2
The Very First Mis-Adventure
"Doesn't it ever lie flat?" Mrs. Potter mused, trying in vain to tame James's hair with a wet comb.
"Mum, stop!" said James, ducking away from her hands. She smiled sympathetically as he ruffled his hair up defiantly. "It doesn't, okay?"
"Oh well. It is what endeared your father to me." Elaine gazed adoringly up at her husband, who immediately pulled her into a loving embrace. James felt like vomiting.
The train whistled, almost impatiently, from behind him.
"Oh, you better get going, dear," said Mrs. Potter anxiously. "It looks like it'll be departing any minute now." She reached out towards James's hair again. He ducked, scowling. "Oh, alright," she laughed. "Garrett, love, why don't you help Jimmy with his trunk?"
"Jimmy" glared at her. "I can get it myself. And don't call me Jimmy."
"Of course not. Well, I'll see you come Christmastime, Jimmy." She then wrapped him in a tender hug and pecked him on the cheek. James wriggled free and straightened his robes indignantly. Mrs. Potter giggled softly, "Love you, dear."
"Love you, too," James grunted.
Mr. Potter patted him on the shoulder. "Good luck, kid. Keep your nose clean."
"Yeah, whatever," said James dismissively. All he wanted to do now was get to Hogwarts. So, he waved once more before heading toward the Hogwarts Express, dragging his cumbersome trunk behind him.
"Oy, James!" a voice shouted just as he was about to step up into the train. James spun around to see who was calling him, and he was extremely pleased to see Sirius struggling his way through the crowd.
"Hey, Sirius!" he called, waving frantically. He paused to shove his trunk the rest of the way into the train (blocking the way even further), then raced out to Sirius to help him with his. "Good to see you," said James, lifting the other end.
An obvious look of relief flooded Sirius's face. "You, too," he replied, grinning. "Now, let's get us a compartment."
James nodded, stepping up onto the train to retrieve his trunk. He began walking down the corridor looking for an empty compartment, Sirius following.
"Here's an empty one," he declared three compartments later. The two shoved their trunks under the benches and seated themselves near the window. James glanced out. "Hey, there're my parents!" He waved.
Sirius leaned forward to get a glimpse of them. "They seem nice enough…Wish my parents were like that."
"Where are your parents, anyway?" asked James curiously.
"They hate coming here – 'It's packed with muggles!'" said Sirius in an uncanny imitation of his mother's shrill voice. He shrugged. "They just showed me to the barrier, explained how to get in, then left as quick as they could. Expect they'll bear it for Regulus," he added darkly.
"Who's Regulus?"
"My little brother," said Sirius dismissively, then added (as he was obviously keen to get off the subject of his family), "So, what house do you think you'll be in?"
"Gryffindor," said James promptly.
"Me, too," said Sirius with a satisfied air. "If only to spite my parents." The two laughed.
The train gave a sudden lurch, whistling loudly and cutting off all attempts at further conversation. The wheels began to chug. The whistle blew again. Then the train pitched forward, finally underway. James waved to his parents one last time.
Suddenly, the compartment door flew open to reveal a panting Peter. He smiled in relief at the sight of them before collapsing into the nearest seat.
"Thank goodness," he said, breathing heavily. "I just barely made it!"
"Good job, Pete," said James brightly. "Just think what might've happened if you had missed the train!"
"I wouldn't have minded," muttered Sirius, and James elbowed him sharply.
The conversation drifted again to the Houses of Hogwarts (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff, and Ravenclaw), and then to how they might be Sorted.
"I heard from my cousin that we have to pull baby alligators out of a tank," said Sirius.
"How would that Sort you?" asked Peter curiously.
"Well, I suppose it depends on which part of you it bites off," said Sirius nonchalantly. Peter paled.
James laughed. "Oh, don't worry about it, Peter. They'll probably just ask us questions or something."
"But I don't know anything about magic stuff!" Peter wailed, eliciting another bout of laughter.
"You'll do fine," James reassured him. "Just try to keep your head." Peter nodded wordlessly.
Suddenly a bell rang in the corridor outside the compartment, and the door slid open to reveal a plump old witch pushing along a trolley full of treats. "Care for a snack, dearies?" the witch asked sweetly, and the boys were immediately on their feet, buying one of everything: mouth-watering fudge, prettily wrapped chocolate, chocolate frogs (which come with collectible trading cards), colorful lollipops, Drooble's Best Blowing Gum, Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, delightful-smelling cauldron cakes, and many other delectable tasties. Soon the compartment was filled with the smell of food.
"Aw, I got Morgana again," said Sirius, examining the card out of his Chocolate Frog box.
"I've got Dumbledore," said James helpfully. "Want to trade?"
"Nah, I've got three of him already," said Sirius, waving his hand disinterestedly.
"Lemme see, lemme see!" said Peter, jumping up and down with excitement – he had never heard of, never mind seen, these cards.
James laughed. "Here, Pete – you can have it. Start your own collection."
Peter stared in awe at the card now in his hands. "Can I really?"
Sirius rolled his eyes as James nodded, causing Peter's face to glow with delight.
"Excuse me…"
The three turned in the direction of the voice. A pale-looking boy with shaggy, sandy brown hair and wolfish eyes stood in the doorway leading into the compartment. Seeing that their attention was focused completely on him, his cheeks reddened slightly and he averted his gaze, apparently very interested in a dirt speck on the ground. "Ah, I was wondering if I could join you…"
"Of course!" said James immediately, his grin wide.
The boy jumped and glanced back up, continuing to stand in the doorway, as if he hadn't really expected James to say yes.
"Come on in," said James, clearing the wrappers off an empty seat. "No need to be so shy – we don't bite."
The boy gave a relieved smile, but there was an inexplicable sadness in his eyes that no eleven-year-old should have.
Not that James and his friends noticed.
"Nice to meet you," said James as the shaggy-haired boy seated himself. James extended his hand. "James Potter."
The boy hesitated, then seeing James's encouraging smile, he took the offered hand. "Remus. Remus Lupin."
James shook Remus's hand enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you, Remus," he said, then pointed at his friends. "That's Sirius Black – "
Sirius nodded and flashed Remus a bright smile. "Wotcher, Remus."
"And Peter Pettigrew."
Peter jumped to his feet. "Hullo, Remus!" he greeted him, holding out his hand and beaming.
Remus couldn't help but return all the smiles. He shook Peter's hand. "Nice to meet you all."
James suddenly stood and rubbed his hands together. "Well, now that introductions are over, it's time for initiation!"
"Initiation?" asked a baffled Remus.
"Initiation?" echoed Sirius and Peter, equally confused.
"Of course!" said James. "Five is the perfect number for a group of friends!"
"Five?" Remus repeated.
"Give it some time," said James confidently, patting Remus's shoulder. "I'll find her some day. Now, everyone hold up your right hand. Your other right, Pete – good! Repeat after me: I, James…"
"I, Remus…"
"I, Sirius…"
"I, James – "
"Peter!"
"Oh, right – I, Peter…"
"Do solemnly swear…" James continued.
"Do solemnly swear…" the others repeated.
"That I am up to no good."
"What?" said Remus.
"Just say it," James ordered, grinning.
"That I am up to no good!" the three chorused.
"There! That seals it," James declared. "I hereby pronounce us…friends for life!"
A/N: Wow…really short chapter. The next one will be longer, I promise. Much longer…