Chapter 9: Merry Christmas Sherlock
Lily woke you the next morning with last night fresh in her mind. She was excited about the "peace treaty" that she and James had established. She sat down on the couch in the middle of the common room and stared at the fire place.
So much had changed in one night. She and James Potter were no longer enemies of the highest order. They were… friends? It was all still a bit much for Lily and she was still trying to overcome not hating James Potter. Did she really hate him though? The more she thought about it the more she realized she never had hated him, not properly anyway.
She hated tuna fish, she hated red apples, she hated trashy romance novels, she hated people who weren't true to themselves and most recent to make her exclusive hate list was Jessica Roberts but she didn't James. Despised maybe, even strongly disliked, but not hate.
Lily's mind fluttered back to Jessica, the newest addition on her list. Jessica had never done anything to provoke her but she annoyed Lily with her pettiness. She was shallow and insecure and Lily hated those qualities in a person. And she's going out with James… whispered her slightly rebellious side. She's not good enough for him, he deserves someone beautiful inside and out.
Lily brushed aside the thought. She and James weren't even friends yet, who was she to choose what was right and what was wrong for him. But she couldn't deny that she had been uncomfortable last night seeing the two together.
Lily, mesmerized in her thoughts, didn't notice the mop of chestnut that was now sitting next to her. "Morning Lils," came from a yawning James.
"Oh hey Potter"
"It's James remember?" he said smiling
"Oh yeah right; Sorry I forgot," she replied sheepishly, saying his first name was giving her a hard time. He had been Potter for too long and for him suddenly to become James would take some time. "So… James, you sleep well?"
"Nah, there was too much junk lying on my bed and I couldn't be bothered to clean it up."
The two laughed comfortably together. It felt so natural thought James – to be sitting there laughing with Lily.
"I'm glad we're friends Lily."
"Me too Pot- I mean James."
James got up on impulse and turned to give Lily a hug. Lily was taken by surprised and cautiously wrapped her arms around him
But before James could get too comfortable there was a knock on the door.
Lily let go quickly, "Come in"
It was Nick Sullivan, Lily's forgotten boyfriend. "Hey Lily, I was wondering if you wanted to come down to breakfast with me? I haven't spoken to you in ages!"
Lily glanced at James, "I… Yeah sure I'm coming. Bye Pot- James."
"Bye Lily" he mumbled glancing at her retreating form wistfully.
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A month had passed since that night in the common room and Lily and James were slowly becoming good friends. Lily even gave him hugs occasionally! Everyone had been relieved in the change of attitude between the two, it had made the school a happier place for everyone, except for four people – Nicholas Sullivan, Jessica Roberts, Sirius Black and Kay Smith.
The first two were for obvious reasons. Nicholas Sullivan knew about James' infatuation with Lily and he hadn't worried about it until now. Since Lily became friends with James, they had been on good terms and screaming matches in the hallways were no longer heard.
This scared Nick because he had always thought of James as competition. Both of them played Quidditch and both of them had romantically been linked to many girls. Nick went out of his way to make sure Lily had very little contact with James during the day. He escorted her to all meals and to all her classes. He was confident that they were having very little contact.
Jessica wasn't happy for similar reasons. She was aware of her boyfriend's long standing infatuation with Evans and she was acutely aware that Lily Evans was incredibly beautiful. She followed a similar tactic to Nick and spent all her free time with James.
Lastly, there was the odd case of Kay Smith and Sirius Black. Why weren't they happy for their friends? Two simple reasons… Remus Lupin and an annoying bet. Kay regretted ever making that bet and she knew that she didn't have 100 galleons to give to Remus.
She had been pondering over the bet for a while now and had come up with a ghastly solution. She had to ask for Sirius, grimace, Black's, groan, help.
She approached him that afternoon, "Black we need to talk…"
"I refuse to till you apologize for calling me Einstein"
"That was three months ago!" said a startled Kay
"I don't forget things easily Smith," Sirius said smugly
"But… being Einstein is a good thing…" said a bemused Kay
"If you like strange old ladies with feathery hats and hairy moles then yes it is but I have an aversion towards such so please apologize," Sirius retorted
"Big hairy… what the hell are you… never mind, I'm sorry for calling you Einstein Black." said a laughing Kay who was utterly confused by Sirius' antics.
"I forgive, just don't do it again 'kay?"
"Haha alright Black. Anyway I didn't come for a chat I have some business to discuss with you."
"Business you say? Hmm, take a seat Smith. Would you like a glass of champagne?" Sirius asked, he had watched some muggle spy movies over the summer.
"Whatever Black, I don't have time for this. I have to meet Lily soon," Kay looked around impatiently. "Right Black I don't know if you remember the bet that we made at the beginning of the year?"
"Of course I do! It's the one that'll make me 100 galleons richer," Sirius grinned gleefully.
"Don't be too sure of that Black."
Sirius was surprised, "Why not?"
"It's a week till Christmas Break and they're bound to get together before it."
"Oh shit you're right!"
"Well I just wanted to make sure you were aware of the problem. If you think of a solution drop me a line."
"Drop you a line? Like a ladder? Or should I draw a line and cut it out and drop it in your lap? You are so confusing Smith! What do you mean?"
"Figure it out Sherlock"
"Sherlock… whose…. Smith! First you call me Einstein then Sherlock! How much more can you insult me! I hate my Uncle Sherlock! Smith get back here right now! This instant! Smith! SMITH!"
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Lily sighed, it had been a long day, History of Magic was dragging on and on and on and on and… you get the point. She let out another audible sigh. Suddenly a paper airplane hit her back and startled her. She turned and leaned down to pick it up. She looked around to see who it was from. It was from a chestnut haired boy that was urging her to unfold the plane.
Lily laughed quietly and unfolded the plane to find a note scrawled in James's untidy hand,
Lily,
Gosh I am so bored. Binns needs to get a life…
Anyways, I what have you got planned for Christmas Break? Going any exciting place?
Luv James
Lily quickly scrawled a note back:
James,
My dear friend, Binns can't get a life... he's a ghost!
I'm going home; I'll have Christmas lunch at home and then go to Kay's to spend the rest of Christmas Break there and you?
-Lily
Lily picked up the piece of paper and threw it in James' general direction. With the reaction of a seeker he grabbed it quickly and scrawled back another note. He threw it to Lily again but unluckily Sirius managed to intercept it. Lily threw him a scathing glance and whispered, "Give me the note Black!"
Sirius grinned but ignored Lily's demand. He frowned at the piece of paper, James and Lily were getting closer. Damn it, that really wasn't good! He quickly wroite something down the piece of paper and passed it to Lily.
Lily angrily snatched it from him. James had written:
I'm spending it with my mom and the other Marauders.
I'll see you at Kay's then, my mom and Mrs. Smith always have a lunch together the day after Christmas. Nice one about Binns by the way :-)
Then Sirius had gone on to write:
Prongsie, we can't go to the lunch… it's that time of the month… And I didn't know you had it in you to make fun of a teacher Lily!
Lily looked at the note in confusion, 'that time of the month?' Then she realized that he must be talking about Remus.
I'm perfectly capable of making fun of a teacher Black, you just haven't ever seen that side of me…
And btw… It's only 'that time of the month' a week after Christmas.
Lily threw the note at Sirius. He picked it up and read it, his face incredulous. Before he could reply the bell rang and Lily swiftly gathered her stuff and left.
Sirius grabbed onto her bag and pulled her. Lily screamed, "Sirius! I'm going to be late!"
Sirius gave her a look, "It's lunch."
Lily was taken by surprise… "Oh, oh yeah."
Sirius carried on while he had Lily quiet, "So how do you know about Remus."
"He told me," she retorted
"Oh," It was Sirius' turn to be surprised. He continued threateningly, "You better not have told anyone," he said sternly
"Yes General!" Lily said saluting him.
"You are one queer one," Sirius said with a laugh, "You enjoy your queerness while I enjoy lunch!" He said, a ravenous look in his eye.
Lily was left, utterly confused, and laughing softly she gathered her bags.
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"Turn down your freakish music, you freak!" screamed Petunia
Lily sighed and walked to her radio to turn down the volume. This was why she missed Hogwarts so much, at least she wasn't a 'freak' there.
It didn't hurt her that much anymore but there was still a part, an irrational part, of her that longed for her sisters love. They had been best friends till Lily left for Hogwarts and since then the gap between them widened with each year till it was an ocean, too far for Lily to swim. So she had succumbed to the realization that she and Petunia were no longer friends, they had no tie to each other except that of blood. Petunia even tried to deny this relation and was doing all she could to change it.
Petunia didn't want to be an Evans anymore… she wanted to be a Dursely. lily grimaced, what she saw in that Vernon boy Lily couldn't comprehend. He was ugly and was the rudest boy alive, nothing like James Lily thought.
She mentally smacked herself. She convinced herself that even she couldn't deny that James was particularly handsome. As for the rudeness point, well she grudgingly admitted that James had grown up since their agreement to be friends.
"Lily come down hunny, dinner's ready!" screamed Sara Potter
Lily walked down the stairs, this was going to be interesting… Vernon was coming over for supper.
She entered the Dinning Room and felt her mother's cautious glance on her. She had promised to behave and Lily knew that if she wasn't the caricature of courtesy she wouldn't be able to go to Kay's the day after tomorrow.
"Evening Vernon," she civilly stated
Vernon Dursely sent a condescending look her way and grunted. lily opened her mouth to retort but then caught her mother's eye and refrained. Instead she let out a sigh, it was going to be a long night.
"So Vernon, what is it that you do again?" Zach Evans asked amiably.
"I work at a drill factory." Vernon managed to gasp out, his mouth full Sara Evans' lasagna.
Lily looked away in distaste. Weren't table manners supposed to constitute as very important in muggle society?
"Oh don't be modest sweetheart," Petunia practically screeched, "He's the manager of one of their major departments." Petunia said, her eyes alight, as though she were showing off a racehorse.
Lily grinned, she slyly asked, "Sorry Vernon, but doesn't your father own Grunnings?"
Vernon looked affronted that Lily had spoken to him. Petunia hissed, "You freak, just shut up!"
Lily inwardly groaned and stared at her pasta, and slowly chewed her pasta; Her mouth yearning to bite Petunia, but this would have to do.
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James felt a drop on his face, he hazily opened his eyes… only to find a torrent of water on him.
"It's Christmas! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" screamed an ecstatic Sirius. "Presents, presents!" he said as he danced around the room.
"Sirius calm yourself down! You know we can't open presents till we get to Kay's house."
"Smith?" Sirius asked puzzled, "What about Smith?" This was the first Christmas Sirius was spending with James and his mom. He had opted to stay at school last Christmas.
"We go to her house for Christmas Dinner every year and we all gather around the tree to give each other presents."
Sirius look appalled, "So I have to wait the whole day before I can open my presents?"
James chuckled, "That's about right mate."
"Noooooo!" yelled a distraught Sirius.
"You'll survive, anyway Jessica is coming over for lunch so that should be fun."
Sirius sent James a glare, "Oh yes! I love spending Christmas with Jessica Roberts! Thanks Prongs, you know how I feel about her!" and with a pout he stomped out of the room.
James hit his head against the wall, and then grudgingly went to find Sirius.
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Ding dong
Nibbles ran to open the door to find Jessica staring at him. Without even saying thank you, Jessica stepped into the house. Mrs. Potter looked up to see her sons' girlfriend.
"Hello, you must be Jessica?" she said pleasantly
"Uh yeah, hey… Ivanna right?" then without waiting for an answer she carried on, "Where's James?"
At that moment James walked down the stairs, "Jamie!" screeched Jessica, without giving Ivanna another glance.
Sirius walked out of the kitchen, he gave Jessica a look of pure venom and then he sent Mrs. Potter an apologetic look.
"No need to worry my boy, James will realize that she's not right for him soon enough."
Sirius sighed, "I hope he realizes it soon."
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Jessica collapsed onto James's bed and analyzed her surroundings. James had a massive window that overlooked the Potter estate but more importantly, in Jessica's eyes anyway, next to the window was the biggest bed Jessica had ever seen. A bed that fueled her imagination greatly.
Jess turned to find James' arms wrapped around her waist.
"Merry Christmas angel," he whispered softly into her ear.
Jessica grinned and turned around and gave James a kiss. He slowly kissed back and they fell onto the couch together. James smiled; this was the life.
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Lily walked into Kay's house, only to find Mrs. Smith in a flurry. "Lily, thank god you're here! Do you think you could stir the gravy for me." Lily laughed and started stirring the mixture.
She sniffed the air; something didn't smell right, "Elizabeth? Is there anything in the oven?"
"The oven? No no- Oh Merlin, the potatoes! Kay! Kay! Get the potatoes out of the oven."
Kay ran down the stairs to help her frantic mother, she ran straight to oven and retrieved the now black potatoes. As she turned around she caught sight of Lily and screeched.
"Lils!" She said as she ran towards Lily, dropping the tray of potatoes. Elizabeth was accustomed to her daughter's carelessness and muttered a spell under her breath to slow down the potatoes.
"Kay! Could you try to be more careful?" she reprimanded.
"But you didn't tell me Lily was here," Kay cried.
"Oh go up and get ready you two," Elizabeth said running her hands through her brown hair, her blue eyes sparkling. "It's not as though you'll be much help here at any rate."
"Come on Lily!"
The two of them slowly climbed up to Kay's room and Lily sat herself down on a cushion.
"How was Christmas?" Kay asked worried
"It was alright," Lily said sadly then suddenly perked up, "You should have seen Vernon though!" Lily went on to describe how nauseating he was. It had Kay spluttering with laughter.
Finally after both girls had managed to control their hysterics Kay asked curiously "So what are you wearing?"
"Jeans and something…" Lily replied nonchalantly
"Jeans?" Kay said looking scandalized
"Um yeah…" Lily replied, very confused
"You do know that this is a formal affair?"
Lily gulped, "For- formal?" she stuttered
"Yup…" Kay said with excitement
"Oh my god," Lily stopped and said the five words she never thought she would ever say, "I have nothing to wear!"
Kay laughed, "Well I do have this dress…
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Lily walked down the stairs with Kay next to her; she was having difficulty breathing. Partly because of the dress and partly due to nervousness.
Oh shit, she thought, and tried to turn around and walk back to the bathroom. Kay looked at her and whispered, "No you don't. Do you realize how long it took me to find that dress for you?"
Lily cringed and let herself be pulled down into the elaborate guest room. The Potter family had just arrived with the Marauders.
James looked up and suddenly he couldn't breathe. Lily was, in that second, the pinnacle of perfection. She looked breathtaking in a dark red dress. The soft fabric fluttered as she walked and James felt as though every time the fabric moved his heart gave a lurch.
"Prongs, you're drooling," whispered Peter. Sirius and Remus laughed while James looked away in embarrassment.
"Lily, I'd like you to meet Ivanna Potter," said an enthusiastic Elizabeth Smith
"Merry Christmas Mrs. Potter," Lily said cheerily.
"Oh do call me Ivanna!" Lily bent down to give Ivanna a hug, "My you really are as beautiful as James said." Lily and James both looked away, their faces red. While everyone at the table laughed. Ivanna couldn't help but think that she was so much better than Jessica was.
"Well I guess now we eat!" said Elizabeth.
Tony Smith hungrily added, "Finally!"
"Amen to that!" agreed the four other boys.
Soon everyone was well into their meals and there was only small talk between the group. Once all the plated had been wiped clean all the adults picked up their glasses of wine and left the six teenagers.
"So is it time to swap presents yet?" Sirius asked impatiently
James turned to look at Kay who nodded with a giggle, "Yes Sirius. it's time for presents."
Sirius grinned evilly; he had a plan worked out now. It was after all after Christmas break and if he got them together he would be 100 galleons richer. He rubbed his hands with glee.
The group made their way to a Christmas tree and sat down in a circle. "Okay I'll go first." Sirius demanded.
Everyone handed over their presents to Sirius and he ripped them open. And so they went around the circle till only Remus and Lily were left. Sirius handed remus his present and then said, "Moony I don't think you should open this present in front of Lily she may have a fit."
Lily sent Sirius a glare and asked, "It's something illegal isn't it?" she demanded
"Nope," Sirius grinned, "It's got to do with something much worse. It's got to do with… BUGS!"
Lily squealed, "Get it out! Get it out!!"
The four boys turned to leave the room and Kay sent Lily a pleading look. "Go on Kay, I really don't mind." she said kindly.
Lily settled herself in front a windowpane while waiting for her friends to come back, She glanced wistfully over the yard, it was so beautiful. The roses always struck Lily, since they were magical Kay's garden had a rose in every colour imaginable.
Lily suddenly felt a pair of string arms around her. "Merry Christmas Lily," James whispered in her ear.
Lily quietly replied, "Merry Christmas James"
James turned Lily to face him; Lily felt her cheeks go red at the thought of being this close to him. "I wanted to be the first to give you're present," he whispered.
Lily looked at him, her eyes shining, she took the silver package he had given her and carefully opened it. She opened the box to find a pendent inside. It was a garnet fashioned into a flower. Lily turned it over to read the inscription on the back. It said:
A peace offering.
Lily smiled, "Could you put it on for me?" he asked.
James nodded as Lily turned around and lifted her hair. James exhaled sharply; her hair always had an inexplicable effect on him. He fastened the necklace and turned her around to face him once more, "Beautiful," he muttered.
Lily blushed as she realized that he wasn't talking about the necklace. "Thank you," she whispered softly. Before Lily had time to consider what she was doing her lips were on James'.
She felt him moan as she ran her hands through his hair. His tongue entered her mouth and the two fell onto the couch. Passion being the only thing left in either of them.
Suddenly Lily realized what she was doing; she was kissing James Potter. James graoned as Lily stopped moving underneath him, "Lily" he moaned.
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AN: Well here's chapter 9! I hope you enjoyed! It was extra long to make up for not updating! Okay I need to know something very important... Should I finish this story in the next chapter or so or should I carry on? It's all up to you! So review and let me know because if there isn't much of a response I'll have to stop...
Anyways, the other thing is I have another one shot out called 1, 2, 3, 4, I declare a war. It's a quite amusing in my opinion so check that out too!
Review!
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