A Long Weekend

Chapter 1 ~ The Letter That Ruined My Life

~Quote~

'Being in the army is like being in the boy scouts, except that the boy scouts have adult supervision.'

~Mood Music~

She Hates Me – Puddle Of Mudd

'I can't believe he's making us do this!' I complained for the 100th time today. 'A week? A whole week?' I asked before continuing, not bothering to wait for answer. 'I mean how much self control does Dumbledore think I have? Because, I'm telling you, if he annoys so much as once, I will kill him!' I raged, pacing angrily across Marlene's bedroom floor.

'Lily, will you just relax?' Marlene sighed. 'I mean, I think you've mentioned your dislike of Potter once or twice before, but could you maybe just contain it before you wear a path in my carpet?' Marlene asked, indicating the spot I been trampling over since I had received the letter from Dumbledore this morning.

Sighing heavily, I dumped myself down onto Marlene's ridiculously oversized bed, and snatching up Dumbledore's letter began to reread it in the foolish hope that the words would change if I willed for it hard enough.

Dear Miss Evans,

I would first like to congratulate you on receiving the coveted Head Girl position; I think you will make a splendid Head Girl.

But onto business. This year I wish you and Mr. Potter, to organise a prefect training weekend for any time over the coming summer. I think it would be a good way for all the new prefects to bond before the start of term.

I trust that Mr. Potter and yourself will be able to make this a very enjoyable experience for all this involved.

Please owl me with details in due course.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your summer, and Good Luck!

Yours Sincerely,

Professor Dumbledore

I scowled at the parchment, blaming the inanimate object for my cruel fate.

I will admit here that it was Marlene who had finally worked out that Dumbledore kept referring to 'Mr. Potter' because the toe-rag had, in fact, made Head Boy. I was shocked at first too, but now I'm just plain angry.

I mean, how in the name of Merlin had he managed that? I have worked my butt off for the past 6 years to get this, and Potter just waltzes in, broomstick in one hand, hair in the other and Boom!, Dumbledore makes him Head Boy. Honestly, I thought the man had more sense! The 'marauders' (as they have rather pathetically named themselves) are just going to use Potter as a Get Out Of Jail Free Card, like another Remus, but with more power. And then, as if to add insult to injury, I've got to give up one of my weekends and spend even more of my time with that idiot. I mean, is a whole year not punishment enough for my unknown crime?

Okay, if I'm being honest with myself, the idea of a prefect training weekend is rather ingenious, and I would be totally for it if it was Remus who had made Head Boy, but alas, I have no such luck.

There's just something about that bloody boy... he just riles me. Merlin, I sound deranged. But it's him that does it to me; even thinking about him is enough to send me crazy.

I came back from my inner ranting when a perfectly aimed pillow landed with a muted thud on my face. 'Lily' Marlene yawned 'I have listened to you ranting about James for the past 3 hours. Can we please talk about something else?' she begged.

I threw the soft looking (but what revealed itself to be unpleasantly hard) pillow off me, and rolled over to prop myself up on my elbows. 'Well, what do you suggest?' I grumbled, rubbing my throbbing nose.

'Food' Marlene grinned, patting her stomach. I sighed and heaved myself up.

'You know, I still can't eat mashed potato after what Potter did with it that time back in 5th year. I mean that boy really is the most revolting thing...' I began angrily.

'Here we go again...' Marlene sighed, leading the way down to the kitchen. I ignored her and continued my complaining. I needed to get in a whole weekend's worth in to make up for when I would have to leave her behind to go spend the weekend with him.

'My ears are burning. I wonder who could be talking about me.' A deep and slightly amused voice said.

My heart skipped a beat before taking off so hard and fast I swear it should have burst straight out of my chest in the embarrassment of being caught bitching red-handed. For some reason I thought he was going to storm off in huff and ignore me for the next few weeks, before I remembered that he was not a girl.

I was acutely aware that my face was burning so much it would have been quicker for me to fry my eggs on my cheeks rather waste time getting the frying pan out, as I looked up into the toe-rags face. Merlin, how I would love to punch that arrogant smirk right off his face.

'Well, you know what that say; I said to cover my insane embarrassment 'speak of the devil... and the devil shall appear.'

'Speak of me often then?' Potter grinned mischievously, 'seeing as I'm usually around.'

'More than you know.' Marlene murmured as she pulled plates out of the cupboard.

From the cocky look on Potters face I knew he had heard her, and I narrowed my eyes at Marlene, before turning back to Potter. 'You wish.'

'Oh believe me, I wish for you to do a lot more than talk about me with those lips of yours.' I could tell by the disturbing grin on his face that his thoughts were far from innocent.

'What the hell are you doing here?' I snapped, now really angry, but unable to do anything too bad to this idiot because this wasn't my house.

'Visiting my beloved aunt.' He said innocently, falling into one of the dining room chairs and spreading himself across it before patting the seat next to him.

Stupid pureblood families, all marrying each other; meaning James is actually related to most of my friends. I ignored his offer and seated myself instead at the breakfast bar which was located in relative safety on the other side of the large kitchen.

'Mums not here' Marlene called over her shoulder as she began slapping ham and lettuce onto some bread. 'As you very well know' she added. 'So why are you here?' she asked, flicking her eyes very obviously towards me.

'Caught me' he chuckled, pulling a piece of parchment from his jeans and throwing it onto the table in front of him. 'Dumbledore's weekend training programme' he explained, nodding toward the letter. 'Thought we better get organising, Evans. Lots to do. It's going to be a fun weekend.' He drawled in what I'm sure he thought was a seductive manner while wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at me. I don't think dry retching was the effect he was going for.

I groaned when I added preparation and planning to the amount of time I'd have to spend with the idiot over the holidays. 'Fine, let's get started.' I sighed, dragging myself away from my safe spot in the corner, and further towards the menace that is Potter.

'Right now?' he asked. 'In front of Marlene? I mean, I know you're best friends and all, and but you don't really do everything together do you? But I mean, if you really want to, I can deal.'

My face reddened as I realised what he was insinuating. 'Oh, shut it Potter!' I snapped. 'We all know I was talking about the planning for the weekend.' I said, smacking him around the back of the head as I walked around his chair. How in Merlin's name does he manage to make me so uncomfortable?'

James grinned at me, shoving his hand into his already tousled black hair.

'Any ideas about what to do for this thing?' I asked in the politest tone I could muster as I slipped onto the chair opposite Potter.

'Actually, yeah.' He said, combing his hair with his fingers. 'No need to look so surprised.' He chuckled. I became aware of my gaping mouth and promptly snapped it shut. 'I was thinking we could do one of those muggle training courses. You know, those men that go around dressed like trees, and shout 'BANG BANG' at each other?

'The army.' I supplied.

'Sure.' Potter said, ruffling his hair again.

'You know, that's not a half bad idea.' I said thoughtfully, and he positively beamed at the praise. Maybe he was smarter than I give him credit for.

Marlene walked over to us then, and placed a huge plate of sandwiches in front of us. I had to look away as Potter picked up sandwich after sandwich, inhaling them one after the other. I could see no sign that he was chewing his food.

I take it back. Maybe Potter is just as smart as I give him credit for.

A/N: What did you think? Let me know, and constructive criticism would be great!

And, it's 5am right now, I've been writing this since one. I really hope you like it, and I apologise for any spelling mistakes!

Love, Anna-Cate xxx