James woke with a start, panting slightly. The dream wasn't particularly scary, there were no dark wizards chasing him through unknown locations. No, nothing like that. His Hogwarts letter just didn't arrive. In the dream, James had waited and waited for the thick parchment envelope with the green penmanship, but it never came. The 1st of September arrived and James found himself watching and waving as the scarlet Hogwarts steam engine bore his cousins away to the magical school.

He stretched, slipping the dream to the back of his mind. He'd shown his first sign of magic long ago so the letter just had to come.

James padded out of his room, stopping only to slip on a pair of thick socks and use the bathroom across the hall. He entered the kitchen to see his pyjama clad father already sat at the table, cradling a steaming cup of tea.

"Mornin'" He yawned, rising from the table to prepare toast. A few minutes later , Harry set a plate of jam covered toast in front of his son and took a seat with his own plate. James grabbed a corner of a piece and brought it to eye level, examining it for scorch marks.

"It's not burnt!" James exclaimed, grinning at Harry.

"No it's not!" He replied, biting into his own toast.

"Where's mum?" James asked, his mouth full of toast.

"In bed."

"Why?"

"Because that's where she sleeps." Harry knew what James meant but it was fun to tease him.

"You know what I mean, mums usually up before ten." James said, sticking his tongue out at Harry as he did so.

"Harpies game she was covering last night didn't finish till late," He replied, "Anyway, what are you doing up before midday? It's the holidays!"

James only shrugged, not wanting to mention the dream that seemed stupid now in the light of the July sun, shining through the windows.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Kids! Dinners ready!" Ginny called, placing a plate of ham, tuna and cheese sandwiches in the centre of the kitchen table, along with a bowl of crisps and a jug of juice.

Three balls of energy hurtled into the room, James so fast that he sat on his chair and nearly toppled off the other side.

"How many times has your mum told you to slow down?" Harry asked, taking his seat at the table.

James shrugged, reaching for his favourite tuna sandwiches and a handful of crisps.

"I'm ten soon!" Al chimed. He'd been mentioning it every five minutes for the last two months, making sure nobody forgot.

"I know Albie, I was there when you were born!" Ginny said, sharing a look with Harry, who raised his eyebrows and grimaced, he still had the scars. "Oh by the way James, a letter arrived for you." She watched James' jaw drop comically, revealing his half chewed sandwich. Lily muttered in disgust and closed his mouth with her small hand. Ginny smiled and slid the thick parchment envelope towards her son. James took it lovingly and read the front, dinner forgotten and all eyes him.

Mr J Potter,
Second Largest Bedroom,
Rowan Tree Cottage,
Beach Road,
St Ives,
Cornwall

He turned the letter and slid his shaking fingers under the wax ceil.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

As soon as James stepped from the fire place in Weasleys Wizard Weasleys, he ran. Ran for the exit of the shop, pushing people out of the way in his hast to get there and ignoring his mothers calls.

The rest of the Potter family caught up with him, and after a brief telling off for running ahead, they headed to their first destination, Ollivander's.

The shop hadn't changed much, the only thing that had changed was the man behind the counter. Mr Ollivander had retired ten years previously, leaving the shop to his eldest grandson, Robert Ollivander. He had inherited the excellent knowledge of wand law from him as well as his piercing grey eyes. He was currently in conversation with a small brown haired girl, her mother and her tiny brother. As the family left James ran in.

"Mr Potter, how nice to see you. Here for your wand?" Ollivander smiled cheerfully and opened his arms as if to embrace the whole family. James nodded excitedly.

Ginny took the chair in the spindly chair in the corner and pulled Lily on to her lap, watching her son and Ollivander intently.

After measuring James' wand arm, his left, Ollivander set about scanning the shelves of the shop.

He plucked three slender, rectangular boxes from one of the many shelves and placed them on the counter in front of James. Harry stood behind his son, his large hand on his bony shoulder. James looked up uncertainly and Harry smiled reassuringly.

James opened the first box and took the wand from the velvet lining.

"Oak and unicorn tail hair, ten inches, perfect for Charms." Spoke Ollivander.

James waved the wand, smashing a vase full of flowers on the counter. He dropped the wand back in the box and stepped away from it. Ollivander only smiled, pushing the next box towards the yound boy.

"Holy and dragon heart string, ten inches, perfect for Defensive magic."

On waving the wand, James felt warmth spread through his finger tips and up his arm. Ollivander's hair turned a spectacular shade of yellow.

"I think that's the one for you Mr Potter." Said Ollivander, placing James' wand back in its box and wrapping it in brown paper. He waved his own wand, turning his hair back to his usual brown.

James took the box from Ollivander, as his father handed over twelve gold galleons and left along with his family. Harry waved goodbye as the door swung shut.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

There was only one more thing on the list, a pet. For his birthday in May, Hagrid had given him the money to buy an animal of his choice and James wanted an owl.

Eelops Owl Emporium was too small to take the whole family, so Harry, Al and Lily waited outside as Ginny took James into the dark shop.

He wasn't one for cuteness but on seeing the tiny, brown owl with the big yellow eyes, he just had to have it. James carried the owl to the witch behind the counter and handed over his birthday money. He also purchased some owl treats and other necessities.

"Female Elf owl." The shop owner whispered, as not to disturb the other owls in the shop. She handed James his products, along with a booklet on naming owls.

On reaching the bright street of Diagon Alley, the Potters headed for Weasleys Wizard Wheezes and then for home. For once James didn't run, he calmly carried his owl, contemplating all that had happened.

X

X

A/N: Written by RandomMoo92, edited by Kaletra7. Hope you enjoyed!