"Mum! We're going to be late!" shouted Lily.

"No, we will not be late, dear. Just go sit in the car, I'll be there in just a moment," replied Ginny, stifling a cough.

Ginny had been suffering from a cold for the past week, and her children were only increasing the pain of her headache. She massaged her temples as she scanned their rooms to be sure her children hadn't forgotten anything. The racket from downstairs was more than a little distracting.

"Mum! Where's my broom?" shouted Albus.

"She put it in the trunk already!" said Lily.

"I just looked, it's not there!" said Albus, rather frustrated.

"Ha, looking for something?"

Along came James, loftily walking by with Albus' broom over his shoulder.

"MUM! JAMES HAS MY BROOM!"

"Ha, ha! Don't even bother, you can't reach it!"

James was holding Albus' broom high above his head as Lily jumped up and down with anxiety.

"We are going to be late!" she exclaimed.

It was September 1st, one of the most stressful days of the year.

"SHUT IT! ALL OF YOU!"

It was Harry's voice. For the first time that morning, there was silence. Ginny breathed a sigh of relief as she took one last glance around Albus' bedroom, and began to walk downstairs. As she walked, she could hear her husband.

"Lily, we are not going to be late. Calm down. Albus, there's no need to shout. James, give Albus his broom right now. If you take it one more time, I will snap your broom in half."

Ginny chuckled as she grabbed her purse. Harry would never snap that broom in half; it cost them a fortune. As she arrived at the front door, Harry was waiting for her.

"They're getting in the car now. How are you feeling?" said Harry.

"Just grand," said Ginny sarcastically, searching her purse for her keys.

"Accio keys," said Harry, and the keys flew out of Ginny's purse and in to his hands.

"I'll drive," said Harry, and he kissed Ginny on the cheek and began walking toward the car.

"Ugh, how is the summer holiday over already?" complained James from the back seat of the car.

"James! Aren't you excited? I'm so excited!" exclaimed Lily, who was squished in between James and Albus.

"Yeah, well you don't have to take your O.W.L.s this year," grumbled Albus.

"Oh, Albus, you'll do fine. Besides, that's a long way off," said Ginny.

"Mum, are we going to be late?" asked Lily.

Ginny struggled to keep her voice level as she said, "No, Lily. Be patient."

Once they were on Platform Nine and Three Quarters, the five Potters made their way to the Weasley family.

"Harry! How are you?"

Ron Weasley, Harry's best friend, was leading his wife and two chidlren toward the Potters.

"Ginny, you look awful," said Ron.

"Oh, I'll show you what awful really looks like," said Ginny, her voice coming out scratchy and congested.

Harry put a comforting arm around his wife, partially to make sure she hadn't taken her wand out. Hermione began examining Ginny's symptoms and suggesting spells and potions. Harry was no longer listening to the conversation. A series of signs posted along the wall had caught his attention. He jumped when he heard the warning whistle.

"...But make sure you don't mix it with another potion before it's been four hours. You'd be covered in hives," finished Hermione.

Parents all over were suddenly rushing around and saying their goodbyes. Harry looked at his children. Lily's cheeks were rosy with excitement, her long, red hair matched her mother's. Albus, who was entering his fifth year at Hogwarts, could've been Harry's fifth-year clone. His green eyes and messy black hair were exactly like Harry's. And then there was James, grumpy as ever about returning to school. He had his mother's brown eyes, but is father's hair.

"Have fun, sweetheart. Make sure you write to us. I want to hear all about your first visit to Hogsmeade!" Ginny said to Lily, kissing her on the forehead.

"And do be careful when you go to Hagrid's. If you want to pet something, stick with Buckbeak," said Harry.

"Oh, it was one little burn, big deal!" said Lily with a big smile.

Harry gave Lily a hug and said, "Don't forget, one of you needs to send us your Quidditch schedule. Your mum and I would like to make it to at least one match."

Harry and Ginny finished saying their goodbyes and sent their children on to the train along with Rose and Hugo, Ron and Hermione's children. All except James, who Harry had pulled aside.

"James, you're sixteen. I don't want you to worry but I think you're old enough to know what's going on," said Harry, talking quickly and quietly to his son.

"See those signs over there? There's been a breakout in Azkaban. Now, it could mean nothing, but there hasn't been a breakout since the war. I need you to be extremely careful. Hogwarts is safe, and I trust that school more than anywhere else with your safety. But if anything, anything at all seems strange you need to let me know straight away. Understand?"

James nodded, eyes wide.

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. I just need you to be alert. I'll let you know as I get more information. Take care of your brother and sister."

The two of them said one last goodbye, and James hopped onto the train, his mind reeling. Harry turned his head to look back at the signs. Ron was looking at them as well. He turned to face Harry, and the two of them looked at one another for a moment, the same fear spread across their faces.

It wasn't long before Hermione and Ginny directed their attention to the signs as well. Both of their faces were coated with fear as they saw the ten, sneering Death Eaters' faces looking back at them.