Approximately 14 Months Later

I woke up one morning on the second to last day of summer holiday and felt the sun on my face. I yawned and rolled my butt out of bed.

"Good morning world!" I shouted out of my room. I had no response, not even from my cousin, Megan. I shrugged. That meant that Megan was out buying her items for the school year at Diagon Alley. Megan just recently got her letter of acceptance to Beauxbatons, so my cousin and my parents must have gone out. Strangely enough, my letter was late this year. I never expected that to happen. So, I decided to get up for the day.

I grabbed a towel and decided that the house was too big to walk all the way across to the main bathroom, so I apparated (I turned seventeen last June). I hollered out once more and out tumbled Sirius. His hair was in a mess and his clothes in a rumpled state. I laughed aloud as he scratched his five o'clock shadow and yawned once more.

"James," he whined. "James…it's far too bloody early to be getting out of bed at any damn time of morning!" I laughed aloud and threw the towel at him. Sirius just recently (ok, it was a year or so) decided to come and live with us. As my mother generously put it, "Sirius is always welcome for Sunday dinner at the Potter Manor."

He caught it and threw it back at me. I ended up with a face full of terry cloth. Sirius tutted. "You know, as the best chaser on the Gryffindor team, you suck at the catching thing."

"Ha, ha," I replied derisively. "Get dressed then start breakfast, would you? Or tell Ned to start." (Ned is the kitchen house elf that does my cooking, or more of Sirius's cooking, the pig he is!)

He grumbled something inaudible, but he left the hall a moment latter and retreated into his room. I sighed and walked into the bathroom next door. I would've used my own bathroom, but Sirius had yet to clean the dungbomb war we had there yesterday. And since he did start it…I see no reason why I should clean it. But I wasn't sure if the house elves had cleaned it yet, so I wasn't going to find out.

I looked around and was pleased at the remodeling my mother did. The room, no doubt was huge. Even being brought up to see this normally was a bit overwhelming. It was six meters high, with an area base of 8x7meters. In one corner stood the shower, with lavender curtains and at least seven knobs. The bath itself stood in the middle of the room, in white and pink shaded tile in complicated patterns.

It was about 2 meters deep and in a circular form. The knobs around let out a different type of bubble or scented water. I turned on knob three, seven, and eight. Out came huge bubbles of light blue tinted, chamomile smelling fragrance of number three. Out of number seven and eight came normal water, but with a different fragrant. The scent name escapes me. I tore off my boxers and t-shirt and slid in. I loved the aroma of the water that almost instantly made me fall asleep. Of course, if I did, my mother would let all the bubbles pop and then show off the pictures to Sirius. And, well, you can figure out how that would go.

I reached for my wand lying next to my abandoned clothing and flicked it towards the radio at the sill of the window. A moment later, the room was filled with the sounds of some muggle band I never heard of. I nodded along to the tune and I levitated my shampoo over to me. After another half hour of soaking, I heard Sirius calling, "PRONGS! Foods done." Music to my ears.

"ALRIGHT!" I screamed back down. I turned off the radio and gathered my stuff and apparated back to my room. I pulled on a pair of muggle khakis and a t-shirt and apparated back down stairs.

The scent of eggs and bacon filled my nostrils. I saw Sirius pouring a tall glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee at the same.

"Caffeine…" I moaned and made a grab for the cup. Sirius swerved to the right and I nearly toppled over.

"Oy! Get your own damn coffee!" Sirius said. I scowled and he laughed. I nearly bumped into a small elfish creature in front of me, wearing a pillowcase, with the Potter crest in the corner stamped in. "Morning Ned!" I said cheerfully as I walked over to the jug of coffee.

"Morning master!" Ned answered just as cheerfully in return. The strange thing about Ned is that his voice isn't nearly as high pitched as most house elves. That's the sign of a stronger house elf. Seeing how I am the only Potter heir to take the Potter fortune…yeah, I see why my parents had Ned look over me.

Sirius and I were stuffing our faces five minutes later, talking about the Quidditch season, with the Fitchburg Finches rising quickly in the league, we were frightened that the Chudley Cannons had no chance this year for semi-finals!

"I don't know mate, that new seeker of theirs, what's his name again?" I asked.

"Err…Max Brockovitch or something," Sirius answered.

"Yeah, I think that's it. Well, he's really improved the team. Their stats have gone up pretty high…" But I never finished my sentence because from the open window, flew a barn owl, probably from Hogwarts, carrying two letters, one for me and one for Sirius. Mine was slightly heavier than his as I freed the owl of his burden. He flew off out of the window.

"Here Sirius," I said, tossing the letter to him.

Dear Mr. Potter,

As you know, you are entering your seventh year here at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and wizardry. I hope you remember to catch the Hogwarts Express on Platforms 9 ¾ at King's Cross, as you do every year. A list of this years needed supplies and book are attached. I also want to remind you that this year, you shall be taking your N.E.W.T.S. in preparation for seeing which wizard profession you may be ready for. Please, also BEHAVE YOURSELF THIS YEAR!

Finally, I am pleased to inform you that this year, you were made Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry's Head Boy! This is an immensely important job, for it is your and the Head Girls job to make sure the Prefects are in order, to issue the Passwords for the common rooms, and to organize all events this year. Congratulations, James. (I notice that McGonagall's handwriting changed slightly, as if she was laughing when she

wrote it.)

I was gaping at what she wrote. I was gaping at the letter. I was pointing and grunting and yet, no coherent words were forming and letting out. I jumped for joy, at which Sirius just gave me a look and snatched my letter.

"What the hell…" he started. Then he let out a low whistle. "Goddamn, Dumbledore is off his rocker!" he hooted. He danced around and laughed.

"Who in bloody hell did you black mail to get this? I thought Moony for sure!" Sirius howled.

"That's what I bloody thought! I'm head boy! I'm freaking head boy!" I crowed triumphantly. I didn't even hear my mother enter the kitchen.

"STOP YELLING!" Harriet Potter yelled at me. Half-French, half American, my mother was terrifying when she wanted to be. She had piercing hazel eyes and brown hair that fell to her waist. At her full height, she stood a good 1.6 meters. My father entered soon after, William Gary Potter.

"James," he said exasperated. "Don't tell me you've finally beaten Sirius on the detention thing. I've told you countless times that it wasn't something to be proud of." My father is the head of the department of Auror's and at 1.9 meters, you really don't want to mess with him.

"Nope. But this letter will explain everything," I said, shoving the letter into their arms. Out of the envelope flew a shiny red badge with the letters HB on them. I picked it up before they could see the letters on it, and they read on.

My mother was the one who reacted first. "JAMES!" she squealed. "This is outstanding! Oh, this is wonderful! I knew you'd carry on the Potter tradition."

My father smiled and patted me on the back. "James, I'm very proud of you." I beamed at them. Megan came in that moment. Not liking the fact that she wasn't the center of attention, she whined.

"What happened?" she said, with a pout on her voice.

"Megan, darling, your cousin James has just been made Head Boy in Hogwarts! Isn't that fantastic?" Megan seemed genuinely pleased. "Really, James? That's great!" she smiled at me and gave me a hug.

The only thing that could've made that moment better was having Lily hug me that moment. Then the world would have been perfect. Absolutely perfect. But, I'm going to have to wait until we get to Hogwarts to see whether she got Head Girl.

So, being the pigheaded, rich jerk I am (as Lily ever so affectionately would call it), I threw a party in my honor for that weekend. Actually, Sirius wanted to plan it, with fire whiskey and strippers. Yeah, like MY mother would approve! So, it was pretty standard: my closest mates, their girls, and my cousins.

Sirius was finishing streamers in the hallway when the doorbell rang. I heard Megan scream "I'LL GET IT!" and nearly knocked me down, which caused me to drop Sirius from the hovering charm.

"Bloody hell, Prongs. Do watch what the hell you're doing while I'm in the air?" Sirius grumbled, rubbing his bum.

"Sorry, mate. Too bad you couldn't like a cat and land on your feet," I said, laughing.

"They have seven lives, too!" We laughed at our awkward conversation when a certain werewolf came up behind us.

"You know, cats are horrid creatures that shed," Remus stated. Sirius and I jumped.

"Oy! Moony, not cool! You scared us!" Sirius said, putting on a fake pout.

Remus laughed, showing his full smile. His brown hair had flecks of obvious graying and the bags under his eyes still hadn't disappeared, but it was the happiest I've seen him in a while.

"Moony! So nice to see you!" I said, and patted him on the back. "My sentiments exactly Prongs. Congrats on becoming Head Boy!" he responded. He talked for a while when the doorbell rang again. I ran to get it, afraid of what Megan would do.

"Hi!" came the voice of Annette Potter. I hugged my favorite cousin as I exclaimed, "Look boys, Ann!" (My cousin refuses to connect to the French roots in her name.) Annette Potter comes from my father's side.

"Jamsie! I heard! I'm so proud of you! Guess who got Head Girl, though?" she smiled prettily.

"You did?" I said guessing stupidly.

"No silly!" she slapped my arm as she went on, "Lily Evans!" It slowly hit me. A whole year in her presence. Prefect's meetings, our own commons together, planning dances/Graduation/Hogsmeades visits….it took me a moment to realize I was squeezing Ann's arm.

"JAMES POTTIER!" she screamed in French for the next moment and I ducked from her blows. "You incessant fool! THAT HURT!" I heard snickers from my friends direction and Remus pulled her back (of course, willingly). I didn't tell you, did I? Remus has a bit of a crush on Annette. But apparently, she has a thing for Sirius. And if I wasn't related to her, I would, too.

She had waist length jet-black hair that had streaks of obvious brown from probably staying out in the sun too long. She was tanned, too for the same reason. She had deep brown eyes, like my father and a perfect sculpted face that came from my Aunt's side. MY uncle married a French woman while at Beuxbatons there, teaching. Ann is their first child. My Uncle, Julien Potter insisted she go to Hogwarts, so Megan ended up at Beauxbatons. Needless to say, she's closest to her father. She had a miniskirt on and a pink blouse. Oh, and one of Lilies best friends. Ok, back to the situation at hand, hmmm?

"I'm sorry! I was…off….in the head?" I offered. She smiled slightly. "Amazing what love can do to you, huh?" she scoffed at me. I looked at her and shook my head. "I don't know what love is." She smiled knowingly, as if she knew. The problem with Evans is that I can't get her out of my head. I love the way she yells at me and snarls when I hit on her. She has a beautiful laugh with a smile to match. When we had a ball for Christmas in fourth year, the way she danced, it was effortless. She moved beautifully. You could definitely say that I had it bad for Lily Evans, but love?

That's when the doorbell rang and Wormtail came in, with the rest of the invitees.

"Wormtail! Sarah! Justin!" Names came pouring out of everyone's mouths. We danced in my living room. (Pretty big living room, mind you) As I danced with my cousin Sarah, I saw Remus and another girl from Hufflepuff, no doubt Sirius' flavor of the month, and Sirius and Ann dancing in another corner. They were laughing and flirting and as the song ended, we switched partners. I ended up with Ann.

"So, James, excited about getting back to Hogwarts?" she said, slyly.

"You know, with your coyness, I'm surprised you're a Gryffindor," I replied.

She laughed and ruffled my hair. She twirled around and said, "I learn from the best, Jamie boy!"