Lily and Remus had become close friends. Over the past three days they had spent time with no one but each other, and soon enough it was Christmas morning. Lily rushed into the lonely boys' dorms and woke Remus up excitedly. "Presents! Presents! Remus, wake up, PRESENTS!!!!!!!" She screamed like a kid on Christmas morning. Remus's eyes flung open and he awoke to find a bouncy and peppy Lily above him. "What are you doing in here?" He asked groggily, getting back under the covers. "Amber and Alex aren't around, so I'm bugging you!!!" She stated excitedly. "Great." Remus mumbled from under his pillow. "Now get up you lazy werewolf and help me open presents!" She shouted bouncing on a nearby bed. "Oh dear god…this is going to be a long day." Remus said, getting up out of bed and picking up a t-shirt. Lily ran off to get her presents and hurried back with eleven large boxes. Remus picked up his small load and brought them over to his bed. Lily unwrapped present after present as Remus slowly unwrapped a few boxes. Lily made a list of every present she got. Her list read:
Hogwarts, A History, Extended Edition – AlexisBrand new Journal (to replace my last) – Amber
An old tennis shoe- Petunia
A box of Honeydukes greatest candy- Sirius
A never-ending quill- Remus
Jumbo Chocolate Frog- Frank Longbottom
A miniature Christmas tree (with working lights!)- Alice Longbottom
A hand-knitted sock- Bobble (the house-elf)
A snow globe of Hogwarts (with snow automatically falling)- Mum and Dad
The Wizarding World's most Curious Charms- Misty (the Ravenclaw)
Lily was quite surprised to get a present from Misty, her best friend in first year. She thought all of her presents were unwrapped when she noticed a small blue box at the end of the bed, forgotten. She quickly opened it and gasped. It was a beautiful ceramic orange lily hung on a gold chain. Lily scanned the inside of her box for a note, but there wasn't one. Just then a handsome dark brown owl zoomed through the room and landed on Remus's bed. "That's James's owl. It's either for me or you." Remus said from the corner of the room. "I'll get it." Lily mumbled, abandoning the necklace for a moment. There were two letters on the owl's leg, one addressed to Remus, and one addressed to Lily. Remus tore his open, reading the tiny scrawl.
Dear Moony,
How are your holidays? Mine are going okay, I guess. I'm thinking about Lily a lot more than usual lately. Probably because it's only me and my parents and no Sirius. Hey did you go home or not? Cause if you did then ask if you can come over for the last week of break. If not, hug Lily a Merry Christmas for me. Well I'm off.
-Prongs
Remus smiled as he wrote back a reply. Lily, however, opened her letter cautiously and slowly. When it was finally out of the envelope, she read:
Dearest Lily,
I hope you've had a very merry Christmas and received my gift. Did you like it? Sirius said that you've been a bit sad lately. I hope it has nothing to do with me. If it does, you don't know how sorry I am. I sincerely hope you get happier and wish you a good day.
With love,
James
She grinned weakly as tears fell down her face. Remus looked over, saw her crying, and came to comfort her. He read the letter over her shoulder and searched the room for his gift. Remus knew immediately which one was James's. He smiled. "I…Remus, I think I love him." Lily said quietly, her smile still there. Remus's smile grew even wider as she said this. "I know."
MeanwhileJames sat in his room, thinking about what his father had said. Just then his owl returned with a letter. It was from Remus. His face fell for a moment before he opened it.
Dear Prongs,
I'm doing alright. I'm not surprised you're thinking about Lily so much, after all, you're usually so preoccupied. I stayed at Hogwarts. Things are actually pretty fun around here. I hugged Lily for you. In fact, she's opening your letter. Nice gift, by the way. How'd you get the money for that? We've become closer friends over the break, Lily and I. I see why you like her so much. She sends her regards. Thanks for the sweets. Bye!
Merry Christmas,
Moony
James couldn't help being a bit jealous over his friend. He was stuck here, lying on his bed, while Remus was playing chess with Lily in the common room. It's not fair. I'm the one who likes her. I'm the one who's always liked her. Okay, a lot jealous. James slapped himself. It's Remus we're talking about here! He's never liked Lily, and never will. He smiled smugly and went to go wander the house.
Lily's mood had become more pleasant since the morning. At the moment she was writing thank-you notes to all of her friends.
Dear Amber and Alexis,
Thank you for the wonderful gifts! I simply adore the new book, Alex, and ever since my old one went missing, I've been looking for a new journal. Hope to see you back soon!
Lily
Dear Mum and Dad,
How did you get a snow globe of Hogwarts? But no matter, it's lovely! It's by my bed right now. I hope you've had a nice Christmas!
Lily
Sirius,
I really did not expect a present, so thank you for the surprise. You got all of my favorites! I'll be sure to enjoy them. Merry Christmas!
Lily
Dear Misty,
Wow we haven't been in touch for a while. Thanks for the book, charms is still my favorite subject! Since you so graciously sent me a present, I'll send one with this letter. Enjoy!
Lily
Dear Frank and Alice,
Thanks you guys! (AN: I'm not sure if Frank and Alice are the same age as James and Lily, so I'll have them already married and out of school) I loved your gifts! I hope you two are living happily! Merry Christmas,
Lily
Bobble,
Wow, thank you so much! I greatly appreciate all of your hard work and hope it continues!
Lily
By now her hand was tired and she went off to get her owl.
"Mate? You there?" James said into his mirror. "Yeah, I'm here. What's up?" Sirius asked. "Well…I keep thinking about Lily. And I'm bored out of my mind." James replied grumpily. "My uncle turns out to be barking mad. The only upside is that he thinks I'm the minister of magic and promised me money." Sirius said. Both of them sighed deeply. "So I'm coming over in a week?" Sirius asked. "Yeah sounds good."
The end of break was near. Remus and Lily rushed to do the homework they had been assigned. "So when you add essence of sugar plumbs and the tail of an anteater you get a lilac colored potion?" Lily asked frantically. "That's right. And the countercurse for nightmares is Quiescoputeus?" Remus asked jotting down something on parchment. "Yes." Lily replied. Just then the portrait hole was opened. Amber and Alexis came through looking pleased. "Lily!" Amber shouted as she ran to hug her. "Hey guys! What are you doing here?" Lily asked curiously. "Well we missed you so we came back a bit early." Alexis said happily. In response to this, Lily squealed loudly. "God Lily, why must you do that so often?" Remus mumbled. "Oh hey Remus!" Alexis said hurriedly. "Hi Remus." Amber muttered before running off to the dorms. "Well since you're here, Alexis, could you help me with my transfiguration?" Lily asked finally, sparing Alexis an awkward silence with Remus. "Yeah okay." Alexis replied happily, bouncing back over to Lily.
Since Sirius had appeared at the Potter Mansion, things were a lot happier. Sirius and James played quidditch several times in the next few days, and when the end of break finally came, they were thoroughly disappointed. When James went in search for his school robes, he found something lying at the bottom of his trunk. He got it out and discovered it to be a notebook with the letters 'L.E' written on the front. He was clueless for a moment until the thought finally struck him. It was Lily's diary. He scowled. This stupid diary was what had brought him this pain. He got up and went in search for a burning fire to put it in.
AN: Pretty long chapter. A lot happened for sure. I hope you liked it enough to be inspired to R&R!! Oh, and big hugs to Hedwig199, IamMEagain, palomapotter, and fanglessphysco. You guys rock!