Chapter 8: Life-size Christmas Gift

"Pass the pudding, Mum," I say dully, squishing the bit I still have left with my fork. "You've really outdone yourself with this Christmas's meal."

"What's wrong, Lily?" Mum asks, concerned over my drab mood and voice. "It can't be exams. You're always top of the class on those."

"No, it's not exams," I sigh, swirling my turkey around in left-over gravy but not eating it.

"I bet I know," Petunia says, laying down her napkin and sitting up even straighter in her chair (if that is possible). She's a prissy girl with blonde curling hair who I'm more than happy to be away from for school term. She always acts more like a 50s housewife than 16-year-old girl. "Lily's been receiving letters late at night and not-and not by normal post," she adds in a stage whisper, looking pointedly at Mum and Dad. "One even talked. I could hear it through the wall."

Mum and Dad seem pleased by this--not the reaction Petunia hoped for.

"Lily!" Dad exclaims, grinning. "You've got a wizarding boyfriend?"

I nod. What else is James Potter? "I've known him since first year but we've been seeing a lot of each other since this term began. About four months steady."

"Well, what's his name?" Mum prods, just as excited as Dad. "Is he one of the old families? What do they call them?"

"Purebloods," I say. "His name is James and, as far as I know, the Potters are one of the oldest Pureblood families in record. I'm sure he can trace 'em back loads of generations." I wave a hand dismissively. "I loathe to ask. Most purebloods love to talk about their heritage and famous uncle so-and-so who killed the such-and-such. James, I'm sure, would be happy to play Quidditch professionally after graduation but I...I don't think he has to." I glance around the table at Mum and Dad's rapt expressions and Petunia's horrorstricken one. "Independently wealthy," I confide in the same sort of stage whisper Petunia used earlier when spilling the secret of my nightly owl visitors.

"I have a steady boyfriend too!" Petunia says shrilly, not to be outdone. "His name is Vernon, he's 19 and works in a bank. Vernon says one day he can easily become manager and then own a whole slew of banks, but prefers to learn the ropes of business and perhaps go into another field. He's thinking plastics or chocolates."

"That's nice, dear," Dad says absently, eyes still curiously on me. "Why don't you invite your James over for dinner before you return to school, Lily? We'd like to meet him." He glances sideways at Petunia, as if just remembering she exists. "And, naturally, invite your fellow too, Petunia. We can have a small dinner party."

"Vernon is quite committed exclusively to the bank during the week," Petunia says, dabbing the corner of her mouth with her napkin. "It will have to be during the week end."

"And I need to write to James. He might have other commitments at home."

I stand to place my dishes, before taking the stairs two at a time. An excuse! A legitimate, parent sanctioned excuse to see James before term starts! Four days! Who knew four days apart would be such agony for me as well? I fling my door open, hurrying to my school supply of parchment and quills to scrawl a hasty note, the door slamming shut behind me. I've just finished writing "love from, lily" when I hear an "ahem" from my bed. I look up, startled.

"James Potter!"

He grins, laying in a half-reclining position on my bed, a big red ribbon tied around his middle. "Surprise. Happy Christmas. Thought I'd drop by to surprise ya and, well, because I've been missing you like hell. Now I know what torture is...Being apart from you for more than a day."

"How did you...How did you get here?" I exclaim, not able to wipe the silly grin off my face.

"Broom." He nods toward the window. "Had a helluva time finding this place. Did you know all the houses on Privet Drive look alike?"

"All I care is you're here now!" I say, pouncing on him and the bed, rubbing my cheek against his familiar Quidditch jersey, while sprawling happily across him.

James laughs. "I take it you missed me too then?"

"Mm...Very much!" I say, lifting my head. "Why do you got the big bow around your middle?"

"Because I'm your present," he says evenly. "You have to unwrap me."

"Gladly," I murmur, sitting up to work on undoing the ribbon. I try to act surprised after unwrapping my 'present.' "A James Potter! How did you know?"

"A lot of hope and many years of trying." He watches me steadily for long moments before lifting his hand to cup the side of my face. "Sometimes I think this must be a happy dream," he whispers, voice low and serious. "That I'm asleep or knocked unconscious by a Bludger and this is what I wish to happen, instead of what is actually happening. I don't want it to be a dream, Lily. I don't want...I don't want us to be a dream."

"It's not, James," I assure him. "We're not." I move his hand from my cheek to my heart, pressing so he can feel the thumping beat. "My heart's been trying to tell me things my head was not yet ready to accept. Probably for months, possibly for years. It beats for you and I was too stubborn to see."

James sits up and kisses me in one fluid motion, knocking me slightly back off his lap, but he catches and steadies me with his free arm. When I open my eyes again, we're laying on my bed, and James is working on undoing my blouse buttons.

"My parents want to invite you to dinner one night!" I gasp, sitting up and rearranging my blouse back to order, despite James' muttered "all my hard work!" protests. "That's what I was writing you about when-when you showed up instead." I stand, tucking my blouse in, before retrieving the letter and bringing it to him.

James skims it quickly. "Saturday. I can do that. Perhaps I can stay over and we can leave for school together. Will save your parents a trip."

I smile. "I like that idea! I'll bring it up to them at breakfast tomorrow." I glance out my window. "You might want to wait till it's dark to leave. It's a wonder you weren't spotted as is."

James lays back down on my bed, grinning, hands behind his head. "Let's see...how to pass the time, how to pass the time..."

I open my door, calling: "Mum! Dad! I've got a headache so am going to rest for a bit! Don't disturb me, please!"

James' grin has somehow managed to widen when I shut the door and turn to face him. "You're a very industrious girl. Remind me to ask for tips on avoiding detention."

"Spend more time with me and no one will suspect you're up to no good."

"Oh, I'm always up to no good," he teases. "I've got a reputation to uphold."

I laugh, feeling very rebellious indeed climbing into my own bed next to James Potter. He puts an arm around me and I cuddle close, arm across his chest. "I hope you know I don't much feel like sleeping."

"I hope you know I don't much intend to let you."