Chapter 2
(Platform 9 3/4)
Excited about his first year at Hogwarts, James is seen plunging his trolley clumsily through the crowd. His best friend since primary school, Sirius Black, is nearby laughing and joking characteristically. Mrs. and Mr. Potter are running behind in close pursuit, trying hard not to lose the two in the crowd. Mrs. Potter shouts as loud as possible hoping to catch the boys' attention.
"James honey, your mother is an old woman and can't keep up with your enthusiasm. Do slow down for me, please!" Mrs. Potter gasped.
James looked around wide-eyed at the many sights in his range of vision. There were many students, milling around in crowds, gossiping over certain teachers and other various things. There were cats, owls, and a few frogs in cages every where you turned in all different colors. A girl dressed in Gryffindor colors (red and gold) bore a tabby, red and gold, to match her outfit and a boy just a few feet away was boasting over a prefect badge for Ravenclaw House.
"Sorry mum but I can't control myself! Sirius mate, have a look at our train, isn't it bloody wonderful! Oh this year is going to be great, so much opportunity!" James was beaming and looking as if he would give anything to already be in his compartment. Sirius was in a similar state, gazing at everything that passed his eyes with interest.
"Bloody hell, James check out the blonde over there. She looks FINE!" Sirius was whistling his approval of a first year a little off to their left. James began to mutter.
"Honestly mate, girls take time that we haven't got, I know I've got better things to do than mess with a-"
James had suddenly looked to see where Sirius was pointing when next to the blonde was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen in his life. She had a deep shade of red hair that swung in graceful loose curls down her back. Her eyes were a brilliant green, whose color James could tell even from his place quite a distance away. Sirius read James' face and turned to see whom James was staring at, then he smirked.
"Oh I think James has got a crush on the red-head, you do I see it in your eyes so don't try to deny it!"
James was just about to reply to the jest when suddenly Mrs. and Mr. Potter came bursting through the crowd heaving long, heavy breaths.
"You two... you two had me so worried. What would have happened if we had lost you hmm?" Mrs. Potter gained enough strength to stand straight again, "James come here and say good-bye to your parents!"
James made to get away but was unsuccessful. Mrs. Potter hugged Sirius and kissed her son on the cheek.
"Make me proud Jamsie (MOM NO!!!), we love you! Sirius you have been a wonderful house guest this summer and we would be delighted to invite you next summer if you wish- (I do wish Mrs. Potter please let me come)."
Mrs. Potter was flattered that Sirius wanted to visit the Potter family so much as she knew well that Sirius did not have a very loving home. She was very happy to give Sirius all the motherly touch he was deprived of in the Black family house.
"You are a wonderful friend to my boy, do make sure Jamsie doesn't get in too much trouble this year, I don't want anymore letters saying you two are in over your heads with trouble. I'll send a howler and don't think for a second that I don't mean it boys!"
James blushed furiously as they approached the Hogwarts Express, Sirius laughing all the way. Mrs. Potter began to sob hard as they reached the steps to board the train.
"My little boy is growing up so fast. Be a good boy and listen to what your teachers tell you!"
Mr. Potter who had calmly let his wife fuss over the boys leaned in a way that he was just audible to James and Sirius,
"The Trick is to not get caught!" He winked but a bit too suspiciously as suddenly Mrs. Potter slapped him hard across the back of his neck.
"Don't you go putting ideas into their heads! Good-bye and most importantly, have fun!"
"Mum I doubt I bore easily at Hogwarts!" James replied as he hugged his father and said his farewells.
James and Sirius stepped aboard turning to give one last wave and then were off to find a compartment for the duration of their trip. Sirius was amused by Mrs. Potter's motherly habits. Again James face grew a shade of scarlet as a scratched his neck with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Mum, she just worries a bit too much!" Sirius suddenly looked down at the floor and his face drooped.
"I wish I had a family as nice as yours."
They were silent the rest of the way as they searched for a compartment with room for two. Finally at the end of the train James shouted excitedly,
"Here we go, there are only four in here, all first years like us from the looks of it. There are two boys and," James heart skipped a beat, "Those girls we saw back at the station!"
James and Sirius stepped in, thinking wondrously about how great their luck had been today. Sirius had just turned to face the people in the compartment when immediately the pudgier of the two boys jumped up wand shaking in front of him. Taken by surprise Sirius's hand instinctively jumped to his wand pocket
"Put that down you could have blinded me with that-"but Sirius was cut off.
"I don't want any trouble Serverus Snape, but if you want to start something I'm going to defend myself!"
The boy obviously was capable of no more than setting his robes on fire as he didn't even seem to notice that his wand was pointing the wrong way, but nonetheless he looked terrified at the idea that they wanted a duel. The red head girl made to stop the boy from doing something stupid.
"Peter, that isn't Serverus-"
"Lily there's no need for a girl to get involved, I can handle this."
"A girl can do anything a boy can, just as well if not better, and by the way your wand is backwards."
The blonde girl giggled and embarrassed Peter turned his wand the right way.
Hearing himself addressed as Serverus Snape, Sirius suddenly understood that there had been a mistake.
"No I don't want any trouble and I'm certainly not that slime Serverus Snape. I'm hurt that you think I'm that ugly git!"
Sirius knew Snape from the first day of primary school, the same day he met James. Putting it lightly their introductions had not been friendly. He knew that Snape was just a bully who came from a family that centered life around the dark arts. Snape had longer greasy hair and an abnormally large nose. The blonde girl spoke up.
"Oh don't take it personally! Do sit with us! Peter, he's a little paranoid! He thinks that Serverus is out to get him, so now everyone he meets he immediately thinks is Snape. My names is Zena Pacelli, and this girl next to me is Lily Evans." James blushed a little and grinned stupidly, the girl continued. "Across from us is Peter Pettigrew," The boy smiled foolishly (Sorry about trying to attack you mate! Can't be to careful really!), "and Remus Lupin! We're all first years here!"
Remus was a quiet boy that appeared to be very polite and subdued. Fatigue lined his eyes, though his blond hair had a nice bit of an energetic wave. He put out his hand in greeting.
"Nice to meet you, er, what did you say your name was?"
James began to load their trunks to the above container as he spoke.
"My name is James Potter and this is my best mate, Sirius Black. We're first years as well. Pleased to meet all of you, just let me get these trunks up and-"He stopped as suddenly the trunks had become lighter.
Remus had his wand out and was pushing the trunk into the luggage container.
"No problem mate I'll help you with those."
James smiled, he knew Remus was going to be a good friend. On the way to Hogwarts with their new friends, The six divided into teams of two and played an exciting game of exploding snap. They were so caught up in the game that it took until someone tripped into their door to realize that the train had stopped. The group filed out and split up, the four boys going one way and the two girls joining a larger group of first year girls. As the boys made their way down to the boats in which they would travel across the lake ceremoniously to the castle, Sirius struck a conversation.
"So what house do you suppose you'll be put in. I hope I make Gryffindor, it sounds like the best house at Hogwarts!"
James smiled, his parents had been in Gryffindor, and he was pretty sure that he too would be placed in that house.
"If it counts for anything, my Mum and Dad were in that house. That's where they met each other. Of course they think that Gryffindor is the best, but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are okay too. All the houses have good qualities except Slytherin. Nobody wants to be labeled a Slytherin. That's where all the darkest wizards come from. Dad says they only take purebloods, the type that want all wizards of muggle descent, gone."
Each of the four boys agreed that they would give up on life itself before they spent a day on the Slytherin team. Finally Remus spoke his mind, lightening the mood and bringing a smile into everyone's face.
"Wherever I'm placed, I hope all of you are with me. It would be terribly lonely if I didn't have my new friends to enjoy school with."
"Me too mate!" James replied with a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Count me in mate!" Sirius agreed.
"Did you say you wanted to be my friend, really? I've never had a... a friend before! I mean, I'm in with that statement mate!" Peter added looking as if he could cry.
"Well I guess that settles it, come on, let's find a boat before everyone else gets a hold of them first!"
The boys set off towards the bank laughing and joking over James's crush on Lily as they went. There was a curious sensation of being pulled upwards by his shirt and Harry found himself speechless back in the 30 year older Lupin's livingroom. Harry was unable to speak; he had seen his mother and father where they met so many years ago. He had seen his father's best friends become, well, best friends. Thinking of his father, Harry couldn't have imagined how similar he was to James. The way they looked, even the way they reacted and moved. It was almost like watching himself only with a few obvious differences.
"Your father was a nice boy Harry, maybe he stepped across the line once or twice in his day, but he was a nice boy to his family and friends. He had good intentions and he had a high spirit to match." Professor Lupin was chuckling slightly, his mind obviously still in the memory they had just left. "As you know we were all placed in Gryffindor together and we ended up sharing a dorm. I remember that night as the best in my life. I was so happy that I had friends and was going to Hogwarts, that for once I was able to forget that I was a werewolf."
Harry could tell that Lupin was clearly touched as he was. Still, he was a little disappointed that he hadn't seen his mother more throughout the memory. Which reminded him,
"I thought Mum hated Dad when they first met, it didn't seem as if she despised him so much as she did when I had seen Snape's pensive a few years ago." Lupin frowned slightly.
"Oh no Harry, your mother never hated your father, in fact all her old friends revealed at their wedding that she had liked him all along. James was simply an idiot around her during many of the years they were at Hogwarts, but in her heart she knew he was just nerves. Sometimes though, he managed to show her his true personality, and that Harry, is the James she had fallen in love with."
The pensive behind had swirled fast and was now revealing a place on Hogwarts grounds between the lake and the Whomping Willows.
"There you go Harry, this memory is one of your Mother's if I'm not mistaken!"
Craving to witness another piece of his parent's past, Harry turned to Lupin who gave a violent shudder.
"Harry I'm not dangerous, I've taken my potion, but tonight is a full moon. You can take the guestroom upstairs but without Joy around I don't know if you feel comfortable with me during my transformation."
Harry was not afraid of werewolves and he didn't have anywhere to go in a hurry. It didn't seem right for poor Professor Lupin to have to be all alone when it wasn't necessary, after all the potion allowed him to keep his mind so Harry knew that he would certainly not be harmed.
"I don't mind, Nobody's expecting me this evening!" Lupin beamed,
"Great! If you don't mind... I would like to watch these memories with you. Tonight I don't have time to watch another. I'm afraid I won't be human in a little while longer, but tomorrow we can watch more of them if that is what you so desire."
Harry nodded and helped Remus to the couch. Afterwards he made his way upstairs and prepared for bed. He noticed on the wall facing the guestroom another picture of his parents, waving happily and dancing around the frame.
"I wonder what tomorrow's memory will be?"
Harry tapped his wand and the lights in the room dimmed.
(Platform 9 3/4)
Excited about his first year at Hogwarts, James is seen plunging his trolley clumsily through the crowd. His best friend since primary school, Sirius Black, is nearby laughing and joking characteristically. Mrs. and Mr. Potter are running behind in close pursuit, trying hard not to lose the two in the crowd. Mrs. Potter shouts as loud as possible hoping to catch the boys' attention.
"James honey, your mother is an old woman and can't keep up with your enthusiasm. Do slow down for me, please!" Mrs. Potter gasped.
James looked around wide-eyed at the many sights in his range of vision. There were many students, milling around in crowds, gossiping over certain teachers and other various things. There were cats, owls, and a few frogs in cages every where you turned in all different colors. A girl dressed in Gryffindor colors (red and gold) bore a tabby, red and gold, to match her outfit and a boy just a few feet away was boasting over a prefect badge for Ravenclaw House.
"Sorry mum but I can't control myself! Sirius mate, have a look at our train, isn't it bloody wonderful! Oh this year is going to be great, so much opportunity!" James was beaming and looking as if he would give anything to already be in his compartment. Sirius was in a similar state, gazing at everything that passed his eyes with interest.
"Bloody hell, James check out the blonde over there. She looks FINE!" Sirius was whistling his approval of a first year a little off to their left. James began to mutter.
"Honestly mate, girls take time that we haven't got, I know I've got better things to do than mess with a-"
James had suddenly looked to see where Sirius was pointing when next to the blonde was the prettiest girl he'd ever seen in his life. She had a deep shade of red hair that swung in graceful loose curls down her back. Her eyes were a brilliant green, whose color James could tell even from his place quite a distance away. Sirius read James' face and turned to see whom James was staring at, then he smirked.
"Oh I think James has got a crush on the red-head, you do I see it in your eyes so don't try to deny it!"
James was just about to reply to the jest when suddenly Mrs. and Mr. Potter came bursting through the crowd heaving long, heavy breaths.
"You two... you two had me so worried. What would have happened if we had lost you hmm?" Mrs. Potter gained enough strength to stand straight again, "James come here and say good-bye to your parents!"
James made to get away but was unsuccessful. Mrs. Potter hugged Sirius and kissed her son on the cheek.
"Make me proud Jamsie (MOM NO!!!), we love you! Sirius you have been a wonderful house guest this summer and we would be delighted to invite you next summer if you wish- (I do wish Mrs. Potter please let me come)."
Mrs. Potter was flattered that Sirius wanted to visit the Potter family so much as she knew well that Sirius did not have a very loving home. She was very happy to give Sirius all the motherly touch he was deprived of in the Black family house.
"You are a wonderful friend to my boy, do make sure Jamsie doesn't get in too much trouble this year, I don't want anymore letters saying you two are in over your heads with trouble. I'll send a howler and don't think for a second that I don't mean it boys!"
James blushed furiously as they approached the Hogwarts Express, Sirius laughing all the way. Mrs. Potter began to sob hard as they reached the steps to board the train.
"My little boy is growing up so fast. Be a good boy and listen to what your teachers tell you!"
Mr. Potter who had calmly let his wife fuss over the boys leaned in a way that he was just audible to James and Sirius,
"The Trick is to not get caught!" He winked but a bit too suspiciously as suddenly Mrs. Potter slapped him hard across the back of his neck.
"Don't you go putting ideas into their heads! Good-bye and most importantly, have fun!"
"Mum I doubt I bore easily at Hogwarts!" James replied as he hugged his father and said his farewells.
James and Sirius stepped aboard turning to give one last wave and then were off to find a compartment for the duration of their trip. Sirius was amused by Mrs. Potter's motherly habits. Again James face grew a shade of scarlet as a scratched his neck with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.
"Mum, she just worries a bit too much!" Sirius suddenly looked down at the floor and his face drooped.
"I wish I had a family as nice as yours."
They were silent the rest of the way as they searched for a compartment with room for two. Finally at the end of the train James shouted excitedly,
"Here we go, there are only four in here, all first years like us from the looks of it. There are two boys and," James heart skipped a beat, "Those girls we saw back at the station!"
James and Sirius stepped in, thinking wondrously about how great their luck had been today. Sirius had just turned to face the people in the compartment when immediately the pudgier of the two boys jumped up wand shaking in front of him. Taken by surprise Sirius's hand instinctively jumped to his wand pocket
"Put that down you could have blinded me with that-"but Sirius was cut off.
"I don't want any trouble Serverus Snape, but if you want to start something I'm going to defend myself!"
The boy obviously was capable of no more than setting his robes on fire as he didn't even seem to notice that his wand was pointing the wrong way, but nonetheless he looked terrified at the idea that they wanted a duel. The red head girl made to stop the boy from doing something stupid.
"Peter, that isn't Serverus-"
"Lily there's no need for a girl to get involved, I can handle this."
"A girl can do anything a boy can, just as well if not better, and by the way your wand is backwards."
The blonde girl giggled and embarrassed Peter turned his wand the right way.
Hearing himself addressed as Serverus Snape, Sirius suddenly understood that there had been a mistake.
"No I don't want any trouble and I'm certainly not that slime Serverus Snape. I'm hurt that you think I'm that ugly git!"
Sirius knew Snape from the first day of primary school, the same day he met James. Putting it lightly their introductions had not been friendly. He knew that Snape was just a bully who came from a family that centered life around the dark arts. Snape had longer greasy hair and an abnormally large nose. The blonde girl spoke up.
"Oh don't take it personally! Do sit with us! Peter, he's a little paranoid! He thinks that Serverus is out to get him, so now everyone he meets he immediately thinks is Snape. My names is Zena Pacelli, and this girl next to me is Lily Evans." James blushed a little and grinned stupidly, the girl continued. "Across from us is Peter Pettigrew," The boy smiled foolishly (Sorry about trying to attack you mate! Can't be to careful really!), "and Remus Lupin! We're all first years here!"
Remus was a quiet boy that appeared to be very polite and subdued. Fatigue lined his eyes, though his blond hair had a nice bit of an energetic wave. He put out his hand in greeting.
"Nice to meet you, er, what did you say your name was?"
James began to load their trunks to the above container as he spoke.
"My name is James Potter and this is my best mate, Sirius Black. We're first years as well. Pleased to meet all of you, just let me get these trunks up and-"He stopped as suddenly the trunks had become lighter.
Remus had his wand out and was pushing the trunk into the luggage container.
"No problem mate I'll help you with those."
James smiled, he knew Remus was going to be a good friend. On the way to Hogwarts with their new friends, The six divided into teams of two and played an exciting game of exploding snap. They were so caught up in the game that it took until someone tripped into their door to realize that the train had stopped. The group filed out and split up, the four boys going one way and the two girls joining a larger group of first year girls. As the boys made their way down to the boats in which they would travel across the lake ceremoniously to the castle, Sirius struck a conversation.
"So what house do you suppose you'll be put in. I hope I make Gryffindor, it sounds like the best house at Hogwarts!"
James smiled, his parents had been in Gryffindor, and he was pretty sure that he too would be placed in that house.
"If it counts for anything, my Mum and Dad were in that house. That's where they met each other. Of course they think that Gryffindor is the best, but Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are okay too. All the houses have good qualities except Slytherin. Nobody wants to be labeled a Slytherin. That's where all the darkest wizards come from. Dad says they only take purebloods, the type that want all wizards of muggle descent, gone."
Each of the four boys agreed that they would give up on life itself before they spent a day on the Slytherin team. Finally Remus spoke his mind, lightening the mood and bringing a smile into everyone's face.
"Wherever I'm placed, I hope all of you are with me. It would be terribly lonely if I didn't have my new friends to enjoy school with."
"Me too mate!" James replied with a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Count me in mate!" Sirius agreed.
"Did you say you wanted to be my friend, really? I've never had a... a friend before! I mean, I'm in with that statement mate!" Peter added looking as if he could cry.
"Well I guess that settles it, come on, let's find a boat before everyone else gets a hold of them first!"
The boys set off towards the bank laughing and joking over James's crush on Lily as they went. There was a curious sensation of being pulled upwards by his shirt and Harry found himself speechless back in the 30 year older Lupin's livingroom. Harry was unable to speak; he had seen his mother and father where they met so many years ago. He had seen his father's best friends become, well, best friends. Thinking of his father, Harry couldn't have imagined how similar he was to James. The way they looked, even the way they reacted and moved. It was almost like watching himself only with a few obvious differences.
"Your father was a nice boy Harry, maybe he stepped across the line once or twice in his day, but he was a nice boy to his family and friends. He had good intentions and he had a high spirit to match." Professor Lupin was chuckling slightly, his mind obviously still in the memory they had just left. "As you know we were all placed in Gryffindor together and we ended up sharing a dorm. I remember that night as the best in my life. I was so happy that I had friends and was going to Hogwarts, that for once I was able to forget that I was a werewolf."
Harry could tell that Lupin was clearly touched as he was. Still, he was a little disappointed that he hadn't seen his mother more throughout the memory. Which reminded him,
"I thought Mum hated Dad when they first met, it didn't seem as if she despised him so much as she did when I had seen Snape's pensive a few years ago." Lupin frowned slightly.
"Oh no Harry, your mother never hated your father, in fact all her old friends revealed at their wedding that she had liked him all along. James was simply an idiot around her during many of the years they were at Hogwarts, but in her heart she knew he was just nerves. Sometimes though, he managed to show her his true personality, and that Harry, is the James she had fallen in love with."
The pensive behind had swirled fast and was now revealing a place on Hogwarts grounds between the lake and the Whomping Willows.
"There you go Harry, this memory is one of your Mother's if I'm not mistaken!"
Craving to witness another piece of his parent's past, Harry turned to Lupin who gave a violent shudder.
"Harry I'm not dangerous, I've taken my potion, but tonight is a full moon. You can take the guestroom upstairs but without Joy around I don't know if you feel comfortable with me during my transformation."
Harry was not afraid of werewolves and he didn't have anywhere to go in a hurry. It didn't seem right for poor Professor Lupin to have to be all alone when it wasn't necessary, after all the potion allowed him to keep his mind so Harry knew that he would certainly not be harmed.
"I don't mind, Nobody's expecting me this evening!" Lupin beamed,
"Great! If you don't mind... I would like to watch these memories with you. Tonight I don't have time to watch another. I'm afraid I won't be human in a little while longer, but tomorrow we can watch more of them if that is what you so desire."
Harry nodded and helped Remus to the couch. Afterwards he made his way upstairs and prepared for bed. He noticed on the wall facing the guestroom another picture of his parents, waving happily and dancing around the frame.
"I wonder what tomorrow's memory will be?"
Harry tapped his wand and the lights in the room dimmed.