*Note: Hi, this is my first real fanfiction, and I'll be updating it quite often, so enjoy!
Characters and a couple lines of dialogue belong to JK Rowling and the vague storyline as well. Thanks!
James Potter received his Hogwarts acceptance letter on June 15th. Not that he was surprised of course, the Potters were a prominent pureblood wizarding family, and it would have been a shock had the letter not come. Nevertheless, it was a cause to celebrate, so they had decided to go to their favorite restaurant, the Flick and Feast.
"James, we are so proud of you!" his mother said happily, smiling at her only child.
"Thanks, Mom, it'll be fun". James replied, paying more attention to the soup that was on its fifth magical refill than he was to her. In reality, he was really only looking forward to the fun parts of Hogwarts, school had never really been his favorite thing.
His Dad smirked "Don't get into too much trouble now" he said, grinning "you know what they say, 'a little mischief is fun in class until it comes to kick you in the-"
"Don't finish that thought or I'll charm your coffee to spill on you tomorrow!" His Mother interjected, holding out her wand. James always liked his Mom's wand better than his Dad's, hers was a long willow body with a unicorn hair center, while his Dad's was a short dark oak, and who even knows what core was in that thing.
James finally looked up from his soup. "It'll only kick you in the ass if you get caught!"
"That's my boy" James's Dad clapped him on the shoulder while his Mom sighed and put her hands over her eyes.
"And you two are my boys. Boys that need to watch their mouths!"
"Oh come on sweetheart, you know we were only teasing"
"Yeah, if I really had a bad mouth, we both know it would've been soaped a long time ago" James piped up "I just couldn't let it go without being sure I had the right word in mind" .
His Dad snuck him a wink, and soon they were talking about Hogwarts again.
"Dear, let's take James to Diagon ally next week, he'll need a proper wand, and robes, and we can check out our old cauldron, but chances are it's worn out from all our old potions going awry." His Mother had begun making a list on her napkin.
"Mom, aren't we forgetting something?"
She paused, then scribbled down something along the lines of "need to get book list"
"No no, not a book list, a birthday present? Ringing any bells?"
"Oh yes! We did promise you a broom didn't we?"
And they had. Back on James birthday, he had made the decision to become a quidditch player, but of course that required a broom, which he still needed to get.
"What position are you thinking about playing?" His father asked. "Personally I always liked playing Keeper, kept me on my toes the whole game".
"I kinda like the idea of a chaser, but I'm not totally sure yet."
"Ah, star of the show, I see how it is" his Dad grinned.
"Nothing wrong with that! Every show needs a star." James shot back.
"I wish we had friends with children your age James" His Mother said "I know you're great at making friends, but it will still be a little strange to go alone".
" Come on sweetie, don't talk like that, we both know James can hold his own at old Hogwarts."
"Oh I know, I just worry."
"Guys, I'm sitting right here, good to know you have such strong faith in my friend making techniques."
"We're just kidding, we know you'll do fine" His Dad smiled at James, before shooting his wife a look.
"Who's the headmaster there now anyways?" James questioned between bites of ice cream that had just appeared. "Didn't Dippit just leave?"
"Yes, I do believe it is Dumbledore now, I had him as a teacher when I was at Hogwarts, he's going to be a great headmaster." His Mother said, returning to the list she had begun making, adding expanding suitcases to the list.
"Also I need some quidditch robes, and a helmet, and I think I want the Nimbus 1967, it's the newest model" James started rambling on about the specs of the new broom while his Mom tried to think of more things her boy would need for school. He was twelve now, and although old enough to go to Hogwarts, she wanted to make sure he had everything he could possibly need.
"Yeah the Chudley Cannons all rode CleanSweep fives this year, but I think the nimbus will be perfect for me." James looked smug, confident that he had made his case, and he had, because his Mom had put it on her list, and his Dad was looking proud.
His parents were older, and since they had the means to do so, they pampered little James. No doubt he would have the best quidditch gear on the field.
With a small pop the bill appeared on the table, and the finished plates started cleaning themselves up.
"Well", his Mother said "I believe that's our cue to leave" She left a few Galleons on the table, offered James her arm, and with a loud crack, they both disappeared as suddenly as the bill had come. Seconds later, his Dad vanished with a similar noise, and the restaurant was free to continue cleaning the table.
Monday, three days after the letter had arrived, the Potters went to Diagon alley. Diagon ally was a vibrant, bustling town filled with swirls of color and snippets of interesting conversation. James couldn't be happier. He clutched his trainer wand and wove through the crowd ahead of his parents. The trainer wand only did three spells; lumos, nox, and expelliarmus. He had mastered them forever ago, and would often absent mindedly walk through the house with the tip of his wand lighting up and going dark. As Olivander's grew closer, James got more and more excited. They say that the wand chooses the wizard, and what wand wouldn't want him?
"James! Wait up! We really can't move as fast as you!" His mother said breathlessly. A few steps behind her, his Dad nodded an agreement.
James flopped down on the steps of Olivander's and waited. A tall, curly haired boy walked in with an uptight looking mother, and a greasy haired short kid slinked in next, while a cute redhead girl bounced in, clearly with the slimeball, though James couldn't figure out why. He kept thinking about her while his parents inched closer. She was cute, but she didn't even give him a second glance. That's what made her different.
"Alright son, ready to get a real wand?" His Dad said, a bit wearily. His parents really were older than most.
James shot off the step "You bet I am!" He flew into the store, almost running into the uptight mother, who just harrumphed and turned back to the curly haired boy, who was now talking to the other two kids who had walked in ahead of him.
"I'm Sirius Black, what are your guys' names?" He said, clearly happy at how displeased his Mom looked.
"I'm Severus, and this is Lilly" The slimy kid replied, gesturing to the girl.
"Oh cool, are you guys siblings?" Sirius asked.
"Oh gosh no!" Lilly laughed. "I'm from a muggle family, and he's a- what do you call it? Pureblood? I think that's the name." James detached himself from his parents and walked over to the group.
"I'm James. Are you all first years?" They all nodded. "Awesome! Me too! I'm so excited to go to Hogwarts, I hear it's bloody amazing."
Sirius looked at him. "Where are you going, if you've got the choice?"
"Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart! Like my dad- you got a problem with that?"
Severus scoffed. "No. If you'd rather be brawny than brainy."
"Hey! I want into Gryffindor too!" Sirius glared at Severus. The uptight mother looked faint.
"What are you talking about?" Lilly chimed. "They all sound like rather silly names". Severus started to open his mouth to explain, when Olivander finally emerged.
"Ah first years! I remember when each of you got your first wand". He pointed at all the parents. "But! This is about the children now isn't it?" I'll pull out a wand, you wave it around a little bit, and you'll know if it's right."
He started pulling boxes off the shelves and handing them to the children. First try, Severus's wand threw out some golden sparks.
"Ah very good, that's what you're looking for kids" he went over and started telling Severus the details of his wand.
"So, Lilly", James tried to act nonchalant. "First time to Diagon ally?"
"None of your business! I don't need you two making fun of me for being muggleborn." Sirius looked offended. "I would never judge you for something like that!" He said, while his mother made a funny choking noise.
"Yeah, I mean as long as we're all wizards and witches here, it doesn't really matter right?" James replied.
"Well fine then. Yes this is my first time to Diagon Ally, and yes I'm here with Severus because he's my best friend."
"Well didn't ask for that much information but alright" James joked. Sirius gave him a high five, and when they looked back, Lilly was already back at Severus's side, while he gave the two boys dirty looks.
"Bit touchy isn't she?" Sirius remarked.
"Yeah looks that way. Why she's with that slimeball is a question we may never know the answer to."
"You're alright man. Want to sit next to me on the train?"
"Yeah I'm down for that" James was secretly relieved, he had imagined himself sitting all alone on the train ride in the fall.
"As long as we don't have to sit with that weirdo, I'll sit with anyone." Sirius laughed, grabbing another wand. It spit out red sparks, and he tossed it back into the case. James grabbed one at the same time Sirius did, and as they waved them, a waterfall of golden sparks poured out of the tips.
"That was wicked!" James exclaimed, accepting another round of high fives from Sirius, and then his parents.
"That's a beautiful wand James!" His mother took it to look at it closely, much to James's displeasure. Olivander delicately took the wand.
"Oh this is an exceptional wand. Great for transformation. 11" Mahogany, with a very powerful core. Yes, this will be perfect for you."
James was glowing. He could do proper magic, and whatever he wanted. And transfiguration! That was so cool! He decided to borrow his parents' old schoolbooks when he got home.
His parents steered him out, and with one last wave to his new friend, the Potters were back on a shopping expedition.