Well everyone, I skipped this fics tradition last year and posted some twisted Christmas carols in its place, which I still might do. However, I'm back with another one-shot fluff fic in a Christmas setting, so cheers!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything Harry Potter related, including, but not limited to: the Marauders, Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Lily Evans, Dumbledore, yadda yadda yadda. Aeris Lupin is of my own creation, for more information on her, refer to her selected fic. Usual rules apply, constructive criticism accepted, but flames will be sent to my fireplace to keep me nice and toasty this winter.
Merry Marauder-mas
"So Aeris," a tall, shaggy black-haired boy asked the girl he was accompanying, "What are your plans for the holidays?"
"Well Sirius," the girl responded, "If you really wanted to know, I plan on staying here for the holidays. Our relatives are coming in from everywhere, aunts, uncles, cousins, and various friends of the family with their children. Mum will be running around like a chicken with its head cut off, Dad will be telling old Auror stories to the little ones, random people coming up to you, commenting on how tall you've grown and pinching your cheeks-"
"And you don't want any part of it I take it?"
"Not one bit of it."
"Well, we can be bored together, along with Prongs, Moony, Wormtail, Lily, and other various students who don't want to go home. We'll have a jolly Marauder Christmas!"
"Just as long as you don't get any eggnog from the Three Broomsticks," Aeris interjected.
"What, you didn't like our night of merriment making last year?" Sirius asked in fake innocence.
"Well," Aeris contemplated, "It was pretty funny when you kissed Peter under the mistletoe… and James… and Remus… and a reluctant Lily"
"Alright, I get it."
"And possibly McGonagall," Aeris continued, "And Hagrid… and almost Filch…"
"But not you," Sirius commented, then with a swoop of his arm he pulled her close to him and stated, "But maybe that will be different this year."
With a smirk, Aeris casually removed his arm, and replied sweetly, "Yeah, and then maybe house elves will learn how to fly," she finished with a peck on his cheek, then smiled at him as she started back on her way.
Sirius ruffled the back of his head, watching her go with his blue eyes (note, it never says what Sirius' eye color) following her. Aeris had an athletic figure. Her body was toned, but not buff, she was of medium development, and could best in any Slytherin in hand-to-hand and wand battles. Her gold eyes shone brightly in the light of the hallways, while her medium brown hair was tied back revealing her slim neck, where Sirius lips had dreamed of going to many a night.
Quickly, Sirius snapped back to reality, then hurried to catch up with her. Then, cautiously, he placed his hand on her shoulder. When there was no attempt to remove it, he released a breath, then broke into a big smile.
Aeris eyed him suspiciously, and asked, "Just what are you up to Sirius?"
"What makes you think that I'm up to something?" he replied, the grin refusing to fade.
"I know you Sirius," she stated bluntly, "And whenever you smile like that, you're usually up to something."
"Well, I was just thinking-"
"Oh ho, stop the presses, Sirius Black has just broken away from his usual carelessness to come up with some half-baked schemes," Aeris broke through, speaking louder than usual to passing by younger Griffindors.
"They're not half-baked schemes, more like vague concepts." Sirius replied indignantly.
"And that is so different," Aeris commented sarcastically.
"Yes it is."
"Come on," Aeris stated, "We have to drag James and Lily out of their 'private dorms' so they can get some breakfast before the quidditch match."
"Ah yes, the good old Slytherin versus Ravenclaw game. I know who the rest of the school will be voting for."
"And five-to-one says that it will be cloudy with a high chance of fog and snow, leaving it to be a winter wonderland tomorrow for our trip to Hogsmeade." Aeris continued.
"Speaking of Hogsmeade, that is part of my plan," Sirius started.
"The vague concept one?" Aeris asked sarcastically.
"Yep, that one."
"Well?"
"Well, how about the four of us, you, me, James and Lily go to Hogsmeade and walk around as friends. I mean, since Remus will be making up the work that he missed the last two days, and Peter is still working on his Herbology essay, we'll be the only ones going."
"Okay, I'm getting it so far, what's the catch?"
"The catch is at lunch time, the two of us will go on a picnic, going over to the Shrieking Shack, and leave them together for a few hours."
"And why would we want to do that. Lily would possibly kill him the first chance she got, and leaving them together would be dangerous."
"Well, Prongs wants to get Lily something really special for Christmas, but he has no idea what to get her, so he wants to get an idea of what she likes."
"Like I said," Aeris commented, "Why would we leave them alone together? We would be risking James' life for selfish reasons."
"To tell you the truth," Sirius replied, "I think that would be Prong's ideal way of going."
"By Lily's hand?"
"Yep."
"Good point. Well, shall we run the idea across the two?" Aeris asked, as they paused in front of the portrait leading to the Head Students rooms.
"Well, I see no better time."
"Alright, I'll take Lily and you can have James."
"Thank you Aeris," Sirius commented, hugging the girl, then he said the week's password, "James is a toerag," and then entered, with Aeris in tow.
The Head Boy and Girl's rooms were connected by a fairly good-sized common room. Since the both of them were in Griffindor, the décor was in ruby and gold. A large, comfy, ruby-colored couch sat in the middle of the room, with an oak coffee table in front of it. There were gold curtains over the window, keeping out the cold. They had their own fireplace, which had been lit earlier this morning by some house elf. An entire bookcase was against an entire wall. Two doors were on either side of the room, one leading to James's dorms while the other to Lily's. Also, conjoined to each room was their own full bathroom.
Aeris headed over to the door for Lily's room, while Sirius headed over to James'. The two of them took a deep breath and turned the handles, then each stepped into said rooms.
"Aeris," Lily commented from her own desk, while busily finishing off a letter home, "You're late."
"Sorry Lils," Aeris replied, "I got held up with a love-sick puppy."
"COME ON PRONGS," Sirius shouted at the top of his lungs, while he leapt onto a large lump hidden underneath the bed covers, "TIME TO GET UP! WAKEY WAKEY!"
"Sirius," the lump moaned, "You're early."
"Sorry Prongs, but I couldn't wait to see you. Today's the day for the Slytherin-Ravenclaw match."
"And what makes you think that I want to go to a quidditch match," Lily huffed, not looking up from her letter.
"You don't seem to be disgusted about it when James is playing," Aeris replied casually, as she examined a lock of her hair, "Ugh, split ends."
"That's none of your business," Lily snapped, quickly turning to face her friend, "And besides, I'm in Griffindor, I have an obligation to support our team, not one player."
"Lily comes to the Griffindor matches?" James perked up, as he was struggling with a sock, "I thought she hated quidditch."
"Apparently she hasn't missed a match since second year, about the same time that you started to play," Sirius replied, ruffling his hair.
"That's because I've wanted to see Potter get knocked off his broom with a bludger," Lily commented, "There, I'm done with my letter."
"And speaking of Potter," Aeris started casually, hoping she wouldn't get her head torn off, "I'm meeting up with him and Black tomorrow at Hogsmeade, and I was hoping that you'd like to come with us?"
"Me? Be with Potter for a prolonged period of time?" Lily scoffed.
"Lily's coming to Hogsmeade with us?" James asked, as he pulled on his black trench coat, while heading to the door.
"Well, that's the plan," Sirius replied, grabbing the "Smoke them Snakes," banner, while following James.
"Sirius, this is perfect! Now I can have an idea on what to get Lily."
"Aeris," Lily complained, "I don't want to spend more time with Potter than I have to, and that's a well known fact with you."
"This idea is so-" James started.
"This idea is so-" Lily muttered.
"Brilliant!"
"Absurd!"
Lily and James looked across the common room as they both opened their dorm doors. Lily huffed, then continued on her way. James was only a step behind her, when he commented, "So, Evans, are you going to Hogsmeade with Sirius, Aeris, and I?"
"The only reason I would think of going with you Potter," Lily replied, as she headed into the hallway, "Is to save what little of Aeris' sanity there is left from you two."
"So you're coming?"
"I believe that's a yes Potter," Lily stated, as she and James closed the portrait hole behind them.
Sirius looked at Aeris with a big grin, and commented, "I don't know how you do it Aeris, but you can convince Lily to do anything."
"Like she said," Aeris replied, "She needs to protect what little sanity I have left from you and Prongs."
"I thought you were always like this."
"Well," Aeris smirked, "I did have a little help from you and James."
"So that's why I love you," Sirius purred, wrapping her up in his arms.
Pulling his arms off of her, Aeris replied, "Don't push your luck Sirius," then went through the portrait hole.
After the game, which Slytherin won, much to the dismay of the rest of the school, James, Sirius, Aeris, Lily, Remus, and Peter were crowded into James and Lily's common room. Aeris was lying on the floor, stroking the belly of dog-form Sirius, as she read the adventure novel, "Wands and Werewolves". Peter was busy scribbling on his parchment, trying to come up with more ways to care for a Venomous Tentacular. Remus was dozing in a nearby chair, still recovering from this month's illness. James, who was sitting on one side of Peter, kept eyeing Lily while he was practicing with a snitch. Lily, on the other side of Peter, was ignoring James practice with her face in the book, "The Winter of Unicorns", a new favorite romance novel among the witch population at Hogwarts.
"Hey Evans," James commented, "Watch this!"
Quickly, James stood up on his armrest, then released the snitch. As the small, winged, gold ball took off towards the bookcase, he leapt at it. In mid air he attempted a front flip without hands, then reached out to catch it. Fortunately, he caught it before it could get halfway to the wall. Unfortunately, at that time he ran out of air, and went crashing onto the ground.
Remus jerked awake to see what was going on. Peter looked up, but quickly went back to the parchment, since he sent his quill dragging across the parchment. Aeris looked up from her book, making sure James was still alive. Sirius got up and padded over to his friend, then grabbed the snitch with his mouth, and took off around the room, tail wagging furiously.
James stood up awkwardly, swaying a bit, and almost fell backwards when Sirius, still in his dog form, rounded around the couch, and brushed past James' legs. Shaking his head, James waited for Sirius to come around again, and just as soon as the dog came around, James leapt at him.
Quickly, Sirius sidestepped, and scampered around James. However, James hadn't given up just then. He suddenly lashed out his arm, tripping the dog, and rolled on top of it. Then the two of them busied themselves in a game of tug-of-war.
Snapping her book shut, Lily stood up, and headed to her room. Without looking behind her, the only thing she stated was, "Good night."
Surprised with her sudden exit, James released his grip on the snitch, but remained on top of Sirius. Sirius on the other hand, changed back into his human form, and spat out the little gold ball.
"She didn't even look up," James stated, sadness in his voice.
"Don't take it too harshly Prongs," Sirius replied, "You know how girls get when they read romance novels. Their imagination gets the better of them, and they tend to block out everything else."
"Excuse me Mister Lust-at-every-female-body-on-campus," Aeris stated, "But you tend to block out everything we say when you're ogling some body."
Aeris stood up, then after she brushed herself off, she continued, "If it'll make you feel any better James, I'll go talk to her."
"Thanks just the same Aeris," James stated, standing up while trying to cover up his hurt feelings, "But I think that Lily seriously isn't all that interested in what I say or do. Now, I'm going to bed before I do anything else stupid. And you all should get back to the dorm before lights out, or I'll… I'll…"
"You'll what James?" Aeris asked, watching him while the rest of them started out of the common room.
After everyone else had exited, James finally broke down, gasping between sobs, "I-I don't know anymore Aeris."
Carefully, Aeris led him by the hand over to the couch, and laid him down, trying to calm him down. Brushing strands of his unruly hair out of his eyes, she whispered, "It's alright James, just let it out."
"I love her Aeris," he moaned, his chest heaving, "I truly, honestly do. She's smart, funny, and… and… and God Aeris, she's just so beautiful."
"What makes you think that James? Every other boy in the school?" Aeris asked, trying to make light of the situation.
"No, Aeris. Ever since third year, I've had feelings for her. The way her hair moves when she walks. Her sweet, melodious laugh, I could listen to that all day. The way light shines on her eyes, they're like emeralds. The way she talks, she annunciates everything so clearly, you can just hear the twitter in her voice, just like morning larks."
"Are you interested in her body at all James?"
"God, her body, she's like an angel Aeris. No wait, she's a goddess, her curves are so perfect, I just wish I could hold her. Oh Aeris, I wish that she knew how I felt about her. I want her to know that I love her, and no matter what, I promise that I would take care of her."
"Why don't you tell her?" Aeris asked, looking into his hazel eyes.
James' chest had stopped heaving, as he had calmed into a sense of exhaustion. His eyes were almost closed. His voice was hushed, as he had such little energy. His grip had loosened on Aeris' other hand.
"You know what I also wish Aeris?" he asked, almost in a pleading voice.
"Mmm."
"I wish that she… shared… my… feellllings…" he droned into sleep.
Not looking up, Aeris asked, "Did you catch that Lils?"
Lily had been standing in her doorway, not making a sound. Quickly, she went over to James room, and came back out with his comforter that his mother had made him. Aeris stood up, and helped tuck him in.
Not making a sound, Lily went back into her room, and locked the door. Aeris just sighed, then left for the Griffindor common room.
"What a beautiful day," Sirius crowed, as he, James, Aeris, and Lily walked through the streets of Hogsmeade, "Don't you agree Prongs?"
James didn't reply, he was walking with a somber expression across his face. Sirius then waved his arm in front of his friend, asking, "Prongs? Prongs? Hello, Earth to Prongs, anybody home?"
"Well," Aeris interjected, "I agree with Sirius. And you know what, it is so beautiful that we should go for a picnic."
"A picnic," Lily asked, "But it's freezing."
"Well, if you want to eat where it's warm, then I guess you'll have to eat with James, because Sirius and I had planned on going on a picnic," Aeris replied, pulling a picnic basket out of nowhere.
"What?" James asked, perking up.
"WHAT!" Lily shrieked.
"Bye, have fun, don't wait up!" Sirius shouted over his shoulder, as the two of them took off like a shot, leaving the other pair to stare at them bewildered.
"You know what," James stated, "I believe that we've just been set up by those two."
"Really Potter," Lily snapped, "What could have led you to that conclusion? Was it the idea of going together, or the picnic basket?"
"Now just a minute Evans," James stated, "Are you assuming that I had any part of this?"
"Who else would come up with something so underhanded!" Lily huffed, as she started down the street.
James strode over to her and grasped her forearm, but not hard. He then turned her around so the two of them could stare at each other in the eyes.
Then in a cautious tone, James stated, "Whether you believe me or not, I had no idea this was going to happen, and since Sirius and Aeris have no intention in coming back for a while, we might as well make the most of it."
"Oh? Such as?"
"Well, I still have some Christmas shopping I have to do, and we still need lunch, so how about lunch and then some shopping?"
"I see no harm in it," Lily muttered, "Alright, but just because we were set up by friends."
"Alright then, let the set-up date begin," James commented.
"And this isn't a date Potter," Lily snapped.
"Alright, then let the set-up begin."
The two of them then headed up the street about a foot apart from each other.
That evening, James was sitting in the library, a piece of parchment sitting in front of him. His hands were in his hair, while his fingers grasped a few locks. Aeris came in and walked over to his table. Looking over his shoulder, she asked, "Whatcha writtin' James?"
"I'm trying to write something sentimental for Lily, like a poem."
"Well, how was you're attempts at finding a Christmas present for her?"
"Terrible. Christmas is a week away, and I still have nothing for Lily. She didn't say anything on what she liked."
"Well, where did you go?"
"We only went to two shops, the bookstore and that glass figurine store. The only thing she showed the slightest interest in was this glass figurine sculpture."
"A glass figurine sculpture?" Aeris asked, then started, "Tell me, was this figurine of a winged unicorn?"
"Yes, it had it wings spread out. It was on top of a mound of clouds, and it had tiny emeralds for eyes."
"I see," Aeris commented, picking up a nearby book, "So, James just out of curiosity, does the side of your head hurt?"
"No, why?"
WHACK! The book that Aeris was holding onto connected with the side of James' head, causing his glasses to go flying. Looking at Aeris with a blurry vision, James sputtered, "What the heck was that for?"
"HOW DENSE ARE YOU POTTER!" Aeris shrieked.
Before he could respond though, Madame Pince swooped down on the two of them, and threw the two out of the library. Putting his glasses back on, he stared at Aeris, and asked, "What are you talking about?"
"Lily has been looking at that same figurine for the last four times that we've gone to Hogsmeade. This is the perfect time for you to prove how much you love her."
"What?"
"GET YOUR INVISIBILITY CLOAK AND GO BUY HER THAT FIGURINE AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT YOU HALF-WIT!" Aeris snapped, "AND I'LL WORK ON THAT LOVE POEM FOR YOU!"
"But-"
"NOW!"
"Alright, I'm going," James commented running down the hallway.
"Men," Aeris muttered as she headed back to her dorm.
Christmas day was finally upon them. They, the Marauders, Aeris, and Lily, found themselves opening up their presents in the Head Students common room.
James' presents were a plush stag (Aeris), a box of chocolate frogs (Sirius), a new quill (Remus). A pair of socks with lions on them (Peter, he just seemed like the sock giving type of person), some homemade fudge (mum and dad), and a book titled "How to Cure Fat-Headedness" (Lily).
Sirius' gifts were a new scarf (Remus, getting the practical gift), a new set of Wizard Snaps (Peter). A "Black Wands, Cold Heart" (a new favorite rock group) tee shirt (Lily), a year's subscription to PlayWizard (James, much to Aeris' anger), and a box of Licorice Wands and a six-pack of Butterbeer (both from Aeris).
Peter's gifts were a mouse trap (a gag gift from Aeris), a package of cauldron cakes (Sirius), a new pad of parchment (Remus), a new outfit for his teddybear, Danny, which he was holding (Lily), and a signed poster of the Holyhead Harpies (James, since his dad is their manager). Peter also got a new sweater from his parents.
Remus' gifts were a box of peppermint toads (James), a plate of home-backed chocolate chip cookies (Lily), five books of various assortment (mum and dad), a pair of socks with wolves on them (Peter). Sirius had given him a new set of quills since he had ruined Remus' favorite one. Finally, Aeris had given him a wolf ornament with his name etched into it.
Aeris' gifts consisted of a Holyhead Harpies tee shirt (James), a pair of griffin feather earrings (Sirius), a booklet titled "How to Avoid Rebels" (Remus), a large, plush black dog (Lily), and a new adventure novel "Fire and Griffins" (Peter). From home, Aeris received a packet with "interesting" questions for Sirius.
Lily received gifts such as a bag of pumpkin pastries (Sirius), a sterling silver fairy necklace (Aeris), an enchanted rose (Remus), and a new romance novel "A Night with a Male Veela" (Peter, who almost died of a heart attack when purchasing it). From home, Lily got a new denim jacket with a lion emblem on it.
"Before we forget Lils," Aeris commented as she rummaged underneath the small tree they brought in the night before, "There's one more gift under this tree."
Aeris produced a small box from the tree, and walked over to Lily. The box was wrapped with ruby-colored paper, and a gold ribbon. There was no tag on it though. Carefully, Lily pulled off the wrapping paper.
On top of the box was a piece of folded up parchment with the phrase "Read me first" on it. She unfolded the paper, and on it was a poem written in beautiful calligraphy. The poem read:
Ever since I saw you/
My heart just melt/
No matter when I looked/
Strange feelings, I have felt/
Your eyes are like emeralds/
Shining in the light/
And whenever I would meet your gaze/
My heart is in flight/
Your hair is like fire/
And the light creates embers/
While you twirl those locks/
I will always remember/
Your body is an angel/
My diamond in the rough/
The way you make it move/
My eyes can't get enough/
Your voice is melodious/
It reminds me of birds/
With their song upon their breast/
They have no need for words/
No matter the response/
No matter what you say/
I will always protect you/
For that's the only way/
(Isn't that so sentimental?) Tears were forming in Lily's eyes, but the final blow came when she opened the box, and found the glass figurine of the winged unicorn in it. Lily had fallen in love with it ever since the first trip to Hogsmeade this year. She knew she couldn't afford it though, but she still loved it. Whoever had bought for her had to have dug deep into their wallet to pay for it.
Her eye caught sight of something engraved. On the bottom of the glass clouds was the carved message:
To Lily,
May this symbolize the everlasting love I have for you.
James
Lily looked up, and saw that James was sitting at her feet. Everyone else had vanished mysteriously. Lily looked into James' hazel eyes, and saw the love overflowing from them.
"James."
"Lily?"
"I love you," she stated, as she slid down onto the floor, and gave him a passionate kiss.
"'Bout time," Sirius stated from behind the couch.
FIN.
Well, happy holidays everybody! Remember, the best present I could get in my virtual stocking is reviews! So click that little button underneath this story, alright? BYE!