Title: One In A Million
Written By: Naveah :)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything…except for a few characters and the plot. The setting and main characters belong to the lovely J.K. Rowling!
Preface: It is said that Love is all about making sacrifices for the one you love, about fulfilling their happiness to its' utmost potential. Because the only reason to make you complete is just the fact of that person being happy, whether or not you are. Just seeing them happy is all you need to make yourself happy, even if you're not the reason for their happiness. Because that's what Love is. It's all about unselfishness. Giving more than everything without the expectation of gaining anything in return. To see their happy face, their smiling face is enough to live, it's enough to make you complete and if not happy in itself.
Summary: It is said that Kenneth Potter's vineyard was the birthplace of the best wine available in all of England. Many often wondered what was it that made the grapes so sweet? Kenneth Potter's famous answer was the perfect blend of ingredients, the perfect calculations of brewing, and love. Legend says that the sweetness of the grapes relies on the kind of love that a brewer couple manning the vineyard shares. When Kenneth Potter suffers a fatal heart attack, his grandson James Potter is forced to return to the vineyard and learn to attend to it.
It's the summer before Seventh Year and all James Potter wanted was the summer of a lifetime with mayhem and mischief shared with the rest of the Marauders. But instead finds that his summer is consisted of accompanying his Grandfather, learning the family business. He unwillingly undergoes the job of wine-brewing, much to his distaste that he tries and make everyone as miserable as he is. What happens when the his Grandfather unintentionally hires a young girl who happened to be none other than his long-time rival Lily Evans? The two are forced to work together, learning not only about the "perfect foundations of wine-brewing" but about each other, and most importantly about love. With just a little bit of faith and a few prying friends, the two could bring together the greatest love the world has ever seen, and along the way finally make the Legend come true. A love like theirs' can be found only once in a lifetime for a love like theirs' is one in a million.
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They say that good things take time
But really great things happen in a blink of an eye
Thought the chances of meeting somebody like you
Were a million to one
I can not believe it
You're One in a Million
All this time I was looking for love,
Trying to make things work
That wasn't good enough
Till I thought I was through,
Said I was done
Then stumbled into the arms of the one
CHAPTER 1:
Beginning
James Grant Potter sat in his compartment silently drumming his hand on the seat while the other held a crimpled note from his father, Jason Harold Potter. He let out a small growl, glaring intently at the letter in his hand.
"Prongs, it's going to be fine, ok? It's just this summer-" Remus J. Lupin tried his best to reason with his best friend. James lifted his eyes to glare at Remus.
"That's just it Moony! It's this summer! Our summer!" James whined crimpling the letter more in his hand that it was now a small ball. Remus rolled his eyes and gave his friend a look of desperation, trying clearly to get him to understand.
"Prongs is right, Moony! This was supposed to be the summer of our lives! Before our Seventh Year! I mean we have been together every summer and now because of one little misfortunate we have to spend the entire summer apart?!" Sirius Jenson Black replied throwing his hands in the air for dramatic purposes, so dramatic in fact that he almost smacked James in the face.
"I agree with Padfoot!" Peter P. Pettigrew gave a small squeak of recognition before settling back on his seat.
"'One little misfortune'? Padfoot, have you completely lost all of your senses? And you of all people James-yes, Padfoot I said James because this is serious, and no, not your name-should be a little more understanding about the situation! I mean your favorite Grandfather just suffered a heart attack!" Remus exclaimed, making 'favorite' emphasized.
James caught Remus' eyes before giving out a long sigh of comprehension. It wasn't that James didn't care for his Grandfather Kenneth Potter because he loved and admired him more so than any other man in the world. It was said that James resembled Kenneth Potter Sr. in more ways than the appearance, that they were practically the same people with James just being younger. They shared the same likes, qualities, and his Grandfather happened to be the most respected wizard in the wizarding world.
In fact if it wasn't for Kenneth Potter Sr. the family wouldn't be as wealthy as they are now. Kenneth Potter Sr. owned the biggest vineyard through out the United Kingdom with consumers ranging from both the wizarding community and the Muggle world. Mr. Potter Sr.'s wine was the best in the world because of the sweetness of the grapes from his very vineyard. Legend says that the sweetness of the grapes relies on the kind of love that a brewer couple manning the vineyard shares. It is said that the beginning of the Legend started when Great, Great, Great Carlisle Potter Sr. fell in love with his Fiona many centuries ago. Many, like James, took the Legend with a grain of salt except for the older wizards that manned the vineyard. James of course didn't believe in any nonsense that some Legend including love could be the cause of the perfect wine.
James glanced back down at the crinkled ball in his hand and he realized that there was no way he was getting out of this. Despite how much he loved to be with his Grandfather, he didn't really want to spend the entire summer before his Seventh Year at his Grandfather's vineyard trying to brew wine. For all he knew, all wine tasted the same. It wasn't that he didn't care that his Grandfather had just came home from the hospital after suffering a fatal heart attack, it was just that the thought of being far away from his best mates an entire summer without mischief was beyond his comprehension. Not to mention he just wasn't looking forward to working the entire summer with something as stupid as making wine.
"Trust me, Prongs, it won't be that bad. And besides I'm sure your Granddad wouldn't mind letting us come over every now and then." Remus smiled in assurance. Leave it to Remus to always try and reason, James thought as he silently nodded before tossing the letter to his bag on the floor.
"Ooh, I definitely would be game on staying my holidays at a vineyard!" Sirius yelled throwing one of his hands in the air like an overly-excited student raising his hand because he knew the answer to a problem.
"Only because you'd have the excuse of getting plastered off your little mind." Remus rolled his eyes as he swatted Sirius' hand away from his face. Sirius had the habit of invading people's bubble and privacy.
"There is nothing wrong with getting plastered-"
"There is too! Especially when I have to be the one to take care of your drunken ass, trying to jump off buildings and trees! Seriously, it's absurd and utterly ridiculous trying to deal with you mumbling about chickens in flapper outfits attacking you and what-not!" Remus gave him a strong glare picturing the events of that one night three summers back. James laughed, he too remembering that same night he had spiked Sirius' drink.
"That was a one time deal! And it wasn't even my fault!"
"Uh, I hate to break it to you, Padfoot, but it's every time. You just never remember because you're too busy complaining about hangovers!"
"Whatever, Moony. I, for one, handle my whiskey very good!"
"You should pray tonight, Padfoot."
"Why do you say that, Moony?"
"Ask God for forgiveness for lying before Him and your best mates." Remus sniggered while Sirius glared at him.
"Well, you guys better tell me if Padfoot here gets into any drinking misfortunes." James mumbled running his hand through his hair. Remus gave him a soft smile.
"You know we wouldn't let you miss anything important and life-threatening. So, don't worry we'll be getting caught for some stupid plot Padfoot invented before you know it!"
"Hey! Why do you always throw me in a sentence that involves an insult?!"
"Because I never insult you, Padfoot. I just happen to always speak the truth."
Before Sirius could open his mouth for his defense, James said, "Enough being like girls and bickering about stupid things, let's get on with a game of Wizard's Chess!"
Sirius gave Remus one last glare before conjuring a table in the middle of the compartment and placing the chessboard and pieces on top of the table. Remus rolled his eyes before warning Sirius of doing magic out of school while James and Peter both nodded their heads in approval to Sirius' choice of conjuring a mahogany table.
"Oh, quit being a stick in the mud Moony! Besides I'm totally legal now, you of all people should know that I happen to be the oldest out of our little group!!" Sirius exclaimed, puffing out his chest with an air of arrogance in his voice.
"Yeah, you may be the oldest but you sure as hell act the youngest." Remus laughed while James gave a small snicker. Sirius stuck out his tongue before setting the pieces onto the rightful places of the board. And without anything more to say, Sirius and Remus began their game of chess while James watched as Referee to make sure Sirius didn't cheat and Peter kept tabs on the score. Sirius was determined to beat Remus in a game of chess, he'd been trying since First Year and yet, to no avail for he still to this day hadn't one a single game.
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The rest of the ride back to King's Cross Station was filled with laughs, Wizard's Chess, gossip, small pranks, talks, and future plans. Before they knew it the Hogwart's Express came to a halting stop and the group of boys, along with everyone else, began filing out of the train, each finding their parents to spend the days of their summer holidays home.
James looked into the crowds searching for a figure who looked identical to him but much older, his father, Jason Harold Potter. He caught sight of a tall, figured man with the same untamed black hair as he did and he abruptly walked towards him with the rest of the Marauders on his tail.
"Hey dad!" James said as he reached his father who automatically wrapped him in a bear hug. James hugged his father back not at all ashamed of the close-bond he had with his family like most boys did at his age.
"How's it going Mr. P?! Did ya miss me too?" Sirius exclaimed jumping behind the bear-hug; feeling left out, wrapped his arms around the middle of James' dad's waist and getting in on the "manly" hugging-action.
Jason Potter gave a soft chuckle before releasing his son and giving Sirius a soft pat on his shoulder.
"Of course, Sirius. Who wouldn't miss a face like yours'? Except of course leave it to you to make a moment of father and son bonding to be ruined." Jason laughed as he turned to the rest of the Marauders.
"Aww, c'mon Mr. P, I know I have a very big soft spot in your heart." Sirius laughed as he hugged Jason again.
"I think since you've moved into your little loft that soft spot has shrunk a bit, I'm afraid. Especially since the house has become quieter since you've found a place. You're more than welcome anytime. You of all people are like a son to me." Jason teased his eyes playful but nonetheless full of sincerity. Sirius gave a small nod and smiled hugely at his almost father, the only father figure he had ever known since his own father didn't even give a monkey's crap about him.
Sirius ran away from home when he was just thirteen years old and the Potters' were more than hospitable and extremely thrilled to have another person in their household, offered Sirius a place to stay or in fact to live. James, of course, was thrilled to have not only his best mate live with him but also have someone to share his days with. Sirius had found himself living with the Potters up until he turned the legal age of seventeen under the Wizarding Law. His great-grand something had left a good amount of money behind him to Sirius when he died; Sirius feeling independent and untouchable bought himself a flat once his seventeenth birthday had passed. The Potters were less than happy to see Sirius off but were supportive nonetheless upon their basically second son's choice and offered a room for him anytime he chose.
"What can I say, Mr. P, I am something worth missing. James just doesn't hold the Potter Manor together like I did."
"I think it's quite the other way around. The house has stayed together in one piece since you've left!" Jason let out a laugh as he pushed both James and Sirius lovingly.
"How do you do Mr. Potter?" Remus politely asked standing a few ways away from them. Jason gave him a nod and doing the same to Peter who just gave him a small wave.
"Hello to you too boys. How many times do I have to tell you boys to just call me Jason? 'Mr. Potter' just sounds too old! And I am far beyond from being old, for this man right here still has it, still got the fire!" Jason said chuckling as he puffed out his chest. James pushed his dad playfully as they walked through the brick wall and onto the main Muggle platform.
"Where's mum at anyways?" James asked once they got outside. The sun was slowly dying west and night was approaching. The air had gotten slightly humid and the cool spring air had changed into a soft summer's breeze. The group of guys headed towards the Potters' car that sat rooted at the curb of the parking area at the train station. Jason easily placed James' trunk into their Muggle Mercedes Benz car.
The Potters' tried their hardest to fit into the Muggle world as much as they could, even though they didn't always understand the Muggle world. For the longest time the Potters' lived in a regular Muggle Suburban area and lived normally like any normal Muggle, well any wealthy Muggle would. They were quite different from other pureblooded wizards and always accepted different types of people without a care in the world of what others thought. They were by far well-respected in the community and loved by almost all wizards and muggles.
"She's off visiting her friend Claudine Smith somewhere in Scotland. She'll see you at dinner tonight at your Granddad's. Well, that's everything. Better be off before it gets too late, you know how far your Granddad's vineyard is from here. Bye boys!" Jason replied as he climbed into the driver seat with a last wave to the boys.
Upon bringing up his Grandfather, James gave a small sigh and a little frown before saying his goodbyes to the Marauders. Sirius promised to write to him and even threatened James that if he didn't get drunk at least twice a week he would personally drown him in wine. Remus promised to do the same minus the encouragement of James getting drunk and drowning him. Peter just promised to write before jumping into his parents' car. Remus gave a final wave before doing the same and Sirius gave him a hug before setting off far away from Muggle eyes to apparate to his flat.
James just couldn't bring himself to really be happy about his last summer spent at his dear old Granddad's house, not to mention working at a vineyard was just not his forte. He climbed into the passenger seat, and James' dad headed for Kenneth Potter Sr.'s grand estate mansion just a little ways from Wales; an estate that estimated roughly about the same as the Buckingham Palace.
James rode in the car with his father assuring him that everything was going to be fine and summer was not completely ruined. James felt a slight guilt for being selfish, concerned only about his summer holidays ruined rather than worrying about his Granddad's health. But still, a boy, who was about to turn seventeen, just didn't or rather couldn't see the bigger picture of things but rather focused on the main problem or event just ahead of him.
He would never know until much later in his future that this was no ordinary summer but a summer that would forever change not only his life but his every being, his heart and most importantly the life as he knew it. This summer was the summer that would forever change his world and set his life to fulfill his destiny. This summer would forever be the beginning of his life.
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Author's Note: I really hope that everyone enjoys this story! It's different but hopefully it will spark some interest! Thank you for your support and please R&R. :D