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

Chapter Eight

James, Peter, Sirius, Lily and Marlene were all in James's dining room. Marlene and Lily had arrived the day before, and James had just whipped them up a snack. They were all munching and teasing each other.

"Well Marlene, it's pretty obvious. You get kinda misty eyed looking at him," Sirius laughed.

"Oh shut up Sirius. If anyone knows anything about misty eyes its you. Every time you even glance Dorcas's way you get all drooly."

James burst our laughing. "You can't deny that one Padfoot, she does kinda make you a drooly mess." Everyone around the table laughed.

"Don't even get me started James," Sirius said warningly. "I can tell Lily some stories." Everyone but James laughed and Lily just blushed scarlet. "Shut it." James said embarrassed.

"So James's dad has been working on a pool in the backyard for us, would you girls like that?" Sirius said, changing the subject. Marlene and Lily brightened. "That sound great!" Marlene said happily. "Maybe I could actually get a tan this summer."

Lily nodded. "I love to swim, who's idea was that?"

James pointed at himself and Sirius pointed at him too. "It was all James's idea. A stroke of brilliance I never would have expected from my little Prongsie"

James scowled, Marlene and Peter laughed but Lily looked impressed. "That was a great idea James, when will it be ready?" she asked interested.

James beamed. "My dad assured me if not today then tomorrow."

She nodded and smiled. The other three glanced knowingly at each other.

"I had my dad set up a volleyball net too, you guys wanna go play?" James asked, hoping Lily liked volleyball.

"That sounds like fun." Lily said nodding. Everyone else consented as well and they made their way to the backyard for a game.

Meanwhile, Roxanne knocked on James's door, trying to come up with how she would approach the "Ryan subject" with Dorcas. James's mother opened the door and smiled when she saw her.

"Roxanne. Come in dear. How are you?" She asked sweetly.

Roxanne smiled. "I'm fine thanks Mrs. Potter. Is James around?"

"Yep, they just started a game of volleyball in the backyard, I'll show you the way."

Roxanne nodded and followed her. When they made it to the backyard, Lily and James were on one side and Sirius and Marlene were on the other of the volleyball net. Peter was sitting down in the grass a little to the side, clapping his hands and watching happily. "James! Roxanne's here!" His mother called to him. James, instead of volleying the ball, grabbed it, stopping the game. "Hey Roxy!" He called happily. The others waved and said their hello's as well. Roxanne lifted her hand in greeting. "Hey!" She smiled. James's mother put her hand on Roxanne shoulder. "Let me take your bag hon. I've already showed James where everyone's sleeping so he can show you to your room later." Roxanne smiled and handed her the bag. "Thanks again Mrs. Potter."

"Of course dear, of course," and with that she walked away.

Marlene came bounding up to her happily and gave her a hug. "Hey Roxy, come play?"

"No, I think I'll hold off. I'll sit here with Peter." Roxanne told her.

"Okay, but you're missing out!" She said, going back to the game. Roxanne laughed, and grabbed a spot in the grass next to Peter.

"Hey Roxanne," he said smiling. "How has your summer been."

"It's been okay I guess. I've had to work." She said trying not to sound to bitter. "How was yours Pete?"

"It was good. My mom's still pretty sad, she says she likes having me home." Peter said sadly.

Roxanne nodded. Peter's dad had died the year he had come to Hogwarts, putting his mother into a severe depression. Peter was all she had left, which made her cling tightly to him. Roxanne was pretty surprised that his mother let him come. "Was she reluctant to let you come?" Roxanne asked him curiously.

He nodded. "Yeah, but she wants me to have fun," he shrugged. "I can't stay for the whole week, only a couple days, but at least I got that long."

She nodded again. "I understand."

"Dorcas!"

Roxanne turned toward the back door and saw Sirius rushing to his girlfriend. He made her laugh by grabbing her around the waist and twirling her around a couple times.

"Miss me honey?" Dorcas asked jokingly, when Sirius set her down.

"You know I did baby," he told her, winking. He stepped aside so the rest of the group could hug her as well. When everyone got their turn, she smiled around at everyone. She looked over and noticed Roxanne sitting in the grass, fiddling around with her thumbs.

"We were just playing some volleyball," Marlene told her. "Your boyfriend is not very good," she laughed pushing Sirius.

"Oh hush Marlene," he told her smiling. "Wanna play Dorcas?"

"No, you guys go ahead. I'll join in later." She said.

They all nodded and went back to their game, Sirius giving her another hug and a kiss before doing so. She smiled at him then made her way over to Roxanne.

"Hey. Can I sit here?" Dorcas asked.

"Of course." Roxanne said, surprised. Dorcas sat cross legged on the grass. She looked over at Peter. "Think you could give us a minute Pete?"

Peter nodded. "Sure, I'll be in the kitchen if anyone asks."

When Peter walked away, Roxanne was the first to speak. "Dorcas, I'm sorry. Please don't be mad at me. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you."

Dorcas shook her head immediately. "No Roxy," she said sincerely. "I was just being silly. It was just hard finding out that way.. you know? I was just embarrassed that I interrupted you and so many things were going through my head. I shouldn't have just left like that and I'm sorry."

Roxanne nodded and looked embarrassed. "I didn't mean for things to go that far. He's just... way to handsome for his own good.. you know?"

Dorcas laughed. "Yeah, I understand. You just couldn't help yourself."

Roxanne shook her head and bumped Dorcas lightly with her shoulder.

"How about we play some volleyball?" Dorcas asked her.

Roxanne shook her head. "No, I'll watch, you go ahead."

The girls gave each other a half hug and Dorcas got up, headed to Sirius's side of the net. James immediately yelled foul, saying three against two was unfair, but at that moment, Peter walked back outside and they got him involved. Roxanne watched happily, then a guilty knot weaved into her stomach, making her smile slide off her face. Why didn't she tell Dorcas what had happened between her and Ryan? She just couldn't figure out for the life of her why she wanted to keep it a secret. Ryan was handsome, sexy, confident... she couldn't be ashamed of a guy like that. Was it just that he was a Slytherin? Was she letting some old prejudice dictate who she liked? She shuddered as visions of girl after girl snogging Ryan came to her brain. Okay, so it was that. She didn't want to be played and Ryan was none other than Hogwarts biggest player.

But was it really that? She probed her own feelings. She really didn't know, all she knew was that she couldn't bear it if her friends found out how far she had taken it with Ryan Thompson.

"Socks, extra boxers, undershirts." Remus was muttering to himself as he got packed to head over to James's. His mother was never satisfied until he packed extras of everything. He caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror and was happy with how his cuts were healing. His mother never really slept on full moons even though they soundproofed the basement, and she always made sure she cleaned his wounds very well right away when he transformed back so he wouldn't scar as badly as he would if they waited. He zipped up his overnight bag and made his way downstairs. His mother and father were in the living room; His father had his nose in a book, and his mother was circling recipes in witch weekly. He cleared his throat and made his presence known.

"Oh son, you ready? You remember to pack your swim trunks?" His father asked. Remus had told them what James was planning.

"Yeah, they're in my bag." He said smiling.

"Okay, then let's get going." His father stood up and took Remus by the arm, after his mother came and gave him a big hug.

"Be good Remus. Owl us if you need anything." His mother told him.

"Okay mum, I will. And I'll be good." He assured her. She gave his father a kiss and they disapparated.

James was in his room, barely waking up when he heard the knock on the door. 'Must be Remus' he thought. He got up and went downstairs, seeing his friend and his mother in the foyer.

"Hey Remus, a little early huh mate?"

Remus chuckled and James's mother shook her head. "Oh James, if you looked at a clock you would realize that it is eleven in the morning and if you ask any sane person, they would tell you that eleven is not early at all." His mother told him with a wink.

Remus laughed and it was James's turn to shake his head. "Ah well," he said. "Its the holidays."

His mother chuckled. "Breakfast is ready when you are boys." She told them before walking away. James motioned to Remus and they went upstairs to the room they had prepared for him. Remus dumped his stuff on the bed.

"Alright, well I'm going to jump in the shower and put some clothes on. Will you be okay?" James asked Remus.

"Yeah, for sure, I'll be fine. I'll go and get some breakfast. I ate, but why not eat more?" Remus told him with a smile.

James laughed. "Sounds great. Meet you down there in a bit."

Remus nodded and went to the kitchen. James's mother served him a plate and he dug into his meal.

A little while later, Roxanne walked into the kitchen, still in her pajamas, her hair in a messy bun, and slightly bleary eyed. Remus gazed at her fondly. He liked her that way, not worrying about how she looked, just getting up in the morning. He liked when she looked natural. Not that he didn't like the way she looked all dressed up, he just preferred her the way she was now.

"Remus!" She said when she spotted him. "I didn't know you had arrived." She took a seat next to him, poring herself a cup of orange juice.

"Yep, just about 15 minutes ago actually," he told her.

She nodded. "Awesome. You okay?" She asked looking over him critically.

He smiled. "Yeah. Thanks."

She nodded again. "Of course. You know I always care for your well being."

He smiled again. "Have you been here long?"

"No, I got here yesterday afternoon, and so did Dorcas. Lily and Marlene came the day before us and Peter came the day before that, and Sirius has been here for awhile." She rattled off.

"Ah. Last but not least I suppose," he told her jokingly.

"Certainly not least," she told him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her hand then looked into her eyes, a smile on his face. They both jumped a little when they heard a loud voice.

"Hey you two! Only Dorcas and I can flirt at the breakfast table!" Sirius and Dorcas had just walked in, each already dressed and with their arms around each other. Roxanne quickly took her hand off Remus's shoulder. "Oh I'm kidding, you guys can flirt all you want." Sirius said winking.

Remus chuckled and Roxanne rolled her eyes. "I was not flirting," she said firmly.

Sirius just shrugged. "You don't have to explain anything to me sweetheart."

Dorcas shoved him lightly. "Leave her alone," she said warningly.

Sirius smiled and pulled Dorcas in for a kiss, making Roxanne roll her eyes again. He was so whipped. They sat down and Mrs. Potter served them as well. "Oh you don't have to do this Mrs. Potter, I can tell everyone to get their lazy bums up and do it themselves," Sirius told her.

She just laughed. "I enjoy it Sirius. You know I adore having you kids around."

James and Lily walked in a few moments later, laughing at something. James was gesturing with his hands and Lily was red in the face from giggling. Everyone smiled at each other and a few seconds later it seemed that James had just noticed everyone gathered around the table. He blushed and led Lily to the table where he took a seat next to Sirius. "Morning all." He said lightly. Everyone mumbled good morning and a silence fell over the table as they all got absorbed in their meals. Marlene entered the kitchen a few minutes later scratching her wet hair. "Good morning everybody!" She said happily. "Oh Remus, I didn't know you got here already," she said, directing her focus to him and blushing for some reason.

"Yeah, this morning. How are you Marlene?" He told her pleasantly.

She smiled at him. "I'm fine."

He nodded and focused again on his food. Roxanne looked between the two of them and noticed there was only a seat left by Dorcas that Marlene seemed reluctant to take. She got up quickly, she was done with her breakfast anyway and needed to get ready. "Here Marley, take my seat. I gotta go take a shower and stuff." Remus looked a little put out, but Marlene beamed.

"Okay, thanks Roxy." Roxanne nodded at her friend and made her way back upstairs.

When Roxanne made it back downstairs, everyone had moved from the kitchen into the drawing room. Roxanne walked in and saw several things happening. Sirius and James were playing chess while Dorcas watched looking bored. Peter watched Marlene and Remus play cards. They were laughing and teasing each other, Marlene certainly looking pretty misty eyed. Lily was curled up in an armchair, writing something on a piece of parchment.

"Ha. I win!" James said happily, moving his queen.

Sirius looked immensely put out. "You are such a cheat."

"I am not! It's not my fault you just suck at chess!" James said defensively.

Dorcas rolled her eyes. "Boys, be calm, it's just a game."

Sirius sat back. "Fine. You win. Enjoy it while you can."

James laughed. "Oh I will."

Roxanne smiled and went to sit in an empty armchair. Just then, James's father came into the room, looking a little tired, but in good spirits. "Well kids, I finally finished it. Go enjoy it." He announced to the room. Everyone looked at him confused so he was forced to elaborate. "The pool? Hot tub? Remember?"

James stood up quickly. "Seriously dad? You're done?"

"Yep. All finished."

"Thanks!" Everyone told him simultaneously. Harold smiled hugely and laughed as they all rushed passed him and upstairs to change into their swimsuits.

"Cannonball!"

Everyone laughed and lunged out of James's way as he dived into the deeper end of the pool. His father had really outdone himself. The pool was massive and even the hot tub could fit all of them into it comfortably. Lily, James, Sirius and Dorcas were in the pool, mostly just diving in and swimming around. James's mother made sure they had inner tubes and all kinds of fun flotation devices as well.

Marlene had set a towel on the grass, and she laid out, convinced that this was her summer to get a tan. Peter was on the grass next to her, already a little tired from hanging out in the pool.

Roxanne and Remus were in the hot tub. Roxanne wanted to sooth her aching muscles from lifting boxes and Remus was trying to sooth away his aching muscles from the full moon. Remus was having a hard time keeping his eyes off Roxanne in her bathing suit. She was leaning her head back in a corner and had her eyes closed, obviously enjoying the jets and the hot water. Remus scooted closer to her. "Relaxed?" He asked her. She opened her eyes and looked at him happily. "Yeah, this is really nice."

He nodded. "It really is. Want me to rub your shoulders? I know exactly where all your knots probably are."

She hesitated, then mentally shook herself. Remus was her friend."Sure. I have a lot, so you better be prepared for the long haul." She told him jokingly.

He chuckled. "I think I can handle it." He bravely pulled her out of her corner and put himself into it, pulling her practically into his lap. Roxanne's eyes widened, then she melted as Remus started rubbing her shoulders. She moaned quietly. "Okay, so you're pretty good at that."

Remus chuckled again. "Yeah, I'm pretty tense all the time, so I've learned some techniques."

She smiled and leaned into him, barely conscious of anything. He seemed to be hitting every spot that was bothering her and soothing it away. She didn't realize that she kept moaning, but Remus did. He was very aware of her whole body, the way it molded into his, the way her chest rose and fell with her heavy breathing. "How's it feeling?" He said softly into her ear. Roxanne just nodded, trying hard not to fall asleep with how relaxed she was. Remus kept on, making sure he reached every spot on her shoulders, making sure he reached every knot. After awhile, his hands started to get tired, so he stopped and slid his hands down her arms, resting them on her forearms. She barely noticed. Remus knew he should prod her or something and let her know that he was finished, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. For a long time he had convinced himself that he could never get a girl to like him or be close to him. Now his crush was sitting on his lap in a swimsuit. His eyes grazed her body, pausing at the crook of her neck that was exposed to him. He leaned over and kissed it softly, putting his hand back up onto her upper arm. He didn't know what made him do it. He guessed that it had something to do with the fact that he had wanted to do it for so long and when the chance presented itself, he took it.

Roxanne's eyes shot open when she felt the kiss. Did Remus just kiss her? She sat up quickly and looked back at him. He looked back at her guiltily.

"Thanks Remus. That was nice of you... the massage I mean. It was nice. You're nice. Thanks." Roxanne was rambling, at a loss of what else to say.

He nodded, and knew he should bring it up. "Sorry Roxy... I just..."

Roxanne cut him off. "Don't worry. It's over." She didn't give him a chance to say anything else. She jumped out of the hot tub and made her way over to the pool instead. Remus sighed. He didn't mean to freak her out. He looked over at the pool, and noticed Lily and James pretty much gaping at him and he swore quietly. 'They probably saw the whole damn thing.' He didn't have too much time to dwell on it, because Marlene came over and joined him in the hot tub. He smiled at her. "Hey. How's the tan coming along?"

Marlene giggled. "Well, knowing my luck I'll just get burned."

"Well, I'll help you with some aloe vera if that happens," he told her with a wink.

Marlene giggled again. "Thanks, I'll hold you to that."

Remus smiled again and looked out where Roxanne had just jumped in the pool. His insides squirmed guiltily as she still looked pretty surprised. He would have to watch his step from now on. He liked Roxanne a lot and didn't want to ruin his chances with her. Marlene started talking to him, so he pulled himself out of his thoughts to try to pay attention He kept looking at Marlene without really listening. Marlene liked him, he knew that, it was actually pretty obvious. He really didn't want to hurt her, he wasn't that cold blooded, but he couldn't help his feelings for Roxanne and he hoped that she would be able to feel the same way about him.