click, then went back downstairs, only to be met halfway by Petunia.
'Was that your school, saying there's been a mistake, and you can't go back? What a shame.'
'Shut up, Petunia. Actually, it was one of my friends.'
'Ooh. I'm scared. You and your freaks, Lily. I don't care what you do at your school, but keep it there. Don't bring it home. It's abnormal enough just having you here,' she snapped, walking into her bedroom. I stood glaring at the door she had disappeared behind before continuing downstairs and yelling out to mum that I was going to Joey's. I really needed someone to talk to.
* * *
I opened my eyes groggily at the light pouring in through my window. Sighing, I sat up, rubbing them, pausing, then flopping back down on the pillow. After staring at the ceiling for a moment, I shot straight back up again. It was Christmas.
Grinning, I pulled myself out of bed, pulled on a dressing gown and slippers and padded downstairs. I peered around Petunia's door as I walked past her room and stifled a giggle when I saw her fast asleep, a cucumber on each eye and goo all over her face. It was quite an amusing sight.
Still musing inwardly, I resisted the temptation of attacking the tree and steered myself into the kitchen to have a glass of juice first. I couldn't help sneaking a look at the pile of presents on the way past, though.
Just as I was placing my glass on the sink, my mum came downstairs.
'Oh, Lily. You beat me again. I thought I was first up,' she smiled before kissing my hairline. 'Merry Christmas, honey.'
'Merry Christmas, mum.'
'Go and open your presents, if you like. I'm sure Petunia wouldn't mind.'
Understatement of the year. More like she wouldn't give two hoots.
'Thanks, mum. Are you coming?'
'I'll be in soon. I'm just going to make some tea.'
'OK.'
I padded into the family room, scuffing my slippered feet on the carpet. Sitting down next to the Christmas Tree, I smiled.
We didn't have much of a Christmas tree. Just a small, sturdy little thing that had remarkably survived a long time. I knew Christmas was a sad time for mum, but she always made an effort for us kids. Dad had passed away around Christmas. Well, at least Logan Evans had passed away. I had no clue where my father was.
I sat there for a moment, wondering. Did he have a family? Was he in his own kitchen, making a coffee before sitting down under the tree with his kids? Or was he one of those work-a-holics that didn't even take a break on Christmas Day?
'Lily, honey? Are you going to open some presents?'
'Huh? Oh, sure mum,' I said distractedly as I was jerked back to reality. My eyes wandered to the tree. A present from Bella was on top of the pile. Because of the absence of an owl in my household, I had given my friends their presents on the last day of school, telling them strictly not to open them, however I had the sneaking suspicion that Sirius couldn't help himself. My gifts from my friends had all arrived by owl in the past week.
I reached for Bella's, then changed my mind at the last minute when I saw my mother watching me, and grabbed the package from her instead. I carefully peeled back the paper, taking care to appreciate the effort she had put into wrapping it. Inside was a box. Mildly curious, I pulled off the lid. The box contained several items; a collar, brush, some toys, and animal treats. I slowly raised my gaze to meet my mother's.
'You're joking,' I said slowly.
'No,' she laughed and threw me the key to our outdoor room. 'Go have a look.'
Slowly, I stood up and walked outside, leaving deep footprints in the gradually growing carpet of snow. When I reached the door to the room, I paused for a moment before unlocking it.
Our outside room, or 'The Cottage', as we had deemed it, was really an empty room in our backyard that wasn't connected to our house. It was probably meant to be a shed, but believe me, it looked more like a room they had forgotten to join up to the main house. We didn't use it all that much, it was really just somewhere we put all the stuff there was no room for in the house. When we were little Joey and I used to play in there, but we had grown out of that a while ago.
The suspense was killing me. I turned the key, and threw the door open.
And was met by a pair of bright green eyes.
'Oh my gosh,' I breathed, crouching down. In case you hadn't guessed already, my mum had gotten me a kitten. And it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Apart from those green eyes, it had a lovely mixed coat of black, greys and white. I fell in love with it there and then.
'I take it you like him?' came my mum's voice from behind me, as she trooped across the snow covering our backyard to join me.
'I love him.' I grinned and threw my arms around her. 'Thank you so much! He's gorgeous! Where did you get him?'
'Diagon Alley, actually. He has some kind of magical power, apparently, but don't ask me what.'
'You went to Diagon Alley?' I laughed doubtfully.
'Actually, Mrs Mornington invited me out for a day. I felt inclined to accept,' she said lightly. I could tell we shared the same view of Mrs Mornington. 'Can I bring him inside?' I asked.
'Of course! He's only out here so you wouldn't see him, silly!' she laughed. 'His basket and dishes are over in the corner. Come on, I'll help you take them in.'
And so Christmas was a happy event in the Evans household. I got wonderful presents. Aside from my kitten, who I named Storm Shadow - the name of Merlin's cat, if you were wondering - I also received some gorgeous lily- shaped earrings from Bella, and an expensive looking silver and emerald charm bracelet from Hilary and James. I had also been sent a nice box of chocolates that were supposedly from Remus and Sirius, but I suspected Remus had organised it, knowing Sirius only too well. Had he have had anything to do it, half of the chocolates would probably have been eaten before they had reached me.
We had turkey for dinner, although the meal had been a bit uncomfortable. Everyone had pretty much sat there in silence. This was mostly because everytime mum would start a conversation with me, it would involve Hogwarts - since there wasn't much else to talk about, considering I had been there for the previous three months - and Petunia would quickly cut it off with a death glare. This occurred to the point where mum gave up altogether. Secondly, Petunia would answer any question mum asked her with the least amount of words possible, giving no room for any real conversation at all.
I felt sorry for mum, considering she had gone through so much effort for me and Petunia just to have it pretty well thrown back in her face. But it was still fun. After dinner we sat in the family room together, not really doing much, but just sitting there. I curled up in an armchair, Storm Shadow at my feet, while mum did some sewing and Petunia read a magazine.
I went up to bed at exactly eight thirty, Shadow hot on my heels. I smiled inwardly at that, he had become very loyal extremely quickly. He was - like his name suggested, I guess - practically my shadow, following me everywhere. When I had changed and jumped into bed, he had immediately taken up a post at the foot of my bed. I fell asleep very quickly, hardly able to wait until I got to the Potter's.
But I wasn't quite looking forward to flying there.
* * * Knock, knock.
'Petunia, do you want to get that?'
'Lily can. It's probably one of her freak friends. Bitch,' she added under her breath as I walked past her to grab the door. I pulled a sardonic cheery smile.
'Takes one to know one,' I said perkily. She glared back and stalked off into her room. Yes! Victory over the Ice Queen!
I pulled the door open, Shadow immediately at my feet. James Potter was standing on the doorstep. 'Good morning, my dear Lilian,' he grinned with a bow.
'Good morning, James. I wasn't expecting you so soon.'
He shrugged. 'So are we going to stand around all day, or are you going to invite me in sometime this year?' he asked. 'It is rather chilly out here.'
I hesitated a moment.
'James, you're a boy,' I pointed out. Always the clown, he began looking himself over.
'So I am. How terribly observant of you,' he said with a bright smile.
'So, my mum will get ideas.'
'I have that effect on people,' he said, pushing past me.
'James!' I hissed. But it was to late. He was already strolling down the hallway.
'Nice house,' he commented. I rolled my eyes and followed him.
Her walked into our lounge, where my mother was dusting.
'You must be Mrs Evans,' he said, offering his hand. 'James Potter. I'm a friend of Lily's from school.'
My mum lanced at me, and I gave her a warning look. She was obviously resisting the urge to smirk.
'Nice to meet you, James. But Lily, I thought you were going to a friend's house today?' 'I am,' I said quickly, before James could open his mouth. 'This is Hilary's brother. He's come to pick me up.'
My mum gave James a once-over.
'You drive? You can't be older than fourteen!'
'Twelve, actually,' he offered.
'Mum, James and I are going to... to, er, teleport to their house,' I invented. James raised his eyebrows at me, but I ignored him.
'Why didn't Hilary come to pick you up?'
I looked pleadingly at James, which he seemed to find amusing. Eventually, he threw me a lifeline.
'Teleporting isn't taught to first years, Mrs Evans. Hilary and Lily haven't learnt it yet.' I gave him a thankful look. Somehow I had the idea that my mother would probably find the idea of me flying on a broomstick through a snow storm less appealing than I ever would. 'James and I are going to go upstairs and get my things, and then we'll leave, OK?' I said.
'OK then. Come and say goodbye before you go.'
'I will.'
I grabbed James's sleeve and pulled him out of the room, grumbling the whole time. He grinned and called out a goodbye to my mum, laughing as I dragged him up the stairs.
'You are a jerk! Why couldn't you have just stayed outside? She didn't know you two were brother and sister! You will not believe what Joey has been saying about you, now she's going to think you're my boyfriend, James!'
'And that's a bad thing?' he grinned. I glared at him.
'Yes, because I know the minute I get home what's going to happen. Miss Overprotective is going to replace my mum.'
'Ooh. Going to get the boyfriend talk, huh? Don't do anything I wouldn't do... You know, that phrase is just wrong. I mean, for you to be here, they would have had to have done it. Therefore they're actually giving you permission to do it...'
'James, just shut up, OK?'
'Anything for you, Lily m'dear.'
I glared at him, but he only grinned back.
'You are the most arrogant, rude and obnoxious person I have ever met, Potter,' I sighed. 'But you love me anyway.'
'That's what you think,' I grumbled, throwing open the door to my room. James walked in and immediately flopped onto my bed.
'So this is your room?' he asked, bouncing up and down.
'James, get - off - the - bed,' I said slowly. He stopped bouncing immediately and stood up. 'Where's your stuff?'
'There,' I said, pointing to a backpack that I had surprisingly fit all my things into. He waltzed over and picked it up.
'Where's the broom?' I asked warily.
'Leaning against a wall outside. Come on. Is this it?'
I nodded, so we walked back downstairs. I poked my head around the doorway into the lounge.
'I'm going now, mum.' 'OK, see you honey. I hope you have a nice time,' she smiled, turning her neck around.
'I will.'
'See you on Saturday. Goodbye, James. Look after yourselves,' she added, looking over at James. He smiled and gave a wave. 'See you, Mrs Evans. I hope you had a lovely Christmas.'
'I did. Thank you, James. Goodbye!'
'Bye.'
I pushed James out the door, then shut it. It wasn't snowing at that moment, but there was still a white sheet covering the ground.
'Don't encourage my mother.'
'What? She thinks I'm charming.'
'How do you know?'
'Everybody does.'
I rolled my eyes.
'Terribly modest, aren't you?'
'Of course,' he replied. He was walking around the side of the house, so I followed him. Around the side, as he had said, was a broom resting against the wall. It also seemed to be pinning the invisibility cloak to the ground. He picked them both up, and threw me the cloak. Then he rested the broom on the ground.
'Here,' he said, taking the cloak back. 'You do it.'
Frowning, I walked around to the side of the broom and raised my right arm.
'Up!'
It flew up into my hand in one go. I hopped on. A second later, James jumped on behind me, then through the cloak over both of us.
'Ready for take-off, Captain Lily?' he asked, slipping his arms around my waist.
Closing my eyes, I kicked off.
'Open your eyes, Lily,' James said calmly.
'How do you even know they're shut?'
'Because I know you. Open them.'
Sighing, I opened my eyes. I could tell it was going to be a long ride.
~*~ Author's Note ~*~
Hello everyone *waves madly* Well, I was actually going to have the whole rest of the holidays in this chap, but I figured I'd cut it in half and make it two chapters so I could get this out sooner :) Sorry - I know it was pretty boring, but I'm getting inspired! The next few should be getting better!
Um, sorry to all you guys who want L/J action! There will be some in the next chapter! Not much, but some! I'm actually leaving it until Lily's sixth year for them to get together, but there will still be lots of L/J along the way - you know, they're in love but don't realise.
But I'd just like to point out that this is primarily Lily's life story, and her story comes before romance. I know I think I put romance as my subject/genre but that's because once they get together there will be a lot of romance. Just not yet. Until about chapter 3/4, it will mostly be a load of flirting and plain old oblivion!
OK - thank you to luv-jinxy for pointing this out - in one of the last few chapters I made a mistake and called Bella's parents Mr and Mrs Black. Don't ask me why, but I always do that. I keep calling Bella, Bella Black too and keep having to change it. So if I do it again, just point it out, OK? *thanks luv-jinxy profusely*
I also realised I haven't put a disclaimer on any of the chapters, so just so I don't get sued: I do not own Lily, Bella, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Hogwarts, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Malfoy and Snape. (Or anyone else you recognise from the books). However I do own Joey, Hilary, most Hogwarts students, and pretty much anything you don't recognise. So don't steal them.
Thank you guys so much for all of your reviews, they're really starting to build up. *stares in awe at reviews, unable to believe such a large amount were possible* I've actually made it to nearly thirty! *jumps up and down with so much hyperactive excitement that mum gives weird looks and locks away sugar jar*
I'll update within the next three days, I'm hoping. If homework allows. Well, here are my thank yous:
Luv-jinxy - I answered your questions in an email, didn't I?
SiriDragon - I totally agree. And just some nasty coincidence - my best friend hates my guts right about now! Don't ask me why tho, lol.
Kristine - Thank you so much! *blows big gigantic kiss*
Lizmauder4eva - Me too! Joey and Lily rock! From what you've said, though, I get the feeling you might not like what I have in store for Joey in the future...
RetroHotty44765 - Speed it up? How so? *scratches head in confusion*
Candace - I emailed you too, I remember answering your questions! Thank you for reviewing!
Clearbrook - Arguments rule! Well, sorta. Lol. Goddessed Muse 1o9 - :) Yeah, GROSS! Thought it might make for an interesting plot, tho.
Jodz - thank you!
Celine - Bad, bad Joey! Thank yo for your reviews!
J.l.m. - OMG I should hope so. I won a writing competition last year, so one would hope!
Candace - Hello again.
Luv-jinxy - don't worry, I didn't think you were complaining. It sorta gets on my nerves when the speaking is like that, too - its not until I started posting myself that I realised it's the site, not the writers.
Lady Godiva - Lucius is a jerk! All in agreement with this statement, raise your hand! *waves both hands around in the air*
Midnight Goddess - Poor Lily! Thank you!
Jimbiny Lupin-Wood - OMG, I thought the underwear bit was funny too *sniggers also* even if I do say so myself
Clearbrook - Yea! Let's go give Malfoy what he deserves! Grab your torches and pitchforks! Lol. Sugar rules.
Carolinus Took - Of course I will! There is no way I am stopping this! I will continue til the end! (I actually have the last chapter written out already, ready for when the end comes. And I'm doing a sequel, ~The World Through The Eyes of a Pure Blood (James duh)~ and maybe ~The World Through The Eyes of the Guy That Started it all (Voldemort) ~ and perhaps even ~The World Through The Eyes Of Someone Completely Different (a random character)~
Well, thanx again everybody! Feel free to drop me a line at hot_sezzy_babe@hotmail.com , I lurve hearing from you guys!
Bye bye!
Luv Sezzie
~Whispers in the trees
~Hear that
~Murmur on the breeze?
~Understand anything
~Can you
~See what it saying?
~Can't you see me
~Falling...
~Quietly...
~Lost...
~Alone...
~Birds whistling and sing
~See them
~Take to the wing?
~Don't you get it at all?
~Can't you
~Tell that I'm falling?
~And that I'm lost, and so alone.
~So alone.
Petunia came home the next day. And so began the fun.
Or not.
Joey had slept the night, which made it easier. Or should I say, stayed over. We never actually got to sleep. But in any case, Petunia would not let up. Quite frankly, I was almost wishing I was back at school, even if that did mean leaving Joey and mum and going back to Malfoy. Petunia was enough to drive anyone crazy. As far as she was concerned, I should have stayed at my freak school with all my freak friends. Or rather, the other freaks, because according to her it was impossible for me to make any friends. I had rather calmly pointed out that if that was so, how come Joey was staying over, but she pretended to ignore me.
Then there was mum. I was glad to see her and all, but when you had someone following you around trying to drill you with twenty questions twenty-four seven, it kind of got annoying. She had been rather put-out when I had told her we weren't allowed to do magic out of school, too. I was beginning to think that magic was maybe a curse. But then again, it had its uses. Since Petunia refused to speak to me, she was unaware of the fact that as an underage witch, I was forbidden to use magic, which meant she was extra careful to keep her distance in case I turned her into a toad.
But for the first time, I was starting to get sick of having Joey with me every hour of every day, which worried me a bit. Though I guess even your best friend gets irritating after awhile, despite the fact I hadn't seen her for three months.
Anyway, one way or another, I was thrilled when I received a phone call from Hilary about a week before Christmas. When mum had told me who it was, I had practically bolted upstairs to use the phone in the spare room.
'Oh my god, Hilary - you can not begin to imagine how much I have been praying you would ring.'
'Right back atcha, girl,' Hilary laughed. 'Sorry if you haven't been able to reach me, our phone line has been down because of the snow. It's about six feet deep down here.'
'You're joking,' I sighed enviously, peering sadly out the curtains at the very thin sheet of snow that covered our drive way. 'We've only had a centimeter or so. You're so lucky. I wish I was there.'
Without warning, Hilary gave a shrill scream.
'Er, are you OK?' I asked. 'What happened?'
'Hang on a sec, will you?' she asked distractedly. I heard her slightly cover the phone. 'James, go away! I'm trying to talk to Lily!'
I could just imagine the innocent grin that would be on James's face, what ever he was up to. I smiled to myself. Suddenly, I heard protesting, some laughing, then a voice sounded on the other end.
'Hello?'
'Yeah?' I asked.
'Oh, hello Lily,' came James's casual voice. I heard Hilary laughing in the background. 'James, give me the freaking phone, now!'
'Oh, I think she wants the phone back. I should go. Goodbye, Lily.' I laughed. 'Goodbye, James.'
There was an incoherent exchange before Hilary returned.
'He is so annoying!' Hilary exclaimed, but I could tell she was smiling. 'He put snow down my bloody shirt!'
I laughed.
'It is not funny!' Hilary retorted defensively, but I couldn't help myself. 'Want to swap?'
'Gladly. Believe me, Petunia is a lot worse than James could ever be.'
'Not possible,' Hilary said. 'Uh-uh. Nope. James is the worst.'
'If you say so.'
'I do. Anyway, James suddenly needs to desperately need the phone, so I have to hurry up. He's just doing it to annoy me, but -'
A very loud 'Am not!' sounded in the background, and Hilary sighed.
'As I was saying, mum wants to know if you want to come over for our Boxing Day dinner and stay for the week. She'd invite you for Christmas dinner, but we supposed you'd want to spend Christmas with your family.'
'Yeah. Thanks, I'll go ask. Hang on, OK?'
'Yep.'
I walked out to stand out on the landing.
'Oi, mum!' I yelled. Mum appeared at the foot of the stairs.
'What? Lily, don't yell.'
'Sorry. Can I go to Hilary's for Boxing Day and sleep the week? Please?'
'Who's Hilary?' she asked, running a towel over a mug. I'd obviously interrupted her cleaning dishes.
'One of my friends from school. Can I? Please?'
'Well, I suppose so,' she sighed. 'As long as you're here for Christmas dinner. Otherwise, what was the point in you coming home? Go on then.'
'Thank you so much!'
I grinned, and ran back into the spare room and snatched up the phone. 'Hello?' 'Hello.'
'Mum said it's cool. Are you picking me up?'
'Yeah. Um, hang on...' There was silence for a minute. 'James says he's coming around on his broom to pick you up.'
I laughed. 'Sorry to disappoint, James - but I'd rather not.'
'James says he's dead serious and you better wear some warm clothes.'
'Very funny, James,' I grinned into the phone.
'He's serious, Lily. He says he hopes you have been practicing, because you're driving back.' 'Hilary, I am not flying to your house on a broom.'
There was another moment of silence.
'Um, Lily... James wants to talk to you. Here he is.'
The phone crackled for a little, then James picked up.
'Hello Lily?'
'Hello, James,' I sighed.
'I'm serious, you know.'
'So am I. I am not flying to your house on a broom.'
'Well, I guess you can't come then - because it's the only way you can get here.' 'What do you mean?'
'Well, we can't disapparate yet, so you can't apparate here. I'm presuming your fireplace isn't connected to the Floo Network, so you can't floo. And,' he continued, his voice smug, 'our house is snowed in. Therefore there is no way of you reaching us. Unless you fly.'
'We'll be seen,' I pointed out. Muggles weren't stupid. They would notice a flying broom zooming across the sky.
'I have all your bases covered, Lily Evans. You're forgetting my cloak. There's no way out of this,' he laughed. 'And whether you like it or not, I'm coming over on Friday. And when I leave, I'm taking you with me.'
'Kidnapper.'
'Call it what you like, Miss Evans. You're not stopping me.'
'You know I hate flying,' I protested.
'Exactly, which is why this will be good for you. Come on, Lily. It won't be any different to the two of us flying on the Quidditch pitch.'
'Of course not, James - there's absolutely nothing different about the fact it's a blizzard out near your house! It's snowing here, too. We'll freeze for god's sake.'
'Lily, stop making excuses,' James's voice said, gentle but firm. 'I am going to give the phone back to Hilary now. I will see you on Friday. Goodbye.'
'Hilary, please tell me he's not,' I whined when she returned to the phone.
'Sorry, Lillers. He's dead set on doing it,' she laughed. 'Oh Lily, the irony of it all.'
'It's not funny,' I complained, but I was actually trying desperately not to laugh. When James got an idea in his head...
'It is. And oh,' she said, dropping her voice, 'nothing about you being a muggle born, OK? My dad will flip. I've told him you're an orphan, and you just live with muggle guardians, OK? I hope you don't mind.'
I sighed. I couldn't believe someone could be so dead-set against muggle borns.
'Yeah, it's fine. I understand. I'll be really careful.'
'Thanks. I'll see you on Friday, OK? Oh, and you don't really need to bring anything. Just your toothbrush and stuff, you know - essentials. You won't need any clothes. Grr, James is bugging me about the phone - I gotta go.'
'Yeah, that's cool. See you on Friday. And, James too, I guess...'
Hilary laughed. 'You'll be fine, Lily. If you fall, I will personally kill him.'
'That's good to know,' I laughed. 'See you.'
'Bye.'
I hung up the phone with a click, then went back downstairs, only to be met halfway by Petunia.
'Was that your school, saying there's been a mistake, and you can't go back? What a shame.'
'Shut up, Petunia. Actually, it was one of my friends.'
'Ooh. I'm scared. You and your freaks, Lily. I don't care what you do at your school, but keep it there. Don't bring it home. It's abnormal enough just having you here,' she snapped, walking into her bedroom. I stood glaring at the door she had disappeared behind before continuing downstairs and yelling out to mum that I was going to Joey's. I really needed someone to talk to.
* * *
I opened my eyes groggily at the light pouring in through my window. Sighing, I sat up, rubbing them, pausing, then flopping back down on the pillow. After staring at the ceiling for a moment, I shot straight back up again. It was Christmas.
Grinning, I pulled myself out of bed, pulled on a dressing gown and slippers and padded downstairs. I peered around Petunia's door as I walked past her room and stifled a giggle when I saw her fast asleep, a cucumber on each eye and goo all over her face. It was quite an amusing sight.
Still musing inwardly, I resisted the temptation of attacking the tree and steered myself into the kitchen to have a glass of juice first. I couldn't help sneaking a look at the pile of presents on the way past, though.
Just as I was placing my glass on the sink, my mum came downstairs.
'Oh, Lily. You beat me again. I thought I was first up,' she smiled before kissing my hairline. 'Merry Christmas, honey.'
'Merry Christmas, mum.'
'Go and open your presents, if you like. I'm sure Petunia wouldn't mind.'
Understatement of the year. More like she wouldn't give two hoots.
'Thanks, mum. Are you coming?'
'I'll be in soon. I'm just going to make some tea.'
'OK.'
I padded into the family room, scuffing my slippered feet on the carpet. Sitting down next to the Christmas Tree, I smiled.
We didn't have much of a Christmas tree. Just a small, sturdy little thing that had remarkably survived a long time. I knew Christmas was a sad time for mum, but she always made an effort for us kids. Dad had passed away around Christmas. Well, at least Logan Evans had passed away. I had no clue where my father was.
I sat there for a moment, wondering. Did he have a family? Was he in his own kitchen, making a coffee before sitting down under the tree with his kids? Or was he one of those work-a-holics that didn't even take a break on Christmas Day?
'Lily, honey? Are you going to open some presents?'
'Huh? Oh, sure mum,' I said distractedly as I was jerked back to reality. My eyes wandered to the tree. A present from Bella was on top of the pile. Because of the absence of an owl in my household, I had given my friends their presents on the last day of school, telling them strictly not to open them, however I had the sneaking suspicion that Sirius couldn't help himself. My gifts from my friends had all arrived by owl in the past week.
I reached for Bella's, then changed my mind at the last minute when I saw my mother watching me, and grabbed the package from her instead. I carefully peeled back the paper, taking care to appreciate the effort she had put into wrapping it. Inside was a box. Mildly curious, I pulled off the lid. The box contained several items; a collar, brush, some toys, and animal treats. I slowly raised my gaze to meet my mother's.
'You're joking,' I said slowly.
'No,' she laughed and threw me the key to our outdoor room. 'Go have a look.'
Slowly, I stood up and walked outside, leaving deep footprints in the gradually growing carpet of snow. When I reached the door to the room, I paused for a moment before unlocking it.
Our outside room, or 'The Cottage', as we had deemed it, was really an empty room in our backyard that wasn't connected to our house. It was probably meant to be a shed, but believe me, it looked more like a room they had forgotten to join up to the main house. We didn't use it all that much, it was really just somewhere we put all the stuff there was no room for in the house. When we were little Joey and I used to play in there, but we had grown out of that a while ago.
The suspense was killing me. I turned the key, and threw the door open.
And was met by a pair of bright green eyes.
'Oh my gosh,' I breathed, crouching down. In case you hadn't guessed already, my mum had gotten me a kitten. And it was one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Apart from those green eyes, it had a lovely mixed coat of black, greys and white. I fell in love with it there and then.
'I take it you like him?' came my mum's voice from behind me, as she trooped across the snow covering our backyard to join me.
'I love him.' I grinned and threw my arms around her. 'Thank you so much! He's gorgeous! Where did you get him?'
'Diagon Alley, actually. He has some kind of magical power, apparently, but don't ask me what.'
'You went to Diagon Alley?' I laughed doubtfully.
'Actually, Mrs Mornington invited me out for a day. I felt inclined to accept,' she said lightly. I could tell we shared the same view of Mrs Mornington. 'Can I bring him inside?' I asked.
'Of course! He's only out here so you wouldn't see him, silly!' she laughed. 'His basket and dishes are over in the corner. Come on, I'll help you take them in.'
And so Christmas was a happy event in the Evans household. I got wonderful presents. Aside from my kitten, who I named Storm Shadow - the name of Merlin's cat, if you were wondering - I also received some gorgeous lily- shaped earrings from Bella, and an expensive looking silver and emerald charm bracelet from Hilary and James. I had also been sent a nice box of chocolates that were supposedly from Remus and Sirius, but I suspected Remus had organised it, knowing Sirius only too well. Had he have had anything to do it, half of the chocolates would probably have been eaten before they had reached me.
We had turkey for dinner, although the meal had been a bit uncomfortable. Everyone had pretty much sat there in silence. This was mostly because everytime mum would start a conversation with me, it would involve Hogwarts - since there wasn't much else to talk about, considering I had been there for the previous three months - and Petunia would quickly cut it off with a death glare. This occurred to the point where mum gave up altogether. Secondly, Petunia would answer any question mum asked her with the least amount of words possible, giving no room for any real conversation at all.
I felt sorry for mum, considering she had gone through so much effort for me and Petunia just to have it pretty well thrown back in her face. But it was still fun. After dinner we sat in the family room together, not really doing much, but just sitting there. I curled up in an armchair, Storm Shadow at my feet, while mum did some sewing and Petunia read a magazine.
I went up to bed at exactly eight thirty, Shadow hot on my heels. I smiled inwardly at that, he had become very loyal extremely quickly. He was - like his name suggested, I guess - practically my shadow, following me everywhere. When I had changed and jumped into bed, he had immediately taken up a post at the foot of my bed. I fell asleep very quickly, hardly able to wait until I got to the Potter's.
But I wasn't quite looking forward to flying there.
* * * Knock, knock.
'Petunia, do you want to get that?'
'Lily can. It's probably one of her freak friends. Bitch,' she added under her breath as I walked past her to grab the door. I pulled a sardonic cheery smile.
'Takes one to know one,' I said perkily. She glared back and stalked off into her room. Yes! Victory over the Ice Queen!
I pulled the door open, Shadow immediately at my feet. James Potter was standing on the doorstep. 'Good morning, my dear Lilian,' he grinned with a bow.
'Good morning, James. I wasn't expecting you so soon.'
He shrugged. 'So are we going to stand around all day, or are you going to invite me in sometime this year?' he asked. 'It is rather chilly out here.'
I hesitated a moment.
'James, you're a boy,' I pointed out. Always the clown, he began looking himself over.
'So I am. How terribly observant of you,' he said with a bright smile.
'So, my mum will get ideas.'
'I have that effect on people,' he said, pushing past me.
'James!' I hissed. But it was to late. He was already strolling down the hallway.
'Nice house,' he commented. I rolled my eyes and followed him.
Her walked into our lounge, where my mother was dusting.
'You must be Mrs Evans,' he said, offering his hand. 'James Potter. I'm a friend of Lily's from school.'
My mum lanced at me, and I gave her a warning look. She was obviously resisting the urge to smirk.
'Nice to meet you, James. But Lily, I thought you were going to a friend's house today?' 'I am,' I said quickly, before James could open his mouth. 'This is Hilary's brother. He's come to pick me up.'
My mum gave James a once-over.
'You drive? You can't be older than fourteen!'
'Twelve, actually,' he offered.
'Mum, James and I are going to... to, er, teleport to their house,' I invented. James raised his eyebrows at me, but I ignored him.
'Why didn't Hilary come to pick you up?'
I looked pleadingly at James, which he seemed to find amusing. Eventually, he threw me a lifeline.
'Teleporting isn't taught to first years, Mrs Evans. Hilary and Lily haven't learnt it yet.' I gave him a thankful look. Somehow I had the idea that my mother would probably find the idea of me flying on a broomstick through a snow storm less appealing than I ever would. 'James and I are going to go upstairs and get my things, and then we'll leave, OK?' I said.
'OK then. Come and say goodbye before you go.'
'I will.'
I grabbed James's sleeve and pulled him out of the room, grumbling the whole time. He grinned and called out a goodbye to my mum, laughing as I dragged him up the stairs.
'You are a jerk! Why couldn't you have just stayed outside? She didn't know you two were brother and sister! You will not believe what Joey has been saying about you, now she's going to think you're my boyfriend, James!'
'And that's a bad thing?' he grinned. I glared at him.
'Yes, because I know the minute I get home what's going to happen. Miss Overprotective is going to replace my mum.'
'Ooh. Going to get the boyfriend talk, huh? Don't do anything I wouldn't do... You know, that phrase is just wrong. I mean, for you to be here, they would have had to have done it. Therefore they're actually giving you permission to do it...'
'James, just shut up, OK?'
'Anything for you, Lily m'dear.'
I glared at him, but he only grinned back.
'You are the most arrogant, rude and obnoxious person I have ever met, Potter,' I sighed. 'But you love me anyway.'
'That's what you think,' I grumbled, throwing open the door to my room. James walked in and immediately flopped onto my bed.
'So this is your room?' he asked, bouncing up and down.
'James, get - off - the - bed,' I said slowly. He stopped bouncing immediately and stood up. 'Where's your stuff?'
'There,' I said, pointing to a backpack that I had surprisingly fit all my things into. He waltzed over and picked it up.
'Where's the broom?' I asked warily.
'Leaning against a wall outside. Come on. Is this it?'
I nodded, so we walked back downstairs. I poked my head around the doorway into the lounge.
'I'm going now, mum.' 'OK, see you honey. I hope you have a nice time,' she smiled, turning her neck around.
'I will.'
'See you on Saturday. Goodbye, James. Look after yourselves,' she added, looking over at James. He smiled and gave a wave. 'See you, Mrs Evans. I hope you had a lovely Christmas.'
'I did. Thank you, James. Goodbye!'
'Bye.'
I pushed James out the door, then shut it. It wasn't snowing at that moment, but there was still a white sheet covering the ground.
'Don't encourage my mother.'
'What? She thinks I'm charming.'
'How do you know?'
'Everybody does.'
I rolled my eyes.
'Terribly modest, aren't you?'
'Of course,' he replied. He was walking around the side of the house, so I followed him. Around the side, as he had said, was a broom resting against the wall. It also seemed to be pinning the invisibility cloak to the ground. He picked them both up, and threw me the cloak. Then he rested the broom on the ground.
'Here,' he said, taking the cloak back. 'You do it.'
Frowning, I walked around to the side of the broom and raised my right arm.
'Up!'
It flew up into my hand in one go. I hopped on. A second later, James jumped on behind me, then through the cloak over both of us.
'Ready for take-off, Captain Lily?' he asked, slipping his arms around my waist.
Closing my eyes, I kicked off.
'Open your eyes, Lily,' James said calmly.
'How do you even know they're shut?'
'Because I know you. Open them.'
Sighing, I opened my eyes. I could tell it was going to be a long ride.
~*~ Author's Note ~*~
Hello everyone *waves madly* Well, I was actually going to have the whole rest of the holidays in this chap, but I figured I'd cut it in half and make it two chapters so I could get this out sooner :) Sorry - I know it was pretty boring, but I'm getting inspired! The next few should be getting better!
Um, sorry to all you guys who want L/J action! There will be some in the next chapter! Not much, but some! I'm actually leaving it until Lily's sixth year for them to get together, but there will still be lots of L/J along the way - you know, they're in love but don't realise.
But I'd just like to point out that this is primarily Lily's life story, and her story comes before romance. I know I think I put romance as my subject/genre but that's because once they get together there will be a lot of romance. Just not yet. Until about chapter 3/4, it will mostly be a load of flirting and plain old oblivion!
OK - thank you to luv-jinxy for pointing this out - in one of the last few chapters I made a mistake and called Bella's parents Mr and Mrs Black. Don't ask me why, but I always do that. I keep calling Bella, Bella Black too and keep having to change it. So if I do it again, just point it out, OK? *thanks luv-jinxy profusely*
I also realised I haven't put a disclaimer on any of the chapters, so just so I don't get sued: I do not own Lily, Bella, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Hogwarts, Dumbledore, McGonagall, Malfoy and Snape. (Or anyone else you recognise from the books). However I do own Joey, Hilary, most Hogwarts students, and pretty much anything you don't recognise. So don't steal them.
Thank you guys so much for all of your reviews, they're really starting to build up. *stares in awe at reviews, unable to believe such a large amount were possible* I've actually made it to nearly thirty! *jumps up and down with so much hyperactive excitement that mum gives weird looks and locks away sugar jar*
I'll update within the next three days, I'm hoping. If homework allows. Well, here are my thank yous:
Luv-jinxy - I answered your questions in an email, didn't I?
SiriDragon - I totally agree. And just some nasty coincidence - my best friend hates my guts right about now! Don't ask me why tho, lol.
Kristine - Thank you so much! *blows big gigantic kiss*
Lizmauder4eva - Me too! Joey and Lily rock! From what you've said, though, I get the feeling you might not like what I have in store for Joey in the future...
RetroHotty44765 - Speed it up? How so? *scratches head in confusion*
Candace - I emailed you too, I remember answering your questions! Thank you for reviewing!
Clearbrook - Arguments rule! Well, sorta. Lol. Goddessed Muse 1o9 - :) Yeah, GROSS! Thought it might make for an interesting plot, tho.
Jodz - thank you!
Celine - Bad, bad Joey! Thank yo for your reviews!
J.l.m. - OMG I should hope so. I won a writing competition last year, so one would hope!
Candace - Hello again.
Luv-jinxy - don't worry, I didn't think you were complaining. It sorta gets on my nerves when the speaking is like that, too - its not until I started posting myself that I realised it's the site, not the writers.
Lady Godiva - Lucius is a jerk! All in agreement with this statement, raise your hand! *waves both hands around in the air*
Midnight Goddess - Poor Lily! Thank you!
Jimbiny Lupin-Wood - OMG, I thought the underwear bit was funny too *sniggers also* even if I do say so myself
Clearbrook - Yea! Let's go give Malfoy what he deserves! Grab your torches and pitchforks! Lol. Sugar rules.
Carolinus Took - Of course I will! There is no way I am stopping this! I will continue til the end! (I actually have the last chapter written out already, ready for when the end comes. And I'm doing a sequel, ~The World Through The Eyes of a Pure Blood (James duh)~ and maybe ~The World Through The Eyes of the Guy That Started it all (Voldemort) ~ and perhaps even ~The World Through The Eyes Of Someone Completely Different (a random character)~
Well, thanx again everybody! Feel free to drop me a line at hot_sezzy_babe@hotmail.com , I lurve hearing from you guys!
Bye bye!
Luv Sezzie
