Summary: Sometimes life was sweet, but with a bitter ending. Sometimes it was the opposite. Just like butterbeer.
Full Summary: James Potter was in his prime. He was Quidditch Captain for Gryffindor, he had become Animagus to help Remus, and his group of friends were at their height in their pranking career. Now all he had left was to woo the girl. Lily Evans. But of course, James doesn't do things halfway, and all he needed was someone to help him. Now, who fit's the role? Only, Olivia Grey. Of course, Slytherin's aren't always the most helpful type, and Sirius Black knows so. Could she be hiding any ulterior motives?
Author's Note: If Harry Potter were mine, on Harry's birthday Harry Potter World in Florida would be free admission. It would be a present to all who love him.
Ships: Maros (Mary MacDonald x Amos Diggory), Simbre (Sirius Black x Embre Shines)
Olivia's POV
Living with Amos and his father was the natural part of this whole 'transition' (as my mother called it). What, pray tell, could be the hardest? Well, not knowing that I had to leave my cats in America was quite the challenge. How would you like to get to your new home and expect your loving animals but not see them anywhere? Yeah. It sucked.
It wasn't because we had allergies or anything - no, Amos has a cat of his own that hates everyone. The ginger tom reminds me of my own cat, Loki. Both of them hate everything, but Loki tolerated me. Fletcher, however, hates everyone and everything. He hates when it's too hot, but he also hates the cold. He's basically Goldilocks in cat form, except his hair is red and he's an old man that plots all of our deaths.
If we wanted to bring our cats, we probably could've. The only problem was that the train that goes from New York to London wouldn't allow livestock, and highly disapproves of smuggling animals. Apparently, animals have trouble apparating, and the train manages to aparate? I don't know, but I had to leave Pea, Sifu, and Loki in America. Apparently their living with my aunt, but everyone knows she's a dog person. Let's be honest. Her dog Moosh probably ate them the first day. R.I.P. my cats. You were loved, just not by my aunt.
But overall the 'transition' has been great. We didn't really have much to bring with us, and that makes for a smooth move. The Diggory's aren't the richest of folk, but they definitely live on the safe side of town. They had four extra rooms before we moved in, and now every room in their massive home is filled quite nicely. Anthony, Anna, and my mother both get their own individual rooms, and that leaves me to share with my little sister - Aria. Don't get me wrong; I love hanging out with her. The only downside to sharing a living space with her is that all of her cotton candy rainbow drawings are plastered to the walls with a permanent sticking charm, and glitter has a fine coating over everything.
If it's is possible to be allergic to glitter, then I have a severe case.
I don't know if you've ever used glitter before, but once you do, it will forever find a way into your life. It's in my hair; it's in my ink jars, it gets on my eyelashes while I sleep and gets stuck there. Aria won't kill me; her glitter will suffocate me.
But everything's fine and dandy. The Diggory's have quite the home and yard. Oh - did I mention who the neighbors are? You're going to love this.
The Potters live next door.
(At this time we will transfer into letters sent during the first week of the summer holidays. Pay attention to dates, as they are critical during this sequence.)
July 1, 1976
From: Embre Shines
Dear Lily,
Lily! How have things been? It's only been a few days since school ended, but it feels like I haven't seen you in ages! I hope you've been well. Has Potter sent you an owl yet? I'm sure once he starts he'll never end.
Anyway, have you seen your O.W.L. results yet? Nathaniel and Mum took me to see them. I think Nathaniel only went to make sure I don't 'fraternise with any males', but it was sweet of him either way. My worst O.W.L. was Astronomy (I got Poor!), but Dad said most people drop that class anyway, and that it's fine. I did fairly well in Potions, and my Mum wants me to take it next year. How were your scores? Any classes you have to drop?
I can't write much more; Franklin is trying to eat Aspen and Bella again. You know, my cat Franklin and my parakeets Aspen and Bella. Oh, I also wanted to tell you that Nathaniel is going to study abroad! I'm not exactly sure where he's going (I think Spain…), but I do know that he's going to study Vampires and other creatures. I think he might want to be a Magizoologist.
All the love to you,
Embre
July 2, 1976
From: James Potter
Moony.
I have enclosed my first letter to Evans inside. Do read it over and ASK ME BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES. I've already had Grey read it over - did you know she lives with Diggory? I swear, that group just gets more and more confusing by the minute.
Also, is Troll a bad score to get on an owl? History of Magic kindly awarded me one - although I mostly think it's because all I did was draw a picture of a snitch before passing out. What can I say? I'm a master at not doing things. But never fear Moony! Your faith in me can be restored yet. I received and Outstanding in Transfiguration AND DADA.
What can I say? I'm a natural.
Oh, and do ask Miss Embre Shines a question for me:
DID SHE KISS SIRIUS ALREADY OR DO I HAVE TO MARCH HIM DOWN TO HER HOME MYSELF?!
Sirius has been talking about her in every Howler he sends. (Yes, he sends me Howlers. Mainly it's to annoy his mother while he's there. It's our main way of communication, don't you know?) It's made my father a bit concerned, and he's been 'reaching out to me' more often. Please explain, you know fatherly things confuse me.
But please do ask Miss Shines what's happening. Sirius' pining is worse than mine, and it's making me self-conscious. My pining is superior to everyone else's, and Sirius has suddenly become serious competition! (Heh. See what I did there?)
Anyway, how has home life been treating you? The full moon last night was probably a terrible one. Has Peter visited recently? The next time you see him, do tell him to RETURN MY SET OF GOBSTONES. I can't possibly practice over the break if I don't have my set! And if he tries to play innocent, don't buy into it. I know that he has my Gobstones, and if he doesn't return them, I might just have to fly over to him and forcibly take them.
I'll see you in another life, brother,
James.
July 3, 1976
From: Vanessa Schwartz
Cousin Dear,
Why do I have to hear second hand that Olivia Grey is living with you? Why did MARY MACDONALD have to tell me about your living arrangements?! I know you two can't take your eyes off of one another, but you should have time for your ONLY COUSIN. I mean, what if I were to drop dead one day and you never told me about Olivia living with you? I would try to haunt your home and find it occupied!
Speaking of haunts, how's Fletcher? He was 16 years old last time I visited. Has the old hag keeled over yet? If not, I'm positive he's not satisfied with a whole other family taking up space.
Guess what? I got a fish! It's a cute little puffer fish that I named Pretzel. Adorable, right? Mum said she was concerned that I all of my animals are named after food, but what does she want me to call them after? Greek Gods? No. I pick perfectly suitable names for all my animals. Except for that time when I named my dog Cena. How am I supposed to know that 'cena' means 'dinner' in Spanish? Maybe that's why he died young…
Upset yet contemplative,
Nessa
(P.S. If my mum has told you about my O.W.L.s scores yet, she was probably dramatic. I got a Dreadful in my Potions and a Poor in my History of Magic. Hey, at least I didn't get a Troll, right?)
July 3, 1976
From: Lily Evans
Dear Bre,
I'm glad you did so well on your O.W.L.s! I did terrible on my Herbology O.W.L., but I knew I was going to fail it in our third year, so no surprises there! Did you sign up for Apparation? I don't want to have that class with the Marauders, and I'll need you to keep me from strangling that Sirius Black.
No, James hasn't sent me any letters yet, although that's mainly because all of the windows in my house are now shut tight and locked with bars. I'm not lying - we have iron bars on our windows. Petunia and her wretched boyfriend-turned-fiancee are staying over for the break, and apparently, he has a strong aversion to owls. Alice sent me a letter and her bird went through the living room, nearly giving the man a heart attack. I wish it would've; then this whole 'wedding' could be called off. I didn't tell you about Petunia and her poor-excuse-of-a-companion getting married? Well, that's because of one important thing; I didn't know until this morning.
I woke up and went downstairs to find my sister sitting in my chair, reading the newspaper - because she's too sophisticated to read a book or anything entertaining - and talking to my mother! My mum, of course, tells me to sit in a different seat and asks me what different measurements I have, never once explaining what this whole thing is about. Then Vernon comes in and gives us all a nice show, sucking Petunia's face off before walking into the kitchen. All of this and it never once occurred to me that they could be getting married, so when I asked what was going on I looked like the thick one.
So starting today, I get to be a wedding planner with little-to-no input. Because honestly, Petunia wouldn't let me make any executive decisions if I were the only person alive. She's using this whole wedding to sneakily make my life terrible, starting with the colour of the dresses. Don't think that I'll be a bridesmaid or something; you would be offending Petunia deeply. No, she has a 'colour code' to her wedding to 'match the sunset' that she's getting married under. You can only imagine what that means, and she's decided that this hideous pastel orange is what I should wear. I told her just how terribly that would match my red hair, but she said that the shade was 'a lovely color the wedding planners call Montana Dust' and to suck it up.
I don't think I'll survive this marriage. You need to save me from my doom. Please? Also, tell Katrina I said hello! It's wonderful that Nathaniel is studying abroad! Maybe he might find himself a girl so he can get off your back about relationships with boys.
Oh, and one last thing; WHAT IS THIS I HEAR ABOUT YOU AND SIRIUS BLACK?! WRITE ME BACK ASAP!
Lily
July 5, 1976
From: Embre Shines
James,
You better not be harassing Lily this summer as she has plenty on her plate to deal with. Also, you can refrain from sending me a Howler to question me. That would only cause my father to get extremely upset and my brother to murder Sirius in his sleep.
If you have any questions, I suggest you get Sirius to answer them.
The answers to your questions are 'yes' and 'possibly',
Embre Shines
Hey, guys! So that's the start of the summer break, and if you're a tad bit confused, know that it was my intentions to make that so. Don't worry; everything will be explained in the long run. You just have to be patient. Also, middle of the week update! Whoo!