Chapter 12
"Lily! Finally, I thought you would never come," Dylan screamed as she opened the door.
Lily and her mother and father stood on the threshold of Dylan's house. They were all shivering in the cold. Outside snow fell down on their faces, in their hair.
"Dill! These are my parents," Lily said stepping into the warmth.
"Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you," Dylan's mom said coming up behind her daughter. Lily thought their resemblance striking. Dylan's mom was short and hair brown like Dylan. Even their eyes were the same shade. They both had the same sense of warmness about them.
"I'm Maria and this is my husband Solomon," Lily's mother said stepping forward.
Her father shook her hand and said, "It's nice to meet you to."
Dylan whisked Lily away up the stairs but she could still faintly hear their voices.
"Would you two fancy some tea? My husband, Kevin is around here somewhere. Oh and by the way my name is Julia," Dylan's mom babbled.
Lily laughed; her parents were probably in awe at all the magical things, for they had never seen magic other then their occasional visits to Diagon Alley. But all the same they were probably staring at everything with a look of fascination on their faces.
"Lily, you and Claire are going to sleep here with me," Dylan said snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Dill did you clean your room?" Lily said shocked stepping into her room. Dylan was a huge tomboy. For the most part her room was covered in sports supplies and dirty clothes usually baggy pants.
"Why yes I did."
"I feel honored," Lily said laughing.
"Well you should it took me over two hours."
Dylan's now spotless room actually resembled one of a girl. It was painted light blue though Quidditch posters covered much of the walls. Her usual king sized bed had disappeared and was replaced by three little ones.
Lily sighed and dropped her things. She took off her black jacket and fell onto Dylan's bed tired from the journey. She had left early at six a.m. because her parents were loons and insisted on driving for four hours. Lily could not ever fall asleep in cars so she had looked out the window at the snow the whole time. For some reason it fascinated her, the way all the tiny flakes could be so different.
"So, where's Petunia?" Dylan asked plopping down next to her.
"Uh...with her fiancé Vernon or something, a big bloke who goes to her university."
"Well..." Dylan began, but she was interrupted by the doorbell. She perked up, "That must be Claire." Then without another word she jumped off the bed and ran down the stairs. Lily sighed and got off of her heavenly bed and followed down the hallway and then down the red carpeted stairs.
Claire and her parents stood at the bottom of the stairs awkwardly. They were eyeing Dylan's parents nervously but luckily Dylan saved them an uncomfortable introduction.
"Mom, these are Claire's parents and this is Claire."
"Hello, my name is Nicole," said Claire's mother suddenly finding confidence. She like Dylan's mom also resembled her daughter. Her sleek black hair was pulled up in a bun, her blue eyes gleaming. She stood tall and proud.
"Oh, it's very nice to meet you I'm Julia and this is Kevin," she said pointing to her husband.
"And I am Alan," said Claire's father shaking Kevin's hand.
Lily parents stepped forward and introduced themselves. It was all very uncomfortable. It was a bit unusual for their parents to have never met before, because they had been friends for so long. But over the holidays the three spent most of the time at Dylan's house, so they knew her parents but not Lily's or Claire's. And because of their muggle heritage neither family could floo to meet Dylan's family.
Dylan led them back up to her room. Claire was also in shock about the recent cleaning.
"Dylan, I've never seen your room so neat."
"Yea, yea, save it. Lily already got on to me. But I was meaning to ask if anyone was ready to decorate. I mean we could surprise our parents after their tea," Dylan said. "And I'm sure Ben could help."
"Alright that sounds good," said Lily. "But are we going to have a tree?"
"Of course, what kind of person do you think I am," Dylan said attempting to look offended.
"Once again Dylan, you are a horrible actress," Lily said with a laugh.
"Oh shut it," Dylan said playfully kicking her.
"Well can I decorate the tree then?" Lily said. "It's my tradition."
"Sure."
"Claire what do you want to do?"
"Uh, I dunno I'll hang tinsel or something," Claire replied. "My family usually never decorates."
"And what about you Dill?" Lily asked.
"I'm going to make cookies," Dylan said laughing.
"No fair you have the easy job," Claire said.
"Whatever," Dylan replied.
The three separated and began to decorate. Christmas was Lily's favorite holiday because it occurred during the winter. She loved the way snow felt upon her cheeks, the way ice sparkled in the early morning sun. And she loved Christmas trees; there was something about them that reminded her of being a child. And it was her childhood, her innocence that she missed most. So every year she decorated the tree. This year it had to be good because this was her last year before her adulthood. So she hummed to herself while charming the ornaments on. It was definitely a plus to do magic out of school, thank goodness she was 17.
The faint smell of cookies penetrated the air and reminded her what time it was. Lily had spent an hour decorating. When she was finished she stood back and gazed at it. The tall evergreen tree stood in the corner of the large living room. The snow that Lily had bewitched was sprinkled down the branches. Little lights of red and green shone under the snow. Simple wooden ornaments adorned the tree. Lily had never much cared for ornate decorations. She liked everything simpler, to her, it was beautiful. The tree needed no gold or silver.
****
That night after dinner the three families filed into the living room and looked at the tree while munching on Dylan's cookies. The air was warm and the furniture was cozy. Soft music echoed in the distance.
"Why Lily this tree is just amazing," Dylan's mother said.
"Oh thank you, I love decorating it," Lily replied.
"Yes she does, Lily decorates our tree every year," Lily's mother said. "And Claire your decorations really are amazing," she said looking round the room.
Claire had hung red and green streamers throughout the house. White lights glittered along the ways and candles floated in the air. Tinsel was hung on every corner and mistletoe was hung in every doorway.
"Thank you Mrs. Evans," Claire said.
They spent the night engrossed in happy conversation. But at midnight Ben, Claire, Lily, and Dylan were sent up to bed.
Lily lay in her soft bed looking up at the ceiling. She could never sleep on Christmas. It was a habit of her childhood. Lily used to stay up all night to try and see Santa. But even now as she lay, her thoughts mixed, she smiled. Maybe she would see Santa tonight. And with that happy thought she closed her eyes and attempted to sleep as soundly as Dylan who was now softly snoring. But just as she began to become drowsy a voice came from the far corner.
"Lily," Claire whispered.
"What?"
"I miss him," she said sadly.
"I know Claire. I bet he misses you too. You'll see him when we get back and you can talk to him then."
"I know, I just miss him," she said and turned toward the wall her back now to Lily.
****
Christmas dawned bright and early for Dylan. She opened her eyes and looked at Ben who was sitting on her bed.
"Hurry up Dill I've been waiting for hours," Ben said.
Dylan looked over at her clock. It was 6:30. She never woke up this early not even for school.
"I'm coming just give me a second," she said and glanced over at her two friends still soundly asleep. Deciding not to wake them Dylan hurried down the stairs after Ben.
****
Lily and Claire awoke at 10. They got up out of bed and went downstairs to find Dylan and Ben lying on the couch surrounded by torn wrapping paper and gifts.
Lily saw her small pile of presents beneath the tree and went to open them. From Dylan she had gotten a new set of paints. And from Claire she got three new books on various magical aspects. From her mother and father she had received three shirts, a nice sketch book, and a gold necklace. Claire's parents gave Lily a sweater and Dylan's parents gave her Honeydukes' chocolate. Then beneath all of her presents lay a small wrapped in gold package with a note. Lily opened the envelope and read.
Dear Lily,
Since we are friends I thought I should get you a present. I know you didn't get me one, but that's ok. You didn't know. Anyhow I hope you like this a lot and have a Happy Christmas.
From, James
Lily smiled and opened the package. In it contained a small pressed lily of the valley. She suddenly felt what seemed like a million emotions. After receiving the flower she unknowly opened her heart to James. For deep in her mind she knew he had changed and he finally deserved a chance.
****
The rest of the holidays were spent outside in the snow or reading by the fire. The three were eagerly awaiting the return to Hogwarts and so on their last day of holiday Claire, Lily, and Dylan set out for the train station with the cold air whipping at them. They walked onto the platform faintly hearing shouts of goodbye emitting from the other side of the barrier.
"Lily! Finally, I thought you would never come," Dylan screamed as she opened the door.
Lily and her mother and father stood on the threshold of Dylan's house. They were all shivering in the cold. Outside snow fell down on their faces, in their hair.
"Dill! These are my parents," Lily said stepping into the warmth.
"Oh, it's so nice to finally meet you," Dylan's mom said coming up behind her daughter. Lily thought their resemblance striking. Dylan's mom was short and hair brown like Dylan. Even their eyes were the same shade. They both had the same sense of warmness about them.
"I'm Maria and this is my husband Solomon," Lily's mother said stepping forward.
Her father shook her hand and said, "It's nice to meet you to."
Dylan whisked Lily away up the stairs but she could still faintly hear their voices.
"Would you two fancy some tea? My husband, Kevin is around here somewhere. Oh and by the way my name is Julia," Dylan's mom babbled.
Lily laughed; her parents were probably in awe at all the magical things, for they had never seen magic other then their occasional visits to Diagon Alley. But all the same they were probably staring at everything with a look of fascination on their faces.
"Lily, you and Claire are going to sleep here with me," Dylan said snapping her out of her thoughts.
"Dill did you clean your room?" Lily said shocked stepping into her room. Dylan was a huge tomboy. For the most part her room was covered in sports supplies and dirty clothes usually baggy pants.
"Why yes I did."
"I feel honored," Lily said laughing.
"Well you should it took me over two hours."
Dylan's now spotless room actually resembled one of a girl. It was painted light blue though Quidditch posters covered much of the walls. Her usual king sized bed had disappeared and was replaced by three little ones.
Lily sighed and dropped her things. She took off her black jacket and fell onto Dylan's bed tired from the journey. She had left early at six a.m. because her parents were loons and insisted on driving for four hours. Lily could not ever fall asleep in cars so she had looked out the window at the snow the whole time. For some reason it fascinated her, the way all the tiny flakes could be so different.
"So, where's Petunia?" Dylan asked plopping down next to her.
"Uh...with her fiancé Vernon or something, a big bloke who goes to her university."
"Well..." Dylan began, but she was interrupted by the doorbell. She perked up, "That must be Claire." Then without another word she jumped off the bed and ran down the stairs. Lily sighed and got off of her heavenly bed and followed down the hallway and then down the red carpeted stairs.
Claire and her parents stood at the bottom of the stairs awkwardly. They were eyeing Dylan's parents nervously but luckily Dylan saved them an uncomfortable introduction.
"Mom, these are Claire's parents and this is Claire."
"Hello, my name is Nicole," said Claire's mother suddenly finding confidence. She like Dylan's mom also resembled her daughter. Her sleek black hair was pulled up in a bun, her blue eyes gleaming. She stood tall and proud.
"Oh, it's very nice to meet you I'm Julia and this is Kevin," she said pointing to her husband.
"And I am Alan," said Claire's father shaking Kevin's hand.
Lily parents stepped forward and introduced themselves. It was all very uncomfortable. It was a bit unusual for their parents to have never met before, because they had been friends for so long. But over the holidays the three spent most of the time at Dylan's house, so they knew her parents but not Lily's or Claire's. And because of their muggle heritage neither family could floo to meet Dylan's family.
Dylan led them back up to her room. Claire was also in shock about the recent cleaning.
"Dylan, I've never seen your room so neat."
"Yea, yea, save it. Lily already got on to me. But I was meaning to ask if anyone was ready to decorate. I mean we could surprise our parents after their tea," Dylan said. "And I'm sure Ben could help."
"Alright that sounds good," said Lily. "But are we going to have a tree?"
"Of course, what kind of person do you think I am," Dylan said attempting to look offended.
"Once again Dylan, you are a horrible actress," Lily said with a laugh.
"Oh shut it," Dylan said playfully kicking her.
"Well can I decorate the tree then?" Lily said. "It's my tradition."
"Sure."
"Claire what do you want to do?"
"Uh, I dunno I'll hang tinsel or something," Claire replied. "My family usually never decorates."
"And what about you Dill?" Lily asked.
"I'm going to make cookies," Dylan said laughing.
"No fair you have the easy job," Claire said.
"Whatever," Dylan replied.
The three separated and began to decorate. Christmas was Lily's favorite holiday because it occurred during the winter. She loved the way snow felt upon her cheeks, the way ice sparkled in the early morning sun. And she loved Christmas trees; there was something about them that reminded her of being a child. And it was her childhood, her innocence that she missed most. So every year she decorated the tree. This year it had to be good because this was her last year before her adulthood. So she hummed to herself while charming the ornaments on. It was definitely a plus to do magic out of school, thank goodness she was 17.
The faint smell of cookies penetrated the air and reminded her what time it was. Lily had spent an hour decorating. When she was finished she stood back and gazed at it. The tall evergreen tree stood in the corner of the large living room. The snow that Lily had bewitched was sprinkled down the branches. Little lights of red and green shone under the snow. Simple wooden ornaments adorned the tree. Lily had never much cared for ornate decorations. She liked everything simpler, to her, it was beautiful. The tree needed no gold or silver.
****
That night after dinner the three families filed into the living room and looked at the tree while munching on Dylan's cookies. The air was warm and the furniture was cozy. Soft music echoed in the distance.
"Why Lily this tree is just amazing," Dylan's mother said.
"Oh thank you, I love decorating it," Lily replied.
"Yes she does, Lily decorates our tree every year," Lily's mother said. "And Claire your decorations really are amazing," she said looking round the room.
Claire had hung red and green streamers throughout the house. White lights glittered along the ways and candles floated in the air. Tinsel was hung on every corner and mistletoe was hung in every doorway.
"Thank you Mrs. Evans," Claire said.
They spent the night engrossed in happy conversation. But at midnight Ben, Claire, Lily, and Dylan were sent up to bed.
Lily lay in her soft bed looking up at the ceiling. She could never sleep on Christmas. It was a habit of her childhood. Lily used to stay up all night to try and see Santa. But even now as she lay, her thoughts mixed, she smiled. Maybe she would see Santa tonight. And with that happy thought she closed her eyes and attempted to sleep as soundly as Dylan who was now softly snoring. But just as she began to become drowsy a voice came from the far corner.
"Lily," Claire whispered.
"What?"
"I miss him," she said sadly.
"I know Claire. I bet he misses you too. You'll see him when we get back and you can talk to him then."
"I know, I just miss him," she said and turned toward the wall her back now to Lily.
****
Christmas dawned bright and early for Dylan. She opened her eyes and looked at Ben who was sitting on her bed.
"Hurry up Dill I've been waiting for hours," Ben said.
Dylan looked over at her clock. It was 6:30. She never woke up this early not even for school.
"I'm coming just give me a second," she said and glanced over at her two friends still soundly asleep. Deciding not to wake them Dylan hurried down the stairs after Ben.
****
Lily and Claire awoke at 10. They got up out of bed and went downstairs to find Dylan and Ben lying on the couch surrounded by torn wrapping paper and gifts.
Lily saw her small pile of presents beneath the tree and went to open them. From Dylan she had gotten a new set of paints. And from Claire she got three new books on various magical aspects. From her mother and father she had received three shirts, a nice sketch book, and a gold necklace. Claire's parents gave Lily a sweater and Dylan's parents gave her Honeydukes' chocolate. Then beneath all of her presents lay a small wrapped in gold package with a note. Lily opened the envelope and read.
Dear Lily,
Since we are friends I thought I should get you a present. I know you didn't get me one, but that's ok. You didn't know. Anyhow I hope you like this a lot and have a Happy Christmas.
From, James
Lily smiled and opened the package. In it contained a small pressed lily of the valley. She suddenly felt what seemed like a million emotions. After receiving the flower she unknowly opened her heart to James. For deep in her mind she knew he had changed and he finally deserved a chance.
****
The rest of the holidays were spent outside in the snow or reading by the fire. The three were eagerly awaiting the return to Hogwarts and so on their last day of holiday Claire, Lily, and Dylan set out for the train station with the cold air whipping at them. They walked onto the platform faintly hearing shouts of goodbye emitting from the other side of the barrier.