Chapter 20-Barbeque
Harry was excited to go back home it was going to be nice to take a break from school and go back home. He was going to have a free week without having to look at Umbridge's toad face and that was going to be the best part of his week off of school. Hermione, Ron, and Harry would be going to Grimmauld Place where Harry would take the floo to the manor and Hermione and Ron would also be coming over for the day but, would be staying at Grimmauld Place for the week.
James and Lily were getting ready for Harry to come home they knew that Hermione and Ron coming over, so they decided to have a barbeque. It had been a long while since they had a barbeque, and it was such a nice day out, so it made logical sense. They invited everyone to the barbeque so there was a good chance that they would also be playing some quidditch. James and Lily were both excited to host a barbeque they did it all the time for the order before they knew that Lily was pregnant with Harry. It was going to be nice to host another barbeque for people and to get them to just take a load off from the world for just an afternoon.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione arrived at the Manor first.
"Mom, Dad you home?" Harry called out when they entered through the floo.
"Yeah, we're in the kitchen." Lily called back.
They walked to the kitchen to James and Lily making preparations for the barbeque. They had all of the burgers ready to go on the grill they were just making the sides now.
"It smells really good Mr. and Mrs. Potter." Hermione said.
"Thank you, Hermione." Lily said.
"Do you guys need help with anything?" Ron asked.
"Actually, Ron if you and Harry want to help with grilling the burgers and Hermione can help your mom finishing the sides." James said.
"That's a good idea James boys why don't you go outside and help your dad with the burgers and Hermione, and I will finish the sides." Lily said.
So, James and the boys went outside to fire up the barbeque.
"So, Harry, Ron how's your year going?" James asked.
"It's alright dad O.W.L's suck though." Harry responded.
"Yeah, it's alright I guess but, homework is such a burden." Ron answered.
"Well, fifth year is usually the worst the time you get to seventh year and have to take your final exams your use to it." James said.
"Yeah but, you had mom to keep you on track in your last year." Harry responded.
"You guys have Hermione though. She has to keep you on your toes." James said.
"Yeah, she does but, still neither of us are dating her so it's still a bit different." Harry said.
"Anyways, should we start putting the burgers on the grill." Ron said trying to shift the subject away from school.
"Yeah, we probably should, so have either of you barbequed before." James asked.
Both of them shook their heads so James went on explaining to them how to barbeque and how to make the perfect burger.
While the boys were outside talking and putting the burgers on to cook Lily and Hermione were having their own conversations well making the sides for the barbeque.
"How have you been lately?" Lily asked Hermione.
"I've been pretty good lately how are you though Mrs. Potter how's the pregnancy?" Hermione asked back.
"It's been good it's been much better than it was with Harry." Lily responded.
"So, Harry was a difficult child?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, but anyways how is school going for you kids?" Lily asked.
"It's going well for me not so much for Ron and Harry and my stress levels are off the chart right now." Hermione said.
"If you think your stress levels are off the chart it was no where near my stress levels in my O.W.L's year." Lily said.
"I'm not sure Harry and Ron can be quite a handful." Hermione countered.
"Trust me having Sirius and James together and them not being mature is pretty stressful." Lily said.
"Wait they were even more immature than they are now?" Hermione said.
"Unfortunately, they were." Lily responded.
"Yeah, that's worst than Ron and Harry plus you and James weren't dating at that point I heard that they were quite the pranksters before you two started dating." Hermione said.
"They were." Lily said.
By the time they finished talking people were starting to arrive. They sent everyone to the patio as they finished the sides and went out to the patio. Almost everyone from the order was there it reminded James and Lily of the times in the first war when they had a barbeque for everyone in the order to let off some steam. After they finished the barbeque, the boys got into teams to play quidditch they would be playing four on four quidditch. The teams would be the Weasley's vs. the Marauders and Harry.
It was a really tight match between the two as both teams had great chemistry between the teams. The Weasley team had two beaters instead of two chasers as Fred and George worked the best as beaters and were keeping them on their toes. Ginny doubled as chaser and seeker whereas James was the chaser and Harry was the seeker. Sirius was the beater and Remus was the keeper. This was great practice for Ron as James was one of the best chasers and he was getting his shots on Ron and Rom was doing a terrific job on stopping most of them. Ginny was also getting great practice as seeker since she was going against Harry who was a great seeker. The game ended with Harry catching the snitch by an inch against Ginny. The score was only 200-50 as the defense on the Weasley side was extraordinary.
Dessert was served after the match and everyone started to leave until it was just Remus, Sirius and the Weasley kids left. James and Lily had offered for them to stay the night. They had happily accepted they could have all had their own rooms but instead they wanted to all stay in the sitting room together and make a fort for them to sleep in. It was nice for them to kick back and be kids for longer.
This was exactly what the doctor ordered for the kids as they needed a break from Umbridge and having to teach the school Defense Against the Dark Arts. Also trying to convince more people that Voldemort was indeed back. It was the best start to a break that they could possibly have and nothing was better at the moment.
