Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, brilliantly created by J.K.
Rowling. Most situations are based on those created by J.K. Rowling.
Author's Note: You'll come across some familiar last names here (and a huge effort to look up names that were Irish, in honor of said character). I had to look back at Hogwarts Reunion many times to make sure it made sense, as far as ages go. Hope you enjoy it! (Oh, and for those who asked: Daniel got his name from Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter's onscreen counterpart, plus it's just a name I like. I trust the middle name needs no explanation!)
Chapter Seven: James Goes to Hogwarts
"Are you sure you're ready?" Ginny asked her son as they put the final items in his trunk.
"I think so," said James.
Ginny looked at her son and felt something tug at her heart. She couldn't believe that he was eleven years old already. He was leaving for Hogwarts today, ready to start his magical education. "Now, dad's going to take you to London so you can take the train with the other kids," Ginny explained. "I know it seems silly to do that, since we live down the road from the school, but you really shouldn't miss out on the experience of the Hogwarts Express. That's where your dad met your Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione, you know."
"I know," said James. He had heard the story many times. He could recite it himself, and though he didn't want to admit it, he DID recite it to himself a lot, and he hoped that he would be lucky enough to make friends like his father did.
"I can't believe you're old enough for Hogwarts," said Ginny, and she gazed at her son with a wistful look in her eye.
"Mum!" James said, embarrassed under her stare. "I'm just going to school. I'll be back for Christmas. Besides, the school is, like a ten minute walk from here. You'll see me all the time. And I'm going to see dad everyday. Besides, you still have Lily and Daniel."
"So you think your brother and sister are a replacement for you?" Ginny asked her son in disbelief.
James laughed. "No," he said. "I just mean that they'll be here. And Daniel's a baby so you can't miss ME being a baby."
"Oh, James," said Ginny, and she put an arm around her son. "I will ALWAYS miss you being a baby."
"MUM!" James said again, and she squirmed out of her grasp and began putting some more items in his trunk.
* * *
In the excitement following Daniel's birth, the Potter family - including James himself - seemed to forget the milestone they expected would come their way at the beginning of the summer. When the letter from Hogwarts arrived addressed to James, however, everyone knew what it was. In fact, it was Lily who spotted it first, grabbing it from the pile and running through the house shouting for anyone who would listen. "JAMES GOT HIS LETTER! JAMES GOT HIS LETTER!"
Ginny, who was putting three-month-old Daniel down for his nap at the time, left the room and grabbed the letter out of Lily's hands. "James! Harry! Come on!" she said, now as excited as the six-year-old girl hopping from foot-to-foot right next to her.
James and Harry appeared in the hallway, and Ginny smiled at James. She ceremoniously handed her son the letter, beaming at him. "I believe this is for you, Mr. Potter."
James took the letter from her, and turned it over, running a finger over the red Hogwarts seal. He looked up at his parents, and they nodded, encouraging him to open it. He put his hand to the seal and was about to open the envelope when -
"Wait!" Ginny called out.
"What?" James asked, feeling a sudden disappointment.
Ginny didn't answer, but ran to the other room and came back with a sleeping Daniel on her shoulder. "I think the whole family should be here for this."
James laughed nervously. "But, what if I don't -" He couldn't finish the question. Harry put a reassuring arm around his son.
"James, there is no doubt in my mind that you have gotten in. However, if for some reason you don't, your mum and I will love you and be proud of you just the same," said Harry.
"Of course," Ginny confirmed.
"Open it! Open it!" This came from Lily, who was still hopping around, excited for her big brother.
"Okay," said James, slowly, and he put his hand back to the seal and opened the envelope. He pulled the letter out and his eyes scanned the page. Ginny saw the corners of his mouth turn up, but when James looked at his parents, his face was stoic.
"Well?" Harry asked after a moment.
James looked back down at the letter. "Dear Mr. Potter," he read. "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry `" It was all James was able to get out before the family cheered and hugged him.
"We have to celebrate tonight!" Ginny exclaimed. "What do you want for dinner, James. I'll make you anything." She gestured for Harry to take Daniel from her, and he did so. "Come on, James, let's go downstairs and call Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione, and grandma and grandpa, of course. They'll be SO excited." James followed his mother down the stairs, relieved and excited that his letter had finally come.
* * *
The month passed quickly, and James headed to London with his father to get on the train. He had said goodbye to his mother, sister and brother before he left, with the brief thought that the next time he saw Daniel the young baby would be much bigger, and may have reached a dozen milestones that he was not able to witness. Still, James was more excited to embark on this new journey of his life, and head to his parents' alma mater.
At Platform 9 and ¾ Harry and James found Fred and Angelina, wishing their daughter Stacey good luck. She was heading off for her first year as well, and she and James immediately clung to each other so that they would have someone to sit with and talk to on the long train ride.
As Harry and James, Harry said, "I'll see you tonight, buddy." To Stacey and James he said, "Remember, if you need anything, you can always find Phillip and Peter." Percy's children were the first of the Weasley grandchildren to make it to Hogwarts. Phillip, now fifteen and a fifth year, newly named prefect, doing Percy and Penelope proud. Peter was entering his second year at the top of his class. Both children had been the first in the Weasley lineage to end up in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor, showing their mother's influence on them.
"Okay, dad," said James, and with a wave to his father, he stepped on the train. Harry watched the train leave the station, feeling a bit nostalgic for his own Hogwarts days. Even though he returned to Hogwarts every day during the school year, being a teacher was a completely different world than being a student. Now he was forced to be the responsible one, and he did this well. He had wondered how things were going to be handled when his own family members stated attending Hogwarts. He was sure parents would complain that they would have an unfair advantage, being related to one of the teachers. However, the problem was solved for him when the popularity of Defense Against the Dark Arts sky rocketed, and the school ended up hiring a second professor for the subject, something that hadn't happened ever before (Harry checked with Hermione, the resident expert on "Hogwarts: A History"). Harry ended up as the N.E.W.T.-level teacher, while the other professor took care of those at O.W.L.-level. He wouldn't even have to worry about teaching James until AFTER he had taken his O.W.L.'s, by which time it would be clear that James was no slacker when it came to Defense Against the Dark Arts, having observed his father for years.
"How does it feel Harry?" Fred asked, clapping on hand on his brother-in- law's shoulder. "Having a son in Hogwarts already?"
"It's strange," said Harry.
"I know what you mean," said Fred. "Can't believe they're all grown up, but its happening."
"It makes me feel very old, if you want my opinion," said Angelina. Harry smiled.
"Yeah," he agreed, and the three adults walked out of the station together.
* * *
"What house do you think you'll be in James?" Stacey asked as the train sped along. They were sitting in a compartment together, looking out the window, and talking about their apprehensions about arriving at Hogwarts.
"I don't know," said James. "But I hope its Gryffindor. Dad and Mum were both in it."
"Mine too," said Stacey. "I want to be in Gryffindor too. At least we'd know each other."
"Yeah," James agreed, happy to have one of his cousins around, as it would still be two years before Emma joined him at Hogwarts.
A commotion in the corridor made them both turn and look. They turned their heads just in time to see a young boy run by. Curious, James and Stacey poked their heads out of the door and watched the boy run to the end of the car, and then run back, before spotting them. "Can I hide in here?" he asked.
"Sure," said James right away, and he moved out of the boy's way. When he was sitting, James and Stacey looked at him. The boy looked back at them, but said nothing.
James was the first to speak. "What are you hiding from?" he asked the boy.
"What?" the boy asked, sheepishly. He looked up and his eyes shifted from James to Stacey and back to James. "Oh, my sister Cassidy. She's a fourth year. She wanted to hex me."
"Well, you're welcome to stay here," said Stacey, and she took a seat across from the boy. James did as well, and extended his hand.
"Hi," he said. "I'm James Potter. This is my cousin, Stacey Weasley."
"Hi," the boy said back. "My name's Aidan. Aidan Finnegan."
"It's nice to meet you," James said, and the shook hands. "Any idea what house you'll be in?"
"Nah," said Aidan. "My sister's in Ravenclaw, like my mam was, but dad thinks I'm better suited for Gryffindor."
As the train ride continued, James, Stacey and Aidan got to know each other a little better. Aidan was the second of six children, and his parents had been thrilled when he got his Hogwarts letter. "They were really looking forward to me coming," Aidan said. "My little sister Eileen is really jealous though. She can't wait to come to Hogwarts, but she's only seven."
"My sister's six," James said, "and she wants to come too."
"Everything all right in here?" came an older voice from the compartment door. James, Aidan and Stacey looked to see Phillip Weasley standing there.
"Hi Phil!" Stacey exclaimed. "We're okay!"
"Not causing any mischief, I trust?" Phillip asked, looking at them suspiciously.
"Phillip, we were just talking," Stacey said. "Does it LOOK like we're causing any mischief?"
Phillip still eyes them suspiciously, but he was forced to admit that it didn't look like the children were doing anything wrong. "Keep it up," he said, and he headed back down the corridor.
"Who's that?" Aidan asked.
"That's our other cousin, Phillip," James exclaimed. "He's a perfect." As he said the word, James rolled his eyes, causing Aidan to laugh.
"I hope we get there soon," said Stacey. "I'm starving!"
* * *
Stacey's wish was granted a mere two hours later, when the three children stepped off the train and moved towards Hagrid's booming voice. "Firs' years, this way!"
"Come one!" he said, and Stacey immediately followed. Aidan seemed awed by Hagrid's size. "It's okay," James assured him. "Hagrid's REALLY nice." It seemed enough for Aidan to hear this from his newfound friend, and he followed James and Stacey and they all got into a boat together for their trek across the lake.
Once inside the castle, they met up with Harry. James pointed him out to Aidan before they followed him in for the Sorting Ceremony.
"Now," said Harry when all the first years were gathered before him. "When I call your name, you will sit on the stool and have the Sorting Hat placed on your head. It will tell you which house you will be in."
James, Stacey and Aidan had to wait for many first years to go ahead of them before they heard Harry call out, "Aidan Finnegan!" Aidan took a deep breath and walked up to the stool. The hat was placed on his head, and he waited. The hat seemed to be having a tough time with Aidan, saying nothing for a full three minutes.
Finally, it shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Aidan smiled, waved at James and Stacey, and headed off to the Gryffindor table, where he was greeted by the older children. He sat with the four others who had been accepted into Gryffindor that evening so far.
A waiting game ensued again, but finally it was James' turn. "James Potter!" Harry called out, trying to sound casual, but really he was as nervous about this particular sorting as his son was. James smiled weakly at his father as he approached the stool and had the hat placed on his head. They hardly had to wait before the hat called out his fate, "GRYFFINDOR!" Now it was James' turn to beam, and he looked at his father again before sitting next to Aidan at the Gryffindor table.
Stacey's turn finally came, nearly last, and she proudly sat on the stool, waiting her turn. The hat burst again: "GRYFFINDOR!" Stacey applauded, along with the rest of the students at the Gryffindor table, and she sat with her cousin and new friend. They all listened intently as Professor McGonagall made the opening announcement, and then dug in hungrily when the feast appeared.
* * *
James was pleased to say that his first week of classes went very well. He found himself busy with homework, but he was also busy making new friends and preparing for Quidditch tryouts. He had not been allowed to bring the broomstick his parents had given him for Christmas the previous December, but he did well enough by using the school broomsticks. He even showed Aidan who, though he lived in the wizarding world, was not as up on Quidditch as one might expect. Still, Aidan took to flying right away, and they enjoyed throwing the Quaffle back and forth to one another, and trying to block each other from getting it into the hoops.
Though they still spoke to Stacey during classes and in the evenings in the common room, she had branched out and made friends with the other girls in her dormitory, and they were often seen apart. Even so, it was still comforting for James to know that his cousin was so close by. They often wrote home together, just to save time.
Classes were a little more difficult than James had first anticipated, but he soon fell into a groove. He did his homework fairly regularly and he was making good grades. The only problem he was having was running into Harry just one too many times. He had always understood that his father was going to be at Hogwarts when he arrived, but the presence of a family member so close made him a little wary sometimes. He wanted to fit in just as all the other children did, and none of them had parents who worked at Hogwarts.
Still, on the plus side, having a father who worked at the school was often good for some perks. On occasion, he and Aidan would spend hours in Harry's office, helping him with all the Defense Against the Dark Arts contraptions and observing the many creatures kept around the office.
"So tell me," Harry said to Aidan one day in October. "Can I assume that you're related to Seamus Finnegan?"
"He's my dad," said Aidan with a smile. "He told me he knew you when he was at Hogwarts."
"Yeah," said Harry. "We were in the same year, both in Gryffindor. You know, I saw your father at our reunion a few years ago. He had to rush out when your mother sent him an owl."
"Uh-huh," said Aidan, remembering it. "That was the night my little sister Kerry was born. She's five now. A real pain."
"So's my sister," James added, and Harry gave him a stern look. "What?" James said to him. "She is. She's always going through my stuff." Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "Hey! You better make sure she stays out of my room while I'm here!"
Harry laughed. "I can't make any promises, buddy," he said. "But I'll do my best to keep her out." He turned his attention back to Aidan. "Now, I know your older sister, but you have other brothers and sisters, don't you?"
"Yup!" said Aidan. "There's Cassidy before me, like you said, then me, Devin, Taggart, Eileen and Kerry's the baby."
"How are your mum and dad these days?" Harry asked.
"They're okay," said Aidan. "Dad works in Magical Law. I'm sure he'd be happy to represent you for free if you needed him to."
"I'll remember that," said Harry with a laugh.
"Aidan, we better be getting back to the common room," James said. "Are you going home soon, dad?"
"In a little bit," said Harry.
"Say hi to mum!" said James, and with a wave to his father, he and Aidan were out of the office and heading back to the common room.
* * *
A few days later, both James and Aidan waited nervously for their turns to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. There were Seeker and Beater spots open, and each was hoping to fill one. James had practiced the position of Seeker a lot with his father, and he was fairly confident that he could put on a good show for the existing team members. Still, he knew that they were all older and more experienced than he was, and that was what made him apprehensive.
When it was his turn, James mounted his broomstick and flew a few laps around the players. He was searching for the Snitch. It took only a few moments for him to spot it, and he zoomed towards it, looping quickly and easily through the other players. He grabbed the Snitch and held it triumphantly in his hands. The team Captain, Diana Welsh, looked at him, impressed before asking him to sit down in the stands while the other people tried out.
"That was brilliant, James!" Aidan exclaimed. "I think you have a really good chance."
"Aidan Finnegan!" called Diana, interrupting the comment James was about to make.
"Good luck!" James called out, as a white faced Aidan stood and headed out to the field.
It was soon clear that Aidan Finnegan was a forced to be reckoned with when it came to bludgers. Though his actual playing experience was small in comparison to the other people who were trying out, he clearly understood what the purpose of a Beater was, and he used these skills to know the bludgers far away from the players. James clapped along with the others watching when he sent one flying through one of the hoops at the other end of the field. When he rejoined James, his former sheet white face was now blushed with red. The friends gave each other a high five, and continued to watch the other players.
* * *
"Okay!" Diana called out when the final player had finished showing her skills. "We've seen a lot of talent here today, and if we could take all of you, we certainly would!" Some people in the crowd beamed at this statement. "However, as you know, there are only two spots open on the team right now, and we saw two players today who seem above and beyond the standard that the Gryffindor House Team is used to. So without further ado, I thank all of you for coming out, and I am pleased to inform you that our new beater is Aidan Finnegan and our new seeker is James Potter!"
The decision was met with some groans, but in general the other people who had tried out were good sports and they applauded James and Aidan. In recent years, it had not become uncommon for the house teams to include first years, and so it was not as big of a deal as it had been when Harry had gotten onto the Gryffindor team his first year.
Diana continued. "You're all welcome to stay and watch the practice. James, Aidan, I'd like you to head into the locker room, where you'll find robes for yourselves, and then head back out here, and we'll start talking strategy." The boys nodded, and made to move past her. She stopped Aidan, and held out her hand in welcome. Aidan smiled and then headed into the locker room. Diana then turned to James.
"Welcome to the team, James," said Diana, and she shook his hand.
"Thank you." James smiled. The year was shaping up brilliantly.
Author's Note: You'll come across some familiar last names here (and a huge effort to look up names that were Irish, in honor of said character). I had to look back at Hogwarts Reunion many times to make sure it made sense, as far as ages go. Hope you enjoy it! (Oh, and for those who asked: Daniel got his name from Daniel Radcliffe, Harry Potter's onscreen counterpart, plus it's just a name I like. I trust the middle name needs no explanation!)
Chapter Seven: James Goes to Hogwarts
"Are you sure you're ready?" Ginny asked her son as they put the final items in his trunk.
"I think so," said James.
Ginny looked at her son and felt something tug at her heart. She couldn't believe that he was eleven years old already. He was leaving for Hogwarts today, ready to start his magical education. "Now, dad's going to take you to London so you can take the train with the other kids," Ginny explained. "I know it seems silly to do that, since we live down the road from the school, but you really shouldn't miss out on the experience of the Hogwarts Express. That's where your dad met your Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione, you know."
"I know," said James. He had heard the story many times. He could recite it himself, and though he didn't want to admit it, he DID recite it to himself a lot, and he hoped that he would be lucky enough to make friends like his father did.
"I can't believe you're old enough for Hogwarts," said Ginny, and she gazed at her son with a wistful look in her eye.
"Mum!" James said, embarrassed under her stare. "I'm just going to school. I'll be back for Christmas. Besides, the school is, like a ten minute walk from here. You'll see me all the time. And I'm going to see dad everyday. Besides, you still have Lily and Daniel."
"So you think your brother and sister are a replacement for you?" Ginny asked her son in disbelief.
James laughed. "No," he said. "I just mean that they'll be here. And Daniel's a baby so you can't miss ME being a baby."
"Oh, James," said Ginny, and she put an arm around her son. "I will ALWAYS miss you being a baby."
"MUM!" James said again, and she squirmed out of her grasp and began putting some more items in his trunk.
* * *
In the excitement following Daniel's birth, the Potter family - including James himself - seemed to forget the milestone they expected would come their way at the beginning of the summer. When the letter from Hogwarts arrived addressed to James, however, everyone knew what it was. In fact, it was Lily who spotted it first, grabbing it from the pile and running through the house shouting for anyone who would listen. "JAMES GOT HIS LETTER! JAMES GOT HIS LETTER!"
Ginny, who was putting three-month-old Daniel down for his nap at the time, left the room and grabbed the letter out of Lily's hands. "James! Harry! Come on!" she said, now as excited as the six-year-old girl hopping from foot-to-foot right next to her.
James and Harry appeared in the hallway, and Ginny smiled at James. She ceremoniously handed her son the letter, beaming at him. "I believe this is for you, Mr. Potter."
James took the letter from her, and turned it over, running a finger over the red Hogwarts seal. He looked up at his parents, and they nodded, encouraging him to open it. He put his hand to the seal and was about to open the envelope when -
"Wait!" Ginny called out.
"What?" James asked, feeling a sudden disappointment.
Ginny didn't answer, but ran to the other room and came back with a sleeping Daniel on her shoulder. "I think the whole family should be here for this."
James laughed nervously. "But, what if I don't -" He couldn't finish the question. Harry put a reassuring arm around his son.
"James, there is no doubt in my mind that you have gotten in. However, if for some reason you don't, your mum and I will love you and be proud of you just the same," said Harry.
"Of course," Ginny confirmed.
"Open it! Open it!" This came from Lily, who was still hopping around, excited for her big brother.
"Okay," said James, slowly, and he put his hand back to the seal and opened the envelope. He pulled the letter out and his eyes scanned the page. Ginny saw the corners of his mouth turn up, but when James looked at his parents, his face was stoic.
"Well?" Harry asked after a moment.
James looked back down at the letter. "Dear Mr. Potter," he read. "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry `" It was all James was able to get out before the family cheered and hugged him.
"We have to celebrate tonight!" Ginny exclaimed. "What do you want for dinner, James. I'll make you anything." She gestured for Harry to take Daniel from her, and he did so. "Come on, James, let's go downstairs and call Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione, and grandma and grandpa, of course. They'll be SO excited." James followed his mother down the stairs, relieved and excited that his letter had finally come.
* * *
The month passed quickly, and James headed to London with his father to get on the train. He had said goodbye to his mother, sister and brother before he left, with the brief thought that the next time he saw Daniel the young baby would be much bigger, and may have reached a dozen milestones that he was not able to witness. Still, James was more excited to embark on this new journey of his life, and head to his parents' alma mater.
At Platform 9 and ¾ Harry and James found Fred and Angelina, wishing their daughter Stacey good luck. She was heading off for her first year as well, and she and James immediately clung to each other so that they would have someone to sit with and talk to on the long train ride.
As Harry and James, Harry said, "I'll see you tonight, buddy." To Stacey and James he said, "Remember, if you need anything, you can always find Phillip and Peter." Percy's children were the first of the Weasley grandchildren to make it to Hogwarts. Phillip, now fifteen and a fifth year, newly named prefect, doing Percy and Penelope proud. Peter was entering his second year at the top of his class. Both children had been the first in the Weasley lineage to end up in Ravenclaw instead of Gryffindor, showing their mother's influence on them.
"Okay, dad," said James, and with a wave to his father, he stepped on the train. Harry watched the train leave the station, feeling a bit nostalgic for his own Hogwarts days. Even though he returned to Hogwarts every day during the school year, being a teacher was a completely different world than being a student. Now he was forced to be the responsible one, and he did this well. He had wondered how things were going to be handled when his own family members stated attending Hogwarts. He was sure parents would complain that they would have an unfair advantage, being related to one of the teachers. However, the problem was solved for him when the popularity of Defense Against the Dark Arts sky rocketed, and the school ended up hiring a second professor for the subject, something that hadn't happened ever before (Harry checked with Hermione, the resident expert on "Hogwarts: A History"). Harry ended up as the N.E.W.T.-level teacher, while the other professor took care of those at O.W.L.-level. He wouldn't even have to worry about teaching James until AFTER he had taken his O.W.L.'s, by which time it would be clear that James was no slacker when it came to Defense Against the Dark Arts, having observed his father for years.
"How does it feel Harry?" Fred asked, clapping on hand on his brother-in- law's shoulder. "Having a son in Hogwarts already?"
"It's strange," said Harry.
"I know what you mean," said Fred. "Can't believe they're all grown up, but its happening."
"It makes me feel very old, if you want my opinion," said Angelina. Harry smiled.
"Yeah," he agreed, and the three adults walked out of the station together.
* * *
"What house do you think you'll be in James?" Stacey asked as the train sped along. They were sitting in a compartment together, looking out the window, and talking about their apprehensions about arriving at Hogwarts.
"I don't know," said James. "But I hope its Gryffindor. Dad and Mum were both in it."
"Mine too," said Stacey. "I want to be in Gryffindor too. At least we'd know each other."
"Yeah," James agreed, happy to have one of his cousins around, as it would still be two years before Emma joined him at Hogwarts.
A commotion in the corridor made them both turn and look. They turned their heads just in time to see a young boy run by. Curious, James and Stacey poked their heads out of the door and watched the boy run to the end of the car, and then run back, before spotting them. "Can I hide in here?" he asked.
"Sure," said James right away, and he moved out of the boy's way. When he was sitting, James and Stacey looked at him. The boy looked back at them, but said nothing.
James was the first to speak. "What are you hiding from?" he asked the boy.
"What?" the boy asked, sheepishly. He looked up and his eyes shifted from James to Stacey and back to James. "Oh, my sister Cassidy. She's a fourth year. She wanted to hex me."
"Well, you're welcome to stay here," said Stacey, and she took a seat across from the boy. James did as well, and extended his hand.
"Hi," he said. "I'm James Potter. This is my cousin, Stacey Weasley."
"Hi," the boy said back. "My name's Aidan. Aidan Finnegan."
"It's nice to meet you," James said, and the shook hands. "Any idea what house you'll be in?"
"Nah," said Aidan. "My sister's in Ravenclaw, like my mam was, but dad thinks I'm better suited for Gryffindor."
As the train ride continued, James, Stacey and Aidan got to know each other a little better. Aidan was the second of six children, and his parents had been thrilled when he got his Hogwarts letter. "They were really looking forward to me coming," Aidan said. "My little sister Eileen is really jealous though. She can't wait to come to Hogwarts, but she's only seven."
"My sister's six," James said, "and she wants to come too."
"Everything all right in here?" came an older voice from the compartment door. James, Aidan and Stacey looked to see Phillip Weasley standing there.
"Hi Phil!" Stacey exclaimed. "We're okay!"
"Not causing any mischief, I trust?" Phillip asked, looking at them suspiciously.
"Phillip, we were just talking," Stacey said. "Does it LOOK like we're causing any mischief?"
Phillip still eyes them suspiciously, but he was forced to admit that it didn't look like the children were doing anything wrong. "Keep it up," he said, and he headed back down the corridor.
"Who's that?" Aidan asked.
"That's our other cousin, Phillip," James exclaimed. "He's a perfect." As he said the word, James rolled his eyes, causing Aidan to laugh.
"I hope we get there soon," said Stacey. "I'm starving!"
* * *
Stacey's wish was granted a mere two hours later, when the three children stepped off the train and moved towards Hagrid's booming voice. "Firs' years, this way!"
"Come one!" he said, and Stacey immediately followed. Aidan seemed awed by Hagrid's size. "It's okay," James assured him. "Hagrid's REALLY nice." It seemed enough for Aidan to hear this from his newfound friend, and he followed James and Stacey and they all got into a boat together for their trek across the lake.
Once inside the castle, they met up with Harry. James pointed him out to Aidan before they followed him in for the Sorting Ceremony.
"Now," said Harry when all the first years were gathered before him. "When I call your name, you will sit on the stool and have the Sorting Hat placed on your head. It will tell you which house you will be in."
James, Stacey and Aidan had to wait for many first years to go ahead of them before they heard Harry call out, "Aidan Finnegan!" Aidan took a deep breath and walked up to the stool. The hat was placed on his head, and he waited. The hat seemed to be having a tough time with Aidan, saying nothing for a full three minutes.
Finally, it shouted out, "GRYFFINDOR!" Aidan smiled, waved at James and Stacey, and headed off to the Gryffindor table, where he was greeted by the older children. He sat with the four others who had been accepted into Gryffindor that evening so far.
A waiting game ensued again, but finally it was James' turn. "James Potter!" Harry called out, trying to sound casual, but really he was as nervous about this particular sorting as his son was. James smiled weakly at his father as he approached the stool and had the hat placed on his head. They hardly had to wait before the hat called out his fate, "GRYFFINDOR!" Now it was James' turn to beam, and he looked at his father again before sitting next to Aidan at the Gryffindor table.
Stacey's turn finally came, nearly last, and she proudly sat on the stool, waiting her turn. The hat burst again: "GRYFFINDOR!" Stacey applauded, along with the rest of the students at the Gryffindor table, and she sat with her cousin and new friend. They all listened intently as Professor McGonagall made the opening announcement, and then dug in hungrily when the feast appeared.
* * *
James was pleased to say that his first week of classes went very well. He found himself busy with homework, but he was also busy making new friends and preparing for Quidditch tryouts. He had not been allowed to bring the broomstick his parents had given him for Christmas the previous December, but he did well enough by using the school broomsticks. He even showed Aidan who, though he lived in the wizarding world, was not as up on Quidditch as one might expect. Still, Aidan took to flying right away, and they enjoyed throwing the Quaffle back and forth to one another, and trying to block each other from getting it into the hoops.
Though they still spoke to Stacey during classes and in the evenings in the common room, she had branched out and made friends with the other girls in her dormitory, and they were often seen apart. Even so, it was still comforting for James to know that his cousin was so close by. They often wrote home together, just to save time.
Classes were a little more difficult than James had first anticipated, but he soon fell into a groove. He did his homework fairly regularly and he was making good grades. The only problem he was having was running into Harry just one too many times. He had always understood that his father was going to be at Hogwarts when he arrived, but the presence of a family member so close made him a little wary sometimes. He wanted to fit in just as all the other children did, and none of them had parents who worked at Hogwarts.
Still, on the plus side, having a father who worked at the school was often good for some perks. On occasion, he and Aidan would spend hours in Harry's office, helping him with all the Defense Against the Dark Arts contraptions and observing the many creatures kept around the office.
"So tell me," Harry said to Aidan one day in October. "Can I assume that you're related to Seamus Finnegan?"
"He's my dad," said Aidan with a smile. "He told me he knew you when he was at Hogwarts."
"Yeah," said Harry. "We were in the same year, both in Gryffindor. You know, I saw your father at our reunion a few years ago. He had to rush out when your mother sent him an owl."
"Uh-huh," said Aidan, remembering it. "That was the night my little sister Kerry was born. She's five now. A real pain."
"So's my sister," James added, and Harry gave him a stern look. "What?" James said to him. "She is. She's always going through my stuff." Suddenly a thought occurred to him. "Hey! You better make sure she stays out of my room while I'm here!"
Harry laughed. "I can't make any promises, buddy," he said. "But I'll do my best to keep her out." He turned his attention back to Aidan. "Now, I know your older sister, but you have other brothers and sisters, don't you?"
"Yup!" said Aidan. "There's Cassidy before me, like you said, then me, Devin, Taggart, Eileen and Kerry's the baby."
"How are your mum and dad these days?" Harry asked.
"They're okay," said Aidan. "Dad works in Magical Law. I'm sure he'd be happy to represent you for free if you needed him to."
"I'll remember that," said Harry with a laugh.
"Aidan, we better be getting back to the common room," James said. "Are you going home soon, dad?"
"In a little bit," said Harry.
"Say hi to mum!" said James, and with a wave to his father, he and Aidan were out of the office and heading back to the common room.
* * *
A few days later, both James and Aidan waited nervously for their turns to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. There were Seeker and Beater spots open, and each was hoping to fill one. James had practiced the position of Seeker a lot with his father, and he was fairly confident that he could put on a good show for the existing team members. Still, he knew that they were all older and more experienced than he was, and that was what made him apprehensive.
When it was his turn, James mounted his broomstick and flew a few laps around the players. He was searching for the Snitch. It took only a few moments for him to spot it, and he zoomed towards it, looping quickly and easily through the other players. He grabbed the Snitch and held it triumphantly in his hands. The team Captain, Diana Welsh, looked at him, impressed before asking him to sit down in the stands while the other people tried out.
"That was brilliant, James!" Aidan exclaimed. "I think you have a really good chance."
"Aidan Finnegan!" called Diana, interrupting the comment James was about to make.
"Good luck!" James called out, as a white faced Aidan stood and headed out to the field.
It was soon clear that Aidan Finnegan was a forced to be reckoned with when it came to bludgers. Though his actual playing experience was small in comparison to the other people who were trying out, he clearly understood what the purpose of a Beater was, and he used these skills to know the bludgers far away from the players. James clapped along with the others watching when he sent one flying through one of the hoops at the other end of the field. When he rejoined James, his former sheet white face was now blushed with red. The friends gave each other a high five, and continued to watch the other players.
* * *
"Okay!" Diana called out when the final player had finished showing her skills. "We've seen a lot of talent here today, and if we could take all of you, we certainly would!" Some people in the crowd beamed at this statement. "However, as you know, there are only two spots open on the team right now, and we saw two players today who seem above and beyond the standard that the Gryffindor House Team is used to. So without further ado, I thank all of you for coming out, and I am pleased to inform you that our new beater is Aidan Finnegan and our new seeker is James Potter!"
The decision was met with some groans, but in general the other people who had tried out were good sports and they applauded James and Aidan. In recent years, it had not become uncommon for the house teams to include first years, and so it was not as big of a deal as it had been when Harry had gotten onto the Gryffindor team his first year.
Diana continued. "You're all welcome to stay and watch the practice. James, Aidan, I'd like you to head into the locker room, where you'll find robes for yourselves, and then head back out here, and we'll start talking strategy." The boys nodded, and made to move past her. She stopped Aidan, and held out her hand in welcome. Aidan smiled and then headed into the locker room. Diana then turned to James.
"Welcome to the team, James," said Diana, and she shook his hand.
"Thank you." James smiled. The year was shaping up brilliantly.