It was September 1st, 2015 and James Sirius Potter was going to Hogwarts for the very first time.

James was so excited to start at Hogwarts for the very first time that he came down to breakfast already wearing his new Hogwarts robes.

Harry, Ginny, Albus, and Lily all greeted James with wide smiles and cheerful "good morning" s as he entered the kitchen and took his usual seat at the table for breakfast.

"Hey, James, " smiled Ginny, "Since you're leaving later this morning, I made it a point to make your favorite breakfast today."

"Thank you, mom, " grinned James as he looked down at his plate to see his favorite breakfast of french toast and hash browns and looked over at his glass to see his favorite beverage of Budweiser in it, "It's a nice send off."

"Are you excited, James, " asked Harry brightly.

"Very, " confirmed James, as he took his first bite of french toast and his first sip of Budweiser, "I've been waiting for this day for seemingly forever. I just hope the Sorting Hat thinks I'm good enough for Gryffindor."

"James, " said Harry firmly, "It doesn't matter what house you're in. It matters what type of person you are. Besides, all of the houses have their own unique qualities."

"All of the Potters have always been in Gryffindor, " piped up James.

"I honestly think you will be as well, " admitted Harry, "That's what my heart of heart tells me. But it really doesn't matter. No matter what we're behind you 100%."

"You will always be our son, no matter what twists and turns your life takes, " said Ginny fiercely.

"Any advice?" asked James, now looking his mom and dad in the eyes.

"Have fun, " said Harry clearly, "But also remember that you are going to Hogwarts to be a student. Pay attention in class. Don't put off your homework until the last minute and take your studies seriously."

"I second all of that, " added Ginny, "But I would like to see you get involved in some kind of extra cocurricular activity at Hogwarts outside of the classroom."

"I know the Quidditch commentator spot is open this year, " said James eagerly, "I would love to be the Hogwarts Quidditch commentator. "

"Go for, it " chorused Harry, Ginny, Albus, and Lily.

"You'd be a great Quidditch commentator, " mused Harry, "I've seen here at home how much you love Quidditch."

"Mom, dad, " said James in a more serious voice, "What are your honest expectations of me as a first year student."

"We expect to work as hard as you can to become the best wizard you can, " said Harry matter of factly, "Look, not everybody is Hermione Granger, not everyone can be a straight O student. Find your strengths and embrace them. For what it's worth, you got a thirteenth and a half mahogany wand with a dragon heartstring core. Do you remember what Ollivander told you about that combination."?

"He said that combination of length, wood, and core was immensely powerful and an excellent combination for Transfiguration. Interestingly, Transfiguration has always been the branch of magic that I've found most fascinating, " remembered James.

"So, " beamed Harry, "Go to Hogwarts with the goal of becoming the best Transfiguration student of the year. See if that can be your niche. If it proves not to be, you can always adjust."

"As for your behavior, " added Ginny, "We know you're going to pull some pranks. You're very much in the Fred and George mold and we know that's not going to change but don't pull any pranks that are overly harsh. More importantly, you are only eleven years old. Therefore, under NO circumstances are you to have sex. There is nothing in the world more repugnant or repulsive than underage sex. If we find out that you have had sex, it will mean VERY severe punishment."

"What should I expect at Hogwarts?" James asked his mom and dad.

"Be aware that everything moves around a lot. Things like walls and stairs have a habit of changing, " Harry warned James.

"Cool, " responded James.

"Don't mess with Peeves, " warned Ginny.

"And there are a number of ghosts in the castle, " added Harry, "It can be extremely uncomfortable if a ghost floats through you."

"Wicked, " replied James excitedly.

"You will sleep in a four poster bed in a dorm room, " explained Ginny, "Thankfully, the roommate concept no longer exists at Hogwarts and each student gets his or her own room."

"The way it should be, " said a relived sounding James, "It's nice to know that if I need alone time, I have my own room to take it in. Plus, it'll be nice not to have to worry about potential personality conflicts with roommates. Each student getting his or her own room is the way it should be."

"It's important to get to meals on time, " said Harry firmly, "The food will only be available for a limited amount of time once a meal starts, so it's important to be on time for meals."

"Do you know what class schedules will be like or will I just find that out when I get there?" inquired James.

"Your head of house will give you your schedule tomorrow morning at breakfast, " explained Ginny, "But you will have some classes on certain days of the week and other certain classes on other certain days of the week."

"Also, " said Harry fondly, "Make sure to find time for Hagrid. Hagrid's invited you to his hut first Friday afternoon."

"I'll go, " promised James.

"Good, " said Harry happily.

At 11 A.M. that morning, as James sat in the very back compartment of the Hogwarts Express as it started to pull out of King's Cross station. "

Harry, Ginny, Albus, and Lily looked on with pride mixed with a twinge of sadness.

James would be missed at home, but Harry, Ginny, Albus, and Ginny couldn't help feeling extremely proud of James for having made it to this moment.

"He'll be okay," whispered Ginny.

"I know he will, " smiled Harry.