Prologue
James Potter was eleven years old the first time he fell in love. He had sat himself down in the hallway outside the great hall as he waited for his name to be called and he had watched as other first years were called. They all quickly scurried towards the stool and sat as a battered old hat was placed over their heads. It often sunk down over their eyes and James imagined it smelled rather unpleasant. Of course, he knew it was the sorting hat, one of the most renowned magical items in existence but it was quite underwhelming. He had lost interest in the sorting after the first few kids and instead chose to keep his attention on the others around him. People watching, his mother had called it. He observed the other first years in the hall, some bonding over quidditch, others over blood status, some just sat by themselves, shy and silent.
He saw a boy with dark wavy hair that reached his chin. He sat alone, his grey eyes darting around the hall and kept catching on an older pair of girls, one with messy curls and a cruel look about and a blonde with a much meeker demeanor. There was a resemblance between the girls and the dark-haired boy. James recognised him from the train ride as Sirius Black. He knew of his family; they were always coming up in conversation over the dinner table. Apparently, there was some suspicion of their involvement with dark magic, but they were of a high enough status that the ministry couldn’t touch them.
He saw another boy who had curled himself into a corner, seemingly trying to make himself as small as possible to avoid notice. His sandy brown curls fell into his eyes and partially obscured the brutal scarring that cut across his freckled face. His nose was slightly crooked, and his robes were a bit on the small side, knobbly ankles sticking out. A cat that had been wandering around the hallway through the collection of nervous children noticed him and gave a violent jerk, hissing and arching its back before dashing away, hackles raised. This caused the boy to sink further into his corner and James felt sorry for him.
The next person his eyes caught on was a girl whose skin was almost as dark as her long braided hair. She had a tough look about her that reminded him somewhat of Marlene. She too was observing her surroundings but unlike James, she had a detached, analytical look about her. She was the most put-together eleven-year-old James had seen and though she had not yet been sorted she wore heavy emeralds at her ears and James had no doubt she would be in Slytherin.
Peter and Marlene were sitting nearby, and James would be sure to head over to them soon but right now he was content to just observe. Watching the other’s nervous habits was helping to settle his mind which often got away from him. He was excited to finally be going to Hogwarts, it was something he had been looking forward to since he first learned of its existence. A place he could learn magic surrounded by other people his age. It sounded like heaven. Sure, he had friends, but more was always good, right?
He, Peter and Marlene had planned their first year down to the T. Of course, that was when they were seven so plans were bound to change. He found that his fingers had been picking a small stone loose from the foundation of the wall. The smooth grey rock now rested in the palm of his hand, and he had the overwhelming sense of importance that he keep it.
“Black, Sirius.” The stern looking Professor in deep green robes who had introduced herself as McGonagall called. The boy in question stood, his eyes locked on the three-legged stool before the stage. James heard murmurs of “Slytherin for sure” and “Why even bother with the hat?”
Sirius walked forwards and sat on the stool, his chest rose and fell rapidly as the hat was placed on his head, the brim sliding down to cover half his face. The hat hummed in thought, falling silent and James could swear he saw the boy’s lips move, as if in prayer. The hat remained silent for another whole minute before shouting,
“GRYFFINDOR!!”
The hall filled with whispers which were quickly drowned out by Gryffindor’s cheers. The boy’s face broke out in the widest smile James had ever seen and it caused James to smile too. Older students clapped him on the back, making space for him on the packed benches.
McGonagall called another name and James lost interest again, subconsciously turning the stone in his palm over and over. He knew he would be in Gryffindor, but he was dreadfully curious about the others in the still-crowded hallway. He found himself heading over to the boy in the corner. The one who was scarred and hadn’t yet grown into his limbs. James plopped himself down next to him and the boy startled quite violently, bumping his head on the suit of armour above him. James winced.
“Sorry.”
“What? Oh, it’s alright.” The boy replied, rubbing his head.
“I’m James Potter, and you?”
“Remus. Lupin.” He spoke in a halting manner; nerves clear in the way he avoided eye contact.
“Hi Remus. So, what house do you think you’ll be in?”
“I don’t really know enough about them to know which one suits me.”
“Oh, are you a muggleborn?”
“No, my dad just doesn’t talk about Hogwarts much. It took a while to persuade him to let me go but my ma thought it would be good for me to spend time around other kids.”
“That makes sense. Ok, so there’s Hufflepuff which is for people who are kind and loyal, that’s the yellow one with the stripy animal.”
“You mean the badger?”
“That’s what I said.” Remus looked at him in clear exasperation. “Anyways, then there’s the blue one, Ravenclaw, they’re really smart. There’s Slytherin, the snakes, they’re ambitious but a lot of people just think they’re evil… history has proven that rather accurate. And finally, there’s my house, Gryffindor, the lions. Gryffindor’s are brave and courageous and the best house.” James puffed his chest with pride as Remus’ lips twitched.
“I think Ravenclaw seems the best suited to me. They seem calm and I really like books.”
“Ooooh!!! Have you seen the library yet? No wait, of course you haven’t. We have been here the same amount of time. Would you like a rock?” Remus choked out a laugh. “Sorry, my mind gets away from me sometimes.” He reached out his hand to offer Remus the rock. The boy reached out a hand just as scarred as his face to take the stone. James grinned.
“Oi, James! We’ve been looking everywhere for you mate.” Marlene’s voice rings out in the hall, never one to shy away from attention. She was much like James in that aspect. James turned to look over his shoulder, waving at Marlene and Peter who were approaching from further down the hall.
They both collapsed on top of James, a pile of limbs, the familiarity comforting.
“I’m so hungry.” Peter groaned before realising there was another person in their midst. “Oh. Hello.” He smiled brightly and the heads of all three childhood friends turned towards Remus who shrunk beneath the attention.
“Marlene, Peter, this is Remus.”
“Sup,” Marlene nodded at the freckled boy with a light grin, her blonde hair hung to her midback, and she kept flicking at it like it was in her way. “I hope you realise that now you’ve accepted James’ friendship rock,” she indicated the stone he held, “You’re stuck with him forever.”
Remus tightened his grip on the rock, “Friendship rock?”
“James has a habit of giving rocks to people he likes. He is literally the most loyal creature I know so if you get a rock from him, he will stick to you permanently. But I trust James' taste in people and the company he keeps so we're part of the package. Congratulations.” Peter laughed and James ducked his head in a play of embarrassment.
“Let me guess, you’re going after the kid from the Black family next?” Marlene nudged James’ shoulder.
“You mean Sirius?” James’ reply was instant, and they all burst into laughter, even Remus chuckled lightly.
Once they settled, the four of them sat trading jokes and waiting to be called up. James was standing, in the middle of dramatically reciting the lines of some wizard drinking song that an eleven-year-old probably shouldn’t know, something about a drunk centaur and bezoars when he trailed off. His eyes locked on something behind the others.
They all turned to see a head of red hair making its way through the crowd of new students. McGonagall was working through Es now and the girl was moving to stand near the entrance of the Great Hall, preparing for her name to be called. James couldn’t tear his eyes off her. She was stunning and James was frozen in place. Which is why he didn’t move as she tried to go past him, causing her to bump directly into him.
She was about an inch shorter than him, and her blazing hair was tied back in a bun, a few strands hanging down to cover her nervous face. Freckles smattered her cheeks, and she looked up at him with the greenest eyes James had ever seen. They were the green of the woods out the back of his family home or the grass of his family’s mini quidditch pitch. Looking back, he realises how privileged that metaphor made him sound but at the time all he could think was how beautiful she was. Her stare morphed into a slightly annoyed look as she huffed at him.
“Could you please move? I don’t want to miss my name.” The tone she used reminded James of his mother when she was telling off his father for doing another reckless test on one of his products which had turned his hair green. James felt his lips stretch into a smile as he stepped aside to let her pass.
“Sorry milady,” He ducked to the side with a wink and the redhead just heaved a sigh. She went to step past him, and James couldn’t bear to let her just walk off, what if she was sorted into another house and he never saw her again? He knew realistically that seven years at the same school made that practically impossible, but he wasn’t willing to take that chance. He reached out to touch her shoulder, “What’s your name?”
She ignored him. Marlene laughed as James’ eyes followed her to the open doorway.
“Evans, Lily.” McGonagall called and she went through, making her way to the stool with a confident stride that contradicted her obvious nerves from earlier and disguised any remaining annoyance. Marlene clapped him on the back with a cackle.
“Mate, you’re whipped.” Peter laughed, not one to be left out when it involved taunting James.
James watched as the redhead, Lily, sat on the stool. The hat didn’t slip down her face, in fact, it barely touched her head before hollering,
“GRYFFINDOR!”
James grinned. He knew it. They were destined for each other.
The other three groaned, even Remus who didn’t know him that well could recognise that look. It was the look Lyall Lupin got whenever Remus’ mother said something about muggle technology. A lovestruck fool.
The three friends went back to their discussions, leaving James to stare at Lily Evans and plan their future together. There was a boy named Xenophilius with long ice blonde hair who was sorted into Ravenclaw then Remus was called; he was sorted into Gryffindor as well surprisingly. Marlene followed shortly after, this time unsurprisingly. The girl wearing emeralds proved James correct again as she strode to the Slytherin table. There was a boy whose gaze was cruel, like pure evil had crawled into him and manifested in his eyes. Slytherin. Peter too was in Gryffindor. James was excited, practically bouncing in his seat. The number of people in the hallway was dwindling and James’ stomach was growling. He was so hungry he almost missed his name being called.
“Potter, James.”
He quickly launched to his feet, hurrying to the stool, and dropping down. The sorting hat was lifted towards him, and James’ heart froze in a moment of hesitation. What if he had been wrong? What if he wasn’t Gryffindor? But the hat hovered over his head a mere millisecond, one of the leather straps draping to brush his shoulder and then the hat screamed out louder than it had for any of the others.
“GRYFFINDOOOOOR!!!”
James’ face broke into a smile so wide he thought his cheeks may split apart. He pushed off the stool, knees slightly wobbly from his moment of unsurety and he decided to never let himself feel that way again. He strutted towards the Gryffindor table, chest swelling with pride. It seemed like such a silly thing to be proud of, he hadn’t even done anything really, but it was a family tradition of sorts. He liked the idea he was carrying it on. The other Gryffindors were whooping and clapping, none louder then Peter and Marlene who were standing on their seats. Remus was more restrained, but he gave James a soft smile as he shuffled to make room next to him. James sat, on his other side was Sirius Black – the boy from earlier. Lily – the redhead – was sat across from him and beside her was a girl with an afro and a kind smile who introduced herself as Mary MacDonald. James leaned across the table to shake her hand,
“James Potter,” he turned to stare into stunning green eyes, “and you must be the wonderous Lily.” He shot her a wink and she rolled her eyes, but he could see a slight smile.
“That’s Evans to you Potter.”
James gasped, clasping a hand to his heart dramatically. “You wound me milady.” The group of first years and a few older students chuckled. McGonagall was nearing the end of her list of names. A greasy-haired boy with ink-black eyes and a nose that was far too long for his eleven-year-old face was glaring at James which he found rather insulting as he had done nothing to offend this stranger. A moment before, all James’ attention had been on the fiery redhead destined to be his wife. Lily was laughing at his previous comment when she saw who he was looking at. Her laughter died off, but she was still smiling and gave a wave to the boy seated at the Slytherin table.
“Who’s that?” James queried.
“Oh, that’s Severus. He’s my best friend. We’ve known each other for years because we live close together.” Her smile was peaceful, and James decided that he didn’t mind the guy until he realised that the head of greasy hair had turned away without even acknowledging her which was just rather rude. Lily’s smile fell slightly but her attention was quickly stolen by the other girls at the table.
Alice Fortescue – a fourth year – had dragged them into a conversation about magical theory and the creation of new spells. Lily was deeply engrossed in the subject. Meanwhile, James turned to his left to talk to Sirius who had been sitting there quietly. Remus was preoccupied with the girls’ conversation and Sirius was looking rather bereft.
“I’m James Potter.” He held out a hand to shake.
“I heard.” The boy snorted, “Sirius Black.” He grasped James' hand firmly, giving it a shake before quickly withdrawing it.
“So, what are your thoughts on quidditch?” James asked as the food arrived, and they all started to dig in.
Sirius grinned.