Chapter Twelve: I love her.

I woke up on Christmas morning to find Sirius staring down at me. He was sitting on my stomach, taking full advantage of my sleepy state.

"Merry Christmas Lilyflower!" He cried in a sing-song voice.

"Shut the hell up, or you will be unable to have children!" I growled. I pushed him off and grabbed my dressing-gown.

"Hey Remus." I said sleepily.

"Good morning Lily. In the common room, there is a huge pile of presents for you." He grinned as I leapt up and shot downstairs.

"A girl after my own heart." Sirius sighed, putting his hand to his brow.

"I heard that!" I yelled. I almost flew down the stairs.

"Evans." James nodded to me.

"Potter." I nodded back.

We were being civil to each other. Someone slap me! NOT literally.

"Say, Evans, how about a date?" James asked as he turned to leave.

I whipped out my wand and cast a discreet spell on him. I had just charmed his forehead to say, 'I've recently got over a rather nasty rash. Don't come near.'

"No Potter. It would be degrading to lower myself to your level." I replied evenly.

He just shrugged and galloped up the stairs to his room.

I conjured a piece of parchment and wrote down every present and who it was from, so I could write 'thank you' letters later. I know, I'm sad, but with no friends here to distract me, I am left to my own, slightly frightening, devices.

Suddenly, a yell went up from the boy's dormitory and Potter appeared at the door.

"EVANS! WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?" He hollered, looking extremely pissed off.

"I'm just telling the truth. All the girls you might date need to know about your little medical condition Jamsie-poo." I giggled as Sirius and Remus came down the stairs from the girl's dorm.

"What the hell have you written on your head now?" Remus sighed heavily.

"I DIDN'T WRITE ANYTHING! IT WAS EVANS! DO YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD WRITE THIS ON MY OWN FOREHEAD?" James was beginning to resemble a tomato.

"Don't accuse someone without evidence Potter. I could sue you for libel. God knows you've got the money!" I replied, turning back to my presents. Mum must have sent the ones from family straight here.

Mum and Petunia (supposedly) had got me new dress robes (in emerald green, yey!) and a book I'd wanted for, like, ever. It was called 'Mystical beings and their properties.' By Radimeer Lugwash.

Aunt Rosalyn had got me a new address book (?) and sent me Muggle money (again,?).

Most were just cards with Muggle money, but one present had caught my eye. It was very small and neatly wrapped. It was from my Great Aunt Alexandria. She had taped a card to the front of the parcel, which I opened first.

Inside, she had written:

Lily dear,

All the stories you were told,

They came true when you were old.

Unicorns, dragons and many more,

You are the one I most adore.

Take this gift as a token,

For, many moons ago, the woman hast spoken.

We are special, don't you see,

For we can live for eternity.

This gift that I give to you,

Will only be worn by those who are true.

I am a witch; I hope you've guessed,

You must do your very best,

To keep this gift from eyes hidden,

But wear it as you are bidden.

With love and happiness,

Aunt Alex.

Xxx

"How the hell do you get this off?" James cried in exasperation.

"It wears off." I called over my shoulder, not bothering to turn round.

I heard an animal growl, before James threw himself at me. He pushed me to the ground, pinning my arms to my sides.

"Take it off." He said in a voice which was used to being obeyed.

"I can't." I replied simply, staring at him hard. "Anyway, it gets you back for all the things you've ever done to me, Belle and Cass. So there!"

"Hey, hey, hey! Break it up!" Sirius yelled, yanking James off me. His eyes burned with anger. "You do realise that she is a GIRL! I am supposing that you do know the first rule of Conduct: Never hurt a girl physically. What the hell did you think you were doing?" His voice shook with barely suppressed rage.

I had never seen Sirius like that. His eyes were wide and furiously burning into James'

"He was only messing, Sirius. I started it." I said in a trembling voice. I uncurled Sirius' fingers from the front of James' pyjama top. "He didn't hurt me."

"If you were anyone but you, I'd have killed you by now. Lily is too delicate for you to hurt. Don't try it again." Bright blue orbs met chocolate brown spheres.

I sidled away and sat next to my presents, re reading the message from Aunt Alex.

~~* James's POV *~~

"I don't know what came over me Siri. I've never felt a tenth of that white-hot murderous rage before. She was taunting me. I just blew. I mean, I hate it when she laughs at me, or sees something and hates me for it. I just wish she liked me, even if it's just for a second." I shook my head, letting black tendrils fall haphazardly. My insides had burned with such passion as I'd never felt before. It had frightened me.

"You like her." Sirius stated simply.

"What if I… I mean, what about you, jumping to her defence?" I asked stubbornly. Me, like Evans? We had hated each other since the first train journey.

"She's like my little sister." He shrugged.

"Face it Prongs, ol' buddie. You have well and truly fallen for Lily Marie Evans. Maybe you should apologise." Remus appeared, holding a chess board. "Fancy a game Padfoot? I beat you hands down every time, but it's funny to see you try."

"Alright then Moony." Sirius agreed, missing the sarcasm.

I looked over to Lily and my insides squirmed uncomfortably. Her long red hair matched her temper, but her eyes held such sadness. When I was near her, I had to resist the temptation of reaching out and touching her. If I did, I'd get a slap, so I didn't gain anything but a sore cheek for about two hours.

Then it hit me. I don't just like her. I love her.

~~~***~~~

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