That Summer.
Summary: Everyone can reach back to one summer and lay a finger to it, finding the exact point when everything changed. That summer was mine.
[[A/N: This idea came to me from a random quote I read in a book. I know that my HP knowledge is far from perfect and I promise you I will get a lot of things wrong. I'm okay with that, though, because I don't necessarily like the stories that flow perfectly. I like to take the Harry Potter world and adapt it to my story, as opposed to the other way around. If you don't like it, don't read it… Oh, and don't get me wrong. I'm not saying my version is better than J.K. Rowling's. I'm just saying that hers is perfect, I will never be able to come close to it, and so I'm not going to try…]]
It's funny how one summer can change everything. It must be something about the heat and the smell of chlorine, fresh-cut grass and honeysuckle, asphalt sizzling after late-day thunderstorms, the steam rising while everything drips around it. Something about long, lazy days and whirring air conditioners and bright plastic flip-flops from the drugstore thwacking down the street. Something about fall being so close, another year, another Christmas, another beginning. So much in one summer, stirring up like the storms that crest at the end of each day, blowing out all the heat and dirt to leave everything gasping and cool. Everyone can reach back to one summer and lay a finger to it, finding the exact point when everything changed. That summer was mine.
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"I'm so glad you agreed to join us this summer, Miss Evans," Dumbledore greeted me as he opened the door to the castle. "I understand your home life is not the most ideal, but giving up half a summer is still a marvelous feat!"
"It's really no problem, Professor." I picked up my bags and started to step inside the castle, unsure of how it'd look in the middle of summer. "Can you tell me who else will be working with us this summer?"
Dumbledore reached for my bag and nodded his head towards the stairs. Obviously, I was supposed to follow. "Well, I think we need to focus on what you'll be doing. As I told you, this is a group of students who appear to have a stronger than normal magical skill level. Some of the professors from this year wanted to bring you all together and train you in ways they can't do in the usual classroom setting. Does it seem to make sense?"
"Yes, I think so. It's like school, but with smaller class sizes, right?" Hopefully the smaller class sizes would mean less of the distracting students.
"Basically, yes. Now we've got about fifty students, ranging from fourth to seventh years, who will all be sharing the Gryffindor common rooms this summer." We continued up the stairs. "You've already been assigned a room and there should be a schedule on your bed for all of your classes tomorrow. I hope you're ready, Miss Evans, because you will be challenged more this summer than ever before." He smiled.
"Professor, you know me. I love an academic challenge."
"Oh, I'm sure you'll find yourself to be challenged in other ways as well." We had arrived at the entrance to the common room.
"What's the password?" The large woman in the painting asked us.
"Hickory grass." Dumbledore chuckled to himself. The passwords were always the most random things ever.
"You may enter. Welcome back, Miss Evans." The painting swung open, revealing the hole. I pushed my bag through and began to climb through.
"Here you go, Miss Evans. See you in the morning."
By the time I had crawled through the hole, he had disappeared. I picked up my bag and headed up towards the dormitory. I found my name attached to one of the doors and pushed it open. Inside, there were three beds, two of which appeared to be occupied. I set the bag down on the third bed and began unpacking my stuff into dresser next to my bed they had put into the room just for this summer program. After I was finished, I looked around the room and sat on the bed, beginning look at the schedule that I had been provided with. I started my morning off with Potions and then went to Transfigurations and ended it with Charms. That was all it had on there, so I assumed I'd get the rest tomorrow.
Two girls then walked into the room. They were familiar; I'd gone to school with them for years now. We'd never exactly been friends, though.
"Hi, you must be Lily. I'm Andrea and this is Eliza. Are you excited about this summer program?" They seemed really nice.
"Yes, I think so. It should be fun to get more individualized instruction, don't you think?"
"I'm just bummed about missing out on my summer. My muggle friends are planning a trip to the States, but of course, I can't go." Eliza sat down on the bed next to mine and started examining her fingernails.
"Don't listen to her. Her parents are forcing her to come here. I'm really excited. I can't wait to see how this whole thing goes. Do you know anyone else doing it?" Andrea seemed to want to be friends quite badly.
"I have no idea."
"Well, I guess we'll find out tomorrow morning at breakfast." She sat down on the bed in the corner and pulled out a newspaper. I sat on my bed and began to read my book, hoping that these girls stayed this nice.
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I prepared in the morning, dressing a little simpler than the other two girls had. My hair, of course, refused to behave, so I pulled it back into a ponytail. I grabbed my schedule and headed down to breakfast, hoping to see someone I knew. We weren't supposed to discuss this program during the school year, so I had no clue who would be here. I met up with Eliza and Andrea in the common room, and they invited me to walk down with them.
The whole way, they made simple small talk, discussing their lives back at home. Eliza's family seemed to consist of her parents and herself, with no siblings. Andrea, however, came from a family with both parents and four children. They asked about my sister, my parents, and what life was like being raised without magic. To them, it was a total shock.
When we arrived in the dining hall, we noticed that the tables had been rearranged. Instead of four long rows, there were two shorter rows with a bit more space between them. Eliza sat down about halfway along one of the rows and Andrea followed, patting the spot next to her. I slid in and looked around.
I noticed a few familiar faces, but no one in particular stood out. After a few moments, Dumbledore stood up and cleared his throat.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm glad you could join us. As you are aware, this is a summer learning program offered to only the students who show exceptional magical skills. We're hoping to help you train yourselves and develop these skills. You saw your schedules, I hope, and find them acceptable. If you have any problems, I hope that you feel comfortable approaching any of the professors here, including myself." He paused, smiling at us. "Now, enjoy your meal!"
The food appeared like it always did, and people began piling it on to their plates. Right as I began lifting my fork to my mouth, the door to the hall slammed open. Three boys, all seventh years, walked in. I knew before I looked who it was.
"Erm, hello everyone." James Potter and his gang of troublemakers could not seriously be here. There was no way.
"Mr. Potter, please, find yourself a place. That goes for the rest of you, as well." Dumbledore must be joking. There was no way Potter or Black would be considered exceptionally magical. Remus Lupin very well could, but he wasn't a complete fool. At least he knew how to read a book or do an assignment.
"Thank you very much, Professor." James smiled up at Dumbledore and then scanned the crowd, noticing a spot at the far end of the other table. Luckily, he chose it.
"James Potter is here? I thought this summer was going to suck, but with those boys around, it's sure to be interesting." Eliza seemed to actually enjoy the fact that the three were here. Was everyone at this school going crazy?
"Sirius looks fantastic, don't you think?" Andrea looked over her shoulder, a smile spreading across her face. I just stared at her. "What? He does!"
"You two are insane." I went back to picking at my food, suddenly unsure I wanted to be here.
