The last week passed with James worrying about his parents but his friends all helped him and thus the seven of them were playing exploding snap in the open grounds, Peter and Mary were leading the game.
"Hey how about a party at Marauder's Campsite?" suggested Remus.
"That's an excellent idea!' shouted Peter fist pumping the air.
"We will party hard," jumped Sirius.
"We will set a campfire too!" suggested James.
"Umm... guys we are missing something," said Mary.
"I know what it is! James showed me last year," said Lily happily.
"Care to explain us?" asked Marls.
"It's an open space in the forbidden forest, and is safe, we will party there, set up a campfire bring food and drinks and enjoy!" explained Sirius.
"It is bonfire then," said Mary.
"Whatever, they both are same," said Sirius.
"No, they are not, a campfire is small, used for cooking and warmth, whereas a bonfire is big and is for celebrations," explained Mary.
"So, it is same," said Sirius.
"No, Black they are different," said Mary.
"But in both, we lit a fire and campfire is better..."
"It doesn't matter what it is called, our focus is to enjoy," said Remus as Mary began to argue with Sirius.
"Peter will bring his guitar, I will get marshmallows," said James.
"I will get the drinks," said Sirius.
"I will get the cards, and James your walkman, we can magnify the sound or we will have to nick Flitwick's music player," said Remus.
"No, the walkman will do," said Marls.
So, after planning all evening and Lily casting the disillusionment charm as not all can fit under the cloak, the seven of them reached the Marauder's Campsite.
It took them about 30 minutes to set up the woods and arranging everything they lit the fire and sat around it in circle.
"So, guys what's the plan?" asked Lily enthusiastically rubbing her palms.
"First let's start with some game, how about Mafaia?" said Mary.
"Ok, I will be the moderator," said Sirius instantly.
"Did you know Remus this game is also called Werewolf sometimes," said James smirking.
"Well now I know," said Remus as he started shuffling the cards and gave it to Sirius who shuffled again.
They all began the game, after Sirius has distributed the cards.
"Okay so, close your eyes and heads down!" said Sirius. "Now, Mafia open your eyes and tell who you want to kill?"
Lily raised her head and pointed at Mary before closing her eyes.
"Now, the detective open your eyes and tell who do you suspect?"
Remus open her eyes and pointed at Mary too.
"Now, the doctor open your eyes, and tell who you want to rescue?"
Peter opened his eyes and pointed at Remus.
"Rise fellow villagers rise, there has been a murder, rise," said Sirius. "Mary was killed last night by the mafia, and unfortunately the detective failed to catch the detective."
Mary groaned, I didn't wanted to be killed this early."
"So, all of you chose one person whom you suspect to be the mafia and he or she will be eliminated," said Sirius.
"I will go for James," said Marls.
"Me too," said Remus.
"Come on guys, that's bad, I am an innocent player," argued James. "Back me up Lils and Pete."
"Sorry mate I think you're the mafia too," said Peter.
"I believe James, and accuse Remus to be the Mafia," said Lily.
"Sorry, James has been eliminated," said Sirius.
"Come Mary, we will both roast marshmallows," said James as he took out the packet with marshmallows.
"You all go back to sleep," said Sirius.
This time Lily killed Remus, Remus suspected Marls to be the mafia, and Peter rescued himself.
They then suspected Lily and thus the game was over.
In next round Peter became the moderator and they played.
Next, they moved on to play 2 truths and 1 lie but with the twist that if they got the answer wrong they have to drink firewhisky.
"I will go first," said Sirius. "1. I am fluent in French, 2. I once drank 5 bottles of firewhisky 3. I have kissed Madam Rosemarta, now you all go one by one."
"The third one," said Remus.
"The second one," said Mary.
"The third one," said Peter.
"The third one," said Lily.
"The second one," said Marls.
"Tut, tut, the first one," said James with smug look.
"Prongs is correct," said Siruis.
"You kissed Rosemarta!" they all exclaimed together.
"But you always show off your french skills," said Peter.
"He only knows about 10 to 15 sentences, which he learned to seduce girls," snorted James. "He has no idea about other words."
"Okay, I will go next," said Peter. "1. I once came face to face with McGonagall as a rat when she was in her cat form. 2.I have been part of Flitwick's choir. 3. I was the champion of gobstone in 3rd year."
"The first one," said Remus.
"The second one," said Sirius.
"The third one," said Mary.
"The first one," said Lily.
"The first one," said James.
"The first one," said Marls.
"The first one it is, though I have run into Ms. Norris a lot and lured her away from the prank site," said Peter. "And Sirius I was in the choir group in first year."
"Okay, me next," said Marls. "1. I was born at James' house, James you will go at last. 2. I won a fancy dress competition when I was 9 at Ministry children day 3. I have smoked cigarrate."
"It's very difficult but first," said Remus.
"Third," said Sirius.
"Second," said Mary.
"Third," said Peter.
"Second," said Lily.
"Third," said James.
"The second one it is," said Marls. "I was second at that competition, Lucy won it."
"So, you were born at James' house?" asked Remus.
"Yeah, my mum was there to visit little James and then suddenly the process began and I was born a week earlier than the due date."
"Okay, me next," said Lily, "1. I have smoked Cigarrate 2. I have done around 20 pranks in this session, 3. I am the reserve seeker, no you all know this, so 3. I have drove a bike."
"First," said Sirius.
"Second," said Remus.
"First," said Peter.
"First," said Mary.
"Third," said Marls.
"Third," said James.
"Third it is," said Lily.
"You have smoked?" asked a shocked Sirius.
"Actually all three of us have done," said Marls.
"You both forced me into it," complained James.
"Now I will not touch it again, it was bad," said Lily.
"Okay, I will go next," said Mary. "1. I play piano 2. I got the top marks in all subjects twice 3. I was born in Leeds."
"Third one," said Peter.
"Second," said Remus.
"First one," said Lily.
"First one," said Marls.
"Second," said Sirius.
"First," said James.
"Only Pete got it right, I was the topper in second and third grade, I learnt piano last summer, Pete was there so he knows, and I was born in Ireland and later our family moved back to Leeds," explained Mary.
"My turn," said James. " 1. I flied to King's Cross on broom once, 2. I have worked as a babysitter 3. I was know sewing."
"2" said Remus.
"2" said Sirius.
"2" said Mary.
"3" said Peter
"3" said Marls.
"1" said Lily.
"First it is," said James.
"You know how to sew? But whenever your clothes were torn while playing quidditch at home you used to give them to me to sew," said Marls.
"Oh, I don't like sewing and you are better at that than me," said James and received a hit from Marls.
"You worked as a babysitter?" asked Sirius.
"Yeah, I did, there was a baby in my village and his parents have to go somewhere and asked me to help," said James.
"So, it's me next," said Remus. " 1. I never got detention in the first year. 2. I am good at Spanish 3. I once asked McGonagall on a date"
"First," said Mary.
"First," said Lily.
"First," said Marls.
"Second," said James.
"Second," said Sirius.
"Third," laughed Peter.
"Third it is," said Remus.
"When did this happened?" asked all of them shocked.
"And why Prongs and I don't know about it but Peter knows?" asked Sirius.
"I lost a bet to him that I will get more marks than him in Care of magical creature but I lost, and the bet was the loser will ask Minnie on a date, so I asked her yesterday," replied Remus.
"And what did she say?" asked Marls.
"She said, 'As much I would like to go on a date with you Mr Lupin, I would ask you to focus on your current girlfriend, though if I was not a teacher or you were not a student then I might have agreed,' and she winked at me," said Remus and others laughed.
Next, they did karaoke of muggle songs, though it didn't got well as only James, Lily and Mary knew muggle songs and Sirius has other tastes in them, so they just played songs and danced around the fire. Then they played charades, which was turned into 20 questions later. Then they sang wizarding songs together with Peter playing the guitar.
Soon they were all tired and quite drunk, they all sat in silence and just ate foods and snacks.
"So, you enjoyed today?" asked James to Lily who has picked up tarts and came and sat on James' lap who wrapped his hands around her.
"Yes, I enjoyed a lot," said Lily as she fed him a treacle tart.
"Another year ends," sighed James resting his chin on Lily's shoulder.
"Yeah, time flows really fast," said Lily.
"Next year will be our last year," added Mary.
"Yeah, look at me now I have gone a flat of my own," said Sirius.
"What?" asked James shocked.
"I told you, didn't I?" said Sirius.
"No, you didn't," said James.
"I got one during easter, I told Euphemia and Fleamont at King's cross, Marls, Remus and Peter also know," said Sirius.
"So, why not tell me?"
"I was um . . . . I forgot. . . ." James gave him a look 'don't lie' "Okay, I was afraid you will get angry."
"I might have but I am surely angry now," said James.
"Look mate, I had to get one and I am of age now, so it was need of time, I can't always live at your house," said Sirius.
"Why?" asked James.
"I just explained, I had to get one and one good flat was on sale near Andromeda's house and Ted helped me with registration, I thought I would show you later," said Sirius.
"You don't know how to cook," said James. "How will you eat?"
"If you had paid attention, Euphemia literally forced me to learn cooking and Andromeda said she will help me, beside Wormtail might be moving in with me," said Sirius.
"What? Why am I left out of all these?" asked James angrily.
"We decided it during the last week," explained Peter. "My house is not at a secure location, there are attacks every month, so I suggested they move to a secure place and sell the house, my mum is a muggleborn and my dad is a half-blood so they are in danger of being attacked. Dad can apparate to work, the new house they have taken is small so I will later move in with Padfoot."
"We didn't tell you because your parents were in hospital and you already had enough on your plate," said Sirius.
"So . . .okay . . . good. . . cool, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool... so what is everyone's plan for summer?" asked James.
"Will remain at home, but if dad will get leave then we might go to beaches," said Mary.
"I am staying at home," said Lily.
"I will be at home with dad too," said Remus sadly.
"No plan here, mum has only been granted permission to visit Euphemia, so we will not go anywhere. James, you can live with us, mum said she invited you but you said you haven't decided yet," said Marls.
"Sorry, Marls but I was thinking to go to France," said James.
"Why?" asked Sirius.
"I have a relative there and it will have to free my mind and relax," said James.
"Good choice mate," said Remus.
Lily kept quiet and could tell James looking at her once or twice, he hasn't mentioned this before to her, and she didn't know what to say as he deserved rest after what has happened this year.
"We should head back soon, it's already 11," said Mary.
"Don't worry we still have about an hour," said Sirius.
"Wanna play a round of exploding snap?" asked Remus.
"I am in," said Marls.
"Me too," said Peter and Mary.
"Me three," said Sirius.
"I am out," said Lily.
"I am out too," said James.
"Sickening Lovebirds," muttered Sirius.
The other five engaged in matches exploding snap while Lily and James sat in private.
"So, when did you plan to go to France?" asked Lily.
"Was thinking about it for few days," said James, and Lily nodded.
"So, we will see each other after at least a month, I guess?" asked Lily.
James sighed, "It looks like it."
Lily turned in his lap so she was now facing him, she wrapped her leg around his waist to be more comfortable, "You can come to stay with me if you want, I can ask mum and dad about it."
James smiled at her and wrapped his hand around her, "It's okay Lils, I will write to you."
"I know it's just you will be alone at your home," said Lily.
"But for only a few days then I will be off to France," said James.
"Okay," said Lily still unconvinced but didn't push the matter.
James leaned in and captured her lips with his, Lily's hands snaked around his neck and his hands started roaming all over her body.
"Are you okay James?" she asked pulling back and looking straight into his eyes.
"Of course I am okay, I am with you," smiled James and Lily too smiled and then began kissing him.
When the game of exploding snap was over and all of them had received seral cuts, they decided to head back to the castle.
"Oi! you two, it's getting late," said Marls.
"You both can continue it later though," snorted Sirius.
James and Lily both stood up and joined the others, they returned to the castle in the same way they had arrived here.
Lily and Mary both sneaked into the boys' dorm while Marls threw a rude look at Sirius who just sighed in defeat.
"You lot better place silencing charms," said Sirius before closing the hanging around his bed.
"Marls said she would handle it her way, what did she mean?" asked James closing his own bed hangings.
"Dunno, but one thing is clear she was really pissed at Sirius," said Lily. "I actually fail at these friendship things when it's all going down, I try to avoid it mostly until and unless it's very bad."
"It doesn't matter, and also I would like to keep other people out of our minds and focus on 'us' instead," grinned James.
"Then let's focus on 'us'," said Lily and James jumped over her, she couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm before she began kissing him.
"That was intense," panted Lily.
"It was," said James kissing her forehead.
James held Lily closer to her tightly closer to him, she noticed it and identified this grip but she felt comfortable and liked it so she too held him closely.
She liked holding and cuddling him more, it gave her a sense of safety and comfort, she loved it and knows that he too liked it, that's what make them different, they liked the intercourse but this is what they loved more it give them a feeling of being complete.
James barely slept that night, he wanted to capture this moment, the warmth of Lily with him, he was just 17 but there was a fire ignited inside him, and it surfaced when he heard that his parents are admitted to hospital with a horrible and deadly disease, first, his aunt, then uncle, then a close friend, who died in front of him and now his parents were on that path too, and all of this was because of one man, a man whom James unknowingly has started considering a friend.
Lily woke up in the morning with a smile on her face as she saw James looking at her, but soon it disappeared because James wasn't.
"Lily I was thinking . . . um. . ." his voice was tense and he was sweating.
Lily put her hands on his face, her heart was beating fast, and he was acting all weird since yesterday.
James sat up and so did Lily, it was morning already and someone was already awake as the shower was running in the bathroom.
"What?" she asked.
"I was . . ." he started fidgeting his fingers, it was harder than he had thought it would be two hours ago. "Should if. . . I mean something happens to me in this war . . ."
"Anything can happen to anyone in this war," Lily said.
"Yeah, I mean would it be alright if we take a break?" he said in low voice.
"Are you fucking out of your mind?" she shouted and the silencing charm broke. "From where did this come into your mind?"
Sirius, Peter, Mary, and Remus all froze at their spots, James and Lily's bantering was usual for them but this was different, Lily's shouting was full of anger.
"What if something happens to you because of me, I can't . . . you will be hurt, I want to fight and I will not rest until I die or the dark side loses. I can't, not after May, not after Ben, not after Amy, and now my parents, I can't rest, it hurts, nearly every night I see a phase, a part of Tom Riddle's life, he kills people like a fly, he kills muggles and muggleborns, and I didn't realize I will put you in danger if I drag you, and others in it with me," said James.
Lily sat on her knees and hugged him tightly.
"James I said to you before and I will say to you again this is not your war, not my war, it's our war, I do not fear death, I am ready to die at this very moment but I want to go down fighting, rather than running away from war, I want to do something to bring down Voldemort, it's my responsibility, and this is war and I want to contribute into it," said Lily. "You know about Aunt Charollete, but did you know her cousin? He was my grandfather, his name was Harry, he was a soldier, he fought in the Irish war to free his land, he was a great soldier and he died in the war, but both aunt Charollete and my granny used to say when I was young that I am brave like him, and I am, I am brave, so stop being stupid," she hit him on the shoulder. "We are in this war together, we will be with each other until the very end."
James hugged her back. "Don't worry James, everything will be alright, and if it will not then it's not over yet."
"I hope so," said James.
"And you are not getting rid of me this easily and never ever think of it again or I might kill you," said Lily.
"Never," promised James.
"So, will you now stay with me at my house? I can talk to my parents," said Lily.
"No, I still need to go and relax in France, but I will write to you," said James.
Lily nodded and then gave him an intense kiss before moving to his neck, "This is for you to have to remember me, you know, if you meet some veela in France where they are in loads, this is my mark on you."
James laughed at her, "Trust me, Lily, no Veela or Veelas can ever be compared to you, they are just another dull form of attraction to those who have not seen the real queen, but I have seen and can proudly say she is mine," he said kissing her.
"Don't give me a hickey, I am seeing my parents today, they will kill me," she said instantly.
"This is not fair Evans, you can give me one but I can't," said James pouting.
"You know that today is not the right time," said Lily.
"And you both should get out of bed," shouted Sirius. "The feast will start in an hour."
"And today will be the farewell of the divination teacher, Professor Videntis Predittore," said Peter.
"Yeah, thanks for reminding me," said Lily as she removed the hangings and stood up.
"I thought you both were fighting," said Mary who was sitting on Remus' bed.
"Nah, James was just being an idiot," said Lily. "Come, Mary, we should go, we will see you all in the great hall."
The seven of them sat in the great hall eating before they all were to leave.
Professor Dumbledore stood from his chair and came forward after everyone has finished eating,"Another year has come to an end, it was a year full of ups and down, we lost many people but that is what life is, it tends to be difficult but we should keep on moving because that's how you face life.
Today one of our oldest teacher is leaving us, Professor Videntis Predittore, she taught for 59 years, she was here before anyone else, and now she is leaving us to spend her last few days with peace, with her family, I thank her on behalf of Hogwarts for her services to the school, now I will like to invite her and speak few words."
Professor Videntis Predittore, an old woman stood from her chair, she has a slight hunchback, she came and stood by Dumbledore who greeted her.
"Hogwarts," she spoke in shaky but loud voice, "has been my home for nearly sixty years, I have taught to many students, and many of them are now a seer themself, while many have found my predictions to be true in their later life and even help them. Divination doesn't guarantees it predicts, if something that is predicted doesn't happen doesn't mean it was wrong, it's just that circumstances changed, people call us fraud for this but we seers are not affected by it, life is just like this it's unpredictable but than also we carry on, with hope that everything will be okay in the end, and it's important, it's important to be optimistic because that's the driving force of life that it will be oka.
"I will miss the enthusiasm of students, the energy they bring with them, the hope they bring with them, but it's important to let go, we can't carry on holding onto something because than it will start hurting and lose it's value, so this is a goodbye my dear students and staffs, and ghosts and my Hogwarts."
Everyone clapped for her.
"I hope that the value of divination doesn't die, I want it to be carry on, and people understand it better," she continued. "Open your eyes and look at the beautiful world, dream but do not forget to live. That will be all. Thank you, and Goodbye."
Students and teachers stood and clapped as she raised her hands to receive their gratitudes but then she suddenly went rigid after shaking, her eyes unfocused and her mouth sagging, her eyes started rolling, the students who were standing in front of her stopped and looked at her while the staff wasn't able to see her but stopped with the students, as Professor Videntis Predittore spoke in a harsh, horse tone.
"RAISED AND LOVED BY THE FOUR,
DARK AND GREEN KILLED THE FOUR.
FILLED WITH LOVE AND CARE LIKE NO ONE ELSE.
A PROMISE TO KEEP FROM THE FUTURE,
POWERED BY THE LOVE FROM THE FUTURE.
THE KING OF FOREST VANQUISHES THE DARK LORD,
HE IS THE ONLY ONE TO EMPATHIZE WITH THE DARK LORD.
THE SEVEN COME TOGETHER,
TO DEFEAT THE SEVEN TOGETHER,
BRINGING THE FALL OF THE SERPENT."
Professor Videntis Predittore, shook again and was about to fall but Dumbledore rushed and caught her, she stood up.
"I am sorry," she said in her normal voice, "the heat of the day, all this standing, I drifted off for a moment."
"It's alright Videntis, you should take your seat," said Dumbledore and the old professor sat in her seat and was handed a glass of water by McGonagall.
The entire student body and staff had gone silent, they all had just heard a prophecy being made in front of them a prophecy regarding the defeat of you-know-who. Everyone began whispering with whoever they found closer.
"Whoa! I just heard a prophecy being made in front of me and that too of the fall of the serpent," said Sirius.
"Everything else is quite clear but 'a promise to keep from the future, powered by the love from the future,' how can someone be loved from the future and make a promise in future?" asked Mary who caught up with the meaning first.
"And what about 'the only one to empathy the dark lord'?" said Remus. "Who in their right mind would fill empathy with 'the dark lord' and then defeat him too?"
"It sounds like some death eater would kill him," said Peter, "because only they can feel empathy with a murderer."
Lily tensed and saw James getting tensed too, she knows he felt empathy with Voldemort, but it can't be him as the rest of the prophecy doesn't point at him. She leaned closer to him and whispered her thoughts to him and saw him relaxing, he turned to her and gave her a smile.
Dumbledore was not a believer in divination but he can't ignore it, though he wouldn't have wanted the whole castle to know this, and thus the whole world and Voldemort, so the person about whom the prophecy is about is in grave danger, he can't interfere who it was, who can feel empathy for Voldemort if it would have been sympathy than he himself was one but it was empathy, not sympathy which changes everything, and not to forget raised and loved by four.
Snape has nearly prepared the potion he was asked for by the dark lord, and Snape now even knows the name of the potion, it's Emerald Potion or a drink of despair. And now he has memorized the prophecy too and was thinking to be the first to convey the message but that was not possible yet, he has to wait, he has to be patient, and then one day he will be powerful enough to be in the dark lord's inner circle.
"JAMES POTTER!" Lily shouted marching to the boys' dorm where they were all finishing their packing, James whines and turns around to see Lily holding her notebook in front of her and looking angry.
The other three boys froze at their spot as James gulped and said,"Yes, Lily?"
"Wat. . .What is this?" she said pointing at her notes, James moves closer and sees written there was 'LILY POTTER' and a heart is drawn around it, he smiled at his work and Lily hit his arm with her notes.
"OW!" James whined.
"When did you write this? And what if some teachers or even worse my parents would see it?" she asked.
"It was last week I suppose when I borrowed your notes to study, it's good though, then they will know I am a seer too," he smirks.
"Do it again and you're a goner," she said shaking her head.
"Oh! I will," said James grinning widely.
Lily just glared at him trying to understand if he was joking or not, and then turned to leave, "See you later," she said over her shoulder, and James could tell she was blushing.
"Mate you need to be more careful around her, you get hit by her on regular basis," said Peter.
"What did you do?" asked Remus.
"Nothing," said James.
"You never do nothing," said Sirius.
"We all should hurry or we will be late," said James as he rushed around the room packing and checking and then rechecking everything.
The train ride back to King's Cross was filled with James and Lily banter about whatever James has done earlier, and then it turned into snogging and then to bickering and then to sitting silently and cuddling each other.
"Don't forget to go to Chaudron Qui Fuit in France, they have some good veelas behind the bar," said Sirius.
"And send us photos too," said Peter and Remus together.
"I sure will," winked James.
"Merlin, these boys are insufferable," said Lily.
James kissed Lily's cheek," I am insufferable?" he asked in a whisper into her ears, his teeth touching her earlobes, and she shivered.
"No," she breathed.
"So, have you visited France, Sirius?" asked Mary.
"Yes, when I was 10 and innocent," said Sirius with a wink.
"I doubt you were ever innocent," said Remus.
"Not after kissing Rosemarta, you should have told us," complained Peter.
"It was in 5th year after they both won the championship, she was here for the ball making drinks and I got lucky," said Sirius.
"So, have you brought all things for moving to your house?" asked Marls.
"Yeah, pretty much everything, when will you come Wormy?"
"Umm... after tomorrow or next week, I will first help my parents to settle into the new house and then I will move in," said Peter.
"Excellent!" said Sirius. "I have told Remus he is welcome and I will say you all are welcome too, the flat is old but as it is magically built, it has 4 rooms, a kitchen, 3 bathrooms and a hall, so we all can stay there."
"We will surely visit you," smiled Mary.
"Until and unless he keeps it in a state of living," scoffed Marls, and the rest of them laughed.
"On a serious note, do you think Voldemort would care about the Prophecy?" asked Remus.
"He will, and so will Dumbledore," said James in a serious tone.
"One more thing I didn't understand, I have been thinking about it a lot, the prophecy first talks about a single person, but in the end, it talks about seven will come together to defeat the seven, what does that mean?" asked Mary.
James placed a silencing charm on their compartment, "I think it's about the Horcruxes."
"But even if one destroys all the Horcruxes then also defeating you-know-who will be a very difficult task even for Dumbledore," said Mary.
"That's where the prophecy comes into play," said Remus.
"You mean that a person to feel empathy with you-know-who will kill him?" asked Peter.
"That's what the prophecy says at least," said Marls.
There were snarls of cats over them they looked up and found Ivy and Felix fighting where their trunks were and then James' trunk fell to the ground and opened, many books and dirty notes along with his accessories lay spread on the floor.
"Fuck," cursed James as he started putting things back.
"Blimey! What are you going to do with these many books and notes?" asked Sirius picking up one of James' books and reading it, James immediately snatched it from him and put it back.
"It's for reading and passing time," said James as he closed his trunk and put it back.
Lily eyed him curiously, there were lots of books that even she didn't recognize.
"What are you going to do with books on owls?" asked Lily.
"Study, of course," said James as it was the most obvious thing.
"Fine," said Lily and she didn't hide her disappointment.
The train started slowing down they were at King's Cross.
James followed Lily as they stepped off the train, Mr. and Ms McKinnon, they hugged Marls and James, and now Lily recognised that James' mum and Marls' mum were very much identical though were not twins and Eugemia was younger.
"You should come and stay with us dear, James," said Eugemia.
"Sorry, Eugemia, but I will stay at the manor for a few days and then am going to France to relax," smiled James.
"That's a perfect plan, but do come to our house on Marls' birthday," said Mr Mckinnon.
"Sure, I will try my best," said James.
"You have to come, please, otherwise I will be bored to the core," said Marls hugging James.
"I will try my best," replied James, "and take care of yourself."
"You too," said Marls and there was a tone of worry in her voice.
They all said goodbye to each other and then Lily spotted her parents and to her surprise an annoyed-looking Petunia, Lily took James' hand and pulled her over to her parents.
"Mum, dad," she hugged them, "and tuney," she hugged her too.
"Hello," smiled James.
"How are your parents, dear?" asked Rose.
"They are fine, they will be admitted for a few months," replied James.
"I am sorry to hear that dear," said Rose sadly.
"How did you know that his parents are ill, I didn't tell you," asked Lily.
"We both met them quite a few times and even went to their house a few times for dinner," smiled Richard.
"Oh! so you lot are friends now?" asked Lily.
"Yes, we are," said Rose.
"My parents didn't tell me, did your parents tell you?" asked Lily to James, who shook his head.
"We even watched a quidditch match with them," said Richard excitedly.
"Will you be staying alone then dear?" asked Rose to James.
"I am going to my relatives in France, actually," replied James.
"Oh! Do try the onion soup then," suggested Richard.
"Okay, then, will see you soon," said Lily hugging James. "Will miss you, love," she whispered.
"I will miss you too, love," whispered James.
James took hold of his trunk waved at Lily and then disapparated.
"Where did he go?" asked Petunia.
"It's the fastest means to go anywhere, disappear from one place and appear at the destination," explained Lily.
"You can do it too?" asked Petunia.
"Yeah, now I can, as I am of age now," replied Lily. "I can take you along with me if you want."
"Really?!" exclaimed Petunia a smile appearing on her face.
"Really, but later, as I can take one person or two with me at a time, its an uneasy feeling for the first time," said Lily.
"We will go to a new mall together then, we can buy dresses," said Petunia.
James reached the entrance gate of his house and opened it, an emptiness hit him, and sadness filled him, last year three people were waiting happily for him but this year no one was there, it reminded him of his boggart.
Pardey, the house elf came running to him and greeted him before taking his trunk to his room.
James entered the house, Pardey has maintained, James ran up the stairs to a room he has not entered since last summer, his uncle's room, he has avoided it during Christmas and easter, but now he has the urge to go in.
The room was just as same as he has seen last, the photos were at their place, uncle and aunt both waving at him, a photo of five of them together, there were letters kept in a box, letters from May, from his parents, and from him to his uncle.
He opened a door and entered a small room attached to this room, it has belongings of May in it, her dresses, her books, her notes, prizes she had won and other things.
"Master, food is ready," said Pardey as James closed the room.
"Thanks, Pardey," said James. "Send it to my room, I will eat it there."
James opened and took out his things from the trunk, he took a book and started reading it while he ate the food.
His time was spent in the library or his room reading books or practising spells, around a week has passed living alone in this empty manor, he decided that it was now time to leave and have fun. He wrote letters to Peter and Lily.
Dear Wormtail,
I want you to come with me to France, we can have a lot of New Year's fun together, just the both of us, tell Sirius that I am angry with him that's why the offer has been given to you.
-James.
Dear Lily,
I am going to France tomorrow, life here at the Manor has been boring, I hope you are doing well. I miss you a lot. Hoping to see you soon.
Love,
James.