Hola, Good Day, Bonjour, Hallo, Ciao, Aloha, Hei and Hello to all of my fanfiction readers! Now I know that it has been a really, really, really long time since I updated. But I wanted to let you know that I have good reasons. Just like in my story, I had to be a participant in a wedding of my own. Then I went on vacation and I took a nice little break before college I had to go back to work and college starting. Lastly, I was just too lazy to sit down and write the story and preferred to go watch American Professional Football players (The Buffalo Bills to any U.S. fans) practice at my college and be a normal young woman and go out and have some F.U.N. So I am sorry if I inconvienced anyone and I'm sure that you will let me know if I have, but don't be mad at me for today I have updated and the world is rejoicing. And just to make sure that there are no sour grapes, I have combined two chapters into one. I was seriously contemplating posting them as separate chapters so you all would have something to read last week and this week, but I decided (with pressure from a certain puma) that it would be more fun to post all twenty-five pages of the story and make an extra long chapter for your reading pleasure.
Now, here are some quick shout-outs. (I just wanted to let you know that if anyone wants me to email them from my home email address to notify them when the new chapter is up, please ask me to check out your email through fanfiction or if you are unafraid, drop it into your review.)
AnniePADFOOT- I completely forgot that it was winter in Australia right now. Well, I hope that your winter is going splendidly and hopefully your winters are not as dull and cold as mine are up here in N.Y. I wanted to let you know that I have found a new candy love in my life. Carmel filled Hershey kisses. They are so addicting, you have to try them if you haven't already. Toodles!!
Desolation Lily – I chose the letter R and the number 14 because R is for monkey and 14 is for the number of toes that I have. Just to let you know, there are a lot more Lily and James together scenes in this chapter, so I hope you enjoy it.
Pdlegirl- I'm really glad that you liked the last chapter. I hope that you like this one just as much since it is so bloody long! Hmm....my limit on pixie stixs? I think my friend and I each did twenty once when we were in high school. We bounced off the wall for hours. That was the best game of slapjack I ever played. But needless to say, I have grown out of pixie stixs and gone straight to snorting Splenda in the morning. (Just kidding) What is your limit for fun dips? Mine is three of the tri-flavored packs in one day.
cquill13- I am so sorry that I didn't email you! I have added you to my list and I will email you when I send out the email notifications after this is finished! However, I have to say that I was quite upset that you sent your evil orange tick tacks on me since I took to long to update. They were very mean and I didn't appreciate the orange glow that they left on me after they poked me to death. It was a good thing that my tick tack eating mutated sea bass got to them before the could inflict real damage. Mwwhahhahaaa.
flyingwind33- Hey girlfriend what's up? I am sorry that you didn't like that Lily and James were not together in this chapter. To make amends I promise that they are together in this chapter and the next chapter, so don't worry. I hope that everything is going all right in the Phils. and that you are not staying up too late with homework. But if you need a break, feel free to read and re-read the chapter. Talk to you later. Stay cool.
Padfootlet- All right, all right. We can share Sirius. But I am only sharing him with you! I am a jealous girlfriend and I think that I am all right with sharing him with you. So you may come over and have some cookies. But I just wanted to let you know that while you were tee-peeing the Slytherin common room, he snuck out and has been on vacation with me for the past week. Let me just say that he is a terrific salsa dancer.
Sammy Solo- Sammy, Sammy, Sammy!! Hey girl what's up? Okay, I'm going to shout out as I re-read your review. I'm glad that you liked the descriptions. I didn't use as many in this chapter because it was too long, just to warn you. The writing was a little to formal, but I know some British people and they are kind of formal, unlike us Americans (just kidding) But I did use a less formal style in this like the other chapters. Hehehe, did you see the foreshadowing or are you just looking too hard. Maybe there is but maybe there isn't any. I guess you will have to see, mwwwuuhahahahhaa! I think it's great that you started your own story. I promise that I will take a gander at it. Stay cool! TTFN.
devil-aimee- Hey what's up! I hope that you are enjoying the end of your term and that you aren't getting into too much trouble. I am so glad to meet a fellow Fraggle Rock lover! I love Fraggle Rock and I wish they would bring it back or put it on DVD! I just bought some of the old Muppet Show episodes. They are little more adult than I remember, but funny just the same. Hey, since you seem to be a child of the '80's, do you remember He-Man and She-Ra? Have fun on your holiday!
LoonyLupin2010- Hey, I'm glad that you like the last chapter. Hopefully you'll like this one even more. Please let me know what you think about it. TTFN.
Courtney- Hey Court! What's going on? Nothing too much here. Just enjoying my time off of work and school. My cousin got married two weeks ago and the wedding was alright. A typical wedding; fluffy, regal and boring for my taste. I bought a set of drums and I am learning to play them. I tell you, nothing is a better stress reliever than beating on drums and being as loud as you want. Well anyway, I hope life isn't too boring for you and that you are having some fun this summer. Talk to you later.
Kittyofwonder – Your question cracked me up. Who is Tom Arnold? That is the point lol. He is a worthless, no talent actor that no one has ever heard off. But anyway, I took your advice and skipped most of the pointless shopping and crap like that. However, I do have an issue with you over your love for Marvin. I am a little disturbed by it and I hope that you will see him for what he truly is. An evil, diabolical monster. But anyway, I hope that you like the chapter. Toodles.
Whitepaw- Thank you for calling off Commander Bun-Bun. My bed is pellet free and I am sleeping better, not mention not as smelly, than I was before. The coffee thing is hilarious! I work at a restaurant and I had this awful guy at one of my tables. After the twentieth time in a row he made me run for him, I got angry and spit in his soda. It was one of the best moments of my life when I cleared away the empty drink glass. I've always been told that I am feisty for my age too. It isn't a bad thing; it just means that you won't take any crap. Don't let people knock it out of you. I truly believe with you that Americans are wonderful and everyone wants to be like us. That is why the world hates us. But that's another discussion. I really like your animagus name. I don't know what I would be if I was one. Probably a tiger or something because I am very feisty and temperamental. That's a good question to ponder; I think I will for a while. TTFN Empress of all Bunnies.
Luthein- Your bunt cake is on the way! Look for it in the mail on Wednesday.
blueviolinist33- Ahh, taking short cuts eh? Reviewing two chapters at once eh? I see how it is. Think you are busy at school with homework and stuff eh? Well it's all right I guess. To answer your questions. Faith is purely American. She was born in the U.S. but her family was transferred to the U.K. when she was baby. She lived there in England with her family until she was 13. Then her family moved back but she was allowed to continue school at Hogwarts. She has a very slight British accent that can be heard on some words, but mostly she talks like an American. You'll see how Faith is doing in this chapter. I'm so glad that you like her, since she is my favorite character. Hope everything is going well with you. Talk to you later.
Attackofthemarblesnatchers- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAAAA HAAAA!!!!!!
sweetness0984- Oh, stop giving me compliments or my head will swell. Well, you can give me them if you want too, hehehe. But honestly, thank you for the review it really made me feel good. Of course I am going to add you to the shout outs! Why wouldn't I? And don't worry, I don't plan to stop writing this story. Unless something happens to me (knock on wood). Talk to you later.
Amanda – Hey girl, what's going on? I'm glad that you liked the last chapter. But I know that you will like this one even better! Will the Marauder's show up? Well we know that one of them will for certain. Talk to you later!
Phoenxarrw – Hmmm, a food fight. That is a brilliant idea. I wonder if I could fit it in somehow. Maybe the wedding? I need to think about that one. Anyway, I am glad that you like this story. I hope that you like this extra long chapter as well. Talk to you next chapter.
charmed girl33- Hey girl, what's going on? I think that it is wonderful that you are smart enough to be accelerated. I am a teacher and I know gifted students when I see them. That is something to be very proud of, heck I am proud of you and I hardly know you. Well, keep up the good work and don't forget to take a break every now and then to keep you sane. Talk to you later!
Jack Robinson- Miss Jack, how are you darling? I hope that everything is well in your corner of the world. I am glad that you liked the last chapter and I hope that you like this one as well. It is extra long for your reading pleasure. I thank you for liking the way I write Lily. I never know if I am writing her correctly since there is no reference. But as long as you like her, it is all the reference that I need. Talk to you next chapter.
LJstagflower4e/JCtigerwolf4e- Hey Rebecca, what's going on? I am glad that film camp was fun. What kind of movie did you make? Hopefully it was rated suitable for children to see it lol. I am glad that you liked the chapters. True they were a bit of a filler, but a necessary bit of filler. I wanted everyone to see the difference in family characteristics. I hope that this chapter is a little better and a bit less of a filler. Talk to you later.
Padfootedmoony- Hey what's up! I'm glad that you liked this chapter. I know that you are anxious for the wedding and the party. I can't wait to write it. The wedding is going to be in the next chapter. I just hope that I don't disappoint you guys. I hope that everything is well with you. Talk to you next chapter.
Val- Hey girl what's up? Your weather has been in the 30's and 40's? And I thought my weather was bad in the high 70's and low 80's! Your camp sounds like so much fun! I am actually jealous of the stuff you have been doing. I haven't been doing anything like that. Just hanging out around my boring old town, enjoying a little vacation and relaxing for once. And, guess what. I am brown too. Well, being Italian I am naturally brown, but I am browner (if that's even a word) It isn't good for the skin, but you are right that it does make you look better. Well, keep the suntan lotion handy! Talk to you later. TTFN.
MooningOverMoony – Claire! I was getting so worried about you! I am glad that you reviewed!! You gave me the best compliment. I love their relationship too. I want their relationship or the one that Sirius and Faith possess because they are kind of bad and have the perfect love-hate thing going. You are so lucky. How was Prince Edward Island? Beautiful I bet. I am so jealous. I hope that you had some fun while you were there and have a few stories to share with me. Talk to you later!
Jules- Hey, thanks for the compliment. I am very glad that you like my story. It is nice to see someone that gets my sense of humor also. I think that all great stories need a bit of comedy, drama, romance and adventure in it. Hopefully my story does those things. I hope that you continue to read it and review the chapters.
The Continuing Saga of Marvin the Puma
STEPHANIE: (Stands outside the door listening for movement and very frightened) What is that noise? Is he gnawing at the door? Oh my God I think he is! (runs away to find something to defend herself. Finds a lightsaber given to her from a fanfiction friend.) All right Marvin. Come at me and do your worst! (the gnawing suddenly stops. Stephanie slowly approaches the door; lightsaber raised in the attack position. She presses her ear to the door. Suddenly the door explodes open, throwing Stephanie half way across the room. MARVIN: (Stands triumphantly in the busted door way) AHAHAHAHAHAAAA!!! I AM FREE!!!!!! (Stephanie is laying on the ground trying to regain her breath) STEPHANIE: Marvin! You evil.....you foul..... MARVIN: Yeah, yeah, we already know that I am the most evil and manipulative puma on the planet. But you knew that before and that is why you tried to use a brainwashing device on me. Well, Stephanie, let me ask you something now. From that angle, on the ground, how well does your device seem to be working? STEPHANIE: (Spits at Marvin) You kept me a prisoner in my own house! You made me cook for you, clean for you. I even had to clean up your hairballs! Do you know how disgusting it is to have to clean up a two-foot long hairball! And it was on my new white shag carpet no less. You couldn't even do it outside; no you had to do it on my new rug! MARVIN: (Shrugs) Hey, when you have to, you have too. You know how it is baby. STEPHANIE: (Sneers at Marvin and starts to stand up) I shall kill you now! I am done dealing with you. You have done nothing but torture me and I will be damned if I am going to let you do it again. (Raises her lightsaber) Come on Marvin; let's finish this for once and for all. MARVIN: (Grins at her evilly and sticks out his claws) Sounds like a good idea to me. (Stephanie and Marvin circle each other for a minute before Marvin attacks. Stephanie swings at him with her lightsaber but misses; hitting a china cabinet and it falls to the ground and smashes. Marvin pounces at Stephanie but she ducks. He goes flying into the table and slides into the wall. Stephanie runs after him and swings. Marvin rolls away and swipes at her; catching her on her right arm and slashing it open. Stephanie screams in pain and grabs her arm. Marvin grabs a shard of broken glass and throws it at Stephanie who cuts it in half with her lightsaber. Marvin grabs more pieces and flings them at Stephanie. Stephanie tries to cut them with her lightsaber but miscalculates and one of the pieces knocks it out of her hand.) MARVIN: AHAHAHAA! Looks like I am going to win. You are no match for me. Puma's are more powerful than pesky humans! I will win and at the end you will bow to me and call me master once again! STEPHANIE: Over my dead body Marvin! (Stephanie picks up a broken piece of glass and so does Marvin. They ready themselves in attack positions.) MARVIN: There is one thing that you must know before I kill you. STEPHANIE: Yeah, what's that? MARVIN: I am your father! STEPHANIE: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! MARVIN: (laughs) Yes, it is true! STEPHANIE: NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Tune in next week for the thrilling conclusion of Marvin the Puma.
Chapter 25: Bridal Showers and Dinner with the Family
Lily woke early the next morning. She slept restlessly, tossing and turning most of the night. She was accustomed to it though. She could never peacefully sleep in a strange bed. Even though it was her own bed, and had been for most of her life, her body was not use to it and needed some time to adjust again. But there she was, sitting on the end of her bed staring out into the cold December morning. She had been there for a while. She watched the dark morning give way to the brightness of the new day, as if the veil of night was being lifted to introduce the warm brightness of the sun. It was so peaceful in the morning. Movement from downstairs in the kitchen drew her attention away from the window. Her mother must be up and making her routine pot of coffee. Feeling that it was useless to delay any longer, Lily gave the morning one last glance, grabbed two towels and a bathrobe and headed for the shower. The hot water rushed all over her, arousing her senses and giving her energy for the long day ahead of her. When her body had turned pink and the hot water nearly ran out, Lily stepped out of the shower and toweled off. She rubbed the fog off the mirror and stared at herself for a moment.
"Well," she said to her reflection, "Are you ready?" With a deep breath, Lily began to get ready for the aggravating day that was in store for her.
"Oh James," said a soft high-pitched voice as it floated into James's dream. "James wake up, I miss you sweetie. Wake up and give me a big, old kiss." James grinned but did not open his eyes.
"I don't kiss on the first date," mumbled James. James heard the familiar bark-like laugh that he had grown accustom to as if it was his own. He slowly opened his eyes to blurrily see his best friend standing over his bed with a broad grin on his face.
"I happen to know that you do, you slut," grinned Sirius.
"Git," grinned James as he reached for his glasses on his desk. "I don't remember ordering a wake up call." He stretched and sat up.
"This one is on the house. Besides, I need to go Christmas shopping and, knowing you as I do; I figured that you needed to go too. Unless you plan on giving the fair Miss Evans a bag of dung bombs for Christmas."
"What time is it?" asked James, looking around.
"Nearly nine-thirty," said Sirius, looking at the enveloped letter that Lily had written the previous night. "Anything interesting?" He held up the letter and waved it in the air.
"Nothing of your concern," smirked James, swing his legs off the side of the bed and making to stand up. "Have you heard from Faith yet?"
"Nah," said Sirius shaking his head at the letter as he placed it back on the table. "It takes a while for the owls to make if over the Atlantic." He turned to James. "Your mum said that we are leaving in a hour and for you to get your lazy bottom out of bed and for us to get ready."
James yawned again and nodded. "All right, all right. In that case, I guess I'll have to get into the shower first!" James leapt off his bed and raced to the shower; Sirius close on his heels.
Lily re-entered her house a little past four o'clock in the afternoon with arms bursting with bags. She had literally run all over London getting her dress fitted and altered, shopping for food for tomorrow's big event and spending way too long at several shoe stores as Petunia tried on hundreds of pairs looking for the right ones to match her dress.
"Finally," said Lily exhausted as she dropped the bags in the middle of the hallway. "I never thought I would see this place again." She took off her jacket and hung it up on the hook on the wall.
"Don't put them there! That is my food for my shower!" shouted Petunia, pushing past Lily, nearly knocking her over. "Pick them up and put them on the kitchen table!"
"I have a brilliant idea, why don't you bend down and pick them up and walk your bony little butt into the kitchen with your food," sang Lily in a mock-sweet tone, batting her eyes at her sister.
"Girls, why don't you both pick them up and put them in the kitchen for me please," huffed her mother as she pushed past Lily with arms loaded with groceries and other shower items. She kicked the swing door leading to the kitchen open and staggered into the kitchen.
"Why must you always be such a freak!" hissed Petunia as she bent down and picked up the two smallest bags of the eight that were on the floor.
"Why must you be such a stuck up anal pain in the butt?" retorted Lily angrily.
"Just grab the rest of the bags!" snarled Petunia turning from Lily to walk into the kitchen. Lily let out a disgusted snort and reached into her pocket.
"I prefer to do things the easy way." She pulled out her wand and pointed it at the bags. A white light hit all eight bags and they immediately levitated off the ground in front of her.
"What are you doing!" shouted Petunia with a horrified expression.
"Taking the bags into the kitchen," said Lily with the air of talking to a small child. She flicked her wand and the bags moved towards the kitchen. Petunia screamed and flattened herself against the wall.
"How dare you do magic in front of me! You better not try anything like that tomorrow, I'm warning you!" shouted Petunia as Lily opened the swinging door into the kitchen. Lily turned to look at her sister.
"You're warning me? YOU are warning ME?" She let out a high laugh and shook her head. That last image Lily saw before the door swung shut was Petunia's scowling face.
After spending several more hours cooking, baking, frosting and decorating Lily finally made her way upstairs to her room. She climbed the stairs, thinking that all she wanted to do was change her clothes and put her hair up. She opened the door to her room and flicked on the light. She closed the door tight behind her and placed her wand on her vanity. To her surprise, two letters, addressed to her, were laying there. Immediately she recognized the handwriting of both letters.
"It's about time," said Lily as she grabbed the letter baring Faith's handwriting first.
Hey Lils,
Well, I'm back in the good old U.S. of A. The only good thing I can say about being back here is that the weather is 75 degrees and sunny. Hopefully I'll come back to England with a tan to make you jealous. Everyone here is good. Mom and Dad are the same as usual. Susie has grown so much since September. At eleven, she is almost my height and I bet in another few years she is going to be a bigger troublemaker than I am. Brent and Noah are good too. Brent got his license last month so according to mom he and Noah have been M.I.A since then. Mark is coming home on Wednesday from Michigan State. I guess he has a girlfriend named Jenny and she may be staying for Christmas. I know that you are probably crushed at this news but hopefully you'll get over it. Oh, how fun that is going to be with one more person crammed into mine and Susie's room. But oh well.
How is everything on the battlefront? Give Petunia a big hug for me and a nice little bottle of lotion for luck. Have you heard from James yet? I suppose that Sirius and him are probably up to no good as usual. Well I have to get going because I start my shift at the bar in forty minutes. Send me a letter about the shower. Talk to you soon.
Love and Misses! Faith
Lily closed the letter and laughed to herself. She had been very fond of Faith's family when she met them. They all shared the same sarcastic sense of humor and looked relatively the same as one another. Lily laughed as she thought about Faith's older brother Mark. She had such a crush on him when she visited. He was tall and shared the same handsome good looks and arrogance that Faith possessed. He was a first string wide receiver on the Michigan State football team and Lily used to love sitting in their backyard watching him and Faith's two younger brothers playing catch.
"But he is no James," thought Lily to herself as she put down Faith's letter and reached for James's. Just as she was about to open it, Lily heard her name being beckoned by her mother.
"Oh what now!" she said to herself. She threw down the letter and stomped out of her room.
"I don't care what anyone says, Diagon Alley is the only place to shop," said Mrs. Potter as all four of them apparated into their living room, arms full of gifts.
"I am just glad that we didn't run into any trouble," said Mr. Potter as he placed his bags on the floor in front of him.
"Have things gotten that bad, Dad, where they would attack in broad daylight in the middle of a busy street?" asked James as he plopped down on the couch behind him.
"Mmm-hmmm," said his father with the same serious expression that he tended to wear lately when talking about national events. James and Sirius looked at each other and both of them knew not to expand on the topic.
"So Mrs. Potter, what did you buy me?" asked Sirius, trying to change the subject and throwing himself on the couch with a thud.
"Never you mind. Christmas is a time for secrets." She walked over to the stairway with her arms still burdened with gifts. "And don't either of you go peaking or poking around and spoil it for yourselves," she added, casting a half stern look at the boys.
"We would never do that mum," said James trying to look innocent and failing.Mrs. Potter gave a loud laugh and stared her son straight in the eye. "Need I remind you of Christmas a few years ago when you found all of your gifts and ruined your Christmas?" James let out a loud laugh and shook his head. His mother let a small smile slip across her face and disappeared upstairs.
"We should probably go and hide these too," said James making to stand up and grabbing the bags at his feet. "If we leave them down here too long than Dad will start looking through them."
"I would never do that," said Mr. Potter in a mock-hurt tone. He lifted his wand and pointed it at the fireplace. Immediately a fire blazed and, for a moment, turned the whole room a bright shade of red.
"No, you'll just hold us captives of an inquisition until you finally figure it out," grinned James.
"It's more fun that way, isn't it?" smirked his father.
"Maybe for you," muttered James as he grabbed his bags and rushed for the stairs. James walked up the stairs and past Sirius's room. He stopped in mid-step and doubled back to peer inside.
"Hey mate! You've got a visitor!" yelled James from the top of the stairs. Loud, hurried footsteps told James that Sirius was making his way towards him, and sure enough within seconds he appeared at the bottom of the stairs.
"Who is it?" called Sirius as he made his way up the stairs with his two bags of presents.
"The Minister of Magic," said James sarcastically. "Who do you think it is? It's an owl." Sirius met James at the top of the stairs and peered into his room.
"Ahh, it's about bloody time!" said Sirius with a broad grin. He pushed his way into his room and dropped his bags on his bed. He took the letter from the owl and gave it a few treats and a letter of his own. Immediately the owl set off and Sirius closed the window.
"Need I guess who it's from?" asked James leaning against the doorway with a sarcastic grin.
"If you like," shrugged Sirius as he ripped the letter open and unfolded it.
James snorted and turned to go into his room. He dropped his bags on his bed and his heart sank a little that there was no owl waiting for him. He reached into one of the bags and pulled out a tiny black box. He opened it and smiled. "She is going to love this," he thought to himself. He closed it and placed it on his bed.
A few minutes later, James emerged from his room. All his presents were wrapped and ready to go. Sirius's door was open and he was lying on his bed with his hands behind his head and a satisfied smirk on his face.
"Good letter?" asked James walking in and sitting down on one of the chairs by his messy desk.
"It was alright," smirked Sirius.
"How is Faith?" asked James leaning back in his chair and folding his hands across his chest.
"Good. She says that she hates being home and wishes that she was here," shrugged Sirius.
"Sounds vaguely familiar like someone I know," smirked James. Sirius's smile wavered and he solemnly nodded his head. "Have you heard from your parents or your brother at all?"
"I talked to Regulus for a brief moment right before we went on holiday. He didn't really respond too much to me," said Sirius staring at the ceiling. "I think my parents have drilled it into his head that I'm a traitor to the family."
"You don't know that," said James bracingly. Sirius slowly took his eyes off the ceiling and looked James straight in the eyes.
"Yeah I do, because he told me that I am." James shook his head.
"Well they are wrong. You are not a traitor for what you believe. In fact you are practically the only decent one in your family. They are just ignorant and delusional and you are better off without them if you ask me." Sirius didn't say a word, but returned his gaze to the ceiling.
Lily reentered her room around ten thirty at night. She was exhausted. The shower had not even begun yet and already she was tired of it. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and not think about anything involving the colors gold or white, food, favors, guests or Petunia. She slipped out of her clothes and crawled into bed. She waved her wand at her light switch and immediately her room was dark. She settled into her bed a little deeper and let sleep carry her away.
Lily hazily walked into a dimly lit living room. Each step she took felt like it was magnified ten times over, creating the illusion of moving in slow motion. Even though she had never seen this place before, she knew that it was her living room. The beige colored furniture that inhabited the room gave a touch of lightness against the chocolate colored walls and shining hard wood floors. She looked around the room and at her friends sitting around it on the overstuffed chairs and couches. They were all talking and Lily could tell by the expression on their faces and of the mood of the room that it was not of a pleasant manner. Lily walked over to James and handed him a drink. He smiled at her weakly as he took it. She sat on the arm of the chair that James was occupying and gazed upon the situation at hand. Even though Lily could not make out any of the words she saw that Sirius was angrily yelling at Remus, who was sitting with his head in his hands, and to Peter, who merely smiled at him with pleasure. Lily's gaze turned towards Faith, who was sitting on the couch opposite her with her eyes on the floor in front of her. She couldn't understand what was going on. Why was everyone so upset?
"Faith, what's going on?" Lily heard herself say to her best friend. Faith looked up at her through tear-filled eyes.
"Lils, now is not the time to joke around," said Faith in disbelief. She blinked back another tear and forced her eyes to the ground once more. Sirius had now turned his focus on Peter and was inches from his face, screaming and yelling. Spit flew onto Peter's face, but he did not flinch. He looked up at Sirius with the same pleased expression.
"I'm not joking around. Seriously, what is going on?" said Lily forcefully. She could feel the tension rising from her stomach and into her throat. Why was Sirius so upset? Why was he yelling at Peter and Remus for? Lily felt James pat her leg soothingly, but she knew that his attention was on Sirius and Peter. She glared at Faith who shook her head at the floor. "Faith, why is everyone so upset? Talk to me!"
Faith slowly raised her deep brown eyes to Lily's emerald ones. Tears had dripped down her face, causing her makeup to run and leaving black streaks down both her cheeks. She looked haunted and drained. "I told you, you should have picked me," she said quietly.
Lily woke with a start. She shook her head as if to clear her head of the dream. "What an odd dream." She blinked her eyes and looked at the clock. It was five-twelve in the morning. She shook her head again and laid her head back down on the pillow. "I need to stop eating ice cream for I go to sleep."
At one o'clock, Lily found herself once again in the kitchen. Petunia's guests were set to arrive at any minute and her mother wanted to put out the food now. She grabbed a platter of chicken salad croissants and exited the kitchen and into the dinning room, where the food was being displayed.
"I don't want it there. People are not going to see them. It looks much better if you put it by the crab dip," demanded Petunia from behind her. Lily turned around to face her sister. She was dressed in a conservative white jacket with a matching white skirt. She had a yellow rose corsage pinned to her jacket and her long blonde hair was pulled up on the sides.
"It's not going to matter where it goes. People are not going to pay attention where it is placed, so relax," said Lily gruffly. Petunia pursed her lips together and Lily noticed how much it made her look like a horse.
"This is my party and if I want the platter to be put in a certain place then you will do it!" she hissed at Lily.
"Well if you want it in a different place then you move it. Heaven knows that you haven't done a damn thing today to help us except play supervisor." Lily pushed past Petunia and walked back into the kitchen.
Thankfully Lily was saved from more of Petunia's demands as the doorbell continuously rang over the next hour and she was busy greeting her blood relatives and future relatives respectfully. Once all the food was out, Lily ran upstairs quickly to make sure that she looked okay. She ran the brush through her long red hair once more and straightened her pink cardigan sweater and black skirt. She reapplied her lipstick quickly and ran back downstairs. She walked into the living room where most of the ladies were seated and chatting pleasantly with one another.
"There she is!" exclaimed a cheery and familiar voice from across the room. Lily smiled as her Aunt Catherine got up and walked towards her. "Don't you look absolutely beautiful!" She gave Lily a tight hug and kissed her on the cheek.
"Hello Auntie Catherine," smiled Lily. "How are you?"
"Not bad, not bad," said Aunt Catherine with a wave of the hand. "I just got back from Egypt." Lily laughed. Her Aunt Catherine was her mother's older sister. She was a travel agent that owned her own lucrative business. She was tall and thin and strikingly beautiful. She had long dark hair and blue eyes and Lily marveled at how young she looked for her age. She had never chosen to marry or have children, but she did have a twenty-year ongoing relationship with an older man named Michael, whom Lily had always called uncle. Why they never married was a question that everyone in the family never got tired of pondering over. Nevertheless, she was Lily's favorite relative.
"How was it?" asked Lily as her aunt grabbed a hold of her arm and steered her towards the dining room and away from the other guests.
"Beautiful and warm. Quite the contradiction of the nasty weather here." They walked over to the table. "So how is school?"
"School is good, busy but going well," smiled Lily.
"Any boyfriends yet?" asked Aunt Catherine with a twinkle in her eye. She grabbed a pastry and began to eat it. Lily grinned broadly and she could feel herself blush. "Well it's about damn time! What's he like?" Lily described James and tried to keep herself from turning beat red. After she finished, her aunt leaned in a little closer towards her.
"Yes, but the important question is, is he a good kisser?" she asked scandalously. Lily was speechless, all she could do was giggle and she knew that despite her best efforts she was a brilliant shade of red. "I guess so," her aunt nodded approvingly.
For the most part, the shower was going well. Lily visited with relatives that she had not seen in years and she met Petunia's mother and sister-in-law-to-be. She was not impressed with either one, but especially Vernon's sister Marge. She thought that she was quite manly and she had to agree with her Aunt Catherine that she thought "she might be a little on the queer side." During the opening of the gifts, Petunia shot Lily a nasty look when Lily nearly spit punch all over one of Vernon's cousins due to Aunt Catherine telling Marge that she looked like she would make a good gym teacher. Lily coughed and excused herself to the bathroom for the rest of the gift openings.
Slowly, one by one the guests began to leave until the only people left were Lily, her mother, Petunia and her Auntie Catherine. The house was a mess and Lily knew that it would take at least and hour to do it manually. She pulled out her wand and in a swift motion, the empty cups, plates and silverware came flying towards her and landed on the floor in front of her. She levitated them and floated them towards the kitchen.
"Coming in!" shouted Lily as she opened the door. Her mother and Aunt were talking by the sink and both turned to look at the door. Her aunt gasped as she saw the dishes flying into the room and into the sink.
"Catherine, I'm sorry!" apologized her mother. "Lily you know better than to do that in front of people!"
"It's all right, Evie. In fact I think it's wonderful what Lily can do! It just catches me a little off guard that's all," laughed her aunt, waving the apology away.
At quarter to eight, Lily's aunt left and everything was cleaned and quite. Lily's father was due back from his brother's at any minute and Petunia was happily categorizing her presents by room and into a pile in the living room again. Lily took this opportunity to retreat to her room. She opened the door and flicked on the light. Grace hooted softly as a welcome and Lily gave her some owl treats. She undressed and changed into some comfortable pajamas. She turned on the television and walked over to her vanity and sat down. She went to pick up her brush to put her hair back when a fairly large envelope caught her attention.
"I can't believe I forgot about James's letter!" exclaimed Lily, reaching immediately for the letter and tearing it open.
Dear Lily,
I cannot explain to you how happy I was to receive your letter. I have to agree with you that it too feels strange to me to be writing you instead of being able to talk to you whenever I want. But I know that this is only for a short time and we will see each other soon enough.
I hope that everyone in your family is well and that your sister is not giving you a hard time. But just in case she is, I want you to know that all you have to do is send word to me and I will be there in a heartbeat. In fact, if you need anything please let me know and I will come by faster than you can say Quidditch.
I want you to know that I miss you terribly as well. I am hoping to see you before the wedding if that is possible, because all of this time apart from you is driving me mad. Please send word to me when you have some free time and I promise that I will do my best to come and see you. I'll even leave Sirius at home if you wish (even though I know that you secretly want him. I think you should know that we have a bet on it.) I'm just kidding. But anyway, I miss you and I think about you every waking moment of every day.
All my Love,
James
Lily smiled as she folded the letter and replaced it inside the envelope. She missed James horribly and she wanted to see him. Lily sat for a moment and reread the letter again.
"Please send word to me when you have some free time and I promise that I will do my best to come and see you." Well, one good thing was that the shower was over. She now had plenty of free time until the wedding on Saturday.
"And it would be a good idea to have James meet mum and dad before the wedding," she thought to herself. "But when is a good time? Well, tomorrow is Monday and it will take James at least a day to receive the owl and write back. So I'm thinking that Tuesday or Wednesday would be a good day for him to come over, but which day to pick? Hmm, Petunia is working tomorrow and she'll be home fairly early. Tuesday she is taking all of the gifts to their new apartment and if I know Petunia, she'll be there all day rearranging things and swooning over that oaf of a fiancée of hers."
Lily reached in her desk for a piece of parchment and her favorite quill. She quickly scrawled a response telling James's to come over on Tuesday around noon for tea and that Sirius was more than welcome also if they would be able to control themselves in her mother's presence. The last thing Lily needed right now was for them to start goofing off and having her mother ban James from attending the wedding with her. She finished the letter, reread it again and sealed it.
"Want to get some exercise?" asked Lily as she walked over towards Grace. Grace hooted happily and stretched out her tiny leg. Lily fastened the letter to it, opened the window and petted the bird lovingly. "Take it to James and be careful, all right?" The owl gently nipped her hand and set off out the open window. The thought of seeing James made Lily's stomach feel as if there were butterflies in it. She missed him so much and wanted nothing more than to be able to kiss him hello and being held in his arms.
James lay on his bed and stared at the ceiling. As he twirled his wand around in between his fingers he couldn't help but wonder why Lily hadn't responded to his letter. It had been almost two days. Had he said something wrong in his letter to offend her or was he too pushy about seeing her again before the wedding? Maybe she was really busy with the wedding and she didn't have the time to write back. What if something terrible happened to her? What if Death Eaters had found her and murdered her whole family?
"James don't be paranoid. If there was an attack it would have been all over the paper," he said to himself. Feeling a little relieved he relaxed a little. But just as he settled back against his pillow, a terrible thought entered his mind.
What if she didn't want to see him? What if spending all of this time home she has had a chance to sit down and think about their relationship and had decided that she didn't want to continue it anymore? What if she had met someone else and fell deeply in love with him instead? James sat up in a panic. He couldn't let that happen. He couldn't lose Lily to someone else. He got up and started pacing the floor. He needed a plan, but what kind of plan. He could apparate to her house right now and tap on her window to talk to her. No, that wouldn't be good. She could get upset at him for waking her up. It would need to be in the morning. That's what he would do. He would apparate to her house tomorrow morning bright and early to catch her before she headed out. Maybe her seeing him again would make her change her mind. But what would he say to her? James continued pacing the floor again, thinking hard about what he would say. He would need a reason to show up at her house. His eyes wandered around the room searching for inspiration. His eyes landed on a small wrapped present on his desk. His eyes lit up at the sight of the small box. That's it! He would drop by to give her an early Christmas present.
"James, old boy, that is brilliant!" he said out loud to himself. He settled back into his bed and reworked the plan in his head. Just after midnight he had it all laid out and ready for action. Satisfied with himself, he closed his eyes. He was just about to drift from dozing to deep sleep when a hard knocking sound jerked him awake.
"Death eaters?!!" said James alarmed. He bolted up in his bed and grabbed his wand and glasses off the nightstand. The knocking sound echoed through out his room once more and James cautiously moved towards the window. He looked out of the corner and to his relief he saw the familiar brown owl that he recognized as Lily's. He opened the window and the owl flew inside immediately, letting a draft of cold air and a few sprinkles of snow in along with her. She flew over to his desk and stuck out her leg.
"You scared me half to death!" James closed the window and walked over to the owl. He removed the letter and eagerly tore it open. He read the letter quickly and with each sentence he felt the panic he possessed earlier drain out of his body and seep through the floor. His first premonition was correct; she was busy and just had not had any time to write him back. He read the letter through again and scribbled down a response. He rolled up the letter but did not attach it to Grace's leg.
"It is really late and I think it would be safer if you stayed here for the night," said James to the owl. The owl looked at him skeptically; as if analyzing his true intentions.
"Don't give me that look. I swear that I am not going to harm you in anyway or try and keep you for my own. I just don't want anything happening to you. Lily would never forgive me if something happened to you on my watch." James opened up the top drawer of his desk. He pulled out some owl pellets and treats and placed them in front of her. She surveyed him for a moment as if pondering his true intentions. After a moment she bent her head down and ate, signaling that she was all right with James and that she would stay the night.
James woke up bright and early the next morning. He attached the letter to Grace's leg and a second later it was on its way to Lily. He absolutely could not wait until tomorrow. In fact, he partly wished that he could just sleep the rest of the day away and wake up tomorrow instead. But knowing that it was not possible, he decided to get dressed and spend the rest of the day with Sirius. He had almost forgot that there was a party to plan, chess games to be fought and quidditch to be practiced. Before he knew it, he would be heading back up to his room and getting ready for bed, although he knew already that he would hardly sleep a wink.
Lily looked out her window Tuesday morning to gray skies. The clouds were beginning to roll in and she could already tell that it was going to snow pretty hard today. She hoped that James would still come, despite the weather. But from the reply that she had received she could tell that sleet nor monsoon would keep him from coming today. Lily turned her attention away from the weather outside. She looked at the clock and had decided that it was time to get up and start moving about. She had a lot to do before James and Sirius arrived at noon. As she grabbed her clothes and made her way towards the shower, she could feel the butterflies swimming in her stomach.
"Lily, darling, I have to run some errands today," said Mrs. Evans as Lily ate her breakfast in the living room.
"What kind of errands?" asked Lily through a mouthful of cereal.
"I have to go and make the final payment on the cake, pick up your dress, go over to Mrs. Dursley's to make sure that she doesn't need help with the rehearsal dinner and over to the florist to check on the centerpieces." She pulled on a beige wool overcoat and tied a brown and white scarf around her neck.
"What time are you coming back?" asked Lily.
"I probably won't be back until around two o'clock this afternoon." She grabbed her purse.
"Is Petunia going to be home today?" asked Lily, trying to sound non-chalant.
"She is going to be taking all of her gifts over to her and Vernon's new apartment. She is going to start setting up house and then her and Vernon are going to go to a movie or something." Lily felt her heart skip a beat in happiness.
"Oh, okay," smiled Lily, trying not to seem overly happy that she was going to have the house to herself for two whole hours with James. "Oh, um, on that note. James and his friend Sirius are going to be dropping by today sometime. Do you think they could stay for dinner?" Mrs. Evans looked at her daughter with raised eyebrows.
"James is coming by today?" Lily nodded. "I suppose that is alright if he stays for dinner. After all, I want to meet him and I know that your father wants to meet him." She let the corners of her mouth turn into a smile. "Just behave yourselves while I am gone, please."
"Oh mum!" said Lily with a mock-disgusted expression on her face. Mrs. Evans laughed.
"All right I'm off. See you around two." She swung her bag onto her shoulder and with one last grin, she turned out of the living room and out the front door.
As the clock ticked closer to noon Lily found herself very antsy. She had cleaned the entire house from top to bottom. She had cleaned the kitchen and even the bathroom got a once over with her wand. She straightened up pictures on the walls and even dusted the living room real quick. Just before noon, she ran upstairs to throw on a different sweater and pair of jeans. She let her hair fall loosely around her face; she quickly applied some make-up and spritzed some perfume on her neck and wrists. Once satisfied she bounded down the stairs and into the living room. She turned on the television and switched the channel to her favorite soap opera. She sat down on the couch and glanced at the clock. Almost noon. She tried to watch television but her stomach was turning in anticipation. She was so excited to see James. Her foot tapped nervously on the coffee table as she kept glancing at the clock. Noon came and passed and with each minute growing farther away from twelve o'clock, Lily felt her stomach sink with disappointment.
'Maybe he isn't coming,' she thought to herself. 'Maybe something came up and he couldn't make it.'
Her foot tapped rapidly against the coffee table. Her eyes now darted so frequently to the clock that time seemed as if it was standing still. She switched the channel impatiently, looking for something to take her mind off the time. As the clock ticked one minute faster, she let out a loud sigh and grabbed at a magazine. She flipped it open and began to read an article about seven ways to make yourself over in fifteen minutes. She was on number five, giving yourself a facial, when the doorbell rang. Her heart skipped a beat and she threw the magazine down on the coffee table. She leapt off the couch and walked towards the door. She checked herself in the hallway mirror quickly. She took a deep breath and opened the door. The cold air hit her square in the face and engulfed her whole body.
"Hello my darling," smiled James as he casually leaned up against the doorway.
Lily put her hands on hips and smiled at James. "You're late James Potter."
"Sorry, I had to drop Sirius off at Remus's and I had to say hello," smiled James, playing along with her. They both grinned at each other for a moment until Lily couldn't take it any longer. She jumped into James's arms and kissed him. James wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close to him and kissed her back passionately.
"So, been missing me?" smirked James once they pulled away. Lily laughed and hugged him tight.
"Not really. I'm just hugging you because it's cold out here," teased Lily. James laughed and kissed her once more. "Come inside. It's freezing out here." James nodded and followed her inside the house. He felt his stomach lurch forward a little as she shut the door and he took off his heavy cloak. He hung it on the hook and looked around.
"Your house is very nice," commented James, staring at the pictures on the walls in the hallway. "There is something wrong with your pictures. They aren't moving." He moved closer to examine them.
"There isn't anything wrong with them," laughed Lily shaking her head. "Muggle photographs don't move."
"Fascinating," mutter James to himself.
"Come on, I'll give you the tour," laughed Lily, taking James by the hand and leading him around the house.
James followed her into every room in her house. He couldn't help but stare at her as her hair swayed when she walked in front of him, or the way she slyly glanced at him over her shoulder as she moved from one room to another. Everything about her seemed to intrigue his very senses.
Lily could not help but laugh as James followed her around the house. He had never been in a muggle house before and he asked questions about everything. He did not understand the purpose of a television or a refrigerator. He didn't understand the workings of the telephone and even something as simple as a can opener amazed him. Lily couldn't help but be amused as he jumped around from various electrical appliances to another, inquiring about there use. He looked like a little kid in a new environment. When Lily would demonstrate how a certain appliance worked, he would shake his head and mutter that it was 'amazing.'
"Your house is very beautiful," said James once the tour was over and they were seated on the couch in her living room.
"Thank you. My mum will be pleased that you like it," laughed Lily.
"Speaking of your mum, where are your parents," asked James curiously.
"Dad is working, Mum is out running errands. She'll be back around two," shrugged Lily, looking at the clock.
"So we are all alone?" asked James with a raised eyebrow. Lily nodded her head and gave him a sly look.
"So, what is new with you?" asked Lily, as she opened her drink and took a swig.
"Not a whole lot," shrugged James, doing the same.
"How's Sirius?," said Lily curling her legs underneath her and turning to face James.
"He is good. We are enjoying our vacation. A lot of quidditch and chess and things," said James taking a sip of his drink.
"I thought he would have come today," said Lily studying James.
"Nah, I asked him but I think that he would have felt uncomfortable and sort of like a third wheel so he decided to go and visit Remus." James rested his drink on his knee and turned his head to look at Lily properly. "You know, you look very beautiful today."
"Thank you," blushed Lily. "You look very handsome today yourself."
"I have thought about you everyday, you know," said James studying her face. He wanted to imprint it permanently into his memory so that he would have something to remember later when he left her.
"Well I have thought about you everyday too. I am so glad that you came over today. I've missed not seeing you everyday," said Lily, smiling warmly at him. James grinned at her. He believed that she had grown more beautiful in the few days that they were apart. She looked like a whole different person at home.
"I can't get over you in those muggle clothes," said James pointing to her sweater and jeans.
"What's wrong with them?" asked Lily looking down at her clothes.
"Nothing. It is just strange not to see a robe over them or to see you in something other than a Hogwarts uniform."
"Do you not like it?" asked Lily, eyeing him playfully.
"No, not at all. It's different, but a good different," said James, taking her hand in his.
"Well I'm glad that you like it," said Lily in mock sarcasm. "You look very distinguished in your wizarding robes. You look very grown up and not at all like the immature teenager you are."
"Why thank you Miss Evans," grinned James as he snobbishly dusted and straightened his robes. He ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to try and smooth it. He straightened up and somberly grabbed her hand once more. "Is that distinguished enough for you?" Lily giggled at him.
"A little to distinguished for my liking," said Lily shaking her head.
"You don't like it?" asked James, trying to look haughty.
"Honestly, you look like a git," teased Lily playfully. James's expression slid from a haughty one to the familiar look of mischievous that Lily had grown fond of.
"Yes, but you think that I am irresistible when I look like a git," grinned James, sliding a little closer to you.
"Hmm......cute yes, irresistible.....not really," teased Lily, putting her drink on the coffee table.
"So then we have one thing settled," said James, putting down his drink.
"What's that?" asked Lily playfully.
"That we both think that I am cute," teased James, leaning in a little closer.
"No, I think we both agree that you are a git," laughed Lily. Her heart pounded faster as James slowly moved towards her.
"But I think there is one more thing that we are certain of," said James, staring into her eyes.
"What's that?" asked Lily, the corners of the mouth twitching.
"That you are hoping that this git will kiss you," said James, leaning in and kissing her finally.
The sound of a car pulling up into the drive, threw James and Lily back into reality. They quickly detached themselves from one another and straightened themselves up. Lily took out her wand and touched it to her face and hair, replacing her makeup and straightening her hair. She clicked on the television. James had straightened himself as well and was now holding his drink. A few seconds later there was a sound of a key being pushed in the lock followed by the clicking of it opening. The door pushed open and Lily got up off the couch to see who had entered the house. James sat on the couch casually until he heard two female voices in the hallway; one that was Lily's and one that was not. He got up off the couch and walked to the doorway. He saw Lily holding two bags and an older woman with blonde hair pulled up on both sides, taking off her coat and scarf.
"Mum, this is James," said Lily looking proudly at James. "James this is my mother."
"Nice to meet you Mrs. Evans," said James striding forward and extending a hand. Mrs. Evans looked impressed and smiled at him pleasantly as she shook his hand.
"Well, it is very nice to meet you too James. Lily has told me so much about you and I must say that I am intrigued to get to the know the boy that has stolen my daughter's heart." James grinned broadly. "Would you like a cup of tea James?" asked Mrs. Evans.
"No thank you, Lily offered me a soda so I am all right for now," grinned James, looking at Lily proudly.
"Will you stay for dinner?" asked Mrs. Evans. "I know that my husband is very anxious to meet you." James felt his stomach sink into his feet. He did not like the way she had said that. It sounded to him as if this was going to be an inquisition or something.
"Of course I will stay," smiled James, trying not to let his nervousness show. Mrs. Evans nodded, grabbed the bags and walked into the kitchen.
Before James and Lily knew it, Mr. Evans had come home from work and all four of them were seated at the table for dinner.
"So James, I understand that you are in the same grade as Lily," said Mr. Evans helping himself to a bowl of mashed potatoes.
"Yes, sir. We are both in Gryffindor and, uh, the school's heads as well," said James, trying to ease the butterflies in his stomach. He had never had to meet a girl's parents before. He especially did not want Lily's parents to not like him and risk a chance of losing her. He had to make sure that he was on his best behavior......for now anyways.
"So you must be very intelligent?" commented Mr. Evans. Mrs. Evans smiled kindly at James as she pushed a dish of chicken towards him.
"He is daddy. James is the smartest boy in the school. That is how you get the head position," said Lily proudly, smiling at James. James returned the grin and took a bite of his food.
"So James, what do you plan on doing once you are out of school," asked Mrs. Evans.
"I'm not too sure, but I know that I would like to do something with Defense Against the Dark Arts," said James, digging into his mashed potatoes. "I was thinking of going into the Ministry of Magic. I know that they could use all the help they can get with the way things have been lately." James felt someone lightly kick his shin. He looked up at Lily, thinking it was an accident. But when she gave him a warning look, he was a little puzzled.
"You have a Ministry of Magic?" asked Mr. Evans curiously. James nodded his head because his mouth was full. "Interesting.........I suppose that it would make sense."
"Um, what do you mean by "the way things have been lately"?" asked Mrs. Evans, eyeing him slightly suspiciously. He glanced at Lily who looked at him with wide eyes.
"Er," said James, searching for a way to get out of this.
"Um, what he meant is that Defense Against the Dark Arts is very similar to a police training program. Just like in our world, there is crime in the wizarding world also and that the Ministry is always in need of good people to catch them," said Lily pleasantly.
"Sounds dangerous," said Mr. Evans with a raised eyebrow.
"Sounds worse than it actually is," said James, searching for a change in topic.
"There is nothing to worry about, Daddy," smiled Lily. "Mum did you know that Faith is dating James's best friend?"
"Oh really?" asked Mrs. Evans, smiling at James. "The one with the unusual name. Sinus or something."
"His name is Sirius, mum," grinned Lily as James tried not to laugh. He was going to have to remind himself to mention that to Sirius later that evening.
Dinner went very pleasantly. James found himself feeling more and more comfortable with Lily's parents as the evening passed. He spent the rest of dinner trying to explain the concept of Quidditch to her dad. He seemed very intrigued about it and by the time that they had all adjourned to the living room for tea, James was confident that Mr. Evans had the jist of it. As the four of them sat in the living room, drinking their tea, James and Mr. Evans were engaged in a deep discussion on how a television worked. Lily was pleased at how well things were going. Her father clearly seemed to like James and that made her feel a little bit more at ease. She sank a little further into the couch and reached for James's hand. Suddenly, as if things were going too perfect, Lily heard the key turn in the lock. She closed her eyes as dread spilled down her spine. She heard the door open and close.
"Oh, god no. Please not her," thought Lily. She opened her eyes to see Petunia entering the living room.
"Hello mummy and dad, sorry I am so late. Vernon and I ......." Petunia stopped dead in her tracks. She surveyed the situation at hand and her eyes narrowed as she laid them upon James.
"Hello Petunia darling," said Mrs. Evans happily. "You are just in time for tea. Please come in and meet James, Lily's boyfriend." Petunia's narrowed eyes did not move off of James, who had turned to look at her. He had heard of Petunia and from what he had heard and read in her letters, he did not like her one bit.
"Nice to meet you," said James through gritted teeth and trying to be pleasant. Petunia stared at James, then at Lily, and then back at James. She raised an eyebrow and looked him up and down. She gave him a blatantly forced and sarcastic smile.
"So, you are the one that is coming to my wedding?" asked Petunia finally. James was slightly shocked by her question but tried not to let it show.
"Yes that would be me," grinned James. He got up off the couch and extended a hand towards her. "James Potter. Lily has told me so much about you." Petunia looked at his hand as if it was plagued. She sneered at it and backed away. James was a little shocked and slowly lowered his hand. He stood there standing in front of Petunia as she moved closer to the wall behind her.
"Petunia," scolded her mother, "James is offering his hand. It is rude not to shake it." James looked at Lily in amazement. She gave him an apologetic look and got up.
"Come on James. I have a letter from Faith for you to give to Sirius upstairs." She got up and grabbed James by the hand. She walked by Petunia, who was pushed up against the wall and staring disdainfully at the pair of them. Lily threw her the nastiest look she could muster and dragged James upstairs.
"I am so sorry about her behavior James," said Lily apologetically as they walked up the stair towards Lily's room.
"Nah, don't worry about it," smirked James.
"Well I am going to worry about it. I don't like it," said Lily angrily as they walked inside her room. She flicked on the light and instantly her room was illuminated.
"How did you do that?" asked James amazed.
"Do what?" asked Lily walking over to her bed and sitting down on it.
"Turn on the light without a wand?" said James, strolling over and sitting down next to her.
"The light switch," said Lily pointing to the switch on the wall by the door.
"Interesting," said James, moving over to the switch and flicking it, making the room dark. He flicked it again and the room was once again illuminated. "Excellent." Lily smiled as she watched him examine the switch. His messy jet-black hair stuck up at all ends. His glasses had slipped down his nose as he bend lower to examine how the switch was attached to the wall. He looked very handsome.
"I forget that you haven't seen things like that before," said Lily resting her hands back on the bed behind her and leaning on them. James turned and gave her a dashing grin.
"So, where's the letter for Sirius, before we forget," inquired James, standing up straight and smiling at Lily.
"Oh, there is no letter. I just made it up so we could get away from Petunia," smirked Lily.
"You sly little minx," grinned James, walking over to Lily. She winked at him, quite pleased with herself.
"Well you know that I can be very sly when I want to be." James sat down next to her and stared into her emerald green eyes. He noticed that they seemed to be brighter than usual today.
"I know better than anyone. Trust me," he leaned in and placed his lips upon hers. He felt her lips press back. He slipped his hand around her waist and pulled her towards him. He felt her hand gently caress his cheek. He moved his lips away from hers and began to kiss the side of her face. He slowly moved towards her neck and gently kissed it. He felt Lily's hand slip around his back and gently pull him towards her as she laid down.
"Lily! James!" called her mother's voice up the stairs. James jumped and pulled away from Lily. Lily got up and walked over to her doorway.
"What Mum?!" called Lily, into the short hallway and down the stairs.
"It's almost eight o'clock! I don't want James's parents to get worried about him being out this late," called her mother's voice.
"All right," called Lily back. She turned to look at James. The both immediately started laughing. "Talk about a mood killer."
"It's alright," smirked James. He got up and walked towards Lily. "Just being able to spend some time with you has been wonderful." He stood in front of her and gently slipped his hands around her waist. "I've had a wonderful time today."
"I've had a wonderful time today too," said Lily, throwing her arms around his neck and staring up into his hazel eyes. "So, honestly. Did my family scare you away from attending the wedding with me?" James grinned at her and looked up at the ceiling as if pondering the answer.
"Well.......hmm......your mum's cooking was all right.......your dad didn't interrogate me as much as I thought he would.......and then there is your sister. I'll have to think about it." He looked back down at her and grinned at her mischievously.
"You git," laughed Lily, lightly hitting him on the arm.
"Of course I'm going with you." He gently rocked her from side to side in his arms as he stared into her eyes. "What time do I arrive here."
"Um, well the ceremony is at two, so I'd say around one. If that's alright with you."
"Sounds wonderful."
"Oh, one thing," said Lily slightly hesitant. James cocked his head and raised an eyebrow. "Um, you know that muggles are not used to people wearing robes. So, um, if you could wear just a suit or something, it would be really wonderful. Not everyone in my family knows that I am a witch." She looked at James, as if she had just said something that might offend him.
"That's not a problem," said James sweetly. "If you wanted me to wear nothing but the skin that God gave me, I would do it for you."
"Well now that would be a wonderful introduction for my family," laughed Lily. "Hello everyone, this is my boyfriend James. He is a nudist." They both laughed and James kissed her once more.
"Oh that is a lovely image," said Petunia as she walked into the hallway. Lily and James broke apart and stared at her. "You better not be doing anything disgusting at my wedding. I won't permit it!" She walked straight up to Lily and glared at her.
"Oh Petunia, shut up," said Lily annoyed. "We aren't going to do anything to disrupt your precious wedding. Stop holding yourself so high up on a pedestal."
"Petunia, you have my word that I will be a complete gentlemen. You won't even know I'm there," said James, letting go of Lily and grinning at Petunia pleasantly. Petunia's eyes narrowed as she looked at him.
"I don't appreciate being condescended," spat Petunia. "Especially when I am allowing someone like you to attend my wedding."
"Someone like me?" asked James, the grin sliding off his face. "And what exactly am I?"
"James, it's not important, let's just go downstairs," said Lily glaring at her sister.
"No, it's alright Lily, I want to know what I am," he looked Petunia with the air of cockiness that usually appeared when he was readying himself for a fight.
"You are a freak," spat Petunia disdainfully. "You are just like her. You are unnatural, an abomination of nature if you will. It makes me sick at the thought of more of your kind at my wedding." She looked at Lily, who was flushed with red-hot anger. James glared at her. He wanted nothing better than to curse her off the face of the earth.
"Petunia that's enough!" yelled Lily angrily before James could speak. "It's bad enough that you say that to me, but I will damned if you are going to say that about my friends and most of all my boyfriend! Especially when you are marrying the biggest... pompous... piece of blubber in all of England!" She grabbed James's hand and dragged him down the stairs, leaving a shocked and speechless Petunia standing in the hallway.
"James, are you leaving?" asked Mr. Evans from his chair inside the living room.
"Uh, yeah. You are right, my mum and dad are probably wondering where I am so......," said James, trying to smile and act like nothing had just happened.
"Well it was lovely to meet you and I am looking forward to seeing you again at the wedding," said Mrs. Evans from the couch. "Have a safe trip home."
"Thank you, I will," said James smiling pleasantly. Mr. Evans got up off the couch and strode over to James with an extended hand.
"Have a safe trip home." He shook James hand and smiled at him.
"It's a short trip, but thank you sir, I will and it was nice to finally meet both of you." James grabbed his cloak and put it on.
"Dad, I'm just going to walk James outside," said Lily, taking a hold of James's hand and leading him towards the door. She opened it and both of them walked outside. The cold, crisp air stung both of their faces as it hit them. Lily immediately wrapped her arms around her chest, hugging herself against the cold.
"James, I am so sorry about Petunia," began Lily. James held up his hand to stop her. He gently placed his forefinger on her lips.
"Don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry about." He let his finger drop from her lips and let his hands slip around her waist. "I have a good time today, despite the interruptions." Lily's face softened as she smiled up at him.
"I had a wonderful time too. I know I've said that before, but I really did." She wrapped her arms around his neck. She looked down at the ground for a second, as if contemplating about what she was going to say next. Then her eyes lifted and James found himself once again mesmerized by their brilliant radiance. "You know, I didn't realize how much I was going to miss you until we parted at the station. And now seeing you today and getting to spend some real time with you, away from books and lessons, I realize how much I am going to miss you when you leave me in a few moments."
"Lily......I......," James began. Lily smiled and shook her head. She reached up on her toes and kissed James on the lips once more. When the broke apart, they stood there in each other's arms for a moment, gazing into one another's eyes.
"I'll see you Saturday at one," said James finally, smiling warmly at her.
"I better," teased Lily. They let go of each other and Lily took a step back from him.
"Goodnight Lily," smiled James, trying to etch one last look into his memory.
"Goodnight," said Lily softly, smiling at James.
With a pop, James was gone. Lily stood there in the cold for a moment. She was glad that she didn't have to explain or apologize for her sister. James understood. She didn't have to worry about Petunia scaring him off. He would stay with her. Lily looked up into the sky. Snow was beginning to fall lightly onto the ground. The stars were lit bright in the night sky. As Lily gazed upon Polaris, a dormant thought arouse within her. She had finally let herself believe what she had believed from the moment James had first kissed her. She, Lily Evans, was in love with James Potter.
Don't forget to Review! Stay tuned for Banana Theater's celebrated children's animated television show titled "Bobo, the Mentally Disturbed Helper Monkey".