Disclaimer: Please see first chapter.

Chapter 10: Out with a Bang!

Lily

During the last few weeks of school, Lily had rarely been happier. The friends she made this year seemed to form a bond that would last well after Hogwarts, she was doing well on her exams, and the revenge on the boys was divine. The day after the potion was administered, the boys immediately started wearing hoods, staying away from all other people, and keeping their mouths shut for a change. Sirius kept saying something about dragonpox when asked what was wrong, although there were whispers about the strange femininity that seemed to irradiate from the four boys.

"Ya know," came Rei's voice from directly behind Lily, causing her to drop her books in surprise. "AH!" Lily shrieked, "Don't whisper in my ear!" Rei laughed, "Sorry, man. Anyway, as I was saying... I think it's odd that the boys are hiding this so well. Do you think they're duct taping their new breasts down?" Lily looked slightly shocked then burst out laughing, "You know, I think they are!"

"What is duct tape?" asked Minerva. She and Maggie had just walked out of their last exam, Transfiguration.

"I have some in my trunk," sighed Rei. " I'll show you when we get to the Common Room. It's like they teach you nothing about how to get by in the Muggle World."

Minerva shrugged. "That's why I'm taking Muggle Studies next year."

Maggie, Lily and Rei rolled their eyes. "You could just ask one of us," Lily suggested.

"It fit in my schedule! Besides, I can always drop it fourth year if it turns out I don't need it."

At that moment, four hooded figures approached the girls. "You win," whispered Sirius Black. "At least for now."

Maggie and Rei's eyes got wide. "Sirius, what are you talking about?" They asked in unison.

Remus snorted as James said, "Oh, I think you know."

"Boys!" called Professor Slughorn from down the hall. "Meet me in my office unless you want to stay like that all summer!" Immediately the four boys ran toward Slughorn.

Lily giggled. "It was fun while it lasted. At least they'll leave us alone and we have a whole summer free of them!"

"Somehow, I think they're going to find us," Maggie said.

"Don't say that."

"Diagon Alley isn't that small. I kind of agree with Maggie." Rei piped up.

Lily laughed. "Well, I can hope. Oh, I talked to my parents and they said it was all right if you three spent a week at my house this summer! Petunia won't be happy, but Mom and Dad are dying to meet you all."

The other three girls grinned and all said they would come. "Hey, maybe we can do one week at Lily's, one week at mine, and then one at Hogwarts before everyone gets back," suggested Rei, looking thoughtful.

It would be fun to get to know everyone's families, Lily thought. "I'm in, but we should break it up a bit so we aren't gone from home the entire summer."

"Definitely," agreed Minerva. "Or we could even do two weeks per place, but divide it up over several summers, so our parents' heads don't explode."

"I could ask my parents if two weeks is all right. I'm sure they won't mind. That way we can do the first summer at my place."

Maggie smiled. "Sounds good to me." Minerva nodded in agreement. Lily smiled. Hogwarts had really become home. She missed her family, but it seemed she was adding to it with the girls. Having them over for at least some of the summer would make the separation from Hogwarts easier.