James Sirius Potter rolled his eyes for the hundredth time that day.
"Mum, you will see me in a few months, on winter break." He groaned, as the fiery red head placed yet another kiss on his forehead. It was as if she thought he'd never come back, or if he was going someplace other than Hogwarts; the safest place in the Wizarding world.
"Yeah, Gin, you're going to leave a permanent lipstick mark on his head." Harry chuckled as he watched his eldest son dart towards a window to look at his reflection. It was Ginny's turn to roll her eyes. What was it with these Potter boys and their need to look perfect and manly? Her husband had recently informed her that he was planning on growing a beard to 'offset his boyish stature'. Ginny had laughed, before realizing he was serious.
"Well, go on, then. The train is whistling and you don't want to miss your first trip to Hogwarts. Besides, granddad's car isn't available as a backup means of transportation" Ginny jabbed Harry in the side, and the two exchanged a mischievous look that James and his siblings took as them sharing old memories. Ginny gave her son one final peck on the forehead, and lead her younger two children back the the 9 3/4 barrier.
"Remember son, no matter what house you're sorted into, your mother and I will love you all the same. We have known many brave, honorable people who have come from each house. We are only an owl away, if you need us." Harry pulled his son into a hug. Secretly, James was excited to be away from his parents. It wasn't that he didn't love them- because he definitely did- but he was looking forward to actually being himself, and not referred to as 'THE Harry Potter's firstborn' or as his uncle George liked to joke 'The Chosen Son'. It was a play on what his father had been referred to, when he was in school. Apparently he beat a dark lord, or something like that. James sighed as he boarded the train. It wasn't that bad, and he was only called that once or twice, but still he was happy to be on his own for a few months.
An hour had gone by, and James had yet to make a single friend, nor had anyone even bothered to enter his compartment. He felt a jolt of homesickness, thinking about what his family would be doing at this moment. His dad was probably back at the office; he had only taken off the morning to see James off on the train. His mum was most likely at his grandparents' house, sipping tea while his siblings played with their cousins. And here James was, alone. He had a few cousins on the train, but they were all with their own friends. A knock suddenly erupted on the compartment door, causing James to jump a foot.
"Sorry for the startle, dear. Anything off the trolley?" James looked up at the lady who pushed the trolley. His father had given him a few galleons just to divulge in the sweets on this said trolley. James picked out a few things for now, and some snacks for later, in case the food at Hogwarts didn't live up to everyone's grand reviews (his uncle Ron often said how he missed the chicken). The trolley lady continued on her way, and James began to dig into his goodies. He grabbed for a chocolate frog, and the homesickness came back. This was a treat his father and him enjoyed. They both had a rather large collection of cards, and frequently swapped with one another if they were missing certain ones. James shoved the frog into his mouth before it could hop away, and then reached into the foil to grab the card.
It was one that he had already, but it was his absolute favorite and most treasured. James smiled as he slipped the card into his pocket, but not before seeing the moving picture of his father smiling back.