Hey guys! Sorry if the ending of the last chapter was too much. I was really stressy because of my math exam. I hate math. I think it should grow up and solve its own problems. And before that it was bio and history. JUST SAYING, if anyone wants my email address or something then don't hesitate to ask. I'd love to meet all you people who read my story and make my day better. I love logging onto hotmail and seeing all these emails from fan-fiction about reviews, favorite stories, story alerts, favorite authors. I swear it makes my day, and I'm not just saying that. If you have any ideas, or requests for something to happen in the story, ASK. In the last chapter I ended up running out of ideas and sat in front of the laptop urging my brain to think, which is not possible at times. ANYWAY I'm blabbing. Enjoy (:
Disclaimer: I do not own this series, but I hope some day I own my own that people write fanfics about.
Previously:
Hestia looked up at Sirius, "And I love you too by the way."
A fully dressed Hestia yelling at Lily was what Lily woke up to on the day of Christmas Eve. She groaned and turned to look at her watch. It was only 5 in the morning.
"Hestia, are you insane?" Lily whined, turning over to bury her face in her pillow.
"Today is the day I get back at your boyfriend. Shut up and get out of bed," Hestia said. Lily wouldn't move, so Hestia resorted to poking her best friend in the sides until she finally got irritated enough to sit up.
"I hate you Hestia," Lily grumbled, getting out of bed. She brushed her teeth and threw on shorts and a tank top. She followed a determined Hestia out of the room, yawning and tying up her hair. It was too early for anyone to function. Why people woke up at 5 in the morning was beyond her. The sun wasn't even up! Lily tucked her wand in the waistband of her underwear as she had no pockets and crashed into Hestia, who was standing outside the boys' room. Remus wasn't there so they weren't at risk of James and Sirius being awake already since Remus had had to wake them up yesterday.
Hestia turned to glare at Lily, before opening the door quietly. Sirius sat up quickly at the noise, reaching for his wand. He saw Hestia and Lily and groaned. Lily looked out of the window and saw that it was still slightly dark outside. She groaned. James was fast asleep, and Hestia was grinning devilishly at him, "Hest what are you going to do to him?" Lily asked worriedly. She didn't actually want James to be Hestia's slave for the day; Hestia was known to do nasty things to people.
"Hest do this later," Sirius said, getting out of bed. Lily saw that Sirius slept with a shirt on, unlike James, "It's really early." Sirius yawned, accentuating his point. Hestia groaned and rested her head on Sirius' chest. Sirius put his arms around Hestia's shoulders, "Lily-flower, I'm going go take Hestia to your room," he said, his eyelids drooping. He left with Hestia, and Lily found herself in James' room with James asleep. She looked over at James' cupboard where she had hidden, and she opened the door, inhaling James' scent. She saw his Quidditch jersey from their sixth year, and pulled it out. She looked around to make sure James was actually asleep, before pulling her tank top off. She pulled his jersey on quickly and inhaled her new favorite scent in the world. It was huge on her, the sleeves going down to her elbows, and it ended in the middle of her thighs, hiding her shorts. She hadn't realized James was so much bigger than her. She felt like a little girl when she wore the jersey. She grinned down and decided that James wasn't going to be getting the jersey back. She heard a groan and turned to see James rolling around in his sleep. She rolled her eyes and walked around his room. The desk was flooded with crumpled pieces of paper and she shook her head, not bothering to look at them. She opened the first drawer of his desk to see it full of quills and, to her surprise, muggle pens. The second drawer was full of Zonkos joke products. She chuckled quietly, shutting the drawer. The third one, predictably, was filled with Quidditch items; game plans, books, a broom cleaning set. She sighed, deciding to read the book later. She noticed another drawer on the other side of the desk and pulled it open slowly. She noticed it over flooded with letters. She pulled one out and saw a girly handwriting she didn't recognize. She looked at who the letters were signed by, and saw that they were from Alissa. Curiosity taking over her, she took the first one she could grab, and sat down on James desk chair and started to read.
You need therapy big brother,
I don't see why you can't just talk to her. I'm 10 and even I know you need to get a move on. You've been in love with this girl for 4 years and you cant puck up the courage to tell her? It's pathetic. It's a shame to Gryffindors everywhere. I feel like I need a new big brother…Well it's no wonder she wont talk to you! You sound like you're being an absolute prat to get her attention. Yes I called you a prat. Mum and dad have gone for a raid or something, so I'm at home with Anna. No I'm not entering your room it smells bad. Anyway, enough about her; You'll get depressed and do something stupid to attract her attention tomorrow and then you'll regret it and cry to me again. Home's pretty boring. I wish I were 11 already. I can't wait to come to Hogwarts! I'm actually really excited. I'll be there in about 7 months. Great now I'm nervous. You better be nice to me when I get there. I'll be a first year, and you'll be a sixth year. Maybe I should go ask Sirius, he seems to like me better sometimes. I have to go, I took your tip and gave Anna some Butterbeer. Now she's going to teach me how to play poker.
Love you, Alissa
Lily chuckled at the letter. Alissa sounded erratic, she reminded her a little of Hestia. Alissa seemed so excited to do everything. And the way she talked about Lily! Lily felt a smile creep up on her face as Alissa called James a prat. She had to remember to thank her. That was when Lily remembered Alissa was dead. She never got to go to Hogwarts. Lily felt her eyes well up with tears. It was so unfair! She had never hated Voldemort more than she did at that moment. How dare he hurt the Potter family! They were the sweetest people Lily had met. She read a few more of Alissa's letters, and they never failed to bring a smile to her face. When she had finished with all the letters, she looked out of the window to see that the sun had come up. She frowned, how long had she been reading? She walked over to James' dresser and looked at his watch. It was 7:30. She'd been reading for about two hours and twenty minutes. She heard a groan and turned to see James turn in his bed again. She walked over to James and looked down at him.
He looked adorable as he slept. His mouth was closed, and without his glasses, Lily saw how truly long his eyelashes were. He was lying on his back, with a slight frown on his face. She saw that his legs were curled up to the side, and his hands were by his head, as if he was surrendering. She ran her hand gently through his hair, and a small smile formed on his face. Lily noticed the way his nose scrunched slightly when he smiled, and how he had a dimple near his ear. She put her pink finger in the dimple lightly. She looked over to see if there was one on the other side, but there wasn't. She gently ran her fingers over his hand, which was so much larger than hers. She smiled down at the sleeping James. He looked so angelic. She lightly ran her hand down his face, from his hairline, along his nose, which wasn't perfectly straight, and down to his chin. She sighed and removed her hand from his face and she heard James moan slightly. She grinned at James again, and dragged her fingers across his hand again, and she almost screamed as James's hand closed around her fingers. She looked down to see that James was still asleep. She smiled and tried to wriggle her fingers out of his hand, but he squeezed tighter. She sighed and lay down next to James, on top of the blanket. She leaned her head on James shoulder, and sighed, taking in the scent of him.
How she had come to love him so much in so little time?
She shivered suddenly from the cold in James' room and snuggled inside the covers next to James, who was warm. She sighed in contentment and closed her eyes. She felt James' hand release hers as his arms wrapped around her. She looked up again to make sure he was asleep, and, realizing he was, she tucked her head into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes.
Lily's eyes snapped open to see James lying next to her, looking down at her. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock. It was 8. She'd only been sleeping for half an hour? Why had it seemed like longer?
"Lily?" James asked, looking down at her, as if expecting Sirius to transform back into himself and yell 'gotcha!'
"Hi James," she sighed, leaning into him again.
"What are you doing in my bed?" he asked warily as he moved Lily's hair, which had come free, out of her face.
"It's a long story," she said tiredly, "Hestia woke me up at 5 so she could start your slave day early, and then Sirius told her to do it later and he and Hestia went to the other room, so I was in your room exploring and then I came here and lay down and then it was cold so I got into the covers and then I fell asleep." James smiled at her run on sentence and wrapped his arms around her again, just like he'd found them when he'd woken up.
"I can't believe you woke up at 5," James chuckled, and he saw Lily's nose wrinkle.
"It was terrible. The sun wasn't even up," she said disgustedly, and James laughed. He looked down at Lily to see she was wearing a large shirt instead of her usual pajamas.
"What are you wearing?" he asked curiously, tugging at the shirt from where his hands were at her back. He noticed Lily blush and looked down at her with an eyebrow raised. Lily shook her head and tucked her face in James' neck.
"I'm sleeping," she mumbled, and James chuckled. He moved the covers aside and looked down, ignoring Lily's protests and whining about how cold it was, to see Lily wearing his old Quidditch jersey, which read 'Potter' on the back in large golden letters.
"Why are you in my Quidditch jersey?" he asked, tracing his last name, which had been on his shoulder blades, but were lower on Lily. Lily mumbled something and he pulled back, "Sorry I didn't catch that," he said.
"Well you're not getting it back so don't bother," Lily said, pulling her face out of James' neck and looking up at him cheekily. James grinned down at her.
"I wasn't going to ask for it back, you look rather good in my shirt," he said, and Lily flushed, "how did you get it?"
"I opened your cupboard and it was there so I took it," she said, shrugging.
"And why were you opening my cupboard?" he asked, smiling as he watched Lily's discomfort.
"I was exploring," she decided on saying. James chuckled and turned to lie on his back. Lily was surrounded by the smell of James and smiled. James had his arm around Lily, hugging her to his side, "You smell good," mumbled Lily.
"Thanks Lils," James chuckled, ruffling Lily's hair with his other hand.
"Why are you so cheerful in the morning?" Lily mumbled, looking up at him with tired eyes and frowning.
Because I woke up next to you, James thought, but decided on saying, "No reason." Lily rolled her eyes and looked to see James was not wearing a shirt, and smiled.
"You shouldn't wear a shirt more often," she sighed, and James chuckled. She was obviously extremely delirious. She was only half awake from what he could tell.
"I'd say the same to you Lils, but that might earn me a smack," he said, and Lily grinned.
"Yes it probably would," she chuckled, and James smiled. Lily moved so she was lying across James' chest, and he wrapped both of his arms around her.
"Go to sleep Lils," he said, running his hand through her hair, enjoying the texture of her hair in between his fingers.
"No it's morning now," she muttered, "And I want to make sure Hestia doesn't murder you."
"Why?" James asked cheekily and saw Lily roll her eyes
"Because I love you, obviously," Lily sighed, and James felt his stomach flip as it always did when Lily said those words. They lay like that for a while, James running his hands through Lily's hair, while Lily lay, half asleep, on James's chest. They chatted and when James smiled Lily moved her hand and stuck her pinky finger in his dimple.
"Lily what are you doing?" James asked as Lily's pinky finger rested by his ear.
"You have a dimple here," she smiled, and James rolled his eyes, "it's probably because of your lack of brain," she said matter-of-factly, and James gasped. She put his hands around Lily's waist, flipping her so he was on top of her. Lily squealed and James grinned at her, resting on his elbows as not to crush Lily. He grabbed his wand and pointed it at the door, casting a muffiliato spell so the room was soundproof and nobody would hear Lily's squeals.
"You're so noisy," he chastised, and Lily stuck her tongue out at him. He let his hands roam down from Lily's hips, and reached bare skin soon, "Lily are you wearing nothing other than my jersey?" he asked, gulping.
"No I have shorts on," she said, pulling the jersey up so James could see the shorts, "and stop calling it your jersey," she added, and James rolled his eyes.
"Whose name is on the back of it?" he asked, lying down next to Lily.
"I don't care," she muttered, and James laughed.
"It say's Potter," he said, and Lily smiled sheepishly at him.
"Really? Now its more proof that you're mine," she sighed, and James rolled his eyes, ignoring his pounding heart.
"I believe, since the jersey is mine, you are mine," he shrugged but Lily shook her head.
"I took the jersey, so you're mine." James gave up, not bothering to point out to Lily that her logic made no sense, and kissed Lily on top of her head. Just then, the door opened and Hestia walked in, followed by a yawning Sirius.
"Nice Prongs. You got Lily-flower in your bed," Sirius winked, as he saw Lily lying down next to James.
"Lily, out of the bed," Hestia instructed. Lily sighed, kissed James on the cheek, before climbing out of the bed. She walked over to Sirius, and leaned against him. Sirius put his arm around her shoulders in a brotherly fashion and looked at her outfit with raised eyebrows.
"It's mine now," Lily shrugged and Sirius grinned, before turning back to see Hestia and James.
"Now, you are my slave for the day," Hestia said, "So get out of bed." James dragged himself out of bed and Hestia sighed. Lily walked over to James' cupboard and threw him a shirt, which he pulled over his head with a grateful smile to Lily, "Lily if you help him again I swear I will make you a slave as well," Hestia said, turning to look at Lily, who sighed. Lily, walking past Hestia and James, lay back down in James' bed, pulling the covers up to her neck. Sirius was looking longingly at his bed, but didn't sleep as Hestia was glaring at Lily.
"Lily, are you feeling okay?" James asked, looking down at Lily worriedly. Lily nodded and decided to sit up, wrapping herself in James' blanket.
"Now. We're going to go eat breakfast, and then you're at my mercy," Hestia said, and Lily saw James grimace. James held his hand out to Lily, who took it and got out of bed. James spotted Lily's tank top on the floor.
"If you get my jersey, I get to keep that," he said, nodding towards it as they walked out of the door. Lily shrugged, meaning yes, and James smiled. They walked down, hand in hand, to the dining room. Lily gasped as she looked around. Overnight, tinsel and some other decorations had been put up around the Potter mansion.
"It's so pretty!" she gasped, looking around as James led her to the dining room. She entered the dining room and she saw Emily's eyes scrutinize what she was wearing, and realized she was in James' jersey, blushing. James sat down next to his father and Lily sat down next to James for a change.
"Morning!" Hestia said cheerfully, sauntering into the room, dragging a lethargic Sirius in behind her. Sirius glared at his girlfriend and flopped down in a seat. Lily knew exactly how he felt.
"Why are you so tired?" Daniel asked, looking from Lily to Sirius.
"Hestia," Sirius muttered angrily, rubbing at his eyes. Lily had never seen Sirius look so vulnerable. It was adorable.
"She woke us up at five," Lily grumbled, and Emily shot her a sympathetic look.
"Why?" Daniel asked, looking at Hestia.
"It's James' slave day. I wanted to start early, but Lily and Sirius had to be loyal and let him sleep," Hestia said, sticking her tongue out at Lily, who grinned at her.
"That's a horrible time to wake up," Emily said, cutting into her omelet.
"I know! The sun wasn't even up!" Lily whined, earning a round of chuckles from everyone. James took Lily's hand in his, rubbing circles on the back of her hand with his thumb. Lily watched, amused, as James tried to eat with his left hand, dropping cereal everywhere, and she bit her lip to hide her chuckling. James narrowed his eyes at her, and took his hand away so he could eat.
Once they had finished with breakfast, Hestia stood up, looking at James pointedly. Lily heard James groan and turned to kiss him on the cheek, "good luck," she said cheerfully.
"Aren't you going to stay and witness my suffering?" James pleaded, and Lily shook her head.
"Sirius and I are going to bond," she said, rolling her eyes at the word, which was how Sirius had described it.
"PADS!" James whined, turning to Sirius, who held his hands up in surrender.
"This war is between you and Hestia. I am going to take Lily-flower," he said, and walked around, holding his arm out for Lily. Lily rolled her eyes and took his arm.
"If you steal my girlfriend I'll kill you," James yelled after Sirius and Lily. He turned to see Hestia watching him with a determined expression and groaned. This was going to be a long day.
Lily laughed as the cards in front of them exploded in Sirius' face.
"Lily-flower this isn't funny!" Sirius whined, feeling his face to make sure everything was intact.
"Don't worry Sirius. It didn't burn your eyebrows away this time." Lily giggled. They had been playing Exploding Snap for an hour and Sirius was extremely bad at the game. He had been exploded on so many times, and the previous time his eyebrows had been singed. Sirius turned to narrow his eyes at her.
"Can we play something else? This is damaging my pretty face," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"What do you suggest?"
"Let's play a game!"
"Exploding Snap is a game, Sirius."
"Let's play a less face-risking game!"
"I don't think anything can save your face," Lily said, winking at Sirius, who balked at her.
"Lily Evans, are you suggesting that I, the epitome of sexiness, am not attractive?" Lily grinned at Sirius, whose jaw dropped, looking offended. Lily laughed and stood up, Sirius following suite. They had been sitting in James' room while Hestia was doing Merlin knows what with James. Sirius walked over to the other side of the room and opened a cupboard, pulling out two brooms and a chest.
"Are you suggesting we play Quidditch?" Lily asked, crossing her arms as if it was the most ridiculous idea possible, which it was.
"Not Quidditch. I'm suggesting we fly around and see who can catch the snitch first!" Sirius said excitedly, tossing Lily a broom. It was the Nimbus 500.
"Are you sure you meant to toss me such a good broom?" she asked, looking down at it warily.
"These are James' extra brooms," Sirius said, rolling his eyes as he gestured to his own broom, which was a Nimbus 800.
"I don't think it's fair that you get the faster broom when competing against a girl," Lily said. Sirius guffawed.
"Ah Lily, as I am the one who suggested the game, I get the advantage of picking brooms," he shrugged, and Lily rolled her eyes, "There's a large garden where we usually play Quidditch outside," Sirius said, and Lily gave in. they walked down the stairs to see James carrying a large pink bag on his shoulder, "Manly Prongs," Sirius snickered. James narrowed his eyes at Sirius.
"I hate your girlfriend," James muttered. He smiled at Lily before walking up the stairs, "Don't hurt my stuff!" he yelled, and Sirius rolled his eyes. They walked out into the garden and followed another path, leading them to a large garden with tall hedges.
"Does he have everything?" Lily muttered, looking around at the large field. Sirius rolled his eyes, in agreement with Lily, before opening the chest and pulling the snitch out.
"Okay, rules. You are not allowed to knock the other one off their brooms. We play until someone has caught the snitch. We go all over the Potter plot. Alright?" Lily nodded and mounted her broom, "Ready?" Sirius yelled, from where he was starting on the other side of the pitch. Sirius released the snitch and it flew up, flying out of sight. Sirius counted down from ten, "2…1! GO!"
Lily kicked off from the ground and felt he wind through her hair. She had always been a fair flyer; she just preferred to do indoor activities. She circled the area, looking around, but she saw Sirius fly off in a different direction.
"Set off fireworks when you find it!" Sirius yelled over his shoulder, and Lily rolled her eyes. Only Sirius would want fireworks. Lily flew in the direction she had seen the snitch fly off, not that Sirius had been paying any attention. She flew around to the front of the Potter mansion, and frowned, suddenly realizing something. They were on winter break. It was snowing at Hogwarts. Why were they able to dress in shorts outdoors, where there was no sun, and it felt like summer? She decided to ask James later, not wanting to lose to Sirius, or he would use it against her for the rest of her life, as well as tease her on how girls couldn't do anything better than boys.
What felt like minutes, but was actually hours, later, they hadn't found the snitch. They had taken a break for lunch, where Lily and Sirius had eyed each other competitively, and James had tried to hide from Hestia. The two of them had almost run out of the house to find the snitch again once they had finished. Lily had even mounted the broom in the dining room alone, flying through the house and out the back door. Lily looked down at her watch, and saw that it was close to 5 in the evening, and sighed. She had wasted a whole day searching for the snitch. She saw a speck in the distance and watched as Sirius flew over to her. "Any sign of it?" he asked hopefully, and Lily shook her head.
She opened her mouth to say she gave up, but there was a glint in the distance of Sirius' shoulder. She flew around Sirius, heading for the glint, and she could almost feel Sirius' following her. The snitch flew down, and they both dove after it. It went into the back garden by the pool and then flew towards the mansion. Lily had a close call at the pool, pulling up just in time, but her toes still skimmed the water. She followed the snitch inside the house, but Sirius entered before her. The two of them, screaming and laughing, flew all over the house after the snitch. It flew up the stairs and they followed it. Daniel, who was sitting in the family room, yelled in alarm as they 'whooshed' over him, and a giggle escaped Lily. The snitch flew into James' room and the two of them flew inside. Sirius gestured for her to dismount her broom, so, making sure Sirius was as well, she dismounted. Sirius pointed his wand at the door and it shut, leaving the snitch trapped in James' room.
"I say we have a competition to see who can catch it, without brooms," Sirius grinned, and Lily rolled her eyes. Manually? Piece of cake. She was a muggle after all, "GO!" Sirius yelled. He jumped onto his bed, jumping up and down to get it. Lily climbed on James' dresser. The snitch was hovering near the ceiling above James' cupboard. Sirius ran over to that side, attempting to climb the cupboard, but falling miserably on his bottom. Lily laughed, placing her foot on the handle of the cupboard door, and climbing up on it. She reached up to grab the snitch, but screamed as Sirius pulled the cupboard door open, causing Lily, who was clutching onto it, to fly backwards as the door opened.
"SIRIUS BLACK!" she yelled angrily. Sirius snickered and started climbing the shelves of the cupboard. Irritated, Lily rocked back and forth, and, to her satisfaction, the door started to close. Sirius squealed, in a girly way to Lily's intense happiness, and jumped off of the cupboard as if it had turned to fire. Lily reached up to grab the snitch and Sirius growled.
"What was that?" Hestia said, looking up as a scream resounded through the corridor. They were in Lily and Hestia's room, and James was painting her toenails. He had perfected the art of nail painting, hair curling, hair straightening, and advising people in make up during the course of the day. His head, too, snapped up at the scream.
"Lily," he said, worried. He ran out of the room, followed closely by Hestia, whose nails weren't dry yet. They threw open the door to James' room to see Lily, on her bum, with Sirius dancing around her happily, holding a snitch, "What happened?" he asked, trying not to laugh, as he pulled Lily to her feet.
"Your stupid boyfriend," she said, glaring at Hestia, who turned to frown at Sirius, "I was hanging on to the cupboard door and he pulled my hair, and then tickled me and I fell off the door and he grabbed the snitch," she said, glaring at Sirius, who grinned at her happily.
"All is fair in love and war my sweet," he said, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"I can't believe you pulled my hair," she said, fingering her ponytail, feeling as if it had been ripped out of her skull, "and hard I might add." James, chuckling silently, pulled Lily's hair out of a ponytail and she growled at him.
"It'll feel better," he said cheekily, and Lily rolled her eyes. Sirius, trying to make up to Lily, ran towards her and pulled her into a spine-crushing hug.
"Sirius! Get off!" Lily choked out. Sirius shook his head and spun her around, and Lily started to scream. James protectively released her from Sirius' grip and massaged her lower back, helping her breathe. Sirius stuck his tongue out at James and walked over to Hestia.
"Shiny," he said, looking at Hestia's finger and toenails. Lily heard James groan and hid a smile. Poor James must have been miserable.
"Aren't they beautiful?" she squealed, wiggling her fingers so the light hit them in different places.
"Your toenails are a bit messy," Lily said, looking down at Hestia's feet, and Hestia screamed.
"James!" she yelled, and James sighed. He pulled the bottle of nail polish out of his pocket and walked over to fix them. Once Hestia was satisfied, she patted him on the head like a dog, "Good boy." James narrowed his eyes at a snickering Sirius, who grinned at him.
"I got to play Quidditch and you painted nails," he said cheekily, and James glared at his best friend.
"I loathe you."
"What was that? You love me? Aw Prongsie I love you too!" Sirius said gleefully, throwing himself at James. James rolled his eyes but couldn't control the smile that spread across his face. Damn Sirius for being funny. Hestia rolled her eyes and walked over to Lily, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
"Your boyfriends sucks at girl things," she said and Lily laughed.
"That's weird, you think he'd be good with hair considering that's probably what those two do in their spare time," Lily said, and Hestia grinned at her, watching Sirius gush about the newfound feelings James has for him, and hug James, who was trying extremely hard not to laugh.
"Sorry mate I'm taken," James said, winking at Lily.
"Oh I could take her," Sirius said with a cheeky grin at Lily.
"I'd like to see you try," Hestia said, rolling her eyes.
"Hestia darling! Are you saying you don't believe I could take Lily-flower? Your own boyfriend?" Sirius pretended to be insulted, and feigned fainting on James. The door opened and Emily walked in.
"Lily," she said, gesturing to Lily, "James." Lily looked at James with wide eyes, intimidated by the expression on Emily's face, which was serious for the first time Lily had ever seen it. James walked over to Lily, taking her hand reassuringly, and they walked out to Emily.
"See you later Prongsie!" Sirius yelled, blowing a kiss to James. James grinned and pretended to catch it, putting it in his pocket. Lily rolled her eyes and mimicked vomiting, at which James chuckled and put his arm around Lily's shoulders, giving her a one armed hug. They followed Emily to James' parents' room. Lily walked in after Emily, dragging James in with her. Daniel was on the bed, and his ears reddened as he saw Lily and James walk in. He put down the book he was reading as Emily sat down next to him. Lily sat down on the rolling chair, while James sat on the bed across from his parents.
"We have an important matter to discuss with you," Emily said formally, and Lily ran her hand through her hair in a very James-like fashion. Emily cleared her throat, but didn't seem able to say anything else. She looked pleadingly towards her husband, he sighed and fingered his messy hair.
"We realize you have been dating for a while now," he said, and Lily's eyes flashed over to James before turning back to them, "and, well, we understand that you are seventeen and of age, but, well, you see, when two people like each other, well, they can express it physically," he said, his voice trailing off as his ears turned bright red.
"ARE YOU GIVING US THE SEX TALK?" James yelled, his voice several octaves too high, and his face redder than Lily's hair, which was saying something. Lily looked down into her lap, her hair cascading down to hide her face, feeling a hot sensation in her stomach as her face and neck heated up, "PLEASE STOP!"
Emily looked up at James with a stern expression, "James, you're older now, it's about time you knew…"
"Mum I know about it! I know how everything works!" he squeaked. Emily's eyes flickered over to Lily and Lily saw James gulp, "No! No! That's not what I mean! I mean, we, no, we haven't, I mean," James coughed and Lily decided to step in.
"We haven't, well, um, yeah," she said quietly, and she saw Emily and Daniel visibly relax.
"Done it?" Daniel said for her, and Lily felt her face skip several colors, going straight to almost purple.
"Yeah. Fornicated. No," she mumbled, and she saw Emily and Daniel burst out laughing.
"Fornicated?" Emily squealed, laughing. Lily turned even redder.
"Well I didn't know what else to say!" she squeaked, and turned to look at James for help, but saw him sitting, frozen with embarrassment.
"Sex?" Emily suggested, but was distracted by a mad coughing coming from James, "Oh really James, grow up," she said, rolling her eyes. Lily smiled nervously and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear, "We didn't mean to embarrass you, it's just, you were wearing his jersey this morning, so I assumed…" she trailed off, looking apologetically at Lily, who nodded in understanding, not able to say anything. There was an awkward silence before James cleared his throat.
"Can we go?" he choked out.
"Yeah, sure!" Daniel said, just as awkwardly. James stood up quickly, took Lily's hand, and dragged her out of the room. They walked down the hallway and went into Lily's room, which was, mercifully, empty. Once the door closed, Lily broke down in a fit of giggles.
"That was so awkward!" she giggled, and James felt a smile spread across his face, which was still pink.
"It was more than awkward," he said, and Lily doubled over in hysterics. He put his hands around her waist to calm her down, and after a little bit, Lily calmed down enough to stand up straight, stretching out her abdominal muscles. James' grip tightened on her waist and he pulled her closer to him. Lily stretched up to kiss him and he kissed her back. When they were in need of oxygen, they broke apart, both gasping for air.
"About what they were talking about," James murmured, joking, and Lily turned pink.
"Oh shut up James"
"Just Kidding Lils"
"I have a question Potter"
"Yes Evans," James asked, a smile playing around his mouth.
"Why isn't it snowing at your house?"
"Oh, we put a spell so that it was warm when I came back this time," he shrugged, and Lily nodded, "any specific reason you just thought of that?" he smirked.
"No, why?"
"Well I was hoping since I was so hot you thought about that," he winked and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Once again, shut up James"
"Will do"
They went down for dinner that night to see even more decorations put up. There was an extravagant tree in the middle of the Potter mansion, reaching up to the ceiling right outside the dining room where the living room was. Emily and Daniel weren't downstairs yet. Sirius suddenly started pushing Hestia towards the corner of the room.
"Sirius what the hell?" Hestia said, watching as her boyfriend pushed her. He pushed her to an awkward spot by the wall.
"Oh look, mistletoe!" he said, looking up, "what a coincidence!" Lily laughed as Hestia rolled her eyes.
"It only counts if it's coincidental Sirius"
"This was a coincident!"
"No it wasn't you shoved me here!"
"Well it was just coincident that I shoved you then!"
"Infallible logic," James said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"James I think you might need a napkin to wipe the sarcasm dripping off your chin," Daniel said, throwing a tissue at James as he walked in, causing Lily to snort. James laughed and threw the napkin back at his father. Emily walked in and smiled at Lily.
"You're sitting next to me. I don't like sitting next to Sirius. I don't appreciate being nauseated," she said, shaking her head as if to rid her mind of Sirius' eating, and Lily chuckled. Sirius pouted as he looked at Emily.
"You couldn't possibly mean that!" he said, and then smirked, "I think you're nauseated because I'm so incredibly sexy that you get nauseated as you realize you are, in fact, married, and cannot date me, and you're nauseated out of sadness," Sirius declared, plopping himself onto a chair, winking suggestively at Emily.
"Padfoot. No hitting on my mum"
"But Prongsie!"
"No that's final"
"Wow you're so stern. I like"
"I'm sure you're falling in love with me Pads"
"Yes Prongs, I feel tingles at your stern words"
Lily and Hestia snorted simultaneously and Lily saw Daniel and Emily exchange an exasperated look, deciding not to interrupt their sons lovers quarrel with his best mate.
"And to think, you get so sleep in the same room as me tonight"
"Don't tempt me Prongs"
"I'm sure you're having trouble resisting the urge"
"Yes I'm already plotting how I'm going to get in bed with you"
"I'm sure you are. I'm very appealing"
"Couldn't agree more. Hair, eyes, height, muscles. What more could I ask for?"
"Precisely what I was thinking"
"Now its your turn to say something about me by the way"
"Oh of course how silly of me. Graceful hair, grey eyes, it's irresistible"
"I know right! No wonder I'm hottest guy at Hogwarts"
"Who me? Yeah I know"
"No me!"
"What! Have you seen me?"
"Alright we're stopping this now," Daniel said awkwardly, "I think we had the talk with the wrong people," he muttered to Emily, who chuckled. Lily felt her face heat up at the reminder, and decided to focus on the dinner.
"Miss Lily!" she turned at the sound of her name to see Alan. He put her dessert in front of her, magicking the desserts for everyone else. He laid a lily down by her plate before disapparating.
"That's so cheesy! It's adorable!" Hestia squealed, leaning over to take the lily. Lily looked up to see Daniel smiling smugly.
"Fine I believe you!" she said, and Daniel grinned. He looked over at his wife smugly, and Emily rolled her eyes. When they were done, Emily stood up commandingly.
"Off to bed, all of you. Merry Christmas Eve! I'm sending you to bed now because, knowing James, he'll have you up at the crack of dawn," she said, smiling lovingly at her son, "he loves Christmas," she added as explanation to Lily and Hestia's confused expressions, "Good night!" she said cheerfully, pushing them all out of the dining room.
"Good night m'lady," Sirius said, bowing to Emily. Daniel smirked as Emily rolled her eyes.
"C'mon Pads," James muttered, grabbing Sirius by the hair.
"Prongsie not the hair!" Sirius yelled, smacking James' hands away as he attempted to fix his hair, "HESTIA!" he yelled in a sing-song voice, causing Hestia, who was standing right behind him, to wince.
"No need to YELL Sirius. For the love of Merlin," she muttered, massaging her ears. Lily laughed and put her arm around her friend's shoulders. They reached the hallway and Sirius gave Hestia a quick peck goodnight, before walking into James' room.
"I'm waiting Prongsie," he called seductively, and Lily chuckled as James rolled his eyes.
"Good night," James said, leaning his forehead on Lily's. Lily looked up at him and grinned.
"Good night"
"MORNING!" Lily sat up quickly at the sound of James' voice. She turned to look at the clock on her bedside table and saw that it was only five in the morning.
"James Potter, you arrogant toerag, get out of my bedroom I am trying to sleep!" she growled. James laughed cheerfully and reached down, scooping Lily in his arms. Carrying her bridal style, he spun around happily, "Put me down!" she squealed, smacking at his shoulders. James put her on her feet, chuckling, and Lily wobbled as a result of lack of equilibrium from being woken up so early, and being dizzy.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS!" he yelled happily. He kissed her passionately and Lily found herself kissing him back, with too much energy for five in the morning.
"Merry Christmas," she said tiredly, rubbing at her eyes.
"Okay. So Sirius is getting dressed. You are awake. HESTIA!" he yelled.
"WHAT?" Hestia hissed, getting out of the bed to walk over to him.
"Okay so that's all of you awake now," he winked, and Lily giggled, "Let's go! It's Christmas!" He yelled gleefully, pulling Lily's hand. Lily grabbed Hestia as James dragged her to his room, "PADFOOT!" James bellowed.
"Oh shut up Prongs," Sirius muttered, walking out from the bathroom in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes.
"PRESENTS!"
"FIVE IN THE MORNING!"
"PRESENTS!"
"Oh what the hell," Sirius muttered, a grin appearing on his face, "Lead the way." James grinned happily and, still holding onto Lily's hand, sprinted out the door. Sirius grabbed Hestia, who promptly let go of Lily's hand, to save her from James' Christmas present opening wrath.
"Thanks," Hestia grinned and Sirius winked.
"Merry Christmas." Sirius leaned down to kiss his girlfriend and pulled back, a smile appearing on his face. Hestia smiled and pinched his chin.
"You're so cute. Let's go before Lily kills James," she chuckled, and Sirius laughed.
"I wouldn't be surprised. Even Moony had to hex him once"
They got downstairs to see Lily sitting cross-legged on the floor watching James, who was ripping his presents open, with an amused expression on her face. James was covered in wrapping paper. Literally. It was in his hair, all over the floor, in his lap. Emily and Daniel were sitting on the sofa, watching James with equally amused expressions. Sirius and Hestia sat next to Lily, who was a little bit away from her crazed boyfriend, and Sirius grinned at Lily, who rolled her eyes in James direction.
"THIS IS AMAZING!" James said, looking down at the present Remus had sent him; a book on spells for pranking and mischief. He looked up at Lily's disapproving expression and stuck his tongue out at her. He was such a child sometimes. Peter had sent him a large box of Quality Quidditch Supplies, which James' eyes kept flickering to. He had the same reaction to all the presents he opened including a large bag of Zonkos products and Honeydukes candy from Gwenog, Alice and Hestia and a new broomstick and a sweater from his parents. They had bought him the new Comet Two-Sixty. Even Lily's parents had sent him a present, and so had Petunia. Lily gasped as James read out whom it was from. He ripped the wrapping of the small present away nervously, and Lily saw his face turn bright red, biting down on his lip trying not to laugh.
"What did she send you?"
"Nothing!" he said in an amused voice, shoving the gift into his pocket, and Lily narrowed her eyes at him. She'd find out later. There were only two presents left for James, from Sirius and Lily. James grabbed Sirius' first, and ripped the wrapping paper off excitedly, pulling out a book, "Breaking tradition aren't we mate?" he asked, and Sirius rolled his eyes.
"Read the cover." James looked down at it and a grin spread across his face.
"How to charm a witch," he chuckled, and Sirius felt the eyes of all the girls turn to glare at him.
"I figured it was 'bout time I passed it down," Sirius shrugged, earning him a smack in the arm from Hestia, and James laughed.
"It's brilliant mate"
"I know. Now you'll finally learn why McGonagall's got it so bad for me." Daniel choked on his tea and Lily burst into laughter. James leaned forward for Lily's present and ripped the wrapping off, unveiling a toaster, and he laughed.
"That's not the real present, I just couldn't resist," Lily grinned, and James turned to her with a blazing look in his eyes.
"There's another one?"
"You'll get it later," she said, rolling her eyes, "It's upstairs."
"GO GET IT!"
"No." James pouted and Lily pinched his cheek, "Patience is a virtue,"
"I'm not very virtuous"
"There's a first time for everything," she shrugged, and she saw Emily grin out of the corner of her eye, "So who's next?" she asked quickly before James could say anything else.
"MY TURN!" Hestia squealed, and Sirius turned in alarm to look at her.
"Hestia's almost as bad as James during Christmas," Lily explained, grinning, and she saw Sirius groan and smack his palm to his forehead.
"How do I end up with these people?" he whined, causing James and Hestia to gasp.
"But you love us!" James said, clutching at his heart. Sirius blew a kiss to James, who caught it and put it in his pocket, and Lily rolled her eyes.
"Hestia I think they're going to switch teams," she said, and Hestia nodded seriously.
"DIBS ON REMUS!" she yelled, and Lily gasped.
"No way!"
"Fine, we'll see who he picks," Hestia grinned, and Lily snorted. She noticed Sirius and James glaring at them and grinned.
"It's okay you guys, we're fine with your forbidden love," Hestia said, pinching Sirius' chin. James and Sirius snorted, and sat up straighter.
"Not gay"
"Yep no way"
"Oookay suuure," Daniel said, and James turned to glare at his father, who gave him a cheeky grin.
"Go on Hestia," Emily said, resolutely ignoring James and Daniel. Hestia grabbed her first present happily and ripped the paper away quickly and happily, uncovering Honeydukes sweets from Peter and Remus, a large makeup and cosmetics set from James, which cause Hestia to laugh, a large set of professional journalism materials from Gwenog, Alice and Lily, a few things from her parents, a gorgeous bracelet from the Potters, and lastly, an extravagant hairclip from Sirius. Hestia gasped at the expensive hair clip and Sirius grinned, placing it in her hair. Hestia looked at Sirius with tearful eyes and he kissed her on the nose quickly.
Sirius went next. His family hadn't sent him anything, and he brushed it off, but Lily saw the way his smile hadn't reached his eyes after that. She looked up at James, who was looking at Sirius worriedly. However, the next present he unwrapped was from Lily, and it made him laugh, forgetting about his family. She had sent him a dog bowl, with the word Sirius on the side of it, filled with Zonkos products and Honeydukes chocolates. Underneath the large pile of Zonkos and Honeydukes, there was a small box. He opened it excitedly, to find a dog tag on a silver chain saying 'If found, don't forget to feed'. Sirius guffawed and leaned over to hug Lily, who grinned at him.
"Thanks Lily-flower," he said, and Lily smiled sweetly at him. Sirius put on his dog tag happily. Remus had sent him a leather jacket, which Sirius looked at proudly, shrugging it on. It suited him. Peter had sent him a book on grooming dogs, which Sirius guffawed at, as well as another book on pickup lines and insults. James had given him keys, "What are these for?" Sirius asked, and James grinned.
"You'll see"
Emily and Daniel had made up for the fact that Sirius hadn't received any presents from his family with a sweater, which was identical to the one they had given to James, which was covered in pictures of food. Lily saw Sirius' eyes glaze with tears as he pulled it out, and she smiled. If anyone deserved a family's love, it was Sirius. The last one Sirius opened was from Hestia, and he smiled down at it happily. It was a simple photograph with Hestia sitting on his lap, laughing and two of them talking, the words 'I love you' carved into the photo frame. Sirius leaned over to kiss Hestia, briefly but passionately.
"Now what is this for?" Sirius asked James, swinging the keys in front of his face. James sighed.
"We'll go after Lily opens her presents." Sirius turned to look at Lily, as if to tell her to hurry up, and she grinned at him. She leaned forward and grabbed her presents. The first one she opened was from her parents, and it was a pair of boots she had had her eyes on since she had turned twelve. She squealed and pulled them on, smiling at them on her feet. She opened the next one, from Hestia, and pulled out a photo album.
"Look through it later, Sirius might die of anticipation if you look at it now," Hestia said, rolling her eyes at her boyfriend, who was jumping up and down in his seat. Lily grinned and put the photo album down next to her. She grabbed the next present, which was from Gwenog and Alice, and laughed down at the book; How to control your boyfriend. She heard James' mouth pop open and grinned up at him. She placed the book to the side and grabbed the next present, from Sirius. She looked down at the present fearfully, and then at Sirius, who winked. She pulled the wrapping paper off carefully and looked down at the small velvet box.
"Sirius Black if you propose to her I will kill you," Hestia said, and Sirius laughed. Lily, smiling, pulled the box open to see a silver ring with a lily on it. She looked up at Sirius and smiled at him. The words 'Lily-flower' were carved in the bottom and she laughed, putting it on her right ring finger. She grabbed the next one, from Emily and Daniel. She ripped the paper and saw the plate, which read 'I love you' on it, and a velvet box.
"Why is everyone proposing to my girlfriend?" James yelled, and Emily and Daniel laughed. There was a piece of paper inside, as well as a bracelet. It was a golden bracelet covered in diamonds.
"They're goblin made, you see how they sparkle brightly?" Daniel said, and Lily looked up at them tearfully. She opened her mouth to say something but Daniel held his hand up, shaking his head, "No need for thank you, we have more to thank you for," he grinned, and Lily smiled at him. She put the bracelet on and then grabbed the next one.
"Why is mine last?" James whined, and Lily ignored him. She pulled open the present, no idea who had sent it, to see a photo frame, with a muggle picture of two girls in tutus, with the word 'Sisters' on it. She smiled down at the picture of her and Petunia grinning at the camera. There was a note clinging to the back of the frame and she pulled it off.
Lily, you'll always be my sister no matter what happens. Sorry for everything, have a wonderful life. Love you, Petunia.
She wiped a tear that was threatening to escape, and opened the back of the frame, putting the note in there. She put the frame down and James looked at curiously, smiling at the picture. She reached for the last one, from James, but it was suddenly ripped out of her hand.
"Close your eyes," James said, and Lily groaned.
"I hate surprises!"
"I don't care shut your eyes." Lily sighed and obliged. She suddenly felt something cold on her neck and gasped, "Don't open them!" James squealed, and she kept her eyes closed, resisting the urge to open them and look down, "Okay you can open them now," he said happily, and she looked down to see a beautiful heart locket on it. She opened it, and saw a picture of her and James, before smiling up at him.
"Thank you." James smiled down at her and kissed her on the forehead.
"Now can I see my present?" he asked
"NO ME FIRST!" Sirius burst, jumping up. James laughed and stood up, nodding.
"Yes okay Pads. This way," he said, gesturing for him to follow. Hestia rushed forward quickly, following after them, and Lily made to follow, but was blocked by Emily, who came up in front of her, and looked at the locket. Lily saw tears well up in Emily's eyes and Emily smiled down at her happily, before pushing her in the direction James and Sirius had gone.
"PRONGSIE I LOVE YOU!" she heard Sirius yell as she stepped outside. Sirius was standing next to a large motorcycle with a joyful expression on his face. James shrugged and grinned. Lily watched as Sirius hugged James with so much enthusiasm that James was knocked over, tackled to the ground by Sirius, "I'VE ALWAYS WANTED ONE!" Sirius yelled happily, jumping off James, who got up, messing his hair up with his hand.
"I know Pads"
"And it really FLIES?" James nodded and Sirius yelled happily, "BEST MATE EVER!" Lily saw James blush a little and smiled. Sirius mounted the motorcycle and looked around, "coming?"
"Can we all fit?" Hestia asked, and Sirius rolled his eyes, meaning yes. Hestia grinned and sat down in front of Sirius, who kissed the top of her head. Lily sat behind Sirius, and James sat behind her.
"LILY SANDWICH!" Sirius yelled, leaning back, and Lily squealed as James leaned forwards, wrapping his arms around her middle. She chuckled at how many girls would die to be in her position, with Sirius Black and James Potter hugging her to death.
"Can't breathe!" Lily choked out and Sirius laughed devilishly, before leaning forward.
"Ready?" he asked, revving the motorcycle. Lily squealed, and wrapped her arms around Sirius, "Careful now Lily-flower. Don't want Prongs to get the wrong idea," he said, turning around to wink at Lily. Lily rolled her eyes and slapped Sirius in between the shoulder blades.
"Shut up and GO." Sirius snickered and turned forwards.
"Hold on Hestia, love," he said, and Hestia grabbed the handlebars, her hands next to Sirius'. James wrapped his hands around Lily, holding on, and Lily felt the familiar flipping of a pancake sensation in her stomach. Sirius stepped on the accelerator, and the motorcycle lurched forward with a roar. They sped forwards, and Sirius stepped on a pedal and the motorcycle flew up into the air. Lily screamed as they flew up, as did everyone else, gripping tighter onto Sirius. Once they were up in the air, Lily felt the rush of adrenalin.
"This is amazing!" she screamed over the noise, and she saw Sirius nod enthusiastically. Once they got high enough, they burst outside the charm of the Potter's house, and found themselves surrounded by snow. Still dressed in their pajamas, they shivered. Lily had been sleeping in James' jersey, Hestia in her spaghetti and shorts, and James wearing a wife-beater and boxers. Sirius was the only one who was okay, as he was wearing his leather jacket, but with boxers.
"I AM FREEZING MY NUTS OFF PADS! GO BACK DOWN!" James yelled, and Sirius laughed, as Lily blushed at the mention of James's, erm, member.
"GOOD TO KNOW PRONGS!" Sirius yelled, but all the same, he flew lower, so they weren't so close to the clouds, "I love this," Sirius said, turning around to smile at James with a smile that had so much genuine brotherly love in it, Lily smiled. Only the Marauders, she thought, rolling her eyes.
They reached the house in the afternoon, after chasing birds, racing with them, and conjuring snowballs to fly at unsuspecting muggles, using the invisibility booster that came with the motorcycle, who looked around in search for where the snowball had come from. They had become immune to the cold after a while, and when they entered the Potter mansion property, under the hot sun, Lily shuddered, becoming aware of how cold she had been. Emily and Daniel were standing on the porch, watching the motorcycle fly in.
"You went out there dressed like that!" Emily screeched, "You could have frozen to death!"
"What would you have done had that happened? What would you do without me?" Sirius said dramatically, getting down on his knees in front of Emily, who fought, but couldn't resist the urge to smile. She rolled her eyes, patted Sirius on the head, and walked inside the house, followed by her chuckling husband, who gave Sirius a faux threatening look.
"Stay away from my wife," he said in a would-be menacing tone, but he ruined the effect by grinning. Sirius bowed down in front of him and Daniel laughed, following his wife inside. Once they got inside, Sirius and Hestia showered first, leaving Lily and James in wait for the bathroom. James walked into Lily's room, and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"Merry Christmas love," he whispered in her ear, before kissing her gently along her jaw.
"Merry Christmas James," she laughed, before turning her head to kiss him.
"I want my present now," James said stubbornly, sitting down on the edge of the bed, closing his eyes, and holding out his hands. Lily rolled her eyes and walked over to her trunk. She pulled out a small box and handed it to James.
"Sorry I didn't wrap it," she said, but James ignored her, pulling the box out of her hand. He opened it and gasped, "I got it when we were at my parents. I hope you like it," she muttered, and James grinned up at her.
"Lils this is amazing," he whispered. Inside, was a sphere of crystal, with a wizarding photo embedded inside it of Lily and James dancing together at Remus's birthday celebration, where they were slow dancing. James watched as he whispered something to Lily, who smiled and nodded. He grinned; it was when he had asked her out, "where did you get this?" he asked, and Lily grinned.
"I have my sources." James stood up, laying the glass down gently, and clasped Lily's face in his hands, resting his forehead on hers.
"You, Lily Evans, are a mystery." Lily grinned up at him, and was about to say something, but her lips were suddenly busy. She wrapped her arms around James neck and pulled herself closer to him. James put one of his hands in her hair, and held her tightly to him. They broke apart and grinned at each other, looking at each other's eyes.
"A good mystery I hope," she said cheekily.
"The best," he whispered, before leaning down to kiss her once more.
Okay. Sorry it took so long to update, but I was suffering writers block. My apologies. I hope you like the story! I was going to wait until Christmas to post this one, but I figured that's way too long to wait. Review (:
Happy Fanficcing! (I think that should be a verb. Just like the way Facebooking should be)