Dear Lily,
I'm sorry I didn't write earlier. My Christmas is going lovely. My parents and I were shopping in Diagon Alley a couple of days ago when there was an attack. I don't know if you still get the daily prophet but it was all covered in there. There were 14 deaths mostly children and one Auror. Both my parents are Aurors so they stayed and tried to help. They told me to go home. I couldn't, I saw this girl she must have been ten years old. She looked a lot like you, red hair, and small built, but hazel eyes. I tried to protect her. I couldn't do anything to save her Lily. She had been hit with some curse; I could remove it fast enough. I've been at St. Mungo's since the attack. My leg won't stop bleeding. A stupid death eater cornered me when I was trying to help her. Even with the potions they've given me nothing seems to hold. They tell me I should be out in a couple weeks just in time to go back to Hogwarts. Before the attack I was able to get you something. It's small and not worth a gift in return. I hope you and your mother are doing well. Please write back and let me know how everything is.
Sincerely,
James Potter
Attached to the envelope was a small package. Lily tore the red paper that covered the box. Opening the box she immediately could tell it wasn't a small gift like he said. It was a beautiful necklace. A gold chain that held a heart shaped pendant. Inside the pendant was a huge emerald and around the emerald was about fifteen small diamonds.
"Oh my God."
"Lily what is it?"
"Just a gift from someone from school. You want to see it?"
"Of course!"
Lily walked toward her mother's bed. She handed the box to her.
"Lily it's beautiful." Lily nodded in agreement.
"And it looks extremely expensive." Lily said nothing "Who gave it to you?"
"Just a friend"
"A guy friend?" her mother always pried.
"If you must know, yes a guy friend"
"Remus?"
"No mum. Remus and I broke up 5th year."
"I haven't heard of you talk about anyone."
"That's because we are just friends."
"He doesn't just want your friendship if he's sending you this."
"You're right; he wants a relationship and has wanted it since 1st year."
"Ah it's from Potter then."
"Yep, it is."
"You're friends with him?"
"Yes. I tolerate him now."
"Does he know your staying home?"
"Yes he does. And now I have to get James a gift. It would be rude for me not to get him something."
"Oh he's James now?"
"Mum."
"What?"
"That is his first name." Lily replied hotly.
"Alright dear. Get ready for bed will you, it's late."
"Yeah"
Lily walked into her room threw open her trunk to find her parchment. Her quill sat abandoned from the past summer, on her desk waiting to be used. She sat down and dipped the quill and wrote,
Dear James,
Thank you for the necklace it's beautiful, I don't think I can accept such an expensive gift…
She crumbled up the paper and went back to her mother's room.
"Mum I'm going to go out and get James a gift"
"Now?" Lily thought for a second, the stores were probably closed now, it would have to wait.
"No, tomorrow morning so I probably won't be here when you wake up."
"Okay Lils."
Lily couldn't sleep that night she was excited, though she would never admit to anyone she was. She thought she'd get him something for the Quidditch supply shop then go see him at St. Mungo's.
The next day Lily walked into Gringotts to exchange her muggle money for wizard money. Walking through Diagon alley she got a lot of strange looks. Yes, she was a young wizard dressed in muggle clothing in Diagon alley, and she was alone. She didn't think about it before. But there just had been an attack in Diagon Alley. She either looked like a target or someone targeting everyone else.
When Lily turned the corner all she saw the Quidditch store, there were five broomsticks in the window one shiner then the other. The one on the bottom James had, and the other four Lily had never seen before. Lily entered the shop and it smelled like him. She never knew that it was the fresh smell of broomsticks she smelled.
Lily's hand grazed the top broomstick. It was marvelous, the handle formed to the player's hand, gorgeous wood, and it looked perfect.
"Do you need any help miss?"
"Yes actually. How much is this broom?"
"Miss that is the top of the line there, they will be using for the next world cup. It will run you about 100 galleons."
"Wow."
"Think you have enough there?"
"Yeah, if it's a gift and he doesn't like it can he return it?
"Are you kidding me miss, no one would want to return this."
"Just in case?"
"Sure miss, if anyone wants to return it they can."
"Thanks."
Lily grabbed the wrapped up box and headed to St. Mungo's.