You do not have to read these bold bits if you don't want to; it would just be advisable if you are new to this story or have nothing better to do.
[A/N]: I'm currently in the process of updating, which is for the best (the old version was rubbish). I was inspired, in part, by Persephoneslove, who rightly pointed out that the old story was too complicated in terms of dialogue. It should be updated completely in about two weeks if I work endlessly on it; thank you for reading. Enjoy!
[A/N]: Contrary to my previous message, this story will most likely not be completed in two weeks. I'm currently working on another fanfiction, Heads on a Science Apart, which is Lysander/Lily and yes, I am using this space to mindlessly promote it. Nonetheless, I'll try and keep updating this with the better version which is still being written alongside Heads/Science Apart.
TO NEW READERS: I'd advise you to read ch.11 onwards with caution, because that is, for now, still the old version. That is why there are undoubtedly massive plot-holes in terms of relationships or the Triwizard Tournament or, indeed, the amount of freckles on James's face. I apologise if these author notes put you off from reading this story; it is worth a shot reading, I promise you.
I did consider deleting every chapter after those which I've edited (here, anything after ch.10) but that would get too complicated; I'd forget the chapter names; plus, I quite like my story hit count climbing higher and higher (I'M NOW UP TO FOUR BILLION! Just kidding, it's only three billion). Is it wrong to exploit attention for the sake of motivation to continue writing? Nah.
I'll shut up now, because if I don't the majority of this story will turn out to be made up of author notes.
"The Heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-listed contenders mid-October, and the selection of the three champions will take place on Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are most worthy to compete for the Triwizard Cup, the glory of their school, and a thousand galleons personal prize money," Professor McGonagall informed the students.
"I'm going for it!" James Potter hissed down the Gryffindor table, his face lit with enthusiasm. He was not the only one who seemed to be visualising themselves as Hogwarts champion. Everyone was either gazing raptly at McGonagall, or, like James, whispering fervently to those around them. Rose Weasley was chattering happily with her friends on the Ravenclaw side of the room; over at the Slytherin table, Scorpius Malfoy smirked superiorly. But then Professor McGonagall spoke again, and the Great Hall quieted.
"Eager though I know you all will be to bring the Triwizard Cup to Hogwarts, there is an age restriction. Only those who are seventeen or above will be allowed to put forward their names."
James's grin widened, for he turned seventeen last October; however, not all of the students in the Great Hall were pleased. Many fifth- and sixth-years were complaining loudly and a few of the younger students did not look too happy either.
"I do hope you become champion, James," said Lily Potter, a fourth-year Gryffindor, who was sitting between her two brothers. "Albus, please stop glaring at those seventh-years, you are supposed to be a Prefect."
Albus, the other Potter child who had entered the fifth-year this September, scowled harder under the watchful eye of his younger sister. The headmistress signaled dismissal, and everyone drowsily clambered up to leave.
James took this opportunity to wave at their cousin Rose, signaling for her to come over from the Ravenclaw table. She did so, dragging one of her giggling friends by the arm.
"Hello, cousins." Rose Weasley approached the Gryffindor side of the Hall quickly. "I can't talk long, I have to show the first-years the way to the dormitory."
She smiled, turning to James, and continued. "You are entering the tournament, aren't you?"
James grinned wickedly as students pushed past him to leave the Great Hall.
"Obviously," he replied, speaking slowly as though Rose were stupid. Rose rolled her eyes at him and turned away, grabbing her giggling friend Helena Davies by the hand. Helena was in Ravenclaw, fifth-year, and was rather prone to gossip. James Potter had secretly suspected that his brother fancied her - as the two Ravenclaw girls walked away Albus blushed, confirming James's theory.
"Don't you have first-years to shepherd up to our common room, too?" he asked Albus innocently, as the mass of students in the Hall thinned. Soon there was only the three Potter siblings, a group of Hufflepuffs and a timid line of Gryffindor first-years left in the Great Hall, the latter of which were waiting for Albus's leadership. "If you hurry, Al, you might be able to follow Rose and Helena."
Albus narrowed his eyes from behind his glasses and stalked away, barking instructions to the first-years and leading them out of the Great Hall. Lily giggled and together she and James mounted the Great Hall staircase towards their Common Room.
The next morning dawned unusually bright and early; and James, waking up late as usual, put his whole uniform on backward. He didn't realise what the other Gryffindor students were sniggering about until Lily put a kind arm on his shoulder – admittedly while biting back a smirk of her own – and directed him back up to his dormitory to change.
This meant that he missed the giving out of timetables by McGonagall, so James's best friend Lysander Scamander – who was in all of his classes anyway – had to give it to him later.
The rest of the day, on the other hand, passed busily and relatively quickly, everyone manic over the first day of school, so it was at dinner when those with friends from other years next saw each other.
"How was flying?" Albus, who was reaching for some chips, asked Hugo Weasley and Lily; who were both shoveling food down faster than was humanely possible. The fourth-years had had Flying Practice today, a lesson that Hugo loved and Lily hated with a vengeance.
"Excellent," Hugo answered.
"Horrible," Lily replied, glaring at her cousin.
Albus laughed, and the trio were soon joined by James and Lysander.
"Hi, everyone," said James as he sat down beside a gang of sixth-years. Lysander nodded at them all in greeting, preferring to keep himself to himself when possible. His nose turned red when Lily smiled at him, though, which luckily James failed to pick up on. "I saw Scorpius Malfoy today, we -" he gestured to himself and Lysander "- passed him on our way to Charms. Of course, I told him exactly where to stick that wand of his."
Albus and Hugo both rolled their eyes at James's idiocies - he was well known for still bearing a grudge against the Malfoy family, despite his friends' attempts to make him see reason. As far as the others were concerned, Scorpius was a nice, friendly Slytherin boy whose only fault was that he was born into an upper-class, ex-Death Eater family, which, at any rate, wasn't something he could control in the first place.
"He's not that bad," Lily said fearlessly, silently daring her eldest brother to contradict her. Everybody stared at her and Hugo Weasley's mouth twitched in amusement. "He's not, you know. Just because you are all prejudiced against Scorpius doesn't mean I am."
James shook his head wearily, words seeming to fail him, and the four boys struck up a conversation about the forthcoming Triwizard Tournament.
Lily zoned out of her friends' conversation and glanced at the Slytherin table wistfully, where Scorpius Malfoy sat, laughing with a fellow student. He glanced at Lily and smiled slightly; she blushed and looked away.