The Irish Lily and the Studdly Stag

v. 6

disclaimer: nope.

"Hogsemeade, Hogsmeade, Hoggy-hoogy, hogsmeade…" Sirius sang as the coach they were riding in swayed from side to side. The winters snow fell gracefully from side to side. In the cart were the Marauders and Lily (Alice was riding with Frank and some of his friends). Since there was very little room for even four grown teenage boys, Lily was sitting on James' lap.

"Only three more weeks to Christmas!!!!!" Peter nearly squealed.

"I know, it's really sad though, because this is our last Christmas here at Hogwarts." Lily said softly, looking out the window. James rubbed her shoulders and placed his chin on one of them.

The group remained quiet for the rest of the ride until Remus spoke up.

"It'll be really hard to leave." He said quietly, not looking at the others, "I mean, we spent the most of our lives here."

James nodded and buried his face in his girlfriends shoulder.

"You think we'll make it out there?" Peter asked nervously, "You know? Like we'll always be friends?" he asked from next to Lily and James.

"Of course. Pete." James said, grinning.

Lily and Alice met up once the coaches stopped.

"OK, so Alice and I will go shopping, then lunch Madam Puddifoots (the boys all groaned), then we can all go and do whatever, dinner at The Three Broomsticks. And James, then our date." Said Lily. James grinned at her.

"We sound so grown up." Said Alice, hugging Frank goodbye.

"We are. We're 17 for Merlins sake." Sirius said.

"Sadly, yeah." Said Remus.

"OK, well, we'll see you at 11." Lily said, hugging James and linking arms with Alice. The two girls walked off, chatting really for the first time in a few weeks.

"OK, anyone got any ideas for presents?" Sirius asked.

"Yeah. I'm getting Lily a sweater she wants, a book and necklace." James said, smiling.

"Wow. You're not going cheap, are you?" Peter asked, "I mean, she's just a girl, mate."

Remus and Sirius stared at him, James looked angry.

"She's more than a girl. Don't you ever say anything about her again." He said in a deadly calm voice, glaring.

Peter paled and seemed to shrink in size. Sirius nervously cleared his throat. "So, the clothing shops then?"

Meanwhile, on the other side of the village, Lily and Alice were in the new Quiditch shop picking up some things for James, Sirius and Frank.

"OK, I'm getting James a play book, and some new Chaser gloves." Said Lily.

"That's it?" Alice asked as she looked at some Seeker gloves for Frank.

"No, I'm going over to Honeydukes to get a few things and I have something else I ordered for James." Said Lily with a grin.

"Ooh, what is it?? Lingerie?" Alice said, only half-joking.

Lily blushed crimson. "NO!! It's a surprise." She said. Alice laughed and bought the gloves and a few other things.

"So, now I only have Remus', yours and Peter's gifts." Said Lily.

"Wait, what did you get Sirius?" Alice asked as they stepped out into the cold air.

"A gift certificate and I got him a rabid Squirrel." Said Lily, "Plus some other things."

"You actually got him the squirrel?" said Alice, hardly believing it.

"Yup. It took me ages to find one, but magic can do anything. He's set to arrive on Christmas Day." Said Lily.

"Wow." Said Alice, "So, off to Honeydukes?"

"Right-o." said Lily.

The girls linked arms once again and took off on the snow covered streets. Every now and then they would see one of their friends and stop for a talk or wave. The two girls walked in silence.

"How did you know that you loved James?" Alice asked quietly. Lily smiled.

"When I realized that I knew he would do anything for me and I would do the same. I know that doesn't seem like it but you get this feeling that you just love them." Lily said with a smile. "Why the certain curiousity?"

"Frank told me he loved me last night and I don't know if I feel the same. I mean, aren't we too young to be in love? Or even to know what love is?" said Alice in one breath.

"I don't think we're too young. We're able to feel love at any age…You've been listening to your mother too much." Said Lily, hugging Alice. "Don't worry…you'll know if you love him or not."

"God I hope so…I felt so bad when I couldn't answer him. I mean, I think I love him, but with everything going on it's hard t believe in things like love or friendships." Alice said softly. Lily smiled at her softly and hugged her again.

"Hey, kid, times are tough. Don't let mean old Moldyshorts get you down. Frank loves you, Alice, that should show you that there is love still out there." Lily said.

Alice smiled. "And that is why you're my best mate, Lily Evans."

Both girls smiled and stepped into Honeydukes.

Um…..hi?? Yeah, I know. I haven't updated in quite a few months…Major brain blocks along with being grounded have been the cause. I'm not sure how the story is going to go from here, so don't expect quick updates. Sorry this was so pathetic.