One Week

Summary: The Marauders, Lily (who is Remus's stepsister), Riana and Carrie (Lily's BFFS) are staying at Hogwarts for one week, while their respective parents go do the Auror thing.  When they get there, Lily hates James…see how quickly things change. 

Disclaimer: Characters, minus Carrie and Riana, settings, etc. all belong to JKR. 

A/N: Mrs. Evans is Remus's mom, his dad is dead.  Lily's parents were divorced.  This is the summer before seventh year, not seventh year.  Sorry. 

_____________________________________________________________

          "It is way too hot today," Lily said, fanning herself with her hand.  She stopped for a moment to tie up her long red hair into a messy bun. 

          "I hate heat waves," Riana muttered. 

          "I hate long hair during heat waves," Lily answered.

          Riana murmured her assent, while Carrie laughed at them. 

          Riana had hair that came down to the end of her shoulder blades.  It was straight and shiny, and nowhere near as long as Lily's, which reached her lower back, but it was quite annoying in the summer, especially because it was black and was hotter than anyone else's. 

          Carrie had a pixie cut of short red hair, a shade more brown than Lily's mass of fire. 

          "Let's go to your house, Lily," Riana suggested.

          "Why?" Lily asked. 

          Riana's deep blue eyes twinkled with laughter.  "Don't you know by now?"

          "Oh, all right," Lily groaned.  "You're such a flirt."

          "I am not going because of Sirius," Riana disputed.

          "Uh-huh, sure, we totally believe you," Carrie said sarcastically. 

          "Shut up.  You both know that I love swimming." Riana's eyes had become thin slits as she glared at her friends. 

          "Yes, yes you do, and I have a pool.  Now let's just calm down," Lily soothed. 

          "Don't humor me, Lily."  Riana got up and walked very quickly in the direction of Lily's house.

          "I'm not!"  Lily struggled to catch up with her friend.  "Wait for us!"

          Riana sighed and slowed down.  Turning to face her friends, she said, "You believe me?"

          Lily nodded vigorously.  "I swear." 

          "Okay, then," Riana said, smiling.  "Let's go swimming."

          "Race ya," Carrie said with a grin, speeding down the dusty sidewalk. 

          "Hey! Cheater!" Lily yelled after her friend.  They raced down the path to Lily's house, Lily and Riana panting as they reached.  Inside, they could hear three different voices yelling to each other. 

          "Why is James always over?" Lily asked the sky. 

          "Because he loves you Lily," Carrie snickered. 

          "Stop saying that.  He's such a bloody arrogant prick."  Lily led the way into the house and upstairs to her bedroom.  She opened her closet and tossed swimsuits to each of her friends.  The three spent so much time in the pool there that they found it easier just to leave swimsuits, towels, etc. there. 

          They took turns changing, with Riana going first.  She changed into a dark blue bikini with embroidery on the top.  (The swimsuit can be found at www.robinpiccone.com under patsy).  Lily's was black.  It was a strapless two-piece suit.  The top had a string that reached down to the bottom.  (It's also at robinpiccone.com).  Carrie's was a brown one piece with blue, white, and orange flowers all over it. (It can be found at )

          The girls made their way downstairs and out the back door into the yard.  They stood in front of the pool for a minute, trying to figure out who would go in first.  Lily cautiously dipped a toe into the water.  "Gah! It's freezing!" she yelled.  She shivered, as if to prove her point.  

          James, also in his swimming costume, silently crept up behind Lily.  Sensing what he was about to do, Riana and Carrie moved out of the way.  Still staring into the murky depths, Lily took no notice of the movement behind her.  Sirius and Remus snickered quietly.   James put a finger to his lips, urging them to be quiet. 

          SPLASH! "Potter! What the hell is wrong with you?" Lily demanded, treading water. 

          "It looked fun," James said, not trying very hard to defend himself. 

          Lily muttered something under her breath.  It was hard to hear, but it seemed to sound like "bass-role".   She climbed out of the pool angrily.  "If you're all done laughing at my expense-"

          "We're not," Sirius said, grinning. 

          "Then I'll be sunbathing,' Lily continued as if she hadn't heard Sirius.  With that, she spread her towel out on the lawn and flopped down onto it.  

          "Um, Lily, you don't tan. You burn," Remus pointed out. 

          "Damn," Lily said.  She got up and sat at the edge of the pool.  After a few minute, Carrie and Riana joined her.  James, Sirius, and Remus still hadn't gotten wet.  Remus did a swan dive, and Sirius arrived with a cannon ball.  James took a running start and flipped slightly, so he landed on his back, creating a terrific splash.  Riana shrieked slightly as the cold water sprayed over her. 

          "That, my friends, is a watermelon," James announced, grinning. 

          "Gee, thanks," Riana muttered.  "I really wanted to take two showers today."

          "You're welcome," James said cheerfully.  "My life is but to serve."

          "Don't I know it," Lily said under her breath. 

          "I heard that!" James called. 

          "Good for you," Lily replied.  The six teenagers swam peacefully for a half an hour or so, until a vicious splash war broke out. 

          "Lily! Remus! Are you home?"

          The splash war froze.  "We're outside, Mum," Remus called.  Mr. Evans and the former Mrs. Lupin came outside and stood at the edge of the pool.   "Oh, you're all here.  Should we call their parents?"  She said the last part to her husband. 

          "No, I think we can tell them ourselves," he replied.

          "Well, tell them," Mrs. Evans said.

          "Okay, then.  As you all know, all of your parents, except for me are Aurors, which is why we live in a Muggle neighborhood- for safety.  Well, we have been called to research the new Dark Wizard, Lord Voldemort.  I am visiting my mother, and can't bring Lily and Remus along.  This presents a problem of safety for all of you," Mr. Evans began.

          "So, we went to Professor Dumbledore and asked if you could stay with him, at Hogwarts.  You leave tomorrow morning, at 11:00, from Platform Nine and Three Quarters.  Any questions?" Mrs. Evans said, finishing up the story.

          "How long are we staying?" Riana wanted to know. 

          "Just a week," Mr. Evans answered.

          "Dinner's in an hour.  If you both want to take showers and get rid of all of that chlorine, you should get out soon," Mrs. Evans suggested.  "If any of you want to stay, I haven't started cooking yet."

          "Thanks Mrs. Evans."

          "You kids should probably go home and tell your parents.  You need to change to, I'll wager."

          "Okay. See you in a few," Sirius said. 

          "Bye."

          The children parted ways and went to get ready.  Lily hurried through her shower (Remus always yelled at her for taking to long) and washed her hair.  She dressed in jeans and a green tank top, not caring how "sexy" she looked for people she had known for nearly a decade.  She walked to her kitchen, were Mrs. Evans was cooking.  "Mum, can you dry my hair?"

          Mrs. Evans muttered the drying spell, saying "There you go."

          "Thanks."

          A short while later, the doorbell rang.  On the porch stood the four remaining soon-to-be-seventh years.  James and Sirius were lightly shoving each other and Carrie and Riana were talking quietly.  Lily stood at the door for a minute, waiting for them to notice her.  "Do you want something?" she finally asked. 

          "Food would be nice," Sirius suggested. 

          Lily rolled her eyes, smiling.  "Come on in then." 

          "Dinner will be ready in ten," Mrs. Evans called, hearing them. 

          "Come on, let's go up to my room," Lily suggested to the girls. 

          The boy also went upstairs, though they split and went into Remus's bedroom instead. 

           When they got there, Lily appraised her friends.  "Getting a little dressed up tonight, eh Riana?" It was true.  Riana had opened her "nice clothes closet" and was wearing a black skirt and a red shirt with a long strand of fabric down almost to the end of her shirt.  She was wearing makeup.  Lily sniffed.  "Do I detect a hint of perfume? I do!  I wonder who it's for…"

          Carrie snickered as Riana's eyes flashed.  "Shut up, Lily," she hissed. 

          "Okay, okay, sorry," Lily muttered.  "I was just kidding."