Potter Manor
Everyone landed with a thud on the sprawling grounds of Potter Manor.
Lily, Addy, and Meg were the only ones who had not seen Potter Manor so when they looked up they gaped shocked.
The "Manor" was more like a castle. It was big and had turrets and towers. They could see a lake behind the house.
'What does else does your house have?' Meg asked awed.
'Well there's a Quidditch Pitch by the lake. I remember a bad incident when I fell in the lake while trying to get the snitch.' James said.
'A full sized Quidditch Pitch?' Addy asked.
The others nodded.
'Well let's go!' Sirius shouted.
Ari got out her wand and started to levitate her luggage. So did all the others except when Lily pointed out that Ari was underage.
'Oh don't worry about that. The Potters have this thing where the Ministry can't detect underage magic from behind the wards.'
'Cool'
They walked to the front door. James knocked and it was opened by a house elf.
'Master James! You is finally home!' the elf cried and threw himself onto James and hugged his legs.
James grinned and bent down to hug the elf back.
Addy, Lily, and Meg looked at each other. Another glimpse of the sentimental and sweet James Potter.
'Hi, Binky. Where's mom?'
'Young Master, Mistress is busy making preparations for the Ball that is to happen tomorrow.'
James nodded.
'Well, we'll find our way from here. Thank you.'
Binky bowed and said. 'Certainly. Master Black, there is food in the kitchen waiting for you.' and then he disappeared.
Sirius grinned. 'They know me so well.
Everyone rolled their eyes.
'Padfoot, your stomach is not a stomach. It's a bottomless pit.' Remus said.
Sirius stuck his tongue out at Remus.
'Shut up Moony.'
James led them up the staircase. 'Ok, so Mom and Dad will probably be busy until dinner. We're on our own until then. So, I guess you guys want to see your rooms.'
Lily, Addy, Meg, and Ari all nodded. This was Ari's first time staying over at James's house.
They walked down several corridors before finally coming across a hallway with a dead end.
'These are our rooms!' Sirius exclaimed.
James stopped at the first door. It said Wormtail on the door.
He opened the door. 'This one is Sean's room.' he said.
Sean's room was decorated with different shades of blue.
The next door was labeled Moony. Remus's room was white and different shades of green. Sirius had once accused him of liking Slytherin but Remus had pointed out that the Slytherin color was silver and not white.
The door labeled Padfoot was purely Gryffindor. There were golds and reds everywhere.
James opened his door. 'This is my room.' he said.
The girls gasped. His walls were decorated in different shades of orange but his ceiling had the same charm as the great hall .It reflected the sky outside.
'Ok,' he said going to the room that was opposite him. 'You guys can decide what you want.'
The room opposite him was green and a light lavender. It had a flower theme. There were lilys on the bedspread and walls.
Lily grinned. 'Guess this ones mine.' she said. James smiled.
'All the female rooms have flower themes.'
James pulled out his wand and wrote Lily's name on the door.
The next room was gray and silver with daisies. Addy grinned.
'Mine!' she called.
James put her name on the door.
The next room was brown and yellow. There were sunflowers in the room.
Meg pushed through everyone and put her stuff on the bed.
'My favorite flower is a sunflower.' she explained.
James wrote Meg's name.
'Well that leaves me doesn't it.' Ari said.
She opened the last door. This room was also done in blue but it was a soft baby blue. The flower was a tulip.
Ari dumped her stuff on the bed and walked out.
'Ok, so what do you guys want to do now?' she asked.
Sirius grinned. 'Kitchens!' he cried.
James nodded. 'Sure, you guys probably want something to eat.'
They all headed down. The kitchen was just was big as the Hogwarts one and there were about twenty five elves running around preparing food.
Sirius went straight to a big cupboard and opened it. It was stocked with cakes and other sweet food. Sirius grinned.
Everyone grabbed some food and sat down to eat.
'So, James,' Addy said, ignoring Sirius who was shoveling food in his mouth. 'Where is this ball going to be held?' she asked.
James swallowed and said, 'Right here, we have a ballroom that's big enough.'
Lily and Meg looked at him in interest. 'It's a ball but what else do you do there?' Lily asked.
'Well, I really don't know because we have something different every year. But one thing is for sure we always do it for charity. We raise money and give to a good place.'
'He's right.' a voice said from behind them.
They all turned surprised and found that there was a woman with short red hair standing here.
James jumped up and ran to her. He picked her up and twirled her around.
'Mum!' he exclaimed happily.
James's mum smiled. 'Now, James put me down. Heavens I have this same problem with your father.'
James put his mum down and gave her a hug. Sirius came and gave her a hug too.
'We missed you mum.'
'Aww, I missed you too.'
She looked around and saw the others.
'Hello, Remus, Sean. It's so great to see you again.'
Remus and Sean gave her a two person hug. 'Good to see you too Mrs. P.' they said.
'And Ari! How's my favorite niece.' she asked wrapping her arms around Ari.
'Aunt V! I'm your only niece.' she said giggling.
'But that doesn't stop you from being the favorite.' Mrs. Potter said winking.
She turned to Lily, Addy, and Meg next. 'Hello dears. My name is Veronica. It's great to meet you.'
'Megan Walker.' she said.
'Oh you're the one dating Remus. Congratulations.' Meg smiled.
'Thanks.'
'Addy Stone.'
Veronica smiled and shook her hand.
'Lily Evans.'
Veronica furrowed her brow.
'Lily Evans?' she repeated.
She turned to looked at her son.
'Is there something you want to tell me?' she asked him.
James groaned. 'Mum! We're just friends.'
Veronica grinned. 'Whatever you say. It is a pleasure.'
Lily smiled. She liked James's mum.
'Anyways, this year we are holding a charity ball. We are going to have girls come out one by one for an auction. Whoever buys them will get the first dance. That's the plan and the money will go to St. Mungo's.'
The girls smiled. 'That sounds great. Can we participate?' Addy asked.
'Why that's a wonderful idea. I believe that Molly Weasley is also participating.' she said.
Lily grinned. She would see Molly again!
'Well, looks like we are going to have to get out money together.' Sean said.
Veronica grinned. 'Of course, these girls won't come cheap. Now, I have to make preparations so why don't you all go outside and play Quidditch.
That's exactly what they did.
At dinner time they all went in the headed for the dining room.
At the head of the table sat a man who had the same untidy hair as James. But the sight that met their eyes was too funny.
Mrs. Potter was standing behind him trying to make it lie flat.
'Oh really Charles, It is so unmanageable.' she grunted.
James laughed and his parents turned to look at him.
'Forget it mum.' he said.
His dad looked at him thankfully.
'Thanks James. I've been telling her to stop but she won't. Potter hair always grows that way.'
Veronica snorted and sat down.
'Hi, I'm James's dad Charles.' he said.
Everyone greeted him and sat down.
They all gave the two adults updates on Hogwarts and dinner passed quickly.
'Well, see you tomorrow. Girls, make sure that you have your dresses ready and if you don't have anything just come to me and I'll give you something.' Mrs. Potter said.
The two of them disappeared.
The girls grinned evilly. They boys are going to be knocked dead.