Thankfully, the rest of the ride wasn't too awkward. Wizards and witches do have an easy time of bouncing back, considering magic could sometimes make things weird without even meaning to. James getting too descriptive in their first experience with tabletop RPGs wasn't that noteworthy to them, even if they did actually get sick from that.
He even got complimented for that.
Lily was the only one that needed to change into her school robes, having come to the station from the muggle side, while the others had worn them in the morning. Instead of asking for privacy, she placed her robes on the seat as she stood up, and with a wave of her wand performed a switching spell.
It wasn't perfect, her clothes were somewhat ruffled, but a straightening charm did help with that. James nodded in approval, to which Lily returned a beaming smile. She already had magic, now she only needs to add more fanfare and she could truly be a magical girl! She'd need some light technique to cover her body while conjuring the rest of the clothes though, so she doesn't flash every time she transforms…
Those thoughts aside, they arrived at Hogwarts, the prefects directing the first years towards Hagrid, an unnecessary gesture since he was shouting and waving over the crowd. It would take actual effort to not notice him…
James eyed Hagrid, feeling conflicted. With Tom Riddle and the Basilisk dealt with, there was no way to clear his name. Of course, had there been any actual investigation, it would've been obvious that an acromantula wasn't capable of killing in a way that left no mark, but since the killings stopped after he was confronted, it was proof enough for them.
No, what bothered James more was Dumbledore. Since then, he had gained more than enough political clout to force an investigation. He would've faced little to no opposition had he tried to clear Hagrid's name simply because nobody really cared about the half-giant. He kept to himself and most either loved him or ignored him, so even the bigots wouldn't bother, because standing up against Dumbledore for something so minor was more troublesome than it was worth it. Only the likes of Umbridge would've bothered, and luckily it was a rare breed.
They gathered unto the boats, James sitting with Sirius, Narcissa and Lily, and soon enough, accompanied by Hagrid's booming voice, they had set sail across the lake. It was amusing to see all the kids duck their heads, as even the hanging vines didn't reach their heights. Hagrid was just so oblivious that he kept forgetting that he's the different one, being so tall…
The castle was amazing, James thought with some sadness as he observed it. He scanned it with his various magical senses and couldn't help but lament over the decay he could see, the fraying wards indicating past glories. Looking at Hogwarts made it obvious that the castle was built with defense as first priority, but that goal was lost to time with constant renovations.
While new wards were invented that could replace the role of physical defenses, not all Headmasters were so considerate, and the wards were allowed to fall, or deliberately tempered with. Headmasters with their own agendas would continue to change the wards to fit their desires, to allow acts previously forbidden… Would McGonagall be better? Would she even know how to deal with that? James could easily fix the wards, but the change would be noticeable. He decided to keep an eye out and only act if things would be dire, but he doubted that would be necessary.
Hagrid finished escorting the first years and handed them off to the new Deputy Headmistress, Professor Sprout. Well, she was more likely to get the role than a part goblin like Flitwick, but why not Slughorn? Maybe due to age, or did Minerva dislike his collection habit? Or did he reject the role? Well, whatever.
The speech Sprout delivered was the same one he was familiar with from canon, and the same one Dumbledore himself had recited when he was in Sprout's position. Was it tradition, or a lazy author not wanting to come up with a new spin to the scene?
As Sprout left the kids to their own excited or anxious mutterings, James scanned the room, anticipating the ghost scene. Aha! There it was, the scream of a child! Wonderful.
"Forgive and forget, I say-" James heard the Fat Friar ghost begin and he already tuned out the ghost. That pretty much confirmed that this scene was an act. James realized that the ghosts were trying to actually help the kids, who were anxious and focused on the sorting, so they provided a distraction. Even many of the magical-raised kids were surprised by the ghosts, since parents and older siblings love to keep details about Hogwarts as secret as they can get away with, wanting to make the experience special, or maybe just being jerks.
"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside. I read about it in Hogwarts, A History." James mumbled to himself as the group following Sprout into the great hall. Lily gave him a funny look, but that was most likely because he wasn't looking up, nor talking to anyone who was.
"To see so many younglings,
come here to learn some magic,
but have no worries kids,
as you'll soon find the experience quite tragic!
James doubted that the song went anything like that, as the clapping response didn't feel appropriate, but since that's what his mind filled in for the song he didn't bother listening to, he decided to join the cheering kids.
(A/N: The hat has a year to come up with a song, while I don't care much for it.)
When Sirius Black was sorted to Gryffindor, many were shocked. Only after James and his friends clapped then others joined, though many in Gryffindor were unsure. They might've been thinking that he was going to spy on them for the Slytherins!
James noticed the sour look on Snape's face when Lily was sorted into Gryffindor as well. It was hilarious that he still hoped she would be sorted into Slytherin, but quite sad that he was that obsessed with her even though their relationship in this timeline is so different. Maybe he liked the emotional abuse he inflicted upon himself?
There were no more surprises during the sorting. The Bones went to Hufflepuff, Narcissa to Slytherin, though she gave him a hesitant glance, even after he assured her that it was alright.
There's always something in fanfictions about reincarnates facing the hat. But James had access to the founders, so he knew he had no reason to worry. The hat had no true mind reading capabilities – it was just a more intricate form of magic that's the base for intent wards, combined with a personality that's created similarly to magical portraits, except this one is created from the four founders.
What the hat does is read how the child sees themselves and how they see each house. Draco saw himself as a Slytherin, so even though his personality is much more Gryffindor, he was sorted there. Neville didn't believe he would get into Gryffindor, but because that's the house he hoped for, he got in. Hermione is a classical Ravenclaw, but her admiration for Dumbledore had placed her in Gryffindor.
James simply had to demand Gryffindor strongly enough and the hat declared the choice instantly.
Perhaps that's why the sorting method is kept a secret? It's so easily manipulated, that it would've become useless if anyone thought about it for a bit and then tried testing ways to influence the hat.
Minerva McGonagall raised to her feet and watched the students patiently, as they quickly quieted down and turned to look at her. The older kids looked at her with some weariness, unsure as to how to feel about the absence of Dumbledore.
"Welcome, to a new year at Hogwarts." The new Headmistress declared. "Before it is time for a welcome speech, it's time for a welcome feast!" McGonagall tried to capture some of Dumbledore's nature, but it didn't fit her quite well. It was obvious that until then she used to being rather strict, and now that she was still trying to get used to her new role, she was somewhat stiff.
Regardless, nobody really cared enough to comment, easily distracted by the appearance of food. A long train ride with only snacks had left few willing to discuss much before shoveling food into their face-voids.
Lily, sitting next to him, quickly found herself in conversation with a girl sitting next to her, talking excitedly about what they might be learning here. James couldn't help but smirk at her, she was going to be so disappointed when she learns that her current magical abilities mean that she'll only stand to learn from the non-magical classes. Potions is going to be her only hope for enjoying a practical class, and she didn't enjoy Herbology at all, leaving that to Petunia.
Sirius was trying to get Remus to loosen up, but the secret werewolf was too nervous to really participate in conversation. Peter Pettigrew was also quite shy and insecure, but took a deep breath before taking the opportunity and trying to make a friend. James already scanned the kid, though it was purely paranoia.
Peter didn't really have anything impressive going for him, but he also wasn't an evil kid waiting to leap at some chance to move up the social ladder. He was rather similar to the Wormtail he absorbed, at least at the same age. He started innocent as well, but sticking around talented friends while being average wasn't pleasant for him. And neither James nor Sirius considered the impact of their word-vomits, so what they saw as friendly teasing, was hurting Peter quite a bit.
It's not that his actions, the betrayal, were justified, but James could see where it had gone wrong. Not really wanting to take on such a project, he decided that it's better to not become too close to Peter, nothing more than an acquaintance. Peter will find friends in their other dormmates, and he won't have to constantly feel inadequate and bitter about it.
James had little reason to recreate the Marauders as they were. It wasn't as though Hogwarts needed to fight Voldemort's darkness with pranks. No, he'd rather just add Remus to their group… Maybe Frank Longbottom will be interested in hanging out from time to time, too.
James eyed Remus for a bit, who seemed to notice and start fidgeting, but James merely smiled at him and introduced himself, before moving on. He had to wait for at least a couple of months before it was believable for him to realize that's something was off with Remus. After that… James will have to wait several years before he can reveal a cure, won't he?
"Several announcements for our start-of-term." Headmistress McGonagall announced. "As you've noticed, Hogwarts had experienced several staff changes. Headmaster Dumbledore has retired, and while Hogwarts will always be grateful for his influence, we must also continue to honor its name as the best school of magic."
"Professor Pomona Sprout has taken my old duties as Deputy Headmistress, while Professor Griffiths will be the new Gryffindor Head of House. Teaching Transfiguration, I am happy to introduce Professor Tyler Bell, who is very accomplished in the field and finished his own Mastery only a few years after myself." She added the last with a bit of a smirk, earning a laugh from the hall as the new professor lightly glared at her.
"The new subject, Magical Culture, will be taught by Korina Greengrass. I would remind all students that this class is mandatory for the first two years, regardless of background."
"From now on, Hogsmeade is open to all students, and visitation is allowed on a weekly basis. Students who abuse this privilege or misbehave will lose this opportunity, do keep that in mind. As always, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden, as is using magic in the halls." James noticed that there was no list of forbidden items and wondered if that started because of the Marauders, or if Zonko wasn't as popular yet. The shop itself existed, that he already confirmed.
"Quidditch tryouts will be held on the second week of term. While First years are forbidden from bringing their own brooms, those who are capable fliers may ask for approval from the flying instructor, Madam Hooch. Should she approve, you will be allowed to use the school brooms to participate in the trials."
"Regarding the school brooms, I am happy to announce that the Nimbus company has donated us a new batch of Nimbus 1000s to replace our old brooms, for the benefit of flying class and those who don't own personal brooms."
Soon after they were dismissed and led by a prefect to their dormitories up at the tower.
Later, James found a note on his bed.
"Take me, and I'll help you complete the set."
Bellatrix was truly something else…