Okay, so this was just a little experiment. I wasn't sure about this story, so I put a chapter up anyway, to see how it goes, even though I've got way too many things on the go at the minute. I hope you enjoy!

Ten Summers

July 2016

'Mum! Mum!'

'Albus? What's wrong?'

Drawn by the cries of her youngest son, Ginny rushed into the living room. James and Albus were standing in the centre of the room, and James had Albus in a headlock. Lily was watching from the sofa, silently giggling.

'James, Albus, break it up!' exclaimed Ginny, rushing over and pulling them apart. 'Why on earth were you doing that to your brother, James?'

'Because he tried to steal my letter!' James replied hotly, glaring at his brother. 'I haven't even had a chance to open it yet.'

Ginny looked over at Albus. 'Sorry mum,' he mumbled. 'I just wanted to see.'

'You can have a look after your brother,' she assured him. 'Well, James? Is it that letter? Is it your Hogwarts letter?'

James nodded, a huge grin on his face. Ginny beamed at him.

'Oh, this is excellent! The letters have come quite early this year, I wasn't expecting… but this is wonderful news. Can you wait to open it until your dad gets home? He won't want to miss this.'

'I don't mind waiting,' shrugged James, the letter held tightly in his hands.

'Why don't you three go outside and make the most of the sunshine?' Ginny suggested. 'Or you could go round to Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione's, tell them you got your letter…'

'I think I'll see if Fred's free,' said James at last. 'See if he got his letter too! Are either of you coming?' he added to Albus and Lily.

'I'll come!' replied Lily, but Albus shook his head.

'Bye mum!' James and Lily called as they raced out of the living room, heading for the fireplace in the kitchen. Ginny and Albus were left alone.

'Are you all right Al?' she asked him.

'I guess…' he sighed. 'I suppose that letter is his letter of acceptance? He hasn't got into trouble with them already, maybe?'

Ginny laughed. 'I think it's an acceptance letter. Not even your brother could get into trouble that quickly.'

'You'd be surprised,' replied the ten year old.

'Hey Al, would you like to play Quidditch with me in the garden?' Ginny asked suddenly.

'No, thanks. I might go upstairs and read.'

Ginny's face fell. Sunlight was poring through the window, and the room was sweltering in the midday sun.

'Well, if you change your mind, I'll be in the study,' she told him. She left the room, and James and Lily came hurtling in.

'Fred and his family are all out,' James explained. 'I'll have to see him tomorrow. Want to play Quidditch Lily, Al?'

Lily nodded fervently, while Albus rolled his eyes.

'Is that all our family can think to do?' he muttered, but no one heard him.

All day, the letter went where James went. If he couldn't hold it, he would place it on the nearest surface. He certainly wasn't letting Albus or Lily hold it for him.

'You might smudge it,' he said when Lily had offered to carry it. 'This is very precious.'

Albus and Lily couldn't believe it. James had never taken this much pride in any of his possessions.

At last, at about four in the afternoon, Harry returned home. The five Potters gathered in the living room as James finally opened the letter.

'What does it say James?' asked Albus eagerly.

'It says: "Dear Mr Potter. We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry…"'

James read out the whole letter. By the end of it, Ginny was nearly in tears. She walked over to her son and gave him a tight hug.

'Mum!' James exclaimed, going red in embarrassment.

'I'm sorry James, I'm just so proud of you,' Ginny sniffed. 'My baby's off to Hogwarts, I can't believe you're already eleven!'

'Yeah, well, I am,' James said, finally succeeding in getting free of his mother. He turned to face Harry, who was beaming down at him.

'Well done James,' he said, and he too hugged his son, though not quite as tightly as Ginny had.

'Oh, and James, everyone's going to the Burro tomorrow, so you'll be able to see Fred then,' Ginny added.

'When are we going to Diagon Alley to get my stuff?' James asked. 'I can't wait to get my wand! And an owl, I want a snowy one - '

'Come upstairs with me, James, and I'll give you something right now,' said Harry.

'Um, dad, I don't really want anything second hand,' James said as they entered the study. Harry laughed.

'Trust me, you'll want this,' he said as he opened one of the drawers of the desk. He pulled out an old, ragged piece of parchment, and handed it to James.

'Is this what I think it is?' James breathed, scanning the empty parchment. 'The Marauder's Map?'

'It is indeed,' replied Harry. 'When you have your wand, tap this and say "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good" and a complete map of Hogwarts appears. Now, I don't want you constantly going out at night and getting in trouble, but I feel you should have it.'

'Thank you dad!' James exclaimed, and he bounded from the room, the map in his hands.

August 2016

James would be going to Hogwarts tomorrow. All his belongings were in his trunk, and his new snowy owl, Hooter, was locked up in her cage. He was holding his wand, which was oak, ten and a half inches, and with the centre of dragon heartstring, and poring over the Marauder's Map, which he had already shown to Fred. The sky outside had turned a brilliant orange, a last wave goodbye from the summer. Albus entered the living room, and went to sit next to his brother.

'Have fun tomorrow,' he said solemnly.

'Don't worry, I will.'

'Are you nervous about the Sorting?'

'Not at all. I know I'll be in Gryffindor, along with Fred. And we can go on the Quidditch team, and find new passageways, and everything like that…' a dreamy look crossed James's face.

'You won't be able to get on the team 'til next year,' Albus pointed out. Then he sighed. 'I wish I was going.'

'You'll get your turn next year,' said James. 'Is that why you've been acting a bit sulky this summer? Are you jealous of me?'

'No…' Albus muttered, going slightly red.

'You shouldn't be,' James assured him. 'To tell you the truth, I'm a little bit nervous.'

'You shouldn't be nervous,' said Albus, with a small smile. 'Hogwarts was made for people like you.'

And he got up, and left James in the living room, the Marauder's Map still open, the corridors and rooms completely empty of students.