Author's Note: When looking at the 'Published' date above, you may notice that this was first published in 2003. For those of you who are reading this now, post-2012, there may be a couple of reasons why you are reading it. Perhaps you were looking through some backlog, or you've found my account and liked another one of my stories so decided to check this out. Or perhaps, once I've posted my story which is currently called 'The Burning Truth' but which I will have to soon rename as that title is absolutely abysmal, you are interested in checking out the story that inspired that one. Who knows, but either way, I hope you enjoy this unfinished story from my childhood. Yes, that's right, I wrote this when I was 11. I'm now 20. That's a lot of years ago…
Of course, I don't own this universe.
The day when we volunteered to take in the Lupins started out as a normal day. It was the summer holidays of my fifth year, meaning next year I was going to be in my sixth year. It was a Sunday and my mother insisted we go to church. Before she married my father, she had been very religious and still like to go to church sometimes. Her father had been a minister who had taken his job very seriously, so, in turn, she did as well.
So, that morning she tried to convince me to wear my best robe, but I refused. I just wore my normal ones. I usually get my way in this house without much fuss, so that's why I didn't fall in. My parents did group apparating to the church and my brother and I arrived at the church with no hassle. Then, like normal, we took our usual seats at the front and waited for the beginning, or, in my case, the end.
Near the end, the minister brought up something important. Not to me, not yet, but to everyone religious there.
"As some of you know, the Lupin family's house burnt down a last night. They are in need of a place to stay until they can get a house of their own. This will probably take a while. They weren't taken by their neighbors because they are thought rather unlucky. You will not be taking in the whole Lupin family, but just the mother, the daughter and, yes, the son. Unfortunetly, Mr. Lupin died in the fire. All who wish to attend his funeral, it is at noon tommorrow. Anyone who wishes to take them in, please raise your hand."
Nobody raised their hand.
"Anybody?" still, nobody raised their hand. The minister was getting anxious. My mother looked around furiously. She put on a rebellious face then stood up.
"I'll take them, father. None of the rest of you need to worry about exposing yourself to young Mr. Lupin." said my mother. there was mutters of releif around the church. I had begun to wonder somewhere in that scene why nobody wanted to take them in. It seemed there was something wrong with the son. Was he deforemed? The ladies in the church were somewhat biased against deformed peopl, but no, someone would've taken him in. Then it struck me. Someone *was* taking him in, my family! I instantly forgot about *his* problem and what it was.
Now, I guess I'll have to explain who I am. I am James Potter, best friend of Sirius Black, and the most unlucky person in the world. I was now stuck with *him*, whoever he is besides the Lupin's son. Maybe he isn't so bad, but he has to be if all the ladies protest against him being here. Anyways, about me. I go to Hogwarts school of Witchraft and Wizardry, although I only study Wizardry, since I'm not a witch. Not that I have anything against them. In fact there are some I really enjoy-er, like. Such as Lily Evans. You should see that girl, and when you did, your biased opinion of witches would change. And, as a special offer, she's nice as well, not something you often find in extremely pretty girls. I haven't asked her on a date yet, though. I can't wait until the time I do, though. Anyways, about me. Well, I'm amazingly good looking and the most fantastic chaser the world has ever seen. But I'm a coward. For all my dangerous stunts, I still haven't asked Lily out on a date. I guess it's the chance that she'd say no. If I don't have confidence in myself when I ask out a girl, she always says no. And I don't want Lily Even to say no. Sirius says that when it comes to Lily Evens, I could talk forever...And that I've got one serious crush. But I don't think it's a crush, I think I'm in love. But I can talk about Lily later. But now I have other matters to discuss.
Like the night when I met *him*.