Chapter 1; The Potter House
Year 2024
Five people lived within the ordinary-looking house at the end of the street. Five people inhabited the blue house with white frames at number four. They seemed just like any other normal family; three kids, all whom went to a boarding school far from the small village, and two adults, still happily married. They went grocery shopping twice a week, they owned a car, and were very close to their neighbours in number five. Strangers would believe that they knew each other from being neighbours for 24 years, but friends of the families knew that the relationship between the two families were much deeper than so.
Firstly, the parents had been classmates.
Secondly, they had suffered but won a war together.
Thirdly, they were all wizards.
The inhabitants of number four were as different from a normal family as anyone could be. Harry Potter, the father in the family, had once been a famous wizard and had defeated the great Lord Voldemort in the Great War.
The children didn't attend any typical kind of boarding school, they attended a magical school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The eldest, James, had recently graduated and was offered a job from his uncle, George. Albus, who was a year younger than James, was starting his last year at Hogwarts together with his cousin, Rose Weasley, who lived next door. The youngest, Lily, was starting her fifth year along with Hugo Weasley, her bestfriend and Rose's sister.
It was dark out when the five potters were spread around the livingroom: Lily was reading her copy of 'Beauty and the Beast'; James and Albus were playing a game of Wizard Chess; Ginny was watching the boys play and Harry was reading the current 'Daily Prophet', a newspaper for wizards.
'Dad?' Said the young Lily; looking pretty much like the 15 year old Ginny Weasley. They both had the flaming-red hair, and the same brown eyes.
'Yes?' the eldest Potter said whilst looking up from behind the paper, through his circled spectacles. His black hair had gotten streaked with random grey hairs, making him look older than he actually was. On his forehead was a lightening scar, a remainder of his past. A past he was equally proud and scared of.
'Could I read the 'Daily Prophet' after?' Lily asked as she enjoyed reading articles written by her mom, or plainly articles on the wizarding world.
'Of course,' He answered, still having his eyes on the words on the page. 'I'm almost finished,'
'YES! I WON!' Albus said loudly, proud to have won over his older brother.
'Shh.. Some of us are trying to read.' Lily said.
'Again?' He whispered to James, not trying to hide his smile from the previous match.
'Sorry brother, I need to get to bed. I have an early meeting with George tomorrow morning.' James yawned. George Weasley had been nice enough to offer James a job in the joke shop, Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. It had been established a few years before the war by George and Fred. Fred had been George's inseparable twin, but had died in the war. The first years after the war had been hard for George, but he had still kept the business going with the help of Ron. Now he'd asked James to help with the branch as they were going to expand it globally.
James stood up and kissed his mother's forehead. As he walked by his sister, he ruffled her hair.
'Goodnight, honey,' Said Ginny, giving him a warm smile.
'Try not to wake the house tomorrow,' Harry said, smiling to James who chuckled as he left.
'Here,' Harry said, giving the paper over to Lily. 'There's an interesting article on Hippogriffs.'
'Thanks, Dad.'
'Ginny?' He said, looking at his wife. She looked up at him curiously. 'Can I talk to you in the kitchen?'
'Yes, of course.'
They both walked into the kitchen, shutting the door behind them.
'Harry, what's wrong?' He walked over to one of the drawers under the sink, and took out a white envelope. He turned around and gave it to Ginny. She recognized it at once; it was a letter from Hogwarts. She opened it quickly, both worried and excited at once.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,
Headmaster: Salzant Wholley
Dear Mr. Potter,
I, Salzant Wholley, personally believe that the adventure you have lived is worth retelling to young Witches and Wizards. I am therefore hopeful to ask; would you consider telling the story to our students this coming year?
It is understandable if you are too busy, but it would have been an honor and a privilege for both me, and the students.
I will await an owl fromyou, it would be great if you could answer as early as possible.
Yours sincerely,
Salzant Wholley.
Ginny finished reading and looked up at Harry, smiling.
'You should do it.' She said, giving the paper back to its owner.
'Are you sure? I don't want to embarrass Lily or Albus.'
'You won't. They are as proud of you as I am.' She took her arms around his neck and kissed him. Although they were older, they still felt like teenagers when they were in each other's arms.
'Mom, do you kno-oh, god.' James said as he walked into the kitchen, straight into his parent's embrace. They both split, laughing.
'Sorry James, what were you asking me about?' Ginny said, letting go of Harry altogether.
'Do you know where my notebook is? The one I showed you?' He put his hands in his pockets while he spoke.
'Yeah, it's in the big drawer in the hallway.'
'Thanks. By the way, be glad it was me who walked in on you.' James smiled as he spoke.
'Hey James,' Harry said, 'I'm glad you're helping George with the shop. I know he chose you because you remind him of Fred.' James smiled thoughtfully, and left. They could both notice how nervous he was, he was usually loud; but today he was quiet and as they concluded; nervous.
'I'll do it. I'll visit Hogwarts,' Harry said, brushing hair away from Ginny's face.
'It should be good for you and the students. They need to know what really exists out there, and you'll be able to visit Hagrid and Neville.'
'You're right, as always,' Harry said, he kissed her forehead and began walking towards the living room.
'Harry,' Ginny said. He turned around, looking her in the eyes. 'I love you.'
'I love you too.' He smiled, and left the kitchen.
