THE BEGINNING OF AN ERA
It is said that in every British wizard's life, there are four important days – the day he first shows his magical powers, the day he starts at school, the day he graduates, and the day he gets married. Wizards all around the world prided themselves on their power, education, blood status and their wives. However, wizarding society was not free from the same ideas of prejudice, discrimination and segregation that the Muggle world practiced. Though other forms of discrimination were there, the main basis was undoubtedly blood purity. Wizards and witches were classified into Purebloods, Half-bloods, and Muggleborns on the basis of the purity of their blood. The Pureblood were those whose ancestors were both magical, Half-bloods had both magical and non-magical ancestors and Muggleborns were the first magical people in their families.
One such Pureblood family was that of the Potters. With tremendous wealth, magical power, high education and numerous connections, they had established themselves as one of the most powerful families, politically as well as socially. They were one of the five Most Noble and Ancient Houses, a title given to only the most distinguished and ancient families, the others being the Black, Malfoy, Longbottom and Greengrass families.
Lord Fleamont Potter was the current Head of House Potter, despite being only 37 years old. After graduating from Hogwarts, he passed the mandatory three-year Auror training program and became an Auror. With his intelligence, skill, power and name, he soon rose through the ranks, impressing everyone with his determination, and became the right-hand man to Alastor Moody, one of the most experienced and respected Aurors. After getting into the British Auror Department, he married Euphemia Fischer, the last surviving member of the once-respected Fischer family. After two years, they had a son, James.
Being the only child in such a well-to-do family, it was no surprise that James was spoiled in his childhood by various relatives. As his grandparents had all been killed by some Dark Wizard, it was up to Fleamont and Euphemia to provide him with all the love and attention. Surprisingly, James did not let the special attention get into his head, instead becoming a well-mannered, kind-hearted, handsome young boy with a mischievous streak. His endless pranks were the topic of many a discussion in the Annual Christmas Balls at the Potter Manor, though not all were supportive. Anyone whom James did not particularly like, or who poked their nose into his private matter, was often the subject of the harshest pranks.
31st August, 1971
It was 11 o'clock at night, and James Potter was awake. Though it was not surprising by itself (late nights when everyone was asleep were a good time to play pranks), the reason was a new one. He was not thinking up a new way to drive Mrs. Gilmore up the wall, nor was he thinking of a way to lock Mr. Richards in his room for the rest of eternity.
For probably the first time in his life, James Potter was nervous.
But it was not without any reason that James Potter was nervous. For the next day was September 1, 1971. Which was the also the day his time at Hogwarts was about to begin.
Ever since he was a little boy, James had heard countless stories about Hogwarts – about the huge castle, vast grounds, moving stairs, huge talking portraits, the ceiling of the Great Hall, and of course about the Professors. With every story he heard, he became more excited and eagerly anticipated the day his own Hogwarts days would begin. Of course, being among so many noble members meant that James had heard a fair bit about the not-so-sunny side of Hogwarts, how they could expel students, the caretaker and his cat. He had easily disposed those thoughts from his mind, choosing to focus on the bright side. However, what remained in James' head was something Lady Selwyn had said, about children with magical power sometimes not getting the Letter of Acceptance.
Needless to say, James was frightened, and despite numerous reassurances from his parents about such a thing never actually happening, a small part of his mind was scared. If he did not get the letter, he would no doubt pull the Potter family down with him into the Hall of Shame, probably forcing them to leave the country.
So, when James received the letter on the morning of his 11th birthday on 10th July, 1971, he was ecstatic. The first thing he did was to send a letter, written with ink that would permanently stain the reader's finger for a month, to Lady Selwyn, thanking her for always believing in him. Later that day, he went to Diagon Alley with his parents, buying everything which was required for a first-year student at Hogwarts. Upon seeing his robes, he could not contain the smile that spread out on his face.
The days till September passed quickly, and on the last day of August, James was wide awake. No matter how much he tried, he just could not sleep.
He was interrupted from his thoughts by a knock at his door. He turned towards it and saw that his father was standing at the doorway, a small smile on his face.
"Couldn't sleep, James?" , he asked, walking into the room and sitting down on the edge of his bed.
"No, dad. I'm just too excited at the moment, I guess.", he replied, hoping to make his father go away quickly so he could focus on his thoughts.
"Excited, or nervous?"
Of course he knew. He was a world-famous Auror, and his father, after all. He could detect lies anywhere.
"You know, I still vividly remember the day before my Hogwarts years were to start. I was nervous as well. You see, just like you, I was the only child in my family, and did not have too many friends growing up. I had no one to compare myself to as well – how strong was I, how much knowledge I had, would I make good friends, which house would I be sorted in – and more. Everyone has these doubts."
James could only stare at him.
"And if I go by my experience, I'll say you have absolutely nothing to worry about. You are smart, powerful, and quite capable. You don't need to think too much about which House you're sorted in. Even if you end up in Slytherin, remember that you are James Potter, a member of the Ancient and Noble House of Potter. Nothing can change that, and nothing can change who you are, if you don't let them. Your House represents the type of wizard you are, only to an extent. It will mean nothing after your seven years of Hogwarts. In my line of work, I've met both Gryffindors who are cowards and will try to slip away at the first sign of trouble, as well as Slytherins who will not hesitate to lay their lives on the line for what they believe in."
"Oh." Was all James could say to that. He had certainly not expected to be receiving such profound lessons at eleven o'clock at night, the day before he left for Hogwarts. Though he would never say it, his father knew exactly what had been worrying it, and like the brilliant father he was, removed all his doubts with a simple speech.
He smiled up at his father, "Thanks, Dad. I really needed that."
His father smirked, "I know. I am your father after all."
Getting up from his bed, his father walked towards the door. However, just as he was about to move out of the room, he turned back towards him.
"Oh, and James? Between you and me, I'd say that there is no one more suited to be a Gryffindor, than you."
And with that, he walked out.
James had no problem sleeping the rest of the night.
1st September, 1971 dawned bright and clear, as if Mother Nature knew that another year of classes at Hogwarts was to begin. The wizarding railway station in London, Platform 9 ¾ , was full of people, children, pets, trolleys, trunks and various magical vendors, selling last-minute essential items to those who had forgotten them.
The Hogwarts Express was already at the station, though not many students were in it. The platform was crowded, with parents desperate to spend every possible moment with their children before they left for Hogwarts. Hugs, kisses, tears and goodbyes were aplenty as the guard blew his whistle, urging all students to get onto the train.
At exactly 11:00 am, the train left the station and soon it was out into the British countryside for the start of its nine-hour journey to Hogwarts.
James dragged his trunk through the carriages, but failed to find anyone which was empty. Almost every carriage was full, and James cursed his parents for holding him up for so long. Some had one or two empty places, but one look at the members in them and James knew to stay away from them. His parents had given him a list of all the families he would be seeing on the train, and while they did not tell him to become friends with any particular family, they did tell him to stay away from certain Dark families – most notably the Black, Malfoy, Lestrange families.
To his surprise, he found one almost empty compartment. The only occupant was a red-haired girl. He couldn't read her any more for she was looking out of the window, but he noticed that she was already wearing her Hogwarts robes. James quickly opened the door and stepped in.
"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full." He asked, politely.
The girl turned to look at him, and James was awestruck at her beauty. She had beautiful emerald-green eyes, which contrasted perfectly with her vivid red hair.
"Yes, of course." She replied. Her voice was sweet as well, he noticed.
He pushed his trunk under the seat and plopped down opposite to her. He extended his hand towards her, feeling that being polite and courteous would help him become friends with her faster.
"I'm James Potter. Nice to meet you."
She looked at him with wide eyes, before extending her hand and grabbing his for a firm handshake.
"I'm Lily Evans."
"Evans? I don't think I've heard that name before."
"I thought you didn't. I'm the first witch in my family."
"You're a Muggleborn?" James asked, bewildered. Out of all he had expected, he certainly didn't plan out a way to keep an amiable conversation going with a Muggleborn.
"I'm a what?" Lily asked.
James hastened to explain, "Muggleborn means a person who's born to Muggles. We wizarding folk call non-magical people Muggles."
Lily nodded, "Is that a bad thing?"
James almost replied 'No' but hesitated for a moment, before finally answering, "Not at all!"
Lily stared at him, "You're not telling me something."
James sighed, and explained, "Well, Lily, being a Muggleborn is not bad in any way. You're just the same as the rest of us. But some families, who pride themselves on being Purebloods, treat Muggleborns unfairly, believing them to be unworthy of magic."
Lily was quiet for some time, before asking, "And you are a Pureblood, right?"
James nodded, "Yes, I am a Pureblood. But don't worry, we Potters don't discriminate people based on so-called 'blood purity'."
Lily nodded, and soon they passed into a comfortable conversation, talking about this-and-that. However, they were soon interrupted by the door being opened roughly. A young boy with shoulder-length curly black hair walked into the room and threw himself down on to the seat, sighing heavily in relief.
It was only then he noticed Lily and James in the compartment. He grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his neck.
"Er, hi there! I didn't see you guys!"
"We noticed." Lily and James replied together. Both looked at each other and burst out laughing.
"So, what are your names?" the boy asked.
"I'm Lily Evans."
"I'm James Potter."
"I'm Sirius."
"I'm serious! I am James Potter." James replied indignantly.
The boy grinned widely, showing his white teeth. "No! I mean my name is Sirius. S – I – R – I – U – S."
He was met with two flat stares.
"I bet you will be using your name in countless stupid puns." Lily stated dryly.
Sirius grinned, "I will! You've got to use an opportunity when it presents itself."
Soon the three began talking about various topics. James soon learned that Sirius was as good a pranker as he was, and they soon went into stories of numerous pranks they had played. There was a difference, though. While James was a single child, Sirius had many cousins. While for others, it meant having friends while growing up, James and Lily soon learned that Sirius didn't like his cousins too much. They had a different mindset and so Sirius spent his time thinking up innovative ways to prank them.
"I think we're going to be very good friends." James grinned at him.
"Yeah, me too. Say, which house do you want to be in?"
James puffed his chest, "Why? Gryffindor of course! It's the house of the brave. Every member of my family has been a Gryffindor. What about you guys?"
There was a pause.
Lily replied, "I guess Slytherin? My friend Sev always said he wanted to be a Slytherin. He said it was the best house."
James stared at her, dumbfounded. "What? Why! Who even wants to be a Slytherin? They're all wannabe Dark Wizards! The kind who will discriminate against…..Muggleborns…like you when they grow up and gain power!"
"Why do you say that? You don't even know him!" Lily asked.
"I bet your friend is sitting with people like Malfoy, Black, Lestrange and making fan of you and other people like you. They're all the same!" James reasoned.
Lily glared at him, "I'll have you know that Severus is my very best friend. I know him since I was a little girl. If you are so sure about him, then maybe you should try to be as 'accomodating' of other people as you claim to be."
And with that, she left the cabin.
Sirius looked at him, "Why is she so defensive over that Snape fellow?"
"How am I supposed to know?" James muttered. "We were getting along fine before she mentioned that guy – Snivellus or something."
"Yeah, whatever. Girls are overrated anyways." Sirius grinned.
James smiled and they again started talking about various things. Their mutual love of pranking others had made them quite good friends already, even though it had only been a few hours since they had first met. They also learnt that they shared a mutual hatred of the Annual Christmas Balls, hated all girls trying to be on their good terms for a greater chance at any future marriage. They were just little children!
Soon, the sun set and a fifth-year Prefect named Fabian Prewett came and told them both to wear their school robes. Soon after, the Hogwarts Express pulled into the Hogsmeade station. They were told to leave their trunks on the train, and thus they dismounted empty-handed. The station was as full as King's Cross was, but above all the chatter, shouting, and general chaos, a giant of a man called all first-years towards him in his weird non-British accent. Sirius and James knew the man was Rubeus Hagrid, Gatekeeper at Hogwarts and a very kind, trustable and honest person. Soon the crowd split into two, with the little first-years following Hagrid while the second-years and above went another way.
Hagrid guided the first-years towards the Great Lake, where they got onto boats. Strange thing was, the boats were magical as well – they rowed themselves. Four children fit in one boat and James and Sirius were accompanied by two boys – Frank Longbottom and Gideon Prewett. After introducing themselves, they chatted amongst themselves for a bit before the first glimpse of the magnificent Hogwarts castle left them all spellbound. Being members of Pureblood families, they had heard of the majestic castle numerous times from their parents, yet they were left enthralled.
They were guided to the gates, from where a very strict-looking Professor named McGonagall guided them towards the Great Hall. The huge doors were closed, and Professor McGonagall made them wait.
"Behind these doors lies the Great Hall. In the course of your seven years at Hogwarts, this will be the place where you come for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Now, however, once the door opens, you all will follow me in a single line towards the front of the hall. I'll be calling out your names in alphabetical order, whence you have to come up and sit on the chair. I will place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted. Then you will go and join your table, where you'll have dinner, before being led to your common rooms by the Prefects. Is that clear?"
Everyone nodded. The doors of the Great Hall opened, and James and Sirius got their first glimpse of it. Soon McGonagall started calling out names.
"Abernathy, Timothy"
A tall boy walked up towards her and sat himself down on the chair, clearly nervous. McGonagall put the Hat on his head. It stayed there for some time, and it seemed as if Timothy was having a conversation with the Hat, and then the Hat shouted out.
"HUFFLEPUFF!"
The Hufflepuff table broke out in applause, welcoming their newest member. However, the applause soon stopped as the next student went up.
Within almost no time, McGonagall called, "Black, Sirius."
James started, looking at his newest friend – the one he had spent all his time on Hogwarts Express in. His parents had specifically told him not to mix with any of the Blacks, and yet he had gone and done so. But still, he though Sirius was alright. However, at that moment, Sirius was avoiding his gaze as he slowly got up, almost all eyes in the Great Hall on him. The older students on the Slytherin table were smirking, clearly sure that they had got another member.
"You never told me you were a Black!" James whispered.
"You would've ignored me! I hate them. But I'll be a Slytherin, I guess. I really hoped I could've had you as my friend, James. But it will be difficult." Sirius told him as he walked slowly up to McGonagall.
"There's always a first for everything, Sirius!" James told him. By the sudden rising of his friend's shoulders, he knew Sirius had heard him. He crossed his fingers, desperately hoping Sirius got into Gryffindor.
The Sorting Hat was put on his head. But, this time, a lot of time passed. Sirius' eyes were closed as he seemed to be in deep conversation with the Hat, pleading almost. Soon, the Hat shouted.
"GRYFFINDOR!"
Silence.
Then ear-shattering applause from the Gryffindor table. The Sylterins were mind-boggled. It wasn't supposed to be! A Black was supposed to be a Slytherin!
Sirius got down from the chair, grinning widely. He spotted James in the crowd, and gave him a thumbs-up before joining the Gryffindor table, where he was welcomed warmly. Clearly, he was a sign of good things to come.
The rest of the sorting passed quickly. Lily Evans was sorted into Gryffindor. Her 'best friend' Severus Snape, a greasy little boy with a hooked nose and dirty hair, was sorted into Slytherin. And James was of course sorted into Gryffindor. The hat did not even ponder its decision.
The first years had their dinner, and then they were lead to their common rooms by Fabian Prewett, the Prefect. They marveled at the castle, the moving stairs, the talking portraits, and the ghosts. Sadly, James could not talk to Lily again, as she seemed determined to avoid him and Sirius. They entered their Common Room, a homely place with fireplaces, couches, chairs, tables and mats. Fabian guided the first years to their dormitories. Four people were given a single room. James and Sirius were, to their joy, placed in the same room. The other occupants of the room were two boys names Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew.
After unpacking, they introduced themselves and then started chatting. It was easy to see all four were excited for classes to begin.
"So, I met Sirius on the train, so I know quite a lot about him. What about you guys?" James asked Remus and Peter. Of course, they had no need to ask him for anything. Being the sole child in the Potter Family and thus being the sole heir of the tremendous Potter fortune, it was difficult for James to have privacy.
Remus started, "Well, uh, I've nothing much to say. I'm Remus, my dad is Tom Lupin and my mom is Helena Lupin. I'm the sole child."
"And?"
"Nothing more." Remus seemed to hiding something, but James would not force him to tell anything. All people had their secrets.
Peter was next, "I'm Peter, I…..don't have parents. I live with my uncle, who owns a book shop in France. I was sent to Hogwarts because my parents had already paid for my education here."
James looked down towards the floor. He had a perfect life till date. He had loving parents, lots of money, house-elfs to help him and could get anything he wanted. He knew Sirius was the rebel in his family, and had a very hard time in his house, with all his family members being Pureblood Supremacists. However it was clear Sirius was not one of them, his presence in Gryffindor was proof of that.
James spoke up, "Uh, guys. I know we've just met and all, but I really like you all. I've never had friends in my life, being the single child and all, and I want to tell you that if you guys need any help, you are free to ask me. I'll be doing all I can, on my honour as a Potter."
Sirius grinned, "Same here! As a Black, I can help you guys as well. I have many sources courtesy of my dear parents. And it'll spite them more, so there's another reason."
Peter grinned, "Thank you. It really means a lot."
Remus too nodded his head, but seemed to be deep in thought. James was just about to lie down on his huge bed, when Remus blurted out,
"I want to tell you something."
All three looked at him. Remus looked nervous, as if second-guessing his decision, before continuing.
"I know that since we're all room-mates here, we'll continue to be room-mates till the end of our time at Hogwarts. So, I think I should tell you all my secret. But, please, I beg you, please do not tell anyone of this. No one apart from my parents knows, and it is the reason why they don't talk to me that much anymore. I knew I had to open up to someday, I figure I might as well start with you. Because, as it is, I have nothing to lose."
James, Sirius and Peter looked among themselves, wondering what could be such a big secret.
"I'm a werewolf."
James, Sirius and Peter stared at him, mouths wide-open. Remus looked at them once, and then looked at the floor. His secret was out, there was no going back anymore. He would have to live with his decision for the rest of his life.
"So what?" James said.
Remus jerked his head up to look at him, not believing his ears. James was grinning.
"I said, so what? You're a werewolf, fine. My father is an Auror, and he's told me enough stories for me to know werewolves are probably the most discriminated section in Wizarding Britain. He told me they are the loneliest section, no one wants to be their friend, no one hires them. But, they can be trusted. My father has worked with one Italian Auror who was a werewolf, though in secret. You are a human, after all, who howls at the moon once a month."
James' face was red from embarrassment. Sirius and Peter were grinning. Remus was smiling. James soon smiled as well.
"Aww, look at Jamesie. He's so mature!" Sirius mimed.
"Thanks, guys." Remus smiled at them.
"No problem, Remus." Sirius replied, "You're a good person, I know it. I have experience in judging characters."
Slowly all four fell asleep.
However, just before the lamps were put out, Peter spoke up.
"You know, I have a feeling we'll be very good friends."
So, did you like it? Please leave a review. I'm thinking about doing more parts of this, maybe for other important events in the Marauder's Era. Should I?
Thank you for reading.
Mischief Managed.