Chapter Fourteen: Christmas Shrubbery to the Rescue
It was a week into December and everyone was hurriedly packing, ready to go home, and Lily and James were still not talking to each other. Their friends, exasperated to no end, tried to formulate plants to get the two to be (at least) friends again. Even Estella and Sirius had called their own truce.
"If we're going to work together, we'd better get along," Estella echoed Lily's words from earlier that year. "I may not think Potter's good enough for her, but he seems to make her happy." Estella, for all of her tough exterior, wanted her friends to be happy more than anything.
Lily was not the only one miserable. James dragged himself through the day routinely, despite pulling pranks with his friends. Cheri didn't even notice; she was too busy trying to find matching robes and new nicknames for her "Jamesie-Poo."
"Jamesie-Poo," Sirius shook his head, disgusted. "Prongs has really lost it."
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"We'll have to continue our plans after Christmas Hols," Selene said with a sigh to Sirius and Remus as they stood in the Great Hall, awaiting the boats to be prepared.
"I can't believe those two still aren't talking!" Alice exclaimed. "Even Frank isn't this stubborn!" She shook her head sadly and went off to go find said Frank and say her final good-byes.
"Well, hopefully the Christmas spirit will do them good," Sirius said, referring to the fact that both Lily and James were staying at Hogwarts over the break. Lily told her parents that she wanted to stay at Hogwarts as much as possible, as it was her last year, and luckily they understood. James's mother was being treated to a cruise by some friends, and James decided not to go with her.
"Yeah," Selene agreed. "You two have a Happy Christmas as well," she referred to the fact that Sirius was going home with Remus. He usually went home with James for holidays, but as that wasn't possible, Remus invited them both, and Peter, over. James said he'd prefer to just stay at Hogwarts, thanks, but Sirius and Peter had accepted. Their rat friend was nowhere to be found, and everyone assumed he was off sneaking to the kitchens one last time.
"Yeah," Remus flushed. "I'm going to miss you."
Selene smiled and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "I'll miss you too." Thanks to his pep talk with Lily, Remus had finally asked Selene out. With shining eyes, she had happily agreed.
Sirius rolled his eyes. "Ugh, you two are making me sick." He left, spotting a couple of his quidditch mates across the hall.
The two laughed good-naturedly and Remus pulled Selene to him. "Finally," he whispered, "thought he'd never leave."
Selene smiled slyly. "Perhaps if we snog around him more often, he'll leave us alone."
Remus laughed and lowered his mouth to hers.
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(POV of Lily)
Lily sighed. There was something wrong with Estella but Lily couldn't quite figure out what.
"Are you sure nothing's wrong?" She asked for what seemed the umpteenth time.
"I'm fine," Estella said firmly.
"If you say so," Lily shook her head.
Estella rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that shit, Lily Evans," she said determinedly. "You and I both know that there has been something wrong with you as well. It's that son of a bitch Potter, isn't it?"
Lily sighed. "Of course it is."
Estella was surprised that Lily admitted it so freely.
"I can't understand why we're both acting this way—other than the fact that we're stubborn gits—but I do understand how I feel. I miss him. And," Lily sighed. "I'd like to think he misses me."
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(POV of James)
"Are you sure you don't want to come to Moony's, James?" Sirius asked.
James rolled his eyes. "We've been over this, Padfoot. I'm perfectly find having Christmas on my own."
Sirius bit his lip, concerned. "Are you sure? Not even The F—Cheri's going to be here."
"I'm positive," James rolled his eyes again. "I'll survive without her."
Sirius used his last resort. "Doe's staying," he said, affection in his voice as he talked about his newfound friend.
"So?" James kept his voice even and steady, uncaring and casual.
Sirius sighed. "All right James, you can keep this denial game up, but don't pretend with me, k?"
James glared down at the floor. "Since when did you become so wise?" he muttered.
"Maybe I'm finally growing up," Sirius shrugged. "I dunno… I just kind of thought that the lifestyle I was leading was only a tad more respectable than that my parents and brother lead. I mean, from future Death Eater to Man-Whore? Oh yeah, that really is much better. And after having a good solid relationship, I rather like it. Granted, Alexis and I didn't last or anything, but she gave me a good idea of what kind of person I'm looking for."
James cocked his head. "You really have grown up."
Sirius grinned. "That's exactly what Lily said."
James frowned at the reference.
Sirius shook his head. "Prongs, seriously."
"You're Sirius, not me," James grinned, using the lame pun.
"Har-dee-har," Sirius rolled his eyes but grinned as well. "But really, you miss her. And she misses you. At least go back to being friends, because you can't be more than that."
"You're right, we can't. I have Cheri and she has Will."
Sirius looked at him, one eyebrow raised. "What, you haven't heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Lily broke it off with Will."
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Ah, yes, Will. I, as author, am sorry to report that I have forgotten about Will momentarily, but don't fret, all questions shall be answered in due time.
But now, a flashback:
(flashback sound effects)
(A week before)
It was a clear, crisp morning, the kind where the sun is shining, the sky is blue, and yet you can still see your breath coming out like puffs of smoke.
Lily had awoken at eight, after having the most peaceful sleep since she had that fight with James.
James…She tried so hard not to think of him as she went through her morning routine, hoping that she would once again, avoid him.
Because it was December, she pondered what she would wear. A short skirt or dress would be unreasonable and over dressy, but pants seemed underdressed. She decided on a nice pair of black pants and a green sweater that brought out her eyes. After grabbing a scarf and mittens, Lily performed a warming charm on herself, took her wallet and wand, and exited the Head dorms.
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Will, as usual, was dressed perfectly, with tan pants and a gold jumper that brought out the tints of his hair. Lily mused that if James wore a gold jumper it would bring out his eyes. And upon realizing this, chided herself for the observation. She was going out with Will, not James.
And throughout the perfect date, this was the only flaw she could find.
They had a simple lunch at The Three Broomsticks, then walked around Hogsmeade, going into Zonko's and bookshops and other places.
At the end of the date, Will shyly gave her a small kiss on the lips. He looked at her intently and asked, "Did you feeling anything?"
Lily bit her lip, contemplating, but then deciding to answer honestly. "No."
Will smiled slightly. "Good, 'cos I didn't as well."
Lily grinned at him. "Just friends then?"
Will shook her hand. "Just friends."
(end flashback)
(Present day)
"So they realized they were better off just friends?" James asked, making sure he understood Sirius's tale.
"Yup," Sirius answered. "It's bloody brilliant, if you ask me. Now you're free to break up with Cheri."
"What?" James blinked.
Sirius sighed at his friend's slowness. "Admit it, James, you only agreed to go out with Cheri because you were mad that Lily was paying so much attention to Will; you basically pulled a bird and wanted her to get jealous."
James glared. "That's not true," he protested feebly.
"It is," Sirius said, analyzing his best friend. "And the only reasons why you want to stay with her now is to a) prove me wrong and b) to prove you aren't using her like she's using you."
"Cheri's not using me!" He protested hotly.
"She is," Sirius said. "Cheri's a social climber; you're at the top of the social ladder—what better way to get to the top by dating the main guy?"
James sat down. It made perfect sense of course; he knew that Cheri was like that. But he kind of wanted to believe that she liked him for him. Of course, this was unfair of him since he didn't exactly like her romantically… but he just had to give it time, right?
"I just need more time," he said to no one. Sirius shook his head and left the room, wondering when Prongs was going to wake up.
He wasn't paying attention to where he was going and ran into Estella. "Oh! Sorry!" He said, and then helped her pick up the bag she was carrying. Upon realizing it was Estella, he flushed, a very un-Sirius thing to do. "Hey," he squeaked.
Estella raised an eyebrow at that but replied coolly (despite her burning cheeks), "Hello to you, too."
"Um, so…" Sirius gulped. "Have a good break, eh?"
Estella smiled slightly. "You too." And upon that, fled the room.
Sirius plopped down in a squishy chair, exhaling a breath of relief.
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Lily was having the nicest dream. She and James had made up, and when the two walked down together at breakfast, the look on Cheri's face was so horrified that she melted just like the Wicked Witch from The Wizard of Oz.And then she heard it.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCKSitting up with a dazed expression on her face, Lily groggily asked, "Who—who's there?"
"It's me," came the gruff voice of James.
"Oh—" Lily hurriedly threw her legs over the side of her bed. "Be there in a minute."
"No, don't bother," James said again in that civil borderline cold voice of his. "I just wanted to tell you Dumbledore wants to meet us in his office right now. I'm going to go on ahead." He promptly left, and Lily could hear the portrait door close.
She sighed. When are things ever going to get back to normal?
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After fixing her hair and throwing on a new, un-wrinkled shirt, Lily quickly strode down to Dumbledore's office, muttering, "Gumdrops," as the password and hurrying in.
She found James already sitting with Dumbledore, a lemon drop in both of their mouths.
"Ah, Miss Evans," Dumbledore smiled at her. "Terribly sorry to disturb your nap but I just had to have you here. Lemon drop?"
"Thank you, Professor," Lily said, reaching for one. "And I don't mind. I was planning on waking up about then anyway." It was a small fib, and Dumbledore knew it, but didn't comment.
Lily sat down on the chair next to James, both nodding their acknowledgment. Dumbledore saw this exchange and inwardly groaned—all of their progress the last few months went down the drain…. But not for long…
"I have put up Christmas decorations around Hogwarts, so there's no need this year for you two to put them up. There are a few new ones, such as mistletoe."
"Hasn't mistletoe always been around the castle, sir?" James voice Lily's own silent question.
"This is true, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore answered jovially, "but this year, I've had Professor Flitwick add a special charm around them— one when that two people of the opposite sex step under the mistletoe—they must kiss the other in order to be able to step out of the four by four foot area near the mistletoe."
"So let me get this straight, Headmaster," Lily said slowly. "The two people will only be able to move in the area directly under the mistletoe unless they kiss?"
"Precisely, Miss Evans," Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "I just wanted you two to know, so you can spread the word to any remaining students. That is all. Enjoy the rest of your evening."
"You too, Headmaster," the two students chimed.
They exited his office at the same time, but immediately James sped up ahead.
"James!" Lily called out. He froze, tension evident in his shoulders and back.
"What?" He half-whispered.
"Could we… do you think we could talk?"
James shook his head, still not turning around. "I don't think we should." And he continued to walk.
Lily ran after him, stopping him by grabbing onto his arm. "What has gotten into you? I just want to talk."
"We have nothing to talk about." He said coldly, harshly removing his arm and trying to walk off. He got no more than two feet.
"Why can't I move?" He said angrily, an imaginary force field surrounding him.
Lily, panicking, looked up. "Damn," she whispered, but James heard her.
"What?"
Lily pointed.
Mistletoe.
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Damn, damn, and triple damn. How do I get myself into these messes?
Upon realizing this, James slid down onto the edge of the wall, his eyes closed, head in hands.
"What are you doing?" He opened his eyes to see an impatient looking Lily Evans.
"What does it look like? Waiting for a teacher to discover us and get this charm off."
"That could take hours. Everyone's off at dinner," Lily said, irritated. "Just kiss me and get it over with."
"I am not kissing you," he said vehemently, but that little voice in the back of his head was screaming at him to.
Haven't you been wanting to do this ever since you were fourteen?Well yes but…
But what? So you had a fight. You still like her, don't you? You still lo—
No! No, I don't!
Don't fool me, Potter. I am your conscience. I see EVERYTHING.
He closed his eyes again as he debated with himself. He was so deep in thought that he didn't hear the soft footsteps and a person kneeling down in front of him.
But James did feel two hands on either side of his face. Before he could react, a soft pressure was felt on his lips. Lily's lips.
They were soft and gentle and everything he had ever imagined. His mind screamed at him to kiss her back. He wanted that annoying voice to shut up, so he did.
Upon feeling a reaction, Lily started to kiss him back as well. It was nothing passionate, but rather just tentative and sweet. His arms encircled her, wanting her closer, to savor the moment. They smiled against the other's lips.
He smells like fresh air and earth and mint and…cherries. Oh god…. Cheri.
Quickly, Lily jumped up, out of James's embrace. Tears burned her eyes at the unfairness of it all. She wiped them awake quickly.
"Oh, god, I'm so sorry," she whispered, before taking off.
James, upon feeling that there was no pressure on his lips, was stunned. He heard her whisper, and when he opened his eyes, she was gone.
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Author's Note: Ta-da! They finally kissed! Sorry it was nothing really graphic or passionate, but I never thought that their first kiss would be like that. I hope you guys liked it; it may be a little clichéd—first kiss under a mistletoe, but whatever—just some pure fluff for ya.
soccerchic1989: Don't worry—as matchmaker, Remus has a very prominent role and will not be written out—it's just that Sirius will now have more of a role. And James does like Lily, but he's still mad and hurt at her, being a stubborn git and all. James is having an internal struggle—he's wondering if maybe it's time to try and move on—and it's confusing to do, since Lily's giving him mixed signals.
Daniel Clark: I expect some constructive criticism this chapter, LOL.
And thanks to….
Dutch Girl, Black Rose, scullymulder, prongs is mine, Slytherin's Cliffy Queen, CaptainOats + PrincessSparkle (love the name! LOL) SillyGillie, and Brighton Baby