Book One: Leap

by I'mActuallyASquib

Lily and James hated each other from the start...EVERYONE knows that. But does anyone know why? Lily doesn't only hate James for being a prat, and James may just be hit with feelings he doesn't understand. What happens when he does something unforgivable?

8. Chapter 7

Christmas Day: December 25th, 1971

James

"IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!"

I groaned and opened my eyes blearily—only to get thwacked by a wrapped present.

"It's morning?"

"Hell yeah!" Sirius exclaimed, examining his pile at the foot of his bed. "Hey, your mum got me a present!"

"Course, silly—what did you expect?" I yawned, reaching for my glasses and jamming them on my nose.

Sirius went quiet and didn't answer.

"Ok," I said, eager to break the awkward silence, "I got all the presents from Aliya, Lizzie, Evans, Peter and all over here—here! Catch!" I chucked him four brightly wrapped packages. "Remus says he'll give you yours later."

"Evans got me a present?"

"Yeah—me too. Huh."

Maddy popped into the room with two steaming cups of hot chocolate, and I pulled on my dressing robe that was flung to me by Sirius, and got out of bed. We attacked the presents with gusto.

"Ok, so let's open the presents by the same people together, so we know who got the better deal."

"Prat."

"Wanker," I said, "Let's start with—"

"Aliya."

"Ok, loverboy. Let's see—I got a book: Quidditch Through The Ages. You?"

"I got—wicked! I got a month's subscription to the Honeydukes in Diagon Alley!"

I playfully pretended to pout at him. "She obviously likes you better, mate."

"So true. Now lets open Peter's….I got, ooh, fun," commented Sirius sarcastically. I looked from my imaginatively wrapped gift (plain red paper for mine, gold for his) and grinned.

"I got four Dungbombs," I told him.

"Same here," Sirius said.

For a few minutes the only sounds in my room were the tearing of paper, the slurping of hot chocolate, and an occasional, "Cool!" or, "Look!"

Ten minutes later I surveyed my Hogwarts loot: one Quidditch Through The Ages, four Dungbombs, one Jr. Prankster kit (Lizzie), one Gryffindor hat and gloves set with little lions roaring and running around on them (Evans, surprisingly enough) and one—

"You got me a book?" I asked Sirius dubiously.

"Read the title!" urged my friend.

"101 Ways to Make People Scream" I read. "Wow, Sirius. Just wow."

"Hey, you got me a—cool! You got me a leather wand holder! That's wicked!"

"My point exactly," I smirked at him.

"What did your mum get you?" Sirius asked, picking up his present from my parents.

"They got me an—owl! Neat!" I lifted a cage out of an elaborately decorated box and stroked the reddish owl's feathers affectionately.

"Wish we had that yesterday when we were trying to capture your Dad's owl," Sirius wiggled his scratch-filled fingers at me and I winced. We'd spent hours yesterday catching the stupid owl and tying letters onto it.

"What should I name it?"

"Is it a boy or a girl?" Sirius grinned at me suddenly. "Just peek under it's legs—ow! Ok, ok!"

I wacked him with my pillow and hollered for Maddy.

"How is Maddy helping Master James?" Maddy said hurriedly, wiping flour from her apron.

"Is the owl a girl or a boy?" I gestured to the owl.

"Is a girl, Master." Maddy said before popping out again. Sirius snickered.

"A girl?"

"Shut up!"

"Ok, ok…call it—Rose!" Sirius said sarcastically, watching as the owl didn't react to the name.

"Fireball!" I tried, but the owl looked at me disdainfully.

"Lizzie!"

"Apollo!"

"Aliya!"

"Sirius…"

"You want to name your owl after me? I'm honored," Sirius smirked.

"Haha." I replied, ignoring him.

"How about…" Sirius smiled at me wickedly. "Lily!'

"Hey—" I began, but was cut of by a loud hoot coming from my new owl. I flopped back on my bed, groaning. The thing about magical owls is that once they accept their name they won't answer to anything else—and Sirius just named my owl after Evans.

"Sirius, I'm going to kill you!" I said furiously, glaring at my supposed friend. "What is your problem? You named my owl after Evans?"

"No," corrected Sirius, licking chocolate from his fingers, "I named it after Lily. Wasn't it you that was correcting me last month or so?"

I glared at him. "I really hate you right now."

"I know, Jamesie-kins, I know."

I picked up another present, this one from "St. Nick" (like I didn't know who that was) and opened it—it was candy. I unwrapped a chocolate frog, mentally thanking my aunt. You see, every Christmas, a different adult pretended to be "St. Nick", but I'd heard them all discussing it a couple years ago.

Sirius' stomach rumbled loudly, and I batted his hand away from my candy. "What did my mum get you?"

"She got me a broom-polishing kit—funny, seeing as I can't bring my broom to school until next year."

"I know, it's not fair! Next year, though, we'll both get on the Quidditch team," I said decisively. "I'll be a Chaser—what're you?"

"I'm a Beater," Sirius struck a heroic pose, showing off invisible arm muscles.

His stomach rumbled again, and I yawned. "C'mon. Let's go get some breakfast."

•••••••

Lily

I awoke to a silent house and my shoulders slumped. I smiled ruefully. Every year before this Petunia and I would awaken at four AM to check on the presents, quietly open each other's, and Petunia would make tea while I made hot chocolate. We would then drink our hot chocolate until five, and then loudly rouse Mum and Dad, giggling all the while.

I glanced at my alarm clock: it was five-thirty. I yawned, stretched, and crept downstairs wincing when I heard a creak from upstairs.

I froze in place, one toe in the kitchen doorway.

The house creaked again, and the heating came on with a loud whirring noise. I breathed a sigh of relief and walked into the kitchen, closing the door behind me. It was kind of sad, really, how being away from home for four months could make every creak seem unfamiliar.

My eyes misted over for a second before I shook my head, going over to the faded blue cabinet that held the hot chocolate mix. I dumped some into two old cups: one a vibrant green cup with a red Lily painted beside a crude, four year drawing of a lily on it, and a red cup with Petunia beside a six year old's petunia. I smiled a bit of the memory of painting those on a snowy winter's day.

The milk boiled on the stove and I poured into the cups, crossing the room and reaching behind the small potted plant. Bingo. I smiled, glad that Petunia still added to our collection of candy behind there. I grabbed a package of mini-marshmallows, and sprinkled them over our drinks, adding eleven for me and thirteen—no, fourteen, I reminded myself, sad that I missed her birthday—for Petunia. I brought the drinks and the two special presents up to Petunia's room in two trips, resisting the urge to use my wand. I knocked on the door quietly.

"Tuney?" I breathed softly, toeing the door open. I saw a silhouette (Petunia's birthday was next to the window) sit up quickly in the bed before lying back door. I rolled my eyes, glanced uneasily at my parent's door, and crept in, pushing the presents in with my foot.

Petunia breathed in and out studiously and evenly, but I knew from sleeping in my dorm with three other people that nobody really slept like that. The inhale was quicker and the exhale was long and steady.

"Tuney, I know you're awake," I said uncomfortably, sitting down at his desk. "I, uh, know you're mad at me, really, but I couldn't control the owl.. It was from James Potter, you know the one." I glanced over at her still form before blowing out a breath and continuing. "Honestly, he's such a prat! He timed it just right, I swear."

Petunia's frame shook a little, and I smiled in triumph, glad I got her to laugh, even silently.

I paused, wondering if I was doing the right thing. Barely two seconds after I woke up I impulsively came up with this plan, thinking Petunia couldn't be that mad…after all, it was only an owl.

But, it turns out she was.

"So, I um…thought we could, you know, carry on the tradition?" I finished lamely. "If not, you can just have my present and the hot chocolate, and I'll leave. But, if you want me to stay…all you have to do is say so." I hesitated a little, stood up and turned to the door, and turned back around. "I kinda want to carry on the tradition, just for your information."

I waited for two heartbeats before my shoulders sagged and I turned back around. So she didn't want the olive branch I'd just thrown her. I should've figured. I should have—

"Lily?" The name was soft and hesitant as it slipped out of her lips, but a wide grin broke out on my face.

"Guilty as charged," I drawled back. Petunia startled at the inside joke before her face relaxed. We'd watched an old American "Western" years ago, and th three words had become a running joke between us.

"I, uh…want you to stay," she whispered the last three words softly, and I knew what it must have cost her to say those words, and I appreciated it.

I carefully opened her present and smiled tentatively. "It's beautiful, Tuney!"

And it was. It was a shimmering blue-green bracelet that sparkled in the light and glowed in the dark.

"It's nothing," dismissed Petunia, her face flushing. She avoided my gaze and opened my present to her and smiled a full-fledged smile. "Thank you!" She squealed, hugging me.

I smiled, satisfied with my plan. Petunia had been saving up for this jewelry set for months. It was a dainty silver chain for the bracelet, and twisty dangling earrings with strands of gold and silver intertwined. The necklace was like the earrings, but I had hunted everywhere for two special pendants to go with it—a gold petunia and a silver lily.

Petunia stiffened, but I felt her slowly relax when I hugged her back. It would take a while to get our relationship back to normal, but I was confident we could do it.

I licked my bottom lip nervously as I considered asking her about the dinner party. Would she over-react and refuse to speak to me? The risk was high, but if she said yes and had a good time, maybe she could see that all magical things weren't bad.

"What was in the letter yesterday?" Petunia accidentally decided for me. I bit my lower lip and shrugged.

"Well, Sirius Black—the ladies man—told me about some Christmas Party at the Potter's house, and how Potter was pining for me to go, and then Potter rudely told me to stay away. He signed it "Yours not-truly, James.""

A small giggle escaped Petunia and she took a deep breath, smoothing wrinkles out of her nightgown. "I'd—" she began hesitantly. "If I'm allowed, I'd, uh…I'd, um…" Petunia trailed off and I, taking pity on her, helped her out.

"I'd like it if you came," I offered, and she smiled gratefully.

"Well, I do have this gorgeous red dress I wore to the Spring Dance," mused Petunia, a blush staining her cheeks. "Nicholas loved it."

I grinned hugely at her, forgetting that it was six in the morning. "Let me see! What should I wear?"

"Ohmygod!" Petunia absolutely squealed. I resisted the urge to cover my ears, it was that loud! "You could wear this gold dress Mary got as a present—it was too small so she gave to me—and you'll look fabulous! James Potter will rue the day he crossed you!"

I stared at Petunia. "First, did you just say, "rue the day"?"

Petunia blushed. "Um…yes?"

"And, I DO NOT WANT JAMES POTTER TO NOTICE ME!" I caught Petunia by surprise with my shriek of outrage, and she grabbed a pillow, holding it towards me defensively. I grinned, grabbed my own pillow, and lunged at her. A voice from the doorway interrupted our impending pillow fight,

"What is going on here? It's six in the bloody morning!" a sleep tussled Dad stood in the doorway, his hair mussed. I opened my mouth to respond when Mum's equally sleepy voice yelled,

"RICHARD! Language!"

"Bloody hell, woman," Dad mumbled, before clapping a hand over his mouth. 'Do not repeat that,' he mouthed furiously at us, and we shared a smirk, slipping out of the door before Mum's,

"Richard, watch your language!" could filter in.

Ahh, the sweet sounds of home.

*****

"So, I've been thinking about placements, and I've placed Aliya next to Sirius, Lily's mother in between Mrs. Patil and I, and all the men at the end of the table. Next to Aliya is the Donnels girl, and then next to Aliya is you, James, then Lily—

"Mum."

"What? It'll be, what do you kids say nowadays, dapper."

"Mum."

"What?"

"Nobody says dapper!"

"Ok, Jamesie…ok."

"MUM!"

"What?"

"I'm leaving now."

"Jamesie? James—where are you going? James? What did I say?"

I rolled my eyes exasperatedly. Mum was just too weird sometimes. I mean, really: dapper?

"Why do I have to sit next to Evans?" I whined to Sirius.

"Tough luck, mate." Sirius said sympathetically. "Would you rather sit next to Lizzie?"

"Yes," I said with conviction.

"Well, Evans and Lizzie are sitting next to each other, just switch the name tags. Lily and Lizzie sound enough alike that you'd get away with it," Sirius offered, and my face lit up.

"Brilliant!" I said, dashing into the living room where Mum was overseeing the arrangement of the furniture. "Mum, Sirius and I will do the name cards."

"That's quite all right, dear. The name cards are already in their proper places," Mum said innocently.

I frowned at her and walked into the dining room where Sirius was trying to pull Evans' name card from the table.

"It—won't—go!" Sirius grunted.

"Let me try!" I grabbed hold of Lizzie's card and pulled—and pulled—and pulled.

"Blast!" cursed Sirius. "Now what?"

"I have an idea," I said wickedly. "Watch this. Maddy!"

Maddy popped in front of me and curtsied. "Yes, Master James?"

"Can you fetch me Grandmum's old wand?"

"You is not to be getting into trouble, Master James. Mistress Potter will be very angry with you's."

"C'mon, Maddy…please?" I gave the house elf a charmingly pleading smile. Maddy had been my personal house elf for so long, however, that it usually didn't work.

"No, Master James. 'You is to watch Master James and not let him be getting into trouble' is what Mistress Potter said.

"Maddy," tried Sirius. "We wouldn't be asking you this but all the other house elves aren't nearly as capable. You're the only one that can do this for us."

"You is a charmer, Master Sirius—but ok. Maddy will fetch it, but she is not to be blamed."

"Yes, Maddy. Thank you," I told her sincerely, and two pops later I held a very old wand in my hand.

"Won't they trace the magic?" Sirius asked curiously.

"It's in the wand," I revealed mysteriously. "Haven't you ever heard, 'the wand chooses the wizard'? They register everyone's wand, and all wands have a Trace on them that breaks when you grow up. But, if you're Muggleborn, they will probably investigate magic over there. I'm using this wand because Mum sometimes does when she's misplaced hers, so it won't seem suspicious."

Sirius grinned wickedly at me. "That is very good to know."

I pointed the wand at the name card and said clearly, "Wingardium Leviosa!"

Nothing happened.

"Let me try," Sirius snatched the wand out of my hand. "I heard a seventh year say this: Finite!"

Nothing happened.

"James, put the wand away and get ready for dinner, it's six o'clock," Mum's voice floated in and we exchanged guilty looks.

"What wand?" I asked innocently.

"James Andrew Potter…" warned Mum and I rolled my eyes.

"C'mon, Sirius."

We walked upstairs to my bedroom (Sirius' jaw didn't drop this time).

I put on slacks and a button down shirt, and Sirius copied me. He inspected each one of my shirts before choosing one the same shade as me.

"Maybe we'll look like twins," suggested Sirius, before winking at me and strutting downstairs.

••••••••

Lily

We pulled up in front of Potter Manor and got out of the car. I glanced up at James' house and gasped. It was huge. The house was on a slope, so from the front it looked big, but not overly big…but from the side you could see how it sloped downhill. There were four stories in the front, but I bet the house got up to six stories. The golden gates at the front had two huge lions at either side, and they roared at us (making Mum shriek) before they said in Black's voice,

"Welcome to Potter Manor and Merry Christmas, Lilykins! Hello, Mr. Evans, spiffing suit you have on, really. Jamesie here is jealous. Lily, wherever is your Mum? You didn't tell me you had two sisters."

Dad cleared his throat and looked pleased, before straightening his back proudly, and Mum blushed a deep red and looked delighted.

"Lily, who is that delightful boy?" Mum asked. "He's so charming!"

"Charming?" I snorted. "That's just Sirius Black."

I walked up to the gate and tried to pull the iron gates open, but they wouldn't budge an inch. If this was some kind of mean joke of Potter's…or Black's…

"Hey, Evans!" I groaned. Speak of the devil!

"Black, open the door," I told him irritably. I inclined my head towards my parents (who were regarding Black with a pleased air) and Petunia (who was staring appreciatively at Black. Honestly, he was two years younger then her!). "We're getting cold out here. Is this any way to treat your guests?"

"Well, Jamesie told me to not let you in," Black said with a smirk, before paling when I glared at him.

"If you do not let me in right this instant I will cast the—the—that curse that I looked up in the library for our DADA essay! The Curse of the Bogies!" I threatened, and he blanched.

"Come right this way, Lily," Black opened the gates for me while Mum looked reprimanding and Dad looked at me with awe and amusement.

"Nice one, princess. You show him who's boss," he whispered affectionately, ruffling my hair.

"I will, Dad. I will."

••••••••••

James

I swung around in Dad's Muggle "swivel chair", in what Sirius and I had nicknamed the Lookout. It was really a room where Dad would activate the Lions and speak through them, welcoming our guests. We had begged and pleaded (and threatened to tell Mum about our two-way clothes and Dad's involvement in it) before he had caved and let us welcome the guests.

Sirius was a better smooth-talker then I was, and I let him take over the talking, occasionally whispering the names of all the guests.

"Good evening, Mrs. Morring, and Merry Christmas!" announced Sirius. "What a lovely coat you have on—is it new? The colors are simply heavenly."

Mrs. Morring, and old, frail woman with no sense of style whatsoever (and this was coming from an eleven-year-old boy) giggled girlishly and blushed, fingering her hideous orange and green-striped coat with polka dots of mustard yellow and vomit-colored olive on it.

"Merlin, Sirius, you're sounding like a bloody girl! 'What a lovely coat you have on. The colors are simply heavenly'." I mocked him, but he just grinned at me.

"And look who's here, James," Sirius whispered, before leaning closer to Dad's old wand (he had charmed it to carry our voices to the lions). "Welcome to Potter Manor and Merry Christmas, Lilykins! Hello, Mr. Evans, spiffing suit you have on, really. Jamesie here is jealous. Lily, wherever is your Mum? You didn't tell me you had two sisters."

I groaned. "Not Evans. Merlin, Sirius—chose someone else to suck up to! Aww, man, look! Mrs. Evans is blushing!" I pointed to the Omniocular that was showing the drive.

Sirius eyed me with a weird look on his face. "What's the matter with you? Who cares if Evans' mum is blushing? All that means is that Evans will have to behave, right?"

"Yeah, but what if my mum and her mum make friends? Then she'll come over to our house, and we'll have to get along."

"Relax, mate," he told me amusedly before he called for Maddy to take him down to the front gate, leaving me with my thoughts.

Did he not realize the horrors that could happen if they became friends? I'd have enough experience with Mum's friend's kids to know it was not good. We'd have to go to their house, and send them presents, and—and—and—

"James," a haughty voice said from the door. My lip curled as I recognized that voice.

"Cassus," I replied just as coolly. Cassus was my step-cousin, or something like that, and a complete prat. He was vain and self-absorbed, and thought he was the best. It didn't help that he was a handsome boy, with platinum blond hair and icy blue eye.. He was thirteen, but due to the nature of his birthday (his was in November) he was only in his second year…but, thank Merlin, he went to Beauxbatons, in France. We only were forced to see each other once a year or so, but unfortunately our mum's were best friends, and thought we were as well.

"You still look the same," Cassus said disdainfully, and I bristled, knowing he meant I still looked ten. I was almost twelve, for goodness' sake!

"And you look as though Aunt Celcus still dresses you," I shot back. "What's the matter, Mummy-boy?"

It was Cassus' turn to bristle, and he narrowed his eyes. "At least I am wearing robes like proper wizards. What are you wearing?"

"None of your business," Sirius said from the doorway, his arms crossed. Cassus whirled around, and his jaw dropped.

"I know you. You're a Black." He said with complete disdain.

"Is there something wrong with that?" a new voice said from behind Sirius. Sirius moved out of the way and an icy Evans stepped up. I nearly swallowed my tongue; she looked beautiful. She was wearing a gold dress that hugged her figure. Her red hair was up in an elaborate "bun" (why girls called their hair after food is beyond me), with some strands already escaping.

She looked amazing, and she looked directly at me, her green eyes narrowed.

"Potter," she said icily. I narrowed my eyes back.

"Evans," I said back, before seeing the look on Cassus' face as he gazed at Evans with awe. A strange, burning feeling rose in my chest as I watched him blatantly ogle her.

Her glare lessened as she glanced towards Cassus. My stomach lurched. Could she be falling for Cassus?

"Miss Evans," Cassus said gallantly, bowing to her. "I am Cassus Potter. May I escort you to the living room, where I can get you a drink?"

Evans blushed, and accepted his offered arm. "I, um…" Evans hesitated before she straightened her back and gave him a dazzling smile. "I would be delighted, Cassus. Please, call me Lily."

Cassus lead the two of them out, throwing a triumphant glance back at me. "Lily, you say? It suits you; a lily is a fiery and beautiful flower, just like you."

Evans blushed and looked down. "Thank you, Cassus. Tell me; what does Cassus mean?"

I grinned at that; 'Cassus' meant 'vain' in Latin. I motioned for Sirius to follow behind them.

"Cassus means 'gift'," Cassus blatently lied. I looked outraged. Gift? He said that Cassus meant gift? Like anyone would ever think Cassus was a gift!

"Gift?" Evans looked amused. "It suits you."

I stopped dead in my tracks, letting them go on ahead. What in Merlin's name was that?

"Does Cassus even mean gift?" asked Sirius confusedly. I shook my head viciously.

"NO! It means 'vain'! I cannot believe him!" I exploded.

"Mate, no offense, but—why do you care? They deserve each other. 'You're a Black.' The git."

I opened my mouth to respond when I heard two girlish voices giggling behind me. I turned around and saw Patil and Donnels…Donnels looked nice, I suppose. She was wearing a short red skirt, and her blond hair was tumbling down her shoulders.

So, Evans thinks she can go kiss up to Cassus? Well, I'll show her, I thought blackly before I gave the 'Pranking-Time' Look to Sirius and stomped off.

••••••

Lily

I'm afraid that my mouth hung open rather unattractively for several seconds when we stepped inside the house. It was old, and the room we'd just entered was spacy and cool. A huge chandelier hung in the center of the room, and the thick, red and gold plush rug with a regal lion in the middle was very impressive.

"Mrs. and Mr. Evans?" The lady who walked in wasn't old, per say…just 'mature'. If this was Mrs. Potter, then she had been older then usual when she had Potter. She had graying hair, and I realized with a shock the hair had been red, like mine, before it grayed!

Strange.

"Just call me Rose. This is my husband, Richard."

The lady smiled warmly. "I am your host for this evening. Please call me Elizabeth."

"Pleased to meet you," Dad put in, before Mrs. Potter led the two of them—Petunia meekly following behind—out of the room. I turned to Black and looked at him expectantly.

"What?" Black rolled his eyes. "I'm not your host. Mrs. and Mr. P are, and James."

"Mrs. and Mr. P?" I asked, surprised at the informal shortening. "And where is

Potter? I was surprised he wasn't scaring the death out of people with the lions."

Black motioned for me to follow him, a smirk playing on the corner of his lips. "You should be thanking me, then. I scared the death out of you, no? Now you're immortal!"

I furrowed my brow as I considered this; surprised that Black could think of such a thing in so little time. Ok, so maybe he was smart. Maybe just a little bit, though. "Ha ha, very funny, Black."

"Oh it was," Black shot back. He motioned towards a doorway and put a finger to his lips, before creeping up to the door.

"At least I am wearing robes like proper wizards. What are you wearing?" A smooth voice that was not James said. Black narrowed his eyes at that.

"None of your business," He said casually.

"I know you. You're a Black." The voice said disdainfully. I narrowed my eyes at the disgust in his voice and pushed Black aside.

"Is there something wrong with that?" I said, my eyes icy. I turned to Potter.

"Potter."

"Evans." He said, before his jaw dropped and he stared at me, a strange burning look in his eyes. My skin prickled and I glared at him, before I turned to the other boy in the room.

He was handsome, to say the least. He looked about fourteen, maybe, with blond hair that was artfully messed, as though he just came from running a race or flying. He had blue eyes that shined, and looked like he worked out, a lot.

"Miss Evans," The boy said smoothly, bowing to me. I giggled internally. He was so charming! "I am Cassus Potter. May I escort you to the living room, where I can get you a drink?"

He offered me his arm and I blushed. What was I supposed to say? No boy had ever acted like this in front of me, acted as though they found me pretty. "I, um…" I wondered what to say. His formal tone spoke of a high-upbringing, and I suddenly thought of the books and plays that Petunia and I used to watch. I could act like a royal courtier, or something. "I would be delighted, Cassus. Please, call me Lily.

He grinned, and I celebrated. So I was acting correctly, then.

"Lily, you say? It suits you; a lily is a fiery and beautiful flower, just like you." Cassus told me, and I blushed. He was so sweet! James told you it suited you first, a nagging voice said in the back of my mind, but I ignored it.

"Thank you, Cassus. Tell me; what does Cassus mean?" I asked curiously, thinking about my English-Latin dictionary in my dorm. Cassus…I was pretty sure Cassus meant "haughty" or something like that, but no…

"Cassus means 'gift'," Cassus lied, and I grinned. I remembered now; Cassus did mean "vain". Not 'gift'.

I was going to laugh or correct him, or something, but then I saw the look on Potter's face. He was absolutely glaring at the two of us. I straightened my back. So what if Cassus lied? He was charming, handsome, and sweet…everything Potter wasn't. If Potter wants to be my friend he has to act better. I'll show him, I thought.

"Gift? It suits you." I said, smiling radiantly at him and letting him lead me into the living room, where he led me to a small cluster of white couches and chairs. He sat me down on one next to a long, glass table and smiled.

"Lily, have you ever had Butterbeer?" Cassus asked me. I shook my head.

"Is it alcoholic?" I wondered if it was really a beer.

Cassus laughed, a rich sound, and shook his head. "Oh, you're so funny, Lily. Of course not! Don't you know anything?"

"Apparently not," I muttered, not liking how he had laughed so condescendingly at me.

He grinned apologetically at me. "Please excuse me. I am not used to talking to a beautiful girl. I usually argue with James. He can be so immature sometimes."

I brightened. So, he had a good reason. "Don't I know it?"

"Wait here!" Cassus looked excited. "I hope you like it.. I can't believe I get to give you your first Butterbeer!"

He walked dignifiedly off, and disappeared into a corridor. I looked around the room. When he said 'living room', I thought they meant a room with a couple couches and a fireplace and an armchair, and maybe some bookcases. This room was as big as a ballroom, and there were clusters of couches and chairs everywhere, and lamps and plants dotted the room. It was grand yet homely at the same time.

I liked it.

I wondered what had taken Cassus so long when a familiar black-haired boy came and sat down next to me.

"So," Potter grinned at me. "Like what you see?"

I grinned in spite of myself. "It's…impressive."

Potter rolled his eyes, slouching back on the sofa next to me. "Tell me about it. This isn't even our normal living room! I mean, we usually have couches and a few chairs, and that's it. Not this…this…" Potter waved his arms around the room and groaned. "Mum was up all day arranging the furniture. I mean, we borrowed couches and chairs from all her friends!"

I laughed. "Really?"

"Yeah! You didn't think we had this much furniture, did you?"

I looked down. "Well…"

"Evans!" Potter laughed after a second, before he sat up and suddenly yelled, "Maddy!"

I felt hurt. Who was this Maddy, and why did she get a nickname? Wait a minute…you did not just want a nickname from James Potter, did you?

No, I did NOT want one! I just felt…argh! I felt confusing!

A small pop rang out, causing me to shriek and nearly fall off of the chaise. A wrinkled creature stood in front of us. It (he? She?) bowed to Potter.

"Potter…" I said voice shaky. "Who is that?"

"She's Maddy, my house elf." Potter remarked casually, and Maddy turned to me and bowed.

"Why is she bowing to me?" I asked him nervously. I was not used to servants (I'm assuming that was what a house elf was), and I was not used to servants bowing.

"Because you're a guest in our house," Potter told me before turning to the elf. "Can you get us some Butterbeer, Maddy?"

"Should I get the special ones, Master?"

"Er…" Potter glanced at me hesitantly. "Umm…okay, Maddy."

"Yes, Master!" Maddy squeaked (literally) before popping out of the room.

"Potter, Cassus went to get me a Butterbeer, and what are the 'special ones'?"

"Cassus is a pompous git," Potter said with feeling, his nose crinkling. "And the special ones are the ones from Hogsmeade, instead of Diagon Alley. They're better."

"Thank you, James, for sharing those with me," I said softly, before I remembered what he had said about Cassus. "Potter! He is not a pompous git! Well, maybe when he lied about his name."

"So you did know!" Potter seemed pleased. " I wondered why you were laughing. I mean, really! 'Gift'?"

I leaned back, laughing quietly. Strange as it might seem, I was having fun sitting here with Potter, talking and laughing. It was a miracle. We were actually having a decent, civilized conversation…and I had even called him James!

Pop! I am pleased to say that I didn't jump this time as Maddy popped back into the room, holding two brown bottles and two cups with ice.

I reached out to grab a bottle, but Potter's hand on mine stopped me. I shivered, unsure if it was his warm hand on mine or another reason altogether.

"Wait," Potter looked at me, indecision etched in his face. He seemed to considering something and I leaned forwards.

"What?"

His voice was like warm air on my face. "That one's mine," he said, grabbing the bottle Maddy put in front of me.

He looked down at our joined hands and blushed, wrenching his hand from mine. Mine felt cold in comparison.

"Did you know that your first Butterbeer is special?" Potter asked me shyly, before he poured me a generous amount and I took a small sip.

It was amazing. It was sweet and bubbly and buttery and it warmed your entire body up. I took another swig when Cassus stormed up to Potter, holding two luke-warm bottles of Butterbeer in his hand.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Cassus said fiercely. Although he was glaring at Potter, he was speaking softly, knowing that if he made a fuss it would be very embarrassing.

"I'm giving Evans a drink," Potter said defiantly, staring his cousin down."

"Uh…no. I am."

"Cassus," I broke in. "Both of you can get me one."

"Yeah, Cassus," Potter said cryptically, "I'm sure that a gift like you wouldn't be so vain as to not do what the lady wants."

I stifled a smile as Cassus sat down opposite to me. He glanced at my half-full glass of the golden liquid and his eyes narrowed into little slits.

"What is that?"

"That's my Butterbeer," I announced. Potter grinned mischievously and handed Cassus his unopened Butterbeer.

"Here, Cass. Have this one…and don't forget, Aunt Celcus is watching us."

Cassus bristled and grabbed the Butterbeer, uncorking it and swigging it down straight from the bottle. He glared at Potter for two seconds before his face turned pale and he fainted dead away.
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A/N: Hope you like it! I'm thinking First and Second Year (plus summers) will be about ten+ chapters each, third years maybe thirteen/fourteen, and they'll get longer from there on. What do you all think?

Do you all think I should add a "Book One" or "Year One" at the end of my title or rename the story something completely different?

Thanks to siriusly-dangerous (my awesome beta) and to all my reviewers!

Review!

-Zanna