A/N: I do not own anything Harry Potter.
Chapter 4
Annie walked in the back door as silently as she could. She could hear laughter and voices coming from the living room and she did not want to be caught looking the way she did. She was covered head to toe in mud and dirt and she smelled like sweat and dirty water. Bandit stood in the kitchen watching her remove her shoes until suddenly he darted out of the room and into the living room.
"Bandit, get back here!" she whispered harshly. But it was too late. He was already barking and leaping on everyone's pant legs. She heard Remus excuse himself to go into the kitchen for a drink. As the footsteps drew nearer, she let out a sigh. "Shit."
"What do we have here?" said Remus walking in and stopping in the doorway. He put his hands in his pockets and was looking at her with an amused smile.
"I, er, well I see you've met Bandit," she said sheepishly. The puppy had just trotted back into the kitchen and had begun lapping up the water in his bowl.
"I have. Don't change the subject. Why are you covered in mud?" He had now crossed the kitchen and was taking a butterbeer from the fridge. He took a sip and waited for her to speak.
Annie sighed. "Well, I was walking Bandit and there was this really big hill and so we ran up the side and I sort of rolled down and landed in a big pile of mud at the bottom."
"I see. And it hadn't occurred to you that it rained yesterday and the ground would be muddy?"
"Oh come on, Remus, you knew my dad how many years? You've known me since I was born and you were my teacher last year! You of all people should know I don't consider the consequences of my actions. I just do things and hope for the best!" Annie finished and waited for a response. To her relief, Remus smiled.
"Go upstairs quick and get a shower because you reek. I'll cover for you."
"Thank you!" She dashed out of the room quickly and quietly as she could. She ran upstairs into her room and returned to the living room fifteen minutes later showered and wearing clean clothes. She caught Remus's eye and he winked.
"You're alive!" James had gotten to his feet and crushed her in a big bear hug. "I thought you might have turned out like that goldfish, Sirius had in third year."
"Hey, in my defense I didn't know you weren't supposed to feed them parmesan cheese. Poor, Colonel Merlin Flaky Gils, he only lived three days. I still miss that little guy," Sirius lamented. Remus laughed while Harry choked on his butterbeer. "Don't laugh, it was very emotional for me."
"What did you do with it when it died?" asked Harry.
Lily laughed. "They put up flyers all around school advertising the funeral for the 'poor departed soul who was now in the fish tank in the sky.'"
"That's right, we did!" exclaimed James. "We asked everyone to come and give their respects and share their most cherished memories."
"Didn't we hold the funeral on the fifth floor bathroom?" asked Remus.
"Yes! And do you remember who showed up?" Sirius said.
Annie sat down on the couch next to Lily who put her arm around her and kissed her on the head. "Who came?" she asked.
"Dumbledore and Professor Slughorn, the potions professor," James said laughing so hard, he had taken off his glasses to wipe tears from his eyes.
"Dumbledore said he would always be there for a student during a time of loss," Sirius said also wiping his eyes.
"The whole thing was utterly ridiculous," said Lily. "I still can't believe you had that many people show up."
"How many were there?" asked Harry.
"About twenty-five and your mother was one of them," said James.
Lily crossed her arms in front of her chest. "You know full well I only came because I was dragged along by Marissa."
Annie laughed. The topic then changed and she found herself at a complete lack of interest. She turned to Harry who caught her gaze and nodded. The two of them, since they were young, could always tell what the other was thinking and this time meant it was time to go flying. They stood up and walked out into the hall where Harry collected his broomstick and then made their way into the kitchen and out the back door. Harry mounted his broom and kicked off immediately into the air. Annie went to the broom shed in the yard, fumbled with the lock and went inside. She reemerged seconds later soaring out into the sky to meet Harry in the air. They raced around the backyard for a couple of laps before landing again, laughing and whooping as they did so.
They sat on the back porch for a few minutes catching their breath. "So, how do you like living with Sirius?" Harry asked.
"I absolutely love it!" Annie said smiling. "Actually, he's been telling me stories every night about his days in school and the things he did with mom. It's really quite crazy. Everyone has always said I act just like him and never could see it until now. I knew I acted like him when I would get detention and just do crazy things, but all of those things that I would do when I lived with you and Aunt Lil and Uncle James and they would say that they I'm just like dad, I didn't really understand until I started living with him. We really are too alike for our own good."
Harry laughed. "That's good. Mum sobbed for two days after you left. She kept wanting to send you an owl to make sure you were both okay." Annie laughed. "It was pretty funny, actually. Dad once had to stop her from flooing over one night."
"That sounds exactly like something Aunt Lil would do," she said. "So, this week dad starts at the Auror Department and I'm going to be left alone and so are you. You know what that means, right?" Annie asked giving Harry a mischievous look.
He laughed and said "The usual havoc? Running through town, playing Quidditch, and hanging out by the lake?"
"Exactly!"
The sound of crunching gravel filled their ears. The two leapt to their feet and ran to the front of the house. Hermione Granger stepped out of her parents' car and ran towards them. Annie and Hermione caught each other in a hug and giggled. Hermione let go and turned to Harry who hugged her back awkwardly. Mr. and Mrs. Granger also stepped out of the car and were now walking up the pathway.
"Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Granger!" Annie greeted them. "How are you?"
"Hello, Annie!" said Mrs. Granger bending down to give her a hug and kiss on the cheek. "Hello, Harry!" She released Annie and turned to Harry to do the same thing. "We are wonderful, how are you two?"
"Splendid," said Annie.
"I'm fine," said Harry. Annie and Hermione caught each other's gaze and rolled their eyes. They both knew "fine" was Harry's catchphrase. Annie led the Grangers inside the house where Sirius, Remus, James and Lily were still sitting in the living room.
Lily was the first to rise and greet the newcomers. "Meredith!" she said crossing the room to greet Mrs. Granger. The two hugged and Mr. Granger shook the Marauders' hands before sitting down in a chair next to his wife.
"Let's go to my room," Annie whispered to Harry and Hermione. As they ascended the stairs, the adults continued their conversation.
"So, Harry really has no idea what is going on at Hogwarts this year?" asked Remus.
"Nope," replied James. "That would ruin the surprise."
"What is going on at Hogwarts this year?" asked John Granger.
"The Triwizard Tournament," answered Remus. "It's an ancient tournament between Beauxbatons, Durmstrang, and Hogwarts where students from each school compete in three tasks to win their school the honor of the Triwizard Cup," he added seeing John and Meredith's confused faces.
"And this is safe?" asked Meredith.
"Well, they are dangerous tasks but you won't have to worry about Hermione or any one of the kids for that matter. They are placing an age limit on those who wish to enter," explained James further.
"And this event will be held at Hogwarts?" asked John.
"Yes, it's going to be a very exciting year in my opinion. I wish I was back at Hogwarts during this time," said James.
Just then the fire erupted with green flames and seconds later, Arthur Weasley stood in the living room, his glasses slightly askew. "Hello, all!" he greeted them cheerfully. One by one Molly, Fred, George, Ginny and finally Ron all had stepped out of the fireplace and were greeting Sirius, Remus, the Potters and the Grangers.
"Where are Annie, Harry and Hermione?" Ron asked.
"Upstairs I believe," said Sirius. "Just go right up, Annie's bedroom is the first on the right."
Annie, Harry and Hermione were all sitting in Annie's room when they heard a soft knock and the door opened. Four ginger-headed kids stood in the doorframe each grinning. Annie hugged Ron and Ginny before turning to her partners in crime. True, she considered Harry, Ron, and Hermione her best friends, but Fred and George were the ones she spent most of her time with causing havoc and getting detention. Remus, when he taught at Hogwarts last year, had dubbed them and Lee Jordan the next generation of Marauders, a title they were only too happy to share with the originals. Fred and George wrapped her in great big bear hugs that lifted her off her feet. Upon setting her down, they walked past her and into her room. Looking around at all of her friends, whom she considered family, she could tell it was going to be a great day.