Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize. All characters belong to a woman with a great imagination and determination, capable of creating this world that is the center of so many stories.

Sins of Angels: Okay, I know this may, again, not be as long as you expected. But I haven't posted anything in a long while and, seeing as I have SAT2 next week in Chemistry and Math, finals in Chemistry, Calculus 2 and Psychology (but, with any luck, not Physics) to study for, needless to say I may not necessarily be physically able to get on my computer and update for about two weeks. I will make every effort to do so, but I cannot make any promises. If I can, I will update. If I can't…well, I think passing high school qualifies as a slightly bigger priority than posting the next chapter, but only just. I really am sorry about this, but sometimes life isn't what you want it to be. Anyway, enjoy. Thanks to all reviewers! You guys rock!

Chapter 26 – Coming Home

"Hello," James said brightly as his friends walked in.

Remus smiled at him again and Sirius just walked in and sat on the sofa. James frowned slightly. He hated to admit he was wrong.

"Look, I'm really sorry I did that to you guys," James said. Sirius looked up at him. "You didn't deserve it at all. I acted like a total prick and I deserved every hit you gave me, Sirius. And then some."

Sirius got up and walked up to James. The room got quiet, everyone well aware this is a very important moment. It decided how many black eyes the two boys would have. After a moment of the two boys staring at each other, their faces determined, Sirius pulled James into a brotherly hug. "Welcome back, Prongs," he said quietly. James smiled at his friend, who smiled back.

And that was it. It was like the last month and a half never happened. The four boys started planning pranks again, but this time they were not as risky as before. All but one. And that one was saved for last.

Of course, added to the mix was James dating Lily. He had taken her to the Room of Requirement for their first date, where he proved to her once and for all just how romantic he was.

Quidditch, as you might guess, was going great for the Gryffindor team. That is, now that their captain was not being knocked unconscious every practice. Their first two matches had been won with two hundred points to spare.

Surprisingly, Lily, who had never shown much passion for the sport beyond an occasional attendance at the games, was present at all of them now, intently following the plays and listening to the commentator. James had been very happy with this development, as she had taken to waiting for him to get out of the changing rooms and congratulating him with a kiss every time he won. His imagination ran away with him every time he thought about the day he would walk out with the Quidditch Cup in his hands.

Halloween had passed without events, surprisingly. But security was tightening. James couldn't help the feeling that Dumbledore knew what had happened to Lily. Every time he looked into those twinkling blue eyes, he was sure he knew. But he couldn't. James was pretty good to keeping his thoughts to himself. But, then again, he didn't have the experience that came with age. That was something he couldn't help.

So when Christmas came close and the vacation started, James thought he would make what seemed to be a perfectly reasonable offer. Apparently, the case was not so.

"Spend it with your dad?" Lily said, sitting down. James frowned slightly. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

But things never go the way they're supposed to. It's a law.

"But I'd always spent Christmas with my parents."

Ah. Oh, bugger.

"But I can't this year, can I?"

"Lily, I'm sorry I asked. Maybe you should go spend it with your sister."

Lily shook her head slightly. "No, I'd love to spend it with you. Only, can we please go and see her? So I can give her the presents I bought. She's family, after all."

"Yeah," James said and hugged her. "Of course we can. I'd be happy to finally meet your sister."

Lily smiled at him meekly. "Wish you could've met my dad. He would have liked you."

"I'm sure I would've liked him too."

"James?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

James smiled. He'd never, ever have enough of that phrase. "I love you too, Lily. So much."

Lily smiled as he hugged her tighter. She kissed the hand that was nearest her face. He smiled at her. She only tightened her grip on his arm.

So they got on the carriages pulled by the creatures Lily was now learning to despise. Which wasn't at all fair to them, and she knew it. In fact, she felt horrible about the whole thing, but she couldn't help it. So, instead, she opened up her book and finished her homework and James was doing. Neither of them wanted to be stuck with schoolwork over the holidays.

"My dad will appreciate you coming, you know. It'll mean a lot to him," James said as he was unloading their luggage off of the Knight Bus. She turned to face James's house, his dad standing at the front door and smiling at them. She smiled back and waved as he magically zoomed their luggage into the house.

"I can't wait to meet him!" Lily said, smiled, and grabbed James by the hand, happily pulling him to his father's welcoming face.

"Hello James," his father said, shaking his son's hand and smiling. "And this beautiful charming lady must be Lily Evans. Pleased to meet you."

"Again," Lily said and smiled as she shook her hand. He had been politely avoiding the subject but she needed to let him know it was okay.

"Again," he said and looked at her with what seemed to be admiration. He opened the door and hurried both of them in. "Well, James can show you around, and you'll be sleeping in the…the room across from his. Your bags are already there."

"Actually, Lily and I were going to visit her sister first, if that's alright with you."

"Fine, son. Just fine. I'll be here. It'll be a while before dinner anyway."

James smiled and took Lily back to the curb, where he again signaled the Knight Bus. He climbed aboard and smiled at the conductor, Stan. He'd shown them pictures of this four-year-old son on the way to his house, and had inventively named the boy Stan. James just told him where to go, just a block away from Lily's sister's house. They were soon there and walked to the house, which looked new. Lily knocked and what James assumed to be her sister answered. He'd caught a few glimpses of her at the platform, but she had grown. Her eyes swiveled to them both and she hurriedly opened the door.

"Get in!" she whispered. Lily obliged, and so did James. She shut the door behind them quickly. "What the hell do you think you're doing, Lily? You're not even dressed properly!"

"Hello Petunia," Lily said wearily, taking off her shoes.

Petunia crossed her hands. "Hello sister," she muttered, without the smallest trace of love.