Here's another chapter for you all. Really hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 23:

The following morning, James decided to sleep in. He had a habit of getting up early – ever since he was a little boy. His parents had always encouraged that he get up early so as not to waste the day. Over the years it had become habit and now at the age of twelve James automatically woke up at 6am regardless of the day. When 6am came on that Saturday, James lay in bed awake. He tried desperately to sleep but it was impossible. After about half an hour of laying restless, James got up and quickly dressed before making his way down to the Quidditch pitch. He sat on his broom, high in the sky watching the sun rise. He flew around the castle several times before making his way back into the castle for a shower. Breakfast was later at the weekend but still most of the Gryffindors missed breakfast on the weekend. James sat at the Gryffindor table with Remus and Frank. Sirius and Peter had yet to get out of bed. The Gryffindor girls weren't much better. Only Lily and Mary had made their way down to the Great Hall.

"So James, are you looking forward to our day together?" a voice from behind James asked.

James grimaced, before turning to see Rachel looking at him, "heya! So I was thinking we could go for a walk in the grounds this morning. What do you think?"

"Sounds fun," she said, kissing him on the cheek as she sat down beside him.

"Then after lunch, I was thinking we could go swimming with our friends in the lake?" James asked.

"Great," Rachel smiled, "I'll go let my friends know."

"Invite whoever you want!" James nodded happily, silently hoping that she would just end up hanging out with her friends.

Rachel ran off to go talk to her friends. James sighed, "I'm so glad you guys are coming with us today! I think I might just die if it weren't for you guys." James told Remus and Mary.

"I don't get it – you're never awkward." Mary laughed.

"Yeah – I don't get it either." James answered honestly. "I guess I better go on this walk. Wish me luck…" James stood up and made his way over towards Rachel. They left the Great Hall together and made their way out into the grounds.

Lily met Trevor in the entrance hall as they had arranged. He smiled widely at her. "So Trevor what are we going to do with our day?"

"Well… I was thinking we could explore the grounds?" Trevor offered. "I know you spend a lot of time with the marauders and I don't doubt that they know the castle better than anyone else in the school but I thought it might be fun?"

"Sounds great," Lily smiled.

They began to make their way out of the castle and into the glorious sun, walking through the old wooden bridge. Lily could see James walking around the lake holding hands with Rachel. Lily and Trevor walked through the grounds until they reached the pixie water well. "Have you ever been here before?"

"No," Lily said as she looked down the water well.

"Be careful," Trevor said, grabbing Lily by the waist, "there's supposed to be pixies down there. Don't want them grabbing you and stealing you away from me."

Lily laughed gently as she realised that Trevor's arm was still around waist.

James could see Sirius and Regulus flying over by the Quidditch pitch. James smiled at the idea of Sirius getting on with his brother. Things weren't quite as awkward with Rachel anymore. They had talked about Quidditch and the summer's world cup. James' father had taken him to go see it in Bulgaria. Rachel asked loads of questions about what it had been like watching the world cup. James had seen England's final match. They had played terribly and hadn't even come forth in the competition.

"It was dreadful watching them lose," James commented.

"But at least you saw an international match," Rachel smiled.

"I guess," James laughed.

"I can't believe we'll be in sixth year next time," Rachel said.

Sirius and Regulus sat on their brooms passing a quaffle between themselves. "Do you hate me for being in Slytherin?"

"Why would I hate you?" Sirius asked.

"Because I'm just like the rest of them," Regulus whispered.

"You'll never be like them." Sirius said honestly, "although dad's not so bad…"

Regulus laughed, "yeah I think it's the Black women who are mental."

Sirius laughed with his brother, "like mother and Bella. They're not all that bad. Andi is pretty awesome."

"Yeah, cousin Andi is pretty cool," Regulus nodded.

"Reg, I think our biggest problem is that I – I just don't know who I can trust. I mean – can I tell you things or will mum find out?"

"I – I don't know… I guess it depends what it is." Regulus frowned, sighing gently. "This sucks."

They were silent for a few moments before Regulus opened his mother to speak again, "The older Slytherins are encouraging us younger Slytherins to… They say there's a war coming."

"There is a war coming. You need to be prepared Reg. Soon you're going to have to pick a side. I can't choose for you but you need to work out what you want to do. This isn't a game. It's a matter of life and death."

"They say they're going to get rid of the muggle-borns," Regulus said, "mum would be so proud of me if I joined them."

"Yeah, she probably would be," Sirius nodded his agreement, "but are you willing to kill muggle-borns to make mum proud?"

"I – I don't know," Regulus said, "I don't need to decide just yet do I?"

"I don't know, Reg. Maybe not."

"Maybe, it'll all be over by the time I leave Hogwarts," Regulus whispered.

"I hope so," Sirius said sadly, "but I doubt it."

After lunch the other Gryffindors joined James and Rachel outside. They all gathered around the Great Lake. "Do you not think it will be a little cold?" one of Rachel's friends asked.

"Probably," James said honestly, "don't worry I'm going to perform heating spells on all of us so we can regulate our temperatures."

"Wow, Rach. You got a cleaver one here," another third year said, causing James to run a hand through his hair sheepishly.

Moments later they were all swimming in the lake. "What if the giant squid grabs for us?"

"Are you scared Peter?" James asked.

"Let's play a game!" Marlene demanded. "Can we do the one we played over the summer at your house. You know the one where the girls get on the guys shoulders and then we try to push each other over."

"Yeah sure," James said. He ducked under the water to allow Rachel to get on his shoulders. Kate quickly got on Remus' just as Sirius ran over to them.

"I want to play! I want to play." He jumped into the water, splashing Rachel's friends who were sitting on the side, attempting not to get their hair wet. He ducked down so that Marlene could climb on his shoulders. When he re-surfaced, he turned to Peter and Mary, "are you playing guys?"

Mary and Peter looked at each other uncertainly, "if you want to, we could." Peter offered.

"Ok, if you want," Mary replied, going slightly pink.

Peter ducked under the water and Mary climbed up onto his shoulders. Soon the girls were wrestling, trying desperately to cause the others to topple over. Marlene and Sirius seemed to be the best. They were an awesome team. Every time that it looked like they were about to topple, Sirius would pull them upright again. James and Rachel were ok but nowhere near as good as Sirius and Marlene. Peter and Mary spent most of their time crashing and falling about.

They swam in the lake all afternoon until it was time for dinner and even then they were tempted to stay outside instead but Rachel's friends wanted to go inside. James didn't really like them. They complained and moaned too much.

At dinner that night the Gryffindors sat chatting excitably. Harry watched as James enjoyed himself with his best friends. Lily was late for dinner but when she arrived she walked over to the Gryffindors and joined the conversation. "So where have you been all day Miss Evans?" Marlene teased.

"With Trevor," Lily said bashfully.

"Oh I see," laughed Alice.

"Say's you," replied Mary, "where have you and Frank been all day Al?"

"Erm, the Gryffindor common room…"

"What? What were you doing inside on a day like today," James frowned.

"Erm, we were making the most of the fact that you weren't there!" Frank joked.

"Oi Oi." Laughed Sirius. "We all know what they got up to!" He whispered to Marlene.

"Don't suggest such a thing," Alice remarked sourly.

Lily felt a tap on her shoulder, "hi Lily."

"Hi Tom," Lily blushed as the older Gryffindor spoke to her.

"So I heard you went out on a date today," Tom frowned. "I was thinking that I might ask you out for tomorrow before someone else gets in there." He winked gently at her.

"Er, ok. Yeah that would be nice…" Lily answered.

"Cool. See you tomorrow." Tom said before returning to his friends.

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Next chapter is Sunday... and the end of the weekend.