A/N. Hi everyone, thank you for checking out my story. It's been some time since I've written, and I'm really enjoying getting back into it. I've taken the pre-Harry universe as my jumping off point, as I love the characters and the setting, and I'm hoping to continue up until James and Lily's death. I really am just writing for my own enjoyment, but figured someone else may like to read it too, so here you go! Enjoy x

September 1st fell on a balmy Saturday that year. This was good for the families in which both parents had to work, and platform nine and three quarters was busier than ever, with more families able to make the yearly pilgrimage to see their sons and daughters onto the Hogwarts Express.

James Potter's parents were both retired. His mother had quit her job as a healer when he had been born, and his father hadn't needed to work in over twenty years now. These days he filled his time advising on other wizarding ventures, attending talks and campaigning.

He knew his parents were older than most on the platform, but he didn't care. He smiled up at them, their kind, loving faces filling him with hope and security.

Fleamont Potter gave him a watery smile and ruffled his hair - the older man's lined but handsome face full of pride. His mother wore her silver hair in a bun. She had a handkerchief out and was dabbing quickly at her eyes.

"Don't cry, mum." James said, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'll be back soon."

It wasn't strictly true. He'd be back at Christmas. Over three months' time. James had never been away from his parents for more than a night or two before. Three months felt like an eternity. But he hoped it would make her feel better. He knew she would miss him terribly.

"Sorry darling." She said, wiping her eyes and sniffing. "I don't mean to embarrass you. I'll just miss you, that's all."

Fleamont put an arm around her and the small family embraced as a whole.

James gave them a few moments before carefully extracting himself. It was nearly ten to eleven. If he didn't hurry soon, all the good spots on the train would be taken.

"I'll write to you." He told his parents.

Fleamont smiled. "We'd love that." He said. "But we understand if you're too busy with your new friends and classes. You're going to have a brilliant time at Hogwarts."

James knew he would. He'd been looking forward to this day ever since… ever.

"Thanks Dad." He said. "Mum?" He looked to his mother who was clearly trying not to start crying again.

Euphemia nodded. "I love you darling." She said. "Please look after yourself, won't you?"

"I will." James promised.

His mother smiled. She pulled him in for one last hug and planted a kiss on his head. "Bye sweetheart." She said. "We'll miss you."

"I'll miss you too." He told her. "Goodbye."

"Goodbye darling."

"Bye son." His father said.

James waved one last time at his parents, standing arm in arm, proudly, on the platform. He certainly would miss them both. He knew he was lucky to have them. The first eleven years of his life had been filled with love, hugs and adventures. The three of them had made a happy home in Potter Manor, taking breakfast in the conservatory together, going on long adventures in the countryside and playing quidditch in their enormous gardens.

But it was time for him to move on now. He was eleven. And he was ready to grow up. So, bravely, he strode forwards alone, towards the Hogwarts Express.

The first thing he noticed as he boarded the train was the noise. Dozens and dozens of students weaving in and out of carriages, darting across the corridors and dragging dodgy-shaped trunks along the narrow space.

There were animals too. Hoots from various coloured owls, meows from cats and the frantic squeak of rats. James wondered briefly of the logic behind allowing these creatures to ride a train for seven hours together..

He eased his way along the corridor, his own barn owl, Terry, hanging from his arm. He peered into several carriages as he went. Most of them contained upper-years, some already in their Hogwarts robes, so he could tell their houses.

It seemed that most houses tended to sit together. One carriage contained several older students in Slytherin green. Girls with pale skin and striking features, and boys with bored, haughty expressions. Hufflepuffs were also similarly congregated. Their carriages seemed much more cheerful though and full of friendly chatter, board games and sweets.

A little further up the train, James spotted another resident of Godric's Hollow, sixth year Barty McCaudle. He was in one of the few inter-house carriages. With him sat a blonde girl in Ravenclaw robes, and the pair were leaning in close together, clearly sharing a long-awaited private reunion. James thought it best not to interrupt.

Eventually he reached the very end of the train, to where the carriages were more or less empty. He didn't fancy sitting alone, but he hoped there might be some other first years up here.

He happened upon one such carriage, with the door still open. Inside sat four students. A dark haired boy with a long, pointed nose sat with a pretty redhead by the window. A pale, brown-haired boy was sitting in the middle of one long seat, and opposite him, lazing idly across the other row, was a dark haired boy in a smart white shirt and black trousers.

"Hello." James said as he dragged his trunk into the carriage. "Mind if I join you?"

The dark haired boy closest to the door grinned and made a broad, welcoming hand gesture. The boy opposite him smiled politely. The two by the window didn't react.

"I'm James." James said, turning to the others after depositing his trunk and owl in the overhead compartment.

"Sirius." The boy with dark hair said.

"I'm Remus." The other boy said.

The two by the window appeared not to have heard him. They had their heads together and seemed to be discussing something important. James shrugged.

"So, first years?"

"Yep." Sirius said as Remus nodded. "You?"

"Yeah." James said, moving to sit down. "You know much about Hogwarts?"

"Two of my cousins are there." Sirius said. "One left last year. Heard a bit." He didn't say this with huge enthusiasm though.

James turned to Remus. "What about you?" He asked.

Remus shook his head. "I don't have any brothers or sisters." He said. "Or cousins." He added. "My dad was there in the forties though. He told me a bit. I expect it's changed now though."

"I expect so. My dad and mum were there ages ago." He told the others. "They were there when Dippet was headmaster. They remember Professor McGonagall as a student!" Then, remembering what Remus had said, added, "she was the one who wrote our letters."

"I hope it will be better for us." He added. "My father said Dippet was an awful stickler for rules. Dumbledore sounds much more fun."

Just then there was a sudden commotion from just outside the door. There came the sound of a small, frightened squeak followed by a reassuring woman's voice. "Here, Peter. Look, there's room in this one."

A woman appeared in the doorway. She was short and plump with greying auburn hair. She wore a garish pink dress and a matching hat. From her arm dangled a fussy lace handbag.

A boy, Peter, presumably, came into view behind her. He was short and rather rounded, like his mother, yet unlike hers, his hair was sand coloured.

His mother took his trunk and stowed it in one of the overhead compartments before turning to face them all.

"Hello!" She said brightly. "I'm Mrs Pettigrew. Peter's mother. Are you all first years?"

Remus nodded politely, James said "yes", but Sirius and the other two said nothing. The pair by the window were still talking and Sirius apparently too taken aback by the new arrival to speak.

"Excellent." Beamed the woman, her bright cheeks flushing. "My Peter's new too. Come on, Peter. It's alright."

"Peter's a little nervous." She told them. "His sisters never went to Hogwarts so he's had no one to tell him what to expect."

"It's alright. I don't have any siblings to tell me anything either." James said cheerfully.

Peter edged himself into the carriage, almost mouse-like. Remus quickly moved his schoolbag to allow him to sit.

Mrs Pettigrew beamed. "There you go Peter." She said turning to her son. "You'll be just fine here."

The two of them engaged themselves in prolonged goodbyes, well wishes and many tears, on Mrs Pettigrew's part.

James looked away somewhat awkwardly. Sirius who had been eyeing the pair with unmistakeable distaste, caught his eye and winked. This was clearly not the best way to say goodbye to one's mother.

After Mrs Pettigrew had at long last extricated herself from the compartment, James turned to Peter.

"Sit down." He said politely. "We don't bite."

He thought he saw an odd shadow cross Remus' face at the words, but thought nothing more of it as Peter did as he suggested.

As the final whistle blew, James got to his feet and moved to the window, looking out for his parents across the platform.

There they were. Standing proudly, arm in arm, watching the steam train. He waved at them and they waved back.

He kept waving as the train jolted into motion, and began to pick up speed. As the train rounded a bend and the platform faded out of sight, he stopped.

He turned back to his carriage mates, none of whom, besides Peter, had moved from their seats.

This struck James as a little odd, but he decided not to say anything.

"Anyone fancy a game of exploding snap?" He asked the boys, looking for a distraction after the slightly awkward introduction of Peter to the group.

They were all for it, and so the four of them spent the next hour or two occupied with the game.

There were few interruptions. The redheaded girl got up to use the loo once, and a tall, dark haired girl stopped to say hello to Sirius. James assumed she must be one of the cousins he had mentioned earlier.

It wasn't until he heard something said from the pair by the window that his attention was really drawn away from the game.

Slytherin. He was sure someone had said they actually wanted to be in Slytherin.

"Who wants to be in Slytherin?" He asked in disgust. "I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?" He said to Sirius.

Sirius did not smile. "My whole family have been in Slytherin." He said.

"Blimey," James said, genuinely shocked. "And I thought you seemed alright."

"Maybe I'll break the tradition." Sirius said, though he didn't look convinced. "Where are you hoping to go, if you've got the choice?" He asked James.

"Gryffindor." James said at once. "Like my dad."

"Yeah, if you'd rather be brawny than brainy.." the sallow boy said.

"Where are you hoping to go then, seeing as you're neither?" Sirius shot back at the boy.

James grinned appreciatively.

"Come on Severus," the redhead was saying, having got angrily to her feet at the exchange. "Let's find another compartment."

"Ooh," James and Sirius said, imitating her lofty voice.

The girl glared at them and, taking the boy's hand, led him out of the compartment.

Sirius stuck out his leg as the boy walked past, causing him to stumble.

James laughed. "See ya, Snivellus." He called. Sirius laughed too.

There were no more interruptions after that. The four boys began to enjoy each others' company more after the exchange with Snivellus and his girlfriend. It certainly was nice having the whole carriage to themselves.

At around one o clock, a lady pushing a trolley full of snacks knocked on their door, asking if they wanted to buy anything.

James had been given money by his father for this occasion, and so purchased several choice items. Noticing Remus had not produced a money bag, he bought a packet of chocolate frogs for him.

"Go on. Please." He said, handing the bag to the other boy. "You can't sit there with your sandwiches while we devour this lot."

And so Remus accepted.

The sweets kept them happy and entertained for another half hour or so. James discovered that Peter, despite his largely muggle family, was well-read on wizard sweets, and had been dying to start collecting chocolate frog cards. Sirius was less enthused, but still managed to chomp his way through a pumpkin pasty, several fizzing whizbees and a large pack of Droobles' best blowing gum, with which he blew large and brightly coloured bubbles into Peter's face.

By the time they arrived at Hogwarts, they were definitely ready for one last meal and bed. At one point Remus had actually fallen asleep, right on top of his schoolbag. James thought the rest would probably do him good. He did look awfully tired.

The whistle blew to announce the train had come to a standstill and the boys all grabbed their trunks and joined the noisy throng waiting to disembark the train.

Hogsmede Station was packed with bodies. All the students had changed into their robes by now and they moved, carrying trunks, cloaks and pets, over to where a line of carriages stood waiting.

James' father had told him the first years always boated up to the castle on the first night. Something he hadn't really understood the reason for. The carriages did look far more convenient..

But he followed the loud booming voice of the gamekeeper Hagrid as he called for the first years to follow him.

"Reckon we can get Snivellus into the water?" Sirius hissed as the two of them moved towards the boats.

Snivellus was over with the same redheaded girl he was with on the train. He seemed nervous to be climbing into a boat, and James could see the other students growing impatient.

Sirius had barged his way to the water's edge. "We'll take this one if you won't." He said to Snivellus. He grinned at one of the girls waiting to board. "Care to join us?" He asked, offering his hand so she could climb in first.

James made his way to the group, throwing his bag into the boat first, and then jumping in after it. He turned to see where Peter and Remus had got to, but they had hung back and were being helped into a boat by Hagrid.

"Anyone else?" James called to the little group.

Two more students joined them. A blonde girl with curly hair and a nervous looking boy with glasses.

"Race ya, Snivellus!" Sirius called to the boy, having successfully commandeered his boat.

Snivellus and Lily glared at them. "So childish." Lily said, turning on her heel and marching over to the 'official' convoy.

"Hi." Sirius was saying to the other students. "I'm Sirius Black."

James paused. Black. He knew that name. Hadn't his parents spoken about the Blacks? And not in a good way…

He watched his new friend shaking hands all round and chatting pleasantly with the others.

He didn't seem too bad to James. Sure, he might have come on a bit too strong with Snivellus, but that was surely all good fun. He was energetic and cheerful, and James couldn't help but like him.

He joined the group, where Sirius had begun to lead them all in a sea shanty.

They pushed off from the shore and made their merry way across the lake, following the lantern from Hagrid's enormous boat up ahead.

James fell silent as Hogwarts Castle came into view. A hush had indeed fallen across the whole lake.

He'd heard Hogwarts described by his parents of course. He knew of the stone turrets and the lantern-lit hallways. He knew it was big, and the grounds were large, and there was a huge wooden door leading into it. But this was something else.

And this was going to be home.

Sirius had gone similarly quiet. James looked at him, seeing the flickering lights from the castle reflected in his grey eyes.

He noticed James looking and simply grinned. Words, for once, seeming to fail him.

The wonder and excitement was still in the air as the students disembarked their boats and mounted the grassy banks towards the castle.

There was chatter, but it was more hushed now, as the students took in the sights around them.

When they reached the front doors, they were greeted by a tall, severe looking witch in green robes and a tartan hat.

The witch greeted them, and introduced herself as professor McGonagall, deputy headmistress and Head of Gryffindor House. James of course had recognised her instantly.

She explained the process of the sorting sorting them, and told them it was nothing to be worried about. However, their Hogwarts houses would be their family for the next seven years, and they would attend classes and sleep in the same dormitories with them.

James looked to Sirius, wondering if what he'd said about breaking his family tradition would really come true. Now he knew of his family name, he could understand why they had all been in Slytherin. The Blacks were a pureblood family, but one of the few remaining ones who still believed that magic was best kept with wizarding families and who were strongly against muggleborns or muggle marriages.

It made him feel a bit sad to think that such things might already, at the age of eleven, divide them.

The students jostled around the entrance hall, none of them seeming to want to be the first to enter the Great Hall with professor McGonagall.

Eventually, the dark haired girl who had been in the boat with them edged her way forwards and Sirius, seeming not to want to miss out, joined her.

Professor McGonagall smiled at them and then threw open the doors to the Great Hall.

What had previously sounded like raucous chatter descended into a quiet hush as the first years were led forwards to face the rest of the school.

James felt an odd squirming feeling in his stomach as he walked. He wasn't used to feeling anxious, but the presence of so many hundreds of eyes on him seemed to unnerve him slightly.

He hurried up to walk with Sirius who though he didn't appear at all afraid, had stuffed both hands in his pockets.

"Best of luck, eh?" The boy muttered to him, and James returned the sentiment.

Professor McGonagall was unfurling an enormous scroll. She stood at the front of the Great Hall, in front of the staff table and next to a three-legged stool with a shabby hat on. The sorting hat.

Having given its customary start of year song, the sorting hat was now motionless. Such a small, innocuous object, but so much power in its words.

If it hadn't been for the sorting hat, perhaps his parents would never have met. If the sorting hat had placed his father in Ravenclaw, as it almost had, perhaps his father would have not had the courage to start his own business.

But then was it that these things were already decided? Was it that his father always had been going to do this that the sorting hat had made its choice? How much power did it have really to affect things that were already going to happen?

James watched as his fellow students were called forwards, one by one, to sit on the stool and put on the hat.

The curly haired blonde on their boat, Emma Alberts, was sorted into Hufflepuff. So was Graham Abbott. Sirius Black was next. The hat was very quiet for a very long time. James caught sight of Sirius' expression. He had his eyes closed and appeared to be pleading silently with the hat.

After several more moments the hat opened its brim and loudly declared "Gryffindor!"

James whooped. He could not help himself. But he was one of the very few to do so.

The whole room had gone quiet. Even the teachers were leaning forwards over their table.

Sirius took the hat off, gaping at it, as if he could not believe, or accept, the result.

James' eyes fell on the Slytherin table. Theirs, of all others, was the quietest. A small group of older students in the centre, some of whom James recognised from the train, were looking at Sirius stonily. The brunette who had greeted him on the train appeared horrified.

"The Gryffindor table if you please, Mr Black." Professor McGonagall said, eyeing him curiously.

Sirius appeared to come to his senses. Casting one last look at the hat, he turned and strode off in the direction of red and gold as they began to, slowly at first and then more loudly, applaud.

"Wow." James said, joining his friend at the Gryffindor table ten minutes later. The hat had barely touched his head when it had cried out 'Gryffindor!'. "What was all that about?" He glanced around at the Slytherin table, some of whose students were still looking over at Sirius.

Sirius shook his head. "Going to be one hell of a letter home." He said, half to himself half to James. "Don't know how I'll explain this one." There was an odd, closed look on his face. If James hadn't have known him better, he'd have said it was fear.

"They won't be angry will they?" James a asked. "Your parents, I mean?"

Sirius fixed him with a hard look. His grey eyes suddenly appearing much darker.

"Yes Potter." He said stonily. "I'd say so."

His eyes were like granite. He was glaring at James as though this whole thing was his fault. James was startled. More than a little unnerved by the abrupt change in his new friend.

Sirius seemed to notice his reaction. "Sorry." He said, eyes softening and downcast now. "It's just... I'm just..."

But he was interrupted by Peter, who, unaware of their conversation, was asking Sirius if he could pass him the mashed potatoes.

James kept an eye on his new friend throughout the rest of the meal. Sirius appeared chatty enough and he listened patiently as Peter gushed over the various plates and puddings the feast had to offer.

He appeared to have fallen back into the happy, relaxed boy James had met on the train by the time Dumbledore came to give his speech. He winked at James at the mention of the forbidden forest, and yawned loudly at the mention of Mr Filch's list of banned items. He did excuse himself briefly at the end of the meal, and James saw him speaking seriously to the small group at the Slytherin table who had appeared so scandalised by his sorting, but he came back shortly after, and cheerfully followed the group and the prefects, Alfie McLaggen and Paula Davies up to Gryffindor Tower.

James, Peter and Remus ogled at all the statues, portraits and moving staircases as they went. James was sure he would never find his way back to the Great Hall. They had wandered down so many passageways and taken so many staircases!

The Gryffindor common room was exactly as his parents had said. A huge, cosy room with red and gold hangings, a fireplace and comfy red armchairs and sofas. The upper years were already settling in, sprawling across the furniture and exchanging gossip and stories they hadn't covered over dinner.

The prefects explained where they would be sleeping. The girls, Lily Evans, Alice Fortescue, Mary Mcdonald and Marlene McKinnon would be in the third dormitory on the right. The boys, fourth on the left.

"Your trunks have already been brought up, and your owls have been taken to the owlery. It's lights out in an hour, but you can visit them in the morning." McLaggen was saying.

The four boys made their way up to their new dormitory. It was a decent size, with four four-poster beds and a shared bathroom. There was a large window sill with a jug of water, and, as the prefects had said, their trunks lay already at the foot of their beds.

"Well, that takes all the fun out of shotgun." Sirius grinned, identifying his own expensive looking case at the foot of the bed by the window.

James' trunk was beside his, Remus' to the left, and Peter's on the far end by the bathroom.

"At least I can shotgun first shower." Sirius said, undoing his belt and kicking off his shoes.

"Go ahead." James said. "You can check it works for us. I've heard dreadful things about the Hogwarts plumbing."

"If Moaning Mytrle appears I'll send her your way" Sirius replied with a grin.

Once the bathroom door was closed, James turned to the others. Remus in particular has been awfully quiet since dinner. "You OK?" He asked them.

Peter waited until the roar of the shower could be heard before speaking. "I'm not sure I like him." He said, gesturing at the bathroom door. "He's terribly obnoxious, and I saw him talking to the Slytherins after dinner."

James frowned. Why would talking to his cousins be a problem? Even if they were in Slytherin?

"Besides, he doesn't like me either." He added defiantly.

James wasn't sure how much truth was in that statement. Sirius stuck James as the sort of person intolerant of fools. Peter, with his rather clumsy manner and bumbling ways, was sure to irritate his new friend at least a bit.

"I think we oughtn't judge people." Remus said quietly. "We don't know his story."

"I agree." James said. "And I'm sure he likes you just fine, Peter." He said. "He gave you his Dumbledore card, after all. I think we should give him a chance."

The running water stopped from next door to be replaced by the tuneless sound of Sirius' whistling.

"You wanna go next, Peter?" James asked, mindful of Peter's remarks on Sirius' rudeness.

"No thank you." Peter said, opening his trunk and fishing for his pyjamas. "I think I'll shower in the morning."

James looked to Remus, who shook his head, and so James replaced his friend in the bathroom once he'd emerged.

James showered quickly. Letting the hot water batter his body. There was, thankfully, no Moaning Myrtle. The bathroom was small, but clean, with a single shower, sink and lavatory.

By the time he left the bathroom, one of the same white towels Sirius had used round his middle, Peter was in bed and Remus and Sirius appeared to be writing letters home.

"How's it going?" He asked Sirius, a little tentative. Though he'd known the boy less than 24 hours, James could already tell family was a raw subject for him.

"Sh*t." Sirius said. James felt himself blush a little. He'd never heard anyone their age swear like that before.

He quickly gathered himself though. He didn't want Sirius thinking he was a baby. "Sorry to hear." He said sympathetically. "Can I help?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "You want to do battle with my pureblood, perfectionist mother?" He asked. Then he sighed. "Thanks mate. But this is my mess to deal with."

James watched as he went back to the letter, frowning and scratching out sentences here and there.

He didn't know what to say. There was clearly something going on here. He couldn't understand how being sorted into a house could seem to cause so much hassle. It was their first night at Hogwarts! They should be eating sweets and telling ghost stories, not fussing about their parents.

James knew his parents would be proud he was in Gryffindor, but equally if he'd been sorted into another house, it wouldn't have mattered. It certainly wouldn't wouldn't a 'mess' or something he needed to 'battle' with with about. He didn't understand at all.

Eventually, Sirius put down his quill and rolled up the letter. "Wish they let us keep our birds in the dorm." He said. And then, "hey, you fancy a trip to the owlery?"

"You can't go to the owlery. It's light out at ten," came a voice from Peter's bed.

Sirius rolled his eyes. "Alright." He said. "Tomorrow then. You want to come, Remus? I noticed you don't have an owl of your own. You're welcome to borrow Hades if you like."

James assumed Hades must be the black owl Sirius had been carrying on the train.

"Thank you." Remus said. "I'd like that."

"Alright. Let's get to bed then." Sirius said. "Lights out at ten. Pettigrew, you need a bedtime story?"

Peter glared at him and James had to fight the urge not to laugh.

"G'night chaps." Sirius said.

"Night." James and Remus replied. Peter said nothing.

James crawled into bed and pulled the duvet up to his chin. It was incredibly comfortable. He closed his eyes.

He was vaguely aware of a flickering light. Presumably the one on his bedside table. He made a move to extinguish it. It would surely disturb the others. But the bed was so comfortable, and he was so drowsy. The next thing he knew, he was deeply, blissfully asleep.