New chapter for you all... we're coming to the end of the summer chapters... well almost...

Chapter 8:

James was sat exactly half way between his parents on the left hand side of the table. He leant in towards Marlene who was sat on his left, "well this should be fun!"

"Oh, I don't doubt it!" Marlene laughed. James could see his mother watching him and Marlene, probably presuming something. Marlene and Alice started talking keenly and James turned towards Pilatius who sat on his other side.

"How are you Pilatius? I heard a rumour that you had joined the chudney cannons. Is it true?" James asked.

"Well. It's not yet been released. It'll be in the paper next week." Pilatius replied.

"Chaser?" James asked.

"Why, yes. Are you going to try-out for the Gryffindor team this year?" Pilatius responded.

"I've been preparing for about a year now. I practice nearly every day."

"I don't doubt it. I've heard rumours that you are very apt on a broomstick," Pilatius smiled.

"Well, maybe, but I'm going to be even better on a broomstick this year. When we go to London for my books and equipment my parents have promised to get me a new broomstick."

"Have you decided on a model?" Bilius asked leaning over his brother to speak to James.

"Well I'm thinking the Nimbus 1000," James smiled.

"It's a bit of a shame that the Nimbus 1001 hasn't been released yet," Bilius frowned.

"Yes, it is a shame but it's not expected for at least another year," James laughed.

"But the Nimbus 1000 is a fantastic broom. It's capable of a hundred miles an hour and it can turn 360 degrees in mid-air." Pilius told them.

Charlus Potter was talking quietly with Dumbledore, "tonight?"

"Yes, dear friend, tonight." They said nothing more on the subject. Instead Dumbledore turned to Louisa Prewett, "How is your young grandson, Louisa?"

"Oh, he is absolutely gorgeous," Louisa smiled. "Molly and Arthur are doing so well. Arthur has a new job at the ministry. We've provided them with a small house just outside Ottery St. Catchpole."

"Stupid idiots if you ask me!" Muriel barked, "Getting pregnant when they hadn't even finished school! Can't think of anything worse."

"Well to be fair sister, they both did exceptionally well in their N.E.W.T's. We're all very proud of them," Septimus replied, authoritively.

"And they've got another one on the way!" Muriel continued. Arthur who was sat beside her looked away awkwardly.

"Muriel, please," Cedrella began, "We're all very happy about the pregnancy. I can't wait to have two grandchildren." She then turned to Molly with a kind expression, "I do hope it's a girl."

"Me too, Cedrella," Molly smiled. "Boys are great but I want a little girl who will wear pretty dresses."

There were several conversations around the table. The Prewett brothers spoke of the different pranks they had played in their days at Hogwarts. Their conversation attracted the attention of Professor McGonagall at the other end of the table, "Don't give Potter any ideas."

Dumbledore laughed gently, "You see Fabian, Gideon, James and his friends are already well on their way to becoming infamous at Hogwarts. They are well known for their pranks. They even have a name for their little group of friends, The Marauders. James where did you boys get that idea from?"

"Evans, sir. She was annoyed with us and called us a bunch of marauders and Sirius seemed to like it and it kind of stuck." James called back up the table.

"Ah Miss Evans. She must be the only student at Hogwarts who has never laughed at one of your pranks. Even the Slytherins have been known to crack a smile occasionally." Dumbledore remarked.

"Maybe not Snape. He despises the Marauders." Frank laughed.

"I quite enjoyed your most recent prank," Dumbledore said.

"We know! You even gave them points for vandalising the school!" McGonagall sighed causing the whole table to laugh.

Lily and Snape were sat underneath the Eifel tower. "We better get back to the hotel before my parents wonder where we are," Lily said quietly.

Severus nodded, "I've missed you, Lily."

"I've missed you too, Sev. It's not the way I imagined it to be at Hogwarts."

"How do you mean?" Severus asked.

"You're not there. I always imagined we'd always be best friends. In the same house, same classes, same group of friends."

"I know. It sucks but we'll just have to make the most of the rest of the summer," Snape said as he stood up, stretching out his hand to help Lily up.

"I hate it though. I'm going to miss you most of the year every year just so we can spend six weeks being friends?"

"I guess so," Severus frowned.

The dinner had ended and the guests were all in the living room having an after dinner coffee. Dorea was sat with Elphinstone. They were talking about McGonagall, "don't give up! One day she'll give in."

"I don't really want her to just give in. I kind of have this hope that one day she'll want me." Elphinstone laughed.

"She does want you. She – She's just a woman of honour and duty. She feels duty-bound."

"I know," Elphinstone frowned, "I think I'll go speak to her."

"You do that." Dorea smiled, "that's a great idea."

Dorea watched from a distance as Elphinstone walked over towards the woman he loved, "Minerva, could I please talk to you?"

"Yes of course, Elphinstone." Minerva smiled. The two of them walked out into the garden. When they were finally alone Minerva turned to him, "what has Dorea said? You know she's still trying to get us together!"

"I know," he laughed softly, "you know, after all these years I still don't know why you insist on wearing your hair up every day."

"I – someone once told me it suited me up," Minerva frowned, a hand reaching for her hair.

"I see. One day I would love to see it down," Elphinstone remarked. Minerva kept quiet, not knowing what to say. "I know that you still have feelings for McGregor and I can't say I'm not jealous but I want you to know I will wait. I will wait until you love me more, or you love him less, or you feel less duty-bound to him. Whatever it is that needs to happen I will wait for it!"

"But Elphinstone," McGonagall frowned, "what if you waste your whole life waiting?"

"Then Minnie, I'll know that I was faithful to the love that I have for you," the man replied honestly. A tear fell down Minerva's cheek, "Don't cry Minnie," he wiped it away with a gentle kiss. "I won't propose again for a while – I don't want you to feel under pressure – but I do love you."

"I know Elphin," Minerva smiled sadly, "and I you."

"Good. Then one day…" he said before leading her back into the house.

A tiny bit of romance... lol. Hope you loved it. Please review!

Next chapter...

Well something really exciting is going to happen...