all rights go to JK Rowling. copyright JK Rowling
Hogwarts: Year One - Escape from Azkaban
by I. Molina
to Nicholas, Arman, and Matthew
CHAPTER 1:
On the morning of September 1st, James woke up with a large grin. As he made his way down the stairs, tripping over what looked to be a large, grubby package, he thought of all the amazing things he would learn in the coming year. Although that day might sound like a regular day to a Muggle, it was a very special and extraordinary day for some fellow boys and girls around the globe. September 1st was the first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where future witches and wizards would be learning magic for the first time!
When James arrived in the kitchen, he was greeted by a rather ferocious seven-year-old, his little sister Lily. She tackled him to the floor, where James struggled to get out of his sister's unusually firm grip. Lily giggled and bopped him on his nose.
"Lily!" their mom, Ginny Potter, warned.
"It's okay, Mum. Lil's just playing around," he laughed as he finally broke free from her. "What's that weird package on the steps?"
"Oh, that," Ginny gestured over to the parcel. "Hagrid sent us some of his famous rock cakes." She grimaced. "Don't eat them. I don't want to have to put a Densaugeo charm on you to make your teeth regrow! Poor Aunt Hermione got hexed with it in her fourth year…" She shuddered as she remembered the horrible incident.
James made a mental note not to ask Hagrid for cakes when he arrived at Hogwarts.
Ginny mumbled something about Stupid Malfoys and Hexes.
She was interrupted by Lily, who was tugging on her sleeve. "Mummy, I'm hungry."
"Right." Ginny shook herself a little, took a sip of coffee, and rushed over to tend to the food.
James scooped Lily up and brought her over to the cupboard. "C'mon, Lily. Help me set the table OR ELSE!" He tickled her, and she burst out laughing.
"Where's Abis?"
"Albus, Lil. He's over at Jenifer and Joe's house, remember?"
"Oh." Lily said.
"What, you like him better than me?" James pretended to be offended as Lily vigorously shook her head. "Here. You do the napkins, you're good at that. I'll do the silverware."
James put the forks and knives in the middle of each napkin, while Lily deftly folded them the way some restaurants fold cloth ones.
Harry came down just as Ginny set the food on the table. He looked at the warm potatoes, eggs, and bacon cooling in their plates, steam still emanating from them.
"Good morning, Dear!" Ginny kissed him on the cheek and handed him a copy of the Daily Prophet, a wizarding world newspaper.
James and Lily turned to each other and pretended to gag.
"How is everyone today? Big day, huh, James?" Harry said and ruffled his hair. He plopped down in his seat next to Lily as everyone started helping themselves to the warm food.
When everyone was finished with breakfast, including their Golden retriever, Holly, who was giving Lily's teddy bear a ride on her back, James bounded up the steps to get his trunk and owl. Halfway up the stairs, he realized that it was unusually quiet up there; there was no hooting or loud flapping from his owl, Pigwidgeon II (both Lily and his mom had insisted on James calling him that).
James cautiously opened his door just as Pigwideon swooped in from the window, clutching a letter in her sharp talons. "Hi, Pig," James said as she affectionately nipped at James's fingers. "What's this you got for me here?" He patted her on the head and took the letter. He began to rip open the envelope, which was sealed with a crown on a pink stamp. He was about to take out the letter within when his mom yelled up to him.
"James, come on! You don't wanna miss the train!"
"Coming, Mum!" he shouted back, while stuffing his letter in his trunk.
James scooted Pigwidgeon back into his cage and hurried downstairs.
When James arrived at the King's Cross with his mom and Lily, he started looking around for any familiar faces; his cousins, Jennifer and Joe, his older friend, Teddy Lupin, or even his soon-to-be Herbology teacher's twins, Jack and Alice Longbottom. Adrenaline started to kick in as thoughts raced through his mind. Could he do it? Would he make a fool of himself? Could he live up to his father's standards?
I can't do this. James told himself. Questions and disappointments started to cloud his mind until he thought he was about to pass out.
His thoughts were interrupted by his mom, who was telling him something.
"What? Sorry-I didn't hear you," James explained.
"I said 'Go on! All's you need to do is look straight ahead and run.'"
James gripped the handle of his cart with sweaty hands, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He started running at the brick wall as fast as he could, getting closer and closer until he thought he was about to crash. He winced, waiting for the hard impact, but it never came. James slowed to a stop, opening his eyes to reveal a long, scarlet train - the Hogwarts Express - in front of him. It's cloud-like smoke billowed out behind it like a large, thick blanket.
Lily and his mom appeared behind him - Lily was so amazed by everything.
"Can't I go? Please, Mum?" she begged, eyes wide.
Mrs. Potter laughed. "Sorry, Lil, you know it's just for eleven year olds and older. Four more years left to go." Her eyes started to glaze over. "You know, you remind me a lot of myself when I was your age…"
The train hooted. "Oh! Lil, gotta go. I'll see you this Christmas! I'll write you letters!" James hugged Lily, and then waved bye to his mom, rushing over to the train just in time. As he finished loading the last of his luggage into the cabin, the Hogwarts Express started to move.
When James took a seat in the nearest spot, two kids rushed in - his twin cousins, Jennifer and Joe Granger - Weasley. "You got money for the trolley?" Joe asked James as he plopped down into the seat next to him.
"Yeah, but you're not getting any of mine!" he replied, smiling smugly.
"Dang it!"
"What did you guys do for summer break? Teddy took me to a few Quidditch games," James adjusted his trunk before shutting the compartment.
"Meh," said Joe.
"Mum made me memorize some spells and bored me with all the books she could find on Hogwarts," Jennifer told him from the doorway. Hermione had made her study relentlessly ever since they had found out of her intelligence. "By the way, have you gotten a letter from George recently? Joe and I received a postcard from Weasley's Wizard Wheezes two days ago. He's been informing us of all the best pranks to do and where all the secret passages are," she explained.
"I dunno…I just got a letter today, but I haven't opened it yet." James reopened his trunk before taking out the letter. "Hold on—
"It's sealed with a pink crown—you think it's him?"
"Yup, definitely," said Joe as the train jolted forward.
Jennifer nodded in agreement.
Joe took the envelope and turned it over in his hands. "Tell us what it says." He gave it back to James.
Hi James,
Congrats on the acceptance into ol' Hogwarts (make sure you get put in Gryffindor)! I hear your cousins also got admitted. Be warned—they're big-time pranksters (so proud! I think I'm gonna cry!) Be sure to do some jokes for me!
Enclosed are some of the best pranks and hiding spots Fred and I have used over the years (just in case you need 'em ;) !)
Sinceriously (just kidding),
George Weasley
George Weasley
CEO and Founder WWW
93 Diagon Alley, London 000-666
Jennifer waved her hand in front of James.
"Hullo? James? You there?" she said.
"Oh. Yeah, sorry."
After a few minutes, he finished reading and they all were seated comfortably on the train. Jennifer was looking at some photos of Lily while Joe was watching pictures of Albus playing Quidditch ("You think you'll make the team?" "Nah, maybe next year.")
The trolley arrived moments later filled to the brim with candy. James took various sweets and gave the trolley witch four galleons. Jennifer grabbed three packages of Exploding Bon-Bons and handed her two galleons and five sickles—more than half of her allowance. Joe got a small packet of Dumbledore's Lemon Drops and three chocolate frogs, paying the witch practically all of his allowance. They started snacking contently on their sweets as the trolley witch rolled the cart away to the next car.
About four and a half hours later, Jenifer asked with a yawn, "What time will we get to Hogwarts? We've been waiting for almost five hours!"
After going through almost all of their candy, practicing spells, reading through their schoolbooks, and looking out the window for fifteen minutes straight, they were all bored to death. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet already!?" Joe chorused from under a mound of sweet wrappers. He petted his now royal blue owl, who's color had changed due to one of Jenifer's spells ("I'll change him back for you later," she had replied.)
At a sudden noise, the three jumped, and then turned slowly as they heard a familiar voice—a cold, drawling voice. Scorpius Malfoy. "Well. If it isn't Potty and the Weasels," he said, raising an eyebrow.
"Wow, Scorp. What a greeting!" Jenifer said sarcastically.
"Bro, you know we're friends. Isn't 'Potty' and 'Weasel' such a stupid name? I can't believe my dad and Peeves are so annoying!" He sat down in the seat next to James. "How's your brother doing?"
"Good, he just got out of Quidditch camp a week ago."
They all talked for twenty minutes before Joe noticed someone staring at them from across the aisle. "Hey, who is that?" he whispered and pointed with his eyes to the girl. "She's so weird."
"That's Lina Lovegood. Luna's daughter. She's…" Scorpius trailed off, frowning.
Lina rolled her eyes at them and turned to the window. She hugged her jet-black backpack closer to her dark hoodie.
The other three nodded in agreement. The train lurched over a pothole in the train tracks.
"I'm so BORED!" Jenifer groaned. "C'mon, guys. Let's go change into our robes."
The boys pulled their black cloaks out of their trunks and draped them over the back of their train seat. Scorpius walked out of the compartment, because he had to go. They reached for their white shirt and gray school sweater and pants while Jenifer ran over to another compartment with her bag. After ten minutes, everyone was ready, and Lina was glaring at them again.
"What's your problem?" Jenifer asked.
"What do you care, stupid?" she replied.
"Jeez, you don't have to be rude!" James said as he stood up.
"Oh, Potter. Sticking up for your GIRLFRIEND!"
"She's not my girlfriend! Eww! She's my cousin!"
"Yeah, right."
"You're the worst."
"You wanna bet?" Now Lina was standing up too.
"Really, what is your problem? James' sister was named after your mom! You should be grateful!" Joe cut in.
Lina got close to Joe's face, "Listen. I hate my mom. I hate this place. I hate you. Now either leave me alone or get hurt."
"Yeah, right. A GIRL's gonna hit us." Joe smirked. "Sheeesh."
Lina made a low growling noise. She charged at Joe and punched him in the eye. Then with her other hand, scratched James and Jenifer with her long nails. Blood streamed from their faces and arms. Joe hesitantly was about to punch her back, but Jenifer intercepted. "Let me."
She punched Lina in the solar plexus, which knocked the wind out of her. She whispered threateningly, "Don't mess with us."
Just then, Professor Longbottom, the Herbology teacher, rushed into the train car. "What in Hogwarts' name is going on in here? You guys are making such a commotion, it could wake up the dead!" he ranted, just as Lina rushed out of the compartment.
"Lina Lovegood just punched me, and—" Joe caught a glimpse of the blood on Jenifer and James. "The heck did she do to you?"
"Really? We were talking earlier—she seemed like the nicest little girl." Neville frowned. "A bit unusual, though. How she seemed really into black. Oh, well. I shall have a talk with her, anyway."
"Thanks," Joe told the Professor.
"Firs' years! Firs' years! Hey, OW!" Ruby Hagrid yelped, as a young boy knocked on her leg for some reason. She flinched at the kid. "Firs' years over 'ere!" She stepped onto her own lead boat, and kept ushering students along. Ruby was about to row all the first year students on the traditional gondola ride over to the Hogwarts castle.
James and the twins hopped into a boat with Scorpius. James looked back absentmindedly as they took off, and saw Lina Lovegood in the back of the last boat. The Hogwarts castle came into view, as a large cloud drifted away. "She's so…weird," he muttered under his breath.
"What?" Joe asked.
"Just—n-nothing. Nothing," James replied.
When everyone was out of the gondola, and up the enormous steps of Hogwarts, they started entering a large, marble hall, with moving staircases. A bushy haired woman dressed in violet and blue robes entered the room. "Good afternoon, children, and welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Professor Hermione Granger, the Transfiguration teacher. I will be reviewing the Hogwarts rules for you in a moment." She turned to a blue haired wizard. "Teddy!" James exclaimed. Professor Lupin winked at him, before turning back to Hermione. Everyone started whispering to each other nervously.
To be continued! Sorry...
See you guys later :)
- I. Molina