Oh dear. I am rather late, right? I AM SO SORRY! Maybe (and hopefully) this chapter is to your satisfaction. My exams are FINALLY over and done with. And I now have 10 free weeks of FANFIC! Yaaay. Sorry if there are any mistakes (grammar or spelling wise). And also a HUUGE thank you to the guys who are reviewing! :D Your reviews mean everything to me and I appreciate that you had the time to tell me what you though. Mucho thanks!

DISCLAIMER- do you see my name on the books? No. Not mine.

Chapter 24- It's Christmas. Again.

Knock.

"Lily?"

"GO AWAY!" Who the hell would wake me up in the morning? Sighing in frustration I patted my pillows to make them more comfortable and then closed my eyes. Ah. Peace.

I heard my bedroom door open and then a slight chuckle. "Liiily." I kept my eyes closed and threw my duvet over my ears. Not 5 seconds later the duvet was pried out of my hands.

"Lils?"

"S'goa awayzzzzz!" I mumbled. The voice merely chuckled once more before sitting on the edge of my bed. If he/she is quiet then I'll let he/she stay.

"Oi, Lily!" If this person tries once more to wake me up I swear I will hex them into an empty void where there is just darkness and... even more darkness!

Prod. This person is getting on my bloody nerves. Prod. Prod.

The person seemed to realise the prodding wouldn't get me up and so I felt the duvet lift near my feet... they wouldn't.

I gasped as the person began to tickle my feet. "No! S-stop it!" I tried so hard not to laugh, but I am so vulnerable when it comes to tickling.

"I will... if you bloody get up!" My eyes snapped open and I instantly sprung up. No effing way.

"James?" I asked hoarsely, looking at him with my mouth wide open. He only seemed to find my reaction humorous as he smirked, leaned in and gave me a soft kiss.

"Hello love." His eyes were twinkling and I suddenly wasn't so sleepy anymore. I cleared my throat and smoothed out my duvet.

"Why you here?" I asked with a slight edginess to my voice. James Freaking Potter was in my room. My bedroom.

He looked at me with disbelief and shook his head, sighing heavily. "Lily, Lily, Lily... it's the Christmas holidays! You cannot sleep in this bed, although it is very comfortable, through the whole festivities!"

"What festivities?" I mumbled sourly, rubbing the sleep out my eyes which made my eyesight a hell lot better. The sun was shining brightly (a little TOO bright), James must have opened the curtains whilst trying to wake me up and I could hear those annoying birds tweeting merrily. James was dressed in a green and white t-shirt with some jeans and some white converse

"Lily! It's Christmas! There's new years to look forward to... and Christmas Eve and Christmas day! The snow and the lights and the trees... and the Potter's annual Christmas Ball..." He added slyly, noticing my rolling eyes.

However, at the word 'ball' I instantly sat up, looking at him alertly.

He just chuckled softly once again and then from his jean pocket he handed me an envelope. I ripped it open at once, absorbing the text into my brain and then I gave a squeal.

"Aaaw, James!" Completely forgetting what I was... regrettably wearing, I shot up towards him, crushing him as I gave him a giant bear hug.

"Well, you're my girlfriend... if I have to put up with the old people laughing and the sherry and the cringey music then you do too." I grinned and jumped back onto my bed, lying down with a contented sigh.

James watched me, amused, before he rolled his eyes and pulled at my wrist. "Lily, you are going to go and get dressed now... because... um, as much as I... err admire the festiveness of your pyjamas... they are.. err..." I blushed and mentally smacked myself. WHY OH WHY?

"They're not that bad!" I pouted. These were my special Christmas pyjamas and were decorated with jolly snowmen that had top black hats and cheesy grins... they're traditional!

"Don't you have any Christmassy pyjamas?" I asked James, who was now sat beside me on my bed. He snorted and looked at me like a mad-man.

"Merlin no. I'd rather die than wear some pervy looking snowmen thank you very much." I instantly hit him with one of my cushions and he fell back with an 'ooff', knocking his head against mine.

"It's true!" He protested, grabbing my wrist before I could hit him again.

"Next you're going to say that a Christmas tree has some sexual innuendo." I said with a roll of my eyes.

"Actually, they do say that a Christmas tree makes someone hornier-"

"JAMES!" I instantly brought my hand over his mouth and glared at him. "I do not want to hear about how Christmas trees makes someone horny... what I'd really like is to sleep till noon. So, unless you'd like to tell me what the hell you are doing waking me up at nine o'clock I suggest you leave very quietly." Giving his innocent eyes a glare I removed my hand from his mouth.

"You know, I love you." He grinned widely. For the time being I forgot about my embarrassing pyjamas as James' hand seemed to caress my chin, bringing me forward so that our lips touched delicately. I mumbled against his lips as one of his hands seemed to etch itself around my waist whilst the other tenderly pulled a lock of my hair behind an ear. His tongue licked at my lower lip slowly, begging for entrance at which I instantly granted. This must be one of the best mornings of my life. Me and James Ruddy Potter are kissing, snogging if you so rightly put it, at half nine in the morning on my bed. AND I'M WEARING SNOWMAN PYJAMAS! And it didn't look like we were stopping any time soon. I would be willing to snog James Potter for freaking ETERNITY... although the oxygen intake would be a bit of nuisance right?

We both broke out of the kiss, gasping for air. His hands were still wrapped around me and my hands were wrung loosely around his neck. I gave him a smile and kissed him again. "You know I love you too."

"Now. Buttering up to me will not let you go back to sleep!" I groaned. Damn. James Potter, the all knowing. Grumbling to myself I hopped off the bed and walked towards my wardrobe, but stopped. A question forming in my head.

"James...?"

"Mmmm?" He glanced up at me with a raised eyebrow.

"Did my mum set you up to this?" His eyes widened in surprise.

"Err... no! ... 'Course not...please... Lily! Pssh." He waved an arm in my general direction and avoided my gaze.

"She did! Oh, I knew it! That woman! She... the... argh! She knows how much I like to sleep in!"

"I think EVERYONE knows that Lily..." I glared at him and he sighed and lifted up his arms in defeat. "Okay... I do admit she did ask for me to wake you up... but it's a win-win isn't it? I mean... your lovely mum gets to have peace without waking you up and I get to be the first person you see!"

"And how is that good for me?" I asked moodily, trying the hide the butterfly sensations which were flowing through my body. He wanted to be the first person I saw this morning? AAAW.

"Because you get to see me! The charming, the sexy, the hot and fit James Potter." He shrugged his shoulders like it was obvious and walked to where I was standing, which was almost inside my wardrobe. I CAN'T JUST PUT ON ANYTHING PEOPLE!

"And the incredibly oh-so-modest James Potter." I snorted, lifting out a white fluffy jumper and some black jeans. Crap. I need to get underwear. But he's in the room.

"Um... James..."

"Mmmm?" Merlin. Nasty déjà vu.

"Can you... can you err... turn around?" Instead of turning he spun on the spot, his eyes wide.

"What... Lily, are you getting changed here? With the curtains open?" He waggled his eyebrows at me at which I groaned and turned him around myself.

"No, you'd love that though, wouldn't you?" He murmured in agreement, his eyes gleaming somewhat. "I'm just getting... err... getting - ... my err- oh ruddy hell! I'."

His laugh seemed to echo around the room. "Merlin, Lily! Why do I need to turn around just so you can get some underwear?" Although I couldn't see his face I could tell he was rolling his eyes.

"At least I am modest and have some dignity." I sniffed, grabbing some comfy looking underwear, plus socks, I ran into my bathroom before James could catch me and laugh at me.

"Merlin Lily. How long does it take you to get dressed?" I heard James whine against the door.

"I'm a girl! I always cleanse my face and wash and brush my teeth and then get dressed. But SOMEONE decided to invade my personal space so now I have to get dressed in this small space." At this moment in time I was trying to clasp on my bra whilst putting on my socks AND putting on my jeans. I'm very good at multitasking.

"You know I don't mind if you get dressed here!"

"James! You are so... UGH! Just shush so I can concentrate!" I heard James mumble something about girls and how long it takes them but then he fell silent. FINALLY.

3 minutes later I emerged from my bathroom. James was currently staring out of my window, utterly intrigued by the morning sun. His black floppy hair was just as messy this morning, and his hazel eyes seemed so much brighter and alive. Trying very hard not to faint I silently crept up behind him and suddenly hugged his back, making him jump and yell in amazement.

"Lily! You almost gave a ruddy heart-attack!" He gasped, clutching at his chest. I just giggled and stuck out my tongue. He is just too cute.

"And that's why you love me!" I giggled, giving him my sweetest, cutest and angelic smile. He snorted, but couldn't hide the slight grin that was on his lips. He took hold of my hand and pulled me gently to the door.

"C'mon. Sirius is with Izz at mine; we should get there before they start mating like ruddy rabbits." I smirked and followed him down the stairs.

"James! You finally awoke the sleeping beauty eh?" My dad chuckled, giving James a clap on the back. It's weird; my dad actually LOVES James, unlike the other poor boys who were frightened to death of him. I think it's James' lovely charm.

"More like the sleeping hag." Tuney muttered, giving me an evil glare before she announced she was going to see Vernon and then left the house.

James completely ignored Tuney's harsh statement, I think he's gotten used to it and just smiled at my dad. "It took awhile but here she is!"

"Oh! Mum, dad. Before I forget- on Christmas Eve I've been invited to the Potter's Christmas ball..."

"Of course you can go!" My mum said giddily. "In fact, your dad and I were invited too. But we have to go to Uncle Artie's party and your sister is spending the night with Vernon... you could stay with James too if you wanted..." My mum winked and I blushed furiously. MERLIN! I heard James snigger beside me and so I prodded him in the ribs.

"But no funny business!" My dad waggled a finger and pretended to look at us both sternly before he too went into hysterics.

"Merlin, I love your parents." James chortled when we were both outside my house.

"They're embarrassing!" I yelled. "And I am NOT spending the night at yours either!" I said quickly before he had even opened his mouth.

He closed it just as quick and frowned. "You do know there are other rooms in the house..."

"Well... yes...but-" We suddenly heard a giant crash coming from the Potter's and immediately we began to run for the door, James opening it with a scared expression- his wand out.

There in the hallway was Sirius and Izz covered in food (flour, golden syrup, tomatoes, pasta and baked beans). They obviously hadn't noticed the front door open as they were still giggling and throwing various bits of food at each other. I stifled a giggle as I looked at James' surprised and almost horrified facial expression.

"Merlin pads! I leave you and Izz alone for about 40 minutes and the house becomes an utter state!" The giggling pair didn't even seem to jump at the sound of James' voice; they just turned, still googly-eyed and giggly. James sighed and flicked his wand, making the house utterly spotless as well as Izz and Sirius.

"Awh Prongsie! We were having fun!" Sirius whined, throwing his arms in the air as if he was having a 'paddy'.

"No Pads... you were throwing food everywhere!" James sighed and ruffled his hair as Sirius and Izz began to giggle childishly again.

"You and Lils can join in the food fight too if you want!" Izz yelled gleefully, already grabbing a handful of flour.

"I'd prefer to stay dry and clean thanks." I said quickly, raising up an arm. Not 2 seconds after I had said this Izz threw it in my face. POOF.

I could hear Sirius and Izz roaring with laughter and James was doing a poor job of suppressing his laughter, he soon gave in and joined in the laughter.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" I yelled. "AND- OH BUGGER! FLOUR IN MY EYE!" I yelled out a whole number of profanities whilst trying to take out the stinging flour, but still my 3 'friends' laughed.

"Right, that is it." POOF. Flour in James' face and hair.

"OH NO YOU DIDN'T!" He gasped; the flour had gotten all over his hair, making it seem almost white. POOF. I ducked. Flour in Sirius' face.

Instead of being mad at James he glared at me. "Ebans! That was your fault!" POOF. Flour in Izz's face. We were all silent for 3 seconds until we all shrieked and began to throw food in any direction possible.

"What in MERLIN'S name?" As soon as we all heard James' mum's outburst we dropped all our food and turned to her solemnly.

"I hope all of you remember that TOMORROW a ball is happening HERE TOMORROW?" We all nodded our heads and she sighed.

"I'm sure have all had your fun, but now is the time to clean up the mess. I want it spotless." She had a childish smile on her lips as she glanced around the room. "And no wands!"

The four of us turned in silence to the rooms that were stained. This is going to be a loooong day.

Oh Merlin. What. Am. I. Doing. Here. I instantly turn my head so I can glare at Alice.

"Well, at least we don't look over-dressed?" She whispered timidly to me. I AM GOING TO KILL HER!

Everyone was dressed in such elegant outfits, they literally outshined the chandeliers and it made my eyes water. My first time at the Potter's annual Christmas Ball and I already feel like a fool.

"Let's just get some drinks." I grabbed Alice's hand and we tried to mingle with the crowd until we got the drinks table.

"Aaah! Finally people we know!" Alice's brother (Fabian (sp?) Prewitt) breathed a sigh of relief as he and his wife (Tessa) came to us. He's right though. I couldn't see anyone I recognised. Alice just rolled her eyes at her brother as she took a sip of punch.

"Well, Tessa and I would LOVE to stay and chat but because I am such a great and protective husband I'm gonna make her sit down." Before either of us could speak Tessa glared at Fabian and hit his arm.

"I am not some piece of glass! I'm not even heavily pregnant you stupid piece of sh-"

"Now now now nooow Tess," Alice grinned, giving her sister in law a hug. "We don't want the baby to hear such profanities at such a young age!"

Fabian nodded his head in agreement whilst Tessa just grinned angelically. "Come on then, Fabby."

"Oh yeah," Fabian stopped and gave Alice a pat on the shoulder "FRANK! ALICE'S OVER HERE!" Fabian ran off with Tess glued at his side, the pair of them grinning like a couple of children as Frank made his way over to us.

"Alice!" Frank, having taken a couple of seconds to breath properly again, came to Alice's side and whispered something in her ear which made her blush. Nice. WHERE'S JAMES?

"Oh, hey Lily. I didn't see you there." Now, I like Frank. I do. He's a very nice person and he's great for Alice. But, apparently I'm invisible. Ahhhahaa. Thanks Frank.

"You looking for James?" Frank grinned at me, even though I was still giving him my death glare. I nodded.

I followed Frank's pointy finger and soon my eyes fell onto James. My heart did a summersault. He was dressed in such simple robes that made him look so smart and yet elegant at the same time. But my smile seemed to falter.

"Who's that...?" I asked to no one in particular. He was talking to a girl. And she was a pretty girl.

"You don't think..."

"Absolutely not." Alice scoffed, cutting me off. "Why would James do that? He loves YOU. And only and always YOU."

No matter how many times Alice tried to make me see reason I kept thinking... this girl was beautiful. She had black hair that was styled in a bun, with curls coming down her front. Her brown eyes were the most sweetest eyes that looked so INNOCENT, twinkling and she had a sweet smile on her face.

"Hello ladies." I heard a soft voice chuckle and then I felt two hands grab hold of my waist, making me shriek. I turned around instantly, only to find James giving me a soft smile.

"Oh god! You scared me to death!" I moaned, placing a hand to my heart. He chuckled and then patted my head. I was about to poke him when I noticed there was a girl beside him, the SAME girl, just smiling nervously.

"James, are you going to introduce her?" James turned at once with a huge smile on his face.

"Oh yeah! This is Jun; I've known her since we were kids. Jun, this is Lily (my girlfriend), Alice (Lily's friend and mine) and Frank (my friend and Alice's boyfriend.)."

We shook hands and she insisted on giving us all a hug too. Jun was very pretty, did I mention that?

"So, you guys go to Hogwarts with James right?" I nodded at her question.

"Which school do you go to then?"

"I go to one in South Korea, since I'm part Korean anyways." Oh my merlin! KOREA! I didn't even know they had wizard schools in Asia! Woah.

We chatted for a bit more: she was the same age as us, has a little brother who is 10 years old and she has always wanted to become a midwife. I tried to think of an exciting way to say what I wanted for my career... but, you know me right?

Yes you do.

In the end I just said that I was still deciding between an auror (AN: how the heck do you spell it?) and a teacher.

Then she had to go and see her parents about something and Frank and Alice had gone off to dance.

"So," I said, trying to lift the uncomfortable silence which was around James and I. "she seems nice..."

He nodded his head and watched her retreating figure with a soft smile. "She is."

Hm. Oh dear, my heart is beating fast. Why is he looking at her like that?

"She's... she's pretty too..." She's nice, she's pretty... she's smart. WONDERWOMAN!

"Yeah, I guess she is pretty." He took a sip of his drink and finally turned back to me, giving me a slight smile.

Let me try once more... "So... are you two close?"

As soon as the words escaped from my mouth James choked on his drink, the water splashing down onto the floor. He was laughing.

"Lily!" He was clutching onto his side and tried to prevent his giggles. "Bless you! You are too cute!" He twiddled with my nose and then pinched my cheek. WHAT?

Without saying anything he pointed to where Jun was now. She was talking to someone who had their back faced towards me. But just from the smile on her face... I could tell she clearly liked this person. The smile she had for James was just a sibling love, but this time her smile was genuine. Her smile seemed to just light up her whole face, showing the world how happy she was. The figure turned for a moment. It was Remus.

"They're MUCH closer than I am to her. And even if they deny it, they really like each other."

I AM SUCH AN IDIOT! How the hell did I think that James liked Jun? Pfft.

"You're not an idiot," James chuckled beside me, capturing me into a slow kiss. "You're amazing."

"I think you're wrong."

"About...?"

I smiled and pointed back to Jun and Remus. "You can tell by their faces; they know their true feelings."

James turned to me with an amused look. "Really? Tell me more, Lily the All knowing." I stuck out my tongue playfully before continuing.

"I don't know really... but it's just from their smiles. The way they are both keeping eye contact, refusing to be the weak one and look away first. It's like they want to stay in the moment forever."

I stopped when I heard another amused laugh. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" I glared.

"Enjoying what?" He questioned innocently.

"Here's me talking about love and then you just have to scoff and just laugh at it! Like you're laughing at me! Me! And I'm only talking about love! It's like... like you don't believe it-"

"Now that's not true." He said instantly, his eyes hardening onto my face.

"Really? Because I think you just use the term 'I love you' a bit too easily sometimes."

"Lily Marie Evans, don't you dare assume that! Ever!" His eyes were piercing flames, burning through my chest. Making me unable to breath.

He closed his eyes for a second and then sighed. "Look, I'm sorry if you've ever misjudged me..."

"Don't apologise! Please! Don't start trying to be the saint here, where you're all humble and forgiving! That's just total bullshi-"

Before I could even finish he cut me off, crashing his lips onto mine. It was like he was showing me, he really was sorry. And I was too. I was being so bitch like!

Grrr. Forgive me. Please?

"We should get out of here." James whispered to me. I sent him a curious look.

"Because, the speeches are going to start soon. All of us teens and kids always go at this point, it's so boring and our parents become slightly embarrassed since they've had a bit too much whisky and sherry. And I don't want you to hear any embarrassing stories about me when I was a baby!"

"Aaaw! But I'd love to hear those!"

He shushed me playfully, grabbed my hand and then pulled me out of the hall, down some stairs, right at the corridor, 3rd door on the left, turn left, straight up and then into his room.

At first my head was banging as he closed the door carefully and turned to me with a smile. Oh merlin. This is room. HIS ROOM. Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

"It's okay Lily." He said softly, walking to his wardrobe he got out a package and handed it to me. "This is all I wanted to give you."

My cheeks reddened as I accepted it. "You can read me far too well for my liking, Mr Potter." I unwrapped the paper and gasped.

"Merlin James! I cannot accept this!"

"Why not?"

"It must have been fu**ing expensive!" He just shook his head at my comment. "And it's embarrassing! Why? Out of all the things did you have to get me this?"

He just smirked at my question. "Because... you have no idea how happy I was when I heard you say it."

"You, my friend, have gone soft." I said with a giggle, pushing his head slightly.

In my hand was a sculpture of two people (a boy with black unruly hair and glasses with a lopsided smile on his face. Next to him there was a girl- a girl with red locks and emerald eyes. The two were holding hands and in the free hand of the girls there was a bouquet of fuchsia flowers.)

"Hahaha. It's hilarious James." I rolled my eyes as he grinned proudfully.

"I know right, just how grateful are you to have a guy like me?"

...

So that's the end of this chapter. I know it's not Christmas... but because of all the hot weather I wanted to feel Christmassy! :D

The next chapter will take place at Hogwarties again, I'll try and make the rest of their year go by quickly, I'm not sure if you'd like it if I just wrote about Lily's exams...

So, please review!

See you in the next chapter!

Frog. Bin :D xx