The Potters

Chapter 1: A new beginning

Albus Severus Potter stumbled down the busy train. He struggled to dodge bags as his glasses continued to slop to the edge of his nose. He paused to wave a hello to his older brother, surrounded by girls as usual, in a compartment to his left.

"Hey James," Albus mumbled, a small smirk creeping across his lips.

"Hey buddy," James replied, shrugging his shoulders from the simpering girls. "Looking forward to your third year? You know you've got quite a lot to live up to." He continued casually, running his hands through thick, jet black hair.

"Dad battled all those dementors and I got pulled up to play quidditch for the Yorkshire Burns. Albus visibly snarled.

"I can't quite believe you would compare your achievements to Dad's." he scoffed, flicking his wand in an irritated manner determined to cajole his brother for his arrogance. Concentrating hard on his patronus incantation, a bright silver stag burst from the tip of his wand. Albus smiled confidently as it bounced around the room before vanishing playfully in a wisp of silver smoke before his brother's astonished face.

"Blimey Al, I didn't know you could do that." Stowing his wand he laughed, shouldering his satchel and continuing to pick his way down the dishevelled Hogwarts Express. James's quiet worried eyes followed his back as he disappeared out of site.

Entering a quieter carriage, he shifted into a near empty compartment. Lily Potter was sitting sprawled out in the corner, laughing at a joke from a friendly faced blonde haired boy whom they had both grown close to over the last few years. Alec Grindelwald smiled up at Albus as he sat comfortably in his fine robes. Sitting down next to him, Albus stretched and smiled at the pair, pulling a cold steak pasty out of his bag and munching quietly.

Peering through the dusty glass, James caught a glimpse of the confident blonde boy, laughing gleefully as Albus made his new patronus bound around the room. He didn't know why but this Grindelwald kid gave him a sense of foreboding. He turned back into the corridor and hunched his shoulders. Smiling to the attention of a particularly pretty blonde girl, he gave a small wave and started to make his way to her. Stumbling forward, he whipped around to see the irritating smirk of Damien Malfoy. Rubbing his back slightly he took a step forward towards him. It's true that not all kids follow in their parent's footsteps but with Damien, it seemed he was the spitting image of how his father had been described. Standing tall and sleek in between his two cronies, his blonde hair slicked back over his hollow features.

"You better watch yourself Malfoy," James spat.

"Or what Potter? You may be other people's golden boy but I know you have nothing to show for yourself. My father-" He stopped short.

"Your father is indebted to mine Damien. You live because of my Dad so I would steer clear if you know what's good for you." James snarled and shoved Damien back down the carriage.

His expression softening, he turned around to see the lofty smile of the pretty girl leaning against the side of the train.

"Hey gorgeous, you've dyed your hair," James grinned as he played with a couple of loose strands.

"You better watch yourself Potter," she simpered. Leaning in to him, their lips teetered on the edge of an embrace.

"POTTER! CHANG!" Ted Tonks' voice boomed down the corridor towards them and the pair sprung apart. James smiled at the roguish grin of their senior.

"Come on Ted it's not like you've never had it off on the train."

He winced at the slap on his arm from his girlfriend. "That's Sir to you Potter," Ted continued, eyeing him with a beady stare but unable to keep the smirk from his handsome face.

"Run along before anyone else catches you."

Ted sauntered off, barking at a first year student attempting to tie a friend to the railings by his tie. Just like his father he had been given the post of Defence Against the Dark Arts, his very first year. James laughed softly and pulled Katie into an empty compartment.

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As the sky drew darker, the spectacular purple mountains appeared before them. Albus could never resist gazing out of the window as the train grew nearer to Hogwarts; the huge expanse of water reflecting the moon's watery glow, the tall pines swaying peacefully in the breeze and the cold dark cliff faces that seemed to shelter them towards the castle he adored so much. He watched as the white smoke of the train billowed past his open window and sighed deeply as he drank in the fresh mountain air. Slipping on his robes, he eyed his wand with intent, feeling the warm glow beneath his fingers. This felt like it would be a good year. He wanted it to be a good year. He was fed up with hiding his magical talent and he wanted to show people what he could achieve. He was ambitious and nothing was going to stop him proving the extent of his magical skill.

Feeling the train pull to a halt, Albus shouldered his rucksack and made his way out of the carriage followed by Alec, Lily and Rose Weasley. Making their way over to the fascinating horseless drawn carriages, Lily extended a hand to Alec, trading smiles as she hoisted him towards her.

"So Albus, you looking forward to the new year?" A dreamy expression crept across the young boy's face as he gazed up at the walls of his second home.

"Like nothing you wouldn't believe." He grinned, looking over at Alec and giving him a high five.

The grounds sprawled out before them, the grass lush and long, the forbidden forest swaying to their right, occasionally emitting peculiar sounds that made the hair stand up on the backs of their necks. Finally insight was the huge oak doors. The carriages pulled slowly up the pathway eventually bringing the castle in to view. Albus eyed the tall towers eagerly, feeling shivers run down his spine at the prospect of using magic for the first time in three months.

"You ok Albus?" Queried Rose, his vacant expression obviously having caught her attention. Albus smiled gently and sat back down a little in the carriage.
"Oh yes just fine." He removed his wand from his robes, twirling it in his slender fingers.

"I just really hope we get our share of adventure this year." The glint in his eye reflected from the torch brackets as they passed under the courtyard. Alec grinned at Rose earning himself a little giggle as the three of them stared in unison at the familiar grand entrance of Hogwarts Castle.

Pushing their way through the bustling crowd surrounding the Great Hall, they moved quickly, anxious to get a good seat. The choir was already singing and most of the teachers had taken up their place in preparation for the sorting. Pupils hushed as the nervous and occasionally wet first year students shuffled into the hall. Alec punched Albus in the arm, pointing to show one particular little boy who had just tripped and fell in front of the entire school. A brief smattering of embarrassing applause stiffened as Professor McGonagall placed the wizened old sorting hat upon the dainty stool.