Summer Nights -- July 1973

It was so far a wonderful summer break. I had my first year at Hogwarts and I couldn't wait for James to have his friends over. I was surprised that they all did let me go to the lake behind Remus's house sometimes. Obviously I snuck ovr there without their permission a lot of the time, too, but if I ever got caught by Remus or Mr. Lupin, they didn't care. In fact, Remus was so kind that he and his father had invited me in for dinner one time already this summer! It had been great! Remus was so soooo cute. And he was a sweetheart compared to my brother and Sirius. Mmm, Sirius. Anyways... I heard mum and dad calling for us kids, so I went downstairs from my bedroom and tried to find them. I noticed they were outside trying ot get James' attention. He was thirteen and thought he owned the world. I rolled my eyes as I slipped into some flip-flops. "Yeah, Mum?" I asked, going out into the yard closer to them so we didn't have to yell.

I was listening to some music in headphones just meandering around the yard.  I had some fun flinging some stuff at the neighbor's cat, but that got old kind of quick.  I normally didn't enjoy tormenting animals... but that cat always got into my stuff outside.  So I needed to keep it away a little bit.  I turned around and nearly walked right into my dad.  "Oh!  Sorry Pops," I said, taking my headphones out of my ear.  I was laughing.  "How long have you been standing there?"  I didn't realize I had the volume up so loud.

I grinned at my mum. "A trip?! Oh awesome!" I said, getting really excited. Last year we went to France. This year we were going to go to North America... how interesting! I wondered what all we would go see over there... And as much as I hated spending time with James, it was always a good time with the four of us going on trips together. He always turned into a good brother on vacation.

I grinned at dad.  "Alright... what's the big news?" I asked.  I looked past him and saw Ember getting all excited and felt left out.  Why had mum told her before Dad was able to tell me?  I was older; I should know things first.

I knew my face had brightened up.  I loved going on trips!  I couldn't wait!  I could even stand being around just my parents and Ember for a week or so, too.  It actually was always nice when we got to go.  I walked over with Dad and smiled at the ladies in our family.  "When are we leaving?" I questioned, thinking I needed time to let the guys know that I wouldn't be around for a little while.  I didn't want them to get worried.

"Great!" I said happily. I could tell that Mum and Dad had more to say so I waited before running upstairs to try to decide what to pack. "There's more, isn't there?" I prodded. I mean... just come out and tell us already! I could tell that James was trying to do some figuring. I would definitely tease him about leaving his 'boyfriends' for a week. I enjoyed giving him a hard time about that due to the fact that he gave me a hard time about everything else in life it seemed.

Hmm... a week's notice would be good enough for the guys.  I smiled at my parents and gave them both an expectant look.  "Yeah... spill.  Iknow that look... it's the one I get when I'm up to something.  So what are you up to?" I questioned, laughing a little at them getting caught.

"Of course!" I exclaimed. how exciting! I would probably bring Tobi. I got along with the other girls in Gryffindor house -- especially it seemed, Lily and Chloe. Even though they were a couple years older than me... actually the same age as James, to girls it didn't appear to matter. I knew it drove James nuts to know that I got to talk with Lily more than he did. It was great. But Tobi and I had been friends since day one. She was a year older than me... but that didn't matter; neither did being in opposing houses, etiher. That was what was so nic.e.