Chapter 13: Sand, Sun and Fun
Second year ended and it was once again summer. James invited us all to his house that year, even Lily, Erin and Addi. I don't think I'd ever had so much fun in my life. We pulled all kinds of pranks on unsuspecting people, and roamed Diagon Alley, browsing shops, and stopping daily to marvel at the new Nimbus 1000 displayed in the store window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. James was convinced he was getting it for his birthday. I was sure the price was terribly expensive. They hadn't even placed a price tag on the broom; it said price on request, although, I was certain the Potters' could afford it.
We'd known that Mr. Potter was the Minister of Magic, but I hadn't realized just how important he was, and with how much respect he and his family were treated. The Potters' house was remarkable, both in size and in decoration. The magnificent front hall opened into a wide, double spiral staircase, and the whole area was decorated in vibrant red and gold. Behind the staircase, a giant painting of Godric Gryffindor, consumed nearly the entire wall space. James had, not one room, but an entire suite of rooms. We gawked with envy as he showed us his large bedroom, adjoining quidditch room, which was nothing more than a large space devoted entirely to quidditch posters and supplies, including four magnificent broomsticks. There was also a bookshelf that housed every piece of Quidditch literature ever written. He also had a game room, a room to be used for studying, and a walk in closet larger than three of his bedrooms combined, and completely full of shoes and clothing.
"My mum is obsessed with shopping for clothes," he explained as we walked through the aisles of everything from muggle suits to every color of wizard robes imaginable.
From James' main bedroom, there were French doors that led out to a large balcony, overlooking acres of beautiful gardens.
"But we're in the dead center of London!" exclaimed Peter, when he saw the gardens. "How'd you manage that?"
"Dunno," James replied. "It's magic of some sort that my dad had done. Guess it's a courtyard of some sort." The entire Potter house was amazing. James led us all throughout the many sitting rooms, the large magnificent library, the kitchens and house-elves quarters, the elaborately decorated banquet room used for entertaining guests, the smaller dining area where we'd be dining, the inviting indoor pool, with shimmering multi-colored water, and even his father's office, in which James shared with us the secret passage that led straight to the Ministry buildings, where none of the rest of us had ever been. We were each given one of the many comfortable guest rooms, complete with its own bath, and balcony, like James' main bedroom.
The Potters were extremely friendly to all of us. Mrs. Potter was very much the motherly type, and she worried every time we left the house, insisting that we be accompanied by at least one of their fifteen security guards. She also seemed to love us to death. I could see how James got slightly annoyed with her sometimes. One day, she returned excitedly from a shopping trip and presented us each with matching sets of red and gold dress robes. Then, she insisted that we put them on instantly so she could take pictures of her 'Jamesie and his adorable little friends'. Mr. Potter was more willing to let us have our independence. While Mrs. Potter was fretting worriedly, scurrying about the house trying to find a security guard to accompany us on the walk to the ice cream parlor, Mr. Potter would secretly sneak us out one of the back doors and then cover for us when Mrs. Potter realized. Of course, the majority of the time we spent at the Potters', we spent alone. Mr. Potter worked long hours and the Ministry, and when he wasn't there, he was off to visit one of the foreign Ministers, or some type of Muggle equivalent. This let Mrs. Potter with the task of attending a slew of dinner parties and public events on his behalf. Usually, she asked James to accompany her, but he flat out refused the request each time and she went alone.
I guess you could say all of us grew closer that summer. Lily and James were actually on speaking terms, and spending the majority of their time together without turning each other's hair pink or purple or green. Of course there was always the occasion when James would do something really stupid to Lily, Lily would get mad and stop talking to James, James would beg for forgiveness, and finally Lily would forgive him. But that would become a constant life cycle with those two. Although they'd argue, there was a certain glow about their eyes when they looked at each other, and the rest of us could easily see they were steadily growing fond of one another.
Sirius and Erin seemed closer too. They made the most peculiar pair; as opposite as black and white, we used to say. Everything about them was completely different. Sirius was tall, nearing just above six feet when we were only thirteen; Erin was short, barely reaching five feet and she wouldn't grow to be much taller. Sirius' hair was raven black, and Erin's was so blonde it was almost pure white. And even more opposite than their appearances were their personalities. Sirius was, of course loud, outgoing, obnoxious and boisterous, always looking to be the tough guy, and the troublemaker, just to see how far he could push the limits. Erin, on the other hand, was the most quiet, gentle person I'd ever seen. She was very focused on school and studying, wasn't the least bit outgoing, and would never be described as loud. Though despite their differences, they seemed to make the perfect pair. Peter reckoned they had the one similarity they needed, their mutual fondness of one another. Unlike James and Lily's rocky relationship in the making, Erin and Sirius got along fairly well, because she was the only person that Sirius wouldn't pull pranks on.
I'd be lying if I were to tell you that nothing was happening between Addi and I as well. We could spend hours, talking laughing, just the two of us. She was different from Sirius, James and Peter. The two of us were incredibly alike, and I felt a closeness with her that I had never shared with anyone else. We understood each other completely; the way we always studied to do well in school, the way we were always the sensible member of our groups of friends, trying to keep peace between the others and keep them out of trouble, the way we were both usually friendly and with an abundance of patience, but could get angry on occasion, usually at Sirius. She'd listen with fascination as I told her stories of the wizarding world; about quidditch and dueling, and dragons and mysterious creatures, potions and incantations. Her eyes glowed with a longing to see for herself the things I spoke of. I promised her that someday I'd show her. There was only one thing I kept from her. I cared too much about her to lose her friendship because of what I was. I vowed that someday, before we ever became anything more than friends, if that ever was to happen, I'd tell her first.
One particularly hot day, while we were staying at the Potters', Mr. Potter and Mrs. Potter both had to attend a dinner party with the Minister of France. We had gotten bored of the Potters' swimming pool (after spending the best part of five days there), and James' parents felt guilty about leaving us alone. So, it was Mr. Potter's sudden idea to send us off to the beach for the day with some of the security guards. James instantly suggested Merlin's Shores, a popular wizarding beach, but Mrs. Potter objected instantly ("What if you're recognized and they give you trouble for being the Minister's son?") so Mr. Potter arranged a compromise. We could go to a Muggle beach, where it was very unlikely that James would be recognized.
We set off in one of the Potters' private stretch limousines (for formal Muggle occasions) with James' two personal security guards. They were two young men of about twenty, one which kind of reminded me of a blonde-haired Sirius, whose name was Tony, and another who was shorter with brownish hair, named Joe.
"So, fellows," said James when we were in the car on our way to the beach. "What should we do today?"
"Anything you want as long as your parents don't hear about it," said Tony, glancing at James in the rear view mirror.
"Yeah, mates, do you really need us to follow you around all day? You're old enough to take care of yourselves," said Joe.
"I don't know, Joe. I can't stand the thought of Mrs. Potter beating me over the head with that lamp again for letting James get into trouble," Tony shuddered.
"True, that lady can hit hard," said Joe, wincing at the thought.
"Look out!" shouted Peter suddenly. Tony face forward just in time to swerve out of a lane of oncoming traffic. Lily, Erin and Addi all shrieked as we narrowly avoided a collision with a large truck.
"Come on, please?" begged James. "You can have the whole day to yourselves, and we promise not to get in trouble. We'll tell my parents you were wonderful guardians."
"Well... alright," agreed Tony. "But if anything happens, we're gonna tell your mum to beat you over the head with that lamp!"
"Deal," said James. There were three groans from the girls, though none of them objected.
"All right, we're here," said Tony, pulling up to the parking lot. "Everybody out."
"Thanks, Tony, Joe, you guys are the most bloody awesome security guards I've ever seen," exclaimed Sirius, jumping out from the car.
"Er... thanks kid," said Joe, looking a bit surprised.
"Oh, wait a minute Joe!" said Tony. "We have got to read them the letter from Mrs. Potter! Read them the letter from Mrs. Potter!" Joe took the letter from Joe's hands and read.
"This is a muggle beach. There will be absolutely no magic from any of you. Don't do anything that will draw attention to yourselves, and most of all, be careful. You'll be needing some muggle money for food, which will be provided by Tony." Joe glanced at Tony, who mumbled under his breath and handed James a fifty-pound note.
"I am trusting all of you. Do not do anything wrong. This includes you, Joe and Tony. Consider the light incident a warning for what will happen again if you ever, ever, let James get into danger again. Have a fun day, everyone, and I love you Jamesie-Poo.—ugh, your mum said that, not me. We'll that's everything, so we're out of here."
"And please don't get into trouble. I don't like the light," whined Tony as Joe climbed back into the car.
"Don't worry," James and Sirius chorused.
"We'll pick you up at six. Be here!" shouted Joe out the window as Joe began to drive off.
"Okay!" shouted James. We had only been standing at the edge of the beach for about two seconds when Peter prodded James and I in the back and picked up a handful of sand. We followed, and tossed it at Sirius.
"Hey!" Sirius shouted. He chased James and pushed him into the water. Then they went after Peter, who was complaining about the sand burning his feet.
"Remus! Help us!" shouted Sirius, as he chased Peter.
"Coming!" I shouted, chasing after them. I sneaked up behind Peter, who was standing at the edge of the water.
"Oops!" I said as I gave him a little push, causing him to fall forward.
"Ouch!" he shouted when he regained balance.
"Nice, Remus!" shouted James. I nodded.
"Where are the girls?" asked Sirius. I glanced around, noticing they hadn't followed us.
"I don't know," I said. "Should we look for them?"
"I guess so," said James. We began walking around the crowded beach looking for them. Finally we spotted them sitting on towels in the sand about halfway up the beach.
"Why are you just sitting there?" asked James.
"We're trying to get tans," said Lily.
"Well, this is no fun," complained Sirius. "How can you sit around like this all day?" Erin sighed and shook her head.
"Can we go get some food?" asked Peter.
"Yeah," Sirius agreed, suddenly sounding more enthusiastic. James pulled out the muggle money.
"Anyone want to help me with this?" he stared at it, puzzled.
"I know how to use it," said Sirius, looking impatient. "Now can we go get some food?" We began walking towards a food stand. I motioned for Addi, Lily and Erin to follow. We arrived at a food stand and read the menu.
"Hotdogs, french fries, ice cream, lemonade, coke," James read the menu. "What do you guys want?"
"Everything," said Sirius and Peter in unison. The girls exchanged glances and rolled their eyes.
"Okay," said James. "We'll have seven of everything." The man working at the stand looked at us strange, but got seven of everything. James frowned when it took almost all the money to pay for it all.
"How are we supposed to eat all of this?" complained Lily as we walked back to their spot on the beach.
"Don't worry," I told her. "I'm sure Sirius and Peter will be more than willing to help you out."
"Sirius never stops eating," said Addi. "Dad can't even keep food in the house."
"Hey, I'm not that bad!" said Sirius, who had already eaten his hotdog, all of his french fries, and half of Erin's.
"Sure you're not," I said to him.
After eating, we made the girls get in the water. James figured out how to bewitch waves to make them chase people. Lily was his main victim, until she too figured out the spell and got him back for it.
"Agghh!" shouted Addi, as a wave that Sirius had bewitched crashed into her, causing her to fall to the ground. "That's not fair! I can't fight back!" she called to him as she stood up and he ran away laughing. Then she took off chasing him anyway.
"Don't worry, Addi, I'll get him for you!" I called, bewitching a wave to hit Sirius. Sirius got a bit over enthusiastic with bewitching waves after that. He sent two at me at once, then three at Peter, who accidentally messed up the spell when trying to get him back, and ended up sending another after himself. Sirius then noticed James chasing Lily near the edge of the water. He bewitched a wave to hit both of them. The were knocked off their feet, and James landed on top of Lily.
"Sirius you idiot!" James shouted, standing up quickly and chasing after him.
"Everybody get Sirius!" shouted Lily, chasing after them. They all took off running. I noticed Addi staying behind because she couldn't do spells. I walked over to her.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she smiled. "Sometimes I just wish I were magic too, though," she said sounding a little sad. I sat down next to her.
"Look at them," I laughed as Sirius got hit with about twelve waves from different directions. Addi laughed too. Muggle children were giving them weird looks. Then, the five of them came running back to us.
"Let's bury someone in the sand," said Sirius.
"Who?" asked James. Peter volunteered. We began piling sand on him.
"Hey! Not that much!" shouted Peter when he was covered in about two feet of sand everywhere but his face.
"Okay then, let's go," said James, turning and pretending to leave.
"Hey! I can't get up!" shouted Peter. We laughed as he attempted to stand up, but failed. "Help!" We dug him out of the sand and got ready to leave since it was nearly six-o clock. Tony and Joe were too cool for us to make them get in trouble for being late.
We only remained at the Potters' two more days before we had to return home to our families. James had agreed to try to buy ingredients for the animagus potion in Diagon Alley so that we could get started on it as soon as school started.