Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot and Phoebe.
Author's Note: Hmm quite a long time since I last updated.about ten months I believe. =X Guess most of my avid readers have already disappeared or grew tired of waiting for this chapter to come out, but oh well. Happy reading anyway! Do review! ^__^
Chapter 11
"Lily.Lily?"
Uttering something incomprehensible, Lily turned on one side, but the voice was persistent.
Lily groaned. Whoever IT was, it was disturbing her sleep, and she wasn't pleased. Opening her eyes grudgingly, she squinted. Two blue orbs appeared in front of her.wait.they looked like crystals.or was it.
"James Potter! What are you do- OW!" Lily shrieked as she sat up suddenly, her forehead knocking into James', who was peering at her from 5 centimeters away.
"Ow!" James echoed, rubbing his forehead, faking a hurt look. "I wanted to see if you were awake.not a morning person, eh?"
"Actually, I am, or rather, was, until some immature boy decided that peering at me while I was asleep was a great joke," Lily muttered dryly in response. James grinned.
"Well, you don't have to be such a Grinch on Christmas, Evans. You said we are going to Hogmeade today, remember?" He reminded.
Lily sighed. "Do we have to? I want to sleep," She whined, crawling underneath her blanket again, hoping to get out of the outing. No such luck.
"Come on, you promised me! How could you sleep on Christmas morning? There's presents!" James replied in a cheerful voice, as he emerged into a blanket fight with Lily, who firmly held on to her shield. Finally, she gave up.
"Okay okay, I will get dressed. Do you know what a big fat bum you are, Potter?" she grumbled as she shooed him out of her dorm. He laughed.
"You are overwhelming me with your praises. I know you worship me, but-" Here, he was cut off by Lily.
"Out! I need to bathe!"
~*~
"She sure takes a long time to bathe," James grumbled as he laid on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. Checking his watch, he groaned.
"40 minutes! Where does she think she's going, to a wedding?"
"What wedding?"
"Oh there you are. I was wonderin-" Here, James turned around and came face to face with Lily. His mouth gaped open.
Lily twirled around in her robe. "Pretty, don't you think?" She asked, waiting for James' opinion. He gulped.
"Urm, you look.uh." He held up his hands, trying to find an expression, but failing.
"Stunning?" Lily put in helpfully.
"No.you look.uh.well.in short, you look HILARIOUS! HAHAHAHAHA!" Here, James dissolved into uncontrollable fits of laughter. "For goodness' sake, Lily, I know it's Christmas, but do you have to wear this revolting piece of red and green cloth? It's.it's." He couldn't continue, his sides were aching with laughter.
Lily looked affronted. "Hey! It's Christmas! We got to feel its magic! Red and green is, at the very least, better than black," She gave a disgusted look at James' usual black robes. He shrugged.
"Well, I beg to differ. I think it suits me," He replied, still grinning, "But don't tell me you are going to Hogmeade like this. Please, I don't want to go around with a life-size walking candy."
"And I don't want to go with someone who wears black. It's Christmas! And black is so awful!" She exclaimed.
James laughed. "Ah, wait till Sirius hears that. He will be so, very offended."
Lily rolled her eyes in response. "So aren't you going to get changed?"
"Unfortunately, no. But you."
"I'm not going to wear black. This is the only non-black robes I have," Lily argued. James threw up his arms in exasperation.
"Fine."
Smiling triumphantly, Lily walked towards the portrait Lady. "Well, what are we waiting for then?"
~*~
"This is boring," James complained as they strolled along the streets of Hogsmeade, filled with gnomes and house-elves, and several old, feeble wizards discussing about the future of the wand-making industry. Lily gave him a look of mock terror.
"How could you say that? This village has such a picturesque view!" She argued.
James gave her a sideway glance. "Like it doesn't every other day. Come on, Evans, you got to admit, this place is so darn boring, the word 'BORING' simply screams out from every corner."
Frowning, Lily turned to face him. "Can't you charm more enthusiasm into you or something?" She complained. He gave her a look.
"Guess what, Lil? It's Christmas! CHRISTMAS!" James shouted, giving a Bright Fake Smile and feigning an act of excitement.
Irritated, Lily turned and walked ahead, leaving him alone. James grinned, but it faltered when he realized she was truly not amused at all.
"Hey Lily, that was just a joke, yeah?" He explained as he caught up with her. When he received no response, James gave a sigh of exasperation.
"Alright, how about I buy you a present to show how sincerely sorry I am?" He cajoled. At this statement, Lily's face took a complete roundabout change.
"Ha! You said that yourself!" She beamed, as James groaned.
"What did I do to deserve this?" He muttered, as Lily gave him a slight push on the back. "Come on, you have an hour to get something for me!" She exclaimed cheerfully, alongside a miserable-looking James. Seeing his grumpy look, Lily paused.
"How about.we exchange presents?" She suggested. James' face brightened.
"Yeah! That's more like it!" He agreed heartily," Let's go separate ways and meet up in an hour?"
"Deal!" Lily laughed as she ran off in the opposite direction. James shook his head, smiling at the gradually disappearing figure. No one would have guessed she was just a mere five months younger than him, he mused. More like five years instead.
His hands in his pockets, James strolled at a leisurely pace along the streets as he looked for a suitable gift. Truth be told, he had absolutely no idea what to get her. Dress robes? He pondered, then chuckled at the thought of Lily wearing a frilly pink dress. Shaking his head, he bypassed the robe shop and continued walking.
Half an hour had swung by, and James still couldn't decide on anything. Sighing, he gave up. "Why did I ever had to suggest buying a present for Evans? Alright," He said outloud," My sacred wand shall decide for me." Closing his eyes, he uttered a soft spell as his wand lifted itself from his hand.
The next moment, he felt himself being pulled by a magical force. "Whoa, Sirius sure didn't tell me about the result!" He exclaimed as he skidded to a halt. Opening his eyes, a rusty quaint shop appeared in front of him. He snorted.
"Are you kidding me? Get a gift from this antique shop? Who do you think I'm getting for, my great-grandfather?" James rolled his eyes, and was about to walk away when he realized his wand was nowhere in sight.
"Argh, that idiot Sirius," He muttered, "Why didn't he tell me my wand would get kidnapped once I performed that spell?" He searched his pockets, but to no avail. Just as he was about to give up, a voice beckoned to him.
"There's no need to search no more, child. Your wand is with me." Whirling around, he came face to face with a wizened lady, fingering his wand leisurely.
"Return my wand!" He shouted as he made a move to grab it, but was stopped by the lady. "You have a powerful wand," She commented, admiring it, "There's no doubt you will assume great responsibilities in time to come, young man."
James fought hard not to roll his eyes. "Well, you will be the first to know should I ever accomplish anything, but I'm sorry, getting a gift for a friend is my first priority right now, so if you will excuse me," He grabbed the wand from her hands, and was about to stalk off when she stopped him.
"Your wand hath pointed at my shop, and that is where the right gift will thus be found," She said, gesturing at her shop. James raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me, but I believe I have no idea who you are at all," He started, "And thus, I see no reason why I should be forced to buy a present from the shop." To his surprise, the lady simply smiled.
"Then be gone then. And should you regret, do not look for me again," She warned, as she hobbled into her shop again. His curiosity aroused, James ran up to the shop.
"Wait!" He exclaimed, "Wha- urm, what do you sell?" He asked hesitantly. She smiled.
"Something you will find suitable for the young lady," She chuckled, as James threw her a bewildered look.
"How did you kno-"
"Oh, child, I know, I know," She smiled one more time, and beckoned to him to enter.
As he stepped into the shop, James' eyes widened. The shop may had looked tiny and cluttered from the outside, but the interior was huge. Not to mention grand as well. At that moment, James spotted a transparent showcase tucked in a corner. As he neared, a ring caught his attention. It was silver, with a tiny ruby in the centre, the colour of Gryffindor. Even though it looked antique and musty, the ruby shone brilliantly.
"Wow," James breathed, just as the lady appeared behind him, her eyes twinkling. "So you have found the perfect gift," She remarked, removing the ring from the case as she did so.
"Yea- No, I mean no," He added hastily, "It's nice, but I can't possibly afford it," He muttered, "And besides, Lil- I mean my friend, she's not my girlfriend or anything, so yeah."
"Ah, but does that change the fact that it's the perfect gift? No it doesn't, child. I will give it to you for a galleon," She continued, looking at him in the eye.
"A galleon! But that's too little!" James exclaimed in surprise, "Look, why don't I.." Here, he emptied his pockets, and counted the pennies. Not being a rich boy for nothing, he pushed twenty galleons to her. "How about that?"
Giving a light chuckle, the lady merely selected a galleon out of the pool. "I don't want the rest, child. I said it was for a galleon, and a galleon it shall be," She smiled, "There, take the ring and go."
Not knowing what to do, James pocketed the ring. "Thanks.how do I address you?" He asked, remembering his manners.
"That's of no importance," She smiled, leading him out of the shop. "Just remember never to lose the ring, that's all. Have a good day."
"But I-" James uttered, before the door closed on him. Shrugging, he returned to the meeting place. To his surprised, Lily was already there.
"You are sure early," He commented, as he approached her. She laughed. "Of course! I'm looking forward to my present, yeah?"
James rolled his eyes. "And where's mine?" He asked, fingering the ring in his pockets. Lily winked.
"You will never have guessed what I've bought for you," She beamed. James laughed.
"Same to you," He replied, showing her the ring, "Merry Christmas, Evans," He smiled, as he put the ring on her palm. Lily looked stunned, then brought out another identical ring.
"I got this for your present as well!" She exclaimed, as James raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get the ring?" He asked, examining the ring given by Lily.
"In a old tattered shop along the street. An old lady brought me into her shop," Lily shrugged. This time, it was James' turn to look stunned.
"She brought me into her shop too!" He replied excitedly, then looked at the ring. "Well, I guessed she figured out the ring is suitable for you and me," He smiled, just as Lily laughed.
"So are you going to wear it?" She asked, slipping hers onto her middle finger. James gave a shocked look.
"Of course not! That looks so.gay. I can't believe you got me that," He mock-pouted. Lily gave him a friendly punch.
"Oh, shut up. It's not gay, you know it," She retorted, then shrugged, "And it's alright if you don't wear it. Just don't throw it away, that's all."
Nodding his head, James pocketed the ring. "Hey Lily," He started, "Can we go back, please? I'm really bored out by this place. How about we play some exploding snape instead? I still have them with me," He winked. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Do I look like I have a choice?" She groaned, as James pulled her towards the exit, beaming.
Author's Note: Hmm quite a long time since I last updated.about ten months I believe. =X Guess most of my avid readers have already disappeared or grew tired of waiting for this chapter to come out, but oh well. Happy reading anyway! Do review! ^__^
Chapter 11
"Lily.Lily?"
Uttering something incomprehensible, Lily turned on one side, but the voice was persistent.
Lily groaned. Whoever IT was, it was disturbing her sleep, and she wasn't pleased. Opening her eyes grudgingly, she squinted. Two blue orbs appeared in front of her.wait.they looked like crystals.or was it.
"James Potter! What are you do- OW!" Lily shrieked as she sat up suddenly, her forehead knocking into James', who was peering at her from 5 centimeters away.
"Ow!" James echoed, rubbing his forehead, faking a hurt look. "I wanted to see if you were awake.not a morning person, eh?"
"Actually, I am, or rather, was, until some immature boy decided that peering at me while I was asleep was a great joke," Lily muttered dryly in response. James grinned.
"Well, you don't have to be such a Grinch on Christmas, Evans. You said we are going to Hogmeade today, remember?" He reminded.
Lily sighed. "Do we have to? I want to sleep," She whined, crawling underneath her blanket again, hoping to get out of the outing. No such luck.
"Come on, you promised me! How could you sleep on Christmas morning? There's presents!" James replied in a cheerful voice, as he emerged into a blanket fight with Lily, who firmly held on to her shield. Finally, she gave up.
"Okay okay, I will get dressed. Do you know what a big fat bum you are, Potter?" she grumbled as she shooed him out of her dorm. He laughed.
"You are overwhelming me with your praises. I know you worship me, but-" Here, he was cut off by Lily.
"Out! I need to bathe!"
~*~
"She sure takes a long time to bathe," James grumbled as he laid on the couch in the Gryffindor common room. Checking his watch, he groaned.
"40 minutes! Where does she think she's going, to a wedding?"
"What wedding?"
"Oh there you are. I was wonderin-" Here, James turned around and came face to face with Lily. His mouth gaped open.
Lily twirled around in her robe. "Pretty, don't you think?" She asked, waiting for James' opinion. He gulped.
"Urm, you look.uh." He held up his hands, trying to find an expression, but failing.
"Stunning?" Lily put in helpfully.
"No.you look.uh.well.in short, you look HILARIOUS! HAHAHAHAHA!" Here, James dissolved into uncontrollable fits of laughter. "For goodness' sake, Lily, I know it's Christmas, but do you have to wear this revolting piece of red and green cloth? It's.it's." He couldn't continue, his sides were aching with laughter.
Lily looked affronted. "Hey! It's Christmas! We got to feel its magic! Red and green is, at the very least, better than black," She gave a disgusted look at James' usual black robes. He shrugged.
"Well, I beg to differ. I think it suits me," He replied, still grinning, "But don't tell me you are going to Hogmeade like this. Please, I don't want to go around with a life-size walking candy."
"And I don't want to go with someone who wears black. It's Christmas! And black is so awful!" She exclaimed.
James laughed. "Ah, wait till Sirius hears that. He will be so, very offended."
Lily rolled her eyes in response. "So aren't you going to get changed?"
"Unfortunately, no. But you."
"I'm not going to wear black. This is the only non-black robes I have," Lily argued. James threw up his arms in exasperation.
"Fine."
Smiling triumphantly, Lily walked towards the portrait Lady. "Well, what are we waiting for then?"
~*~
"This is boring," James complained as they strolled along the streets of Hogsmeade, filled with gnomes and house-elves, and several old, feeble wizards discussing about the future of the wand-making industry. Lily gave him a look of mock terror.
"How could you say that? This village has such a picturesque view!" She argued.
James gave her a sideway glance. "Like it doesn't every other day. Come on, Evans, you got to admit, this place is so darn boring, the word 'BORING' simply screams out from every corner."
Frowning, Lily turned to face him. "Can't you charm more enthusiasm into you or something?" She complained. He gave her a look.
"Guess what, Lil? It's Christmas! CHRISTMAS!" James shouted, giving a Bright Fake Smile and feigning an act of excitement.
Irritated, Lily turned and walked ahead, leaving him alone. James grinned, but it faltered when he realized she was truly not amused at all.
"Hey Lily, that was just a joke, yeah?" He explained as he caught up with her. When he received no response, James gave a sigh of exasperation.
"Alright, how about I buy you a present to show how sincerely sorry I am?" He cajoled. At this statement, Lily's face took a complete roundabout change.
"Ha! You said that yourself!" She beamed, as James groaned.
"What did I do to deserve this?" He muttered, as Lily gave him a slight push on the back. "Come on, you have an hour to get something for me!" She exclaimed cheerfully, alongside a miserable-looking James. Seeing his grumpy look, Lily paused.
"How about.we exchange presents?" She suggested. James' face brightened.
"Yeah! That's more like it!" He agreed heartily," Let's go separate ways and meet up in an hour?"
"Deal!" Lily laughed as she ran off in the opposite direction. James shook his head, smiling at the gradually disappearing figure. No one would have guessed she was just a mere five months younger than him, he mused. More like five years instead.
His hands in his pockets, James strolled at a leisurely pace along the streets as he looked for a suitable gift. Truth be told, he had absolutely no idea what to get her. Dress robes? He pondered, then chuckled at the thought of Lily wearing a frilly pink dress. Shaking his head, he bypassed the robe shop and continued walking.
Half an hour had swung by, and James still couldn't decide on anything. Sighing, he gave up. "Why did I ever had to suggest buying a present for Evans? Alright," He said outloud," My sacred wand shall decide for me." Closing his eyes, he uttered a soft spell as his wand lifted itself from his hand.
The next moment, he felt himself being pulled by a magical force. "Whoa, Sirius sure didn't tell me about the result!" He exclaimed as he skidded to a halt. Opening his eyes, a rusty quaint shop appeared in front of him. He snorted.
"Are you kidding me? Get a gift from this antique shop? Who do you think I'm getting for, my great-grandfather?" James rolled his eyes, and was about to walk away when he realized his wand was nowhere in sight.
"Argh, that idiot Sirius," He muttered, "Why didn't he tell me my wand would get kidnapped once I performed that spell?" He searched his pockets, but to no avail. Just as he was about to give up, a voice beckoned to him.
"There's no need to search no more, child. Your wand is with me." Whirling around, he came face to face with a wizened lady, fingering his wand leisurely.
"Return my wand!" He shouted as he made a move to grab it, but was stopped by the lady. "You have a powerful wand," She commented, admiring it, "There's no doubt you will assume great responsibilities in time to come, young man."
James fought hard not to roll his eyes. "Well, you will be the first to know should I ever accomplish anything, but I'm sorry, getting a gift for a friend is my first priority right now, so if you will excuse me," He grabbed the wand from her hands, and was about to stalk off when she stopped him.
"Your wand hath pointed at my shop, and that is where the right gift will thus be found," She said, gesturing at her shop. James raised an eyebrow.
"Excuse me, but I believe I have no idea who you are at all," He started, "And thus, I see no reason why I should be forced to buy a present from the shop." To his surprise, the lady simply smiled.
"Then be gone then. And should you regret, do not look for me again," She warned, as she hobbled into her shop again. His curiosity aroused, James ran up to the shop.
"Wait!" He exclaimed, "Wha- urm, what do you sell?" He asked hesitantly. She smiled.
"Something you will find suitable for the young lady," She chuckled, as James threw her a bewildered look.
"How did you kno-"
"Oh, child, I know, I know," She smiled one more time, and beckoned to him to enter.
As he stepped into the shop, James' eyes widened. The shop may had looked tiny and cluttered from the outside, but the interior was huge. Not to mention grand as well. At that moment, James spotted a transparent showcase tucked in a corner. As he neared, a ring caught his attention. It was silver, with a tiny ruby in the centre, the colour of Gryffindor. Even though it looked antique and musty, the ruby shone brilliantly.
"Wow," James breathed, just as the lady appeared behind him, her eyes twinkling. "So you have found the perfect gift," She remarked, removing the ring from the case as she did so.
"Yea- No, I mean no," He added hastily, "It's nice, but I can't possibly afford it," He muttered, "And besides, Lil- I mean my friend, she's not my girlfriend or anything, so yeah."
"Ah, but does that change the fact that it's the perfect gift? No it doesn't, child. I will give it to you for a galleon," She continued, looking at him in the eye.
"A galleon! But that's too little!" James exclaimed in surprise, "Look, why don't I.." Here, he emptied his pockets, and counted the pennies. Not being a rich boy for nothing, he pushed twenty galleons to her. "How about that?"
Giving a light chuckle, the lady merely selected a galleon out of the pool. "I don't want the rest, child. I said it was for a galleon, and a galleon it shall be," She smiled, "There, take the ring and go."
Not knowing what to do, James pocketed the ring. "Thanks.how do I address you?" He asked, remembering his manners.
"That's of no importance," She smiled, leading him out of the shop. "Just remember never to lose the ring, that's all. Have a good day."
"But I-" James uttered, before the door closed on him. Shrugging, he returned to the meeting place. To his surprised, Lily was already there.
"You are sure early," He commented, as he approached her. She laughed. "Of course! I'm looking forward to my present, yeah?"
James rolled his eyes. "And where's mine?" He asked, fingering the ring in his pockets. Lily winked.
"You will never have guessed what I've bought for you," She beamed. James laughed.
"Same to you," He replied, showing her the ring, "Merry Christmas, Evans," He smiled, as he put the ring on her palm. Lily looked stunned, then brought out another identical ring.
"I got this for your present as well!" She exclaimed, as James raised an eyebrow. "Where did you get the ring?" He asked, examining the ring given by Lily.
"In a old tattered shop along the street. An old lady brought me into her shop," Lily shrugged. This time, it was James' turn to look stunned.
"She brought me into her shop too!" He replied excitedly, then looked at the ring. "Well, I guessed she figured out the ring is suitable for you and me," He smiled, just as Lily laughed.
"So are you going to wear it?" She asked, slipping hers onto her middle finger. James gave a shocked look.
"Of course not! That looks so.gay. I can't believe you got me that," He mock-pouted. Lily gave him a friendly punch.
"Oh, shut up. It's not gay, you know it," She retorted, then shrugged, "And it's alright if you don't wear it. Just don't throw it away, that's all."
Nodding his head, James pocketed the ring. "Hey Lily," He started, "Can we go back, please? I'm really bored out by this place. How about we play some exploding snape instead? I still have them with me," He winked. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Do I look like I have a choice?" She groaned, as James pulled her towards the exit, beaming.