Chapter 1 - James Potter
First Year - September
James Potter, eleven years old and about to start secondary school at Hogwarts College, located in the middle of Scotland somewhere. It wasn’t that simple though. Holding hands on the leather seats opposite him were the King and Queen of England, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter. His parents.
“Excited for school then darling?”
His mother called out softly, forcing him to lift his gaze from where her small hand was being embraced by long fingers belonging to his father. The contrast of dark and pale skin was beautiful in the early hours of the morning as the sun crept up and over the edge of the disappearing night, illuminating their bound hands through the tinted glass. No matter what hardships his parents faced as leaders of the commonwealth, they always managed to keep their fire of love burning. It was something James had always admired and longed for.
“Of course mum. Do you think I’ll be put in Gryffindor house like you dad?”
His father’s eyes twinkled with joy and reminiscence as a smile slipped onto his face.
“That would be something wouldn’t it son. But you’re just going to have to wait until we get there.”
James slumped back against the seat into his previous position before he had jumped forward in anticipation. Gryffindor house was where his father had boarded during his days at Hogwarts, before studying at Oxford where Fleamont met Euphemia. There were other houses like Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin, but he hadn’t heard much about them.
Gryffindor’s house colours were red and gold; Hufflepuff’s were yellow and black; Ravenclaw’s were blue and bronze; Slytherin’s were green and silver.
The king’s study was filled with many little oddments he had ‘borrowed’ from Gryffindor house. Including a couch cushion, tea cup, a school pen (or twelve), a small lion figurine and the candle that used to sit atop the common room’s fireplace. James was eager to pick up where his father left off and continue to collect objects from around his own boarding house.
_ _ _
The car started to slow as his parents' voices became louder in his head. Had he really fallen asleep? Granted the trip was about 3 hours, with car rides and an hour flight, they had left the palace at five in the morning and sitting down the whole time had made him drowsy.
“James darling, we’re here.”
His mothers excited but calm voice broke James out of the sleep induced trance. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, under the lenses of his glasses, he let out a loud yawn that caused a choked snort from his father. Feeling much more awake and energised James peered through the windows of the car to a large building that would be better described as a castle. The excitement reappeared and James quickly knocked on the privacy screen to alert the driver he wished to get out.
Being a member of the royal family meant having to wait until doors were opened for you. Something James was still learning with his lack of patience. He knew here though that wouldn’t be necessary, as his father had told him so.
His parents exchanged looks of equal amusement and sadness as the door to the vehicle opened. But James paid them no mind as he was struck with the realisation his next seven years would be spent here if he so chooses. Just as he was about to turn to his parents a tall woman with strict eyes and a tightly secured bun emerged from the front doors and performed a small curtsy.
“Welcome your Majesties and your highness. I am honoured to welcome you to Hogwarts College as the headmistress Minerva McGonagall.”
Her voice held a strong Scottish accent that made Jame’s ears warm.
“Come now Minerva, you taught me for seven years, surely that allows you to call me by my name.”
McGonagall let out a small sigh like something of nostalgia and met the king’s gaze.
“As you wish Fleamont. James, I will show you into the Great Hall where all other first years are located at the moment. Then I will sort you into your house and a prefect will collect everyone from said house and show you to your dorms.”
James grew more and more anxious as he was left standing outside while everyone else was inside. He wanted to know what house he would be placed in, who his dorm mates were and what they were like.
“Fleamont, Euphemia you may attend James to the Great Hall but unfortunately that is where you must say goodbye. James, I will have someone collect your belongings and take them to your dorm so that you can settle in before classes start tomorrow.”
Smiling at the headmistress he nodded to her enthusiastically with understanding and turned to give his parents a crushing hug. As he let go of them he realised he was bouncing on the spot quite literally with pent up energy.
“Can we go, can we go, can we go.”
James urged them. McGonagall shook her head with a smile already filled with the knowledge the prince would not be an easy student, rather like his father. His parents laughed and captured his hands between their own as they followed the headmistress into the college.
_ _ _
The Great Hall was great alright, the roof was as tall as the palace’s. James instantly grew homesick but the similarities between the castle and palace were enough to ease his panic for now. He was still holding his parents hands but he didn’t mind if that made him weird because this was the last time he would see them until the end of October.
“James!”
A familiar voice shouted from within the hall. He looked around and focused in on a small boy with short blonde hair and baby fat he could never seem to get rid of, frantically waving his arms in the air while running towards him. It was his cousin, Peter.
“Pete!”
James let go of his parents hands to reach his cousin in the middle, the both of them collided in a delighted hug. It was exciting to start school with someone they already knew especially since they were so close as well. They let go of each other and shared the same smile as their parents wandered towards the pair.
“I’m so happy you’re here James, Michael has been talking my ear off and making me nervous as hell to start here.”
Michael was Peter’s older brother by five years. He completed his GCSEs last year and was starting University at Oxford next term in October. It was a tradition for the Potter family to attend Oxford, not forced, it started coincidently and most of the family just wanted to go. Since Penelope Potter (Fleamont’s sister) married into the Pettigrew family, the Pettigrew’s have also taken on this tradition.
“No need to be nervous Pete, I’m here and there’s no doubt we’ll meet other people too. What about our dorm mates? And people from our house? We’ll make loads of new friends.”
James’ eyes roamed around the hall, through the large crowds of other first years, their parents and siblings. He wondered who would be in the same house as him. What house Peter would get put in. Who he would be sharing a dorm with.
“You mean you’ll make loads of new friends. No one wants to be friends with the fat kid.”
The sollom tone made James snap his head back to his cousin, Peter’s eyes were downcast and his head was hanging against his chest. All the previous excitement wiped from his red face.
“Take it back! Don’t say that ever again. You’re not fat and it shouldn’t matter what you look like. People should like people for who they are.”
James could feel the anger rising in his core but he let the grateful and slightly bemused look Peter shot him calm his thoughts.
“Thanks James, but I think you’re the only one who thinks that.”
_ _ _
Euphemia and Daniel were laughing at their partners while also trying to break up the small sibling quarrel. It had started with Fleamont tugging Penelope's loose curl that had been framing her face, in a form of greeting. That had earned him a small smack to the shoulder and before James knew it his father and aunt were mocking each other's choice of clothing for today. He locked eyes with Peter and they simultaneously rolled their eyes in distaste for their parents' embarrassment. Considering his father was also the King of England this brought some unwanted attention from onlookers but they didn’t share their thoughts.
“Excuse me everyone could I please grab your attention.”
The siblings immediately broke apart and looked guiltily toward Headmistress McGonagall like they were teenagers again. The rest of the hall also became quiet and waited patiently for the headmistress’ address.
“Welcome all new pupils to Hogwarts College. It is an exciting time in your lives to begin your secondary education and I am glad you have chosen Hogwarts to provide it to you. My name is Minerva McGonagall as many of you may know and I am the headmistress of Hogwarts College.”
There was a simple applause from the adults present, as the younger students either looked up in awe or misery.
“To start this new journey you will be sorted into houses where you will live during your stay here. We have four house groups at Hogwarts. Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. I would now ask that all first years make their way to the front of the hall and family members could you please remain at the back of the hall.”
James watched as most children hugged their family members goodbye, while others made a beeline to the front of the hall. His father clamped a hand on his shoulder and bent down to murmur into his ear.
“Ok son it’s time.”
His mother wrapped her arms around him and squeezed all the air out of his lungs, but he melted into it all the same.
“You’re so brave darling. We’ll see you in October though, ok?”
“Ok. Bye mum. Bye dad.”
With a kiss to his mum’s cheek and a ruffle of his hair from his dad, James met Peter and they walked forward to join the rest of their peers.
“When I call out your name and house please see your respected prefect. Arthur Weasley, Gryffindor house.”
Arthur was taller than James but smaller than most of the other prefects. He had flaming red hair and a blotch of freckles painted across his reddening face.
“Caradoc Dearborn, Hufflepuff house.”
Caradoc was even shorter than Arthur but he had nice eyes that made you feel welcomed.
“Melanie Clearwater, Ravenclaw house.”
Melaine was the tallest prefect, she had long black hair that flowed off one shoulder all the way down to her hip.
“And finally Erika Reign, Slytherin house.”
Erika seemed like a person James did not want to mess with. The way she carried herself oozed confidence and superiority.
McGonagall was reading the names out in alphabetical order which meant it would be a long wait until Peter and himself would be called. So far many of the names had been new to James, the daughter of the Prime Minister was the only person James knew personally. Some last names were easy to remember from past dinners and balls but that was mostly their parents.
“Sirius Black. Gryffindor.”
Now there was a familiar name. James and Sirius had been introduced when they were eight at a press event. However their parents didn’t get along and last year had been the end of that short lived friendship.
As Sirius made his way to Arthur Weasley the expression on his face looked a bit put out. His once long black hair was cut just below his ear and slicked back with some sort of gel product. Definitely not the long loose waves James was used to.
_ _ _
After standing in the same spot for way too long the P section had finally arrived. Peter was called first and James had to nudge him towards Arthur Wealey after he was declared a Gryffindor and completely missed it by falling asleep standing. It was a gift, he could fall asleep anywhere at any time.
“James Potter. Gryffindor.”
James started walking towards the growing group huddled around Arthur Weasley a little too fast and accidentally bumped into someone, dropping his glasses to the floor.
“Sorry about that mate.”
James apologised bending down to retrieve the fallen spectacles.
“James bloody Potter.”
His head quickly looked up, still crouched on the floor and pushed his glasses back over his nose. Standing over him was the Black heir and long lost companion Sirius. With a smile so wide you could see both rows of teeth and blue-grey eyes highlighted with joy. Sirius extended his arm out and pulled James to his feet before pulling him into a long hug.
“I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
James laughed but squeezed his arms tighter around Sirius’ back.
“Nah mate, I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”
Both boys ripped apart and shook with boisterous laughter that echoed through the hall. Everyone was staring and yet they couldn’t quite seem to care. After a few minutes they calmed down and James spotted Peter standing off to the side. He tugged him over by Peter’s elbow and introduced the two boys.
He could tell Peter was not happy with him trying to force a friend on him but James knew Peter would never walk up to someone and start the conversation. Sirius was nice about it though, he paid attention to the way Peter was nervously wringing his hands and the shake of his voice and talked to him in a gentle voice. It caught James off guard because Sirius had always been loud and reckless with him, always taking risks. But here he was now quietly consoling Peter to make him comfortable and welcomed. A warm feeling shot through his chest like when he plays rugby with his dad in the gardens.
These were his friends for life. He was sure of it.