Sorry for such as long delay!

Here's the next part, a little small...

Disclaimer: Character's aren't mine.

Chapter six – As Good as it Gets

"James, where are you going?"

James paused with his hand on the front door handle. He looked behind him to see his mother standing there, a book held casually at her side and her brown eyes, just like his, filled with curiosity. Looking at the two one wouldn't believe they were related until they saw their eyes as Sally Potter had dark red hair that was now slowly graying, her features were delicate and she always looked like some kind of model just out of a photo shoot. James however, was scruffier looking and his black hair was constantly a mess. Their eyes, however, were exactly the same deep brown colour.

"I have a meeting for my assignment today, just like I have had on this day all summer." He said simply, knowing it was indeed possible for neither of his parents to have noticed despite him having been doing so for almost two months now. They had a very busy life that was full of important people and making important decisions. James himself was only needed for functions where his father wanted to show him of as the heir of the Potter line.

"Oh, well don't be home too late. We need to start going over the invitation list for the end of summer party." She smiled slightly at him. James however, was shocked to realize that the summer had flown by so quickly!

"Ok… Would I be able to invite my group members?" He asked as inspiration struck. Having Sirius, Remus and Lily around would make the night so much more bearable.

"Who are they dear?" She asked with a warm smile.

"Sirius Black, Remus Lupin and Lily Evans," James said before he thought about it. It was only once the words were out of his mouth and he could see the confused look on his mothers' face that he realized a definite problem in his little plan.

His father always insisted on inviting all the wealthy people in the wizarding and muggle world. It was his way of showing everyone the prominence of the Potter family as well as renewing all acquaintances that might just come in handy one day. If his father could be said to be anything at all it was a fine networker.

"I don't recognize any of those names James. You know how your father likes to have only the elite of society at this party." She said; a gentle look on her face as if she was explaining to a very young child that Santa Clause wasn't real.

Thinking fast James said the first thing that came to mind.

"But it would be really good research for our assignment!" He said quickly and a bit more forcefully than he had intended.

He watched the conflict in his mothers brown eyes for a moment before she offered him another small smile.

"I suppose if it's for school then it will be alright."

Sagging slightly in relief he offered her the same small smile before turning back to the door.

"Thanks mum." He called casually over his shoulder.

"James!" She called him back, making him look around as he was now half out the door.

"Be careful around these new people. You don't want to do something you'll regret later." The concern and caution in her voice only served to irritate him. Here was his very own mother telling him not to be friends with his group members just because she didn't recognize their last names.

"I'll keep it in mind." He said frostily, a frown on his face as he continued out the door and ignored the sigh from his mother as he shut the wooden panel with a little bit too much force.

'Stupid shallow people,' he grumbled to himself as he headed over to his car. He didn't care what they thought about him anymore; it was his life and he was sick of following their rules.

***

It wasn't until a few days later, when James announced his families' annual end of holiday party that they always held at their mansion, that they all realized that they only had a week left before holidays would be over. A week before they would have to return to school. A week before the harsh realities of life hit them once again.

With mixed feeling, James invited the three to the party – insisting that it would help them finish up the last part of the assignment by watching how all the wealthy wizarding folk used etiquette.

Smiling a little apprehensively at what people would say to them being there, the three agreed after James had practically begged them to come so he might have people there that were not only worth talking to but that he wanted to talk to.

It was two nights later that Lily found herself standing in front of a mirror in her room, scrutinizing the blue dress she wore. Spinning around before the reflective surface she huffed a little.

"Well this is about as good as it gets." She forced a small smile before tucking a lose strand of hair behind her ear absentmindedly. She was distracted from her reflection by the honking of a car horn. Going over to her window she saw Sirius and Remus sitting in a car she recognized as James'.

"Must have stolen his car." She murmured to herself as a real smile quirked her lips. Turning, she grabbed her purse off the vanity before sweeping out of her room and down the stairs, heading for the front door.

"Where do you think you're going?" A sudden sneering voice came from the kitchen doorway. Lily looked around, surprised to see her sister standing there and looking at her.

"Out." She said simply, going to pulled open the front door.

"You're pretty dressed up." Her sister continued, moving slighting towards her, curiosity burning in her blue eyes.

Rolling her own eyes Lily heaved a sigh before turning to the older girl and frowning.

"If you really must know, I've been invited to a dinner party at a friend's house." The word friend felt foreign on her tongue but left her with butterflies in her stomach.

"Friend?" Petunia seemed to find the word hilarious because she laughed in an obnoxiously loud manner.

"You don't have any friend's." She continued, hand rising to her mouth in an imitation of proprietary.

"Yes I do." Lily snapped back, face flushing in embarrassment.

"Oh I'm sure they're just putting up with you until you give them what they want." She smirked nastily. "Then they'll drop you like the shameless freak you are."

Hurt and angry, Lily did the only thing she knew to do in such a situation. Lifting her head high with false pride she glared angrily at her sister.

"Just because you'll do anything for people to like you doesn't mean I will as well. They're my friend's because they want to be." With that she turned and opened to the door, walked out and slammed it shut behind her on Petunia's gaping face.

Walking over to the car she opened the back seat before sliding in.

"Hey Lily, ready for the boringest party on earth to begin?" Sirius asked, looking back at her in the review mirror.

"Yeah sure, bring on the boredom." She laughed, buckling up her seatbelt.

"It's not going to be that bad." Remus sighed, and Lily smirked as she knew that Sirius must have been going on about how bad tonight was going to be ever since he'd picked the werewolf up.

"Yeah you tell me that after an hour of it." Sirius snorted as he pulled away from the curve.

"So how is it you have James' car? Wasn't your bike cool enough anymore?" Lily teased the black haired boy in front of her.

"Are you kidding me? My bike is the coolest thing I've ever owned!" Sirius said passionately.

"James told him to use the car so we could pick you up." Remus said with an amused smile, looking around to Lily as he spoke.

"Ahh, I was sure you'd stolen the car." She said and laughed when Sirius let out a sound that resembled a strangled chicken.

"Why would I steal this pile of scrap metal when I have my baby at home?" He asked, outrage clear in his voice as he gave her a playful glare in the review mirror.

"I duno, I like the car." Lily said with a smile, causing Sirius to launch into a ramble about how much better motorbikes were compared to boring old cars. Remus caught her eye and they both rolled their eyes, laughing quietly as Sirius remained oblivious.

***

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