A/N - Sorry that took so long... I'll have the next chapter up, hopefully, within a week. Hope you like it!
The first patronus lesson had not gone well. Enough said. James had done better than Lily, which had surprised them both considering Lily's undeniable superiority at charms. Though nobody said anything about it, Remus had the uncanny feeling it was because James had stronger happy memories. He wouldn't say anything to Lily about it, and he left them at the portrait hole, saying quietly, "Night Lily. See you later Prongs."
Lily nodded and James waved absentmindedly. They began walking down the halls, their patrol an uneasy silence. Suddenly James spoke up, his voice a weak shadow of hopefulness, "Well, that was just the first time. It's bound to get easier, right?"
With a shrug, Lily continued walking. As James laid a hand on her arm she whirled around, exclaiming desperately, "Why doesn't it work James? Dammit, this is the seventh year I've been here! Why is it I don't have anything strong enough for this?"
She opened her mouth to continue, and James forgot to think. Leaning down, he closed his mouth over hers, his arms wrapping around her waist as she clasped his arms. Though she didn't think of who she was kissing, Lily wondered why a hand squeezed her heart and made her feel like breaking down and crying though she had never felt happier. James broke away quickly and turned away slightly, one hand still gripping her arm. He could feel her eyes watching him, questioning, and he said uncertainly, "I don't want to hear you talk like that Lily. I didn't know what else to do."
She followed him as he began to walk, and her voice was soft, "Next time, telling me to shut up usually works. Just in case it happens again."
James laughed and looked back at her, his brown-hazel eyes twinkling as his laughter echoed in the empty corridor. Watching him, Lily wondered why she felt so lightheaded and still wanted to sit down and cry. Pushing it aside as she gnawed her lower lip, she allowed James to pull her into light conversation, laughing every few minutes despite the confusion bubbling inside her. Turning to her, James said, "You know, if anyone had told me I would be patrolling the halls with you and actually having a conversation this time last year, I'd have laughed at them."
"Last year we only talked in passing," Lily reminded him easily.
"Gideon made sure of that," James mused, remembering countless times the boy had reminded Lily of something she had said she would do, and watched her grab Marlene, run off, and leave Gideon winking at James and following her.
Shrugging, Lily said mildly, "He liked being able to hear out of both ears."
James burst into laughter and ruffled Lily's hair, saying lightly before asking curiously, "I love you Lily! That's great! Oh, and Sirius wanted me to ask you when the first trip to Hogsmeade is. When is it?"
I love you Lily. The words shot through her and she felt her insides knot painfully. He's not talking to me, she told herself sternly, biting back tears that threatened to overwhelm her. He's just saying that. Because I made him laugh. He doesn't really love me. This is James we're dealing with. And why should I care anyway. It's not like I'm falling for him or anything. We're just friends. She looked at James, who didn't even seem to realize what he had said, and she forced a smile, "I can't remember exactly. I'll check and tell you tomorrow morning."
James grinned at her, completely oblivious to why her eyes were shining so brightly. Lily followed him easily, saying an easy goodnight as she headed towards her dormitory. And as she fell asleep, the tears she had managed to restrain for so long trickled over her cheeks.
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Lily sat with Gideon and Marlene, rolling her eyes as Marlene snorted into her juice and smacked Gideon. Like she did every morning, Lily looked up as the Great Hall filled with owls, and she identified the Potter family owl easily. Wondering what it was that they had to tell James, she started as the owl swooped down to her and dropped the letter in her eggs, nipping her finger before flying off. Rescuing her letter from the mercy of her eggs, she opened it and spoke lightly when she felt James' calloused hand fall heavily on her shoulder. So he had noticed the owl as well. "It's from your mum. There's a letter to you in here too."
She handed James the piece of parchment addressed to him and continued to scan her letter. Looking up in surprise as James' hand tightened on her shoulder, she asked curiously, "What happened?"
"Merlin," James said. "They've sent my dad after Voldemort."
Lily stood up quickly and demanded, her eyes going wide, "What? Why?"
James tossed the letter to Sirius, who was watching them curiously and shrugged, "Because my dad's the best they've got. And because my dad has a history of coming out of things alive. Merlin, this close to Christmas too. Mum must be going out of her mind."
Sirius and Remus scrambled to their feet and Sirius said softly, "I'm staying with you until your dad gets back Prongs. Shit, what were they thinking? Your mum actually let him go, what the hell was she thinking?"
"Padfoot," James sighed, "you know my mum wouldn't ever keep my dad from doing anything. She'd just yell at him and pretend she doesn't care. Moony, you alright?"
Remus' voice was just above a whisper as he commanded easily, "Stay tonight. You don't need to be out until dawn tonight thinking about it. I'll be okay."
Lily stiffened and said, "Remus, don't be a fool. It'll take his mind off of it. Besides, Sirius and Peter can't take care of you alone. James, come on, we've got to get to potions. It'll be okay. Your dad knows what he's doing."
Following her, James took her hand in his as he muttered worriedly, "That's what I'm afraid of. That they'll know too."
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James Potter stood quickly, eyes glittering as Professor McGonagall said gently, "Potter, calm down. You'll be able to go see Professor Dumbledore in a few minutes."
Sirius, Peter, and Remus had all followed James' example, eyes wide, while Lily slowly raised herself from the couch. "Calm down?" James grated, using every ounce of strength he had not to yell. "Calm down when I've just found out my father's been attacked? I want to see him."
Gideon and Marlene, who had come to see James staring in the face of one of their teachers, jumped. "What?" Gideon echoed. "Mr. Potter was attacked?"
Hissing, Remus growled, "Prewett, hold it. Prongs is upset enough as it is."
Sirius' voice was steady, though his face was pale, "I'm coming with you Prongs."
McGonagall looked at him with her cool steady eyes, "Professor Dumbledore strictly said that the only other person allowed to come would be Miss Evans, if she chose to."
Grabbing Sirius' hand quickly as he growled, Lily shook her head, "I'm coming Professor."
James' face was white as McGonagall said gently, "I'll come get you when the Headmaster sends for you. Wait here Mister Potter."
The moment she left James began to shake. "They got Dad. Sirius, they got my Dad."
"I'm coming with you Prongs. I won't sit here."
As the messy head of the Head Boy fell into his hands, Lily grasped Sirius' hands so that the boy gasped and glared at her. Her voice was soft, a threatening low, "Sirius, don't. James can't deal with McGonagall now too. I'll tell you everything, I swear it."
"Swear it," Sirius growled. "Tell me every word, every dammed word."
Lily nodded and turned to James, wrapping her arms around him gently. His voice was so low that only she could hear his anguished words, "Merlin, my dad. I'll kill every one of them who did this to him."
As the two Heads left after McGonagall, Gideon said coldly, "We'll find out who did this. Fabian'll find them. And he'll kill them for it. And I'll help."
James looked back at his roommate with eyes so haunted that his friends jumped.
Lily stood looking at James, wondering how it had happened that they were left alone in Dumbledore's office. Tears shone in the tall boys eyes and she took a step towards him. His arms shot out and he grabbed her, asking brokenly, "Dammit Lily. I can't take this anymore. I don't know what else I can do. Will you take me, or not?"
Understanding his passion was borne of anxiety, Lily wrapped her arms around him, nodding as she soothed, "I already did James. I thought you knew. But now's not the time. Don't worry; it'll be better." With a strangled sob, he buried his face in her neck and cried, something he hadn't done for years. Pressing a gentle, reassuring kiss to his cheek, Lily whispered, "Go see him James. Go see him and your mum. They need you."
Nodding, he asked gently, "Wait for me? Be here when I get back?"
She nodded and shoved him towards the fireplace gently. She herself bit back tears as he disappeared in a flash at the fireplace. It didn't require a sixth sense for her to know that she would be doing a lot of waiting for James Potter. She sat, waiting, and felt her heart rip out of her chest as he came back, his face pale and eyes haunted. Instantly she was up, holding onto him and saying gently, "James, it's okay. He'll be okay. Come, let's go. You need to sleep some."
James nodded mutely, but he reached up and kissed her, quickly, gently, heartbreakingly. Lily walked with him in silence. She watched as he walked up the stairs to his dormitory and felt tears trickle over her cheeks.
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Remus shrugged and said, "Well, that's it. No more lessons until after the holidays. I think I'll shoot something if we do."
"You'll shoot something?" James asked incredulously. "What on earth do you think I'm going to do if we have to practice?"
Grinning impishly, Remus countered easily, "Well, you and Lily are both making some progress. You especially, Lily. What's your memory?"
Sending a sly smile his way, she said easily, "You don't need to know that. I'll keep that to myself, thank you."
"And Padfoot," Remus snorted, following the Heads out of the room, "because apparently he knows what it is."
Laughing quickly, Lily said, "If he guessed it, then I'm not going to deny it."
James looked sideways at her and said, "Oh, so you'll tell Padfoot but not me."
"Nope," Lily teased quickly, walking backwards before them as she relented, "I didn't tell him. He might have figured it out, but I never told him what it was."
Rolling his eyes, Remus parted from them and said, "Look, I'm going to go see Madame Pomfrey. See you later."
The two waved and sent him on his way before heading back to Gryffindor tower. In the nearly empty common room, where Sirius sat bent over an essay, completely oblivious to them, Lily stopped James. Concern in her voice, she asked gently, "Are you okay? You've been quiet since your dad was hurt."
"I'm fine," James said shortly, unwilling to discuss it, even with her.
"Are you sure?" Lily questioned gently, sincerely worried about him. "He's going to be fine. You know that he'll be fine. The healers said they guaranteed an easy recovery."
"I know that," he snapped irritably, oblivious to the hurt that surfaced in her eyes. "I said I'm fine. Go sleep Lily. See you tomorrow."
Lily watched as he turned and walked off without giving her so much as a smile. Something about the coldness of the subconscious gesture hurt her more than harsh words would have. She jumped when she heard Sirius say softly, "Lily, come here."
He had stood and he looked down at her when she closed the gap between them. Shaking his head, he said easily, patting her on the cheek with a reassuring smile, "He's just preoccupied. He's crazy about you; you know that. He'll start paying attention to you again once Mr. Potter's better. Trust me on this one."
Grinning weakly, Lily nodded, "I know Sirius. Thanks."
She turned to leave and Sirius grabbed her wrist, stopping her as he said, "But it still hurts, doesn't it? To be rejected by him after you finally accepted him."
"He's so cold," Lily said softly, surprising them both by relenting and opening up to the boy.
With a shrug, Sirius attempted to support his best friend, "Prongs is like his dad in that. He can be like that, when his mind is elsewhere. Don't worry about it. Once his dad's better he'll be back to normal. Now, go to sleep. I'll wait up for Moony, but you go up."
Allowing herself to be enveloped in a brotherly embrace, Lily smiled at Sirius and spoke as she started up the stairs to her dormitory, "Thanks Sirius."
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James, holding tightly to Lily's hand, darted down the corridors, Sirius chasing after them. The three froze and James' eyes went wide as they heard the strong, familiar voice, "Eli, dear. Fudge is in a panic, and Crouch is outraged. And Dumbledore, Alastor has been on my back since I got back."
James burst into the room, his voice loud, "Dad!"
Andrew Potter stood quickly, hugging his son and saying with a slight smile, "James. Dai said you came by. I hope you didn't worry."
"Only everyday," Sirius said, clinging like a little boy as James' father hugged him as well. "Dammit, we were worried out of our mind."
Smiling, Andrew shook his head, "No need. It was foolishness on my part. Moody's signed me out until the second week of January. So unless something big comes up, I'll be home for Christmas."
Elizabeth Potter joined her husband quickly and kissed James, saying gently, "So I've been praying every night that everything goes smoothly. Aren't you three supposed to be at Hogsmeade?"
Nodding, Lily said softly, "James overheard Professor McGonagall saying something about you being here. He wouldn't hear of going to Hogsmeade until he saw you."
Smiling, Andrew nodded to Dumbledore as the Headmaster slid away. "Why am I not surprised? Coming home Friday James? Lily, we talked to your parents already. You're coming over on Christmas Eve instead of going with them to Dursley's and we'll be going to your house for New Year's."
With a cheeky grin, James nudged her and said, "Like that Lily? The first of many Christmases together."
"Oh, now what is this?" Eli said, one eyebrow arched over the other. "Did you forget to tell me something James?"
Laughing, Sirius said, "Oh, did he not mention it Miss Eli? He's been drilling it into our heads to make up for it. Right Lily?"
Shaking her head, Lily looked at Andrew Potter and asked, "Will they ever grow up?"
It was Elizabeth Potter who spoke, "This one didn't. Nope, I don't think any of them do."
"Good," Lily said, smiling. "I don't think I want them to." Yet, even as she spoke, she looked at James and wondered if it was she who had changed so quickly. Praying that this wasn't a new James Potter, she let herself be brushed aside by the man who claimed to adore her. Hiding the tears that threatened to gloss her eyes, she murmured almost inaudibly, "I really don't want them to."
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Lily walked into James' house, surprised to see him standing beside his mother, his hand tight on her shoulder. She watched as Elizabeth Potter shoved his hand away and snapped, "James, stop it."
She began walking away and James followed her, saying worriedly, "Mum?"
Elizabeth Potter turned and commanded fiercely, holding herself from yelling, "James, enough. Do you understand me?"
Whirling around, she walked back out and Sirius looked at Lily, explaining quickly, "They called Prongs' dad back in. Odds are he won't be back for Christmas."
They heard a voice come from the kitchen, and Lily excused herself, leaving as a tall blonde man came in. "Dammit," he said. "James, where did your mum go?"
James shrugged, "I don't know. She wouldn't let me go after her. D'you know about Dad and everything, Dai?"
Nodding quickly, Dai sighed and said, "He told me before he told your mum. He didn't want to go, but he wouldn't let Eli see that. Not when he knows how much she doesn't want him to go either. But he'll be back for Christmas. He hasn't left her alone for Christmas yet, and there have been worse years than this at the Ministry. Now, I'm going to go find your mum. Eli!"
He turned and saw a flash of brown hair and he darted. James and Sirius watched as he grabbed Eli and demanded, "You, come with me. I want to talk to you."
Jerking away from him, she tossed her hair and snapped, "Well I don't want to talk to you. Go away Dai. I'll come by and see Gwen later today."
"Eli!" Dai cried angrily, whirling her around so she faced him. He softened then, taking her chin in his hand and saying, "You're coming with me. You can talk to Gwen later, but you're talking to me now. Let's go. Up. We'll be back before dinner, so you'll be with your boys. They're standing at the door; they know where you are. Come on Elizabeth, don't make me beg."
Sighing, she nodded and followed him away, "Alright Dai. Just for a little."
James' shoulders slackened in relief as his mother apparated away with his godfather and he looked at Sirius, "Oh well. I guess it's just us until Moony and Lily get here. What do you want to do Padfoot?"
Giving James an arch look, Sirius said coldly, "For someone who claims to like Lily so much, you certainly haven't been paying much attention to her lately. She came in and left while you were preoccupied with your mum. I never thought I'd be saying it Prongs, but you're not being fair to her mate. Since your dad got hurt and Lily said okay. It's his job mate; he's been doing the same thing since before you were born. Your mum's used to it; she's just sore because it's close to Christmas. And after complaining and groaning about Lily for so long, you have no fucking right to be closing her out just because you have her now. I'm going to go talk to her."
James stood, stunned, as Sirius turned and walked out. "Padfoot," he began, but the words died on his tongue as Sirius kept walking without even looking back. He wasn't being cold, he knew it. There was just a lot of things going on with his dad now, and he didn't want to burden – Dammit, he thought, Padfoot's right. Dammit, how the hell am I going to fix this one?
He stalked out, waiting to find Sirius and Lily, or whichever he got to first. However, he ran into Remus. Grinning, he said, "Hey Moony. You're early. Have you seen Padfoot or Lily?"
Laughing, Remus nodded, "I just saw Lily. She said she had to go somewhere, and to tell you she couldn't stay. Did anything happen to her parents or Gideon? I was just with Marlene, so I know she's okay, but Lily looked pretty upset. And Padfoot's right behind you mate."
As James turned, Sirius asked quickly, "Hey Moony, where's Lily?"
Raising an eyebrow, Remus shook his head, "I swear, you two share a brain or something. I saw her when I was coming in. She said she had to go somewhere. Really. And Padfoot, if you don't clean up your room, I swear I'll kill something. I went to get something out of there before I came and I nearly broke my neck. How do you live in that?"
Grinning sheepishly, after sending James a particularly nasty look, Sirius shrugged, "It's usually not that bad Moony. I just haven't had time to clean it lately."
Looking between the two, Remus sensed something was going on and shook his head, "Yeah, in the two hours you sat doing nothing yesterday. Look, both of you, I don't care what happened, if you two start going at it I'm leaving. It's about Lily, isn't it? I don't want to know. As long as Padfoot hasn't magically developed an interest in her, I don't want to know anything."
Snorting and choking down a laugh, Sirius tossed his head back, "No worries about that one Moony. I'd sooner eyeball my mum," at that thought he shuddered and then straightened. "Nope. Just worried about her. Now, let's go. I have other things to worry about."
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Lily looked up and commented lightly, "It feels empty without Mr. Potter here."
A small smile lit Elizabeth Potter's pale face as she said, "It always feels empty without him. He's never missed a Christmas yet. But he said he might be back by tomorrow though."
James stood, unable to look at Lily. They hadn't spoken for nearly a week, and even the preoccupied Eli could feel the tension. Suddenly she stiffened as a dark shadow filled the doorway. She knew him before they could even make out his face, and his name was on her lips as she launched herself into his arms, "Andrew!"
James stiffened as Andrew Potter laughed, loud and free, and swung his wife in an arc, kissing her passionately as he brought her down. As he looked down at his wife, Lily realized she had never seen his face so light and unrestrained. "Did you really think I wouldn't make it? It's Christmas Eve Elizabeth! I'd have gotten here earlier, but I had to pick something up for you at Dai's house on my way, Eli."
Sirius laughed as Eli's face lit up. The difference it had made, merely seeing her husband in the doorway, was astonishing. Her face was flushed and her eyes were bright and she was radiant. Lily watched, feeling unusually out of place as Andrew hugged James, his own face glowing with pride and affection. She looked up, startled as she felt Sirius' hand come down on her shoulder. In his face she saw an out-of-place expression not unlike what she felt, and she smiled as he spoke gently, "The Potters got married on Christmas Eve, the year Prongs' grandmother died. It's always been special for them. Mr. Potter wouldn't have missed it for the world. I'm surprised it took him so long to get here, in fact."
Laughing for the first time in days, Lily grinned up at him and said, "That's why Miss Eli was so preoccupied. It wasn't just Christmas for her."
"Exactly," Sirius nodded, pleased that she had understood so easily. "At first I expected that, because of that, they wouldn't want Prongs around as much. But it's the other way around. Mr. Potter lives for them, Miss Eli and Prongs, and neither he or Miss Eli would stand for having Prongs left out. The first year I spent Christmas here I felt horrible, like I was intruding. Now I only feel even remotely like that when Mr. Potter comes back from somewhere. Because then, unless you're really family, they forget you. The only people I've seen them acknowledge then are Prongs' godparents."
"And you," Lily pointed out, remembering how Mr. Potter had hugged Sirius when they had seen him at Hogwarts.
But somehow, this time it was Sirius who hung back, not the Potters who forgot him. He seemed to realize this and he just shrugged mildly. "It's not the right time. Not now, not when there's so much. And not when I'm still trying to pull myself together."
"Why aren't you with Remus or Peter then?" she questioned curiously, intently wondering why he hadn't spent Christmas with one of his other best friends if he was so out of sorts with this one.
"Moony's with his parents. I would have gone with him, but it's not nearly full moon and his mum hasn't been feeling well. And Peter's gone to France with his mum to see his aunt. They invited me along, but I thought I was staying with Moony then. So it was either here, or with Gideon and Marlene. Personally, I'm more comfortable here even with everything. And I didn't want to stay at my place alone."
"That's perfectly understandable," she replied easily, letting him steer her out of the room and into the sitting room where the Christmas tree stood.
Surprise overwhelmed her as she felt herself swept into strong, lean arms and whisked away, as Andrew Potter called over his shoulder, "I'll be back with her!"
Beginning to laugh, Sirius watched as Elizabeth Potter came and whispered into his ear, "He'll fix it. He loves her and James too much to let it slide. And we love you too much to let you watch it and wish you could do something."
Eyes shining in surprise and awe, Sirius hugged her and muttered, his voice catching in his throat, "Thank you Miss Eli. I love you too."
Tossing her hair back, she laughed and said, "Merry Christmas! And Sirius, dear, come with me to get some chestnuts. Andrew'll want some by the time he brings her back. And James, darling, come help me make some hot chocolate. Merlin knows they'll need it with how cold they'll be!"
Setting her down, Andrew Potter arched an eyebrow in a way that showed what an influence his wife had been on him. "Alright. Now that they're all gone, what's wrong? Why does the little girl who was always smiling suddenly look like she's about to cry? Especially so close to Christmas. I don't like people crying at all, ever, and on Christmas I feel even stronger about it."
Lily shook her head, "Nothing. I'm okay. I was just surprised. I didn't know you'd come back."
Tilting her head up, Andrew made the young woman look at him, surprising her by the intensity of his deep blue eyes. His voice was gentle, and Lily knew why even Sirius clung to this man; he was a father. "Don't lie to me Lily. I've listened to James complain and rant about you and how much he likes you since he was thirteen years old. And I've watched you run around for over six months. I'm not speaking to you as James' dad, but as a father altogether. I've grown fond of you for you, not because James wanted me to. What happened between you and my son that's hurt you?"
Unable to stop herself, tears trickled over Lily's cheeks. Everything spilled out, the abandonment, the irrelevant glances as James had turned and walked away without talking to her, and the fact that it was all done without him even noticing, without him even caring, that it made her hurt. That there was something about it that had stabbed her when she had least expected it. She didn't see the whiteness in Andrew Potter's face, or the tension in his jaw, but she felt it as he wrapped her in his arms. It was the arms of her father and more, for this man wasn't on her side merely because she was family, he was going against his own son for her. Unconsciously she understood that, and her fingers curled into his robe as she cried.
Seething, Andrew Potter wondered if his son had even stopped to think about what he was doing. Bending, he pressed a kissed to the forehead of the young girl who had taken the place of the daughter he had always wanted. "Lily, look at me." She looked up, her face streaked with tears, and she now noticed the strict control that kept him from snapping. "I'll talk to him. If he doesn't do it himself, then I'll fix this for you. Now listen when I say this. Regardless of what happens, the doors here are open whenever you need it. You, like Sirius, are a part of this family now whether you like it or not. Okay?"
Nodding, Lily let herself cling to him as he held her again. He wiped the tears from her eyes and spoke gently, "Now, you go wash your face, and I'll go talk to Eli. Then we'll have chestnuts and hot chocolate, if I know my Eli."
As Lily walked into the bathroom she could almost feel the warmth of Mrs. Potter's hot chocolate, for she knew exactly how well Mr. Potter knew his wife. And Elizabeth Potter knew her husband just as well, for she left the two boys in the kitchen and met him halfway there. She saw the tension in his face and she reached up and kissed him, easing as much of it as she could. His voice was shocked, strained, "Eli, our son is the biggest senseless brute on the face of the planet. He hurt her and didn't even realize he was doing anything wrong. Honestly, I could tell there was something wrong with them at Hogwarts, when we saw them. And our idiot son didn't pick up on it."
"He didn't know Andrew." Eli soothed him gently, fingers running over the line of his jaw as she crooned, "He was too caught up in that he had her. And he was worried, he didn't understand. You know him Andrew, you know how much he cares about her, you know he wouldn't knowingly hurt her. Talk to him, love, just talk to him."
Digging his hands into her unruly hair, he drew her towards him fiercely, kissing her with a barbaric passion that had her winding her arms around him. As he released her he buried his face into her hair, saying, "Merlin, what would I do without you? I'll talk to him. But I can't guarantee I won't yell at him too."
Reaching up, she kissed him quickly and turned to wrap an arm around Lily's shoulder, for the girl had just stepped in. Her voice was light, mild, and cheerful as she winked at her husband and said, "Then yell at him. Merlin knows the boy needs it. You haven't yelled at him nearly as much as a father has the right to yell."
Andrew grinned as he watched his wife steer his soon-to-be daughter into the kitchen. Bounding into the kitchen after them, he declared loudly, "Alright! I know I missed dinner, but it's never too late for presents!"
Sirius laughed, wondering what sort of trick Andrew Potter had for them this year. Lily's jaw dropped and she managed, "But it's not Christmas yet! You can't open the presents before Christmas morning!"
Bursting into laughter, Andrew threw his head back and grabbed his wife. He kissed her, a full, blood pounding kiss on the mouth before releasing her and leaving her to explaining, "We always open one present on Christmas Eve before we go to bed. It's nearly midnight, so we'd best open that one present and get to bed so we can be up early tomorrow."
Wrapping an arm around Lily's shoulders yet again, Eli led her to the Christmas tree as the two boys jumped to their feet and followed Mr. Potter after the girls. "Andrew's presents tonight," Eli said with a grin, beaming up at her husband, who stood behind her as she sat on the floor before the tree. "Lily, come here. You pass out the presents."
Feeling like a little girl again, Lily did so, momentarily forgetting the tension between her and the man she was dating despite it all. Sitting, Andrew pulled his wife into his lap and said, "Sirius, James, you two first. Go on, take a look."
James eyed the lumpy package warily, and waited for Sirius to open his present. Sirius opened the tiny little box and gaped. His eyes went wide and his face became as eager as a child's. Ignoring all thought of manliness and pride, Sirius whooped and flung his arms around Andrew Potter before dashing out the door and laughing, long and hard. Like a little boy rather than a young man, Sirius dragged the motorcycle inside and did a little dance around it. James began to laugh, long and hard, before he managed, "Merlin, Padfoot. Dad, you bought him a bike?"
"Only half of it," Andrew explained. "Sirius wanted a motorcycle, and I told him I'd found one. So he gave me the money, I pitched in the other half and bought him a flying one. And I told him it wouldn't get here before New Year's."
Eli's face went pale and she looked at her husband, "It flies? You bought him something that flies?"
The room erupted in laughter and Andrew Potter nodded with a laugh, kissing her and saying, "Just wait until you see what I got James."
"Not a flying car, please not a flying car," Eli begged under her breath, though she too began to laugh as James' lumpy package fell open.
"A suit," James said, his jaw dropping in disbelief. "Not even dress robes. Dad!"
Laughing heartily, Andrew said, "Don't stop now. Look at what's underneath."
Knowing, despite his disbelief and shock, that his father wouldn't only give him a suit for Christmas, he moved the suit carefully out of the way. A roar of laughter ripped past his throat and he threw the robe over himself, disappearing as he did so. Though they couldn't see him, they could hear his happy laughter as he exclaimed, "A new invisibility cloak! Yes! You gave me a new one! I never thought I'd get another one aftermy oldone got lost!"
Thrilled beyond what even Andrew had expected, James danced around the Christmas tree before throwing his arms around his father. Lily's eyes were wide and her face danced with laughter as she said, "Open your present! What did you get?"
Winking cheerfully, Andrew brushed the request lightly past him, "I already know what I got. Dai gave it to me when I stopped by earlier. It isn't quite as grand as their presents, but I needed a new camera since mine broke last month."
"You got a new camera?" James roared, jumping to his feet. "Where is it?"
"Right behind you," the man laughed easily, watching as he son jumped to take a picture of Sirius hugging his new motorcycle. "Now, Sirius, be careful. James has the camera, and you know he'll use a picture like that for blackmail. Come on away from the bike. Eli, love, your turn. Open it."
Sliding out of her husband's lap, Eli set the relatively small box on her lap and opened it. She groaned and glared at Andrew as a slightly smaller box slid out. Impatient now, and knowing what to expect, she tore through three more boxes easily before she caught her husband's sharp look. The three teenagers could almost hear the pounding of her heart as she opened the third box and the velvet jewellery box that lay within it. Bright eyes wide, she stared in open-mouthed wonder as the crimson tear-drop pendant hung from a delicately linked gold chain. The necklace simply melted into her hands and she clutched it to her, looking up at her husband as though she was a little girl rewarded with candy. Laughing, Andrew slid down beside her and pried the necklace from her possessive fingers, fastening it on her. His hands lingered on the back of her neck and he pulled her to him, kissing her long and hard.
Eli leaned back against her husband, content with his arms around her waist and his lips against her hair. Perfectly happy with his wife tight against him and her hands on his, Andrew beamed at Lily, "Go on, you still have yours. Open it and we'll all get to bed."
Nodding obediently, and still stunned by the extravagant present he had gotten his wife, Lily opened the little box and pulled out a plush velvet box of her own. Her head snapped up, her green eyes wide in her face, and he nodded encouragingly. She gasped and looked up at him again, her fingers curling intimately around the little box. "Let me see," was Sirius' immature cry as he threw himself beside her, smiling broadly as he saw the ring.
Lily removed it easily and stared at it as though she wasn't sure if it was really real. James slid down before her and beamed as she stared at him in shock. The pendant of a lily on a thin gold band was stunning, but even more breathtaking was the encryption on the inside of the ring. Death may eventually do us part, but know that you are always in my heart. I love you Lily, James. Andrew spoke easily, ignoring the shock on both the faces of Lily and Sirius, "James found it a couple months ago and said he wanted to get it for you. I told him not to, but I copied his encryption and went and got it behind his back. But the bracelet he got you isn't shabby either. Or the three books."
"Dad!" James groaned.
She was supposed to be mad at him, she told herself. But how could she be mad when he flushed like a little boy and showered her? Something tugged at her heart as he looked at her and slipped the ring on her finger uncertainly, a look in his eyes that begged forgiveness. It was Christmas, she told herself, she could let it slide, at least for tonight. Flinging her arms around his neck, she clung, and even she realized it as James held her desperately as though he was afraid she would disappear. He pressed his lips to her hair and groaned as his mother clapped and said, "James, Lily, you're under mistletoe! You're under the mistletoe! Give her a kiss James!"
Cupping her face in his hands, James whispered so only they could hear, "I'm sorry. I love you."
Then he kissed her in a way she could never remember being kissed. She felt all the rejection and pain melt away from her. It was impossible for a man to kiss someone with that much love and not adore the object of his affection. As he broke away, Lily nodded and felt her heart burst with happiness as James' face glowed with a joy beyond what any material gift could have ordained. Pressing a kiss to his wife's cheek, Andrew whispered, "I guess I don't have to yell at him now. Smart boy. I knew I raised my son to be sensitive."
Raising an eyebrow, and wondering if he knew he was directly contradicting what he had said earlier, Eli nodded warily, "Of course Andrew. Of course."
The two watched as James, Lily, and Sirius disappeared up the stairs. Andrew led his wife up after them, the two completely oblivious to the fact that the three were hidden beneath James' new invisibility cloak. Laughing, Andrew said easily, "You look like a giddy two year old. Merlin, Elizabeth. Will you ever grow up? I love you."
"Oh, you're one to talk, you big baby," Eli taunted, running her tongue teasingly over her upper lip. "You haven't changed since you were sixteen."
The three felt their eyes widen as Andrew ran a hand possessively down Eli's side and said, "Merlin, with a woman that looks like you do around, how could I? I'll have you now."
Laughing, Eli wrapped her arms around his neck and looked up at him, "Oh, will you now? Alright then."
She kissed him then, a kiss that had Sirius leaning over and muttering, "Looks like Miss Eli's having fun."
James elbowed him and went dead white as Andrew Potter looked at his wife with smoky eyes. Voice husky with desire, he said, "Merlin, Eli, if you keep that up I'm going to forget the bedroom's down the hall and have you right here."
"Oh, will you now? I'd like to see that."
"Dammit," Andrew swore, lifting her into his arms and pressing a kiss to her hair. He groaned as she kissed his jaw and managed hoarsely, "Dear Merlin Eli."
Tossing her hair back, Eli let her husband carry her off as she said with a teasing laugh, "You're like good wine Andrew, you get better with age. Merry Christmas."
"Bloody hell," Andrew moaned and slammed his door. The three teens in the hall burst into silent giggles as they heard Elizabeth Potter's gasp and Andrew Potter's supremely satisfied voice as he laughed, "Who's seducing who now Eli? That's what I thought. Merry Christmas love."
The invisibility cloak slid off of them and Sirius chuckled, "Bloody hell. I didn't think your dad had it in him Prongs."
"I didn't want to know he had it in him," a very white James moaned.
Lily laughed and said, "You knew all along. Even I've seen them kiss often enough."
"So? They're my parents! I don't care to think about what they do behind closed doors. Kissing's different. It doesn't involve any wrong images."
"Well, your dad is very a good look–" Lily began with a cheeky grin.
James' hand clamped over her mouth and he shook his head fiercely. "Don't even say that. That's beyond wrong."
"Would you rather me say I like his son much better?"
Sirius smiled as James wrapped an arm around Lily's waist, pulling her to him, and said, "Now, that I don't mind. Forgive me then?"
Lily nodded and smiled as James' face erupted in relief and he kissed her. Laughing quietly as he kissed Lily again, he whispered in her ear, "Now this is a patronus worthy memory."
Smiling at him, Lily said gently, "Any memory with you is."
A hand eased on his heart and he felt a tug deep in him as he smiled and said, "Oh, Merlin, I love you Lily. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas, my patronus."
The two began to laugh there as Sirius rolled his eyes and stage-whispered a goodnight. "Merlin, Lily, that was beyond pathetic. Merry Christmas."
"You know you liked it James."
Kissing her again, James followed Sirius into his bedroom and said, "If you're involved of course I like it. Goodnight." She whispered a farewell and slid into her room. The two young loves, reunited under the magic of Christmas and loving parents, thought thoughts that would have shocked them in their similarities.
The patronus, James thought as he laughed and threw a pillow at Sirius in his room, is officially my best friend. I could have sworn it kept me from losing Lily.
The patronus, Lily wondered as she curled up on the bed, looking at the ring Andrew Potter had given her for James' sake, where did that come from? Oh, this is the best Christmas ever. I could have sworn it kept me from losing James.
A/N - There it is! Hope you liked it! And please, review! The little button on the side... no, not the right, the left! Thanks very much!
