Before it began
A/N: Trying out a different style, love it? Hate it? Let me know :)
The boy ran through the back alley, anxious to get back home and out of the rain. The cans of soup, vegetables and pasta clanging together within the shopping bag clutched tightly in his hands.
He finally stopped outside the main entrance to the run-down apartment complex, catching his breath. He entered the code and went inside to the damp-smelling hallway. The odour of cats reached him and he found the scent oddly comforting. This place wasn't much, but it was home.
Mrs. Tucker poked her head out of #3. "Hello, Peter Pettigrew! I haven't seen you in ages." she said happily, waving.
Peter smiled at the old woman who had practically raised him. "I'm so sorry, I've been working."
"Poor dear, you're much too young for that foolishness. Come by for a visit when you can."
"Sure!" Pete said happily. Smiling, he pulled out his key to open the door, only to find it unlocked and his mother holding a thick letter, deep in conversation with Professor Albus Dumbledore wore and floor length purple cloak over a yellow and red pinstriped suit complete with high-heeled buckled boots. On his crooked nose perched a pair of half moon spectacles behind which striking blue eyes were twinkling. To add to his bizarre appearance was a waist length white beard and long white hair. He certainly didn't look like the most powerful wizard in existence.
'Although I don't suppose I'm in a position to judge people on their appearance,' reflected the young boy who was seated across from Dumbledore, looking at the fading crisscrossed scars that littered his bare arms.
The aging wizard had said nothing since he had come in, the boy figured it was out of fear, or maybe he was just thinking of ways to let him down gently. 'He needn't worry; I'm not expecting anything…'
Finally, Dumbledore spoke, "Yes, yes…I think we have just the place for you."
He got up and walked over to the fire grate. "See you in September, Remus Lupin!" and he disappeared in a swirl of green Robes hung about his ankles as he watched a wizened old witch hem his robes with a flick and a swish of her wand.
"Mom…do they have to be green…I mean, I already have perfectly good pair of green dress robes…and besides we don't even know I'll end up in Slytherin…and…"
His mother ignored his whining "Keep them long Malkin, young men grow like weeds…and if he'll be anything like his father…"
"So help me god…" The boy mumbled under his breath.
"Sirius Black, did you say something?" his mother snapped.
"Oh, nothing, just that I kind of wanted my robes in the Red stream engine chugged out of Station 9 ¾ , the new student looking out a window near the back fought to keep his face sombre as he stared at the fading figure of his parents. When the man was out of sight the boy jumped out of his seat with a delighted cry,
"FREEDOM!!"
He danced and jumped around his compartment until he tripped…over a pair of legs…
He flushed with embarrassment as his eyes met a glare from the most beautiful almond-shaped green eyes.
"Oh…um, sorry…miss…I really do love my parents, have a very stable home life, very well adjusted…"He babbled. "Name's James Potter."
The beautiful eyes rolled
Into the Hogsmeade station and four boys tumbled out of the train with not the slightest idea of what was to come.