Inevitable

Chapter Six

The First Day of Holidays

I always have thought of Christmas... as a good time... - Charles Dickens

"It's all set then," Lily said one evening as she joined James and Sirius on the couch. "I just got the owl back now."

"Good," said James absentmindedly. He was focusing on a game of poker with Sirius. There was already a large pile in the middle of the table, everything from Knuts to Dungbombs.

"See your two Knuts, raise you a Fizzing Whizzbee," Sirius said, digging the pocket of his robes.

"Lily, look in my bag and get me out my bag from Honeydukes." James had the perfect poker face; he wasn't revealing at all that all he had was a double.

"No," she said, pretending to consider it. "No, I don't think I will."

"Lily, please get me my bag."

She walked around beside Sirius, where their bags were. After tossing James the bag, she looked over Sirius' shoulder. He had a straight, from seven to jack.

"- raise you an Exploding Snap pack."

"I don't have an Exploding Snap pack."

"It cost six Knuts."

"See your six Knuts, raise you a Sickle."

"See your sickle, raise you... a chocolate frog."

Sirius looked at the large pile in the middle, then back at his hand. "Fold," he said quietly.

James grinned and stuck his cards in the middle of the deck.

"What did you want?" he said to Lily.

"I said it's all set," said Lily exasperatedly. "I'll go to your house the first day of holidays, you'll come to mine the second day."

"Oh, right," James said, as though he'd only just remembered the plan. "Hope you don't mind, but Sirius'll be at my house for the holidays."

"As long as he doesn't mind being abandoned for the second day," Lily replied, more to Sirius than to James.

I do mind. I wanted to have a day where it would be just James and I. We won't get any time alone at my house - Petunia would have her ear at the door.

"What's this?" Sirius said comically. "I'm being abandoned by my best friend and his girlfriend? I'm insulted! It's an outrage!" His voice changed to that of someone who has been greatly wronged, although he grinned. "I guess I'll need really good presents to make up for it, shiny presents."

"Is that all you wanted?" James asked Lily, raising his eyebrows.

"No, as Head Girl I must tell you that gambling isn't allowed. Unless of course you give me a chocolate frog." Lily sat herself beside James and took a frog off the table.

"Nothing else?"

"Am I forgetting something?"

James leaned over and kissed her. Lily ruffled his hair playfully. She had once hated how he made his hair stick up, and now often found herself running her hand through his black hair.

"Bejeezes, get a room!" Peter Pettigrew yelled to them as he came through the portrait hole.

"I'll try not to forget again," Lily whispered, smiling.

"Well, see that you don't. It's a very important ritual that must be upheld." James laughed as he threw a cushion over the back of the couch at Peter.

"So, do you want to raid the kitchen tonight? I have to talk to Kingsley at eight, but after that..." Lily pulled her feet up under her, it was cold, even in the common room.

"Sorry, Peter, Sirius and I have something that we need to do tonight," James said apologetically.

"I like how you pick the night that Remus is away," Lily said angrily. "How do you think he feels? He's off with his mother, who could die any day, and his best friends are off having fun. You almost never leave the castle at night when he's here. It's pathetic." Lily didn't wait for a response, she just stood up and went to join Pat and Lene at a different table.

Everyone knew that Remus Lupin's mother was extremely sick. She had, according to Remus, been bed ridden for the last ten years. The trip to St. Mungo's would kill her, and they didn't know if she would die tomorrow or in another ten years. It was because of this that once a month he was allowed to go home to see her. Lily was outraged at James for picking the night one of his best friends was away to have their guy night.

*

Two weeks later found Lily and James snuggled together in one of the dozens of sleighs speeding their way across the lake. There were two people in each sleigh, along with their luggage and furs and blankets to keep them warm. The runners seemed to hover just millimetres above the snow; they moved so quickly and smoothly. Bells attached to the sides rang merrily as the students sped off towards the Hogwarts' Express waiting for them at Hogsmeade train station.

"I can't wait to get home," James said while pulling the blankets tighter around them. "My room and my stuff..."

"I'm nervous," Lily admitted. "What if they don't like me?"

James laughed, "Not like you? You're you! Lily, they'll love you, everyone does. Besides, they'll have Sirius to compare you to as a houseguest. You should be more worried about me saying something that would offend Muggles but not us. Do you think I'll get to use a tellyphone?"

Lily smiled to herself and leaned against the back of the cushioned seat. It never ceased to amaze her how he found her so perfect, how he was always so gentle and positive with her. As much as it flattered her, it also worried her. She could name every one of his faults, she could probably list them alphabetically if she really thought about it, but he never seemed to find anything negative about her. She vowed that she would figure out how she really felt about James over the holiday.

"Don't worry," Lily said. "I mean, Petunia won't like you, that's guaranteed. She doesn't even like me, she thinks we're all freaks of nature here. But then, I don't like her either. My parents seemed really excited to meet you though. I've actually never introduced them to a boyfriend before, so you're special. And no, you probably won't get to use a telephone."

"I like being special. We're almost at the station." James pointed to the building closing in. "We have to take the train to London, but from there we can Apparate to my house. You know how, right?"

"Yes," Lily said, teeth chattering, "I got my license last summer. I'm really, really cold, aren't you?"

James lifted his arm over her shoulder, hugging her close to him. Lily felt him kiss the side of her head through her hair, and she grinned as she rested her head on his shoulder.

He's so great. I don't know how I got along without him.

When they arrived at the station they all gritted their teeth as they clambered out of their warm sleds. Everyone going home had to move their luggage from the sleds onto an inspection table, where it was checked for Dark Magic, and then onto the train. As they stood in line a Charm was performed so that no one in disguise could get on the train. Security had been heightened as the number of Death Eater attacks grew.

Lily and James were joined in their compartment by Sirius and Pat (who had finally asked him out) and by Remus. Lene and Peter had both opted to stay behind at school over the holidays. Peter for unknown reasons, and Lene, although she wouldn't tell anyone but Lily, because she was sulking.

Marlene, who had always been incredibly independent and had never been in a real relationship, was miserable about Sirius and Pat. She had told Lily the night before, as they waited for Moody to give them more paperwork to fill out. Lily had never suspected before, and assumed Sirius hadn't either. Lene had just figured that things would fall into place, and that with Pat raving about him night and day she didn't want anyone to know about her crush. Lene didn't want to be counted among one of the Sirius Black Fan Club, and although she was upset, felt stupid for even liking him in the first place. Lily felt sorry for her best friend, and now found herself watching Sirius carefully.

He would be better with Lene, she thought, she's far more independent than Pat, and more adventurous. Besides, he might not even like Pat that much, maybe he just didn't want to hurt her feelings. Lene's my best friend in the world and I'm going to try and help her. Somehow.

The train ride had a very Christmassy air to it. They drank cider and eggnog, and ate gingerbread and candy canes from the cart. For the majority of the ride, they discussed their Christmas memories from Hogwarts. Lily was surprised at how many people had 'Lily and James' Christmas stories. How James sent her cupcakes and she dumped the box upside-down in his lap in fourth year was a particular favourite for everyone. Another was in sixth year when he charmed mistletoe to follow her around, hoping to catch her under it. Lily had never realized before how much he liked her, even when she hated him, and how cruel she had been.

Almost feel sorry for him... but he was a conceited little prat. Ah well, I like him now. I like him lots.

*

Fourth year, Christmas Day

As always, Lily and Marlene stayed at Hogwarts for Christmas while Pat went home. The fourth year girls awoke early to find a pile of presents at the end of each of their beds. As was their tradition, Lily moved all her presents to Marlene's bed, and they sat beside each other to unwrap their gifts.

They thought they had opened everything, and were exclaiming over what they had received, and tying various ribbons in their hair, when Lene spotted one more in Lily's pile under the large mound of paper.

"Who's it from?" she asked as Lily pulled out the card.

Checking the inside, Lily's face darkened. "Potter," she said. "It's probably a great dirty bug or snake."

"Open it," Lene said impatiently. "If it's a bug I want to enlarge it and stick it in Jess Oliver's bed."

"If it's a bug we can enlarge it and put it in Potter's bed."

Holding the box as far away from her as possible, as to be far from the animal that would surely jump from it, Lily opened the box. Nothing happened. Taking it as a sigh that nothing was wrong, Lene pulled the box towards her and peered in.

"It's cupcakes, Lily," she said. "Chocolate cupcakes. Let's eat them!"

"No," Lily said quickly, "they'll have some sort of spell on them, you know Potter. As soon as we eat them we'll grow fangs, or become horribly fat, or... something. I don't want anything from James Potter."

Lene looked at her friend reproachfully. "Lily, there's nothing wrong with them. I bet this is a peace offering. We should eat them."

"NO," Lily said firmly, a little louder then she had meant to. Snatching the box, she marched out the door with Marlene scrambling after her.

James Potter was sitting with his friends in front of the fireplace, with a large gathering of older students as well. It had always annoyed Lily how someone as conceited as Potter could be so popular with the students in older years. She marched straight up to him, stopping the rendition of 'The Twelve Days of Christmas,' as people stopped to watch her. Lily had completely forgotten about the festive, shiny bows she had put in her hair.

"What's this," she said sharply to him, thrusting the box under his nose.

He looked into the box, mildly interested. "The cupcakes I sent you," he said matter-of-factly.

She had expected something a little more incriminating than that. His blunt answer threw her off, and before she knew what she was doing she turned the box upside-down, emptying the contents into Potter's lap.

"Glad you like 'em," he called to her back.

As she stormed off, she could hear some of the older students laughing at her.

*

Platform Nine and Three Quarters was very crowded. Lily, James and Sirius stood at one end, people milling around them. James had shown Lily on a map where his house was, she hoped that she would be able to get there easily. They waited until the crowd of witches and wizards had somewhat subsided before gripping their luggage and Disapparating.

When Lily Apparated she found herself in a garden beside an old, but grand looking house. She looked around for James and Sirius, but couldn't see them anywhere. She picked up her suitcase and went up to the front door. The knocker said 'Potter' so she knew she was in the right place. Lilly knocked, stepped back, and waited.

The door flung open and Lily found herself face to face with none other then Sirius.

"Come on in," he said. "James is having a fit, thinks you're lost out there somewhere."

Sirius led her through the house to a room near the back. He stopped her just before she stepped through the door. James was looking out the window.

"Apparate right in front of him," Sirius whispered.

Lily nodded and did so, with a loud POP.

James yelled and jumped back. Once he had regained composure he began to laugh with them, spinning Lily around several times as punishment.

"Come on, I'll show you your room," he said when they had stopped.

Lily was taken on the grand tour of the Potter house. Everything was covered in evergreen and holly. Mistletoe hung in every doorway and scarlet poinsettias were scattered around.

As James told her what every room was, Sirius would often add in his own bits if information. "In 1877 this piano was sent from Papua New Guinea because that's the longest name of a country they could think of and they wanted it to sound impressive in 100 years. These shiny things on top of the piano are very shiny." Completely useless and false, but funny all the same.

Lily absolutely loved her room. The walls were cream coloured, but the furniture was a dark wood. There was a large tapestry on one wall depicting a witch in a garden, among roses. The bed was high, she would need to climb up into it. It was a four-poster with sheer hangings, more for decoration than function. She took off her coat and left her things at the foot of the bed, as they continued the tour.

They were in James' room (unnaturally messy considering that he had been at Hogwarts for the past four months) when two people were heard downstairs.

"James! Sirius! Boys, where are you?"

"It's my parents," James said.

They three of them ran down the stairs and found Mr. and Mrs. Potter in the kitchen. They were standing around a counter, putting away things and sipping hot chocolate when James, Sirius and Lily came in.

"Hi Mum, Dad," James said, "this is my girlfriend, Lily Evans. Lily, these are my parents."

"Hello," Lily said nervously, "it's nice to meet you."

"Lovely to meet you too, Lily," Mrs. Potter said as she gave her son a one-armed hug.

"James has told us so much about you," Mr. Potter said.

He has? I haven't told my parents anything about James... Except that he's my boyfriend and a wizard.

"What about me?" Sirius asked with a look of insult (and a small grin) on his face. "Why don't I get an introduction? Am I not as important as Miss Evans here?"

"No," James joked, "you're not. Besides, everyone knows you already."

*

It was nearly three am, and Lily was sitting up in bed, the covers over her knees. A crumpled letter lay beside her hands, a letter that had just changed her entire outlook on Professor Dumbledore's Order. The letter had been addressed to James, but the owl had come to her instead, it probably couldn't wake him up to open the window. Moody and Dumbledore wanted James to go on a raid over the holidays. A raid with the adults of the Order, those who had faced death a million times and who had all of their training. They wanted James to go on a raid to capture Death Eaters.

There was no doubt in her mind that he would go, but she didn't want him to. A real raid meant real injuries, perhaps even casualties. He could die. Lily couldn't look on the bright side, that this was an honour for James, to be counted among the Aurors and great wizards and witches. All she could picture in her mind was Professor McGonagall coming up to her after holidays, telling her that James had been killed.

She knew that she had to talk to him. She had to give him the letter, but she had to convince him not to go. It couldn't wait till morning, she would never get back to sleep anyway, not until she knew that James would be alive when he came back from this raid.

Hopping out of bed, Lily tiptoed to the door. She peered up and down the hall before edging out and closing the door silently behind her. Clutching the letter, trying not to make any noise, Lily crept down the hall to James' room. She crept past the guestroom Sirius was in, past festoons of evergreen and holly, past a large painting of a sleeping gentleman. She stopped at the door to James' room, wondering whether to knock or just go in.

Deciding that he would be asleep anyway, Lily opened the door and slipped in.