A/N: Hello whomever has chosen to read this story! If you're familiar with the lovely fan-made story called "The Life and Times" by Jewels5, then you are likely very aware of it's greatness! This story I've began to write is about the children of Harry and Ginny, Ron and Hermione, and so on. So, let me get to my point rather than beating around the bush; I thought it suitable to write such a story due to the inspiration of Jewels, and her fantastic writing charisma. And if you haven't read TLAT, I greatly suggest it for more than satisfactory Marauder-enjoyment! So without further adieu, I present you with, "The Life and Times: Second Generation", in ode to Jewels.
Disclaimer: Thank you greatly to the Harry Potter Wiki for additional info, and mainly, credit to J.K. for well...everything!
Chapter One, "The Platform"
The whizzing sounds of people moving about the house were constant and rhythmic.
Mum, I can't find my cloak!
Did you check in the cupboard?
Yes, several times.
Well, look again.
I'm telling you it's not th— never mind.
Albus smiled to himself at the sound of his sister's constant worrying. He finished placing his belongings in his trunk—in a rather crammed fashion—and snapped it shut. He grabbed one end of the handle and drug it out into the hallway, leaving it beside the top of the staircase.
He wiped his hands on the front of his jeans, and turned towards the large plethora of family photographs that moved in infinite wholeness on the center wall of the hallway. Glancing at them, there were pictures of birthdays, Easter, Christmas. In the heart of the collage, was a large picture of the family. His mother and father stood smiling and laughing, looking at their beaming children. Albus remembered that day.
From a room down the hallway came a slight thud, soon followed by a long—and obviously agitated—sigh. Albus laughed a tad, because this had happened everyday for the past four years. "Al, is that you out in the corridor?" Lily's voice piped up from her room, in a very desperate sense.
"Is it your trunk again?" He sauntered over to her room and leaned against the doorframe. "You try too hard, Lils. Grab the other side." Albus grabbed the front handle of the trunk, and Lily grabbed the back. The two began to back out of the room, and Albus set the large box next to his.
"Thank you, my books are so bloody heavy, you'd think there was some sort of boulder in the bottom of my trunk." Lily took a deep breath and smoothed out her skirt.
"Collecting boulders now, are we little copper head?" A deep and composed voice echoed from the bottom of the stairwell. A look of extreme thrill came over the young red-head's face, and Albus and she quickly peered over the railing of the stairs.
"Teddy!" Lily exclaimed in a very enthusiastic, shrill tone. She bounded down the stairs and quickly threw herself onto him. "I wasn't expecting to see you until Christmas! You've changed your hair to blue again, I see."
"Always lovely to see you, my Not-So-Little Lily Flower. Something's different. Have you gotten taller?" A grin spread big and wide across his face, with a pearly gleam.
She gave a breathy laugh, "I saw you last week for supper, Teddy."
"That's right, isn't it? I must be going mad."
"You are mad." Said the tall boy from behind Teddy. He wore an exuberant grin on his face, and his dark hair was messy as usual.
"Ah, James! Good to see you. Looking slightly devilish as always. Which first years do you plan to torture this year?" Teddy's voice held a slight hint of mockery.
"Only all of them. Come to see us off, have you?"
"Sadly so. I was hoping to invade your kitchen before you lot took off. Haven't eaten since noon yesterday."
"How devastating. Too bad you won't be in on the feast tonight. Should be great."
"Oi, don't rub it in my face, mate. Where's dear old dad?" Teddy scratched the back of his neck idly.
"Out back I believe. Mum had a small gnome infestation in the garden. The buggers are everywhere. I kicked a few into the Longbottom's yard. Hope Gwen doesn't mind."
"Would you leave Gwendolyn alone, James?" Lily scoffed sardonically. She had a mask of agitation upon her face, and her arms were crossed to match.
"'Fraid I can't, sister-dear. I'm sure Neville can handle it. He is your herbology professor after all."
"He is also the head of Gryffindor! Professor Longbottom is far bored with your silly little pranks." The ginger rolled her eyes in an aggravated fashion, and walked off into the kitchen.
"Perhaps she's a gnome. She's been like such a bird lately. Acts like she's bloody grown." James gave a brief snicker then turned his attention back to his blue-haired companion. "Let's go find dad, shall we?" He stuffed his hands in his trouser pockets and started off toward the back door.
"Not one for saying hello are we, Albus?" Teddy gave a smirk, and turned around at the messy-haired boy at the top of the steps.
"Didn't want to interrupt Lily and James's charade, they might have tore me to bits, I'm afraid." Albus chuckled, and bounded down the steps in energetic splendor. Teddy threw an arm around his younger friend and patted his back.
"Sixth year. Mine was pretty brill, and yours will be, too. Of course, what on earth will you and Lils do whenever Freddie, Louis, and James are gone?"
"Rejoice."
Teddy laughed. "Let's go see dad, eh?" The pair ambled out the back door into the Potter's exquisite garden, where plump sweet-pink carnations and thick heaves of white lily flowers—for the young girl, and the matron she was named after—danced idly in the soft summer breeze. There was a quiet hymn being fabricated from the beating of bumblebee wings and a swallow's low transfixing ballad. Coteries of downy daffodil butterflies flit and flickered over the vibrant hillsides where clumps of wildflowers were thriving in the gold of the sun. Two figures stood crouched beside the virescent shrubbery, fumbling for the potato-like rascally underlings that were always up to no good in the vicinity of the Potter's yard.
The woman of the pair was thin—in a sylphlike fashion—and her hair shone a ferocious sanguine coloration. She donned a sky blue linen frock that hung loosely around the slender curve of her torso, decorated with comely white stitching formed into tiny florets on the neckline of the apparel. Upon her fiery hair rest a fawn sunhat, she kept on hand on the thing to avoid the embezzlement of the wind. The male of the pair was a bit more stocky, although not in an appalling matter. His sable head of hair was slightly tousled, per usual. He kept his jaw clenched as he was hunching over to grab the gnomes that were so effervescently provoking him. Running a hand through his already disheveled hair, the peak of a dim bolt of lighting could be slightly viewed...
"Dad!" Teddy called out, a big grin had already formed upon his face.
The man—Harry—looked up at the blue-haired young man and a crooked thing of a smile slid onto his lips. Although Teddy was only so much younger than the man, nevertheless, he considered him like he was his own father. Harry tapped his wife's shoulder, and she too arose with a grin. The duo sauntered over, both bright-eyed.
"Come to see the devils off?" Piped the red-headed woman whom took him into her arms and hugged him.
"I have, Ginny. I haven't missed one yet, have I?" Teddy gave a short chuckle.
"You've always been very committal to this lot of pests. Merlin knows why!" Ginny joked, putting an arm around Albus's shoulder.
"Where'd James run off to?" Albus asked, looking at his mother questioningly.
"He's gone next door to speak with Gwen for a moment before we all leave for the station."
"Disgusting! They're probably bloody snogging!" Albus's face contorted into a pure look of revulsion. His father made a brief snicker.
"He could be doing worse things. Although I thought you liked Gwendolyn." His father raised a brow, and his son shook his head quickly. Harry and the two others laughed.
"Victoire sends her love. She couldn't make it today due to Ministry works that has to be completed 'immediately'." Teddy sighed.
Teddy and Victoire had been engaged for five months, at the most. The couple recently took up on living at a lovely cottage in Cornwall, to be closer to Fleur and Bill; Victoire's parents. Albus and his siblings had spent much of their leisure at the shore with their extensive sized family. Cousins, cousins, cousins. There were more Weasley kids than anyone could ever count. Albus found it comforting to have such an amount of family at school with him. James found having a place chocked full of Weasleys' a bit much. Lily was just neutral on the whole subject of her limitless amount of family.
"Victoire and I would love to have everyone over during Christmas holidays. I know these kids would have a bleeding fit if we didn't include them." This put a beam on Albus's face. It wasn't very long before a loud SNAP! sound was heard and James appeared about three feet from his family.
"I've been splinched!" He exclaimed as he bounded over towards the group. He wasn't actually splinched, as anyone could see. James excelled in the act of drawing any means of attention to himself.
"Have a nice chat with Gwen, James?" His mother asked, raising a brow.
"Mum, I've told you, I do not, not even remotely, fancy Gwen! Al, however..." James was cut off by his brother swatting his arm. "Yeesh, Al! Only poking some fun." He still held the sly grin on his fact intact. It was only moments before the group found it most suitable to leave the gnomes be and go inside for lunch before the trip to King's Cross Station.
Ginevra Potter was already ahead of everyone else, seeing as she'd already prepared the meal for all present. Lily was found sitting in the living room, pouring over an Ancient Runes book, and it didn't take long for her to stop; seeing as James poked at her for reading the thing, it was only a brief moment the book came in contact with James's forehead. Teddy simply snickered at the young girl's temper, which was as fiery as her hair. Albus was well accustomed to the pair's constant bickering, although in the end, they were two sides of the same coin.
Lunch passed in an seemingly slow-excitement, Albus noted. James rambled on about his N.E.W.T.s he'd be taking in some time to come, and their mother assured him he'd do nothing short of excellent if he tried a bit harder to keep a happy medium between being Quidditch Captain, his academics, and his social interactions. Lily and Albus exchanged glances, knowing James would have a rough time with that. Rowdy, loud, cheeky James had other matters in mind than receiving an "Outstanding" on his N.E.W.T.s. These matters of course, he couldn't pursue at least until he stood on Platform 9 ¾ in the upcoming hours. James Sirius Potter was a dynamic being, and kept an unstable lifestyle. Balance wasn't a card he tended to draw.
Within a span of an hour, lunch concluded, and bigger business was to be handled; the Platform. Teddy volunteered to handle the trunks, and the Potter children waited idly for their parents, whom had gone up to their bedroom to change for the trip to London. Harry, whom had made sure that his children were well educated on muggle lifestyle, insisted on taking the family car—aided by magic, of course—yet Ginny thought flooing into London might be slightly more suitable. It was a debate that each one of them had seen since James was a first year.
"This would be so much easier if we would just make a sodding portkey..." James grumbled in an undertone.
"Dad said he'd turn that ruddy sundial in the garden into one, yet he's so clearly has neglected to do so." Lily sighed, and rubbed her temples.
"I think mum is attached to the grotty thing. It's got undergrowth mangled all around it and the gnomes dirty it up endlessly." replied the former.
The latter gave a small simper. "It's true, sadly. But I still think it should be made a portkey."
Albus listened quietly to his sibling's whispered musings, but their conversation was cut off by their parents persisting towards the door.
Either or, the Potter family got to King's Cross despite the fuss over transportation. The group of wizards stood idle in front of the column that would admit them to the rostrum where the children would say goodbye to their families until holidays would roll around. James looked longingly at the pillar, this was his last time he'd be boarding the Hogwarts Express to be taken to school. Although he'd walk to and from this portal many more September firsts', he didn't think he'd ever feel how he did every time he stepped foot onto the locomotive. It was an achy melancholic throb that pulsated cholerically in James's usually sanguine bloodstream. His father was obviously aware of this in his son, and he had seen the pigmentation dematerialize from his flushed cheeks.
"Albus, Lily." The two children looked at their father with slightly apprehensive looks, but the man gave a brief nod and parted his lips to speak. "Go on ahead with your mother. James and I will be there momentarily." With that said, the wizard and two witches disappeared into the portal.
"Dad, we probably shouldn't fall behind too much..." James eyed the exact spot where his family had just vanished into.
"James, I know you're feeling overwrought about this, but I can assure you this: you'll do well. I know that you know I didn't exactly attend my seventh year, due to other matters—" The Gryffindor boy rose his hand to stop his father's words.
"Listen, I understand. I don't want you to get all keyed up about it all, Dad. It's just a bit of a thin-skinned moment I'm having. Wistfulness isn't really my style, though." The boy now had his crooked grin back in its usual place. His father slapped a hand on his shoulder and together they bolted through the entryway to Platform 9¾.
Per usual, it all was a rush. Witches and wizards hustling and bustling through a crowded station, kissing their children's foreheads, or embracing them to the point their eyes could possibly pop out at any given moment. Spotting his siblings was an easy task, Lily's ginger hair was a dead giveaway. She was talking with another red-headed boy, whom stood a little taller than the former. James pushed his trolley over towards them, the Eagle-Owl in the cage—an umber bird with bright ruby eyes called Palioxis (Named by Albus for the Greek god of flight), or Pal as James called him—cooed slightly. Harry motioned for James to join his sister and cousin, seeing as he could handle the trunks. James nodded, and sauntered over to where his kin stood chatting.
"Hullo, Hugo. Lils. Have you perhaps seen Freddie, Louis? Liam Finnigan, maybe?" The messy haired boy's eyes flicked around the station, looking for another familiar face. "Where'd Al run off too?"
"Are we not good enough companions for you, James?" Lily put a hand on her hip.
"Oi, don't get so defensive. I can't spend all my time with two ginger fourth years. I did have to stay at the shore with you lot for Merlin's sake…"
Hugo gave a brief snicker. "It's fine by me, I'm not offended. Albus went off with Rosie somewhere, and I think Liam passed through here four or five minutes ago. Fred however, I have yet to see. Uncle George and Aunt Angelina haven't arrived, I think."
"Which way did you say Liam went?" James asked the fire-headed boy. Hugo willingly pointed to his right, James gave a brief nod to his sister and cousin, then bounded off.
Albus Severus Potter wandered idly through the crowd of Platform 9¾, His cousin Rosie trailing his side.
"Are you looking for anyone particular, Al?" His companion questioned, raising a single brow. Albus shook his head.
"I was just wondering if Gwen was around. I had to ask her about the prefect meeting, but I'm sure it'll be easier to locate her on the train."
"At least you have Gwendolyn to be your partner. I have bleeding Arnie Corner as mine. I swear, some of the people in Ravenclaw are needling idiots!" This made Albus grin.
"Too bad you're not in Gryffindor. You've got the attitude." The Gryffindor laughed.
"Well, like I said. Needling idiots, some of them. Anyways, I've got Roxanne and Molly. You get Fred and Lucy!" Rosie had a slight smirk upon her lips.
"Hell, a good bit of our flesh and blood are leaving, aren't they?" Albus gave his cousin a glance.
Rosie gave a nod. "James, Freddie, Louis. All you plucky Gryffindors!" The flame-headed Ravenclaw gave a laugh.
"Have you gotten a look at Cecily Wood, yet? Oi, she sure beats some of the lot around here."
"She's doing quidditch again this year, yeah?"
"Really? I heard she was quitting. But James will love that."
"He fancies her, doesn't he?"
"As far as I know. Wasn't she dating that one Hufflepuff bloke, though?"
"You mean Tiberius Willem. He's not even a Hufflepuff, mate. He's in our house!"
"I know that. I mean that I heard she was caught snogging this bloke in the storage room of Honeydukes over holiday!"
"Oh! I heard that, too. Now that you've mentioned it, I think it was that one fellow who lit his hair on fire in Charms fifth year… What was his name? Brian? Bruce? I can't recall."
"It is definitely not Bruce. I think his name was Jared Lavache."
"Jared Lavache? Bleeding, Jared Lavache? That insufferable prat dated Cecily? I highly, highly, HIGHLY, doubt that possibility!"
"Well why don't you, ask one of her mates?" Louis was abruptly interrupted by James Potter slapping a hand on his shoulder.
"Louis! Freddie! Finally! I've been bloody roaming around looking for someone I could at least tolerate. Where's Liam?" The pair of Weasleys' looked at their cousin a bit wide-eyed at first, but it was only a moment before their mischief kicked in.
"Finnigan? He's gone off with Annalise Fawley!" Fred gave an agitated sigh.
"Anna Fawley? What's he doin' with her?" James asked, although the answer was painstakingly obvious.
"The pair coincidentally bumped into each other in Cannes over summer, put two and two together, and I guess they're shagging now." Louis gave a snicker. "I saw them when Mum and I were visiting." Their tittle-tattle was adjourned by the train giving a low, yet screeching whistle.
"We best go find our parents. I'll meet you in the usual compartment, yeah?" James exchanged nods with his cousins and bounded off to find the rest of his family.
The crowd became a complete and utter hysteria. People were scattering to and fro, but luckily, James spotted Teddy's blue hair a few paces away. Sprinting up towards him, James saw it was just Teddy and Victoire in an amorous embrace.
"Ted—Oh gross, this is like second year all over!" James winced.
Teddy made a face at the younger wizard, and let go of his fiance. "Looking for Mum and Dad?"
James nodded.
"Come on, troublemaker." He led James towards his parents, Victoire following them.
"No hello, James? I thought we were better friends than that." She smiled a perfect grin.
"I thought you were busy with ministry work."
"Oh, they can get along without me for a little while. My little brother is going to his seventh year of Hogwarts, isn't he?" Brushing a silvery-blonde lock of hair behind her ear, she glanced at Teddy. "Ted, I probably should go find my parents. They'll have a fit if I'm not there to see Louis off."
Teddy gave her a quick peck on the lips, and then the lissome witch disappeared into the horde of magic-folk.
"There they are." Teddy sighed in relief upon the discovery of the Potters.
"James Sirius Potter, we've been looking for you for the past ten minutes!" Ginevra Potter crossed her arms at the sight of her son.
"I've been chatting with Freddie and Louis, harmless really…"
She waved her hand. "It doesn't matter anymore, you're here. We don't want to keep the three of you long, I know how hectic it is to get a good seat." She took her eldest son into her arms. "James, please do write. I know how forgetful you are, so I've paid Albus five galleons to remind you every week." James laid his head on his mother's shoulder. "I'm serious. Don't hex too many people, or get too many detentions. Also, please don't go off getting too sloshed with a bottle of Ogden's every weekend."
"Mum."
"I know what you do, James. All I ask, is you keep some sensible limits." She pulled away and patted his face. "Your father and I are sure you'll do wonderfully. I'll see you at Christmas." James hugged his mother once more, then turned to his father.
"James, do keep in mind what I told you." His father kept a small smile on his strong face.
"Love you dad." He hugged his father and gave a squeeze.
"Oh, and one more thing, James."
"Yes?"
"Beat Slytherin."
A/N: And there it is! I do hope you at least semi-liked the chapter. Reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you!
— Grayson