Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter

James Potter: Year One

Chapter One: The Hogwarts Express

James Potter couldn't catch his breath. He felt as though he was being suffocated by his unshakeable nerves and the busy hustle of excited young witches and wizards chattering relentlessly to one another around him certainly wasn't helping. It was not a usual event for James to be brought down by anxiety- for he was normally a mischievous and carefree boy, but today was the exception- much to his annoyance.

Even from a distance, it was easy to tell James was a Potter, for he carried the distinctive male look that travels unchangingly throughout the Potters family. He had the messy, untameable black hair and the round glasses that are always closely associated with his family. Though it was true that if you looked at pictures of the Potter men throughout boyhood, you'd see the striking resemblance, but you'd also see the small differences; whether it is the size of their nose or the colour of their eyes- it was always there. James' hazel eyes differed from his father blue ones and they had a constant twinkle of merriment and scheming, that though his father may have often bore an amused smirk- Mr. Potter did not possess.

Today was September 1st, finally. James had spent several months waiting impatiently and avidly listening to his mother's fond recollections of her years at Hogwarts and mentally noting down his fathers warnings and advice, until finally- now, he was going to Hogwarts. James spent several minutes bidding his parents goodbye, smiling and hugging them. James really just wanted to get aboard the train, where he hoped to make friends and where he knew there was a sweets trolley.

'Bye, James' Mrs. Potter yelled over the shrill whistle of the train, interrupting James' train of thought and frantically pushing her only son aboard the scarlet Hogwarts Express, 'have fun, but I don't want to hear about any detentions! Remember to clean your teeth! Stay out of trouble.'

'Bye,' James shouted back at his mother and father, who had, to his embarrassment begun to run alongside the slow-moving steam; each bellowing instructions and pleas to write soon. Once out of the platform and speeding through London, James wondered idly past several compartments full of much older groups of friends who were bickering playfully and laughing amongst themselves. James could only wish he'd make such good friends; though he had an inkling that he would.

He finally passed a compartment that contained three people- a girl with long, red hair, conversing with a skinny boy with greasy hair and tattered robes. Another boy sat with them- he had well kept black hair and grey eyes, though they seemed intent to ignore him- which was obviously, irritating him to no end and they all seemed to be James age. Taking pity on the third boy, and wanting desperately to make friends, James pushed open the compartment door.

'I'm James.' James said, smiling at the other boy'

'Sirius,' he replied, studying James closely, before relaxing and casually returning the grin, which James took as an invitation and so sat across from him.

'Do you play Quidditch?' James asked, breaking the tension.

'Of course! Who doesn't,' Sirius replied enthusiastically, 'well- other then him that is,' he silently gestured to the greasy haired, pale boy beside him, 'he looks like he'd burn if his skin came into contact with the sun.'

The two boys dissolved into silent laughter, for as long as they could hold it in until James opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by the very boy they'd been mocking.

'You'd better be in Slytherin.'

'Slytherin?' James spat, a vile taste in his mouth, 'who'd want to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?' He turned to Sirius, in no doubt he'd readily agree with him, but the boy had turned awkward and tense.

'My whole family have been in Slytherin,' he muttered, not daring to look up.

'Blimey,' James said, shocked, 'and I thought you seemed alright.'

Sirius began to grin, 'maybe I'll break the tradition,' he said, 'where are you going, if you've got the choice?'

'Gryffindor! Where dwell the brave at heart.' James all but yelled, thrusting an invisible sword in the air, 'like my dad,' he added.

He turned on Snape, who had snorted disapprovingly. 'Got a problem with that?'

'If you'd rather be brawny then brainy.' He said with a venomous sneer.

'And where are you going since you're neither.' Retorted Sirius.

'C'mon Severus, lets go.' The red haired girl had finally come to her senses and began to drag the boy out.

'Ooooooo,' James and Sirius said as one, before turning to each other and snickering.

'See ya, Snivellous!' James yelled to Severus' retreating form.

'So, do you think you'll get to be in Gryffindor?' James asked.

'I hope so.' Sirius' smile now seemed strained, his face drained of colour, 'I really don't want to join Slytherin.'

'Anyway,' James tried to change the subject, realising you could practically cut the tension in the room with a blunt knife, 'What position do you play?'

'Any, really- but I prefer beater.'

'It sucks that we can't make it to the team.'

'Yeah, and we're not even allowed brooms, what are we meant to do for a whole year without them.' Sirius moaned.

James smirked, 'steal the school ones.'

'I bet you ten galleons you get caught.'

'You're on.' They shook on it and waited in silence for the sweet trolley.

James knew now that he had a friend in Sirius, whatever family he came from- it didn't matter to James, Sirius was a decent person and they both got on well together. He could only hope they'd be in the same house.

Before he knew it James was emerging from the Hogwarts Express with Sirius. They followed the rest of the first years to a giant, towering man must have been double the size of an average person, and yet had gentle eyes and an air of kindness about him. The man, who introduced himself in a heavy accent as Hagrid- keeper of the keys at Hogwarts- lead them down to a row of boats with no oars that floated gently atop what appeared through the darkness to be a lake.

'No more 'n four ter a boat.' He commanded and instantly the first years scrambled to the diminutive boats. James and Sirius shared a boat with a blond boy with watery blue eyes that refused to say more then a muttered 'Hi' and a brown haired girl that introduced herself as Mary McDonald.

'Righ' then,' Hagrid murmured from his own, slightly larger boat, 'GO.'

Instantly the boats lurched forward and began an otherwise unusually smooth sail across the lake, each second taking them closer to the castle James had always dreamed of going to. He made eye contact with Sirius, who also looked as if his most solely desired wish had been granted, and he pointed with wide eyes at the castle in the distance. It was as if a fairytale had leaped out of a book become reality- it was truly magical, with its terrifyingly tall towers and its glimmering lights and expansive grounds. James was captivated, entranced, spellbound.

Once they docked the boats they all wondered over to where a black haired woman with stern features and hawk-like eyed stood waiting for them.

'Today is the very start of your Hogwarts career,' she began, 'you will be sorted into your houses, which will be like your family- you will share dorms and have lessons together. You can win your house points, which will be vital in the house cup tournament; but you can also lose points, which I assure you will not bide well with your housemates. Now, follow me- and do neaten yourselves up.' She glanced and James' hair with strong distaste before leading them into the castle.

A/N: Thanks for reading. I'm going to try to upload once a week, but if I don't then I will make up for it. And I will keep this as close to canon as I can. Stick around for Chapter Two: The Sorting. Please review, I'll take your opinions into consideration when writing further chapters.