Disclaimer I do not own any of these characters, they belong to JKR.
The week before Christmas break, Lily was finally released from her hospital prison. "Take care of yourself Ms. Evans. I do not want to see you back here again," Madam Pomfrey smiled. Lily laughed.
"I will try my best! Have a happy holiday!" Lily said walking out the doors. She giggled softly to herself. She took off at a run, red hair streaming behind her.
"Hey, isn't that the Head Girl?" a student asked, seemingly very confused as to why she was running past them. Lily laughed like a madwoman. She breathlessly gave the portrait the password for her common room.
"Guess who's free, fuckers?" Lily asked, surprising the group lounging about the common room.
"LILY!" Marlene screamed, jumping up and running to Lily. Lily ran to her and they met in the middle in a flurry of limbs. They started chanting 'freedom' to the amusement of their friends. Sirius, Emmeline, and Dorcas, wanting to be a part of the craziness, joined the two girls. The five of them made a sports huddle still chanting 'freedom, freedom'. The outliers of this huddle laughed.
"Lily, deer, we are all very happy you are out of the hospital wing but please stop fucking shouting, I can't hear myself think," James complained. Lily looked at him from the huddle.
"James, I refuse to believe there are any thoughts in your skull anyway," she insulted, her lips twitching with the effort of restraining her smile.
"IF there were any, I can't hear them!" James pouted.
"Someone is just mad they aren't being included," Frank sassed. James looked at him affronted.
"Why, I never," he huffed. The group laughed at his dramatics. Lily slid onto the sofa beside him.
"Oh cheer up Potter, I am free, which is cause for celebration," Lily teased. James's eyes softened. He tangled his fingers with hers. He brought her hand to his mouth where he kissed it gently.
"I'm really glad you are okay Lily," James told her. Lily blushed softly.
"Thank you James, I was told you came to save me," Lily commented. James rubbed her hand with his thumb.
"That was mostly Sirius actually, he uh, has crazy good instincts?" James sounded uncertain.
"One of these days, you will figure out that lying to me is dumb and pointless. I will let it slide for now, keep your secrets," she told him, curling into his side. He smiled at her, ignoring the rest of the room. She smiled back up at him. Sirius gagged.
"It's like we don't even exist," Sirius grumbled, seating himself on the armrest of Remus's armchair. Remus sighed when Sirius's legs flopped on top of his.
"One day, I would like to sit alone," Remus told him. Sirius smirked at him. Remus rolled his eyes but placed a hand on Sirius's knee.
Emmeline stayed behind after the rest of the group left. "Hey Lils, do you mind if I stay here tonight?" Lily shook her head. Emmeline smiled and the two got ready for bed. "Mary's having me over for Christmas Eve, meeting the family and all. Officially, you know?"
"Are you scared?" Lily asked, crawling underneath her covers. Emmeline sighed.
"I am, which is so bloody stupid. I've met them before but not as, you know, hers. Mary says they like me, which I know realistically is true. It's just so scary. I already introduced her to my mum. We even went to dad's grave to introduce her. I just really like her, what if her family decides I'm not good enough? And I can't see Mary anymore?" Emmeline laid down, facing Lily. Lily took her hand.
"Have you talked to Mary about it? I'm sure she was feeling the same way, love."
"No, Mary never gets nervous, she's always so sure," Emmeline sighed.
"Oh that's some bullshit. Mary gets nervous all the time, she will understand Em. She loves you, even if her family forbids her, which would never happen, she would still be with you. Talk to Mary," Lily advised. There was a long pause.
"I just, I want to marry Mary, hehe get it. And when we say I do, I want her family to be there, and I want them to be happy for us," Emmeline whispered, tears gathering.
"Oh, Em," Lily whispered. She pulled Emmeline into a tight hug. "They are going to love you, everyone with eyes can see how head over heels you are for her. They just want Mary happy. You make her so happy." Emmeline sniffled.
"Thanks, Lils. Love you."
"Love you too, goodnight."
During lunch the next day every head in Hogwarts turned to the teachers table when a loud scream was let out. Madam Pomfrey's lunch had eyes, forty tiny eyeballs that blinked up at her. She screamed again and pushed her food away. Then like a switch everyone's food had eyeballs, ears, and a mouth. Lily poked her lunch with a fork. "Fuck off ginger," her foul mouthed potatoes told her. Lily blinked slowly. James's shoulders shook slightly with restrained laughter. The Great Hall was full of screams. The sounds of a battle came from her left and she looked to see Dorcas fighting off her cup that had grown arms and legs. Lily let out a long suffering sigh.
"I fucking forgot. It's prank week isn't it? I hate you guys," Marlene complained. The Marauders grinned roguishly.
New day, new shit to deal with, I for one think this is hilarious, shut up. Lily woke up with bright gold hair and her skin was maroon, coordinating with her house colors. Everyone was a combination of their house colors. James sprouted red hair and golden skin. When he saw her he winked, "we match Lily-flower." Lily was thankful at that moment for the maroon skin as it hid her blush.
On the third day, Lily was not feeling it. Somehow the Marauders had managed to put everything, literally everything, in every classroom in wrapping paper. The students had an excellent time ripping it to tiny pieces for Filch, who looked like he was about to burst a vein. Pop goes the weasel, that's insanely morbid. This was probably everyone's primary goal.
Bubbles. Everywhere. Thursday, the boys had put bubble solution in every bathroom and let the water run. They were aided by Peeves the Poltergeist and Moaning Myrtle, who was happy to help as it got her attention. "James Potter! If any of my stuff is ruined I will castrate you!" Alice threatened. James winced as she was branding a knife in his direction. Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Relax, A, we made sure nothing would actually get ruined," he informed her before stuffing his face with a muffin. Mary poked her food, thoroughly checking for eyeballs.
Friday, the last day of prank week and thankfully the day everyone got to leave for Christmas holiday. The last prank was mattresses on every available surface, walls, the ceiling, any surface. They were spelled to be extremely bouncy. Most first years were giggling to themselves madly as they bounced across Hogwarts. Lily had to admit it was actually fun. Bounce, bounce mother fuckers. Shut up. The mattresses disappeared at ten o'clock, to give everyone time to get safely to the Hogsmeade train station. Lily and James waited for their friends by the Entrance Hall doors. "I will admit James, I was actually amused by most of the pranks this week," Lily confessed. He gaped at her.
"I think you broke him, Red," Sirius teased, Remus and Peter trailing behind him. James smacked his arm.
"I am functioning thank you," he huffed. Dorcas snorted. Marlene, Emmeline, Mary, Alice, and Frank following her. The group giggled and made their way to the train station. After getting sorted in a compartment, most of the group in someone's lap, they played a muggle card game. It was pretty intense by the time Elena opened the door. The compartment went silent.
"Piss off," James told her, not even looking up from where he and Lily were sharing cards.
"James, I just want to talk," Elena begged. I am calling bullshit. I will second that notion. James rolled his eyes.
"He said to piss off. There's the door," Marlene pointed out.
"There's the door bitch," Remus glared. Everyone did a kind of slow blink at him. He simply continued glaring.
"Walk your harpy ass right back out," Sirius told her. Elena huffed and stormed off.
"I would personally like to give Remus the award for being a badass, who showed no mercy," Lily joked, handing him a chocolate frog.
"I have never been more turned on in my life," Sirius commented, eyes glazing over a bit. Remus turned red.
"Way to ruin the moment, Si, you are literally a child," Mary laughed.
"That would make Remmy a pedo," Sirius pointed out. Remus let out a long sigh.
"I am done with this conversation," Dorcas stated. The group laughed. James simply smiled. Lily slid her hand from it's resting place on the back of his neck into his hair and massaged his head. He grinned at her and squeezed her waist in thanks. The trolley cart came along, distracting all of the human disaster teenagers. After lunch they seemed to all calm down. Lily snuggled into James, letting her head rest on his shoulder. She quickly fell asleep. Smells nice, it's very warm here, we are never moving.
When the train finally made it to Kings Cross Station James shook Lily awake. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and patted his head. The group made it onto the platform with no incidents. Sirius yelled startling Lily who was dozing off on Dorcas's shoulder. Lily flailed around trying to find her balance. "Mum! Dad!" Sirius bounded off closely followed by James. The group followed at a more reasonable pace. The two boys were hugging an older couple tightly. The family was making quite the scene, hugging each other and laughing loudly. Someone politely coughed drawing Lily's attention.
"Mummy!" She exclaimed, exhaustion forgotten as she hugged her mum tightly.
"Hello, Lily-loo, I missed you so much!" Jane stated holding Lily in her arms.
"How'd you find me?" Lily asked, pulling away. Jane laughed.
"I followed the noise, I figured you were most likely involved somehow," Jane joked.
"That's a little insulting to me, Mrs. Evans," James interrupted.
"James! How many times do I have to tell you to call me Jane," she scolded pulling James in for a hug. He laughed. Jane, as if realizing the rest of Lily's friends were there, went around hugging and checking in. When she got to the Potters she politely introduced herself.
"Pleasure to meet you! We have heard so much about your daughter from our boys. I'm Euphemia, this is my husband Fleamont," Euphemia smiled. She looks so much like James, but so does his dad. Incredible. Lily and the boys slipped away to see their friends off. Lily hugged them all tight.
"Marauder group hug! With Frank, our honorary member. Hey, where's Peter?" Sirius declared. Everyone looked around and shrugged. After many hugs, only three remained. "Now, Lily, you better take care of my Jamesie, I expect him back in one piece. You get him for a whole week, and I am going to get lonely," Sirius trailed off looking at something over Lily's shoulder. She turned to see Regulas meeting with his mother and father. Regulas looked up and met Sirius's eyes. He looked sad and gave a half-wave. James gripped Sirius's arm.
"Group hug!" he declared, tugging Lily and Sirius into his arms tightly. Lily tapped Sirius three times on the side. He smiled at her and hugged her extra tight.
"Alright kiddos, ready to go?" Jane asked, smiling. They let go of each other.
"Come on Si, I need help in the garden," Euphemia called. The trio of Potters left leaving James, Lily, and Jane.
"Right then, let's go get in the car. Sorry dad couldn't come Lily. He's dealing with Tuney, tonight is her engagement party," Jane informed them, pushing her way through the crowd. That's disgusting. Tonight? WHAT DO YOU MEAN TONIGHT? Do we even have anything to wear? NO! Why is she even having an engagement party if her wedding is this week? I have no answer, that's okay, I figured it out, it's because she wants everyone celebrating her. Can't say you're wrong.
"I don't know if we have anything to wear to that," Lily said.
"Oh that's okay, I put some clothes on your bed Lils, they should fit," Jane reassured. Lily looked to James who shrugged unhelpfully. They climbed into the car, James in the backseat alone.
"I feel like I should warn you Jane, I've never ridden in a car with a competent driver before. Sirius tried it once and we almost died. I'm a bit nervous," James rambled. Lily laughed and flicked on the radio.
"Focus on the music James, it'll be alright," Lily smiled. Jane caught her daughter's eye and winked. Lily flushed and looked out the window the remainder of the trip. The car pulled into the driveway and not a second later a girl, with a long neck and blonde hair came storming out the front door.
"MUM! The guests will be here in two hours and we are not done setting up! Where on earth have you been?" Petunia Evans, Lily's older sister, demanded.
"Tuney, I had to pick up Lils from the train station," Jane replied patiently. Lily rolled her eyes as she got out of the car and started unloading the boot.
"That's your sister? No offense, she looks kind of like a horse," James whispered to Lily. Lily snorted, drawing Petunia's attention to her and James.
"Shit," Lily mumbled.
"And who are you? Are you normal or are you one of Lily's freak friends?" Petunia sneered. I'll show you a freak, you little rude ass bi- now, now. Calm the fuck down.
"Piss off Petunia," Lily spat.
"Girls! Behave!" Jane scolded. Lily stuck her tongue out in Petunia's direction and dragged James inside.
"Come on, let's put our stuff down and then we can go save dad from whatever hell she has put him in."
Lily and James found Henry in the backyard attempting to chorale Vernon's sister, Marge's, dogs. They were mean little beasts nipping at the tree that currently housed family cat, Peaches. "Ah Lilykins, so sorry to have missed picking you up. Tuney has had me running errands all day." Lily kissed her dad's cheek.
"Oh it's alright. Why'd she have to bring those disgusting creatures here?"
"Watch what you say, love. You never know who's listening," Henry informed her.
"Ominous," James commented looking up at the cat.
"Oh, hello James, how have you been?" Henry asked with a smile on his face.
"Good, and you?" James replied. Lily tuned them out, she glanced around. Seeing no one she pulled out her wand and levitated poor Peaches into the open window of her room in the second story. Try to get her now bitches. Poor Peaches. The dogs stopped barking, drawing Henry's attention to them again. He looked at Lily who shrugged innocently.
"Thank you," he sighed. "Now you two go get dressed for this party. Mum said she left clothes for the two of you on Lily's bed." Lily and James trekked back inside.
Lily flopped onto her bed, startling Chewie and Peaches who had been taking a nap. "That was exhausting. Her wedding is going to be even worse," Lily complained. James laughed.
"Maybe, but at least you aren't alone," he pointed out. Lily looked at him.
"Thank you for coming with me," she smiled sweetly. He flopped down beside her.
"Anything for you, Lily-flower," he replied, taking her hand and kissing her knuckles. They fell asleep like that, holding hands still dressed in their party outfits.
The day of the wedding dawned, bringing with it, stress and craziness. Lily and James were mostly excluded and were only expected to show up thirty minutes early to the ceremony. The two spent most of the day lounging on the sofa watching telly and eating biscuits. When it came time to get ready the pair separated, agreeing to surprise the other with their outfit. Lily met James at the bottom of the stairs. Her dress went to her knees, it was fitting to her waist where it then flowed out. A green belt that matched her eyes accented the cream dress. Silver heels made her tall enough to put her head on James's shoulder. She did a quick twirl. "You look incredible Lils, I mean. Whoo, I'm at a loss for words," James stated. Lily laughed brightly taking in the suit that fitted James just right, his tousled hair and his half smirk. Oh holy shit. Can he dress like this all the time. All the time.
"You look very handsome. Are you ready?" she asked, taking his arm.
"Always," he replied. The two sat in the back of the church, James paying attention to Lily and Lily watching her sister. The walk to the reception turned into a run to the reception as rain came pouring down.
"Shit, I think I ruined my hair. Cover me," Lily demanded. She pulled out her wand and fixed her hair while James made sure no one was around. "Thanks." She kissed his cheek then dragged him inside. They sat through the toasts, the cake, and the dancing. Lily excused herself from the table where James was entertaining. "Petunia." Petunia looked stunning in her wedding dress. "You look very nice, um, congratulations." Lily smiled at her. Petunia simply looked at her and said nothing. "Beautiful ceremony, uh, hope you are happy. All the best," Lily said, walking away. Stupid, stupid, stupid. She obviously didn't care what you thought, you freak. Fuck off with the self-deprecation. You are not stupid she is your sister, even if she looks like a horse. You were being nice. Now get back to Mr. Hottie and go dance. Lily took a deep breath. She tapped James on the shoulder, "dance with me." He smiled.
"Of course," James stood up from the table, "if you will excuse me." Lily took his hand with a smile and led him onto the dance floor. He put his hand around her waist and pulled her close. She wrinkled her nose and put her hand on his shoulder. They swayed with each other giggling about other peoples' outfits.
"What a sweet couple," a relative told Jane. Jane simply smiled.
Lily tripped on the stairs, dragging James down with her. Giggling uncontrollably she said, "my bad, I think I maybe, might've drank too much." James snorted.
"You know what? I hadn't noticed," James teased. She let out a sound that reminded James of a dying cat, causing him to laugh so hard he had to grab onto the stairs to not fall.
"I thought it was very obvious," she laughed. They somehow managed to get their feet under them again, they made it to Lily's room before Lily fell again. "James."
"Yes, Lily-love."
"I think you might have to undress me, there is no way I will be able to do this myself, I can't even stand up straight," Lily informed him, staring up at him from her sprawled out position on the floor. James gulped.
"I don't know Lily, I don't have your permission," James told her, trying to get her to sit up. Lily frowned.
"I just gave it," she stated.
"Lils, you are drunk. I am not going to do something you wouldn't want me to do sober," James insisted.
"Fineeee," she whined, "mummy! Mum!" Jane came up the stairs, raising an eyebrow at her daughter on the floor. "James won't take my clothes off! Can you help?" Jane laughed at her daughter. James flushed and stood up.
"I'll just, uh, wait out here," James said leaving the room quickly. Lily frowned and put her arms above her head.
"Off!" she demanded. After Jane had helped Lily get into pajamas and patted James on the shoulder as she left. Lily curled up in bed. "Jamesssss, I wants a hug." James laughed softly.
"Only one, princess, then I've got to go to sleep," James told her. She hummed and pulled him into her arms. They held each other for a while.
"Want to know a secret?" she whispered. "I'm in love with you, and you never knew." She yawned, missing the way James pulled back with his eyes wide. "G'night Jamesie." She turned over and snored.
"Oh, what the fuck?" James whispered.
Never drinking again, filthy dirty lies. Lily did not remember her evening, after the dance floor she drank a lot. Lily let out a hiss as she sat up. A glass of water was on her nightstand, greedily she drank it. After her shower she felt human enough to venture downstairs. James and her parents were sitting at the breakfast bar eating. "Now look who decided to join us!" Henry teased handing Lily a plate full of food.
"You are my favorite muggle," she declared, sitting down.
"Let's not forget the woman who carried you nine months," Jane remarked. Lily laughed.
"You are both my favorite," Lily amended her statement. James smiled at this interaction but had yet to say anything.
"Now that you are up, we can go see the footie match, the community is putting one on for Christmas Eve, a bit of family-friendly fun," Henry said, gathering up the plates. Lily jumped up, suddenly energized, and ran back up the stairs. Jane shook her head in amusement. Lily returned five minutes later.
"Why isn't anyone else ready? Guys, come on. Let's gooo," Lily whined. The three sane ones raised their eyebrows but left to get dressed. The car ride was mostly quiet except for James poking Lily occasionally to bother her. "You are like a two-year-old," Lily informed him. James pouted.
"You take that back," he whined. Lily rolled her eyes at him. Lily was the first one out of the car and she took off at a sprint. Mary and Emmeline were sitting on the stands but looked up when Lily made a noise.
"LILY!" the two girls exclaimed, clambering out of their seats to hug her.
"Mary! Em! When dad told me there was a game I knew you'd both be here!" Lily babbled excitedly.
"We missed you so much! How was the wedding?" Mary asked, waving when James caught up to them.
"It was nice, don't remember much," Lily explained. Emmeline hugged James and then insisted on a group hug.
"Mary! Lovely to see you!" Jane called, drawing the group's attention. Jane hugged Mary and Emmeline before setting off to find Mary's mum.
"Come on the match is starting," Emmeline said, tugging the group to some seats out of the way. While James was distracted asking Mary every question about football, Lily turned to Emmeline.
"How'd it go? Did they love you?" Lily asked. Emmeline smiled.
"It was actually really good, she's coming to mine on boxing day. We are staying with each other until the party," Emmeline said.
"The party?"
"Yeah, didn't James tell you? We all got invited to his family's New Years Eve party. We are coming the day before to alleviate you from the testosterone fest, Marls, Dee, and Alice are coming then too," Emmeline explained.
"I knew about the party but I didn't know you guys were going," Lily said, facing the match once again. Emmeline hummed.
The Evans and James made it back to the house by lunch. "Lily, James. Before you two go we want to exchange presents," Henry smiled. Lily and James went to get the presents. They sat on the sofa and faced the two parents.
"James you first dear," Jane insisted, handing him two gifts. The first one was a football jersey with his name on the back, the other was a muggle camera. Lily was next, she received a cozy hoodie and a camera as well. James gave the two their present next, a beautiful tawny owl named Annie. Lily gave her parents a photo album and a warm blanket. They enjoyed a glass of eggnog before Jane shooed them away to finish getting ready to leave. With many hugs the two Head students stepped through the floo and went on their merry way.
Stumbling into the Potters library, Lily dragged her trunk behind her. She had made it maybe five steps into the room before a force knocked her down. "Snuffles!" James scolded. The dog licked Lily's cheek before jumping on James. Lily panted on the floor and listened to the sound of James's laughter.
"Here, darling," Euphemia Potter, Lily's favorite Potter so far, offered a hand to Lily. Remus had come in at some point and was trying to corral the energetic Snuffles. Lily brushed herself off with a slight smile.
"Thank you Mrs. Potter, how is your Christmas Eve so far?" Lily asked politely.
"It's Euphemia dear. It's good, glad to have all my boys in one place," Euphemia commented, looking to where Sirius, James, and Remus were wrestling on the floor. When the fuck shit did Si get here, don't ask stupid questions. "Would you like some hot chocolate? It'll be nice to chat with someone mature for a change." Lily laughed and nodded leaving the boys to their idiocy. Euphemia summoned a house-elf, Ebele, to them. "Ebele, dear, Ms. Lily here will be staying with us, is her room ready?" Ebele nodded. "Great! Thank you, can you take her trunk to her room? And James's as well." Ebele popped off. "Come along to the kitchens darling, we can make my famous hot cocoa and I will give you a tour of the house." The two women went to the kitchen where Euphemia pulled ingredients down and set to work.
"You have a lovely home, Mrs. Euphemia," Lily complimented. Euphemia laughed.
"Just Euphemia, Lily. Thank you, Fleamont and I tried to make it somewhere others would feel safe in."
Lily smiled, "an admirable goal. So tell me, have any embarrassing James or Si stories? James learned too much from my dad." Euphemia laughed, a warm sound with a funny snort.
"Oh I very much do!" The two laughed, gossiped, and walked around the house, ending the tour at Lily's room. "Here you go! If you need anything, call for Ebele, the boys are down the hall. Fleamont and I are down the stairs. Sleep well, we will see you in the morning!"
"Goodnight Euphemia! Merry Christmas!" Lily exclaims. She shut the door and took a deep breath. She had just finished changing into her pajamas when Sirius burst into the room without knocking. "Si! I was changing!" He shrugged and jumped on her bed.
"You were fully clothed when I came in. Now gossip with me, how was the wedding?" Sirius asked. Lily sighed and flopped onto his stomach. "What have you been eating woman?"
"Call me fat one more time and I will shave your head," ignoring his gasp she went on, "it was a nice ceremony. Bit boring."
"To be expected of a horse," Sirius informed her. Lily laughed. Sirius poked her forehead. "Anything on the James front?"
"We danced at the wedding, Si, he is such a good dancer what the hell?" Lily vented. "Like he didn't mess up once and then I kept throwing back drinks and-" she cut herself off. "Oh merlin. FUCK!"
"Lily?" Sirius asked.
"Fuck, shit, merlin's balls, fuck," Lily cursed. She surged off the bed and starting pacing. "Si! I think I told James to take my clothes off!"
"I fail to see how this is a problem?" Sirius said.
"SIRIUS! I think I told him I'm in love with him, or maybe it was a dream. Oh merlin what if it was real and he didn't say it back and now he hates me oh my goodness. Sirius what am I going to do? James is actually one of my best friends, what if I lose his friendship?" Lily panicked.
"Hey! Woah, Red, you need to calm down. James Potter has been in love with you since he met you, there is no way he hates you. Take a deep breath, love," Sirius instructed. Lily did as she was told. "Good, now come sit." Lily sat. "Lils, he is head over arse for you. He could never hate you. Do you hear me?" Lily nodded. "That's what I thought, come cuddle. Remmy shoved me out of bed this morning because I 'kicked' him. Which is a lie! I would never!" Lily laughed.
"You kick really hard Si, no wonder he kicked you out," she teased.
"I do not!" he protested. Lily laughed at his affronted expression. They talked long into the night, Lily passing out first and Sirius sneaking out to go back to Remus.
"WAKE UP RED! IT'S CHRISTMAS!" Sirius yelled jumping on the bed, shortly joined by James.
"LILLLYYYYYY GET UP!" they yelled. I'm going to fucking murder them go ahead, you don't need my permission.
"GET OFF!" she roared sitting up.
"Oh SHIT! SCATTER!" James yelled jumping off the bed. Lily climbed out of bed and chased the two boys out of her room.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Lily yelled. Remus appeared in the parlor door laughing at the small redhead chasing two tall dark haired boys. The boys were screaming as they ran past. The Potter parents stood in the kitchen talking with Ebele.
"MUMMY! SAVE ME! LILY IS TRYING TO KILL ME!" Sirius yelled jumping on the kitchen counter. James soon joined him. Euphemia laughed and pulled on Sirius's ankle.
"I'm sure you deserved it, love," Euphemia teased. Lily slid into the kitchen. She glared at the two boys.
"If you two children ever, EVER, wake me up again, I will flay you two. Are. We. Clear?" Lily threatened. The boys gulped.
"Yes, Lily," they answered in unison. She nodded to herself.
"Lily, dear, would you like some coffee?" Fleamont asked, brandishing a cup towards her. Lily's entire demeanor changed in an instant.
"Yes please, Fleamont. That would be grand," Lily smiled.
"She's bloody terrifying," Sirius whispered to James, who nodded solemnly. After inhaling her cup of coffee, she got a refill and settled on the sofa in the parlor. Remus, who had not participated in the stupidity of his friends, sat on the other end of the sofa. Lily looked at him over her cup. He was looking a bit pale.
"Are you alright Rem? You look a little tired," Lily commented.
"Si kept me up, he was very hyper, and then he kicked me," Remus complained.
"Lies and slander, I do not kick," Sirius interrupted, draping himself over Remus's lap. James sat on the floor in between Lily's legs.
"Yes you do," all replied, including Euphemia and Fleamont who sat in the armchairs closest to the tree. Sirius pouted and buried his face in Remus's neck.
"Now, Sirius, don't pout, it's your turn to hand out gifts this year," Fleamont reminded him. Sirius slowly sat up and then dived for the tree. He handed gifts to everyone before anyone was allowed to open anything. Euphemia insisted Lily open hers first as she's the guest. Euphemia and Fleamont had gotten her a nice set of assorted teas. Remus gave her a set of books and Sirius gave her a beautiful set of emerald stud earrings. James gave her a big box. She quirked an eyebrow.
"Trust me, Lily-flower," James smirked. She opened it. Inside lay a book, with a picture of Lily when she was younger on the cover. "Open it," he urged. She pulled the book out and opened it. Pictures of Lily and her friends covered the pages. Lily and her parents. Lily and James. Lily and Chewie snuggling on her bed. Lily teared up. "Oh merlin don't cry!"
"Thank you," Lily cried, hugging James from behind. Lily sniffled and wiped her eyes. "Everyone else go now." James laughed and Remus opened his gifts next, mostly chocolate. There was a gift that Remus opened turned firetruck red and shut it quickly. He slapped Sirius who was laughing his arse off. Lily raised her eyebrows but decided her questions were better left unanswered. Fleamont went next as he had to get ready for work, Lily had given him a lovely scarf. He kissed everyone's head and left. Sirius went next, which James complained about loudly. Sirius smacked a kiss on her cheek for her gift, hair ties and muggle band posters. James opened all his gifts quickly. He hesitated when he opened Lily's.
"Lily-flower? What?" he asked. She laughed.
"Mum and I made jumpers for everyone on the team, they have names and numbers on the backs and positions on the front with the Gryffindor House crest," Lily explained. Sirius peeked in the box pulling out James's. He poked at the armband around the left sleeve.
"What's that for, Red?" he asked.
"It's the captain's armband. In football, the captain of the team wears it on their arm to show they are the captain," Lily explained.
"Wicked," James said, taking the jumper from Sirius and pulling it over his head. Sirius grabbed his jumper out of the box and pulled his over his head too.
"Look Jamesie we match!" Sirius exclaimed. Euphemia laughed at her boys' antics and opened her own gifts as quickly as her sons did. She thanked Lily for the set of scented candles before heading to read in the library. "Come along Lily, we are going to eat breakfast in Jamesies bed and get crumbs everywhere." Sirius and Lily dashed off giggling. James chased after them hollering about crumbs in his sheets. Remus followed at a more reasonable pace. When he arrived the other three were strewn about on James's obnoxiously large bed. Ebele had delivered muffins and tea on a tray that was set in the middle of the bed. Remus climbed closest to Sirius.
"Now, Lily, we are going to let you in on a secret, you can not tell anyone. Got it?" James asked, he looked very serious if one ignored the crumbs on his mouth. Lily nodded, sensing the shifting mood. "We, Marauders developed this special thing," he continued, pulling out a piece of blank parchment, "go on, read what it says."
Lily tapped her wand against it, "aparecium." Words appeared on the parchment, reading aloud Lily said, "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, would like to congratulate the Head Girl for her brilliantly stupid attempt at reading this parchment. We congratulate you with a song, Lily the queen of flowers her stinky smell overpowers, Lily the queen of stinky shoes she's always followed by boos, Lily the queen of no-fun really hates this pun." The words disappeared as she said them. She looked at the three snickering boys. "I don't get why your parchment that insults people is such a secret."
"Ah but Lily, it is no ordinary parchment, watch and learn," Remus told her. He put his wand on the parchment, "I solemnly swear I am up to no good." The once again blank parchment filled with lines seeming to come out of Remus's wand. "Read it again, Lily."
She did, "Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs are proud to present the Marauders Map." She gasped, the parchment was now covered in an intricate design of Hogwarts. Little footprints walked in various parts of the castle, accompanied with a name tag. 'Albus Dumbledore' was in his office pacing. "What is this? Is this actually Hogwarts?"
"Yup! This map shows everyone, where they are, what they are doing every minute of every day, it's quite genius really," Sirius said cheerfully.
"It took us until fifth year to finish it, really amazing spellwork. We made up most of it," James told her.
"Is it ever wrong?" she asked, curiously. She was studying the map intensely. This was probably how they saved us.
"Never. The map always tells the truth," Remus smiled.
"What was that bit with the insults?"
"We had to keep it out of the wrong hands somehow, it's a clever spell Remus made. Everytime someone uses a spell on the parchment it just insults back, it's like a useless Zonko's product then. But, when you say the words, it becomes the map," Sirius explained. "To hide the map you say, mischief managed, and boom it's gone. You try it." Lily blinked at him before putting her wand back on the parchment.
"Mischief managed," she said and the lines made a hasty retreat. "That is absolutely wicked!" The boys laughed at her. They finished eating and talking about random things. Sirius and Remus made a suspicious retreat back to Sirius's room with whatever gift Sirius gave Remus.
"Lils," James said, getting her attention easily. He handed her a small box. "I, uh, didn't want to give this to you around anyone else. So, uh, merry Christmas, Lily." She opened it carefully. Inside was a necklace, a small flower pendant with an emerald in it on a silver chain. She turned it over to read the inscription 'to keep you safe and warm'. "It's spelled with a protection charm, it should keep you safe long enough for you to get your wand ready. It'll cool when danger is near. It'll warm when you are safe," he explained. She threw her arms around him and effectively tackled him to the bed.
"James, this is the most thoughtful gift. I love it," she told him, hugging him tightly. She felt his smile in her neck, where he had buried his face.
"Got to keep my favorite flower safe," he teased. She blushed. You know, we could, kiss him, just drag that cute face of his up here and just snog him senseless. Not entirely a bad idea. I do come up with good ones every once in a while thanks.
"I actually have something for you too, let me go get it really fast," she told him, untangling herself from him. She hopped up and ran to her room. Lily dug his present out from underneath her bed. Returning she situated herself straight in his lap. He raised an eyebrow but refrained from commenting. "Here, open it," she urged, pushing the box into his hands. He hooked his chin over her shoulder and opened the box. A simple leather cord bracelet was inside. "It's a tracking bracelet, of a sort. I had them made for all of us, especially with the war. All the bracelets are connected, it gets warmer the closer you are to each other, it gets cold when another is in danger, it'll flash gold when it gets removed by force." James looked impressed. She hesitated before pushing on, "ours are different, well every couple's is like this but only for that couple. Not that we are a couple, uhm, anyway. When the other person needs you most you are summoned to their side, and vice versa. When you touch it like this," she demonstrated with three fingers pressed against it, "it lets you feel the other person's heartbeat."
"Lily," James started. He held her closer. "Put it on, and let me put your necklace on you, love." She smiled, James was a solid wall of warmth behind her. She tied the bracelet on his wrist, then tied hers on. She spelled them to stay closed. He kissed her cheek in thanks. Lily fought to control her blush. "Can you hold your hair up?" Lily did, shivering at the feel of James's warm breath on the back of her neck. Cold fingers raced across her neck, clasping the chain together. "All done," he breathed into her ear. She shivered again, dropping her hair and snuggling back into him.
"As an apology for waking me up so damn early you now have to take a nap with me," she declared.
"Not that much of a hardship Lils," he informed her, laying back on the bed. She fell with him and turned to face him.
"Wasn't supposed to be," she whispered, curling even closer to him. He let out a quiet hm before putting their foreheads together. They fell asleep like that, holding the other one as close as possible.
Okay wow, this chapter is pretty long! But here is part one! So sorry for the month-long delay, I got my wisdom teeth out and then I changed my mind about college and now I've been scrambling to fill everything I need out and senior activities are hitting me from left, right, and center. My college class is absolutely kicking my ass but it's okay because I am getting help and I'm super stressed. BUT I wanted to get this done, I hope you guys enjoy, once again this is for daddy B, my bestie for the restie.
Love
M