From The Beginning Till The End

"Now that you're thirteen, a young man if I must say. Do you understand what is expected from you as my son?" Harry Potter asked his son in a stern but yet fatherly sort of manner. James had just been called to see his father in the study for a father-and-son talk. He had only got back from school the day before and his father seldom called for him unless it's something of great importance.

"Yes, dad."

"Tell me what're the expectations then."

"Make you proud of me. Excel in school. Excel in Quidditch. Become a prefect by fifth year and head boy in school. Youngest Quidditch player in Hogwarts. Quidditch team captain someday. Be someone useful to the wizarding world."

"Yes, that's right, young man. I've seen some of your friends who are not pure blood. Do not mix with them so closely. Are you clear of that?" Mr. Potter told his son in a firm manner. Harry Potter, the Minster of Magic, was a pureblood wizard himself. He did not despise non-pureblooded witches and wizards like the Slytherins. He had developed such a mind-set because of his upbringing.

"But, Dad, they're really nice even if they're Muggle-borns. They are my friends," James argued. Lily and Arabella will always be my friends.

"Well, you'll understand some day. Being a pureblood wizard, and being my son, there are certain rules you've got to obey whether you like it or not."

"What do you mean, dad?"

"The most important thing is your wife must be a pureblooded wizard and have similar status and wealth. Someone like Stefanie Black and definitely not someone like Lily Evans. Do you understand me?"

"But, dad-" I like Lily.

"No buts," Mr. Potter said in an unyielding and finalized statement. James knew this tone too well to argue with his father. Father will not stop me from whom I like or whom I want as wife. I'll make that decision myself. He stood in silence for a moment.

James wanted to speak his mind when Helen Potter walk into the study and interrupted the father and son conversation.

"Dear, here's your coffee." James watched his mother put the coffee down and spoke softly to his father. Then Mrs. Potter led James out of the study.

"Mum, dad just sai-" James wanted to tell his mother about what had happened. He could not believe what he was getting for this break.

"I'll be at your side this time." Helen assured her son.

"How did you know what-"

"He said the exact words ten years ago. Anyway, Sirius and Remus are here." James stared at his mother. Helen gave her son a wink and went off to the living room. I wonder what's going to happen to my future. He stood rather still for a moment before returning to his room.

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"Mum!! Dad!! I don't want to go to a summer camp!!" Lily protested. She had just gotten home for less than twenty-four hours and her parents had told her their pre-prepared plans for her this summer. I can't believe Mum and Dad to do something like this!!

"Hon, we're having our twentieth wedding anniversary this year and I really want to make it special for your mum," Daryl Evans explained patiently to Lily. Lily looked like she was about to break into tears.

"But Dad, I can stay with my friends for the time-being," Lily argued back. I don't want to be separated from Bell and Stef. And James.

"We understand, but we would want you to stay connected to our world as well. We accepted the fact that you're a witch, but we don't want you to forget about our non-magical life. Besides, you had been attending summer camps since you were seven. Have you forgotten about those times?" Dawn sat down next to her daughter.

"What about Petunia?" Lily said about to be in tears for being sent to a camp that is a month long. This is going to be a long, long break.

"She's going to the summer camp for sixteen and above. You're going to the music camp. We know how much you love singing and dancing and music in the past. You haven't changed to someone, whom I can't recognize as my Lily, have you?" Dawn said, looking at Lily intensely.

"No, mum. I'm still your Lily. But I just don't like the idea of you two going ahead with a plan for me without my permission." Lily sighed. There's nothing I can do about it now. I have to accept it. Oh well.

"We're sorry about that. It was meant to be a surprise for both of you. And remember when you were ten, you said that this music camp was too short when it was a fortnight long?" Mr. Evans told his daughter. Back then when Lily returned from the music camp, she kept complaining that it was too short and she wanted to go again at the following summer.

"I guess that would be ok. Is there enough time for me to purchase my school stuff and meet my friends before school starts?"

"Yes, three weeks before September 1^st." Mrs. Evans assured Lily.

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"Hey Jamesie, why're you looking so glum?" Remus asked, looking at the gloomy expression on James' face.

"My dad just gave me a lecture."

"Wow, that's something new. I never knew he could talk!" Sirius exclaimed dramatically. Mr. Potter seldom talked to Sirius and Remus besides at grand parties where their families attend. He was always too busy to have time for James. Their father-and-son relationship had drifted apart over the years.

"It's not funny," James said flatly and went on about what his father told him about his expectations and conduct. He generously skipped the part about pureblooded witch for wife. How could dad say something like that?!?

"That's normal. I mean, Stef and I've some expectations from our parents being Head Auror and such," Sirius said, trying to cheer his best friend a little. James seldom looked miserable and gloomy.

"Well, at least both of you aren't werewolves. Do you know I'm sent to a junior werewolf camp this summer?" Remus said, sighing. He settled himself in the couch in James' room, resigned to his own fate.

"WHAT?" James and Sirius shouted simultaneously. Remus started explaining that he would be away in a camp at some faraway place for a month, without any outside contact at all which meant no owl post as well. The camp was meant for traumatized youngsters below sixteen who were bitten and had to lead a werewolf life for the rest of the years until a cure can be found.

"You're not traumatized. We'll make your werewolf life wonderful someday." Sirius added suggestively. They had been progressing rather well with the Animagi idea. It was a matter of time before they can start on their transformation.

"I can't believe this," James said, shocked at the news. To think that I thought I was the only one who's suffering this break.

"Neither can I," Remus said sadly. "I just got the news two hours ago from my parents and I've to leave in two days time." He had a rather faraway look on his face. That's so depressing. I'm going to meet with the depressed youngsters.

"Suddenly the grooming lessons at home sounded so much better, in a way." James sighed, remembering what his father had told him. "Can you believe I've to be taught how to eat and walk like a man for the next six weeks?"

"Oh no!! Then what about me? I'll be bored to death. Luckily I still have the girls." Sirius said feeling rather relieved at that fact. The girls might not be as great companions as the guys, but that was better than no company at all. But at least I know Stef would be with me...

"What about Peter?" Remus asked.

"I received an owl from him last night saying that his father had forbidden him to keep in contact with any of us. Or else he'll stop him from attending Hogwarts. His father had locked up all his magical stuff the moment he got home. He could only send one owl post and that's all. We can't even reply his letter. According to him, Hogwarts is his escape from his horror house," James explained. Little did they know that Peter was in fact serving Voldemort for the whole summer break.

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"So we shall all gather and stay here two weeks before term starts?" James asked the group. The six thirteen-year-olds had come together for a mass gathering before they all go on their separate ways for the next two months.

"I supposed that's ok but I still have to ask my parents," Lily said after the rest of them had agreed to the idea. I'm dreading the next two months. One month in camp. And one month at home with Petunia. Oh, that's just so 'great'.

"Let's party tonight before everyone go in their separate ways for two months," Arabella said, trying to sound cheery although she was beginning to feel the signs of upcoming depression. It can't be that bad right. I still have friends there. I wonder how's Celeste doing.

"I've gotten a whole cask of Butterbeer from Three Broomsticks earlier. Let's toast to celebrate this gathering for the two-month separation," Sirius said and he gave a toast and the rest all 'cling' their mugs in synchrony. Two months with Grandpa and Grandma. That's so boring!!

"Meet here on August 18^th at noon!!" Remus exclaimed. I hope this werewolf camp is good.

"Yeah. In our.. you know.. trunks!!" Sirius joked, trying to lighten the mood. Might as well as enjoy today. The next two months might be unbearable.

"Haha.. very funny Siriee!!" Stefanie said sarcastically, and rolled her eyes. I've to put up with Sirius and only Sirius for the next two months. This gonna be a killer break.

"I'm gonna miss you all!!" Lily said, looking around the group, with a sad look in her eyes. I'm going to miss everyone so much. Bell.. Stef.. The guys.. James.. Oh my god.

"It's only two months, not two years or something," James said, smiling at her. I can't see Lily for two months. It just felt so strange. What's happening to me? She's just a girl, like Stefanie. I must be going nuts.

"It'll be over before we realize it," Lily said with fake optimism, although she was not very keen to be away from her friends for two months. The six of them continued to chat all the way till evening before they headed home via the Floo network. This is going to be the worst summer break ever.

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