Ooohoohoo, another chapter in like, two minutes! :O
Hope you enjoy and review?
Chapter Ten
The Tricks of the Floo Network
"This party is awfully far away, Lily," Paul Evans sighed, as Flora attempted to read a complicated map in the car, beside him.
"I know, but it's supposed to be excellent! All the important wizarding families are going to be there, you know," she gushed excitedly, "And mum, the map is upside down!"
"Who wants to know about the wizarding families!" Petunia muttered under her breath, and Lily looked at her apologetically.
"Sorry Tuney... but you can meet my new friend tonight!"
"Great!" she groaned sarcastically, and Lily drooped miserably.
"Girls, come on. Can't you get along tonight? You've been excellent over Christmas," Flora begged.
It was true – Petunia had forgiven Lily for their misunderstanding over the summer. They had caught up happily, and gotten along just as they always had. Of course, at a mention of this New Year's party, which would be full of witches and wizards, Petunia had sunk back into an angry mood.
"I think we're almost there now," Paul said cheerfully, "Oh yes, here it is. Wow, it is big,"
They rounded the corner to a large Victorian-style house, much bigger than their average suburban home.
Paul smoothed his hair down nervously, while Flora checked her make-up in a compact mirror.
"Stop worrying mum! Come on, Dad!" Lily urged excitedly.
"Lily!" Rachel yelled, as they walked into the house, "I thought it was you. No-one else is driving here,"
"Hey Rachel," Lily grinned, hugging her friend, "Is the party good?"
"Kind of boring, actually. Hello Mr and Mrs Evans!" she said happily, "Hang on, I'll get my parents," she turned and disappeared for a moment.
"See Tuney, it's just like any other party," she said smugly, while Petunia just scowled.
"Hello, it's nice to meet you," said Mrs Ashford, as Rachel returned with her parents.
"You too," Flora smiled.
"Come on, Lils, let's go into the garden. That's where all the other kids are – we don't wanna hang out with the grown-ups! You too, Petunia," she said excitedly, dragging Lily by the wrist.
*
"Psst. Hey, Sirius. Psst! Oi, Sirius!" hissed James, his head in the fireplace.
Sirius turned around at the sound of his name. He frowned and went to examine the logs, in the fireplace of the drawing room – which luckily for them, was empty.
"Merlin's beard! James, you scared me!" he gasped.
"I told you, I'd come get you," James grinned. "Is it safe to come there?"
"Err, yeah but do it quickly. Cissy's somewhere round here,"
"Alright. Number Twelve, Grimnauld Place," he muttered, and Sirius jumped again as James appeared in front of him, slightly ashy.
"Ready to go?"
"They're going to notice!"
"Come on, we don't have all day!"
"Oh alright," Sirius chuckled, stepping back into the fire.
"You got Floo Powder?"
"Oh yeah, hang on," he reached for a pot on top of the fireplace and grabbed a handful.
"Let's go, then. Primrose Terrace!"
They spun around, enveloped in the green flames, until finally arriving at a similar fireplace in the living room of Rachel's home.
"I hate doing that," Sirius muttered, shaking his head like a wet dog.
"Come on, I think everyone's in the garden," James grinned, glad that Sirius was here.
"Rachel's not going to be pleased to see us," he pointed out, and James merely shrugged
"Oi, you," two tall male figures stepped in front of them, both slightly intimidating. They looked very alike, though one had dark hair, while the other was blonde – perhaps they were brothers.
They gulped.
"You're that Quidditch kid, aren't you?" one of them said. James recognised him as one of the chasers, from the Gryffindor team. He turned to his brother, "I told you about him – excellent flier, and he's only first year – like, Rachel's age. It's brilliant!"
"What's your name, kid?" the younger one said.
"James Potter," he said, grinning nervously.
"Jack Ashford," said the older, dark-haired one, "and this is my brother, Scott,"
"See you around," Scott said, as they left.
"You're a little celebrity, mate," chuckled Sirius, and James blushed.
"Shut up," he gently shoved his friend, as they made their way towards the back garden.
"I thought I told you not to bring him," groaned Rachel, shaking her head.
"As if they listen to anything that anyone tells them," Lily scoffed.
"Us?!" Sirius gasped, "We're just perfect little angels!"
Rachel laughed, and handed them a couple of bottles of Butterbeer. "Now go on, leave us alone,"
"Yeah, yeah," James chuckled, walking off with Sirius. "You see! If you weren't here, I'd be ambushed by those girls!"
Sirius shuddered. "Girls are scary."
"You bet they are," James nodded seriously.
"Remus and Peter should be here too," Sirius said.
"Yeah, I wrote to Remus, but he said he was ill, or something. Or his mother is, anyway - "
"Oh that sucks, being ill on New Year's!"
"- and Peter says he's not allowed. His mother wants him at home, or something,"
"I know! So what's going on at your place then? How long do you reckon you have 'til you have to go?"
"Not sure, exactly," Sirius sighed, "Not long. I'll just say I was in my room. I'm sure they won't care too much, anyway,"
"Too right," James said cheerfully, and Sirius laughed.
*
The time rolled by, slowly but surely, and soon enough, they were gathered around in a circle in the garden, counting down by Jack Ashford's watch –
"Ten," they all yelled simultaneously, "Nine – Eight – Seven – "
James grinned over at Sirius, who was shrieking like a maniac, beaming across his handsome face.
"- Six – Five – Four – "
Rachel threw her arm around Lily – they both jumped in the air at every count.
"- Three – Two – One – "
"Happy New Year!" a chorus of voices yelled, as Rachel's father set fireworks into the sky, from his wand.
"Happy New Year, Jamesie,"
"You too, Sirius!"
"Happy New Year, Rach!"
"Back atcha, Lils,"
Awww, Jack and Scott :)
Although it's so odd, cos actually Jack is the blonde one, and Scott has darker hair, but I wanted to do it like this :/
Anywho, hope you enjoyed,
I'll update at like 80 reviews,
I've given you two chapters, so gimme more, ya? Haha ;)
Love,
Ash x