Dear Lizzie

September 1973

James woke up that first of September with the same twinge of excitement that always accompanied his first days back at school. Though he wouldn't readily admit it, for fear that he might sound nerdy, he actually looked forward to school and couldn't wait to board the train and know he wouldn't be back home till June.

Not that he hated his life at home, because he didn't. He adored his parents, and loved them and respected them and always considered himself to be loved and cared for. At school however, he felt he was able to express himself and truly be himself, and together with his inseparable band of brothers, he strutted with an air of confidence and self-ease which he never quite seemed to express at home. At thirteen, he felt as though he would live forever, and he was still too young to possibly imagine a life without the comfort and security of a home and a family.

Eleven year old Liz was more of a dreamer, but she was more of a realist too, and on that first of September she walked into the Potter kitchen fully aware that her life would change drastically till the next time she set foot in that same room. Though not blatantly obvious, she saw through her Aunt Sarah's bright smile and spotted pain at the upcoming separation from the girl she loved as her own. Though she couldn't spot any visible sign of tears stretched on her aunt's handsome face, she was sure that at some point during the night her cheeks had been dampened at the thought of a year filled with no childish squeals and no hurried footsteps around the house.

Sarah looked at Liz and, much like the first time she had gazed at the girl nine years before, found a pair of large green eyes awaiting her own. "She's grown into a young lady now," Sarah thought contentedly. "She's poised, polite and she's happy. I couldn't wish for anything else." Holding out her hand to the girl, Sarah put her arm around Liz's waist and hugged her tight. "I'll miss you my dear girl. I think I'm finally starting to grow old."

James snorted into his scrambled eggs. "You're not old, mum!" he said, like the mere thought of the phrase offended him. "You're not old, dear." Robert joined in, grinning behind his copy of the Daily Prophet. "See, you're not old, aunty." Liz added, with a big smile on her face.

Bobby glanced across the room at his family and suddenly felt very proud. They had done well for themselves, Sarah and him, but then again, he knew they'd be just fine the moment he first laid eyes on his wife in Diagon Alley all those years ago. James had grown into a tall, handsome teenager, with big brown eyes and unruly hair, much like his own. He had excellent grades at school, and played as seeker with the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Yes, Bobby was very proud.

And as for Liz, after all those years he was sending her away to Hogwarts, satisfied that he had done his brother honour; he was certain that John, wherever he was, was looking down at his little girl and beaming with joy at the woman she had become. She was still a girl in many ways, and still very young, but the reality of her situation had made her wise beyond her years.

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Sarah caught Bobby's hand lightly and they stopped to look at their children. Liz, her face full of excitement, was looking up at James, who put his hand around her protectively as though wanting to shield her from harm. Together the children looked up and, with a glance back at their parents and a big smile each, passed through the barrier between platform 9 and 10 straight into platform 9 ¾.

Sarah looked at her husband with tears in her eyes, and as they hurried forward to follow their children to the platform, she too felt very proud.