Chapter 3: Talks on the train

James laughed as he pulled the chain that dangled from the roof of the engine cabin at the head of the train, producing a loud forlorn reverberation that echoed around the station. Phil chuckled as he leaned out of the front cabin to see that James' parents and Alastor Moody had jumped out of their skins. Moody was particularly animated; jumping up and down and brandishing his wand in what was hopefully a playful manner before stomping off somewhere out of sight.

"Nice one lad," Phil praised, "that one made them jump higher than a house!"

James laughed again. The two had become remarkably close to friends in the hour and a half that they had known each other. Phil had shown James the entire train, teaching him which cabins were the best ones and which he shouldn't sit in. Apparently, the cabins in the third out of the six carriages were the better ones, as they got the smoothest ride with less noise from the engine. Another major part was that the witch that pushed the refreshment trolley started from the front and worked backwards, so the third carriage not only got the optimum ride, but also got their pick of the refreshments before the trolley was depleted. Phil also gave an insight as to who built the Hogwarts Express and why, how long it had been running, and how it worked. Instead of the coal powered engine that muggle trains had, the Hogwarts Express ran on magic. All Phil had to do was utter the starting incantation and then she worked like a normal train, only she would require no shovelling of coal through a tiny hatch. James had begged and pleaded for the knowledge of the incantation, but to no avail.

"It wouldn't do for students to know how to stop and start the train now would it?" Phil had said shaking his head. "Then they could mess with it, making my job all the harder."

James had been unable to persuade Phil otherwise, so they had moved on to the front cabin and James had spent some time learning how to operate the train, although it remained stationary without the starting spell.

"Oh blimey!" Said the train driver, checking his watch. "It's nearly twenty past, you'd better get a move on James!" James glanced at his own watch in dismay, but then excitement returned as he realised how close he was to going to Hogwarts. He flung himself from the cabin as if he was diving into a swimming pool, tucking and rolling through as he hit the pavement of the station. Phil watched in disbelief.

"It's a wonder you haven't hurt yourself already kid." He said. "Now get going or your mum will have both our hides!" James nodded and took off, waving goodbye and shouting a thanks to Phil as he headed towards his mum and dad.

James' parents weren't alone when he returned, out of breath from the quick sprint down the length of the train. A tall, slim intimidating wizard in a crisp suit stood with them, speaking to Mr Potter. It was evident from Mr Potter's face that the conversation wasn't a pleasant one and both parties abruptly stopped speaking as James slowed into a trot.

"Ah, James! There you are!" Said Mr Potter almost gratefully, hastily rearranging his features into a smile. "Bartemius, this is my son, James. James, this is Bartemius Crouch, Head of the Auror Office." Crouch smiled thinly and inclined his head, whilst James simply said; "Pleasure to meet you sir."

"Can you two continue this conversation later please?" Asked Mrs Potter, with a hint of threat in her voice. Mr Crouch looked taken aback for a moment, but nodded his agreement.

"As you wish Euphemia, I shall leave you now, I must find Alastor. I want his report on my desk by Wednesday." And with that, the foreboding wizard turned on his heel and strode away.

"Don't you worry about him James," Mr Potter said once Mr Crouch was out of earshot. "Bartemius isn't as human as the rest of us. I think he survives on paperwork to be frank." James stifled a laugh as Mrs Potter shot a chastising glance at her husband.

"Have fun on your tour dear?" She said, changing the subject.

"Yeah! It was wicked! Phil told me loads!..." James went on, regaling his talk with Phil to his parents, who listened with amused expressions on their faces.

As the time swiftly approached twenty to eleven, James noticed others arriving through the barrier between Platform Nine and Platform Ten. Some of the students were clearly returning, as they were bigger and looked much older than James. The newer, first year students were easier to identify as they wore the same look of awe and wonder on their faces as they stepped through the magical wall. Some of the adults nodded or waved to James' mum and dad, who returned the gestures, often whispering names of notice to James, important ministry figures and whatnot. At last, the clock read ten to, marking James' boarding of the Hogwarts Express. Just before he stepped onto the train, Mrs Potter grabbed hold of the back of his shirt and hauled him backwards, as Mr Potter drew an ancient looking camera from apparently nowhere. James groaned inwardly. Some of it must have shown on the outside however, as Mrs Potter fixed him with a glare. He straightened up and gave them his best smile, ruffling his hair awkwardly as he noticed other students looking on and sniggering at the precious first year that was having his photo taken. The camera flashed as Mr Potter snapped the picture.

"Lovely," He said. "You're free to go." He smiled and James pulled his parents into a hug before hurriedly jumping onto the third carriage to find a compartment.

Seemingly, some of the older students had figured out that the third carriage was the best too, as it was almost full. Just as James was about to slip into the only unoccupied one, he heard voices from further down the carriage. He stuck his head out to see two boys stood maybe a foot apart, shouting. The one with his back to James had disgustingly greasy looking hair, whilst the other boy had hair that was almost too well looked after. The boy that James could see all of had his face contracted in a snarl, as the other boy taunted him.

"I should have expected that an idiot like you would resort to common muggle violence." Sneered the greasy haired boy. "Clearly you believe you are something special. Well I can assure you that isn't the case. You are nothing but a braggart and an idiotic one at that. I'm surprised that they even let you into this school."

The other boy stopped snarling and laughed.

"Rich talk coming from the slimiest of foes." He quipped, to laughter from down the corridor. Some of the other students had been as curious as James and come out to watch the show. "Tell me, do you normally look like that or is this just a good day?" The greasy haired boy stayed silent, but James could see by his body language that he was angry. The jibe had clearly struck home.

"You're very quick with your words, but why don't we see how quick you are with your wand?" Challenged the greasy haired boy, raising his as he said so. The other boy considered this for a moment before turning away.

"Sorry, come back to me when you don't smell like a dead skunk that bathed in its own waste." He jeered, before turning and walking away. The greasy haired boy kept his wand raised and jabbed it towards the receding figure of his foe.

"Engorgio Skullus!" He shouted, and with a bang the other boy fell over, his head swelling rapidly. "Now you have a head to match your ego!" Sneered the greasy haired boy. James felt almost obliged to help the other boy, whose head now resembled something the size of a beach ball. He stepped forward and raised his own wand.

"Calvario!" James shouted, and the greasy haired boy turned to receive the spell full on in the face. His hair began to fall out at an alarming rate, and soon the greasy haired boy was left with nothing more than a wisp of black on his head.

"Y-y-you." He said, almost shaking with rage.

"Not so funny when its not you that's casting the spell is it?" Said James evenly. "I, for one, don't know why you're complaining to be honest. I did you a favour. Your hair looks much less greasy now." Another round of laughter rolled down the hallway, along with some applause.

"Run along now, maybe you can grow it back before we get to Hogwarts." James said cheerily, and the greasy haired boy ran past him, shouldering him out of the way as his hands clutched his now bald head. James smiled and turned to help the boy whom the greasy haired boy had been fighting with.

"Finite." Said one of the older students as he waved his wand, taking pity on the boy. The enlarged head seemed to deflate until it reached normal size.

"Thanks," Gasped the boy, as James helped him up. "Now where did that greasy haired git go?" He said, turning round in an attempt to find his target. James held out an arm to stop him.

"Easy mate, I got him for you. What were you even fighting about?" James asked. The other boy seemed reluctant to speak in front of his audience.

"Well, come sit with me anyway, I have a compartment all to myself." James invited, and the boy looked gratefully at him.

"What's your name by the way?" James asked curiously, glancing at his new companion.

"Sirius," The boy said. "Sirius Black."

"So, what did you get him with?" Asked Sirius eagerly. The two were back in the compartment, that could comfortably seat four, if not six.

"It was a Calvario hex." James replied modestly. "The only offensive thing I could think of, aside from his hair!" Sirius barked with laughter, and James knew right then and there that here was a boy he could be friends with.

"So, where do your family come from?" Queried James, who was eager to learn about his new friend. Instantly Sirius' face darkened.

"London." He stated shortly. "Same as you I suspect." James cringed inwardly at himself. He should have been more thoughtful than to nose in on someone's private life. He desperately cast around for a new topic.

"Train should be leaving soon." He said casually. Sirius seemed to relax once the conversation did not involve his family.

"Yeah, I'm well up for it, can't wait to see Hogwarts!" He professed. James' reply was lost as a knock sounded on the door of their compartment, turning both heads towards the semi-glass door. Two boys, roughly their age were stood there. One was about the same height as James and Sirius, though he looked a slight shabbier than them. The boy next to him was small, almost mouse-like, and seemed terrified of everything he looked at.

"Um, do you...?" The first boy said, trailing off a little in embarrassment. Sirius looked at James, who nodded.

"Mind? Not at all!" Sirius said, beaming, gesturing for the two newcomers to make themselves at home. Both boys looked extremely grateful and sat down opposite each other, the smaller on Sirius' side and the shabbier boy on James' side. The first boy introduced himself as Remus Lupin, and came across as extremely knowledgeable and clever. The other boy told them that he was Peter Pettigrew, whom Remus had apparently bumped into almost straight away. The four began chatting animatedly as the Hogwarts Express slowly chugged out of the station. James even forgot to wave to his parents as he spoke with his newfound compatriots.

Almost thirty minutes into the journey, James glanced around at his three new acquaintances. There was Sirius, the same height as James, and equally as loud. His hair fell down in almost glossy locks to just above his jawline, and his grey eyes were nowhere near as bleak as they should have been for their colour. They instead shone with downright mischievousness and, partnered with his charismatic smile, made him an immediately likeable person. Sirius had said little about his family, which had gone unnoticed by no one, and had given incredibly vague answers that often deflected the question onto a completely different subject that seemed far beyond his years. To Sirius' right sat Peter Pettigrew. Peter hadn't said too much about himself, but rather had been content to sit in awe at his three new friends. James felt a pang of sympathy for the smaller boy, before berating himself. Peter didn't need sympathy, he needed a friend. Peter had mousy brown hair that had no clear style to it, it just kind of sat on his head, and his bright blue eyes were wide as he took in the three people with whom he was conversing with. Opposite from Peter was Remus Lupin. Remus had brilliant forest green eyes that were a complete contrast to his ordinary brown hair. It soon became evident that Remus was a student that very much liked books, as he spouted facts that the other three would never have known if not for him. For the most part, Remus sat quietly, almost analysing the conversation and his witty comebacks to any remarks thrown his way had the group laughing for minutes as the recipient tried to figure out if they had been insulted or not.

Just then the door to their compartment burst open, almost shattering the glass in it, revealing a redheaded girl their age looking absolutely furiously at them.

"Um, hello." Said James cautiously, as if he was worried that the girl might bight them or blow up, which he was.

"Would you have happened, perchance, to have hexed a boy with dark hair about thirty minutes ago, give or take a few?" She asked coldly. James looked at Sirius, who was hiding a grin, and then at Remus and Peter who were looking at him, shocked.

"Well, it depends on who's asking." James said cryptically. He looked at the girl more closely and noticed that she was, in fact, very pretty. She had green eyes that instead of being a forest green like Remus', were a vibrant hue of emerald that were infinitely more captivating. Her dark red hair fell in waves to her shoulders, shimmering in a colour that fire could only dream of. He sat with his mouth hanging slightly open for a minute before realising she was speaking again.

"Who's asking is his friend, who has had to ask a seventh year to charm his hair back in and who most certainly is not against throwing you off of this train. What kind of people are you? Attacking him like that without any reason two to one?! That's despicable! I have half a mind to go straight to the teachers after this and get you both expelled!" She ranted, clearly having rehearsed this whilst looking for them. James' mouth was that of a fish, opening and closing, but no sound came out.

"What my friend here is attempting to say ma'am," Rescued Sirius smoothly. "Is that we would have done nothing of the sort if the slimy git hadn't deserved it!" The girl's eyes narrowed in a deadly manner.

"And what, did he do to deserve it?" She asked in a perilously calm and cold voice. Sirius froze as he tried to remember his argument. The redheaded girl took this to mean that there was no reason.

"I thought so." She said, and stormed off down the train.

"What in Merlin's beard was that?" Asked Peter, astounded. Sirius looked sheepish.

"I dunno, I looked at her and I forgot everything but self preservation mate. You know, if I stay still maybe she won't see me?" He finished hopefully. James roared with laughter.

"What was all of this about you two attacking another student though? Was she serious?" Remus said questioningly. Sirius brushed it off.

"Of course she wasn't, I am!" He said. "She can't pass for someone as good looking as me!"

"I don't know about that mate." James said, his mind flashing back to the redheaded girl. "I think I'm in love." Sirius snorted.

"You can't be serious James, she'll eat you alive!" Said Peter.

"Has no one here being paying attention this entire journey?!" Sirius said. "I'm Sirius! You know, dashing good looks, hair like you wouldn't believe, huge muscles, charming, your friend?" James pretended to think.

"I'm not sure about the muscles and good looking bit, but friend is definitely right." He quipped to a round of laughter. They continued exchanging snipes in a good natured way until Peter asked what was on everyone's mind.

"When's the food trolley coming round?"

Every pair of eyes went to Remus, but it was James who got their first.

"Around half past one. Train doesn't get to Hogsmeade until six, so we have plenty of time to kill." He said to general astonishment.

"What?" He said. "I had a lot of time here before you lot even got up, I got talking to the train driver." After that, the topic quickly changed to school and the lessons.

"I'm looking forward to Defence Against the Dark Arts." Declared Sirius. "I can't wait to get to know some good hexes to use on Reg-never mind." He said quickly, flushing and turning towards the window. There was an awkward silence as James and the others realised that Sirius had been about to share his first and only comment about his family. Remus put an end to the painful lull in conversation.

"I'll admit, I've been looking forward to charms, there are some really interesting ones in the book." James stared at him, dumbstruck.

"You've read all of the charms book already?!" He said, aghast. Remus smiled.

"Actually I've already read all of the books." A silence of astonishment filled the compartment.

"What?" Remus demanded, a little defensively. "Surely you've all had a look at them?"

"Not really Remus, I just stopped at the first spell I found in the first book I picked up." Said James, and he recounted the scene in his bedroom the previous night, to a fair bit of laughter from the others.

"Hang on," Said Sirius. "Where did you learn that spell you used on that greasy slime ball then?" He said, triumphantly. James merely shrugged.

"Heard my mum say that dad looks like he's been hit by a Calvario hex nowadays, so I guessed the incantation and used it." Peter looked at him in shock.

"B-but that could have done anything!" He squeaked.

"Come on Peter, give James some credit would you? He stopped him from attacking me and gave the git a haircut at the same time!" Sirius broke in savagely. Remus held his hands up, causing Sirius to pause.

"What Peter meant was that James could have said the incantation of a different spell that could have caused serious damage, or he could have misfired with disastrous results. And no, that wasn't aimed at you." He added, as Sirius had been about to mention the unintentional pun.

"What about you Peter?" Asked James. "Which lesson are you looking forward to?" Peter pondered for a moment before answering.

"I don't know really, I'm going to give them all a chance and see which one I like best." He said thoughtfully. James nodded.

"A good plan that, Peter. I think I'll join you in that, though History of Magic doesn't sound too promising, probably about some wizard who invented the first spell ever and then go on from there." Peter beamed and James looked at Remus to confirm if his guess about History of Magic was right. Remus chuckled.

"I think you have been reading those textbooks James, that's pretty much what the first chapter is."

"See, who needs to read when you already know it? I've got superior talent, me" He said, prodding his chest with his finger.

"Yes, pity you have such an ego." Came a drawling voice from the doorway. A tall, blonde haired boy stood there, a badge that read 'Prefect' pinned to his left breast, and an embroidered logo with a serpent on the right. A familiar figure stood next to him, greasy hair now intact.

"Are these the boys that hexed you Severus? You did the right thing in coming to me." The prefect drawled again. The boy with greasy hair nodded, a malevolent look spreading across his face. James' heart dropped.

"My, my, such a shame that I can't dock points from you this early on in the year." Sneered the tall prefect. "That would be a school record; if only I knew your house." Sirius' eyes narrowed.

"I know you. Lucius Malfoy. What idiot made you prefect?!" He said with nothing but contempt in his voice as he stared the older boy down. Malfoy did not seem perturbed by this, instead, his lip curled back in a snarl.

"Honestly Snape, these two bested you?" He said to the slimy boy. "Well, I can make allowances with it being a two on one, and I shall take it upon myself to teach you how to deal with people like this." James was pleased to see Snape's head drop slightly in shame, but then it rose as Malfoy carried on speaking.

"What can you hope to teach him aside from to not start fights he can't win?" Taunted James, throwing caution to the wind. Malfoy's sneer widened.

"Lesson one, Severus, is not what this dim-witted moron suggests. It is to make sure you have the means to win. And that means bringing support."

As Malfoy spoke, two larger boys, third years by the look of them, stepped menacingly towards the compartment and shouldered inside. Peter scrambled back and Malfoy laughed.

"You see Severus, they are not so strong now are they? Not when the odds are evened."

Just in time, the shrill sound of the train whistle sounded, announcing that they would arrive in Hogsmeade soon, the station closest to Hogwarts. The thugs backed off, looking uncertainly at Malfoy, who nodded and swept away without a word, dragging the greasy haired boy with him. As they left, the four first years glanced at each other and breathed a sigh of relief. James noticed that both him and Sirius had their wands out and were standing rigidly, tensed for the abruptly halted interaction. Remus also had his wand out, whilst Peter scrambled upright from his mad dash away from the door. Slowly, the boys relaxed, and began to laugh nervously.

"Come on, robes." Said Remus, as if nothing had happened. "We're nearly there now." And with that he reached up and yanked his robes from the rack above the seats, and the others hastened to do the same, Sirius with far more force than necessary. It was James that voiced the unasked question in the room.

"Sirius, how did you know that prefect back there?" Sirius' face darkened, but then the shadow passed as quickly as it had appeared as he thought of a suitably mysterious reply.

"Ask me no questions, and I shall tell you no lies." He said cheerfully. His cheerfulness was marred slightly by the tiny hint of a threat in his voice that said 'drop it', and the other three did so.

"So, hopes for houses?" Said Remus tactfully, providing a quick change of subject, which Peter gratefully jumped upon, because the way that Sirius had been glowering had set warning signs flashing in his mind.

"I almost want to be in Slytherin," He said, to a gasp from the others. "Not because I'm evil," He clarified. "But just so that I could see the look on Malfoy's face when he realises that he can't dock points from his own house without being hated." He said, to a roar of laughter from James and Remus and even a reluctant smile from Sirius.

"Well I for one, am hoping for Gryffindor." Announced James, to no surprise from the others. "Following in mum and dad's footsteps."

"Well, do excuse me from not doing the same with my parents, that'd make us enemies." Sirius stated, and then paled slightly, as if he'd said too much.

"Nonsense!" James scoffed. "It wouldn't make us enemies, it'd give us an inside man to prank Malfoy and Snivellus!" Sirius turned on him.

"And who said that my parents were Slytherin?" He demanded angrily. There was a slight pause as each mind whirred at the speed of light, yielding next to nothing but emotion. Remus interrupted the heated exchange.

"Nothing, Sirius, but Gryffindor's are typically enemies with Slytherin's, James just assumed that was what you meant." Remus covered smoothly. Sirius huffed but said nothing, although after a few seconds he murmured something.

"What was that mate?" James said, cupping his ear and leaning forward.

"What did you call him? That greasy git?" Sirius said, louder this time. James frowned.

"Oh, Snivellus. Bit pathetic really, but it was the best I could do under the constraints of the situation." He broke off as Sirius barked with laughter, and Peter and Remus chuckled as well.

"Give yourself some credit mate, that was good!" Sirius cackled. "But anyway, we got off topic, which house Peter?" Peter looked shocked to be asked so suddenly.

"Oh, erm, I dunno, hopefully the same house as at least one of you." He stammered. James nodded.

"Can't get fairer than that. What about you Remus? Ravenclaw? You certainly like books." Remus nodded.

"Books yes, but I like to think that I wouldn't pick books over my friends. Though the prospect is tempting with you three." The all laughed and turned to their robes, pulling on cloaks and tugging ties to make themselves look somewhat presentable as the train began to slow into Hogsmeade.