Chapter 20:
Never Doubt Me Again
The snow was still there in the morning much to the marauders delight. They were all staying for the holidays. They spent the first day of the holidays in the grounds having snowball fights. They'd even bewitched snowballs to follow teachers around. After a quick lunch they returned to the common room and gathered around the fire. Lily was sat there reading, "so Evans, how come you haven't gone home?" Sirius asked.
"My parents have gone to France for the holiday and I didn't really fancy going with them."
"Fancy being the fifth marauder for the next couple of weeks?"
Lily laughed, recognising the gesture for what it was; kindness. They played wizard chess, exploding snap and a variety of different games.
On Christmas Eve, James was incredibly excited about the next day. He loved Christmas. When he woke up, he saw a ridiculously large pile of presents. "Get up guys," James told the others, "it's Christmas!" He threw his pillow at Sirius. Christmas dinner at Hogwarts was spectacular. Roast turkeys; mountains of roast and boiled potatoes; cranberry sauce; every type of vegetable you could imagine. The tables had been swapped for a smaller table in the middle of the room. Dumbledore smiled at them, "since there are so few of us I thought we should sit together."
Other than the five Gryffindor sixth years there were only two other students who had decided to stay. "Merry Christmas everyone!" Dumbledore smiled a twinkling smile. "Dig in! I'm sure you are hungry…"
The group ate happily, entertained by Professor Dumbledore's ramblings until it was time to return to the common room. Later that night, Sirius and Peter played chess. Remus sat in an armchair close to the fire. The full moon was in two days time and so his body was growing weak. Lily noticed his struggle from her place next to James on the sofa, where they were both reading, "is he ok?" she whispered.
James looked up, "he will be." Remus had told James about his conversation with Lily, "there's really not much that can be done." He pulled Lily towards himself, placing his hand in her hair. He began stroking it softly, "you don't need to worry."
They hadn't talked about what was happening between them. They both wanted to but they weren't sure what to say. They had both come to the conclusion that they needed to get to know each other and so they were endeavouring to be friends; although that was proving a harder task than either had imagined as they found themselves often touching even if only slightly.
On the night of Remus' transformation, Lily waited anxiously in the common room for the boys to return. She eventually fell asleep on the sofa. Lily woke up abruptly when she heard them arrive. "Peter, quit complaining it's just a broken finger," Sirius frowned, "let me help James first, ok!"
James laughed, "I'm fine… sort his finger for all I care." He was holding his side and grimacing. He glanced towards the fire and spotted Lily, "what are you doing up?" his voice softened.
"Couldn't sleep," she came towards him. She removed his hand and shirt to see his wound, "Ah… James…" she shook her head.
"Don't worry about it Lils," he smirked, "Padfoot will have me sorted in a jiffy. I'd do it myself but it's in a difficult location.
A few seconds later, he was right as rain, "see all good."
Sirius and Peter went up to bed, leaving Lily and James alone, "I was worried."
"Why?" James asked.
"In case something happened to you," Lily frowned, annoyed; wasn't it obvious.
James went to sit on the sofa by the fire and pulled Lily down with him, "I'm fine and I'm not going anywhere… I promise." With that he lay on the sofa, wrapping his arms around her and they both fell into a peaceful sleep.
The rest of the holiday went fast. Remus recovered quickly and soon the five friends were preparing for the return of the other students. James and Lily spent the last two days of the holiday in the library finishing off all their homework. After a particularly boring study morning, Lily asked James to go for a walk with her; "I want to show you something."
"I think everyone has their favourite place inside these grounds," Lily told him, "this is mine." They sat on the rock overlooking the waterfall.
"It's beautiful," James admitted. They spent an hour sitting there watching the water fall against the different rocks. "If I show you my favourite place… you have to promise never to tell anyone of its existence… not even Sirius."
"I promise," Lily smiled.
He led her by the hand through the castle towards the secret garden, "wow!"
"It's great isn't it?" James grinned.
"When you disappear for hours on end…?"
"This is where I am," James nodded, "I come here to think…"
"About what?" Lily asked shyly.
"You… my family… the war… mainly you."
"Mainly me?" Lily blushed.
"One day soon I'm going to ask you out Lily Evans," James told her, "and I hope it'll be the last time I ever do… because I want to have you forever… I don't want to lose you… not ever…"
Lily smiled. "Do you think you might say yes?"
"I think I just might," Lily repeated her previous answer to the same question.
"I want you to get to know me first Evans," James told her, "I want you to know you can trust me… so that you'll never doubt me again."
So... coming next... I'm not completely sure what's going to happen...
I think something dark will happen...
Maybe some attacks... outside of Hogwarts...
Mr and Mrs Potter will return... (eventually)... with some news...
Some classes...
Maybe a bit of Quidditch...