Vigilance! Constant Vigilance! Those words are ringing though my mind this entire training program so far. A month worth of training has passed and one word to describe it: Grueling.

Sometimes I question myself what am I signing up for, theory lessons with Kingsley are not as bad. He was a patient and encouraging mentor, kind of similar to Professional Flitwick. Training with Tonks was probably the least stressful, maybe it was the fact that she was only a few years older than us, additionally with her bubbly and eager attitude, her training was fun.

Plus human transfiguration has been an interesting part of school, what's more fun than to do it on ourselves. Tonks had become an older sister figure to me aside from Nat and coincidentally Nat and Tonks were in the same school year together.

Now it comes down to Sir. I swear to Merlin he is definitely a whole different level of a Spartan compared to Oliver Wood. He makes Wood seem like a puppy. Sir was like a fierce wolf. Especially when he barks down at us, reminding us to be highly aware of our surroundings as we have to constantly vigilant. The worst is I feel like Sir is treating me harsher in trainings.

I know, out of the two of us, Aiden has been obviously the better trainee. He has been exceling in his progress while I just managed to scrape through. I came to the training program not expecting to be exceptional but I wanted to do well enough to make it through. I was starting to gain a dislike for him

Kingsley and Tonks had been encouraging me, telling me Sir is just giving me tough love. I took it in, not wanting to take things too emotionally.

It was now lunch break, Aiden and I just finished lessons with Kingsley and Tonks had just joined us at the table not before she tripped over nothing.

"Is it even possible to trip over nothing, Tonks?" I grinned.

"Hey, I didn't ask to be this ungraceful." She replied.

We started to eat our pack lunches as we started on a conversation.

"What are you going to do after this training is over for the summer?" Tonks answered, taking a bite out of her second chicken sandwich.

"Lexi and I are invited to go to the Quidditch World Cup. So that's one thing we are doing." I answered.

"Oh, who invited you?"

Mr Weasley, well my friends Fred and George, his twin sons did." I answered.

"That's nice of him!" Tonks praised. I nodded in agreement to her praise.

"So you are close to his sons?" I nodded to her question. "I have been friends with Fred and George since first year."

"That's pretty long! So do you harbor any feelings for any one of them? " She teased.

"What? No! Fred and George are my best friends, no way!" There was not the truth, but no way was I going to admit it to her. Especially when Aiden is around! I stole a quick glance at him.

"Oh come on, sometimes there are attractions between longtime friends! No?" I violently shook my head at her statement. She smirked further and turned her head to Aiden.

"What about you, Aiden?" Aiden took a moment to think before answering. "Practice my violin."

"Aren't you a charmer?" Aiden gave a shy smile. "Girls love a guy who can play instruments. I know I would." She winked.

"Tonks! You are making him turn red!" I said as I could see Aiden showing a nervous smile.

"What? I am complimenting him, not hitting on him. Know the difference." She responded. "Well I have to go off now; I will see you later." She said as she stood up.

"Relax Aiden, I am not planning on becoming a cougar." She winked once more before leaving the pantry.

While Aiden and I were on our way to the training room from lunch, I passed by the wall of past Auror photos for the umpteenth time. I could not help but to always take a few seconds to look at Mum and Dad's photo.


"Today, we will be doing something a little different." Sir spoke as we just entered the room.

"It will be the same dueling practice but it would be different for each of you. The two of you have very different strengths and weaknesses."

"Martin, you are up first." Aiden stepped forward to the center of the dueling ground, wand ready in hand.

He had that determined look on his face, yet he was nervously fidgeting with his wand in his hands. Aiden Martin showing nervousness? It actually seemed more down to earth of him. Usually he's really charismatic and all. Oh my gosh, did I just think of that? I shook my head to shake off the thought but however it was still undeniably true.

"Expelliarmus!" Aiden caused the dummy to soar to the back of the wall. The dummy bounced off the wall and stood unfazed. With a swish of Sir's wand, the dummy cast a jinx to Aiden.

He managed to dodge it as he was hesitant to make his next move.

"You are too hesitant. You need to be more intuitive with your ability and you can't hold back on the enemy." Sir coached.

"I am going to have you step up your game." Sir said as he added one more dummy. "I want you to be able to fend off three, and no holding back."

I saw Aiden's eyes turned dark, he had that fierce determination in his eyes as he began to duel three dummies at once.

Aiden has become someone I am getting close to, as a friend. He always did not hesitate to offer me help during training, we always had lunch together and have been meeting going home together from trainings. I guess this all partly happens because of the fact it's just the both of us.

Although I am the one to speak actively during our conversations, Aiden replies to me in his own way; short answers and nods/shakes. It was a huge step in our friendship from last year and I was surprised that fate made us to meet officially for the first time in that one potions lesson. His Slytherin status did not bother to me at all, even though there is a huge stereotyping of Slytherins in Hogwarts, Aiden proved to be an exception. I am surprised he was willing to talk to me and said I was his friend.

I let out a sigh as I stared at the raven haired guy dueling in front of me. Aiden Martin, you are such a mystery. A charming sort of mystery… Okay brain, stop it!

About thirty minutes passed, I never seen Aiden look exhausted. Beads of perspirations were trickling down his forehead; I threw him his water bottle as he caught it and sat on the bench beside me. He gulped down his water in a matter of seconds. I offered mine, and he muttered a quick thanks before downing it.

"James!" I was called up and grabbed my wand that was tucked in my right shoe. I was nervous; I didn't want to be pelted with the harsh critics again.

"Obscuro." Sir casted a spell to have a blindfold covering my eyes.

"What is going on?" I exclaimed, flabbergasted, immediately feeling panic as everything went pitch black.

"Don't ask any questions. You are going to dodge the spells I am going to throw at you and you will figure out where I am and try to hit me with the disarming spell and get my wand." I nodded absentmindedly; the panic was taking over me.

"Don't panic. Concentrate!" Sir instructed. I nodded again, this time taking a deep breath. I tried to listen out for his voice, hopefully I can locate where he is.

"Stupefy!" I sensed his voice from the right and moved left. I could feel the energy of the spell brushed past me. I heaved a sigh of relief but didn't put my guard down.

"Expelliarmus!" I casted the spell to my right, but nothing happened.

"Locomotor Mortis!" I was not fast enough to react as I was hit with the spell, I couldn't move my legs as I fell to the ground. I fumbled for my wand that I dropped on the ground.

"Stand back up, James!" Sir shouted as I fumbled for my wand, incanting the counter curse. I slowly stood up, waiting for his next move.

I tried to walk aimlessly as I felt myself being tripped by a jinx sent my way.

"Use your intuition! Sense where the spells are coming from!" The voice was on my left.

"Expelliarmus!" I threw a spell in that direction.

"Too slow!" The voice was coming from my right in an instant.

"Tarantallegra!" Sir casted another spell.

"Finite!" I countered the spell.

Another ten minutes passed and I have yet to make any progress as I barely dodged and countered the spells thrown in my direction. I repeatedly fell on the ground and can feel the bruises forming on my legs. I honestly felt weak at that moment.

"Expelliarmus!" I casted the spell again in no particular direction and failed once more.

I want to do well, I really want to. I want to be like my parents, but I couldn't. I was riled up inside, both with emotions and anger.

"Is this all you got, James? Your mother has done tougher trainings than this. If you can't do it, you can give up now!"

"No." I quivered, answering.

"How do you expect to be like your parents? You are a far cry from them, at this standard! You can give up now and go home!" I felt like I was slapped in the face as I was being reprimanded. I took off my blindfold as I was shaking with anger.

"I am not my parents! As much I would love to be as capable as them, I can't! I am not Anna! I might look like my mum, but I am not her!" I cried out as I ran out of the door. Leaving with Sir astonished and Aiden came after me. I walked all the way to the end of the hallway.

I was not crying, I was on the verge of it. I took the water bottle from Aiden who just stood beside me quietly as I gulped down the water, holding back the tears. My sudden outburst must have taken everyone by surprise.

"Can I…" I muttered after awhile as I glance at Aiden.

"Can I have a hug?" I croaked out. I tilted my head slowly to face him; he just looked back at me with an expressionless face. I hung my head down low.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have asked that." I said embarrassed.

I continued to look at my feet, hiding my face in utter embarrassment. How could I even ask Aiden that? I am never living this down. However, I did not too be embarrassed anymore as my request was fulfilled.

Without words, I was pulled into his arms. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he rested his hands on my head, patting on my back. The feeling he gave was warm, surprisingly and amazingly.

We stood there for a minute before I could return to a calmer state of mind and felt better.

I slowly pulled apart from him, slowly looking up to his deep blue-gray eyes. I made an awkward cough in my throat, at the sudden closeness. The both of us stood awkwardly before Aiden spoke first.

"We should go back." I shook my head.

"How can I? I totally made a nutcase out of myself back there!" I protested.

"It would be fine."

"But I shouted at Sir, it would be awkward! I can't go back!" I turned my back on him as I started to head for the opposite way. But before I could take an inch, I was held back.

"I would be with you." Aiden reassured as he held onto my wrist. "You are not alone." Aiden reassured once more as we locked eyes, his eyes full of sincerity.

I started to walk towards him, still full of hesitation but somehow I went along with Aiden. Maybe he is very persuasive or that his words touched me. I never had my heart moved like this; a familiar warm fuzzy feeling is back, one I felt whenever I am with…Fred.

I mentally hit myself on the head. No way, I can't.

I still like Fred, a lot. It remains a fact. I missed Fred over the holidays every now and then. Our only contact is through letters every week or so, but I always had an anxious sort of anticipation for his replies and could be seen smiling like an idiot reading them.

Lexi never fails to throw in some sarcastic yet funny comments in at how I am behaving, Nat was filled in the details of my thing with Fred and surprisingly, she said it was not entirely unexpected. Big sisters always seem to know everything! I had only treated him as a friend before but ever since leaving at King's Cross on the day we left for home, everything changed. Everything I felt for him changed, it was not just friendship alone anymore.

It was definitely not love. It was just somewhere in between.

But how can I be here, knowing I like Fred, start to develop something for Aiden?! I can't be a loose woman! It's impossible to like two people at once, what is wrong with me?

Snap out of this, Sam! You just can't like two guys at the same time. I hit myself on the head, this time, literally.

My self-contained argument caught the attention of Aiden who was beside me, still holding my wrist; I instantly grew embarrassed at myself. Aiden, please don't think I am a weirdo.

He turned to his right as we reached the door of the training facility. He let go of my wrist and placed his on my shoulder, as to assure me. He placed his wand in the slot on the wall and the door opened. In the room stood Tonks, Kingsley and Sir…all three adults turned their heads my way as the door opened.

"Sam!" Tonks came to me, hugging me as I entered the room. I was looking down at my feet, unable to look at any adult in the eye as I felt the tension in the air.

"Are you alright?" I just nodded as I returned the hug.

"Alastor has been too hard on you. But he wants the best for you." She spoke pulled apart from the hug.

"Sam, come here." Kingsley spoke up. I glanced at Tonks and Aiden before gingerly making my way.

"I heard of what happened. Alastor sometimes has trouble expressing his words; he is not the best with words and may seem stone-hearted." He explained before giving Tonks and Aiden a knowing look.

"You aren't a bad student, Sam. He just has very high expectations of you. Let him explain." He continued before he left the room with Tonks and Aiden.

I was hesitant to speak to my mentor at all. Not after I practically burst into a fit of anger at him, my voice shook nervously as I spoke. "Sorry, Sir. I shouldn't have made an outburst."

It was all silent before Sir started to speak. "No, it wasn't your fault. I instigated you to it. Sit." We sat at one of the side benches in the room.

"Your father and mother were both of my students. Your father was exceptional, easily my best student. He was the best talent that the Auror office had in many years; I have to give him that credit." He spoke in his gruff voice.

"But your mother, she was special. She did not have the initial makings of an Auror, I was hard on her during her trainings. Once she was very close to be kicked out of training, because unlike your father, she was not up to mark." His tone turned a little softer at the mention of my mum.

"However…She did not know the meaning of quitting and giving up. She came back one day to challenge me to a duel so that I could take her in again; she was full of fire and determination."

"Did she win?" I asked, finally making direct eye contact at my mentor.

"She lost." He bluntly stated but let out a short chuckle afterwards, something rare I would ever hear out of this man in front of me.

"But that's the moment when I saw potential in her, the will power in her was something not many people can have."

"She eventually successfully became an Auror, and she did well from then on. She was full of life, and optimism, never failed to show care and concern to those around her, including me. She helped took care of me when I first lost my leg." He said, in an even softer tone as he placed an arm on his prosthetic leg, looking at it intently as it brought back memories for him.

"I had high expectations for you, Sam." He turned back his sight on me, calling my first name for the first time.

I misunderstood his intentions, his strict trainings was to make me the best I could be as an Auror.

"That's why I cannot afford to have you performing under standard. If you want to be like your parents or better, you are going to train far harder than they ever had. Martin has the same potential as well, that's why the two of you are being trained by the best."

"Are you trying to say you are the best, Sir?" I joked, as he turned defensive, making a scrunched face.

"Well we shall continue the training. I expect you to keep up." He quickly said as he stood up, turning to me with a serious face.

"I will. I won't let you down, Sir." I said seriously, this time I was determined. Sir looked at me for a few seconds, as if he was thinking of something before training was soon resumed.


"Stupefy!" Sam casted a spell towards Aiden.

"Protego!" Aiden defended himself and their practice duel continues under the watchful eye of their mentors.

"I see promise in both of them. They might be able to make it through, and we could finally have additions to the office after this while." Kingsley spoke as he stood beside Alastor.

"It's too early to say that, Kingsley. This is not even much of what's more to come." Alastor grumbled, though what Kingsley said was possible, he did not want to be complacent.

"Do you have to be so hard on them?" Kingsley asked in response.

"If I do not do so, who will? Tonks wouldn't be able to, and it's also not your character to do so." Alastor answered.

"I didn't think you would be mentoring again, the only one you ever took under your wing was Tonks. Is it because…" Kingsley turned to his front looking at the young girl dueling that looked like an Auror he knew was special to Alastor Moody.

"I did not choose to train her because she looked like her mother. She wants to be an Auror with good intentions so I decided to train her." Alastor remembered the words Sam said in front of her parents' photo.

"And I can see she has determination." Alastor answered.

I will. I won't let you down, Sir. Sam said firmly, her familiar dark eyes full of resolve. Those words brought back a certain memory for Alastor Moody.

Don't worry, Alastor! I won't let you down! Thank you! Anna Jones used to say this to him after he agreed to give her one more chance to continue her Auror training. Her dark eyes full of resolve looking at him as she thanked him but eventually broke into her infectious smile afterwards.

It was a sense of déjà vu for Alastor Moody.


It was another day of training, and it was nearing to one in the afternoon. The E.A.T program is almost to an end as we are reached the end of the first week of August. It was another dueling practice session with Sir. Ever since that fateful incident, Sir and I began to have a better mentor-protégé relationship.

I just finished my turn and was about to head to the side benches when a sickle was dropped on the floor.

"Help me pick it up, James." Sir asked, looking warily at the same time as I did as I was told.

"Okay." I said weirdly as I was on my knees, when I hear the door opened.

"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday to our dear Sam! Happy birthday to you!"

Tonks brought out a small cheesecake as she sang along with Aiden, even Kingsley joined in. I could even hear Sir just humming as well.

"Happy 16th birthday, Sam!" Tonks came running and stumbled on her way, the cake was thrown in the air but was quickly levitated back into the hands of the skilled Sir Alastor Moody beside me.

"Thank merlin, the cake didn't drop. Nice job, Alastor!"

"You have to something about that clumsiness, Tonks." Sir grumbled.

"Been trying to work on that, too bad it is a habit." She said as she winked at me.

"Here's your present from me!" Tonks handed me a fancy paper bag.

"Thanks, you shouldn't have."

"No problem, you are like the little sister I never had."

"Thank you, all for you!" I was smiling non-stop.

"That's not all." Tonks said.

"Go ahead, Kingsley."

"Alastor and I were discussing, and thought you and Aiden have been training well for the past month. We decided to end the training earlier, give you two extra time to relax for the remaining holidays."

"Also, as it is your birthday is two days from now, we shall end training today right now. Your break would start today."

I went forward to hug Kingsley and catching Sir off guard, him too. I swore I saw Sir blush a little as I let go, as he started to pretend to cough. "You can get off, Jones."

"Aww, Alastor's shy." Tonks teased as Sir started to turn slightly angry.

"We can't wait for the two of you to come back next year." Kingsley said.

"We will be glad to come back." Aiden nodded in agreement as he was looking down, smiling at me.

"One last thing before you go." Tonks said, grinning at me.

"Wha-" I couldn't finish my sentence as I was being caked.

"Tonks!" I exclaimed as I started chasing her like a six year was laughing discreetly, covering his mouth as he couldn't look into my eyes.

"Aiden, not you too!" It was the first time I ever saw Aiden laughed, even the slightest bit. So I couldn't really stay mad at him.

Aiden and I bade our goodbyes to our mentors and fellow Aurors at the office as we exited the Ministry of Magic to Diagon Alley. We were heading to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour. I was going to visit Maddie since I did not want to head home as I would be all alone. I didn't expect to end training early today. Natalie and Lexi had headed out to London to go on a shopping spree. Grandma and Grandpa headed out for a long awaited time off.

Did I mention, Grandma and Grandpa actually ran a small bakery selling Chinese pastries like tarts and buns? Our small garage is actually the bakery with an additional kitchen to our house kitchen. They just sell pastries, and did not offer in-house dining. As fortunate as we had enough money to live by in the bank left by parents, my grandparents did not want to do nothing all day.

Grandpa used to be a bake and he had boasted how he used to get his first date with Grandma with just an egg tart. Grandpa is such a cheese ball. The bell in the ice cream parlour rang as Aiden and I both entered.

"Welcome!" Maddie's voice could be heard. "Hi Sam, hi Aiden! How come you are here so early?"

"Hey, Mads! Well guess what, my training has officially ended today!" I pumped both fists in the air.

"That's earlier than expected. How come?" She had a surprised look.

"My mentors thought we could use have a longer holiday than planned, also because it's my birthday in two days, that's why they gave me the early break."

"Oh really, your birthday is in two days? Wasn't it over a month ago or something?" Maddie joked as she pretended to ponder.

"Har har, you are really not good at lying." I responded.

"Alright alright, happy advanced birthday! What do you want, it's on the house."

"No, you shouldn't. Wouldn't your boss be unhappy?" I asked unsurely.

"Of course not, Mr Fortescue is not like a miser. He says I can give treats to my friends if I like. But don't worry Aiden, you are included too!" She grinned. "I insist, Sam. Treat it as a birthday treat." I thanked her once more.

Aiden offered to take my bag and went to get a seat by the window while I waited at the counter for our orders.

"So you and Aiden seem to have become closer?" Maddie said as she scooped up some Belgian chocolate ice cream onto my bowl. "I guess so, he's becoming a good friend."

"So what are you going to do now since your training has finally come to an end?" Maddie asked as she began on Aiden's order.

"Sleep! And then my birthday is coming up but I shall rather sleep. I have been losing out on it ever since training ever started. Training starts earlier than school for crying out loud!" I made a angonised face.

"All part of Sir's training of discipline." I face palmed as I grumbled. One thing I hate is to wake up early for anything.

"Well, at least now you won't have the tendency to oversleep." She smirked.

"I am also going to the Burrow soon the day after my birthday, shall stay over as I would be going to the Quidditch World Cup with the Weasleys." I added.

"Bet you are excited?"

"Yeah, this would be my first Quidditch World Cup live." My eyes lit up as I spoke.

"I didn't mean that, I meant Fred Weasley."

"Madeline Jane Reins!"

"But you are happy to see him again right?" I couldn't hold back the smile on my face as I thought of seeing him but that's not all, I mean I very much to see George, Ginny, Ron, Bill, Mr and Mrs Weasley, Charlie...maybe Percy, okay not that much.

"Triple Belgian with banana toppings and a Chocoberries sundae with crushed nuts." She placed the two big cups of ice cream in front.

"Thank you, my good ice cream man…or girl!"

"You're welcome, madam!" She replied as she laughed.

"Here's your order." I set the ice-creams on our table.

"Thank you."

We began indulging in our frozen delight in the warm afternoon. All was well when suddenly Aiden stopped eating and placed his spoon down.

"What's wrong?" He did not answer, but I could sense he was nervous for a reason.

"Is everything alright?" He did not respond. Instead he reached for something in his bag and pushed it across the table.

"Happy Birthday." He wished me in his low voice.

"Thank you. Can I open it?" He nodded and I carefully open the box. I recognized that brand name imprinted in gold.

Pandora Box. That's the finest jeweler store in Diagon Alley.

I opened the maroon box to see a gold bangle with a single blue opal gem. It seemed too pretty as the gold shone in the parlour's lights.

"Thank you, but the things sold at Pandora Box are quite expensive, you shouldn't have spent so much."

"It wasn't. Don't worry." He reassured. "The gem changes colour according to what you are wearing." This was too nice of him especially he had got a gift for me even when we only knew each other for a short period of time, I was moved.

"I would wear it for special occasions. It's really beautiful." Aiden grew a wider smile and went back to his ice cream.

After we finished our delicious dessert, he spoke again. "Are you going home after this?" I shook my head.

"I would be too lonely at home, no one's in. I might ask Maddie if I could stay here until evening, at least she's here." I replied, Aiden was looking down, biting his lips as he was nervous again.

He soon looked up again, though he looked unsure for some reason, he looked right into my eyes.

"Do you want to come over to my house?"