"Wake up, it's time to go." Whispered a voice by Jacob Weasley's right ear.
"5 more minutes mum." He said instinctly.
"I'm not mum. I'm Isbel." The voice belonging to hisolder sistergot louder with a trace of annoyance. "Stop messing around dad says we have to go soon."
Jacob rolled over on his pillow and said in a muffled voice "Leave me alone. I'm serious."
Isabel stood back and raised her wand. "I'll do it, I swear I will."
"You wouldnt dare" he said, raising his head a bit, and then dropping itdown to go back to sleep.
"You asked for it...levi corpus." She said and Jacob's body rose right on cue, and flipped so that it was as if his ankle was being held by an invisible giant.
"Mum! Dad! She did it again!" He screamed.
Footsteps were heard leading up to the room as Isabel undid the spell and Jacob fell to the carpet.
"Oh good." Said Mrs. Weasley. "You're up. Get dressed we're leaving in 5 minutes."
Isabel gave him a so there look as she followed Mrs. Weasley who was hastily moving downstairs.
I cant wait to get back to Hogwarts and away from her. Thought Jacob as he begun to get dressed.
And sure enough, no more than five minutes later, the four Weasleys climbed into a ministry limo. The elegant white stretch limo drove no more than 10 feet before becoming airborne, flying into the clouds. They left behind a handsome mansion atop a rolling green hill. At the front gate was a gleaming sign which said "The Burrow".
The limo landed in a garden of beautifully trimmed hedges and glowing fountains which emmitted angelic music. Jacob shook his head and snorted as he saw, and walked under, a large banner which bore the words "Happy St. Potter Day."
"You know mum." Said Jacob. "It's the same every year. We drink some tea, and listen to some ministry bloke talk about the 'wonderful St. Potter' and tell his story. I've heard it 14 times already. I don't understand why I have to come again and again to these parties."
"Because, idiot, this year is special." Said Isabel.
"Oh you just want to be here because you fancy the Junior Minister."
"I do not fancy him! I am applying to be his assistant."
"Because you fancy him..."
"Stop it you two." said Mrs. Weasley in a stern voice. "Isabel is right this year is special. It's the 50th anniversary of the last battle. And not only that, but you know we must be here because your grandfather was..."
"Was a good friend of Harry Potter's and was also instrumental in the destruction of the dark lord. Yes, mum, I've heard THIS story 38 times. I know because I've wanted to hex myself 37 times during the course of my short short life, and only Potter related things will want to make me want to hex myself."
"Why only 37 times if you've heard it 38 times?" Asked Isabel.
"Because the first time I was 1 and didn't know what a hex was."
"Just take a seat." Said Mr. Weasley.
They took a seat in the half empty chairs surrounding a podium. After two minutes Jacob was already bored.
"When will this thing start?" He asked looking at his watch.
"Half an hour or so." Replied Mrs. Weasley.
"Then why are we here so early?"
"Want to get good seats." Said Mrs. Weasley.
"You'd think that being the kin of Ronald Weasley would get us reserved seating at special events." Said Jacob under his breath.
"I heard that." Said Mrs. Weasley. "You and Isabel can walk around until then if you want. We'll have your seats saved."
"I'll walk around. But not with her."
"You know this year when you're at Hogwarts without me, you'll find you'll miss me." Said Isabel.
"Oh yes I'm sure sister dear." Jacob said sarcastically.
"Isabel...Jacob..." Said an enthusiatic voice behind them. On cue, they both turned around with big fake smiles on their face.
"Minister Longbottom!" Isabel greeted the plump man standing before them. "How do you do?"
"Oh well, yes, very well. Very well indeed. My, my, my. How you have grown, both of you." Neville Longbottom shook both their hands. "Now let's see...Isabel. I heard you are currently seeking to be Logan Flynn's assistant now are you? Oh what a fine young man, and a great Junior Minister. Far beyond his years he is, only 20. Very bright future in store for him, very bright indeed. And for you as well. 7 NEWTs I hear. Graduated top of your class. Congradulations, congradulations indeed. And Jacob, looking more like your grandfather every single day, especially the hair of course. I still find it odd that you're the only one in the Weasley family at the moment with red hair. But all the same. I hear you are exceptionally bright."
"Really now? From who minister?" Jacob said in a pretend humble voice. "I'm sure they were stretching the truth."
"Oh no no no...Professor Tonks would certainly know talent when she sees it. And I hear you are the life of the school, always joking around, and quite the ladies man too eh? And now a prefect! Just like your grandfather, just like your grandfather indeed."
"Oh Minister. You are too kind, too kind indeed." Jacob knew that Neville Longbottom was never able to catch on to his mocking remarks. "I must be going now. Toodle-loo!"
Longbottom chuckled. "Toodle-loo...that boy sure cracks me up."
Jacob left Isabel and Longbottom to their conversation, and walked towards deeper into the garden where he knew he found find his fellow Hogwarts classmates. Every year the teenagers would settle themselves in the garden while the adults socialized, drinking their champagne.
"Jake! We thought that you hadn't come this year." Tristan Riley, Jacob's best friend was the first to sight him.
"Oh well I wouldnt miss potty day for the world would I?" The rest of the group laughed as Jacob said it.
Jacob was now among a group of about 5 other incoming Gryffindor fifth years, his 5 best friends since as long as he can remember, even since before Hogwarts, because their families have been coming to the Ministry's St. Potter Day celebration every year.
Jacob, Tristan Riley, Christian Alexander, and Dieter Thomason are known as the Marauders at Hogwarts. They've been told by Headmaster McGonagall that they're the second generation Marauders at Hogwarts. Their name came from a mysterious map Jacob had found in a trunk in his attic. It proved very useful to the four.
The other two present were Sally Henderson and Francesca Norman.
"Jake you haven't written in weeks." Said Francesca.
"I've been busy darling dear." said Jacob.
"So the rumors are true then?" Said Tristan. "I thought you'd tell your best friend if you snagged the beauty of the fifth year."
Francesca blushed. "Of course you know theres nothing going on Tristan."
"Not yet." Said Christian.
"Even if it does happen." started Dieter. "We all know that no one will replace me and Sally as Hogwart's hottest couple."
"So Sally, you've dumped Dieter for a bloke named Me have you?" Joked Tristan.
"Oh Shut up you. I think Dieter is very handsome." She looked lovingly into his eyes.
And it was true, all 6 of them were all very goodlooking. The marauders were the ones that all the girls swooned over, and Francesca and Sally were no doubt the most popular girls in their year.
"Jake, I noticed something the other week while in Diagon Alley." Said Christian.
"And whats that?"
"Your cousin Belle is a most captivating creature."
"That's the veela talking Christian."
"Part veela or not...she is absolutely..." Suddenly he stopped.
Jacob turned around to see what gave Christian the puzzled look that was now displayed on his face.
Francesca and Dieter had stepped aside to reveal a girl with bright blue eyes and dark brown hair that curled perfectly. She opened her mouth and said very softly "They've asked me to come find you. It's about to start." and turned to walk away.
"Is that it Annette?" Tristan asked. "Not a, 'hello Tristan' or a 'how was your summer'?"
She rolled her eyes and said "Just hurry up, all of you." And walked away.
Once she was out of earshot, Sally said "I wonder how her summer was. Probably dull. After all, she doesnt have any friends."
Francesca gave her a thats not nice look.
"What?" said Sally. "It's not like she wants friends. Always buried in her book. She's probably been made a prefect."
"Most definatly." Said Tristan. "Have fun with her Jake my friend."
"She can't always be so dull." Said Christian, as the group of friends started to walk back towards the seats.
"Who knows anyways, not like she really talks to anyone." Said Tristan. "I mean we've all known her for 4 years now but do we really know whats behind that perfect skin?"
"And glowing cheeks and plump lips?" Said Christian. "And most perfect hair and eyes?"
"What? Who are you talking about?" Jacob was completely lost.
"In case you havent noticed, mate, Annette Kensington is looking good this year." Said Christian.
When Jacob found his family, he sat down as Longbottom started his speech. He scanned the crowd and his eyes settled upon the Kensingtons across from them in the circle. Annette had her eyes fixated upon the podium. Well he thought I'll admit she looks different.