Summer of Love
Lily Evans and her best friend Athena Asimokopoulos head for a vacation in Athena's homeland—Greece. Lily expects a great summer, filled with lazy days on the beach, checking out hot Greek men and eating bizarre Greek food. However, the best part of the entire trip would be NO JAMES POTTER!
James Potter, however, is stunned when he is told he has to go to Greece for his cousins' engagement party. He doesn't want to go at all, but with some persuasion from his mother and Sirius Black, they're off.
Lily is outraged when she sees her worst enemy, James Potter in Greece! She thought she could get rid of him! James, meanwhile, is thanking himself repeatedly for deciding to come to Greece after all.
James is desperate to make Lily fall in love with him before the summer is over, but the question is—can he?
Chapter 11—The Parthenon
Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, do you think I'd be writing this? (Didn't think so). I only own Athena Asimokopoulos, her grandparents, Eileen, Stella and other characters you may not recognize.
No flaming please! I really do think that flaming just makes the author of the story feel miserable and that they stink at writing—so no flaming please!
This story is dedicated to THE BIG DANCE, for being my first reviewer. Thanks so much TBD!
Ever since the hike at Mount Olympus, Lily wasn't as bitter to James as she used to be. In fact, she was laughing, smiling and acting like good old friends with him.
Athena however, was fairing quite differently.
"Stupid—stupid Sirius Black!" She muttered to herself as she kicked at the wall repeatedly.
"I think someone likes Sirius Black." Lily said, amused.
Athena made a face and flopped onto her bed, pushing her hair out of the way.
"Sure—when that happens, I'll sprout wings and fly."
"Never say never." Lily teased, repeating something Athena had said days earlier.
"Oh yeah? What about you and Jamie, huh? You guys are getting awfully cuddly."
"Yeah right! We're just friends!"
Athena rolled her eyes, "Uh huh. Sure."
"Honestly!"
"Then why is your face getting so red, then, huh?" Athena laughed at Lily's tomato red face. "Hee hee, gotcha."
Lily rolled her eyes and sat on the carpet near Athena's bed. "James is a friend—I couldn't like him. Besides, I like—someone else."
"Who?" Athena's eyes went wide as she pounced on Lily. "Break the news, Lily dearest! I want answers and if I don't get them, there's gonna be trouble!"
X-X-X-
"I think Lily's starting to like me." James said thoughtfully, blowing some Droobles Best Blowing Gum.
Sirius laughed. "You're joking right?"
James shook his head. "I'm not. She's gotten real nice to me since we went on that hike."
Sirius groaned. "You're lucky—all Athena seems to be doing is hating me even more—which I don't mind by the way. It's just I think that if we were of age, she'd be hexing me every second."
"This is a time when I'm glad I'm sixteen." James blew an especially large bubble and Sirius, always eager to cause mayhem, came over and burst the bubble.
"DAMN IT!" James roared the bubble gum all over his eyes. "Sirius! You little—"
"James Tristan Potter!" Aimee snapped coming into the room. "How dare you utter that terrible word!"
"Mum! It was the first thing that came to mind."
"I don't care! Do you want me to put soap in your mouth?"
James shook his head, not being able to see because the gum was covering his glasses, hair and most of his face.
"No."
In the background, Sirius was snickering at James. He loved it when James was being treated like a baby.
"Then don't ever let me catch you saying that word again! You hear?"
"Yes Mum."
"Mrs. Potter." Sirius couldn't resist it. "We were just talking about James' love life. You see, when we talked about Lily Evans, James got so excited he burst the gum!"
A smile tugged at Aimee's lips. "Evans you say? Isn't she the pretty red head James showed Justin and I last year?"
James nodded, his face turning red. It was quite a funny sight. Bright pink bubble gum and red; what a lovely combination.
"Hey, Valentines Day boy!" Sirius sang. "Your mother just asked you a question!"
James groaned. "I don't know what's worse! Valentines Day boy or Servant Boy."
'That reminds me—get me some more Greek cookies"
"You ate them all already."
"Then go make some more."
"Bloody hell—sorry Mum—I'm not a woman you know!"
"JAMES!" Aimee shouted. "Would you stop swearing?"
"I said sorry."
Aimee rolled her eyes and took out her wand. Muttering a quick spell, James head was cleared from the gum (much to Sirius' disappointment).
"Thanks Mum!"
Aimee smiled thinly. "I hope you can bring home Lily again. She was so delightful the first time we met her."
"You should see her at Hogwarts. You'd change your mind in an instant." James muttered.
"What was that dear?"
"Nothing—nothing."
X-X-X
"Your cousin." Lily said.
Athena looked thoughtful. "Which one? I mean, I have so many—George, Stephen, Ted, Michael—" She stopped counting and her eyes widened.
"You like Niko?" She squealed.
Lily nodded, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh my god! This is so cool! Panayea mou!" (Good lord)
"Calm down, Thena!"
Athena wasn't about to be calmed down. Not yet.
"This is so cool! I mean, what if you fall in love with him and he falls in love with you—and then, when the moment is right, you confess your love to him! Then, that night after a romantic evening, he proposes marriage to you—which you gladly accept and you become Mrs. Lily Asimokopoulos—a relative!"
"ATHENA!" Lily shouted and Athena finally got the message to stop her babbling and turn to Lily.
"What?"
"Look—I'm not planning to spend my life with the guy! It's just a simple, harmless crush. Besides, he's so good looking he probably has a girlfriend."
Athena shook her head. "Nope. He dumped Mariana a month ago. Wasn't his type. He's available! And that means—you can get married and then—a year later, have a baby girl who you WILL name Athena because I helped you get together with him—I'll be named godmother and—"
"ATHENA!" Lily turned scarlet when Athena started mentioning children. "That's enough! I don't plan on having children for quite some time."
"That's okay! But, I will be named godmother and the girl will be called Athena—right?"
"Would you calm down?" Lily demanded. "Geez—keep this up and you won't be named godmother!"
Athena was silent.
"That's better. Now, what is the game plan for tomorrow?"
Athena's eyes lit up—forgetting about planning Lily's future with her cousin. It was show time.
"The Parthenon, of course!" Athena cried. "Heaven forbid I don't show you the Parthenon! That's what makes Greece, Greece! Just like the Coliseum makes Rome, Rome! And Big Ben England, England!"
"Okay, I get it, I get it! God! You can't get anything done with Athena Asimokopoulos!"
Lily stood up from her spot on the ground. "I'm going to my room. Call me when dinner's ready."
Athena nodded. "Cheers Big Ears."
"Same goes, Big Nose."
Athena waited until she heard Lily's door close before pouncing on a piece of parchment and a pen.
Dear James,
You ready for a bit of history tomorrow? We're going to the Parthenon! Be sure to arrive at ELEVEN O'CLOCK sharp near the beach we went to two weeks ago. ELEVEN o'clock. You hear? NOT eleven o'five. You arrive on time, or we leave without you.
See ya.
-Athena
Athena smirked as she re-read her letter. James would arrive right on time this time. The threat about leaving without him would make him come on time.
Giving the letter to Athens, Athena watched her bird fly away.
James wouldn't think she was joking because Athena never joked.
X-X-X-
Sirius took one glance at the window and said casually, "Servant Boy—Athena's bird is waiting for you."
"Athens!" James exclaimed, hurrying over to the bird to get the letter.
Sirius let out a barking laugh. "That's the name she came up with? Boy, Athena's sure original."
"Shut up Sirius."
"What was that?" Sirius pretended to go shortly deaf but James ignored him and read the letter.
Once he was finished he crumpled up the letter and threw it out.
"I swear to god," he said angrily. "That Athena threatens so much sometimes!"
"She's Greek," Sirius said digging through the box of cookies he had James bring him. "What do you expect?"
"I guess you're right—for once."
"What did she say?"
"We need to be at the beach tomorrow at eleven o'clock sharp. Or else they're leaving without us."
"Where are we going?"
"To the Parthenon."
Sirius groaned, eating another cookie. "I swear to god, this is some sort of expedition! I came to relax and snog hot girls! But right now, the only girls I've snogged was Dina and Sarah at the engagement party and that hot girl at the beach when I forgot my sandals!"
"What a tragedy." James said sarcastically.
"Oh, I know." Sirius replied, not getting the sarcasm. "Hmm," he tipped the box and shook it, seeing if their was any more cookies. "Servant boy! Throw this box away."
"The trash is right there." James pointed to the trashcan next to Sirius' bed.
"What was our deal, Servant Boy? Surely, you do remember. Now, what happens if you don't do exactly what I say?"
James gave Sirius a stony look but threw away the box.
"Now," Sirius said, leaning back on his bed. "What are we supposed to do at the stupid old building?"
"It's historical—perfect for Lily."
Sirius rolled his eyes and imitated James. "Ooooh, Lily! I'll do anything for you if you snog me!"
James threw the crumpled piece of paper at Sirius and it hit him right in his face.
"Ha! Aim right on!"
Sirius grumbled and stood up from his bed and left the room.
"Where are you going?" James asked.
"I'm going to see if I can find a hot Greek girl to snog! I haven't snogged someone in so long!"
X-X-X
Athena checked her watch. Ten fifty nine.
Would the idiots arrive on time?
"Can we go now?" Lily asked, "I don't even know why we're waiting here! At least three cabs have passed!"
"Patience my dear Lily Marie. Patience."
"Yeah, something you don't possess."
Athena checked her watch again.
Eleven o'clock.
Athena shook her head and said, "Hopeless."
"Hey! What are you people doing here?"
Athena smiled. Right on time.
Lily cocked her head to the side. "James? Sirius? What are you doing here?"
"Can't two guys go to the Parthenon?" James asked innocently.
Lily turned to Athena with wide, imploring green eyes.
Athena shrugged and widened her eyes slightly as if to say, I'm just as surprised as you are.
"This is quite a coincidence." Sirius said casually, throwing his arm around Lily. James saw, to his satisfaction that Lily edged away. "I mean—first the engagement party—the beach—Mount Olympus—walks—now the Parthenon. Why this is a turn of events! If I do say so, destiny."
Athena coughed. "Yeah right!"
Sirius pretended he didn't hear her.
Athena cackled and then signaled a taxi. "TAXI!" She shouted, waving her hands. "TAXI!"
A cab finally stopped and the three clambered into the back(Lily by the window, James in the middle and Sirius on the other side) while Athena went to the front.
"To Parthenonas." She said, slamming the door shut. (The Parthenon)
"Oreesteh." (Okay)
The drive was uneventful and silent. The only noise was made when Lily gasped, "Oh!" when she saw the Parthenon at a distance.
"We're close." Athena said and then lapsed into silence.
Fifteen minutes later, they arrived.
"Wow." Lily gasped, seeing the Parthenon closer.
James and Sirius whistled their agreement.
"Efcharisto." Athena said to the driver, paid him and he sped off. (Thank you)
"Athena," Lily said in awe. "It's gorgeous!"
Sirius scratched his head. "How are we gonna get up there?"
"The steps, stupid." Athena pointed to the marble steps leading up to the grand masterpiece.
"Oh!"
Athena rolled her eyes and motioned for the three to follow up the steps.
As they climbed, Lily slipped on the steps and went hurtling backwards.
She would have fallen down the steps if James hadn't got her.
"Got ya." He laughed.
"Thanks James." Lily said gratefully.
"My pleasure, Lily."
"Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention—the steps are slippery." Athena called.
"Thanks for telling us so soon." Sirius said sarcastically.
Athena showed him the finger.
X-X-X-
After a few more moments, they finished climbing the steps and all four were breathing hard.
"Why does this remind me of that stupid hike?" James panted.
"Cause we're going up a steep hill. Duh." Lily said.
"Come along!" Athena called, sounding like a tour guide.
As they followed Athena, Lily marveled at the temple. The ancient Greeks did an amazing job. How they could have done such an amazing job with manual labor Lily would never know.
Sirius scratched his head. "Why does it look all broken down?"
"It's extremely old, Black." Athena said. "Obviously it's decomposed over the years."
"Really? I thought a huge rock came and hit it."
Athena shook her head and turned to James. "Are you sure he hadn't been dropped on his head when he was a baby?"
James nodded. "Positive."
"Then he must be mentally retarded."
"I heard that." Sirius called. "I have good hearing."
"Now all you need is good common sense."
"Would you two stop bickering?" Lily snapped. "God, you're just as bad as me and James are!"
"Yeah, there are some differences. First, I don't like Athena. Secondly, I'm not an idiot."
"Really?" Athena said, in mock surprise. "I would have never known!"
"Why you little—" Sirius reached for his wand but James smacked it away. "Sirius! There are Muggles watching."
"Oh yeah."
Lily threw up her hands in surrender. "I give up! I'm going to explore without Mr. and Mrs. Black fighting!"
Athena gasped. "Lily Marie Evans! How dare you use that horrid last name!"
"It's better than Asimokopoulos." Sirius said. "At least people can pronounce my last name."
"At least people don't cringe at my last name."
Lily, knowing that Sirius and Athena were going to have a huge fight, slipped away and started exploring.
The Parthenon was enormous and beautiful as Lily walked around it.
Finally, she found something that confused her. Why were there four women as pillars at the back of the temple?
"The women were Greek goddesses. That part of the temple was dedicated to them."
Whirling around, Lily saw an amused James Potter behind her.
"James!" She gasped. "W-what are you doing behind me?"
"I followed you," he said simply, but then seeing Lily's questioning look said quickly, "Actually, I didn't want to hear the fight between Sirius and Athena so I decided to follow you to talk to. As I said, I hate being silent."
"You were silent in the taxi."
"I sneezed twice." James contradicted. "That's noise."
Lily rolled her eyes but said, "How do you know so much about those four pillars?"
"My parents." James said simply. "And when I was fourteen, I had a passion for Greek study. I found a book about the Parthenon and I read it."
"You actually read?" Lily looked shocked.
James made a face. "Occasionally. That was one summer when I was bored and my parents made me stay home all summer. Quidditch got boring—yes Lily, boring—so I decided to read. Big deal."
Lily shook her head and walked away. "That's something you don't hear everyday."
Lily walked to the edge of the wall surrounding the Parthenon and she looked at the vast city of Athens, Greece.
She felt someone next to her and she turned to see James.
"Nice place, isn't it?" He asked.
Lily nodded. "I'd love to come back here another summer, but next summer I'm going to start my training as Healer. You?"
James snorted. "Either Auror or professional Quidditch player for the Wasps."
"What are you leaning towards?"
"Auror. My cousin, Bruce Johnson is on the Wimbourne Wasps and he says it is a pain because you are away from family. And I don't think I could stay away from my family."
Lily's eyes widened. She was seeing a side to James Potter she had never seen before. A gentler, caring side that he never showed. All he showed at Hogwarts was his pompous, arrogant side.
Even though Lily was positive that she would never have feelings for James, she felt a slight bit of admiration for him.
X-X-X-X
"Stupid little Greek—"
"Ah ah ah, Black. Don't want me to cancel the deal I made with James do you?"
Sirius glared. "I hate you."
"And I hate you too. Glad we got that out of the way." Athena said cheekily.
"Speaking of which, where is James and Lily?"
A grin unfurled from Sirius' face as Athena punched him and said, "Don't you dare think of that, Sirius Black! Lily and James are NOT snogging."
"How do you know?"
"Because," Athena pointed to the wall. "There right their."
Sirius looked at the couple and turned to Athena. "Are you ready to pay me fifty Galleons, Athena? Cause by the way this is going, they'll be going out by next week!"
"In your dreams, Black!" Yet Athena wasn't so sure that she would be winning this time. James and Lily were looking awful close.
Maybe this deal was going to work after all.
Yet, Athena knew that something was standing in the way.
Niko Asimokopoulos.
Hey, hey, hey! Chapter 11 is done which means 9 more chapters left. BOO.
Now, to answer some questions.
To some anonymous reviewer (I forgot the name) my last name IS NOT Asimokopoulos. It's Javarinis. My sister's godmother's maiden last name was Asimokopoulos and I got the name Athena from my baby sister's god sister, Athena. Yeah, so I hope that answers a few questions about the last name Asimokopoulos.
Also, I'm real sorry if the description of the Parthenon wasn't very good. The last time I actually WENT to Greece was when I was 8 years old so most of this stuff is pulled from memory. The good thing is, I'M GOING TO GREECE THIS SUMMER!
Next chapter(if I can post it) WILL be up by tomorrow OR by the weekend. That is, if I'm not grounded cuz my report card's coming in and I don't think I did too well Cringes. Also, a snow storm is coming too so if it hits hard the mail might be cancelled and my report card will be delayed. YAY! You got to love Michigan weather. LOL. Anyway, I'll end my crappy rambling and go. It's late and I have stupid school tomorrow.
Greekchic.