We all spent the afternoon outside together, a little tense because we couldn't talk freely with Megann there. Each topic had to be carefully chosen or avoided. We talked about boarding school and one of Megann's old boyfriends. The boys stayed quiet for the most part. Things definitely relaxed when Megann had to go home for dinner.

"She was-friendly." Remus said.

"Especially to you, Padfoot." Sirius didn't answer. We all sat in silence until it got dark out, and then we went inside. The boys went into James and Sirius room, and us girls went into my room. About ten minutes passed, and Lily said she had to go to the bathroom and quickly left the room.

~*James POV*~

"So, Padfoot, what do you think of Megann?" I asked once me and my 3 best friends were in our room.

"What about her? She's nice-I guess, but she's just another girl who wants to get in my pants." I laughed in agreement.

"I've gotta pee," I lied, and left the room. Lily was waiting expectantly in the hall. She was so hot when she was impatient.

"Well?"

"He says she's nice, he guesses, but she's just another girl who's trying to get in his pants."

"So he doesn't like her?"

"Nope."

"Good. Thanks, James."

"You're welcome, Lily." She smiled at me and turned back to her room. I was happy with the way things were going lately with Lily. Kara gave good advice. I grinned to myself as I walked back to my room. The love of my life just might be warming up to me.

~*Kara's POV*~

The first few days of vacation flew by. I showed my friends around Southbury, which was an old fashioned town, complete with a Main Street and a town square and everything. Downtown was within walking distance of my house, so when we got bored we all went down there to window shop or grab an ice cream at Smith and Sons Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor.

It was our first Monday in Connecticut when I was shaken awake by something.

"Come on, Kara. Wake up!" I smiled when I heard the voice.

"Hey, Sam!" I gave him a hug. Sam, another Muggle, was my best guy friend in Southbury. He put a finger to his lips and motioned towards the doorway. Nat and Lily were still asleep, as was the rest of the house. I pulled on shorts and a t-shirt and joined Sam in the hallway. Neither of us spoke until we got outside.

"Where have you been the last few days, Mr. Garcia?" I asked him.

"On vacation, my dear."

"That's what they all say." we both grinned and Sam grabbed a basketball from my garage.

"Loser has to do any dare the winner comes up with?"

"Agreed." We shook hands and wordlessly began our one-on-one game, a tradition for us. It was an hour later and we were both sweating heavily.

"Next point wins." I panted. He nodded in agreement, as eager as I was to break the 30-30 tie. I took the ball out and was about to shoot when Sam pushed into me.

"Foul!" I yelled. He rolled his eyes.

"Was not."

"Was too! You pushed me!" The argument continued for several minutes, until Sam gave in.

"Fine." I took my first foul shot and made it in.

"I win!"

"I noticed."

"Oh, come on, don't be a sore loser, Sammy!" he followed me into my house, where the kitchen was now occupied by 6 British teens and my father.

"Morning everybody!"

"Hi, Kare, Sam." My father greeted.

"Sam these are my friends from school: Nat, Remus, Lily, Peter, James, and Sirius."

"Hi Sam!" Lily greeted brightly. The others said the same.

"Hey," Sam said in reply. I pushed him down in to a chair. "About that bet-" he began.

"I'll let you know when I think of something." I interrupted.

"Ok." we ate in silence for awhile.

"I've got an idea."

"You don't get to help me!" Sam looked dejected.

"Alright. Well, I've got to go to work."

"Work? You?"

"Yes! I'm saving up for a car. You know, something to drive around all those chicks that flock to me." Everyone laughed, but not as hard as Sam and I. I walked him to the door.

"What was the dare idea?"

"That you make me kiss that good looking friend of yours."

"Which one?"

"Dark hair, gray eyes." I giggled. "That's the one you like?" He nodded.

"In that case- I'll fight you for him!" I laughed again.

"He's straight, Sam. Sorry!" I playfully pushed my gay friend out the door. I rejoined everyone at the table.

"He was good looking." Lily said.

"Yeah." Nat agreed. I just smiled. Of course they couldn't tell that my incredibly adorable friend just didn't go for the ladies.

"So what was that bet you two were talking about?" Lily asked.

"I kicked his butt in basketball this morning, so I get to dare him to do anything I want and he has to do it."

"Dare him to kiss me!" Lily offered. James was shooting angry looks at his bacon.

"Actually I was thinking of telling him to kiss Sirius." he dropped his fork.

"You can't do that!"

"Why not, Mr. Black?"

"Because…" I just laughed evilly and went back to eating. Of course I wouldn't do that; I'd be too jealous of Sam. Which was quite pathetic if I did say so myself.

It was finally 4th of July. None of my friends had ever celebrated the American Independence day. They were new to the barbeque, parade, and fireworks routine. None of them complained about the delicious hamburgers and hotdogs my dad grilled. Everyone not Muggle born was also astounded by the grill itself. They watched closely as my dad cooked, amazed. Lily and I just laughed.

Megann had gone on vacation and wouldn't be home for two weeks, so it was just us on the 4th. Which was lucky, because Megann would have been a little unnerved when an owl swooped down and landed on my shoulder. It was Chocolate, Mike's owl. I opened the letter and read:

Hey Kara! Hope your holiday is going well! Sorry I haven't seen you yet, the teams on a long road trip. Were due back in Connecticut next week though. And there's someone I'd like you to meet then. My girlfriend, Pam. She can't wait to meet you. See you Friday! Love, Mike

I smiled and tucked the letter away. Today was Monday. Only 4 days until I could see Mike. I fooled around with everyone until twilight began to fall, and then we walked out to the town's soccer fields.

We brought a cooler of drinks, sweatshirts, and blankets, and settled down to watch the fireworks. I knew we had a long wait, so I walked around, stopping to talk to people I hadn't seen since last summer. Sirius had elected to walk around with me; the others decided to stay at the blankets. We joked around for awhile, Sirius amazed at the Muggle contraptions. Then we ran into Sam.

"Hey Sam!"

"Hey Kara!"

"This is Sirius." I winked secretively at Sam.

"Hey."

"Hi, Sam." Sirius was on edge because he wasn't sure if I'd dare Sam to kiss him.

"He really is a hot one." Sam whispered in my ear. I nodded slowly.

"So how 'bout that bet?" he said louder.

"I dare you to kiss Sirius." They both looked shocked.

"On the lips, for 10 seconds."

"Do I have to?" Sam pretended to be disappointed. Sirius was mad. Very mad. I winked at him.

"Yes. You have to." I giggled as Sam pressed his lips to Sirius. Neither of them moved as I counted, slowly, to ten.

"1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,91/2,93/4…" They broke apart and looked at me. Sirius wiped his mouth and Sam tried really hard to scowl.

"Sorry about that, man. This one's got a sick mind." Sam pointed at me. I just shrugged. "I've got to go now." Sam rushed away.

"Why did you do that?" Sirius asked.

"Because it was funny." I giggled again.

"No, it was disgusting!" he continued to wipe his mouth.

"Gross. Now I have to find something else to kiss." Pick me!

"How about James?" I teased instead.

"A girl!" I laughed, and pulled his hand way from his mouth.

"I think your hand has done all it can."

"Funny." He was looking around almost frantically.

"What are you looking for?"

"Someone to kiss!"

"Sirius. Stop." He did what I said and stopped, facing me. We both stood there, not moving, until he stepped towards me. I raised my eyebrows and smiled. He smiled back. He began to close the small space between us.

"Kara? Sirius? Is that you?" We jumped back from each other.

"Kara?" Lily's voice questioned again.

"Yeah. It's us." Sirius was still looking at me.

"Your dad sent me to find you. He said the fireworks will start soon."

"Ok." We walked back in silence.

"So, did you get to see everyone you wanted to?"

"Yeah."

"Good." She sat down on our blanket next to Nat. Sirius and I sat next to each other, careful not to be touching at all. How had this happened again? I sighed. What a complicated ordeal.

"Is something wrong, Kara?" Remus asked.

"No. Just thinking."

"Don't hurt yourself." I laughed.

"I'll try not to, Remus." I stole a glance at Sirius. He was looking down, deep in thought. I lay back on the blanket, my head resting on the cool grass. I were surprised when Sirius whispered,

"Can I join you?" I nodded and he lay down next to me, our arms touching. Neither of us said anything; I could feel the eyes of our friends on us.

My dad came back to our area and gave me a look that said is-that-your-boyfriend-if-it-is-let-me-at-him. I sent a look at him that said oh-please. He looked at me for a second and then smiled and winked. I smiled back.

I could feel Sirius nudge my arm. I turned my head toward him. I noticed how close we were.

"What did the girl melon say to the boy melon when he asked her to marry him?" I smiled.

"I don't know."

"Were too young! We cantaloupe!" (Get it! Can't elope, cantaloupe! It's a melon, they're melons! Haha!!! This one gets me every time!!!) I laughed. That was so stupid it was funny!

I had just quieted down when the fireworks started. They were beautiful. I smiled at Sirius face. It was so content and a little in awe.

It was a quick walk home, and we all fell into bed. The evening had taken a lot out of us.