Chapter 1
"I can't believe it, you've survived until 3rd Year," James's dad joked, as he shoved random schoolbooks into James's bag.
"I know right? I thought I would've died by now," it was a strange thing to respond with, but James just felt like saying it. Really, nothing dangerous had actually happened at Hogwarts.
Yet.
The brown-haired boy snatched the last lot of robes from his wardrobe and stuffed them inside the overpacked and rather small rucksack. He pushed his father aside and managed to fit it in with all of the various books.
"Got everything?" his dad checked.
James nodded. "I think so,"
"Then let's go!"
He hoisted the bag up onto his back and hurried outside. It was a beautiful day, the sky was as blue and clear as a diamond. A rushing river nearby sparkled as the sun reflected on its mirror-like surface, and the grass rippled as if an invisible hand was brushing it.
James clambered into the passenger seat of the battered black Mazda and sighed. He buckled his seatbelt and stared out of the window.
Suddenly, he realized that he didn't need to drive in a car, as a creature soared through the cornflower sky and rested on a slightly wet rock next to the river.
"WAIT!" he cried. He dad paused, in the middle of climbing into the driver's seat beside his son.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about Normen,"
Norman was James's pet Hippogriff. Well, if you asked James, he'd tell you it was his companion, not pet. Norman was a beautiful white Hippogriff, with black flecks scattered over his feathers like glitter, and a long grey tail. His beak was light grey and shone in the sunlight. His eyes glittered with power and happiness.
James dumped his bag in his seat and jumped out of the car. Normally, he wouldn't be allowed to ride his Hippogriff to the station, but this year he'd managed to acquire a special device that hid Normen from Muggles.
James clicked his tongue, and Normen leaped from the rock to his side. He ruffled his feathers and ducked his head.
James stroked him briefly and hoisted himself up onto his back. He'd ridden Normen so many times over the summer, the movement felt as natural as walking to him.
Carefully sliding his legs into place, James pulled the strange device out of his pocket. Alec, his best friend, had told him exactly how it worked, and James (fortunately) could remember everything.
He slipped the device back into his pocket after activating it. Norman hopped from one talon to the other excitedly - he knew where we were going, and James was sure he couldn't wait to see his friends.
James felt the exact same way.
As they lifted off, James buried his hands in Normen's thick feathers and sighed happily.
If only he knew what would come for him that year.