CHAPTER 1

"Harry!" Lily called, "Come downstairs! We're going to be late!"

Harry was a short boy, very skinny for his age, with untidy black hair. He tried to smooth it own, but it would just stick back up. He also had round, black glasses.

Harry was no ordinary boy: he was a wizard. Yes, that's right, a wizard, complete with spell books, wands, and cauldrons. He attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with the wonderful headmaster, Albus Dumbledore.

Harry's mother and father, Lily and James Potter, were also magical. Harry was raised with magic around him all of his life. He knew almost everything he needed to know for his first day of his very first term at Hogwarts.

Harry ran down the stairs of his home in Godric's Hollow, down to the kitchen where his mother, father, and his father's friend, Sirius Black, were waiting.

Harry sat down to a quick breakfast, conversing about Hogwarts with his mother, father, and Sirius.

"Oh, Harry, you're going to love Hogwarts!" his mother said, "Your father and I had so much fun while we were there."

"As did I, Lily," Sirius added with a smile.

James, Lily and Sirius were best friends during their days at Hogwarts. They were all in Gryffindor, one of the four Hogwarts houses, along with Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw.

James and Sirius had told Harry all about the Hogwarts houses. Gryffindor was the house for the bravest; Hufflepuff for the caring; Ravenclaw for the smartest; and Slytherin for the "power-hungry", as James put it. He said there was no witch or wizard that had gone bad that wasn't in Slytherin.

Harry gulped down his breakfast, ran upstairs to grab his school bags and owl cage (with a beautiful, snowy owl inside, which Harry had named Hedwig), and ran out the front door to his parents' car and threw his bags into the trunk. Harry climbed into the backseat with Hedwig and Sirius. Lily climbed into the passenger seat, James in the drivers'.

It was a silent ride to King's Cross Station; everyone was too excited to talk.

Once they arrived at King's Cross, Sirius grabbed Harry's bag out of the trunk and started off towards the door, Lily, James and Harry in tow.

"Now, remember what I told you about going through the barrier?" James asked Harry.

"I think so, Dad. I have to get a running start, right?" Harry asked.

"Exactly." James said.

"And you're sure that I wont run into the wall?" Harry asked, a concerned look on his face.

"I promise, Harry," James said.

Once they had reached the platform, Sirius and Harry went first.

Looking determined, Harry began to run. He gained speed quickly, just inches away from the brick wall. He closed his eyes when his nose was a millimeter away.

A second passed, and Harry opened his eyes. A great, red steam engine was in front of him, with hundreds of witches and wizards running around with their parents. On the front of the train, was "Hogwarts Express" in large, gold letters. Suddenly, Harry felt someone run into his back.

"Oh! Sorry, sweetie," Harry's mother coaxed.

"This way, Harry," Sirius said, gently pushing Harry forward. They headed towards the entrance to the Hogwarts Express. Sirius gave Harry's bag to the conductor of the train, while Harry hugged his mother, father and Sirius.

"Well," Lily started, tears rolling down her cheeks, "have fun, honey." She smiled.

"Oh, Mum, please don't cry," Harry said.

Lily wiped the tears off her face as Harry hugged James and Sirius.

As he headed onto the train and found a seat, he looked out the window to see Sirius waving to get his attention.

"Try not to get into too much trouble!" he shouted, as the train began to move slowly.

Harry smiled and replied, "I'll try!"

The Hogwarts Express began to gain speed, then rolled out of the train station, finally off to Hogwarts.