Chapter 10

"Come on!" James begged Sirius.

"Essex, James. Essex. It's so far!" Sirius complained.

Sirius sat on his bed trying to read a magazine while James stood at the foot of the bed, begging emphatically.

"We're apparating there!" James said. Sirius rolled his eyes. "What? Do you have plans with your girlfriend?"

"No. She's working tonight. Or…her husband's home, I can't remember," Sirius said dismissively.

"Padfoot-!" James yelled crossly.

James had lectured Sirius repeatedly on dealing with a married woman, except Sirius did not want to hear any of it. He kept seeing his new lady friend.

"No, James. I'm not going to go to some stupid party so you can hang all over Spears and decide whether you want her back or not!"

They had been invited to a party near Essex at Cecil Welch's home. Welch's parents owned a country home that was never used and Cecil frequently used it as a house specifically for parties for his friends. Everyone would be there. Everyone.

"And he lives near muggles and—"

"He owns twenty acres! There's no one around!"

"What if Mary's there?"

"So you'll say something snarky and keep drinking! Padfoot, please come. Please!"

"Why? Why do you want me to go so badly?"

James sighed and said, "I…don't want to make a mistake with Spears, OK? I don't think…I need you to make sure I don't go home with her."

Sirius rolled his eyes and stood from his bed. He took the magazine he was reading and threw it at James. "Going home with someone would do you some good!"

"Please?"

"Fine," Sirius finally agreed.

That evening, after slipping past his mother in the kitchen, James and Sirius sneaked out and apparated to Cecil Welch's home. Except they didn't arrive at the home. They arrived on one of those twenty acres that James had previously boasted about to Sirius. As they walked, they finally could see the house where almost every student at Hogwarts was in attendance, except for Slytherins. There were boys and girls snogging on the lawn and one girl throwing up from too much alcohol.

"You'd hardly know there's a war going on," Sirius said to James as they walked inside the house. Dozens of their school friends were sitting around laughing, drinking and dancing.

"That's what Muggle country does to you, I suppose," James said. They made their way through the party, passing friends and saying hello as they went. James led them to a group of boys in their year who were all surrounding a pretty girl with blonde hair. As James walked closer to the circle, he realize that the girl was Emily Spears.

"Look who showed up," Emily said quietly. She parted the circle to greet James and hugged him immediately. James leaned down and kissed her on the cheek, while Sirius watched them cautiously.

"You look beautiful," James told her. Emily handed him a drink and smiled.

"Thank you," she said. She turned to Sirius. "Sirius."

"Spears," Sirius said, acknowledging her. He turned to James. "I'm going to go find Peter."

"See you later," James said. Sirius walked away from them and James turned to Emily and smiled. "You really do look beautiful."

"You told me that already," Emily said, grabbing James's hand to intertwine with hers. She led James to a dark corner in the home, seated underneath the stairwell on a small sofa.

"Have you been drinking?" James asked her.

"A little," she said, trying to get more comfortable on the sofa.

"So that's the plan, huh? Get me drunk? Take advantage of me?" James suggested. Emily leaned forward and kissed him.

"Something like that," she said. "Do you oppose?"

James didn't know whether it was the atmosphere of the party or the notion of peer pressure, but he replied, "Absolutely not."

They continued snogging in the dark corner, hiding from the other party-goers.

Across the room, Sirius was still in pursuit of Peter. He finally made his way into the kitchen where he found Peter drinking a beer and chatting with a few Huffelpuff girls.

"Thank Merlin," Sirius said upon reaching Peter.

"Hey!" Peter said happily, patting Sirius on the back. "Sirius, you know Penelope and Clarisse."

"Yes, hello," Sirius said, waving to the two fifth year girls.

"So, Sirius, you're not seeing anyone these days, are you?" Penelope asked, batting her eyelashes far too many times for Sirius's liking.

"No, single as ever," Peter answered for him.

"That's uh…not true," Sirius shrugged. "I've got a girlfriend."

"Oh," the two girls said simultaneously.

"I think I see Cecil," Clarisse said, pointing across the kitchen. The two girls left Sirius and Peter, causing Peter to turn to Sirius and swat him in the arm.

"What is wrong with you?!"

"I didn't want to lie," Sirius said.

"Oh, and you just suddenly have a girlfriend?"

"I have one!" Sirius said.

"OK, Padfoot, you have a girlfriend," Peter jested. "Who is it?

"I can't tell you…but she is…she is hot!" Sirius proclaimed.

"So you can't tell me who she is, just that she's hot?"

"Yeah," Sirius said, raising his eyebrows.

"You know what? I'm starting to see why Remus hates you," Peter said. With that, Peter took his beer and walked away.

"Beer?" Sirius heard. He turned around to find Cecil Welch holding a cup full of beer.

"Oh, thank Merlin. Yes!" He grabbed the beer and began drinking.

"Potter here?" Cecil asked.

"Yeah, he and Spears are off somewhere in a dark corner," Sirius said dismissively. "This is good beer. Where is this from?"

"It's Muggle beer," Cecil said.

"Ah, your people were bound to get something right one of these days. Congratulations," Sirius laughed.

"So James and Spears are…back together?" Cecil asked.

"I don't think so," Sirius said. "But…you never know with them. Why? You still in love with Spears?"

Cecil nodded his head.

"That is awful," Sirius said.

"No matter how hard I try, I can't stop."

"It's only Spears," Sirius said. "She's kinda…young."

"What?"

"Nothing," Sirius said. "Why don't you date some Quidditch players?"

"I have. I have dated and slept that all the women in the league that will have me," Cecil said.

"Carry on with that," Sirius advised, smiling.

"I suppose."

Sirius watched the party goers across the room and noticed Mary, Diane, Alice and Sarah were talking to a few other girls from their year in the corner.

"You gonna say hi?" Welch asked him, noticing that he was staring at Mary.

"Nope," Sirius replied.

"You're over it?"

"No," Sirius said. "But I'm getting laid now, so I care a little bit less."

"Well, good for you," Cecil said.

"You heard any rumors about her?" Sirius asked, leering his head toward Mary.

"Mary? Uh…not really. I heard she was dating someone for a bit and broke it off. And! I did hear that she might secretly hate Lily Evans."

"Evans? How can anyone hate Evans? They're best friends," Sirius said.

"I don't know. Just telling you what I heard. Look, I gotta go make the rounds. I'll talk to you later," Cecil said. He stuck out his hand and shook Sirius's.

"Thanks, mate," Sirius said. Sirius stuck himself against the wall and people-watched for a few moments, occasionally saying hello to friends. As he stuck against the wall, Mary walked right toward him and bypassed him without saying hello. A moment later, she backtracked.

"Oh! Sirius! I didn't even see you. How sweet of you to say hello."

"I didn't say hello," Sirius said. Mary forced a smile and walked closer to him.

"Oh…what are you doing here?"
"I was invited," Sirius said. "Cecil and I are friends. What are you doing here? You do know this is Muggle country, don't you?"

"So coy, Sirius," Mary said, smiling.

"How've you been?" he asked.

"Fine. You?"

"Great," Sirius said.

"Being with your uncle must've been good for you?"

"Very good," Sirius said. "Hey, do you know if Diane's seeing anyone these days?"

Mary was taken aback as she watched Sirius stare across the room at Diane.

"Uh…"

"Yes or no?"

"I…I don't know. Are you…are you interested?" Mary asked. Mary folded her arms and stared at her ex-boyfriend.

"Well, now that you and I aren't dating—"
"You can't date one of my friends," Mary said, cutting him off.

"Why not?"

"You're not allowed. And plus, they hate you anyway."

"Diane flirts with me, you know," Sirius lied. He was doing something devious and he didn't particularly care.

"She flirts with everyone. She sleeps around," Mary said, glaring at Diane now.

"Well, I'm seeing someone anyway," Sirius said, shrugging.

"You're what?"

Each time Sirius spoke, he shocked her more.

"I'm seeing someone," he said casually. "But you know, if Diane made me an offer…I wouldn't say no."

"Who is she?"

"Who?"

"Your girlfriend," Mary said emphatically.

"Oh, she's not a girl," Sirius said proudly. Mary pursed her lips and stared at him.

"So you're…you're seeing someone and you're happy. And she's not a girl. She's—"

"A hot older woman," Sirius announced.

That's…that's great!" Mary said. Sirius glanced at her and noticed she was breathing hard and trying not to snap. Her fists were also clenched to prevent herself from slapping him.

Sirius grinned and said, "Excuse me. I'm going to go say hello to a few people."

Sirius ended up out on the lawn and lit a cigarette, exhaling deeply. He walked around for a short time and then noticed that Alice was sitting by herself on the lawn looking out onto the property. He plopped down on the grass with her.

"Hello, there!" he said happily.

"Been drinking?"

"Oddly, no. Just a short victory over an ex-girlfriend," he explained. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?"

Alice looked at him and then back onto the lawn.

"What?" Sirius asked.

"I…I…just don't want to be inside."

"You came in and you were smiling and—"

"I came in and I was forcing a smile," she revealed. Alice began picking at the grass and throwing it ahead of her.

"Why?" Sirius asked.

"I hate them," Alice whimpered.

"Who?" Sirius asked.

"Mary. Diane. Sarah. I hate them. They're terrible people," Alice said suddenly. "And…they say so many mean things about Lily when she's not around."

"Are you really sure you're the one that should be judging how people treat Evans?" Sirius asked her.

"Not really," Alice said, gulping her drink. "Well, maybe now I can."
"What do you mean?"

"Oh, you didn't hear?" Alice asked him.

"Hear what?"

"Frank and I broke up. He and Lily are back together and so in love," she said.

"What?"

"Yep," Alice said, placing a smile on her face and nodding her head. "Day after school ended he came to me and told me he was still in love with her."

"And she…?"

"Welcomed him back with open arms," Alice finished for him.

"That's terrible," Sirius said.

"And now I have to hang out with…them," Alice said disgustedly, leering her head toward the party where Sirius could see Mary, Diane and Sarah having a great time in the party.

"Want me to stir up some trouble?" Sirius asked.

"How?"

"Don't worry. I've already planted the seed," Sirius said.

"As long as it doesn't drag me into unnecessary drama, then yes. Please!"

"Watch me, then," Sirius said, gulping his drink. Alice watched as Sirius walked into the party and stood in line for another drink. In front of him in that line, was Diane. Diane got a refill of wine and then turned round to look at Sirius, who was smiling at her.

"Well, hello there," Sirius said.

"Not now, Black," she said coldly, trying to get away.

"What's with you?" Sirius asked, reaching his hand out to grab her arm.

Diane turned to him.

"Firstly, I've had a bit of wine. Secondly, you're despicable. Thirdly, I know nothing."

"Firstly, good, you could probably use it. Secondly, I know. Thirdly, I don't believe you considering I didn't even ask you anything."

"I told you I've had too much wine," Diane said.

Sirius began walking and backing Diane into a corner, forgetting about his drink refill.

"What don't you know?" Sirius asked her as she hit the wall.

"Nothing. You and Mary though…you're not getting back together," Diane said, sipping more of her drink

"Why not?"
"First of all, she cheated on you."
"What?"

"When you were together. She cheated on you at that wedding," Diane said confidently.

Sirius nodded.

"So she's with that guy then?" he asked.

"No."

"Who's she with then?"

"I can't tell you that," she said, smiling.

Sirius sighed and looked at Diane. He then looked across the party and saw that Mary was staring at them, her fists still clenched.

Sirius looked back to Diane and smiled. She was certainly not the brightest of Mary's friends. Not in the slightest. Sirius grabbed Diane by the back of her head and pulled her in for a kiss.

"What are you doing?" she asked, pushing him back.

"I can't believe you just kissed me. I…wow, Diane," Sirius said, trailing off. "You shouldn't drink so much."

"I'm sorry," Diane said. Sirius pulled her in for another kiss, this time drawing the attention of the people surrounding them.

"Diane! Please! I have a girlfriend!" Sirius said loudly. Sirius looked across the room and noticed that Mary was livid. She started making her way toward Diane and Sirius, but by the time she arrived, Sirius had slipped back outside with Alice to watch the fight that would likely ensue.

Across the room, Emily stopped kissing James for a moment.

"Let's go get more to drink," she suggested.

"Not drunk enough?" he jested.

"I don't need to be drunk with you. You know that," Emily said, kissing him. He nodded and the two emerged from their corner, dusting themselves off. They walked through the party and retrieved two more drinks. But on the way back to their cozy corner, Cecil stopped them.

"Emily, can I talk to you for a moment?" he asked her. Emily looked nervously at James, who merely shrugged.

"I suppose," Emily answered. Cecil and Emily disappeared through the crowd leaving James to himself and his alcohol. Like Sirius had done previously, James stuck to a wall and started to people watch. As he did this, Frank Longbottom approached. However, this wasn't the normal the Frank Longbottom. This was the Frank Longbottom who had had three martinis before coming to the party and had continued drinking for the duration of the evening.

"Back together with Spears, huh?" Frank asked James.

"No," James said, sipping his drink.

"Not so keen on being the Minister's son-in-law?"

James didn't answer and instead kept drinking his beer.

"Not talking to me, Potter?" Frank asked.

"No point, Frank," James shrugged.

"Oh no?"

"No," James confirmed. "You'll say something smarmy. I'll get angry and somehow Emily will end up angry with me."

"So…you've given up on Lily then? You're not going to attempt to get together with her this year while I'm off at Auror training?"

"Why would you even care what Lily does, Frank? You've got Alice," James pointed out.

"Not anymore. Lily and I are back together," Frank told him.

"Come again?"

"Lily and I are back together," Frank repeated, this time leaning his head into James's as he said it.

James paused for a moment and then turned to his left where a few girls in the sixth year were standing. He handed his drink to one of the girls.

"Hold this for a moment, please?" James implored. The girl nodded. He turned back around and punched Frank directly in the jaw, knocking him to the ground and causing him to sail across the room. Girls screamed, a few of the other boys cheered.

James turned back around to the girl and grabbed his drink from her.

"Thank you," he said.

"Anytime," she said quietly.

Emily rushed over to James, staring at Frank who was unconscious on the floor.

"What happened?"
"Nothing. Let's go home," James said.

"Home? Your home? My home? Are we going together?" Emily asked, as he pulled her closer.

"I'd like to go home together," he said, kissing her neck.

"See earlier when I asked, you told me you weren't sure," Emily said.

"I know. I'm a fool," James said, kissing her on the lips now.

"What's gotten into you?" Emily asked.

"Nothing," he replied.

Their next kiss was interrupted by an owl that dropped off a letter right to Emily. She tore it open and read it. And as she read it, she began to become horrified.

"What?" James asked.

"We have to go," she said, grabbing his hand.

"What? Why?"

"My father's on his way," she said. "Phinn just owled me."

Phinn was Emily's older brother, an Auror. Well, former Auror. The Minister had begged Phinn to give up his job out of his safety. So now, Phinn spent his evenings at Ministry parties listening to foreign policy ideas instead of acting out policies himself. Emily and Phinn had been put under a great deal of Auror protection since their father had taken office. And on this particular evening, Emily slipped past her protection to attend the party.

"We have to tell Cecil!" James insisted.

Emily nodded in agreement and eventually, after searching almost every room in the house, they found Welch with a group of his friends in the den.

"Well what do you want me to do?" he asked them.

"Tell everyone to leave. Now!" Emily said.

"Why?"

"Because my father will kill you. That's why," Emily explained.

Cecil begrudgingly stood from his seat and walked out into the living room. However, when he entered the room, he discovered that the party had dispersed and that Minister Spears was standing with his entourage of security.

"Well, hello there, Emily," he said sinisterly.

"Hello," Emily said quietly.

"James," Minister Spears said.

"Minister."

"And you are?" the Minister asked Cecil.

"Cecil Welch, sir," Cecil said fearlessly.

"And you held this party?"

"Yes, sir," Cecil said.

"And you thought that was wise? Inviting the Minister's daughter?" the Minister asked, raising his voice as he came closer to Welch.

"It was my idea, sir," James announced. "To come to the party. I wasn't thinking and…I'm sorry."

The Minister glanced at James and said, "I don't believe you. But I appreciate someone taking responsibility. Emily, let's go home."

"Yes, sir," Emily said. She squeezed James's hand and the Minister and his entourage of Aurors left the room, stepping over Frank's unconscious body as they did.