As mid-December approached the environment became very festive Christmasy. Snow-covered grounds and castle, the whole castle was decorated for Christmas. A happy environment was found all over the castles.

The Marauders have just enjoyed the last full moon by sneaking to Hogsmeade.

All Marauders, Lily, Mary and Marl were going to their home in a week.

James was waiting for the Christmas holidays to meet his parents and uncle Ben, he has promised to visit him during the holidays.

Lily was also looking forward to meeting her parents but was sad that she had to face Tuney.

Lily loved Tuney but since she came to Hogwarts their relationship has gone downhill before that Lily and Tuney were inseparable, they used to play together, used to dance, and used to go fishing with their father, they used to play with their dolls together, Tuney had once kicked a girl who had made fun of Lily's hair, they used to go to Aunt Charlotte's house in their neighbor and used to help her while she used to tell stories and poems to the two girls. Once while playing Lily had accidentally broken a new plate and Tuney has taken the blame on herself so that Lily wouldn't get scolded.

But now things have changed they hardly talk with each other, Lily misses her sister but couldn't do anything. When they first reached Hogwarts, Snape had tried to console her by calling Petunia foul names and trying to make her believe that Lily didn't need Petunia. Lily knew that Snape hated her from the first day they met, he had always told Petunia that she was not gifted and unworthy. But Lily had always loved Tuney and could sometimes feel as though Tuney also loved her and was hiding it but Lily was always contradicted by Snape.

"She is Jealous of us Lily because she is just an ordinary muggle and could never be special like us." snape used to tell her.

"I think I should speak with her, I think she will understand me, Tuney loves me. "

" Lily don't you see she is jealous of you and hates you because she could never go to Hogwarts? And Lily I don't understand why you want to make up with her, she is not special like us, you don't need her, she can never be like you, she is just an ordinary girl now," said Snape.

As Lily packed gifts for Tuney in her trunk, tears fell from her eyes at thought of Tuney.

Marlene, who was sitting on her bed noticed Lily crying and rushed to her.

"What happened Lily? Are you okay ?" asked Marl with a concerned voice.

" Nothing .. it's just about Petunia ." sobbed Lily.

"You can tell me, Lily, it will help you and maybe I could help you. " Marlene said rubbing Lily's back.

Lily told Marlene everything about Petunia, about how their relationship has gone downhill, she told about how Snape reacted, everything.

When Lily finished, there was silence for a few minutes before Marlene spoke.

"I think she wasn't able to handle the thought of being separated from you very well. "

" What do you mean ?" asked Lily confused.

"OH ! Lils I think she felt very sad at thought of leaving you and took the support of hatred and anger to bury her sorrows," Marlene said. Marl was best at dealing with people's emotions. They were quiet for some time.

" Also Lily it seems Snape himself doesn't want you to get back with Petunia. "

" Why would he do that, he is a good person."

" Lily you have a golden heart, you try to see the good side of most people, but my point is that you ignore another side, you have to open your eyes, Lily, there are other sides as well in a person. You know the world is not black and white and so are people, they have all good and dark sides, but what matters is what choice they make between the two."

Lily didn't know what to say, was Marlene right? Lily always tries to see good people but was this right? Thinking about all this Lily fell asleep.

The Christmas feast was organized for people who were going back to their homes the night before.

Everyone enjoyed, laughed, talked, and ate, Lily forgot about Tuney and Marlene's words and enjoyed herself with the rest.

The Marauders yet again pulled off a prank, turning every goblet into tiny elves who ran around the hall singing Christmas Carols and throwing food on Slytherins. Somehow, Snape was covered with shampoo instead of food like his other housemates.

After twenty minutes the havoc was brought under control as the elves transformed into goblets again, but not before shouting " MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE FROM THE MARAUDERS ."

After the feast, Dumbledore wished everyone and then made a surprise announcement.

" Next Year when you will all return, Hogwarts will be holding the 'UNDERAGE DUEL CHAMPIONSHIP' which will be open for 4th to 6th years. It will be a two vs two contest and the best student pair will be selected to represent Hogwarts. Five schools will be participating: Hogwarts, Durmstrang, Beauxbatons, Uagadou, and Shamrock Institute. The participants from other institutes will arrive on 5th February, the Championship will be a week long, with the final duel on 13th February. The winning pair will receive 500 galleons and it will make it easy to apply for Auror and other jobs. The selection of pair for Hogwarts will be made in January by Professor Flitwick, who himself has won the Championship twice... And yes there will be a ball after the Championship is over that is on 14th February"

More excitement erupted in the great hall.

26th December 1975

James was enjoying his holidays with his parents and Uncle Ben, listening to stories about their childhood when the doorbell rang. James ran to open the door happily but when he opened the door the sight made wiped off the smile from his face. Standing in front of him was Sirius, he looked ill, he had cuts and bruises all over his visible body.

"Hey, Prongs," said Sirius trying to smile but failing.

" Sirius, what happened, you are not looking, come inside," said James his voice full of concern. Sirius sat on the chair.

Soon his parents and uncle Ben arrived.

Mrs. Potter instantly began healing his wounds, while James brought Food and water.

"What happened Sirius," asked James.

" I got in a fight with my mother about my loyalty, I refused to support Voldemort, this lead to several other incidents she called me 'traitor and a shame to the family' and then they started hitting me, So I ran from there, they have disowned me, and I didn't know where to go, so I came here," said Sirius his eyes full of tears.

" Sirius, this is your home, you are always welcome here, you are like a child to me just like James, you will now stay here, " said Mrs. Potter.

"Thanks, Mrs. Potter "

" How many times have I g=have to tell you not to call me ' Mrs potter' "

"Sorry Euphemia," said Sirius.

James and Sirius were sitting in James' room.

"Thanks for accepting me, prongs," said Sirius.

" Are you kidding, you are my brother, no need for thanks," said James.

Sirius smiled, then got lost in thought of his little brother.

" I feel bad for Regulus, sometimes it seems like he doesn't want to do all that dirty things but is forced to do so by our mother, I wish I could stop him from joining Voldemort," said Sirius

"Don't worry about it, we can't control other people's choices. We can just guide them," said James.

After sitting in silence for some time, James jumped on his foot.

"Come let's play Quidditch in the garden," he said and both of them happily marched to the garden making fun of each other.

Lily was happy for the most part of Christmas, enjoying herself with her parents and Petunia seemed to be being nice to her too.

She met Severus only one day in the park and it ended pretty badly.

" Merry Christmas, Sev," Lily said to Snape while happily looking at the kids making snowmen.

" Merry Christmas " muttered Severus lost in his thought looking in his front.

" Is anything wrong ? " asked Lily

" I just wanted peace but everywhere there are noises ."

"It's Christmas people celebrate and enjoy, you should also celebrate "

" I don't like this, it seems foolish "

Lily didn't argue, so she tried to change the topic. " How are your O. preparation going on? Marlene and Mary are coming here tomorrow so that we could help each other . ... You want to join ?"

" Why do you spend so much time with them? We are supposed to be best friends but you spent all the time with them ." Snape said irritatedly.

" We are friends, but they are also mine friends, they are very nice and helpful and we share a dorm so we spent time together ." Lily snapped back.

"What do you even see in them, they all gossip and do unworthy talks, and Mckinnon's parents are blood traitors, they are not the right company for you. You should not spend so much time with them. "Snape said the last sentence more as a command than a suggestion.

Lily's fist was clenched, anger rising. How can he speak like that as though he owns her?

" They are my friends and maybe I like 'gossip and unworthy talks ' and it's my choice to be friends with Marlene or not, her parents are very kind persons I have ever met ."

" But they are not good for you, I would suggest you stay away from them and other such people ." Snape's voice now rising.

" I don't need your suggestion, I can decide on my own, and at least they are better than MULCIBER AND AVERY, and also if I follow your suggestions I would end up having no friends ."

" I didn't mean - " Snape tried to speak but was cut off by Lily.

"It's getting late, I am going home, bye Severus," Lily said angrily and left, although it was 4 in the evening.

Petunia who was enjoying Hot chocolate roaming in the park and seeing kids failing to make the snowman was reminded of a time when she and Lily used to make snowmen together with their father. She heard familiar voices which were angry and loud. She recognized Lily and that greasy hair boy talking. She saw as Lily left angrily.

Petunia took a deep breath and put aside her hatred ( was it hatred? No. It was jealousy. ) and followed Lily who sat on the stairs in front of the entrance to their houses and sat beside her.

" I don't want to fight with you Tuney for whatever reason you want to fight, I am in bad mood, so please excuse me," said Lily not looking at her sister.

" I know, I am not here to fight, here drink this you will feel good "

Lily taken aback by her sister's action took the Hot chocolate and started drinking it.

" I heard your conversation with that boy "

" I don't know why he hates my friends, he doesn't approve of my any friends and he complains about them whenever he gets the chance when his own friends are one of the worst people in the entire school. "

" I don't know about your other friends, but I know Mary and Marlene from their summer visit enough to say that they are good people "

" Thanks, Tony, I just get tired of making sure that Severus gets involved and in making our friendship continue to work, I always have to make excuses for his behavior. But lately, he has changed even more, he isn't that 9-year kid anymore."

" I will just say Lily that not all friendships are meant for always, people grow and change and so does their friends change. You also grow up Lily, Friendship is where you enjoy your time with friends and have fun and no worry, friends don't give you worries. "

" I am afraid Tuney if I leave him, he might make wrong choices and go to the dark side, that's why try hard on our friendship so I can prevent him from going to the dark side. "

" Is it about the war?"

" How do you know about it ?" Lily asked, clearly shocked, she hadn't told anyone at home about it.

" Daily Prophet in your room. But that's not the point, Look Lily we can not control other people's choices, we only control our choices, but we can help them to make the right choices, so I would suggest you talk about it to him and don't take the blame on yourself if he makes the wrong choices ."

Lily nodded.

" Now come, do you want to make a snowman like old times ?" asked Petunia standing and offering Lily a hand.

" I would love to," said Lily happily.

Both the girls began making snowmen in the front yard and soon their father joined them, they all continued enjoying themselves until their mother called for dinner.

They had dinner together Aunt Charlotte had joined them as always, Lily loved being with her as she always told them fascinating stories of war in which she was a nurse for the military, how she traveled to India, and how the people and culture of there differ from here.

As the Christmas holidays came to an end Petunia again started behaving badly with Lily, but Lily didn't mind as she spent most of her time at Aunt Charlotte's home. listening to her stories and helping her.

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