James walked unsteadily down the rocking, zooming train, holding up a lumpy toad that seemed quite keen to run away as soon as opportunity was available. "Found your toad, Trevor."
Trevor, a small, forgetful round boy, stared at James as he tipped the toad into Trevor's hands. "I – I didn't think…."
"James Sirius Potter has never lost a bet," James said, drawing himself up proudly and pushing back a tuft of his black hair. "So what was it – five Galleons, you said?"
Trevor sniffed and rummaged around in his Hogwarts robes, coming up with a small bag that jingled. He reluctantly handed a few Galleons over to James and replaced his money bag slowly. "Thanks for finding my toad, James."
"Don't mention it," James said, strolling down the corridor to his own compartment.
James was quite popular for a third-year at Hogwarts, and he sat in a compartment with several people – Ariel, Dmitri, Oliver, and Sarah. They were James's best friends at Hogwarts.
Ariel was absorbed in her book, reminding James powerfully of old stories that his father had told him of his, Uncle Ron's, and Aunt Hermione's old adventures at Hogwarts. Harry had referred to Hermione as the "studious bookworm" of the group, and James rather thought that this description would fit Ariel perfectly.
Besides that, Ariel had silky red waves and a quick, genuine smile that she loved to use to her advantage when she wasn't reading. Ariel got top marks – another resemblance to Aunt Hermione – and was tall, on top of all that.
Sarah was the complete opposite of Ariel – small, brown, and a self-announced klutz. While Ariel was delicate and moved with a dancer's grace, Sarah more than not often showed her clumsy side – like James's uncle Ron – and was as horrible in her studies as the rest of them, besides Ariel, were. Sarah hated books and was the small, fast Chaser on the Gryffindor team at Hogwarts – one of the only third years on the team, with James (the Seeker).
Oliver was tall and gangling, with ruffled black hair and dazzling blue eyes. It was hard not to notice him – he was the clown of the group, and constantly fooled around in his classes, which none of them could complain about. However, he managed to gather top marks in all of his classes, and he and Ariel argued constantly.
Dmitri was the quiet one, from far up north. He'd originally been listed for Durmstrang, but with careful consideration, his parents had dropped him at Hogwarts. He rarely spoke, only to answer questions from teachers. He got average marks, like James, and he loved Quidditch, though he wasn't on the official Gryffindor team.
James took his seat by the windows, across from Ariel, who was pushing her squared spectacles up her nose while scanning the book and turning the pages at lightning speed. Oliver, who happened to be sitting beside Ariel, snatched the book – The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 3 – out of her hands and tossed it across the compartment to James. James tossed it back, and they played a fun game while Ariel jumped up hopelessly in the air, her screams renting the air as she demanded to have her book returned. James relented after about ten throws, tossing the book back in Ariel's direction. Ariel caught it flawlessly, stuck her tongue out in Oliver's direction, and stomped back to her seat, fuming. James and Oliver rolled in their seats, choking with laughter.
"All right, shut up," Sarah said snappishly, breaking her Quidditch conversation with Dmitri and turning toward the two boys. "That's enough. Can't you see that we're discussing important topics here?"
"Well, actually – " Dmitri began, but Sarah cut him off.
"Shut up," Sarah repeated, glaring at them and turning back to Dmitri.
James stifled his laughter, ripping open a Chocolate Frog.

0o0o0o

Finally, the train pulled to a slow, steady stop at Hogsmeade Station. James was nearly bursting with excitement. At last, he was coming back to his second home with his best friends. At last, he wouldn't have to deal with his mother's nagging anymore. At last, he was home.
James chattered animatedly with his friends as they grabbed their belongings and dragged them out into the windy, cold night. Dmitri silently pointed out a carriage near the end, and the five of them clambered to get there first.
The carriage felt warm and safe, rattling along the bumpy road to Hogwarts. James felt an odd sort of familiarity as they stopped in front of the stone steps and hurried to avoid the eye of Peeves – his dad had warned him about the tricks and troubles at Hogwarts back before his first year.
The students, shivering and huddled together in clumps, shuffled toward the dining hall, taking their seats. Albus and Rose waved at them from across the entrance hall. James pretended not to notice. The last thing he needed was his annoying little brother to make James noticeable. Wouldn't Albus be fine with Rose, his best friend?
There was a low hum of chatter hovering in the Great Hall, and it was cut short instantly as Professor Longbottom opened the front doors, carrying a tall stool with a patched, torn hat placed atop it.
"My dad told me that hat's been here since Gryffindor," James whispered to Ariel, who had happened to take a seat beside him. James would rather have talked to Oliver, who was sitting on his other side, but Oliver was too occupied with hiding his face from his little sister, who was in the line of nervous-looking first years trailing behind Professor Longbottom.
Longbottom set down the stool.
"Pity the hat's stopped singing songs," James hissed. "My dad told me that the hat stopped singing two years ago, after some kids started mocking its songs. Plus, there's only so many different songs a hat can invent."
"When I call your name, please step forward, take a seat on the stool, and place the hat upon your head," Longbottom said to the quieted Hall.
"Abrams, Melody!"
A small, frightened-looking girl with bouncing black pigtails scurried up to the stool, jumped onto it, and jammed the hat on her head.
"HUFFLEPUFF!" the hat announced.
The Hufflepuff table clapped as Melody took off the Sorting Hat and took a seat with her House.
"Artie, Ursula!"
Suddenly, a troop of ghosts floated through the walls and settled down at their Houses. Nearly Headless Nick settled himself near James.
James looked up politely, flipping his shaggy hair out of his face. "Oh, hello, Nick," he said.
"Ah, James. Pleasure." Nick smiled. "Oh, that's wonderful," he commented as "Bernard, Adam!" joined the Gryffindor table.
Finally, "Zebul, Heather" was sorted into Ravenclaw, and the newly appointed Headmistress, McGonagall, stood up at her seat at the High Table.
"Welcome, both new students and old. I trust you have had splendid holidays. I have a speech to make, but that shall be accomplished after our feast. Enjoy!"
McGonagall sat down, and the golden plates and platters were filled up with chicken wings, steak, roast beef, mashed potatoes, and many other things that James enjoyed but didn't usually eat at home. He helped himself to vegetable soup as Nick began talking about Albus.
"Yes, Albus is a wonderful little boy," Nick said, pulling up his ruff that held his neck in place. "Looks extraordinarily like your father, James. And named after a great headmaster of Hogwarts as well. Shame he isn't more like his father. I hear that he's very shy."
James smiled and finished off his mashed potatoes with a mighty swallow. "Yes, that's right."
"In any event, we'll be looking forward to having your little sister here next year," Nick concluded. "See you around!" And Nick floated off to join Gretchen Hambone and Frieda Cann at the other end of the table.
At last, when all the plates had been wiped clear, and Ariel had finished thumbing through The Standard Book of Spells, McGonagall stood up, and a hush fell over the room.
"Thank you," McGonagall said. "Firstly, we have some changes in staff. Our Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will be Professor McAfee – " (there was a scattered applause as a tall, formidable woman with sharp eyes stood up and sat down almost immediately) " – and our new Potions professor is Professor Reynold." An average-height man with a shock of gray hair and a kind, wrinkled face stood up, raised his hand in greeting, and sat down.
"First-years are reminded that the Forbidden Forest is out-of-bounds, and our older students should be well-informed of that as well.
"Mrs. Truss, our new caretaker, has asked me to inform you that the list of banned items at this school has been updated, and can be viewed through any professor, in the classrooms, and a list is also available in your common rooms.
"Please note that Quidditch trials will begin next Saturday, and the current positions are open: One Chaser and one Beater for Slytherin, a Seeker for Ravenclaw, a Keeper for Gryffindor, and a Chaser for Hufflepuff. If you wish to try for the team, please give your names to your Heads of House – Professor Longbottom for Gryffindor, Professor McAfee for Slytherin, Professor Reynold for Ravenclaw, and Professor Harrison for Hufflepuff. Team captains may set up trials at their leisure, but a team roster must be turned in to your Head of House by the thirtieth of September. Remember that first-years are not allowed to be in possession of a broomstick and may not try out for any team.
"Classes will begin tomorrow…."
James tuned out Professor McGonagall and instead drifted off into a daydream, including one in which he won the Quidditch Cup for his House. The Gryffindor Team hadn't won since James's first year, but he knew that since he'd been on the team since the beginning of last year, and he had more experience this time, he could bring his team to victory.
Suddenly, all the benches scraped backwards with their usual deafening sound and the students filed out of the Great Hall. The prefects, Jocelyn and John, were already halfway out the doors. James spotted Ariel's bright hair and ran after her.
The Gryffindor common room was still the same – roaring fireplace, comfortable squashy armchairs around round tables, the neat notice board tacked up with the list of banned items, two staircases leading out of it. James, Oliver, and Dmitri bade the girls good night and headed up the staircase, excited.
The dormitory was exactly the same – except for now, the door read THIRD YEARS instead. James burst into the room.
Rain had begun to fall. It dribbled against the large windows. Bedside cabinets were between the beds, the hangings were open and welcoming, and someone had placed warming pans between the sheets. It felt so comfortable that James fell asleep before his head hit the pillow.