Chapter 4 (I believe): Do my homework. Type a chapter. Do my homework. Type a chapter. Such a hard decision, and based on this update..you know the result...enjoy!

Christmas Traditions:

At James' house for Christmas, things weren't going to smoothly.

"What the frick do you think your doing?" Only Mr. Potter didn't say 'frick'.

"Baking cookies." Was the lazy reply.

"Why? Your mother does that..unless *you* want to be the house wife of your marriage, you don't need to know how." A little snappy there?

*I do! I want to learn to cook. No, you idiot! I really want to get out of etiquette but why am I telling you this?* James didn't really say this though, he just supplied a "Fine, father."

"Good now go to Lightning for your etiquette lessons."

James obeyed. If he didn't, he would have more etiquette to work on than the 2 hours already in store for him. Of course, Lightning, the house elf, would have her weird ability kick in, and sense James' dread. Maybe she'll take it easy on him. Hopefully.

"Take off your hat, boy."

The paintings were, yet again, yelling at him.

"No Pendel. That's his hair."

"Then comb it. Chop to it."

One painting of his great aunt chucked a brush at James. Only one problem: It hit him as a blob of paint. It didn't look like a brush at all.

After getting cleaned up, James started down the hallway to his lessons. He could faintly hear his own parents yelling in the next room over.

"You're the mother, you need to do this!"

"Only because your one hell of a lousy father!"

"All I have to do is teach him how to be tough and take him camping!" Mister potter yelling indignantly.

"You've done that. Now let me do my job as his mother."

*Uh-oh. About me? Why me? Why can't my parents get along? Like normal couples?*

Of course James knew they could never divorce because of their pride and the marriage-bonded together as one, for all eternity. Divorce would probably be better than this though. * Now for more etiquette than I'll certainly ever use in my life.*

Unconsciously, James' parents were steering him towards being more honory. The more they pushed him to work harder, the more he rebelled. James just wants to be normal. Let him. It helps more in the end.

"Good afternoon, master James."

"Hi Lightning. Let's just get started," James groaned.

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At Lily's house, things were going over smoothly. Petunia and Lily were putting up decorations while Mr. Evans put up lights outside. "So Lily, how is school?"

"It is great.all except for the stupid Marauders." Lily muttered the last part.

But apparently, Petunia still heard, "The Marauders? What's that?" She scrunched up her nose like she smelt a rotting potato, "It's not anything like a troll is it? If it is harmful to you, I swear I'll-" But we never found out what she'd do.

"No, no. Only the four cockiest boys who are so high on their pedestals. Wish they would fall." Lily said cutting her sister off, and not making a whole lot of sense.

"Sounds rather bothersome."

"Oh believe me, it is."

"Maybe they are like that-you know ruining other peoples lives- because they don't necessarily like their own."

Lily agreed, but she didn't know how close to the truth she actually was.

Later that night, Lily dreamed her little brother and mother were right beside her, helping her bake cookies. In the dream, they were joking around:

"Ewww.Look at these cookies.:

"Let's feed them to the cat."

"Depends, how much do you like the cat?"

They giggled and laughed. When Lily woke up, she realized the tears streaming down her face, so she tried to stanch them with her sleeve..receiving no such luck. So she just whispered, "I miss you, Perth. Mum, I love you."

*Lily wept for her brother and mother until morning. It's just me and Petunia. Me and Petunia.*

After the sun had risen, Lily skipped to the kitchen, earning a look from her father as she has never been an early bird.

"Sorry dad. I just want to cook breakfast today."

"Like always. How do you get in all your cooking at school? Surely they say you can't."

"No, of course not. I do help sometimes."

"That's my girl. Always helping. Your mother used to always say, 'Get her, her cooking supplies and frozen pineapples, and she'll cook for you all you want.' And I've followed that. But I'm not really sure that she-"

Lily left, realizing that her father was really talking to himself. Fighting back more tears, Lily made her way to the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. *Egg sandwiches today. Maybe I can shape the bread into Christmas wreaths.*

"Okay, who are you and what have you done with Miss Sleep-A-Lot?"

"I transfigured her into breakfast." Lily, for emphasis, took a bite of her "wreath."

Petunia was in a good mood this morning, "Do you want to go riding with me?"

Petunia worked at a ranch where she traded working hours for riding hours. Sometimes she would invite Lily to come and ride the horses with her, for company.

"Sure. Let me get my boots."

And off they were.

"I don't like it when you go to school," Petunia said, nudging her horse into a light trot.

"Why's that?"

"Your just too damn far away from dad and me."

"You know, you could stay with Auntie over Easter. That's where I'll be.if you go."

See, Lily lived in America, for now, as her dad was always moving because of his job, but during the school year, and some of the summer, she always stayed with her aunt, who resided in England.

"Come on Misty, we're going to race Peti." Lily loudly whispered to her horse, while glancing in Petunia's direction.

With that, Lily shoved her ankles into the paint horse's side and off at a canter they were. Petunia took off soon and easily beat lily.

"Sorry Lil. That's only because I ride so often."

Laughing and joking, they rode all morning until it was time to go home.

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I'm tired of typing.so I'll do a really short chapter really soon. I need to go practice my speech...

But first I want to thank Kinelea for the review..I hope this chapter is better than the last..sorry about the fragmented story. I'm the worst person when it comes to proofreading my own stuff.

Did anyone go to the car show? If you don't know what I'm talking about.then never mind..but I, unfortunately, missed it. ( But I'm hoping school will be canceled tomorrow..then I can write more. (

-Glitterdust