Chapter Seven:

Before the Party

"So, Flame-"

"Don't call me that Moony."

"Fine. It's Remus and Torie. Anyway, you sound like you had fun with Sirius."

"Yeah, it was fun. But, what are we going to do?"

"I dunno. I don't have to be home until five, it's an hour and a half home, and it's half past noon now. That gives us three and a half hours."

"Let's just walk around downtown, and see what we find."

"Sounds fine by me."

"I'm going to have my party next Wednesday," Torie said over the phone. The original date of the party was put off, because her mother was in the hospital.

"That's two days before I go back," Remus said.

"Really? Do you have to go?"

"Yeah. But, I'll see you next summer, right?"

"Of course."

"But, I'm going to spend the next couple of days with the girls. Did I tell you what Lila said to Sirius?"

"Yes, a million times."

"He looked so funny! Like a fish!"

"A fish?"

"Yeah, a fish."

Remus laughed. "Whoa!"

"What?"

"I just got a letter from Sirius. He and James are going to be coming here in a couple of days, and then we'll be heading off to school together. Apparently, James' mother is getting sick of him."

Torie laughed. "They can come. I'd love to see Lila mouth off Sirius again."

"You are just so nice!"

"I know, aren't I?"

"I was being sarcastic."

"Ha, I was too."

"Good-bye Torie. This isn't making any sense."

"Bye Remus."

Torie hung up the phone, and ran into her room, falling on her bed. Jared was sitting on his. "He's just so perfect!" Torie gushed, forgetting who she was talking to.

"That's not right, and you know it Torie. There is going to be a major skeleton in his closet."

"Shut up Jared. There isn't anything wrong."

"Don't you remember that girl I brought home from school last year? Nia? I broke up with her that summer, because I found out that the only reason she was still in school, because she shagged our professor. That's not right. Trust me Torie, there's something wrong with him."

"Whatever you may think, Jared, it doesn't matter anyway. It's just a summer thing. He's going back to school next Friday."

"I just don't want to see you get hurt, Tor."

"I won't, Jared. I'm not a little girl anymore. And, what could he do in the next ten days that would hurt me?"

"I don't know Tor, but I can feel that something is up."

"Whatever."

"Remus, how can I contact you while you're at school?" Torie asked him. They were sitting by the pond at the edge of the forest.

"Give letters to my mum. She sends me letters almost everyday."

"Will they get to you?"

"Of course."

"And you'll write back?"

"Of course."

"Good." She leaned in, and he did too, until they were connected by the lips.

"Whoo Hoo! Go Moony!" Sirius' voice came though the trees. Remus pulled away from Torie, groaning. "Impeccable timing, don't you think Prongs?"

"Of course. How're you doing Moony?" A boy with messy black hair and glittering hazel eyes emerged from the trees.

"Not as good as before, thanks to you, Prongs," Remus answered.

"You sound like you don't want us to be here," Sirius whined, standing beside his friend.

"I don't."

"So, you must be Flame," The boy said.

"Torie Malaekey," Torie said.

"James Potter."

"Nice to meet you James."

He grinned at her. "You were right Padfoot, she is nice."

"But her friend-" Sirius broke off, shivering slightly.

The other three laughed.

"I'll be off," Torie said awkwardly, "I'll see you later."

She ran though the trees back to her house, blushing.

"Nice to have you back Torie," Lila said, "Finally stopped spending all your time with that Lupin boy."

"He's coming," Torie said quietly, "I don't have to be with him anymore. Plus, his friends all came."

"That cute guy you were with in London? Black?" George asked excitedly.

"Yeah, and this other guy, Potter."

"Are they coming as well?" Jaime asked.

"Yeah, I think so."

Lila sighed. "Okay then, this party is going to be great. And the prank, priceless."

"What are you going to do?"

"Just small things that would be noticed, but not as pranks," Lila said loftily, "Then, we'll hopefully get him drunk and then question him."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Torie asked nervously.

"Why are you so worried Torie?" George asked, "You wanted to do this. You were the one who got him to like you and convinced him to come."

"We almost have this done. Hook and line are thrown, and the sinker is right away," Jaime said.

"You guys, the whole time he's lived here, we've been nothing but mean to him. But, he's one of the nicest people I know. Sure, he and his family may be a little different, but they're the best I know. I'm calling this off. No more prank."

"I knew you had fallen for him," Lila said scathingly, "But he's nothing special. Get over it-and him."

"No. Stop the prank." Torie marched out of Lila's backyard and went home.

"We're still doing this," Lila said, "But, we're doubling it. It's going on Lupin, yes, and Malaekey."