"Lily, move your lazy, piece of shit ass and get out here!" somebody called
as they pounded on her door.
"Go away," Lily moaned and reluctantly sat up. It must have been eight o'clock. Way too early according to her schedule. And she didn't get much sleep the previous night. "What do you want?" Then she remembered what day it was.
Christmas.
Lily put on a robe and yanked open her door to see an impatient Cassandra waiting for her. Cassandra's scowl immediately turned into a beaming smile. "Good morning, Cassandra! Happy Christmas!" Lily practically sang.
"Happy Christmas, Lily. Come on, Sol's already up and waiting in the common room," Cassandra said as she pulled Lily into a hug. Giddily, Cassandra and Lily went to the common room and walked over to Sol.
"Happy Christmas, Sol."
"So, I see the queen has finally awoken. Happy Christmas, Lily."
"Have the boys come down yet?"
"No, I haven't seen them since last -"
"Good morning, my fair beauties," Sirius said as he came from his dormitory. "And how are you on your fair and glorious morning?"
"Just wonderful, Sirius," Cassandra said as she walked over to him and gave him a hug. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas to you, too."
"Happy Christmas, Lily!" James said as he rushed down the stairs. Lily didn't even get a chance to answer him. He swept her into a gigantic hug and picked her off her feet. Just as she was about to protest, he gave her a whopping kiss.
"Happy Christmas to you, too James," Lily replied breathlessly.
"Hey, how about we open presents?" Peter asked. "I see Frank Longbottom has already been at his," he observed. Wrappers were strewn everywhere and a box of Chocolate Frogs was open and empty.
"Sure thing, Peter. Here's one of yours." Sol handed Peter a gift from his parents. "Here you go, James. And Cassandra, this one's from your parents, too. Lily, do you want to open one?"
"I'll wait until you guys finish the ones from your relatives," Lily said and smiled tentatively. Sol and Cassandra smiled back. Only them, James and Remus knew about her family. James looked at her for a second, then began to open his gifts.
Lily looked so sad. James wished he could help her. He slanted a quick glance at her pile of presents, then compared it to his. Hers looked extremely small and meager. He lifted his head up when he heard her laugh at some comment Cassandra mumbled about a sweater she received from her aunt. Cassandra was always throwing some sarcastic comment or another out. And Lily was always around to hear them. She looked so beautiful when she smiled. Was it any wonder why he loved her?
"Yo, earth to James? Jamesie-poo?"
"Huh? What?"
"You've got more presents to open. Where did you go a second ago?"
"Nowhere, Sirius. Just nowhere."
"Fine, here's mine. Be careful when you open it."
"Uh, okay," James said and cautiously began opening Sirius's present. Just then, a great "boom" was heard from the other side of the room. James looked over and started cracking up. Peter's face was covered with soot. Apparently, Peter had just opened his present from Sirius and it had exploded in his face.
Quite literally.
"Sorry, Peter," Sirius said in between gasps for breath, and didn't sound sorry in the least bit.
"No you're not," Peter said grumpily. He was the only person who wasn't laughing.
"So sue me. I couldn't resist; you're such a sucker for practical jokes. I can always get you!"
"Yeah, it was so hilarious. Ha, ha, ha," Peter replied sarcastically and wiped soot off his face, which sent everybody into helpless peals of laughter.
"Nobody else's gift is going to explode, will they?" Lily asked after the laughter had died down and looked suspiciously at her gift. She had some rather bad personal experience with Sirius's presents in the past.
"No, I don't think so."
"You don't think so? Sirius, if my gift explodes in my face, I will kick your ass," Cassandra promised. Sirius gulped. He had received quite a few ass kickings by Cassandra over the past six years. She picked up her gift, slowly unwrapping it and . . .
Butterflies flew out of the box. Butterflies of all different colors flew around Cassandra's head and one settled on her shoulder. She held out her hand and the butterfly that landed there became a white daisy. Cassandra felt her eyes begin to swell with joyous tears as butterflies and daisies fell around her. She reached into the box and pulled out a book. "101 Ways to Keep Girls off Your Boyfriend," Cassandra said, scanning the title. Laughing, she threw herself at Sirius and kissed him merrily. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"No problem," Sirius said casually with his trademark smirk. "I figured since all the women want me, you might need a guidebook to keep them off."
"They look so cute together," Lily whispered as James sat down next to her. "I'm glad they finally found each other."
"They were meant to. Just as we were." James looked down at the girt in his hand. "This isn't as extravagant as Sirius's gift for Cassandra, but I figured you would like it."
James handed Lily the small box. Lily began unwrapping it and saw the little box. She opened it and gasped with delight as she picked up the silver locket with a lily on the front. "Oh, James, it's so beautiful."
"Open it."
Lily obliged and her eyes filled with tears. Inside the locket was a picture of her mother on one side and her on the other. "Where - where did you get the picture of my mother?"
"I have my ways. Do you like it?"
"Oh, James, I love it! It's simply wonderful! I could never get a more wonderful gift!" Lily exclaimed and knocked James to the floor as she jumped on him. James cupped his hands over her hips as Lily covered his face with kisses. "It's magnificent! You are the most fantastic man alive!"
"I am feeling pretty fantastic at this moment."
"Oh, but my gift is going to look dreadfully pathetic after that," Lily replied rather dejectedly and pouting slightly, and adorably, at the thought.
"I'm sure it won't."
"You don't know what it is yet. I'll get it for you," Lily got up off of James and grabbed a present from James's pile. "I saw it and I just thought of you," she said as he opened the gift. "It's -"
"Perfect. It's perfect," James broke in. James held up the gift. It was a snowy white owl music box with brown eyes. Just like James's. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Lily," he said and leaned over to give her a light kiss.
"Your welcome, James." Lily kissed him back and cuddled in his arms. She picked up the locket. "James, could you put this on for me?"
"Sure." James unhooked the clasp and put it around Lily's neck. She felt it rest on her heart and tears began to form in her eyes.
"Thank you," she said and leaned to kiss his cheek. James eyes became wary as he saw tears in hers.
"What's the matter, Lily? Why are you sad?" James asked and ran a hand over her hair.
"I'm not sad. I'm happy," Lily corrected and grabbed James's hand. "I can only think of one time when I was happier than I am now." Lily smiled and stood up. "Come on, let's go cheer up Sol; she's feeling lonely without her Remus."
James just sat here for a second and stared at Lily. Where had this free spirit come from? It looked like Lily was truly happy for the first time in her life. It looked good on her. James stood up and kept his eyes on Lily's. "You're a nice person, Lily. You're going to make some guy really happy one day." I hope it's me, he thought.
"Yeah, thanks. I guess I will. And you'll make some girl happy some day," Lily said with a smile. I hope it's me, she thought. "Come on, Sol needs comfort." Lily pulled James with her and sat down next to Sol.
Peter watched this scene with loathing and disgust. James shouldn't be touching Lily like that. She was his. She belonged to him. That's what the Dark Lord promised him. That Lily would be his. Lily belonged to him. He would get his revenge on James for touching his property. For putting his disgusting hands on his beautiful flower. For soiling his lovely flower. Because Lily was his.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That night at the Christmas feast, everybody sat in their correct house tables. Sirius and James happily pranked their archenemies Lucious Malfoy and Severus Snape constantly and mercilessly. And them, being the stupid gits that they were, couldn't muster up the courage to prank the Masters of Mischief back. Chuckling, Lily made her way to the Gryffindor common room. Despite James's protests, she insisted that she go alone. She was set on taking a nice long bath in the Head's Bathroom. With lots of bubbles. Lily turned the corner and stopped when she saw someone in front of her. Someone who didn't belong.
"Hello, Lily," the stranger said lovingly, and stepped out of the shadow. Lily gasped. Before her stood a man so repulsive and horrible, Lily was rooted to the spot in horror. (A/N: Just imagine someone that looks like Michael Jackson standing before you in the hallways. Think "No nose and lots of plastic surgery")
"W - who are y- you?" Lily stuttered.
"Don't you recognize me, my dear flower?" the man asked as he came closer. (A/N: Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson.)
"N - no," Lily said as she backed away, her fear evident in her voice.
"My dear flower, I am disappointed in you. You don't even recognize your Lord." The man stopped coming forward and shook his head.
"My - my Lord?"
"Yes, my Lily. You Lord. Your Dark Lord. Your protector."
"My - my protector."
"Yes, Lily. Your protector. Even if you are a Mudblood, I feel a connection to you."
"Who - who are you."
"You still don't know who I am, do you my little flower? I am Lord Voldemort."
"V - Voldemort? W - why?" Lily stuttered, truly horrified. How did she get herself into such a situation? And how was she supposed to get herself out of it?
"Why what, my Lily flower?"
"Why protect me? I - I'm Muggleborn."
"And that makes you all the more vulnerable, Lily flower. And it makes me want to protect you." Voldemort began to step forward again, and Lily kept backing away. "Why do you back away when I come near you? I won't hurt you." Lily gulped and kept backing up. "Lily, I made you. Almost with my own two hands. Why would I hurt you?"
"M - made m - me?" Now she was very confused and racked her frantic brain for something to get Voldemort away.
"Yes, Lily, I -" Voldemort suddenly broke off as he heard footsteps. "I'll talk to you later, my flower." Voldemort was gone down the hall with a swish of his cloak. Lily slid weakly to the floor as Dumbledore rounded the corner.
"Lily, what happened?" Dumbledore asked as he sat down next to her.
"V - Voldemort w - was h - h - here," Lily stuttered helplessly, in a state of shock. "H - h - h - he -"
"Did he talk to you?" Dumbledore asked when Lily couldn't say anymore. Lily nodded. "Did he hurt you?" She shook her head. "Did he try to hurt you?" She shook her head again. "What did he say?"
"H - he s - said th - that he was my pro - protector," she finally stammered. "Th - that we h - had a co - connection."
"Did he then?" Dumbledore mused. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know. He just . . . disappeared."
"Do you want me to get James?" Lily looked up with wild eyes and grasped Dumbledore's arm. She didn't even give herself time to be amazed at the fact the Dumbledore seemed to know everything.
"No! Don't tell him about this. Then he'll go after Voldemort and get killed. Don't tell him. Please," she finished frantically.
"All right, Lily. I promise I won't tell him. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but could you perhaps let go of my arm? I believe you're cutting off the circulation."
Lily blushed and let go. "Sorry."
"No worries, dear. You know what I suggest you do? I think a nice bath with lots of bubbles would do you good. It always makes me feel better. Except that one time I forgot to take off my socks, but we won't get into that." Lily just looked at him in astonishment as he stood up. How could he act so . . . normal? "Would you like me to escort you to the Head's Bathroom?" he asked as he held out a hand. Lily nodded and took his offered hand to help her stand up. She appreciated the fact that he seemed to know that she didn't want to walk down the hall by herself. Together, the walked down the hall, not noticing the man that watched from the shadows.
"Go away," Lily moaned and reluctantly sat up. It must have been eight o'clock. Way too early according to her schedule. And she didn't get much sleep the previous night. "What do you want?" Then she remembered what day it was.
Christmas.
Lily put on a robe and yanked open her door to see an impatient Cassandra waiting for her. Cassandra's scowl immediately turned into a beaming smile. "Good morning, Cassandra! Happy Christmas!" Lily practically sang.
"Happy Christmas, Lily. Come on, Sol's already up and waiting in the common room," Cassandra said as she pulled Lily into a hug. Giddily, Cassandra and Lily went to the common room and walked over to Sol.
"Happy Christmas, Sol."
"So, I see the queen has finally awoken. Happy Christmas, Lily."
"Have the boys come down yet?"
"No, I haven't seen them since last -"
"Good morning, my fair beauties," Sirius said as he came from his dormitory. "And how are you on your fair and glorious morning?"
"Just wonderful, Sirius," Cassandra said as she walked over to him and gave him a hug. "Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas to you, too."
"Happy Christmas, Lily!" James said as he rushed down the stairs. Lily didn't even get a chance to answer him. He swept her into a gigantic hug and picked her off her feet. Just as she was about to protest, he gave her a whopping kiss.
"Happy Christmas to you, too James," Lily replied breathlessly.
"Hey, how about we open presents?" Peter asked. "I see Frank Longbottom has already been at his," he observed. Wrappers were strewn everywhere and a box of Chocolate Frogs was open and empty.
"Sure thing, Peter. Here's one of yours." Sol handed Peter a gift from his parents. "Here you go, James. And Cassandra, this one's from your parents, too. Lily, do you want to open one?"
"I'll wait until you guys finish the ones from your relatives," Lily said and smiled tentatively. Sol and Cassandra smiled back. Only them, James and Remus knew about her family. James looked at her for a second, then began to open his gifts.
Lily looked so sad. James wished he could help her. He slanted a quick glance at her pile of presents, then compared it to his. Hers looked extremely small and meager. He lifted his head up when he heard her laugh at some comment Cassandra mumbled about a sweater she received from her aunt. Cassandra was always throwing some sarcastic comment or another out. And Lily was always around to hear them. She looked so beautiful when she smiled. Was it any wonder why he loved her?
"Yo, earth to James? Jamesie-poo?"
"Huh? What?"
"You've got more presents to open. Where did you go a second ago?"
"Nowhere, Sirius. Just nowhere."
"Fine, here's mine. Be careful when you open it."
"Uh, okay," James said and cautiously began opening Sirius's present. Just then, a great "boom" was heard from the other side of the room. James looked over and started cracking up. Peter's face was covered with soot. Apparently, Peter had just opened his present from Sirius and it had exploded in his face.
Quite literally.
"Sorry, Peter," Sirius said in between gasps for breath, and didn't sound sorry in the least bit.
"No you're not," Peter said grumpily. He was the only person who wasn't laughing.
"So sue me. I couldn't resist; you're such a sucker for practical jokes. I can always get you!"
"Yeah, it was so hilarious. Ha, ha, ha," Peter replied sarcastically and wiped soot off his face, which sent everybody into helpless peals of laughter.
"Nobody else's gift is going to explode, will they?" Lily asked after the laughter had died down and looked suspiciously at her gift. She had some rather bad personal experience with Sirius's presents in the past.
"No, I don't think so."
"You don't think so? Sirius, if my gift explodes in my face, I will kick your ass," Cassandra promised. Sirius gulped. He had received quite a few ass kickings by Cassandra over the past six years. She picked up her gift, slowly unwrapping it and . . .
Butterflies flew out of the box. Butterflies of all different colors flew around Cassandra's head and one settled on her shoulder. She held out her hand and the butterfly that landed there became a white daisy. Cassandra felt her eyes begin to swell with joyous tears as butterflies and daisies fell around her. She reached into the box and pulled out a book. "101 Ways to Keep Girls off Your Boyfriend," Cassandra said, scanning the title. Laughing, she threw herself at Sirius and kissed him merrily. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"No problem," Sirius said casually with his trademark smirk. "I figured since all the women want me, you might need a guidebook to keep them off."
"They look so cute together," Lily whispered as James sat down next to her. "I'm glad they finally found each other."
"They were meant to. Just as we were." James looked down at the girt in his hand. "This isn't as extravagant as Sirius's gift for Cassandra, but I figured you would like it."
James handed Lily the small box. Lily began unwrapping it and saw the little box. She opened it and gasped with delight as she picked up the silver locket with a lily on the front. "Oh, James, it's so beautiful."
"Open it."
Lily obliged and her eyes filled with tears. Inside the locket was a picture of her mother on one side and her on the other. "Where - where did you get the picture of my mother?"
"I have my ways. Do you like it?"
"Oh, James, I love it! It's simply wonderful! I could never get a more wonderful gift!" Lily exclaimed and knocked James to the floor as she jumped on him. James cupped his hands over her hips as Lily covered his face with kisses. "It's magnificent! You are the most fantastic man alive!"
"I am feeling pretty fantastic at this moment."
"Oh, but my gift is going to look dreadfully pathetic after that," Lily replied rather dejectedly and pouting slightly, and adorably, at the thought.
"I'm sure it won't."
"You don't know what it is yet. I'll get it for you," Lily got up off of James and grabbed a present from James's pile. "I saw it and I just thought of you," she said as he opened the gift. "It's -"
"Perfect. It's perfect," James broke in. James held up the gift. It was a snowy white owl music box with brown eyes. Just like James's. "It's beautiful. Thank you, Lily," he said and leaned over to give her a light kiss.
"Your welcome, James." Lily kissed him back and cuddled in his arms. She picked up the locket. "James, could you put this on for me?"
"Sure." James unhooked the clasp and put it around Lily's neck. She felt it rest on her heart and tears began to form in her eyes.
"Thank you," she said and leaned to kiss his cheek. James eyes became wary as he saw tears in hers.
"What's the matter, Lily? Why are you sad?" James asked and ran a hand over her hair.
"I'm not sad. I'm happy," Lily corrected and grabbed James's hand. "I can only think of one time when I was happier than I am now." Lily smiled and stood up. "Come on, let's go cheer up Sol; she's feeling lonely without her Remus."
James just sat here for a second and stared at Lily. Where had this free spirit come from? It looked like Lily was truly happy for the first time in her life. It looked good on her. James stood up and kept his eyes on Lily's. "You're a nice person, Lily. You're going to make some guy really happy one day." I hope it's me, he thought.
"Yeah, thanks. I guess I will. And you'll make some girl happy some day," Lily said with a smile. I hope it's me, she thought. "Come on, Sol needs comfort." Lily pulled James with her and sat down next to Sol.
Peter watched this scene with loathing and disgust. James shouldn't be touching Lily like that. She was his. She belonged to him. That's what the Dark Lord promised him. That Lily would be his. Lily belonged to him. He would get his revenge on James for touching his property. For putting his disgusting hands on his beautiful flower. For soiling his lovely flower. Because Lily was his.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
That night at the Christmas feast, everybody sat in their correct house tables. Sirius and James happily pranked their archenemies Lucious Malfoy and Severus Snape constantly and mercilessly. And them, being the stupid gits that they were, couldn't muster up the courage to prank the Masters of Mischief back. Chuckling, Lily made her way to the Gryffindor common room. Despite James's protests, she insisted that she go alone. She was set on taking a nice long bath in the Head's Bathroom. With lots of bubbles. Lily turned the corner and stopped when she saw someone in front of her. Someone who didn't belong.
"Hello, Lily," the stranger said lovingly, and stepped out of the shadow. Lily gasped. Before her stood a man so repulsive and horrible, Lily was rooted to the spot in horror. (A/N: Just imagine someone that looks like Michael Jackson standing before you in the hallways. Think "No nose and lots of plastic surgery")
"W - who are y- you?" Lily stuttered.
"Don't you recognize me, my dear flower?" the man asked as he came closer. (A/N: Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson.)
"N - no," Lily said as she backed away, her fear evident in her voice.
"My dear flower, I am disappointed in you. You don't even recognize your Lord." The man stopped coming forward and shook his head.
"My - my Lord?"
"Yes, my Lily. You Lord. Your Dark Lord. Your protector."
"My - my protector."
"Yes, Lily. Your protector. Even if you are a Mudblood, I feel a connection to you."
"Who - who are you."
"You still don't know who I am, do you my little flower? I am Lord Voldemort."
"V - Voldemort? W - why?" Lily stuttered, truly horrified. How did she get herself into such a situation? And how was she supposed to get herself out of it?
"Why what, my Lily flower?"
"Why protect me? I - I'm Muggleborn."
"And that makes you all the more vulnerable, Lily flower. And it makes me want to protect you." Voldemort began to step forward again, and Lily kept backing away. "Why do you back away when I come near you? I won't hurt you." Lily gulped and kept backing up. "Lily, I made you. Almost with my own two hands. Why would I hurt you?"
"M - made m - me?" Now she was very confused and racked her frantic brain for something to get Voldemort away.
"Yes, Lily, I -" Voldemort suddenly broke off as he heard footsteps. "I'll talk to you later, my flower." Voldemort was gone down the hall with a swish of his cloak. Lily slid weakly to the floor as Dumbledore rounded the corner.
"Lily, what happened?" Dumbledore asked as he sat down next to her.
"V - Voldemort w - was h - h - here," Lily stuttered helplessly, in a state of shock. "H - h - h - he -"
"Did he talk to you?" Dumbledore asked when Lily couldn't say anymore. Lily nodded. "Did he hurt you?" She shook her head. "Did he try to hurt you?" She shook her head again. "What did he say?"
"H - he s - said th - that he was my pro - protector," she finally stammered. "Th - that we h - had a co - connection."
"Did he then?" Dumbledore mused. "Where did he go?"
"I don't know. He just . . . disappeared."
"Do you want me to get James?" Lily looked up with wild eyes and grasped Dumbledore's arm. She didn't even give herself time to be amazed at the fact the Dumbledore seemed to know everything.
"No! Don't tell him about this. Then he'll go after Voldemort and get killed. Don't tell him. Please," she finished frantically.
"All right, Lily. I promise I won't tell him. Now, I don't mean to be rude, but could you perhaps let go of my arm? I believe you're cutting off the circulation."
Lily blushed and let go. "Sorry."
"No worries, dear. You know what I suggest you do? I think a nice bath with lots of bubbles would do you good. It always makes me feel better. Except that one time I forgot to take off my socks, but we won't get into that." Lily just looked at him in astonishment as he stood up. How could he act so . . . normal? "Would you like me to escort you to the Head's Bathroom?" he asked as he held out a hand. Lily nodded and took his offered hand to help her stand up. She appreciated the fact that he seemed to know that she didn't want to walk down the hall by herself. Together, the walked down the hall, not noticing the man that watched from the shadows.