The classroom was almost full as students from all four houses in their sixth year of schooling at Hogwarts swapped theories as to why they'd been pulled away from their end of school packing. There was only one more day to go before they would be leaving for their last ever summer holidays. That morning Headmaster Dumbledore had requested that all sixth year students were to report to this room at 10 o'clock on the dot; apparently there was some important announcement he needed to make. While important announcements weren't that uncommon; only informing one year level was odd and thus the Hogwarts rumor mill was at full speed as the speculating teens ideas became more and more outrageous by the minute. As usual the sixth years were about to find out that the rumors had not even come close to guessing the real reason for the meeting.

Silence spread through the students as Dumbledore's presence was noticed in the room. The aged wizard smiled slightly as people were elbowed and shushed. Looking around, his blue eyes sparkled with what a misguided fool would have called mischief, yet it was gone before anyone could tell for sure.

"I am sure you are all wondering why I have called you here today," he didn't get any further as the door to the room suddenly opened and a late comer stepped inside. The boy casually walked into the room, ignoring those who either shot him a glare or shuffled fearfully away from him.

"Ah, Mr Black…" Dumbledore smiled at the boy before continuing. "As I was saying; this year we will be having a summer project for you all to participate in. Before you object, you must know that this is the Ministry's wish and the mark received for it will be worth half your final grade next year." He paused as whispering broke out among the students.

"Yes, yes; I'm sure you're all very excited about this. Now this will be a group assignment and, as to avoid any problems, I have specifically picked out your groups. There will be no changing I'm afraid. You'll find the list posted in the Entrance Hall along with Professor Sprout who will hand you your assignments. There are a few rules, however. You must all put in an equal amount of effort for this or you will fail. Also, I would suggest getting started right away as it will take some time to complete. Due to this unexpected change of plans, all other summer homework has been exempted."

Cheering filled the room along with more whispers at the prospect of only having one assignment due for the next school year.

"Yes, it's all very wonderful. Now, I suggest you go straight down to the hall and collect your things as well as find out who is in your group. I will see you all at the feast tonight." With that the students turned for the door, but waited cautiously for Sirius Black to leave first, everyone shuddering as rumors of what he had done flashed through their minds. Once he had left the other students moved for the exit, anxious to find out who they would be stuck with for the summer.

The room emptied in a matter of minutes before it was just one quiet boy remaining with the headmaster. The boy shyly approached the old man, eyes glued to the ground.

"Remus, what can I do for you?" He asked the boy kindly.

"Sir, I was wondering if I could still do the other work and hand it in as extra credit?" he asked in a quiet voice, a blush staining his cheeks.

"I'm sure that would not be a problem." The elderly man smiled, causing the boy to perk up.

"Thanks Sir," the boy smiled lightly, glancing into the man's eyes for a brief moment before turning and leaving, a book clutched protectively in the crook of one arm.

"Have a good summer… and good luck." Dumbledore said to the now empty room.

***

"Did you hear about the sixth year's groupings?"

"Come on, who hasn't!"

"Fancy putting James Potter with those three imbeciles'?"

"I know! What was Dumbledore thinking?"

"Was he thinking?"

James winced slightly as he was yet again reminded of who he had been paired up with for the upcoming summer project. He had assumed it would be just three of the regular suck ups the school hallways were crawling with, but this had never even crossed him mind.

He had walked down to the front hall to have a look at his group and had felt his stomach drop at the names written in the little box along with his.

'James Potter

Lily Evans

Sirius Black

Remus Lupin'

It was going to be a summer of pure hell… that was if they even bothered to make an attempt at doing anything that would involve him. From what he had heard Black wouldn't show up for anything – the delinquent. Then there was Evans who might send one owl provided he did first and that owl would most likely contain a howler if her normal temper tantrums were anything to go by. Finally; Lupin. He'd probably be content to do the whole thing and, if they weren't being forced to put in some kind of contribution, James would have happily handed over the responsibility.

"Yeah it's all true; James Potter's stuck with that group."

James sighed as yet another student 'whispered' about his misfortune. Looking up from his plate that he had been diligently staring at while brooding; he allowed his eyes to search out his three new group members seated along the Gryffindor table for the end of year feast.

He first noticed Sirius Black – resident Hogwarts criminal and 'bad boy'. The guy was sitting by himself as none of the other students in the school dared to go up to him. From what James had heard Black was one person to never cross. Among the rumors of attempted murder and theft, Black was supposedly a drunk who didn't give a crap about the rest of the world. Looking at the black haired boy however, James thought he looked like just another normal teenager who was rebelling against any kind of authority he could find. Admittedly he did look a little bit intimidating with his unusual grey eyes and habit of wearing dark colours all the time, but that was about the extent of it. Now that James thought about it, he'd never even heard the boy speak before and – previously – had never even given him a second glance.

Moving his eyes further down the table it wasn't difficult to locate Lily Evans. Apart from the space surrounding her that was almost as large a birth that Black was given, her red hair made her stand out that much more. Unlike Black, Evans was known for different reasons; being a social outcast and nut job. She was notorious for arguing quite loudly with any and all students in the school and never seemed to care what anyone else thought about her. James, himself, had only ever had one run in with the red head and that had been in their second year. From that one experience he knew her to be quite annoying and loud.

As he looked along the stretched table he almost missed the third member of his new summer assignment group; Remus Lupin. The boy was cramped in his seat and continually jolted by those around him who either didn't see he was there or didn't care. James suspected it was a bit of both. From what James had heard about the guy he was super smart but a complete and utter bore to be near. He was supposed to be a total bookworm and had, as far as he knew, not a single friend. The book that he had buried his nose in only served to reinforce the rumors James had heard as he turned away from the sandy haired sixteen year-old.

"James Potter," he looked over to the fifth year girl standing behind him, a blush covering her face making it bright red.

"Yeah?" He asked with an automatic smile lifting up the corners of his mouth.

She grinned nervously and launched into a speech about how she had liked him for so many years and would he please go out with her. It seemed that things never changed in this place. With an inward sigh James spared one last thought to his new group before settling back into the familiar routine of pleasing those around him.

***

Lily Evans – social outcast – walked along the Hogwarts Express' corridor purposely. She had three slips of parchment, three destinations and one hell of a stubborn determined streak. Glancing uninterestedly into the windows as she walked along, she ignored the haughty looks and sneers of dislike she received whenever she caught someone's eye and continued on her way. It wasn't until she was almost halfway down the train that she finally reached a compartment with only one occupant – their nose buried in a book. Sliding open the door and catching his attention, she spoke before he could do more than blink stupidly at her in surprise.

"Remus Lupin, right?" Not waiting for a reply she continued. "You're part of my group for this assignment so we're going to get together over the summer. There's this café I know, magical; it's easy to get to so it'll be perfect to meet up there." She handed him one of the slips of parchment which contained the address of the place before turning to leave.

"Be there in three days at noon so that we can start. The sooner it's done the less time we'll have to spend together." With that she closed the door again and continued on down the corridor like nothing had happened.

She only paused in her journey when she came to a packed compartment with people standing at the open door just to see what was going on so that they could claim to have been there later if something exciting happened. Pushing roughly past people, she ignored the irritated hisses and taunts as her emerald green eyes landed on James Potter's dark brown ones.

"James Potter; meet me here in three days time, at noon." She said holding out another piece of parchment.

"Like he's going to listen to you, Evans." A guy next to him growled out, dislike clear in his voice.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know your name was James Potter," Lily snapped back with just as much dislike if not more.

"Why would I go meet up with you?" James asked her skeptically.

"We have an assignment to do, dumbass. Don't come for all I care, but it's your funeral when you fail." Lily shrugged uncaringly before shoving the parchment into his hand and turning and pushing her way out of the cramped space again.

Once free she continued on her journey. She didn't bother looking in any more windows as she knew her destination was the last compartment on the left. It was the one Sirius Black always used and people normally stayed FAR away from him. It was just a good thing Lily wasn't normal, otherwise she would never have boldly opened up the door to said compartment, no trace of fear evident on her face.

Sirius Black looked coolly over to her, obviously having been staring out the window before she's so rudely interrupted him.

"Black; if you're actually going to bother putting in some work for this assignment, then I'd suggest you show up here in three days time at noon." She said holding out the third and final piece of parchment for him to take. Steel grey eyes simply stared blankly at her, causing already present anger to stir up even more.

Here she was, going to all this extra trouble to help these three morons pass, and all they could do is act stupid. Letting out an irritated noise in the back of her throat she let the parchment drop to the ground and, after sending him a frosty look, turned and slammed the door once she'd exited the room. Spinning on her heel she stomped away, not seeing the black haired boy casually reach down and retrieve the parchment before pocketing it.