The Most Wonderful Gift

November 2006

A/N: Oneshot. Lily/James. Was intended to be a multi-chaptered songfic, but when I tried writing chapter two I just couldn’t get anywhere. And so it sat in a folder on my desktop, gathering virtual dust for five months. Anyway, I just got the idea to – hey! Make it a oneshot, you dork! So, here we are. Enjoy.

Where it starts out is they’re in that middle stage between casually dating and seriously dating.

Thanks for reading, hope you like it.

Disclaimer, Part A: I don’t own Harry Potter. (You’ll see below why there’s a split-disclaimer.)

James Potter walked down the steps, clutching the thin, elongated box inside his left pocket. In the other pocket was a folded, blank, slightly worn piece of parchment (Three or four years of use does that to you if you’re parchment), and tucked safely under his left arm was his famed Invisibility Cloak. An eager smile found its way onto his face as he headed towards the Head common room.

“Mistletoe,” he said to the suit of armor in front of the hidden door. For Christmas the passwords had been changed to something more suitable, more festive, and he wondered for a second why they had to get that password. But all thoughts about mistletoe and passwords left his mind when the suit of armor turned and walked off a little bit, revealing a large hole in the wall. James walked through it, but stopped when he got there.

A beautiful, almost angelic voice met his ears and he was frozen to the spot, mesmerized.

‘...who, laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, while Shepard’s watch are keeping?”

He seemed to awake for a second or two when the singer paused, and he took a step forward. Lily Evans was standing in the center of the Head common room, waving her wand as she decorated the tree in the corner and strung baubles and beads around the fireplace. She had her back to James and had continued singing, once again stopping him in his tracks.

‘This, this is Christ, the King, whom shepards guard and angels sing; haste, haste to bring him laud, the babe, the son of Mary.”

“Lily?” James spoke before she could start singing again; he didn’t need to be distracted anymore. She spun around, eyes wide and cheeks slightly pink with embarrassment.

“James! I...I didn’t hear you come in.”

“But I heard you,” he said slyly. “You have a beautiful voice, Lily.”

She blushed even more. “Thanks.”

They stood there in a slightly awkward silence, looking around the room. James took a deep breath. Now or never.

“Lily, I have a present for you,” he said.

Her eyes widened again. “What? But...it’s two weeks until Christmas, and I haven’t got anything for you...”

He smiled and shook his head. “Letting me give you your present is good enough for me. And tonight’s the perfect night to give yours to you.” He looked at her, his expression a little hopeful. “First, we’ll need coats and gloves.”

“Why?” she asked him, frowning a little in thought.

“Well, Lily,” he said seriously, “we usually like wearing coats and gloves when we go outside. In your closet, I presume?”

“Yes, yes,” she said, a bit impatiently. “But wait! Why are we going outside?”

But he had already turned to her room and put his hand on the doorknob. He looked back at her, grinning mischievously. “You’ll see.” He opened her door, but when she protested he straightened up and then bowed to her. “Nonsense, my dear Lily,” he said. “You shant lift a finger, fair lady! I shall return quickly.”

And with a flourish, he strode confidently into her room. She rolled her eyes and propped her head on her arm. Within a minute or two he had returned, and she frowned curiously at his expression. The faintest tinge of pink was gracing his cheeks. The James Potter, blush? Preposterous. Then she remembered this morning: she had woken up late, and hadn’t had time to clean up. She’d just left all of her dirty clothes on the bed in her rush to get to class on time; including, her face now pink also, again, her under things.

Within seconds he seemed to have gotten over it, and rushed forward to hand her her coat and gloves. Once she was all covered up and braced for the winter weather (and wondering very much where on earth they were going) he reached forward, a soft, pale blue, thick scarf gently intwined through his fingers.

She looked at him, surprised. “How did you know that was my favorite color?”

He shrugged, managing (barely) to keep the smugness out of his voice. “I just know these things.” In truth, of course, Lily’s friend Jessica had told him, but Lily didn’t need to know that.

She took it from him, looking faintly impressed. “Thank you, James. That was sweet.”

He smiled. “No problem.” She noticed that, while she had been busy putting her own coat on, so had he. “Are you ready?”

She looked at him wearily. “I don’t know, James. Where are we going?”

He smiled slightly, as if he had expected that. “Trust me, Lily. Just trust me.”

She looked at him closely, as if a battle was waging deep within her. Then she sighed. “Fine, I trust you.”

He brightened. Then he straightened again and held out his hand, regal tone and form back in place. “Are ye ready, fair lady?”

“Yes I am, good sir,” she said, adopting the same personality. He held out his arm and she slipped hers through it, and they marched out of the Head common room and into the hallway this way.

He led her through the castle, to the great doors. Casting a wary glance around them, he pulled out the worn piece of parchment.

Lily looked at it curiously but didn’t say anything.

He tapped the parchment with the tip of his wand and said quietly, “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.”

Immediately, lines of ink spread from the tip of his wand, forming the lines and structure of Hogwarts Castle and the grounds around it. On top of that, though, was something even more fascinating; tiny little dots, each with their own name label, were moving around along the map. The teachers and Headmaster in the Great Hall, still eating supper; Hagrid, walking around behind his little hut; Sirius Black and Remus Lupin staying suspiciously still near what was supposed to be the entrance to the kitchens...

Lily’s eyes widened when she saw another little dot, standing at the doors; Lily Evans, and the little dot beside her labeled James Potter.

“James,” she breathed. “What is this? This is extraordinary magic!”

He raised his eyebrows as he looked down at her. “Really, now?”

She looked up at him and blushed when her eyes met his. “Yes, well, I mean –”

“I understand, Lily,” he said, with the air of someone more important than the rest. “It is, after all, amazing, just like myself.”

“You prat,” she said good-naturedly, swatting him on the arm. “I thought you lost your big head?”

“Well, Lily,” he said seriously, “I hope that I haven’t ‘lost my head,’ as you put it, as that would make for very boring conversation.” And also hard to snog... but he didn’t say that part out loud.

She laughed. “Where did you find it?”

“I, along with Padfoot, Moony, and Wormtail, wrote it,” he said proudly.

“You made it? No, really, where did you get it? Zonko’s?” she said, incrediously at first, but then with a slight frown, as if to say, ‘Quit trying to pull the wool over my eyes, James Potter.’

He pretended to look hurt and pouted. “Are you saying I’m not good enough to make something like this?”

“I’m not saying that,” she said, almost exasperatedly, and looked up to see his expression. She resisted laughing and reached out, cupping his cheek with her hand. “Fine, you big baby, I believe you made it.”

The pout disappeared instantly and his face brightened again. “Good.” Then, as if noticing her hand for the first time, he reached up and put his hand over hers. “Why, Miss Evans...”

Her face flushed again as she snatched her hand away.

He smiled wistfully and then looked at the map again. “Okay...there’s no one around...safe as it’ll ever be...”

He opened the doors and instantly the brisk, cold air met them in a rush. He led her across the grounds, going by memory; clouds had started to cover the sky and the moonlight was slowly diminishing, leaving very little light to see by.

When they arrived at the entrance to Hogsmeade, he turned and took her hand. If he wasn’t mistaken, she only blushed a little; but, it might have been the cold. At least she hadn’t snatched her hand away this time.

He pulled her along the outskirts of Hogsmeade. By this time, snow had started to fall gently, sticking to their hair and jackets.

When they reached the Hogsmeade boundary, a horse-drawn carriage was waiting for them. Two horses with gleaming white coats pawed the ground restlessly. James walked up to them and petted them gently, giving each a sugar cube. A strange look came upon her face as she watched him interact gently with the animals, and their affections back.

“James?” Lily questioned. “Is this...for...us?”

He smiled at her expression of surprise, hand on the nose of one of the steeds. “Yes, they are, Lily.” He gestured for her to come to him. “Would you like to pet one?”

She nodded a bit shyly, coming up slowly beside him. “Pet his nose, go on,” he said gently. She reached up and placed her hand where his had been, giggling when the horse breathed onto it.

“They’re nice,” she said softly. “And beautiful.”

“I’m sure they agree,” he said, just as quietly, a soft look on his face. “Here, I’ll help you up into the carriage.” She nodded and stepped onto the step, holding onto his hand as she stepped into it. He pushed himself up and sat down beside her, taking up the reins. “Are you ready?”

“Yes...oh, wait,” she said, and leaned forward. A thick, warm blanket had been at their feet, and she picked up and spread it across their laps.

He smiled a little and flicked the reins. The horses started trotting forward, seeming to know where to go without James guiding them.

Trying not to be noticed, Lily scooted a little closer to James. She told herself it was all because of the cold, and not because she wanted to get closer to him. But no matter how much she ran that thought through her head, it couldn’t cover up the truth much longer.

The horses trotted along, and soon the village scenery gave way to the country; soft, rolling hills that she suspected normally would have been green were white from the snow. Small pinpricks of light dotted the horizon sparingly, but as they continued on straight ahead she saw more and more little lights. The still falling snow gave everything an ethereal glow, the small trees and bushes gleaming against the dark sky.

They stayed like this, not speaking, enjoying the quiet peacefulness of the night and each other’s company. Slowly the pinpricks grew larger.

After a few minutes more, she broke the silence. “Where is it that we’re going?”

One hand let go of the reins and he pointed forward, toward the pinpricks in the distance that she now wondered if it was a town. “There’s something there I want to show you,” he said.

She nodded. Minutes later the pinpricks now had shape, as did the buildings and lamps they shone from. When they reached the outskirts of the town, neither was too eager to leave the carriage, despite the lack of conversation. Soon, James sighed and said they’d better get going, and she nodded before taking his hand again. He helped her out of the carriage and through the roads and streets, toward what she was guessing the center of the town.

“This is a Muggle town,” he said quietly, noticing her staring around at the small buildings and gas lamps. “I found it a year ago when Padfoot and I were flying around during Christmas break, exploring.”

“It’s very nice,” she whispered, gazing around and letting it all sink in. It wasn’t as technologically advanced as, say, London, but it was quant, and there was a certain coziness and sense of welcome about it that put Lily at ease.

He nodded in agreement, still leading her forward. Seconds later, she gasped; they had arrived at the center of the town.

A large group of people, most likely the whole town itself, was crowded around one of the largest Christmas trees Lily had ever seen. It shown with thousands of Christmas lights, each twinkling merrily. Hundreds of bright red ribbons had been strung around it, and different sized baubles – ranging from as large as a dinner plate and as small as the tiny golden Snitch – glittered from all over the tree.

But nothing could compare to the gold and white angel on the very top. Her delicate face looked heavenward and her creamy dress flowed over the branches of the tree. Her wings spread out behind her as if she were about to take flight, and she seemed to put off a heavenly glow, set against the deep midnight blue sky.

“Wow,” she breathed. “James, this is beautiful!”

He smiled at her. “I knew you’d like it. But wait, there’s more.”

“More?” she said, a bit louder. “What else could there possibly be?”

He just put his finger to his lips and nodded toward the crowd. Moments after, they began to sing.

“We three kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse afar, field and fountain, moor and mountain following yonder star...”

Lily began mouthing the words and was soon singing along with them. “Oh! Star of wonder, star of light, star of royal beauty bright, west-ward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light...”

James didn’t sing, but he hummed. He didn’t know half the words and didn’t have a voice near as beautiful as Lily’s. After that, they sang “The First Noel,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” and “Hark! The Herald Angles Sing.” By then, it was getting pretty late, and James nudged Lily and nodded backwards, toward the direction of the carriage. She nodded too, and they turned to leave, amid verses of “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”

When they were far enough away to talk without being heard, Lily turned to James as the walked back through the small roads. “They sing for awhile, don’t they?”

He nodded. “It’s a tradition. I think they sing all night. When Sirius and I were there last year, they did the same thing, but there weren’t near as many people there last year as there were this year.”

Lily frowned. “I wonder why?”

James shrugged. “I heard my mum and dad talking about it – that’s why I wanted to go see it in the first place, because they mentioned it – and it sounds like the Muggle government around here wants to tear down at least half of the town and build something like a...heightway? I don’t know. But they still want to tear down at least half of it.”

“A highway?” Lily said.

“Yeah! That was it,” James said. “A highway.”

“That’s horrible!” Lily gasped. “They can’t possibly do that!” She paused. “Can they?”

He shrugged again. “I’m not sure. I suppose so, since it’s the government...”

Lily shook her head. "I grew up in the city," she said. "I was never concerned with the goings-on of the country. I had no idea things like this happened."

He smiled wryly. "That's just how the world is, I guess." She nodded sadly.

They continued walking in silence, her mind contemplating the beautiful little town and James contemplating the beautiful girl next to him. When they finally reached the carriage, she giggled when the horses whinnied in greeting. She turned to him. “Thank you for bringing me here and showing it to me, James. It was wonderful.”

He smiled. “Don’t mention it.” He helped her up into the carriage and got in beside her once again. She spread the blanket over them again, and, feeling lucky, he draped his arm across her shoulders. She looked up at him and smiled a little. He felt as if his heart was about to burst.

He flicked the reins one handedly and they were on their way once again.

The snow was slowly starting to become heavier, and after about ten minutes Lily was thankful James had put his arm around her; she snuggled closer to him, both wanting to get warm and – yes, she admitted it, if only to herself – to get closer to James. He pulled her closer, resisting the urge to smile.

They made it back to the edge of Hogsmeade all too quickly. Reluctantly, Lily let James help her down and she waited for him to finish putting the horses’ reins right. When he walked forward, leaving the carriage behind them, he spoke when he noticed her questioning gaze.

“Their owners arranged to pick them up there. Don’t worry.”

She nodded, slightly relieved. He took her hand again and they walked back up to Hogwarts. He stopped her, though, and pulled her behind a tree, whipping out the Marauder’s Map and saying the words to activate it. “Hmm...looks like we’re okay. Ready to go back inside the Halls of Terror?”

She laughed. “Is that what they are? I was under the impression they were halls of learning.”

He cast her a horrified look. “Only to you, Lily Marie Evans.”

She rolled her eyes but smiled, not bothering to ask how he knew her middle name. Once again he took her hand and they walked quickly and quietly across the grounds, slipping through the giant oak doors.

He looked at the map again and swore under his breath. Unzipping his jacket a little, he reached down the front of it and pulled something out.

At first, Lily thought it was water, but how could he hold it if it was water? And then the realization hit her. “James...is that an Invisibility Cloak?”

“Yeah,” he said, not noting the look of astonishment on her face. “Here, come closer.”

She stepped closer to him and he pulled the cloak over the both of them. “Shh,” he said very softly. She nodded, and they slowly started walking forward.

As they were both seventeen years old, it was hard for them to move quickly and remain hidden. Seconds after they had disappeared under it, Filch came walking around the corner, Mrs. Norris at his heels.

“Where are they, my sweet?” he said gleefully. “Students sneaking in and out of school? Perhaps now the Headmaster will let me take out the old chains... good ol’ days, when we used the chains...”

He walked past them, coming so close they could smell his foul breath. Mrs. Norris looked right at/through them, but they inched by. When they’d finally reached the corner, James took the cloak off and took a breath of fresh air.

“That was close!” he said. “But nothing I’m not used to, of course.” He grinned and winked at her cheekily; she just rolled her eyes. He then straightened, watching her thoughtfully. Then a mischievous look overtook his face and he cleared his throat. “I have an idea, Lily.”

“Really,” she said, a bit suspiciously. That look on the face of someone like James was not a good sign. “And that would be…?”

“A race to the Head common room,” he said simply, as if it were obvious.

Her eyes widened. “In the middle of school? James –”

But she was cut off by him suddenly running off. She sighed, debating within two seconds whether she wanted to risk her reputation and perfectly clean record by running after him; she decided she’d just walk quickly.

She’d gone up one flight of steps when a whisper in her ear made her shiver and jump at the same time.

“C’mon, Lily,” James’ voice said, slightly huskily (whether it was on purpose or from trying to keep quiet, she didn’t know). “Where’s the fun in walking?”

She spun around, trying to see him, but he was wearing the cloak. “James, will you please take the cloak off so I can see you?” she asked the seemingly empty hallway.

She heard a snigger from somewhere to her left and then James appeared, smirking. “Just love to look at me, don’t you?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, only half sarcastically.

“Well?” he said expectantly.

She looked at him blankly. “Well what?”

“Are you going to race me?” he asked.

“I don’t really want to, James,” she said honestly. Before she’d found out she was a witch, when she’d gone to Muggle school, she’d hated running. She always felt self conscious about herself whenever they made the kids run.

“Then I’ll carry you.” He said it as if it was the only other way besides running. Maybe he had forgotten she could walk?

“What?” She hadn’t been expecting this.

“Well?” he said again.

She sighed. Knowing James, he wouldn’t give up until she gave in. So… “Fine.”

He smiled. “Good.” Then he walked over to her and put his arm along her back. Bending down, he put the other arm behind her knees, picking her up bridal style. She put her arm behind his neck, ignoring the smirk that had found itself onto his face. He started to walk.

He held her as if she were as light as a feather; she’d never obsessed about her weight like other girls had but now she started to wonder...was she heavy? Looking at James’ expression, she wasn’t. But maybe he was faking, just to make her feel good?

Before she could reason this out, they were at the suit of armor that blocked the entrance to the Head common room.

“Mistletoe,” they said at the same time, and the suit of armor came to life suddenly and walked off to the side, letting them in.

He set her down gently and they shed their heavy, wet snow covered clothes and threw them onto a chair, before collapsing next to each other on the couch.

They stared into the fire, blissfully unaware of anything but themselves and the warmth that was filling them both – warmth that didn’t come from the fire.

“You know, Lily,” James said after a few minutes, “I’m surprised at you.”

She looked at him, her eyebrows raised. “How so?”

“Well,” he said thoughtfully, “first of all, you snuck out of the school without telling anyone.” He started ticking things off on his fingers. “Then you went off of the school grounds for who knows how long. Then, already late, you snuck back in the castle and snuck around Filch. Then –” her eyes widened. How many of these had he thought up? – “you let me run around the school without yelling at me, and let me carry you up to the portrait hole. What’s the deal?”

She stared into the fire, also thoughtful. Then she shrugged. “You told me to trust you, James,” she said quietly. “That’s what I did.”

His mouth opened slightly. He was shocked at her answer, but didn’t deny that it pleased him. “Wow,” he said softly. “Thank you, Lily.”

She smiled at him contentedly. He took a chance and stretched, putting his arm around her again. She didn’t look up, but just snuggled closer and put her head on his shoulder. Her body seemed to fit into his perfectly; was that his imagination?

“Oh yeah!” he said suddenly, making to stand up. “I got you something, too.”

“What? James, you didn’t have to...I haven’t gotten you anything, don’t –”

He walked across the room to his jacket, not listening to her rambling. He pulled the box out of his pocket and turned around, making sure to keep it out of her sight.

“ – At least wait until Christmas, I’ll feel so bad if you –”

“Lily,” he said, and she stopped instantly. “Remember? I don’t want anything. And of course I didn’t have to; I wanted to. Here.” He handed the box to her.

It was a deep, velvety green, about five inches long and one ½ inches wide. She looked at him, puzzled, before opening it. When she did open it, her expression was priceless; he wished he had a camera.

Her eyes were wide and her mouth was hanging open. “Oh, James,” she breathed. “This is beautiful!”

Inside the box, on top of a soft bit of white fluff, laid a rose gold locket. It gleamed in the firelight, and ingraved on the front was Per Sempre. Opening it with shaking hands, she found a small picture of them together, laughing and smiling. Inside the cover said, Love, James.

She looked up at him, and though it may have been the firelight, there seemed to be tears in her eyes. “J-James, I love this. T-this is the m-most thoughtful gi-gift I’ve ever gotten. T-thank you.” She frowned a little, noting the inscription. “Per s-sempre? What does that mean?”

He smiled softly and sat back down next to her, brushing the hair off of her face. “For always,” he said quietly, almost a whisper. He decided to take the plunge and say it, say what he’d felt for such a long time... “I love you.”

She looked at him for awhile, and he felt as if cold ice were running through him. Why did he have to go and open his big mouth? Why –

“James,” she said. “I love you too.”

Suddenly, he was warm all over. Everything was still around him, and the words were even more beautiful – coming from her, if anyone else had said it it wouldn’t have mattered – than her angelic singing voice. His heart skipped a beat and he suddenly had trouble breathing. “Y-you do?”

She nodded, and a smile slowly broke onto her face. He jumped up and grabbed her hands, pulling her up too. “You love me?” he asked again.

Her smile brightened. “I love you, James.” He laughed and then picked her up, swinging her around in circles while she held onto his neck tightly, laughing also.

When he put her down, they stayed there, gazing into each other’s eyes, James’ arms still around her. Then he leaned forward and his lips met hers. After only a second or two they broke apart.

Her lips were soft and sweet, and he enjoyed this one kiss – though it may have been short – better than any other snogging sessions he’d had before.

“I love you, Lily,” he said softly. “I love you so much.”

Disclaimer, Part B: I found the words (and music) in The United Methodist Hymnal. I don’t own “What Child is This” (Words: William C. Dix; Music: 16th century English poem, page 219), “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (John H. Hopkins, Jr. 1857, page 253), “The First Noel” (Traditional English carol; harmony from Christmas Carols New & Old, 1871, page 245), “Away in a Manger” (Words: Anon, Luke 2:7; Music: James R. Murray, 1887; page 217), “Silent Night” (Joseph Mohr, 1818; sts. 1,2,3, trans by John F. Young; Franz Gruber, 1818; page 239), “Hark! The Herald Angles Sing” (Charles Wesley, 1734; alt. By George Whitefield, 1753, and others; Felix Mendelssohn, 1840;; arrangement by William H. Cummings 1856; page 240), or “O Come, All Ye Faithful” (John F. Wade, ca. 1743; trans. By Fredrick Oakley, 1841; harmony 1792).

Also, Merry Christmas. A month early. I realize I could’ve waited at least until December, but I was anxious to put something else out – also something Lily/James-ish – and this was already done, I just spiced it up a little. But hey, it’s not like everyone else isn’t in the Christmas-mood.

So, please review…and thanks for reading!

P.S. The song originally was going to be “When You Say You Love Me” by Josh Groban. In case you were wondering.