August 7th 1971
Chapter 1
August 7th 1961
“Don’t be cruel to a heart that’s true”
Peter sat on the floor of Potter Manor, wizarding chess board placed between James and himself. He laughed loudly as his queen took one of James’ pawns. James cursed under his breath, quiet enough Euphemia couldn’t hear.
“ What’s the matter, James?” Peter asked with a smirk.
“Silence, Pete. I’m trying to concentrate.” James said, studying the board.
A few more pawns were moved and taken before Peter checked James’ king, a smirk across Peter’s face. James flipped the board with a laugh.
“ You win again, Peter. Not a big surprise.” James chuckled out.
Peter laughed and bowed politely as James threw a pawn at him, laughing.
As they laughed and threw pawns at each other, Euphemia popped her head out of the kitchen.
“ Boys, lunch is served.” She called out before popping back in.
The boys stood up quickly and rushed to the kitchen, where the house elf placed food dishes on the dining room table. They both sat down and waited for Euphemia and Fleamont to sit before they started eating. The group of four ate happily, enjoying sandwiches and fresh-peeled oranges. Fresh squeezed lemonade sat in a pitcher in the middle of the table.
As they finished eating two owls flew down and landed on the window seal. Each owl held a letter in its mouth, sitting and waiting patiently for entrance. Fleamont stood and opened the window, allowing the owls to enter and land on the shelf behind the table. Fleamont took the letters with a smile and studied them before turning to the boys.
“ Letters for you.” He smirked, handing the letters to James and Peter.
They both opened their letters with smiles on their face. Their faces lit up as they read their letters. They shared a look between themselves and set the letters down.
“Looks like someone got their invitation to Hogwarts” Fleamont spoke after taking a drink of his lemonade.
“Yes. Which means we must go shop for the required school supplies.” Euphemia said with a smile.
After they cleaned up their lunch plates, the group got ready to go to Diagon Alley to buy the necessary supplies for the boys’ first year.
The streets of Diagon Alley were packed with witches and wizards of all ages. Some witches were buying new robes and household items. Wizards were buying parchment and quills. Kids walked around carrying caged animals and bags full of school supplies. Young witches and wizards crowded around a shop window looking at the new model of broom, looking at it with envy for anyone who had the newest racing broom.
Peter walked next to James, looking around excitedly. They both had their school supplies list in their hands, money jingling in their pockets. Their first stop was Ollivander’s, the wand shop. They walked in with excited faces as they took in the shop. A long counter stretched the length of the building. Behind it stood shelves full of wands. An older man with greying hair mixed in with the dark popped his head around a shelf.
“ Ah yes. Mr Pettigrew and Mr Potter. I was expecting you in here soon.” Ollivander spoke in a calm, smooth voice.
He walked to the edge of the counter with an amused smile.
“ Here for your first wands, I imagine. Let us start with Mr. Potter, shall we? I think I have just the wand for you.” Ollivander said as he popped around a shelf.
The boys tried to peek around the shelf as they heard boxes being shifted and stacked. He soon came back out carrying a long brown wand box. He pulled the wand out and handed it to James.
“Well, give it a wave,” Ollavander spoke.
As soon as James waved the wand, a light exploded above their heads, earning a squeak from Peter. James immediately set the wand back into the box.
“Nope. Definitely not.” Ollivander said as he went back around the shelf.
He came back out a few moments later with another box. He opened it and stuck the box out for James to grab the wand. James reached out and picked up the wand carefully. It was eleven inches long and made of mahogany. Its core was a phoenix tail feather. The wand had spiderweb-like designs along the length. As James picked it up, a white light came from the tip. Ollivander gave a satisfied smile and turned to Peter.
“ As for you Mr. Pettigrew. I think I know the wand for you.” Ollivander uttered as he disappeared between the shelves.
Ollivander soon came around the shelves and held out a wand box to Peter. As soon as he picked up the wand, flower pots and vases flew off the shelves by the door. Peter immediately set the wand back into the box with a scared expression. Ollivander shook his head and disappeared into the shelves once more.
He soon came out with another box and held it out. Peter picked up the wand nervously. As soon as his fingers touched the wood, books flew off the counter.
“ Nope. Absolutely not.” Ollivander muttered, taking the wand back to the shelf.
James stifled a laugh, earning a glare from Peter.
He soon reappeared with another and held it out. A beautiful yew wood wand sat in the velvet-lined box. It was 10 inches long, flexible, and had a dragon heartstring core. When Peter picked it up a white light swirled out from the tip, dancing around him like fireflies. Peter smiled happily and looked up at Ollivander for approval. Ollivander gave a small nod and smile, showing approval on the choice of the wand.
After a few more stops into shops for the remainder of the shopping list, a stop into Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlor was a necessary stop. James ordered a strawberry chocolate banana ice cream bowl, while Peter ordered hazelnut ice cream with a nut topping. They sat at the outside tables enjoying their ice cream and watched the crowd move around the cobblestone streets. They were fully prepared for their first day at Hogwarts, and it was sure to be the best.
“Don’t be cruel”- Elvis Presley 1956