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 4:
Will and Won't
"Lily Evans!" James spat glaring at the new assistant that he would not have the choice of firing.
If he had it his way he would get rid of her by today's time. But he knew that he could not no matter how persistent he was to his grandfather. Olga had already stated that his grandfather had taken a liking in her which meant that she was not to be fired or replaced no matter the circumstance. But still he was going to try. No matter how much his grandfather liked her there was no way that she, his enemy, was going to be apart of his already ruined summer plans. This was not the way he had planned it to be and he vowed that he would make her regret ever taking this job. If his grandfather wasn't going to fire her, he would make her quit.
"You two know each other?" Olga asked staring at the two teenagers who were now glaring at each other with immense hatred.
"Unfortunately." James spat not taking his eyes off of Lily's emerald ones. Lily didn't even flinch with the intensity of James' glare, in fact she hardened her glare. Olga gave a gulp as she glanced back at the other two girls who were staring at the two.
"We go to school together." was all the explanation Lily gave as she continued her and James' death glare.
"You go to Hogwart's too?!" Olga exclaimed a little more enthusiastically than a normal person who have in a situation like such as this. It was as if she didn't even notice the hatred among the teenagers before her.
"Like I said Olga, unfortunately." James hissed as he turned back around to the two girls who Lily figured were the ones applying for the other assistant jobs.
Lily analyzed the other girls and realized that right before she had interrupted, James was just informing them that they did not meet the assistant standards that were required. The two girls, who looked a few years older than her or James, glared at him but nevertheless shook their heads in comprehension. James in turn thank them for their time, to Lily he was seemed to be rude but of course anything James Potter did was either rude or pointless to her, and to come back another time. Once James finished talking to the girls, they said goodbyes before one of the servants escorted them out of the Garden's and to the front doors.
James finally turned to face Lily once more and gave her another glare. Lily didn't bother giving him one back for her face hadn't change at all from when she first laid her eyes on him or from the time he had turned his back to talk to the other girls. James began to walk towards the terrace of the mansion where a patio stood with a table filled with refreshments and food. Reclining chairs were placed around the table, each one cushioned with the finest pillows and materials. Olga began to follow him and Lily figuring she should follow Olga-for she wasn't following James but Olga-did the same.
Once under the patio and in the shade, James plopped himself down on the chair at the corner of the table and took a bite out of a finger sandwich. Olga gave a little cough but James ignored it and continued eating, grabbing two finger sandwiches and stuffing them into his mouth, all the while never once taking his eyes off of Lily.
"Well, I believe Mr. Potter forgot his manners but I haven't. Lily, please take a seat." Olga gave James a glare but didn't say anything else.
"I'm fine, Ms. Brenner. I wouldn't want to sit at a table with a pompous git like Potter even if you paid me." Lily spat not at all afraid to speak her mind regardless of whether or not he was supposedly her boss. In all technicality, James Potter was not her boss but that Kenneth Potter Sr. was. She was not entitled to give James Potter respect like the rest of the family and as far as she was concerned she was not going to respect him if he wasn't going to be at least civil or decent with her.
"Well, that just doesn't make sense to me, Evans." James drawled as he gulped down a glass of lemonade.
"I wouldn't doubt it. A brain like yours' couldn't comprehend anything unless it was drawn out in crayon." Lily crossed her arms as she spat the words out to her arch-enemy.
"Says the muggle. Anyways, it's hardly an insult to say that you wouldn't sit or rather be in the same room as me even if you were paid because as you or I am quite aware you are being paid to stay here at the Potter Grand Estate Mansion." James smirked, emphasizing on the 'Potter'. Olga gave him a stern look but he did not once blink nor flinch. He felt powerful and untouchable. Yep, he loved every minute of being the higher authority. Lily Evans could not do anything for he was the boss.
"No, Potter. I believe your grandfather is paying me to be the assistant of this vineyard, not you. And as far as I'm concerned you are not my boss, he is. You are just a petty, little boy who thinks he runs this place when he would be much better off as a swineherd. I am without a chance under your authority."
"I may not be the owner of this place as of this very moment but need I remind you that you are employed at the Potter Vineyard; which therefore my grandfather has left me in charge of. If I have my way you won't even work a day in this place!" James stood up fast, pushing his chair almost off of the terrace.
"Well, why don't I help you with that! There is not enough money in this world to get me to work with a stupid vermin like you! Olga, tell Mr. Kenneth Potter Sr. that I am completely sorry but no matter how professional I want to be about this, I can not work an insensitive, brainless, little twit!" Lily exclaimed before marching towards the door of the house and towards the corridor to her room to which her belongings were contained.
"Well that was easy." James muttered settling himself back on the chair and took another finger sandwich.
"James Grant Potter! You have really done it now!" Olga screamed throwing her hands up in the air.
"What? I haven't done anything except get rid of an overbearing, bossy, little smartass! Besides, I am in charge of this place. I was dragged for the summer here to keep this place up-to-date. And that is exactly what I am doing!" James gave her a wink and leaned back in his chair. Olga let out a splutter of anger as she threw her hands up once more.
"No, James Potter, what you are doing is being a selfish, ungrateful, unappreciative little weasel who takes everything for granted! You think you could be a little more sensitive to the idea that your own flesh and blood needs your help but all you can think about is you, you, and you! I have two word for you James Potter, grow up! And you better do it soon! Look what you've done! Now, I have to go plead with Lily Evans to stay and if I have my way I will make sure that your grandfather gives you a nice talking to!" Olga screamed as she ran towards the house in hopes of catching Lily to change her mind into staying for the job.
James was a little shaken by the words Olga had just spoken but did his best to not let it bother him. But he, of course with a conscience, couldn't push out the words that were echoing through his head. What was worse was that he knew the very words Olga had spoken were true and he hated being the wrong one.
Sighing, he got himself up and headed towards Lily's bedroom, he already knew which room she was to occupy for every guest stayed in his Aunt Jezebelle's old room. He knew that in order to get himself off the hook he had to go talk to Lily and now, convince her to stay. As much as he wanted to make everyone miserable he couldn't take the look of disappointment in his grandfather's eyes when he found out that James had already run out the girl that he had hired to be his assistant. And as much as he hated apologizing, the very thought of apologizing to his arch-enemy made the fluids in this body boil. But he knew that he had to no matter what, even while the whole time he was making his way up to Lily's room, he was still promising himself to make everyone miserable.
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"'If I have my way you won't work a day in this place'! Ugh, honestly, who does he think he is?! I'm so important, look at me, look at me, I'm a Potter! Yuck!" Lily screamed as she struggled to drag out one of her trunks from out of the closet. She sighed in frustration as she realized she had to somehow get the other two out of the closet and walk through the corridors and out the door with three heavy trunks.
"Look everyone, I'm James Potter and I'm king of the world! Puwah! More like I'm James Potter King of Jackasses!" Lily exclaimed fluttering her eyelids mockingly as she tried dragging her second trunk out of the closet.
"Ms. Evans?" a shaky voice said at the doorway of the room. Lily, sputtered in exasperation, looked up to find Kenneth Potter Sr. standing by the door with a soft smile on his face.
"Oh, umm…Mr. Potter Sr. I am really sorry about this but I don't think-" Lily began but she couldn't find the words to tell him. She felt a little childish for walking away because of a fight with her enemy who happened to be her boss' grandson.
"-You could work here with James-?" Kenneth Sr. tried in a shaky voice, walking towards the couch closest to the balcony, his cane shaking in front of him with every step he took. Lily was lost for words so she began playing with her hands. She nodded her head as she sat herself on her trunk which was midway across the gigantic room.
"I'm sorry, Mr.-"
"-please, Lily, call me Kenny. I'll call you Lily and if you please, call me Kenny. First name basis gives people a sense of friendship. Plus, this whole Mr. and Ms. things makes us sound way too old." Kenny laughed a little too hard for he let out spirals of coughs. Lily started to get up but he motioned for her to sit back down and so she sat back down on the trunk once more.
"Of course, Mr.-I mean Kenny-sir. I'm really sorry but I can't-"
"-I know, work with James." Kenny finished her sentence again. Lily looked down at her hands which she was twisting around before glancing back up at him with sheepish eyes.
"How did-?"
"I was overlooking the balcony right when you told him or rather Olga that you were quitting." Kenny positioned himself more comfortably on the couch.
"Oh. I didn't mean any harm. It's just that-"
"-I know, Lily. It's hard to work with an 'insensitive, brainless, little twit'. I overheard everything. And if you don't mind not telling Jimmy, I quite agree with you. Well, not completely, he is after all my grandson." Kenny laughed fingering the lace of one of the pillows that lay on the couch.
"I didn't mean to insult him, really. It's just we've never really gotten along since the first time we met on the Hogwart's Express six years ago. Well, I guess things haven't changed much."
"Ah, I take it you're a witch, then?" Kenny's eyes sparkled for a spilt second that Lily wasn't sure if he just blinked or if they really did sparkle.
"Yes, sir. Muggleborn but nevertheless a witch."
"There is nothing wrong with being a muggleborn, my child. In fact, you should embrace your culture and uniqueness for different is beauty. And as we all know, beauty can only be seen if you, yourself can accept your beauty with the way you truly are. And once you do so, there is no one in this world who could convince you otherwise." Kenny sighed, closing his eyes for a few moments, taking off his glasses to rub his eyes before placing them back onto his face.
"Yes, sir." was all Lily could say for she was speechless. She had heard that all the Potters were kind and generous (she didn't count James in the Potter equation at the moment) without a problem accepting every individual but never had she met anyone with such love and kindness that she was blown away. There was a small pause to which Kenny took the time to look outside, greatly missing his strength for he had not been outdoors since his heart attack a month and a half ago. Lily watched the old man intently, wondering how her arch-enemy could belong to such a wonderful family.
"I'm guessing there is no way to convince you to stay, is there?" Kenny asked after a few moments, turning his eyes back to the lovely redhead who still remained seated on her trunk. Lily gave him a shrug and was about to respond when she was interrupted by the last person she wanted to see.
"Evans, look, I'm not sorry for what I said but I need you to stay! Well, I don't need you to stay but my grandfather does! He would kill me if he knew that I made you quit already!" James exclaimed, rushing through the doors with his hands up in the air and his face distorted.
Apparently, he hadn't noticed his grandfather on the couch across from Lily or he would have stopped talking. Lily turned her attention away from Kenny and towards her enemy. James Potter stood there with his hands in his pocket and gave a shrug, obviously embarrassed about his sudden outburst. Kenny gave a snigger at his red-faced grandson while he watched Lily's face turn from a smile to a glare.
"Hiya, Jimmy!" Kenny said enthusiastically, giving his grandson a smile. James nodded at him sheepishly before turning his gaze back at Lily.
"Well, I was about to tell your granddad that I was going to stay until you decided to come barging in here like you own the place!" Lily exclaimed forgetting all of her manners. Kenny gave another snigger as he watched the teenagers, his eyes twinkling again.
"News flash, Evans! I do own this place!" James exclaimed rolling his eyes and motioning towards the room. Lily's mouth did an 'O' but kept her glare.
"Technically, your granddad does." Lily replied giving him her famous smirk.
"Whatever, Evans. Look, will you just stay?"
Lily crossed her hands and deepened her glare. There was no way that she was going to stay. Well, at least she wanted to act that way because she knew that no matter how much she had wanted to leave she couldn't. For one, her dad was probably already home and would not like to drive back just because she didn't agree with her boss. Two, she needed the money really badly. And lastly, she couldn't give James the satisfaction that he was the reason why she was quitting. If anything, she was going to make him wish he could quit.
"What's your bargain?" Lily asked, her smirk getting larger. James squinted his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, if I stay I have to be stuck working with an imbecile like you. You get what you want by having me stay and what do I get out of it?" Lily crossed her arms.
"Uh, it's obvious what you get. You get paid for your services of taking the job." James glared placing his hands on his hip.
"True. But still, I wonder if it's enough…" Lily placed her finger on her chin to imply that she was thinking this through. Kenny just sat on the couch watching, his hands on his lap, and his face formed with a big smile.
"So, you'll stay?"
"On one condition."
"And what's that-?!" James choked out of his mouth. He hated bargaining and most importantly he hated not be able to tell Lily what he really thought without getting yelled at by his grandfather.
"You admit that you were wrong -"
"What?!"
"Oh, and that you do need me to stay. And that you are an 'insensitive, brainless, little twit'."
"I will not admit to anything, Evans, least of all to you."
"Then I won't be staying. Looks like you're need of not only two assistants but three." Lily exclaimed getting up from her trunk and started to pull it towards the door.
"Doesn't bother me any. I can always hire those two girls from earlier." James informed her, crossing his arms. Lily lifted an eyebrow as she watched Kenny turn his gaze to his grandson.
"Jimmy, be polite! That is no way to talk to a lady! I suggest you better start admitting." Kenny said winking at Lily who in turn gave James a smirk.
"Ugh! Fine. Evans, I am 'an insensitive, brainless, little twit'! THERE!" James exclaimed throwing his arms in the air for dramatic purposes. He nearly choked out the words. He couldn't believe that here he was, admitting to something he did not believe was true. Not to mention he was admitting something at Lily's expense and to her delight, he was doing this to convince her to stay because of his grandfather. How much he hated life right at this very moment.
"Oh, don't forget the part where you say 'I was immensely wrong'! And that you need me to stay. Say it!" Lily was enjoying every bit of this. James scowled and choked out the words that he needed to say. Saying the last part about needing her to stay almost caused him a heart attack. How much he hated her with a passion beyond recognition.
"Is that it, your highness?!" James spat, his face turning red with anger.
"Oh, not to mention you're a pompous, useless git who is in viral need of learning decency and manners!"
"I will not say that, Lily Evans! Now if that is all, answer my damn question, will you stay?!" James sputtered, angry that he was being humiliated by a stupid redheaded girl. Lily gave him a little smirk before turning to Kenny.
"James Grant Potter! I know that I did not raise your dad to talk that way to a lady and I know that he did not teach you to talk that way!" Kenny exclaimed highly amused by the situation.
"Granddad!"
"James-"
"What else, your majesty?" He spat those word out so sweetly that both his grandfather and Lily knew that it was fake.
"Very funny, Potter. Oh, just so you know I won't work weekends. But I will work from twelve p.m. to six p.m. Not early or later. I will do what I please as long as your grandfather permits me to. I will say what I want, when I want, and how I want. I will go as I please to my house and I am whatsoever not under your authority and you will treat me with respect. I won't do as you say so long as you are your rude, idiotic self. Oh, and I will tell you what I want." Lily smiled as she began pushing her trunk back towards the closet. She glanced back at James who looked like he was about to burst.
"Will, that be all?!"
"Nope, you can put my trunks back into the closet too." Lily said as she walked over to Kenny who took her hand and the two started for the door.
"Where do you think you're going?" James asked as he kicked her trunk at the side.
"I believe your grandfather is due to get some of summer's breeze." Lily replied as she walked along side of Kenny.
"I guess I'll see you at dinner, Jimmy!" Kenny said as he walked down the corridor with Lily's arm wrapped around his.
James let out a high, splutter of anger as he started to push Lily's heavy trunks back into the closet. He hated her now more than ever. How he hated her smirk, her face, her little attitude. She had no right ordering him around under his territory, under his roof. And she had no right to be her overbearing, bossy, smartass self when he was her boss, the boss.
Oh, he was so getting back at her, not matter what it took. He would just have to wait till Sirius came for his visit. And when Sirius does come, he vowed to get even with two girls he hated right now, Olga and Lily Evans. Oh, vengeance will be his. But that was much, much later. He would have to wait. Right now, he had to grudgingly put Lily's trunks back into the closet. And while doing so, he muttered to himself how much he hated her.
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Author's Note: Thank you guys so much! What can I say, I am definitely on a row here! ;D And remember: if you have any suggestions please let me know!