The lone ride
Chapter one
James Potter and Sirius Black sat in the Potter's kitchen watching the rain smashing into the window that looked out over the Potters huge garden.
James sighed. ''It just can't go on all day, there isn't enough rain.''
Sirius who had been flicking absent mindedly through quidich magazines laughed, his usual bark like laugh. ''If Moony was here he'd explain how rain worked, but I have a feeling it doesn't run out.''
''I know that.'' James said rolling his eyes. ''I was just saying that when it clears we can go and play quidditch.''
''Well actually that's not what you said, but yeh.'' Sirius added quickly as to prevent James arguing. ''If it clears up we can go out.''
''You two aren't still sitting around moping are you?'' Dora Potter; James mum had entered the room. ''Its raining it's not the end of the world.''
James rolled his eyes at his mother and Sirius laughed. ''What James means by that lovely gesture is that its slightly hard to see in the rain to play, and we've read all the quidich magazines, so we cant find any thing to do.'' he finished this statement with a grin knowing, without looking that James had just rolled his eyes again.
''Well.'' Dora said smiling. ''I'm sure you can find something to do seeing as the world doesn't evolve around quidditch. And if there really is nothing then you can help me make tea, Sally and Alice are coming round later.''
The two boys grinned; Alice was in their year at Hogwarts and in the same house. Her mother, Sally had known Dora since their school days so James had grown up knowing Alice. But despite all this they did not always get on. This was because since their 3rd year James had been infatuated with a certain Lily Evans, who also happened to be Alice's best friend, and who despite most of the female population at Hogwarts did not find James the slightest bit attractive, and took the opportunity to tell James this every time he asked her out, which happened quite regularly.
They were now almost in their 7th year at Hogwarts and to James absolute delight, towards the end of their 6th year Lily had agreed to be his friend but as she had stated quite clearly, nothing more. By friends she had meant that they would use first names and she would not insult James as long as James did not ask her out, which he had agreed to but Sirius had a sneaking suspicion that James may have crossed his fingers as he made this promise.
''What time are they coming round?'' James asked.
''Oh around 7ish.'' Dora said smiling.
Sirius checked his watch. ''That gives us 1 and a half hours and it doesn't look like this rains going to clear up any time soon.'' He said looking out the window again.
''Alright then we'll help if you want mum.'' James said closing the quidich magazine in front of him.
Dora smiled at the two boys. ''Well then Sirius if you chop those carrots and James you can peel the potatoes.''
The two boys set to work, pulling out their wands and waving them at the vegetables. They had turned 17 during their 6th year and relished at being able to use magic outside school.
By 6 thirty they had finished preparing the food and James dad; David had arrived home from work. He was an auror at the Ministry of Magic.
''I'm surprised you two aren't out there playing quidditch.'' He said to the two boys smiling.
''Dad.'' James said. ''Have you noticed the storm out there?''
David laughed at James. ''Since when have you two cared about the weather.''
James muttered something under his breath making Sirius laugh again. David raised his eyebrows at the boys and went over to his wife, kissing her cheek and asking when Alice and Sally were arriving. James and Sirius moved over to the kitchen door that lead out in to the garden.
''And where are you two going?'' Dora said raising her eyebrows.
''Oh we were just going to see if the rain had stopped.'' Sirius said in a very unconvincing tone of innocence.
''Yep.'' James said backing up Sirius's story with an equally unconvincing nod.
''Well there's a perfectly good window there and I can quite clearly see that is has not stopped, so you can forget any ideas you've got about going out to play quidditch now.'' Dora finished.
''But…'' The boys said together.
''No buts its two late now and I've just cleaned this floor, I don't want you two getting muddy footprints all over it.''
The boys murmured something incoherent and instead of leaving through the kitchen door they moved over to where the living room was, which incidentally had a door that also led into the garden.
''No'' said Dora sternly ''You can't play quidditch today.''
''But …'' the boys said together once again.
''It's too late.'' Dora said firmly and David laughed and left to answer the door which someone, he was assuming Sally and Alice, had just knocked on.
As Sally, David and Alice entered the kitchen they were greeted by the sound of James, Sirius and Dora having a debate on how important quidich was. Dora waved her hand at James and Sirius indicating that she was giving up and turned to greet their guests.
After they had all moved in to the dining room they sat down to wait for the food to finish cooking, the three grown-ups started exchanging news while Alice asked to James and Sirius ''so what have you two been up to then''.
''Oh you know.'' Sirius said mildly. ''This and that.''
''So quidditch then.'' Alice said laughing.
''Yeah that about covers it.'' James said grinning.
''Don't you y'no do anything else apart from quidditch'' Alice said
''Well Moony and Wormtail are both on holiday so we really didn't have a choice.'' Sirius pointed out as if this should have been obvious.
''Moony and wormtail?'' Alice asked confused.
''Remus and Peter.'' James clarified smiling at the thought of his other two best friends.
''Oh yeah I forgot about your stupid nicknames.'' Alice said earning a scowl from both Sirius and James. ''What?'' she said. ''They are stupid no one knows what they mean.''
''No ones meant to know what they mean.'' Sirius said indignantly.
''Well then what's the point?'' Alice asked.
''We know.'' James answered simply. ''Who else needs to.''
Alice was silent for a moment and then asked. ''What do they mean, I mean Moony, Wormtail and what are yours, oh yeah Patfoot and Prongs they don't really make sense, or represent your personalities and there meant to aren't they?''
''Who says they don't?'' Sirius said not answering the question and exchanging a grin with James.
As Alice was about to reply questioningly Dora brought in the food. It was a big roast dinner and it smelt delicious, James and Sirius smiled at the smell and Alice laughed at them but smiled in spite of herself.
As Sirius poured drinks for everyone and James helped Dora put the food out on the table Alice thought about how much they had both changed since first year when they had both been 'arrogant little pricks' as Lily had once called them. Alice smiled at this thought and made a mental note to tell Lily when she came over for the last week of the holiday.
When Dora, James and Sirius had sat down everyone began to serve them and conversation broke out again. Alice turned to James and Sirius but before she could start talking about their nick names Sirius said ''so Alice, what tips have you got for James about getting our lovely Lily then''
Alice raised her eyebrows at Sirius. ''Do you really think I'm going to tell you anything about Lily Sirius.''
Sirius who was to busy eating to talk did his best puppy dog eyes to Alice who raised her eyebrows but laughed all the same. ''You know they are actually quite sweet, well they look like puppies eyes anyway.'' She said smiling.
Sirius grinned. ''Well I do my best. But Alice aren't you going to help James even a little bit.''
James who hadn't said anything through this looked slightly hopeful as Alice hesitated before answering. ''No James, I'm sorry, but Lily, she's my best friend, and I don't want to annoy her, or upset her.''
James nodded. ''Don't worry about it Alice, I'm sure I can find out all I need to know.'' He said this in a way that made Alice uneasy, she had no doubt that James probably could find out all he needed to know, that was the problem.
''James you know you've just got her to be your friend, don't ask her out as soon as you see her or you'll loose her.'' Alice said uneasily.
James nodded in a cocky way which made Alice roll her eyes and Sirius said smugly. ''You better watch out Alice its beginning to sound like you care.''
The three friends carried on eating listening to the adults talk about work and the ministry, which was they thought rather boring. Really they were hoping to hear news about Voldermort and his followers but so far the adult's conversation hadn't proven interesting.
Once they had all finished eating and the conversation had dulled slightly because they were all so full, David lent back in his chair and said to the three teenagers causally. ''So, any of you three in a relationship.''
''DAD.'' James said loudly. ''What kind of questions that.''
''Calm down, I was only asking.'' David said as Sirius laughed. ''I take it that means your not.''
''He's not.'' Sirius said in clarification to David's words, everyone apart from James laughed at this and Sirius added. ''Although not from lack of trying.''
James who looked outraged at his best friend smacked Sirius around the head in a friendly way and said. ''I am still here you know.''
Alice was nearly in tears from laughing so much said. ''Don't worry James, we don't mind that you can't get anyone.''
''OI.'' James said to everyone as they were laughing ever harder now. ''I can get anyone just not…'' He stopped talking at this point as everyone was looking at him. James blushed slightly and muttered something incoherent.
''Go on then.'' his mother said smiling. ''Who's this girl you can't get.''
James blushed some more and ran his fingers through his hair. ''Its not that I can't get her.''
''Yes it is.'' Alice and Sirius said together.
James looked at them in annoyance. ''No I will get her I just haven't yet.''
''James.'' Alice said. ''You've been trying since third year and it hasn't happened yet.''
''That doesn't mean it still wont.'' Sirius pointed out fairly.
''We're still in the dark here.'' David pointed out.
''Yep that's the idea.'' James said so only Sirius could hear him.
Sirius laughing said loudly. ''Lily Evans''
James smacked him around the head again and Alice burst out laughing at the looks on both their faces.
''Lily Evans.'' Sally said smiling. ''The same Lily Evans who's coming to stay with us next week?''
''The very same.'' Alice said grinning.
''So what's she like.'' Dora asked Alice.
''Well she's my best friend and she's got long dark red wavy hair and bright green eyes. She's lovely, kind, helpful, oh and she's now head girl.''
''She's what.'' James and Sirius said together, James looked startled while Sirius looked ecstatic. This was because earlier in the year, when they had received the letters enclosing their lists for Hogwarts James had received a surprise. He had been made head boy to the amazement of everyone.
''Head girl, didn't I tell you.'' Alice said looking surprised
''No you didn't.'' Sirius said grinning. ''James why don't you tell Alice your news.'' James who was now banging his had on the table made an incoherent moaning noise. ''James here has been made head boy.'' Sirius said laughing.
''Merlin, you haven't have you, who in their right mind would ever make you head boy, you have to be the leased responsible person in the world.'' Alice looked stunned
''Hey I resent that.'' James said still looking stunned
''Yeh so do I.'' Sirius said ''Don't I get a look in.''
''This is serious Sirius.'' James said
''No its not I am.''
''Shut-up Sirius.'' James and Alice said together. Alice grinned. ''You are so dead James.''
''I am not, were friends now remember.''
''Still dead shes going to hate you even more now.'' Sirius said grinning.
''Hey, no one said that she doesn't like me.'' James said annoyed. ''We just don't always see eye-to-eye, were friends now. Anyway what about those two don't they get a turn at being in the spotlight.'' Alice who suddenly seemed a lot less happy about the situation scowled at James. ''Well why doesn't Sirius have a turn then.''
Sirius laughed. ''Go ahead I've got nothing to hide, but I'd be careful Alice you beginning to sound like your hiding something, or someone.'' he winked and gave her a smug look.
James laughed and said sarcastically ''Ahh don't you worry Alice you'll have your turn, but first.'' he said turning to Sirius. ''For the boy who's been with nearly every girl in the school.''
Sirius looked outraged ''I have not, I've never been out with someone from slitherin, under 4th year, unless I was in forth year then I might have been out with a third year but that doesn't count, anyway, yeah no slitherins or any one who I don't like, I haven't even been out with that many besides they ask me all I do is say yes.''
''And dump them.'' James said sneakily.
''Is their fault, they just don't have the stamina.'' Sirius said laughing along with James.
''The stamina to do what.'' Dora asked raising her eyebrows at Sirius.
James laughed again. ''He means they're no fun, they don't have any ideas for pranks.'' He clarified.
''Yeah'' Sirius said. ''That basically covers it there just aren't any fun girl at Hogwarts.''
''Hey.'' Alice said. ''There're no fun girls willing to go out with either of you two there are plenty of fun girls.''
''Well Alice.'' Sirius said grinning evilly. ''We haven't got round to you yet, have you told anyone about-''
Alice stopped him there by smacking him round the head in a not very friendly way, she blushed when she realised everyone was watching her.
Sirius who was rubbing the back of his head said. ''Three times, that's just not fair.''
James grinned. ''To be fair you did deserve that.''
''Oi.'' Sirius retorted. ''Whos side are you on.''
Before James could reply Sally said. ''We want to hear more about this mystery boy Alice is keeping hushed up.''
Alice wacked Sirius again. ''Look what you've done now.'' She scowled and looked up at the adults who were watching her expectantly. ''He-'' she began hesitantly but was interrupted by James who, apparently tired of waiting said. ''His names Frank.''
''JAMES.'' Alice said furiously hitting his head against Sirius's who said. ''Hey, I haven't done anything.''
''That was for next time.'' Alice said scowling and then turning to the adults again.
''So who's Frank then.'' Dora said smiling at Alice.
''I know a Frank.'' David said vaguely.
''Dad we don't want to know everyone you know.'' James said rolling his eyes at his farther
But Sirius's eyes had light up. ''Does he work at the ministry by any chance?''
''Well he's training to be an auror, hes a nice guy, I met them all the other day, why?'' David said.
James's face morphed into the same expression as Sirius's; one of an evil grin and Alice consequently banged her head on the table. ''Hear that Alice.'' James said. ''A nice guy.''
''Shut-up James.'' Alice said but she couldn't suppress the small smile that fought its way on to her face.
David who still looked slightly confused said. ''So this Frank is he the same Frank as the one I know.''
''The very same.'' James said repeating Alice's words from earlier.
Sally and Dora turned to David now rather than James and Sirius, who were they had decided rather selective on the information they gave. ''So.'' Sally said. ''What's he like?''
''Well.'' David said ''He's top of his class, and always willing to help, like I said he's a nice guy.''
Alice who was now unable to prevent herself beaming and was also the colour of a tomato turned to her mother and said quietly. ''You can meet him if you like.''
''Well Alice what ever made you think I'd like to meet my only daughters boyfriend who is how old may I ask.'' Sally said smiling
''18.'' Sirius supplied
Alice who was smiling turned to James and Sirius and said quietly. ''When we get back to school you two are so dead.''
A/N
Hey guys,
This is my first thing so be nice and review plese?
Love you for reading :)