September 1971
"JAMES FLEAMONT POTTER!" bellowed an voice within Godric's Hollow. It was currently 7 AM, and yet, despite it being an picture-perfect sunrise, complete with the melodious chirping of birds, Euphemia Potter was beyond stressed. She kept running from room to room, either yelling at her her husband, Fleamont Potter or her beloved son, James.
"James, if I find you in your room still packing your suitcases, Merlin knows what I'll bloody do-" but just as she was about to finish, Jame's door swung open.
And out walked an 11 year old boy who held his head far too high up, in one hand clutching an suitcase twice his size, and in the other, an messenger bag.
"Sorry Ma!" James started, before finish with "just some last minute essentials needed to be fixated".
Euphemia sighed, fearful for what atrocious junk James had packed. A bit of dung bombs, boxes of Skiving Snack boxes, oh and an pair of extendable ears of course!
James who noticed his mother's mouth frown quickly assured her, lest he make her regret sending him to Hogwarts.
"Nothing that'll get me expelled! Just keep me and fellow peers on our toes." he promised her. He set his suitcase down, before adjusting his bag over his shoulder. Euphemia did an once over him, and then decided to not go through his luggage before gesturing him to come downstairs.
"Ah, my two favorite people!" Fleamont greeted Euphemia with an peck on the lips (James inwardly gagged) and patted James on the back. "Big dad, eh, Jamie boy?" He teased. James went red at that name. "I'm 11 years old now! Don't call me that Pa" he huffed. Fleamont gave him an thumbs up before ruffling his hair, messing up the gelled back look James had been working on since he woke up. It took an lot of time and effort to maintain his curly hair, which always seemed to be in a messy state. Despite the teasing, James dearly loved his father, always wanting to impress him before anyone else.
"Alright then, if you two are then, let's get on the road" Euphemia reminded them, grabbing the car keys. Godric Hollow was situated in an Muggle town, making it hard to apparate as well use floo powder. "Meet you out in front?" she half questioned, half commanded. Both boys nodded, before scrambling to get an look in the mirror before they left.
The car engine started with an roar, but nothing could be louder than the beating of Jame's heart.
This would be his first year at Hogwarts.
And yet he felt as though something was terribly wrong.
-
The drive was too close to the 4 hour mark at which the train would leave. A bit of traffic held them up, but the Potters preserved never the less. It was 10:49 AM when they reached, and Euphemia was an mess all the way through.
"It's all right! The Muggles tend to be unpredictable and forces of nature, love. Who would've thought an couple of metal parts and engines could interfere with the amazing world of Wizardry?" Fleamont attempted to joke, but Euphemia glaring at him had him admiring the stone platform.
"All right James, as we practiced and taught you, just go through the brick wall alright?" Euphemia muttered. James nodded, hesitant but ready none-the-less. They all had already agreed this was where James went solo.
James clutched his bag tightly as his mother and father accompanied him to an wall that led to Platform 9 and 3 quarters. He stared at, the realisation that once he went through, his life would change forever. The red bricks each were an stage of the many journeys in his life, the dried up cement were all important people keeping him together. He stared at, before turning around, to find his parents already looking at him. He stared at his mother, who's wrinkles were becoming more prominent day by the day. He looked at his father, who also was succumbing to the incurable disease called Aging. It'd be hard for them to live without James. He assisted in many different chores, doing the heavy lifting always. He worried, for an split second, that they'd hurt themselves.
Then he remembered they were qualified wizards. Nothing could touch them until or unless it was permitted.
James ran, to hug them once more. His mother and father too embraced him, a tad bit too tight.
"Oh James, you'll always be our baby boy" his mother breathed out, slow and quiet. James never wanted to let go, but he didn't want his parents to bear the burden of letting go first. With an final squeeze, he let go, and saluted his dad.
"I'll make you proud!" he yelled, before turning and running straight through the wall.
Never once did he look back or hear what his father said.
"You've already made us proud Jamie"
-
Once James got across, he fell right on his face. Luckily for him, there was barely anyone on the platform.
There was barely anyone on the platform.
Merlin's beard, the train!" his mind cried out.
"Attention all Hogwarts students, the 11 AM train on platform 9 and 3 quarters is leaving soon. Those who come an minute or second late will be forced to wait until the next train" came an announcement.
James boarded the train, rushing while smoothing his hair out.
And just as he stepped on board, the doors closed.