For some reason, the email update says that Amy and Amycus are characters in this fic! I don't know why it says that, I'll get it fixed a.s.a.p.

Chapter One – The Elephant in the Compartment

"Bloody hell, if I hear one more person shout, 'Look! Potter's kids! Weasley's kids!' I'll whiz their head off with a bludger!"

"I quite like the attention," said Hugo. "It's nice, don't you think?"

"You say that now, kid," Fred sighed, falling back into the seat. "We'll see if you've changed your mind in a week."

The compartment door slid open.

"Make way, make way! Ickle firsties and thirdsies coming through!" James called as he shoved in with Al and Lily.

"Potters!" Fred cried cheerfully. "Where've ya been?"

James puffed out his chest and ruffled his siblings' hair. "Oh, the usual. Had to show these two how to expertly evade the paparazzi."

"Shove off, there was no paparazzi," Al said playfully. Though only one year older, James was quite taller than Al, who had to duck and squirm to free himself from his brother's grip.

"So, Lily," Fred began in a business-like tone. "Has James told you about the giant horned crocodile at Hogwarts?" He leaned in and whispered importantly, "I heard they feed him first years!"

"Ha-ha. Daddy already told me not to believe any of your jokes," she smirked.

The compartment door opened once more as Dominique squeezed in. "Torturing the kids already, I see, Fred?"

"Oh no, you can't come in! We've already got six people!" he protested.

"Too bad, make room." She slid in next to Rose and Al. "Everywhere else's full."

"What, you don't want to go find Stephen? But I've heard he's so dreamy!"

"Shut it, bat brains!"

"She says that now, folks, but Louis told me they were sending owls all summer!"

As Dominique lunged across the compartment to strangle Fred, James settled into his seat and gazed out the window. Green and yellow hills were rolling into the bright and open sky. It felt good to be back. It felt like home. James knew that Hogwarts was where he really belonged; it scared him to think what he would do when he left, but he had time to worry about that later. What was bothering him now was something totally different, something he just couldn't shake, but …

"Hellooo? Earth to Potter!?"

James looked over to find everyone staring at him.

"Are you even listening to this? Rose says the Cannons have a chance this year – I say rubbish! Don't you think?"

James faltered for a second before exclaiming, "Merlin's beard! Chudley? Your dad's finally getting to you!"

Dominique sighed. "You're such a doof. No one says 'Merlin's beard' anymore! That's something our parents said when they were kids!"

James grinned cheekily. "I'm bringing it back!"

Just like that, everyone started joking around again. Just keep laughing, James thought. Maybe then I'll forget about it. But as he glanced up, he saw Lily looking at him uneasily. He pretended not to notice. He would deal with it later.

Thanks for much for reading the first chapter! There will be plenty more to come. Please leave a review, whether good or bad! I really appreciate any feedback.

I thought I would give you a list of who is in which year for reference, so you don't get confused.

Teddy Lupin – graduated

Victoire Weasley – 7th year

Dominique and Fred Weasley – 6th year

Roxanne Weasley – 5th year

Lucy Weasley and James Potter – 4th year

Rose and Molly Weasley, Albus Potter, and Scorpius Malfoy – 3rd year

Louis Weasley – 2nd Year

Lily Potter and Hugo Weasley – 1st year

Also, a quick note. I know that the years might be a little off (i.e. Victoire is probably a year or so older), but I had to adjust it a little to smooth out the plot. My apologies, just use your imagination!