Disclaimer: I own nothing Harry Potter related. Any terminology, places or people that you recognize belong to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter Five

Dorcas,

Hey! I just wanted to let you know that Lily and I made it official that Saturday is going to be our girls day out. Come early, around 8, I have a bunch of girly stuff planned. Mary Mac isn't coming, she ended up going to visit some family in Scotland, lucky girl. But anyway, owl me back and let me know if Saturday will work for you. See you soon!

Marlene M.

Dorcas read though the letter happily. She seized a piece of parchment right away and wrote back to Marlene telling her that Saturday would be just fine. Just as she sent Marlene's owl back with the reply, another owl soared inside her window, this one from Roxanne. She undid the scroll carefully and offered the owl some water that was on her bedside table. The gray owl hooted thankfully and dipped its beak in the glass. Dorcas opened the letter and read.

Dorcas,

Hey. I hope you are having a great summer. Mine is okay, even though my worse fear of being worked like a dog came true. Oh well I guess. So did you get a letter from Marlene? I pretty much had to beg my dad to let me go, but he's actually letting me. Are you going too? I hope so. Let me know. My owl knows where to find me. Be punctual about writing back now, I've instructed my owl to peck you until you do.

Oh you know I'm kidding.

Love ya,

Roxy

Dorcas chuckled to herself, then took heed of Roxanne's warning. She wouldn't put it passed her best friend to instruct an owl to peck until a reply was written. She pulled another piece of parchment to herself and wrote a reply, assuring Roxanne that she was able to go as well and that she would see her on Saturday, which was only a couple days away. She tied the letter to the gray owl then watched as it flew off. She then headed downstairs to get some breakfast.

"Good morning Dorcas," her mother said as she walked into the kitchen.

"Morning mum, whats for breakfast?"

Her mother pointed at the cereal in front of her and Dorcas understood. "Ah cereal. Wonderful." Her mother ignored the sarcasm.

Halfway though her bowl of cereal, Dorcas heard a quiet tapping coming from somewhere inside the house. Her father, obviously hearing it too, put his paper down, confused. Her mother got up and went to investigate. About a minute later, her mother came back into the kitchen, a letter in her hand. "It was just an owl," she said. Then she held out the letter for Dorcas to take.

"For me?" Dorcas asked.

"From Hogwarts," her mother said quietly.

Her father stopped with his spoon halfway up to his mouth. "Well open it!" He said, sounding a little scared, which made Dorcas half smile.

"Okay, but promise you won't disown me when we figure out what these are?" Dorcas said jokingly.

Her father laughed. "I'm not promising a thing. Ella?"

"Oh stop being silly, both of you. Just get it over with Dorcas," her mother said aggravated but ruining the effect by smiling.

"Okay, here goes." Dorcas opened the letter and took out her O.W.L results.

Ordinary Wizarding Levels Results

Dorcas Ella Meadowes has achieved:

Astronomy: Exceeds Expectations

Charms: Outstanding

Herbology: Acceptable

History of Magic: Acceptable

Transfiguration: Outstanding

Arithmancy: Exceeds Expectations

Defense against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Care of Magical Creatures: Acceptable

Potions: Exceeds Expectations

After reading, she looked up at her parents who were looking at her expectantly. They all just looked at each other for a moment then Dorcas decided to let them off the hook.

"Passed. Every one!" She said happily. Her parents looked like they exhaled simultaneously then they both smiled hugely. Her father took the letter from her and scanned it himself, while her mother enveloped her in a hug. "Oh Dorcas, I'm so proud of you!" She said, and she did sound proud. Dorcas couldn't really believe it. She knew that she did well, but she didn't really expect the marks she got. Three outstanding's!

Her father finished up and handed the letter to her mother with a smile. "Great job Dorcas, you did wonderful and I couldn't be prouder," he told her, and he gave her a big hug as well. Dorcas couldn't stop smiling. Her mother finished with the results and handed them back to Dorcas. "Make sure you put them in a good place. You should hang it on your wall!" Her mother said sounding excited.

Dorcas scanned the results again. She was surprised at her History of Magic mark, she'd have to remember to thank Lily for letting her use all those notes. She was also surprised at her DADA mark, but it was something that interested her. That, and she knew that with the wizarding world how it was now, she would probably need it.

"Oh mother," Dorcas said, shaking her head, but still smiling.

"It was just a suggestion," her mother shrugged.

"I'm going to go send an owl to Sirius," Dorcas said happily. She got halfway to the door when her father called her back. "Yeah dad?" She inquired.

"Whenever you want to go to James's, just let us know. We did have a deal after all," he told her with another smile.

"Thanks dad! I'll definitely let you know," she said excitedly, and ran up to her room.

James,

Hello. My holiday is going fine, hows yours? I'm glad you're getting to spend some time with your parents, they seem like great people. Thank you for the invitation to your house, and I think, god knows I'm out of my mind, that I'm going to accept. Your letter was very heartfelt and I wouldn't feel right declining. So again, thank you, and I will see you soon. Marlene and I are going for girls day, on Saturday, so it will be after that that I come. I'll owl you again with specifics. You have a very cute owl by the way.

Sincerely,

Lily

"Yes!" It took almost every ounce of self containment James had to not jump up and scream for joy. Lily Evans was coming to his house! She was coming here! He couldn't believe it... he was really going to have to come up with some good stuff for them to do. Maybe something they could do alone. The prospects were exciting. James's excitement started to wane when he looked around his room. "Looks like I'm going to have to clean up some," he said to himself laughing. He then rushed downstairs to let his parents know that they should be expecting company very soon.

Ordinary Wizarding Levels Results

Sirius Black has achieved:

Astronomy: Acceptable

Charms: Exceeds Expectations

Herbology: Acceptable

History of Magic: Poor

Transfiguration: Outstanding

Muggle Studies: Acceptable

Defense against the Dark Arts: Outstanding

Care of Magical Creatures: Exceeds Expectations

Potions: Exceeds Expectations

Sirius scanned his results multiple times. He was pleasantly surprised and satisfied with them. He had no chance of passing History of Magic, he just used that class to sleep. Transfiguration was a slight surprise as well, he supposed it had mostly to do with Dorcas and her making him pay attention in class. He smirked as he looked at his Muggle Studies grade. He passed that class solely due to a girl that sat next to him who was desperately in love with him and let him copy off her. He chuckled to himself, put down his marks and continued with his breakfast, contemplating his plans for the day. Just then, the door to the kitchen opened and his mother walked in, her eyes narrowing as she spotted Sirius's marks on the table. Sirius shoved some more food into his mouth and got up, ready to take his leave, not about to sit with his mother at the table. He made it about halfway out of his chair when his mother spoke.

"Let me see them," she said, holding out her hand.

"Let you see what?" Sirius asked innocently.

"You know what I mean, give me your O.W.L results," she said, her eyes narrowing even more dangerously.

"You heard your mother. Give them to her."

His father had just walked in. An intimidating looking man, Orion Black could make almost anyone quail under his stare. Sirius rolled his eyes, walked over to his mother and handed her the results. His father went and stood behind his mother, waiting to read them too. They both read them quickly and scowled.

"This is the best you could do?" His mother asked incredulously. "How could you fail History of Magic? And an 'E' in Potions? Explain yourself."

Sirius looked at her in disbelief. "History of Magic is boring as fuck, and how is an 'E' in Potions bad?"

His mother looked affronted and his father said, "don't you talk to your mother that way you ungrateful little boy. Now why did you get such terrible marks? You just fooled around didn't you? I knew you would never amount to anything."

Sirius looked at his father as if the man had slapped him across the face. "I didn't fool around. I did the best that I could. They are not terrible either. You two have no idea what you are talking about."

"How dare you!" His mother practically shouted. "Now you listen to me. I understand that perhaps you are just stupid, but if you don't start doing better, I'll pull you out of that mudblood loving school and shove some sense into you myself!"

Sirius wasn't going to stand for this. His parents thought that they were so much better than every else because they were purebloods, but the truth was that they were just ignorant and cruel. "Sorry to let you know mum, but you guys are the stupid ones. You can bitch and moan all you want, but you're going to have to do it without me here to listen to it. Fuck you both, I'm leaving."

His mother gasped and put her hands to her chest, her mouth hanging open. His father came right up to him and grabbed him by the shirt, pulling him close to his face. "Have you lost your mind boy? I have half a mind to beat the living hell out of you." He then shoved Sirius away from him in disgust. "Get out of my house. You'll be back for the Christmas holidays, unless you want to really understand what pain feels like. Do you hear me?"

Sirius gave his father the dirtiest look he could and got up, dusting himself off. "Whatever. I'd rather die then come back here." Turning on his heel, he almost made it to the door when he felt something hit him in the back of the head. He turned around to see his O.W.L results lying on the floor at his feet.

"Take those with you," his mother said.

Sirius picked up the letter, crumpled it in his hand and stormed out the door, heading straight to his room to pack.

James couldn't stop smiling. He had passed all his O.W.L.'s, Lily Evans was coming to his house, and his breakfast was amazing. He had just started to dig into his bacon when he heard a knock on his front door. "Somebody's at the door!" He yelled, taking a bite of his bacon. He heard nothing except another knock at the door. Sighing, he got up. "I'll answer it!" He left the kitchen and walked to the front door, wiping off some pepper that had gotten on his lap. Another knock. "I'm coming! I'm coming!" He shouted irritably to the unknown visitor. He opened the door to see a very irritated Sirius Black looking back at him. "Sirius! I wasn't expecting you for a couple more days!" He told his best friend happily.

"Yeah, slight change of plans," Sirius said, and he ran a hand though his hair. "Think your parents would mind me staying for the rest of the summer?" He asked, not able to look James in the eye.

"Of course mate, of course," James said dismissively. "Sometimes I think they love you more than me! You actually came just in time, I told my parents to start expecting people. Come in."

Sirius crossed the threshold as James's mother Elizabeth came into the foyer. "Oh Sirius! It's so nice to see you," she said fondly. She then spotted his trunk and duffle bag. "You've come to stay for the summer?"

"Yes," Sirius said nervously. "I hope that is okay."

"Of course my dear boy!" She said so sincerely that Sirius beamed. "You know we love to have you here. I have half a mind to not let you go back to Hogwarts so I can have you here instead."

Sirius laughed. "I'd love that Mrs. Potter."

She laughed too. "It's a deal then."

James interjected. "No no mum, you have to let the boy get an education. His mind is obviously confunded, he doesn't know what he is talking about."

His mother laughed again. "You are just jealous because I put you on the Hogwarts Express as early as I can on September first."

Sirius roared with laughter and James even chuckled too. "Thanks mum, you're a pal."

His mother winked at him. "Come on in Sirius and make yourself at home."

Sirius smiled. "Thank you so much Mrs. Potter, I really do appreciate it."

"Of course dear, just remember to see Harold as soon as you can. He's in his study, and he'd never forgive you if you didn't put him on the top of your list."

"I sure will, I'll just go dump my stuff and make my way there."

"Perfect," she smiled fondly and gave Sirius a hug. "Remember, make yourself at home," she said again. She smiled and walked away.

Sirius watched her go and smiled again. "You sure are lucky James. Your parents are amazing."

James smiled but didn't really know how to respond. "Come on mate, I'll show you your room." The two boys headed up the stairs, each lost in thought.

Sirius put his trunk and bag on the bed when they arrived in the room. He headed toward a window where sun was shining brightly though it. "I like this so much better then the doom and gloom of Grimmauld Place. Your house always seems brighter for some reason."

"Well, it may have something to do with the fact that your house is surrounded by houses and mine isn't, you know?"

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Oh yeah? Is that the reason?"

James laughed. "That's what you get for trying to be all philosophical," he said jokingly.

Sirius just shook his head.

"So, Lily wrote and said she'll be able to make it," James tried to say nonchalantly but unable to hide his excitement.

"Right on. How much did you have to pay her?" Sirius asked seriously. He then laughed as James seized a tea candle off a dresser and threw it at him. "I'm kidding," Sirius said, his hands still up, ready for another attack.

James smiled. "Yeah, after Saturday she said. I guess they are having their girls day then."

Sirius shoved his hands in his pockets. "Well that's radical James. Have you thought about what we're all going to do when everyone arrives?"

"I have a couple ideas," James said thoughtfully. "You got a swimsuit?"

Sirius laughed his bark of a laugh. "When have I ever needed a swimsuit?" He asked.

"I'll take that as a no. Well I have some shorts you can just wear," James told him.

"Okay... are you going to set up the water hose in your front yard and spray Lily down with it?"

James scowled. "No, I was thinking about having my dad put us a pool/hot tub in the backyard. What do you think?"

Sirius brightened. "A hot tub? Radical. Think Dorcas would like that?"

James nodded excitedly. "That's what I'm saying!"

Laughing, Sirius nodded as well. "Well that would be great. I think we can come up with a couple more ideas too."

James nodded again. "I think so Mr. Padfoot."

Sirius smiled. He was so happy he left home.

The day after Sirius arrived at James's house, Remus decided to approach his parents to ask them if he could go as well. He had been in his room for most of the time for a week or so in a bad mood. He was having a hard time getting over seeing someone so blatantly saying that he didn't deserve to be treated like a human being. He walked slowly into the kitchen where his parents were having lunch. His mother spotted him and immediately got up, bustling about to make him a plate.

"Hello son. Some lunch?" His father asked.

Remus was teetering on looking his father straight in the face and answering with a very pronounced 'no', but at that moment his stomach gave a loud growl.

"I'll take that as a yes. Sit." His father said with finality.

Remus didn't even try to argue and sat down. His mother handed him the plate she had made him. It was overflowing with food and Remus grabbed his fork and started in on it right away. The meal went by in mostly silence, it only being broken by the occasional 'pretty good?'. Remus's mother and father weren't about to let him off the hook that easily though. As soon as Remus took his last bite and put his fork down, his father spoke.

"We've been worried. How are you?" He asked concerned.

"Fine." Remus said stiffly.

"Liar," his father commented. "I know what you read was horrible son, and I'm sorry."

Remus looked up at his father, who looked so sad that Remus thought he might cry. His mother was looking like she might do just that as well. He let out a long sigh, not really knowing how to respond. He couldn't let things like that take over his life. He couldn't barricade himself in his room forever. "It's not your fault. Really."

His mother sniffed. "Unfortunately Remus, there are people who are going to judge you for what you are, but we are not. We are your family."

Remus half smiled at his mother. "If Sirius caught me yelling like I did, he would have told me to shut my trap and stop being a prat."

His father chuckled. "So he would have. Are you going to be okay? Just remember son... you have people who are going to love you no matter what."

"I'll be fine. Thanks, and I'm sorry."

His parents shook their heads. "Don't worry about it Remus. We understand. That kind of ignorance cannot be easy to take."

Remus nodded. "So I came out here to ask you guys if I could take off to James's house for a week. After the full moon of course, so there's no risk."

"Of course son. You go and have fun with your friends." His mother said with a smile.

"Thanks mum." Remus got up hugged his parents, finally feeling at ease for the first time since reading the newspaper article.

A.N. Good? Bad? Ugly? Review and let me know. :D