"You're sure he'll be here?"
"Yes Lily, stop fussing."
"Because he just has to be here."
"Lily, he'll be buzzing round you once where done." Said Dorcas as she brushed Lily's hair.
"He'll definitely be here."
"Stop asking or I'll tell him not to." Said Dorcas, "God help him if you're just this keen."
"Shouldn't I be that enthusiastic?" asked Lily.
"James always likes a challenge." Said Dorcas, "As does every other man, so play a little hard to get. Not too much or he'll just go elsewhere."
"I never thought it would be so complicated." Said Lily.
"Like every other thing in life." Said Jessica, "I don't know why you're so possessed by James anyway."
"Just because you secretly pine for him." muttered Isabel.
"Look girls, let's just go down and enjoy ourselves." Said Dorcas, "We can worry about boys when they arrive, though we do have to make sure James and Sirius don't pull anything. Though with this being half James's party, it might be sedate."
"When has he ever been sedate?"
Lily never knew that Dorcas lived in a mansion, really, a mansion. The room that the party was being held in was bigger than her house. It was long room with high French doors down the left hand side which led out onto a huge balcony. The room itself was decorated with a disco ball in the middle with white bunting hanging from the ceiling, the outline of the room was filled with tables with food and drinks on them.
Deep down, it made Lily want to cry, especially when she found out that Isabel, Jessica, and most of the other purebloods (including Potter) all had mansions in some form or another. When Lily walked into the room and looked around, she really hoped that she could own a house like this.
It reminded her of the houses that Jane Austin wrote about in her books, and Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby.
"This placed is brilliant." Said Lily as Dorcas came down. "It must have been awesome growing up here."
"Not so much." Said Dorcas looking round as well. "It's not so impressive when you've grown up here."
"I think this room is as big as my house."
"It's been in the family for generations." Said Dorcas. "I must admit, it's great for parties." Lily nodded.
The Marauders Proudly Present James Potter and Lily Evans In: The Marauders Year One
Chapter Twenty Three
The American
Written By Chambers10
The party was now in full swing. The lights where down low with music and lighting coming from somewhere. Lily was stood with a butterbeer in her hand looking round at people she did know, and people she didn't girls that had gone to Beauxbatons(Whatever that was.) and some boys and girls who had gone to wizarding schools in America.
But where was James. Dorcas said that he would be here, it was his party. Lily looked around and saw people dancing, socialising. But she was here looking like an idiot all dressed up and not talking to anyone.
She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned round.
"Lily, what are doing?" asked Dorcas. "Go on, socialise."
"I'm waiting for someone." Said Lily.
"James will be here." Said Dorcas. "He's being…fashionably late." Lily turned her nose up at the remark.
"Is there even a thing?" asked Lily.
"That's what my mum says." Said Dorcas. "Come on, let's go." Dorcas led Lily round the room introducing her to people she knew from wizarding schools in France and America. Lily was amazed that were other schools round the world. Lily was talking to one girl who went to Beauxbatons about the different points of Potion making.
"I really thought that newt blood could av more use in the making of cold potions than in bone remedies." She said in a somewhat forced French accent. Lily quirked her face, why would someone talk in such an obviously fake accent, would it make her seem smarter somehow?
"But if you use too much in cold potions then it could potentially render the immune system numb." Explained Lily. "You would never know if you got a cold at all."
"Iz zat such a bad thing?" She asked. Lily sighed.
"If you have a cold that progresses it could lead to something harmful." Said Lily. "It's more of a warning system than an actual virus." The girl thought about it for a moment.
"I suppose." She said. "Evans. Zat isn't a neme I'm familiar with? Iz zit welsh?"
"No. I don't think so." Said Lily. "I think it's just my normal name."
"Ah!" the girl took a step back from her. "Ar you a muggleborn?" Lily nodded, confused as to why she had taken a back step from her.
"You are very clever for a muggle born aren't you."
"What?"
"Most muggle borns I know are very dim about things like this." She said. "Usually zhey end up doing something stuped."
"Right…" said Lily tightening her hand into a fist. "Look, I need to go." Said Lily after swallowing hard. She didn't wait for a response and took off, pushing past a couple of people. When Potter got here maybe he would introduce her to some people who didn't question her bloodline.
She went over towards the food table and picked up a sandwich and began to shovel it in her mouth, not really caring if she looked lady like or not.
"Oh hey James, happy birthday." Lily turned quickly. That was his name, he was here, oh god he was here. Lily threw the half a sandwich back on the plate and straightened herself. She then weaved her way through the crowd. She got closer and could see the unruly black hair which made her stomach do a somersault. She bit her lip and rearranged her hair again and moved forward.
"Thanks, cheers, yeah it's nice to see you to." He came into view, he was wearing a black shirt and jeans. Lily smiled and went to say hi. She stopped dead in her tracks. There was someone on his arm already. She was a little shorter than him, she had long blonde hair and bright blue eyes, what made it even worse that she was very pretty indeed, if Lily had to admit, she was the prettiest girl she had ever seen. And dress she was wearing, Lily wanted to cry all over again, it was perfect for her.
Lily stared blankly at the pair of them. She felt a weird crushing feeling in the centre of her chest. She didn't feel like crying, she just wanted to get away from here. Without another word she turned round and pushed herself away from the crowd, she needed air, she needed a lot of air. She found a door and pushed it open into the main hall. She looked around frantically and made for the front door, she pushed it open and walked onto the stone steps and sat down. She just stared blankly into space. She hadn't thought that he would come to a party with another girl. Sure he was flirtatious by nature but he never gave definite signals to people.
"Lily?" Dorcas was now by her side. Lily looked up at her with blank eyes.
"What is it?" asked Dorcas sitting next to her. "James is here, I thought you'd be happy?" Lily shook her head.
"Did you see who he was with though?" she whispered.
"He's with someone?" Dorcas asked looking back at the party. She turned back and didn't look impressed. "What did she look like?"
"Blonde." Lily said vacantly, "blue eyes. Oh god Dorcas she was perfect."
"Leanne." Said Dorcas hitting herself on the head with her palm.
"Who?"
"Leanne." Said Dorcas, "She's a year older and goes to school in America."
"What do I do now?" asked Lily. Dorcas looked at her questioningly. "I mean, the person who I wanted to impress just turns up with another girl, I'm sitting on this stone like a three year old." she sighed and put her face in her hands. "And I'm pretty sure I just made myself look like an idiot."
"You haven't Lily." said Dorcas, "Look, why don't you go upstairs and get ready, I'm going to talk to James."
"You remember some of the people don't you?"
"How could I forget." Said Leanne, her voice dripping with contempt. "Are they half expecting us to do something?"
"Maybe." Said James. "I Should try and find Sirius. He'll be happy to see you, and I have to introduce you to Remus and Pete."
"Sounds like fun." Said Leanne taking a sip of Butterbeer.
"James!" James looked to see Dorcas coming towards her, she had a big smile on her face. He knew something was wrong.
"And Leanne." She said getting closer, "I heard Earl was back, I didn't know you were here to!"
"Last minute plans." Said Leanne hugging Dorcas.
"Well it's really nice to see you." Said Dorcas a little impatiently. "Do you mind if I borrow James for a minute?"
"Sure, just a sec." Leanne pulled James down for a kiss. It took him by surprise and he could see Dorcas looking disapprovingly at them.
"Be back soon." She said nipping him the lips. James smiled weakly and went with Dorcas who was pulling quite roughly across the room and outside.
"Ok, what is this all about?" asked James, "I know your pissed because you smiling that manic smile."
"You never said Leanne was coming." Said Dorcas as she closed the door.
"She turned up on my door step yesterday."
"And presumably stuck her tongue down your mouth to while she was there?" James looked away.
"Oh of course she bloody did, why aren't I surprised?" said Dorcas.
"Look I know she doesn't exactly"
"James, the girl has always thought you and I are involved in some way." Said Dorcas.
"And I've told her countless times, that it's nothing." Said James, "We've been friends for years." He then stopped and looked at her. "But this is water under the bridge though." He said. "So why have you brought me out here?"
Dorcas looked away. "Dorcas." She sighed.
"Look, someone was hoping to get to know you a bit better tonight." Said Dorcas, "They saw you with Leanne and there…a little upset." Someone fancied him. James looked at Dorcas and his mind was working overload to try and figure out who it was.
"Who?" asked James.
"That I can't say." Said Dorcas, "But they really wanted to get to know you James." Dorcas walked up to him and held his hand.
"She has a huge crush on you."
"But you're not going to tell me, are you?" asked James. Dorcas shook her head.
"No." said Dorcas, "She's been talking about this party ever since we organised it. Saying it was a good chance to get to know you better." James looked at the floor in amazement.
"Well why didn't they tell me?" asked James. There was a pause from Dorcas as she tried to find the right words.
"She didn't know how to tell you." Said Dorcas exasperated. "This is what you get with being too friendly with her, you big her hopes up and now you've crushed her.
He ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
"Is she upset?"
"Very." Said Dorcas.
"Look, I didn't know." Said James, "If I did then-"
"Then what James? Then what?"
"I don't know." Said James, "She wouldn't have got upset if she had just told me."
"Are you saying this is her fault!" said Dorcas.
"Well she should have told me." Said James, "Did she just expect me to magically find out."
"You are a wizard." Mumbled Dorcas.
"See! There, you know I'm right." Dorcas huffed and stood hands on hips glaring at James.
"Well, what do I go and say to her now?" said Dorcas, "By all intense and purposes she'll want to go home and cry herself to sleep." James ran a hand through his hair again, thinking of a good thing to say, but nothing came.
"I don't know." Said James.
"Neither do I." said Dorcas. "I'll try and coax her down, but don't be downhearted if she doesn't come seeking you out."
"I'll take my chances." Said James. Dorcas turned round and walked towards the patio door.
Dorcas closed the door, leaving James to ponder his thoughts. His mother always said not to break girls hearts, but this time he'd done it without even realising it.
"Knock, knock." Leanne was now next to him.
"Hey."
"What was that all about?"
"Nothing." Said James turning round.
"Didn't sound like nothing." Said Leanne playing with his hair. "Come on James. What was it?"
"…a girl was disappointed that I came with you tonight." Said James, feeling a little bit guilty.
"Well I'm honoured." Said Leanne. "I've already seen Faith Chambers shooting daggers at me. Wasn't her was it?"
"Could be." said James, "Dorcas didn't say."
"Well there's nothing you can do now." said Leanne kissing him. James returned the kiss. "She'll just have to wait in line." James smiled a little.
"Besides." She took James's hand and led him back inside. "It's not like she's planning on marrying you."
The tears had stopped now, now the emotions were out of the way, the dissection into why could now begin. Lily was confident that Potter wouldn't give up that girl to come and tend to her, otherwise he'd be here by now.
But it could have been worse. Sev could of found out about this crush on Potter and then she'd have nothing. Thankfully he was in blissful ignorance at this information, only bad things could of come from this if he found out.
She'd done her best to mask the tears, but it had been noticable that she had been crying. She ran her fingers through her hair and stared at the mirror. Why would Potter want to be with someone like you she asked herself. He's always been active, adventerous, dangerous, never afraid of anything. And then there's you. You're the complete opposite, your boring, dull, consistant, fearful of anything you don't know and a book worm for gods sake. Plus there was the obvious, he was a pureblood, she was a muggleborn, it never would of worked, they were just to different.
"Lily."
"Yeah." Dorcas walked into her bedroom, which was strewn with sleeping bags and walked to Lily. The look on her face told Lily that it was a hopeless battle.
"He's going to stay with her, isn't he?" said Lily, Dorcas nodded. Lily took a deep breath.
"But we shouldn't give up." Said Dorcas.
"I really should of told him sooner." Said Lily.
"Well yes." said Dorcas, "I never planned on that bimbo turning up." Lily raised her eyebrow.
"You don't like her?" Dorcas smirked.
"No." said Dorcas,
"Why?"
"She's made allegations about me and James in the past." Said Dorcas, "She always liked James, and she thought that me and him where involved somehow."
"Have you ever?" asked Lily.
"James is like a brother to me." Said Dorcas, "I never would." Lily nodded.
"Look Lily. I know you're upset and disapointed, but try and have some fun." Lily nodded and stood up. She shouldn't feel this way, besides, it was Dorcas's birthday, she shouldn't have to put up with a hysterical Lily for the night.
"Come on, I'm sure there are some guys you can impress." Lily smiled and went back downstairs with Dorcas and they went back into party room. If she was going to get over this, there was one thing she had to do first. She made her way through the crowd again till she saw him talking to Black. She took a deep breath and walked towards him and that Leanne was it? on his arm.
"Hey guys." Said Lily butting in, and not really caring if they minded or not.
"Hey Lily." said Remus, "I thought I hadn't seen you around."
"I've been busy." Said Lily, "Hey Potter." He paused before turning round. Lily's stomach did a flip-fop when she saw him.
"Hey Evans." He said. "Having a nice time?"
"I…I am thanks." Said Lily.
"You should talk to Dominque, she's a bit of a potions prodigy to." He pointed to the girl she had been speaking to earlier.
"I already have thanks." Said Lily not intending to speak to her again. "I don't think she's quite up to my standards." She made sure he eyes travelled to this new girl when she said it.
"That's a bit big headed." The blonde girl said. "Just how good are you?"
"She's really good." Said James. "Better than me at potions." Despite all the hate she was feeling towards them she actually managed a small smile, and much to her own disgust a blush to. Come Lily get in the came, we hate them remember, her brain scolded her.
"Potter, aren't you going to introduce me?" Lily tried to look politely at this girl. She forced her biggest fake smile.
"Yeah James." She said now looking at Lily. "Aren't you going to introduce me?"
"Oh, yeah." He said ruffling his hair. "Uhm, Evans, this is Leanne, an old friend. Leanne this is Lily Evans, a girl in my house at Hogwarts."
"Oh hi Lily." she said shaking Lily's hand. It took all of Lily's strength not to scowl or say something unsavoury at her. She had to be strong, she had to get over this.
"I haven't seen you around before." Said Leanne, "Is Evans-"
"It's not Welsh." Said Lily. "I only found out I was a witch in July."
"You're a muggleborn?"
"Yes." said Lily, as though she hadn't made that clear already. "I take it you're a pureblood?"
"Yeah." Said Leanne slowly. "Me and James have been friends for years." She said tightening her grip on his arm.
"Funny, Potter never mentioned you." Said Lily looking at Potter.
"Didn't he?" she asked looking at James as well who looked away while drinking his butterbeer.
"He did to us." Said Remus, "But then I suppose that's the sort of thing he wouldn't tell Lily."
"Fair enough." Said Leanne, Lily watched as Leanne almost inspected her top to bottom. Lily didn't like it. It was like she was gauging whether Lily was a threat or not. Leanne narrowed her eyes at her. Clearly she thought something was of with her, Lily didn't really care, she could shove her perfect hair and dress and smile where the sun doesn't shine.
"Come on James, I need another drink." She said pulling James away quite briskly. Lily looked on as she pulled him away. Maybe she had got under her skin a little, good.
"Was it something I said?" asked Lily.
"Don't take it personally." Said Sirius. "She's a little insecure."
"About what?" muttered Lily, "She's perfect." All three looked at Lily who was watching Leanne drag James away from the crowd.
"That's women for you." Said Sirius.
"Who the hell was she!" hissed Leanne as they walked outside.
"Who was it this time?" muttered James.
"You know who I mean." Said Leanne rounding to face him her face all flustered, "That pretty girl, the red head!"
"Evans?"
"Yes, Evans." Said Leanne, "Why is she here?"
"She's a friend of Dorcas." Said James, "And me."
"Does she like you?" James gritted his teeth. He was sick of this already.
"As a friend." Said James, "She's in my house, you have nothing to worry about." Leanne hugged herself and looked up at James with a slight pout.
"Really?"
"Yes, really." Said James hugging her. "You really do need to get over your insecurities."
"I can't help it." said Leanne, "But…I'm getting better."
"I know," said James kissing the top of her head, leaving his lips lingering there. "But try and be nice round my girl-friends, ok." Leanne shrugged.
"Fine."
"Thanks for the party." Said Lily hugging Dorcas, "It was nice."
"Thanks for coming." Said Dorcas, "I know it didn't go as you planned."
"Well I got talking to a few other people." Said Lily, she pulled out a piece of parchment with a few names on it.
"Mostly guys by the looks of it." said Dorcas with a smirk.
"We got talking about common interests." Said Lily pulling the list away. "Besides, I don't expect them to write to me."
"They may expect a reply." Said Dorcas.
"Muggleborn, feign ignorance." Said Lily with a coy smirk.
"I know you probably wont want to hear this. But James is having a little gathering tomorrow at his place...if you want to come?"
"No." said Lily sadly, "No, I really should just…." She looked round at her house. "I should just, get back to normality." Dorcas nodded.
"If that's what you want." Said Dorcas. "Write if you change your mind, and I'll see you in a week."
"Yeah, take care." Said Lily.
Lily walked towards he front door and could feel the wind of Dorcas and her mum apparating away. Lily opened her front door.
"Hello. Mum, Dad, Tuney, I'm home."said Lily loudly. She closed the door and prayed no one wanted to talk to her. Lily walked into the kitchen and saw a note on the table.
Hi sweetpea.
We've popped out, I don't know whether you'll be back before us, but if you do the firdge is stocked up if you're hungry.
Love mum.
Perfect. Lily walked up to her room. It was the most welcoming sight in the whole world. All her books, her record player and vinyls. But most of all, her bed. Lily changed into baggy tracksuit bottoms and baggy t-shirt, pinned her hair up and sat on her bed. She dedcided that she never wanted to move from here.
Because at the end of the day, blondes always got the boys. And here she was being a stupid red head. Pale skin, blushed at the stupidest things, burnt like a lobster in the sun, and was always covered in blasted freckles during the summer.
Why wouldn't Potter go for that blonde. She had the attributes that men desired. Why couldn't she inhertit her mums blonde hair, not her dads stupid red hair. Lily sat curled up on her bed till she heard the door from downstairs open. She heard Petunia walk past her room and go into her room. She heard talking from downstairs and then her door opened.
"Oh Lily, you're home. We were calling you." Said Lavender she stopped as she saw Lily looking miserable sitting on her bed.
"What's the matter Lily?" asked Lavender sitting down on the bed.
"Nothing." Said Lily. She looked up at her mother who had that all knowing smile on her face.
"Baggy clothes and moping is the universal woman code for saying everything is is not all right." Said Lavender sitting down. She placed an arm round her and shook her gently.
"Come on Lily, you where really looking forward to this party." Said Lavender, "And that James was going to be there." Lily slumped a little and the mention of his name. Lavender realised she'd touched a nerve.
"What's the matter Lily?" asked Lavender again. "You can tell me." Lily looked at her window and back at her bed.
"He was there with another girl." Said Lily sadly. Lavender hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry Lily." said Lavender kissing her hair.
"I feel like an idiot." Said Lily.
"Don't." said Lavender, "His loss."
"I didn't even-"
"Hold that thought. JOHN!" Lily watched her dad come to the door.
"What is it?"
"We need the big tub of ice-cream and two spoons, now!" John looked to the two of them and went back downstairs.
"I knew I should have had at least had a boy." He muttered. Lily looked to her mother in confusion.
"Ice cream can solve any relationship struggle." Said Lavender, Lily forced a weak smile. A minute later, John reappeared with a tub of ice cream and two spoons.
"Thanks dear." Said Lavender taking them away from John. "Now go, me and Lily need a little girl talk."
"Yeah, well…ok." Said John walking out and closing the door.
"Now." said Lavender opening the tub. "You are going to tell me everything that has gone on." She placed some ice cream into her mouth.
"What's there to tell." Said Lily fed up, but digging in to. "He turned up with some girl that he knows from America. I couldn't compete with that."
"Well did she have that you didn't?" asked Lavender.
"She had everything mum." Said Lily. "Her was hair perfect, so was her dress, she had a smile to die for." Lily slumped even more as she dwelled miserably.
"She was perfect." Said Lily sadly, "She was perfect in every single way."
"No ones perfect Lily." said Lavender, "Are you even sure he likes her that much?"
"I think I got a hint."
"When?"
"When she was kissing him." said Lily. She rested her head on her palm. "I feel so ugly."
"You're not Lily." said Lavender.
"I'm not surprised he went for her." said Lily, "She's everything I'm not."
"You don't know her." said Lavender, "She could be all wrong for him."
"I've had a life that has always been organised, and constant." Said Lily, "So why am I attracted to a boy that's none of those things?"
"Differences is what keep people talking." Said Lavender, "They say you should date people that you lots in common with, but the differences add more spice to it." Lily made a non committal sound as she helped herself to more ice cream.
"Who needs boys anyway." Said Lily, "Ice-cream is all I need." She cracked a smile and took a another bite.
"You were a little young anyway." Said Lavender, "But you now know for next time."
"Who says they'll be a next time." said Lily.
"They're called first loves for a reason Lily." said Lavender.
"Whys that?"
"Because there never your last." Said Lavender. Lily shrugged and ate some more ice cream, the spoon lingered into her mouth as she looked around.
"Look, we'll finish this, then watch some Doctor Who, how's that?" Lily nodded.
The sun shone down Potter farm. The sun crept it's way into James's room, but he didn't stir. After five minutes his eyes twitched and they opened, he surveyed his surroundings before closing them and letting out a low groan.
He got up and sat on the edge of the bed and ran a hand through his hair. He looked over at his caleneder. The day circled made James's heart jump a little, before sinking a little.
March 27th
James wiped the sheets of his bed and got up. After a shower and breakfast he made his way down to the kitchen were daisy was making breakfast.
"Master James." She squeaked, "I have made your favourite in preperation for today." She pushed some strawberry pancakes.
"Cheers Daisy." Said James getting his fork.
"And happy birthday as well master James."
"Thanks Daisy." Said James quietly.
"I thought Master James would be happy that it's his birthday." Said Daisy.
"I am." Said James, "I'm Just remembering that it's someone elses Birthday as well." He dug into his pancakes.
"Your owl is here as well Master James." Said Daisy. James saw Dante perched on one of the stools, he falpped his wings to gain attention. James got up and poured some coco pops into a bowl and placed them on the table.
"I could of done that Master James." Said Daisy.
"He's my owl." Said James scratching Dante behind his ears. Dante cooed and flapped his wings. "I should do it."
James unattached the small pile of letters from Dante's leg and spread them across the table.
"Master James has been very fortunate again this year." Said Daisy.
"Looks that way." Said James as he sifted through the pile. Most where various birthday cards from relatives around the world. Daisy walked out of the kitchen to the utility room leaving James alone. He opened the various cards and lined them up on the table.
"Knock, knock." Leanne walked into the kitchen which made James looked up.
"Hey." He said going back into the pile, "You're early."
"I didn't think you'd want to be alone." Said Leanne hugging him from behind. She ran her hand across his bare stomach. "You're getting a six pack."
"Am I?" said James. He could feel Leanne rub her head gently on his back.
"Come on, at least try and enjoy today." Said Leanne. "We can go to the river." James smiled and turned round.
"I'd like that." He said, "But we'll need to get some flowers first." Leanne nodded and kissed him.
"Miss Rambona!" Leanne giggled and pulled away.
"Hi Daisy." She said moving a piece of hair behind her ear.
"Would Miss like some breakfast." Said Daisy. Going to the stove.
"No thank you Daisy." Said Leanne.
"I'm going to have change and then we'll get going." Said James. He kissed Leanne and went upstairs. Leanne bit her lip as James walked away.
"How has young Miss Rambona been keeping?" asked Daisy.
"Very well thank you." Said Leanne sitting on one of the stools.
"It's good of Miss Rambona to be here for Master James at such a differcult time."
"He's my friend." Said Leanne, "I should be here for him, espically if his parents aren't." Daisy nodded.
"I do ask one thing of you though Miss Rambona."
"And what's that?"
"Please don't go hurting Master James young Miss." Leanne looked round at Daisy.
"Excuse me?" said Leanne. Daisy sighed.
"…Young Miss. I have known Master James since the day he was born." Said Daisy. "I have cooked for him, bathed him, healed him when the time has called. But there is one thing I no not how to mend." Leanne's curiousity was piqued.
"and that is?" she asked curiously.
"…A broken heart." Said Daisy, "He has never allowed another person so close to him since Miss Harriets death." Leanne looked surprised at the house elf.
"He may not be my son." Said Daisy. "But he is as good as."
After changing James and Leanne walked through the garden and into the forest. James picked some flowers that were blooming.
"I didn't know you did floristrey?" said Leanne as James arranged the stems.
"Pass time." said James, "I like to make the boquets for her. It's more personal." James finished his arranging and tied them together with an elastic band. He held them in one hand as he and Leanne walked back up to the house.
They walked past the garages till they got to the small garden. James opened the gate and walked in with Leanne. James walked slowly to the grave. He stared at it for a moment, looking down at the writing, be bent down and placed it on the marble grave. He stepped back and felt Leanne hug his side.
"Happy birthday Sis." Said James sadly. "Just a shame Mum and Dad couldn't be here." He thought about all the fun times they used to share on such a special day.
"Would she approve of me?" asked Leanne.
"I think so." Said James. He continued to look at the grave.
"I miss her Lee." Said James. "Why doesn't the pain just go away?"
"I might do one day." Said Leanne. James nodded and touched the grave again before turning with Leanne out of the little garden.
"Happy birthday mate." Said Sirius slapping him on the back as he walked in.
"Nice to see you to mate." Said James watching Kreacher apparate away.
"Couldn't believe that old hag, she wanted me to bring Reglus." Said Sirius kicking his shoes off. "Told the bitch to shove it."
"Still the potty mouth Sirius." Said Leanne walking down the stairs.
"He still wont show me those pictures of you though." Said Sirius.
"They were for James." said Leanne as she walked down the stairs.
"Shouldn't send him them at school." Said Sirius with a wink. "Is Remus here yet?"
"He's running late." Said James, "Pete's out back and the barbie's going."
"Sounds great." Said Sirius clapping his hands together as the three walked into the garden. Peter was sitting at the side of the pool with his feet dipped in. He looked up and saw Leanne in her bikini and turned red.
"Looks like it has a desired effect." Whispered Leanne in James's ear.
The door rang again. "That'll be Dorcas."
"She's coming."
"It's my party." Said James, "She's coming with some other people." Leanne narrowed her eyes at him.
"Don't like it, stay with your cousin." Said James as he walked away. Leanne huffed as he walked away.
"Hey guys." Said Dorcas as she walked in. "Be nice to finally relax." She said as she sat down on one of the sun beds. Isabel, Jess and Sarah came through next, along with Faith and Vicky. James noticed Peter and Remus's eyes light up with glee as the girls got into there swimsuits.
"Is this what you and Sirius are used to?" asked Lupin.
"Yeah." Said James taking his t-shirt off. "I saw you looking at Vicky a few nights ago." Both James and Remus looked at Vicky who was putting her long brown hair in a low hanging ponytail. He then looked at Remus who was blushing slightly and still looking at her.
"I saw you looking, go on, talk to her."
"I shouldn't." said Remus.
"Why, you're not already taken already?"
"No." said Remus, "I mean." He looked over at her again, she was talking to Leanne, laughing and genrally looking pretty, "It would never work."
"You haven't spoken to her." said James, "How do you know?"
"Where from completley different circles." Said Remus, "I really shouldn't even try and get my hopes up."
"Bull." Said James, "Everyone needs a light to strive towards." He grapped Remus and dragged him over.
"James, let me go."
"Vicky." She turned round and looked at him.
"Yes?" she said confused.
"This Remus, he really likes you and you should get to know each other."
"How?"
"Swim on it." James threw Remus into Vicky and they both fell into the pool screaming. Everyone looked round at him.
"James, what are doing?" asked Leanne.
"Playing cupid." Said James walking away as Remus and Vicky rose to the surface.
"POTTER YOU ARSEHOLE!" Vicky screamed. As Remus rose to the surface.
"I'll get the beers in."
"You know how to throw one." said Dorcas. She sat down next to James on one of the sun loungers. They watched as Sirius and Remus had a wrestling match with Isabel and Vicky.
"Didn't Evans fancy coming?" asked James.
"No." said Dorcas. "She wanted to spend some time with her family, which is understandable."
"She was speaking to a lot of people."said James. Dorcas smirked to herself.
"That wouldn't mean your jealous does it." said Dorcas.
"No!" said James. "I was…pointing something out." Dorcas smiled.
"Sure you where." She said patting him on the shoulder. "She really enjoyed herself, hopefully that'll make her come out of her shell more." James nodded.
"Thanks for being here today." Said James. "I know you didn't have to be."
"You're our friend James." Said Dorcas, "We should be here. Besides, I think someone wants to steal you away now." She elbowed James who looked up and saw Leanne coming towards him.
"Hey you, why aren't you in the water?"
"Working on my sun tan." Said James.
"Come on." Said Leanne tugging his hand, trying to pull him up. "Come on." She whined dragging him up. James sighed but followed her. He looked back at Dorcas who was grinning and waved at him.
She watched him jump into the water with Leanne. She sighed and looked at the now emppty space next to her. Her mind wondered back to when she used to come round here and she would play with Harriet. She thought about her lost friend. Dorcas slipped away and went to the little garden at the front of the house. She opened the gate and she looked at the grave.
"Remember all those things we used to say about your brother." Said Dorcas, the wind wipping around her.
"Well I was right." She said staring at the engraving.
"Your brothers an arse."