WARNING! This year contains squibs, spitting, snow that isn't water anymore, and one big prank.

Year One

Chapter One: The One With the Acceptance Letters

"Have you finished them yet Minerva?" A middle-aged woman, apparently Minerva, looked up from an unfinished pile of letters. She was surprised, for she didn't know she had a guest. She gazed at the elderly man through her square rimmed glasses.

"Nope," she replied, shaking her head disappointedly, "I just finished the O's, and there are a lot of them, mind you."

"I know, and you're doing a great job so far." The old man complimented, now twirling his silver beard in his long fingers. She smiled and purred lightly. Minerva continued to write diligently; she wanted to finish the letters before dusk.

"Each year, I am reminded of the myriad of students we have at Hogwarts. Each individual student seems to be another drop in the ocean, Albus." He nodded in silent agreement. There was an awkward pause as Albus watched her quill glide across the parchment.

"That may be true, but there are always some that stand above the others." Albus stated as Minerva signed the letter to a boy with the name James Potter.

It was a quiet day at the Pettigrew household. Mrs. Pettigrew was rocking back and forth in her chair, knitting. She wasn't paying attention to what she was doing, however. Her eyes were locked onto the window. Mr. Pettigrew was trying to read the paper, but he was looking at the same window. Their son, a dim, rotund boy of eleven, was twirling his thumbs madly. Mrs. Pettigrew's kind, brown eyes nervously looked back at her knitting. She was a short, dumpy woman, and her husband only stood a few inches above her. He and his son shared the same light brown mousey hair. She was a pureblood witch, and he was a pureblood too, but alas unfortunately a squib. This left an uncertainty to what their son, Peter, would be.

Peter had never shown any magical nor intellectual prowess, and they were afraid that he may never. There was only one way to truly tell if he was a wizard or not. They hoped that the letter would arrive soon.

A tapping at the window made all of the Pettigrews jump to their feet. Peter sprinted to the owl at the window as fast as his chubby legs would allow. He took the letter from the barn owl. The envelope had the Hogwarts rest on it. Excitedly, he ripped the envelope apart and read the letter aloud.

Dear Mr. Pettigrew

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

"Mum, Dad, I'm a wizard!" Peter shouted excitedly. His mother and father were overjoyed, and they jumped up and down shouting.

"He's a wizard! He's a wizard! He's a wizard! He's a wi-OUCH!" Mr. Pettigrew tripped over the brick fireplace, "I'm okay, but Peter's a wizard!"

"This calls for a celebration!" Mrs. Pettigrew said proudly, "Let's go get doughnuts!"

"Yay! Doughnuts! But can I have a wand too?" Peter asked his mother.

"Of course."

"Here, try this one." Mr. Ollivander carefully handed a young boy another one of his wands. The wizard brushed his slightly long brown hair behind his ear. He took a deep breath and flicked the new wand uncomfortably. A puff of maroon smoke was omitted from the tip of the wand and it laughed at him.

"Nope." Ollivander sighed as he snatched the wand away. The smoke remained above the boy, still chuckling.

The bell on the shop door rang, and a short boy with jet black hair stepped in the shop.

"Are you Mr. Ollivander?" The boy asked as he looked around from the vendor to the hundreds of wands to the other boy. The boy, he noted to himself, looked tired, and a gash was visible from behind his longish tawny brown locks.

"Ah, yes I am," Mr. Ollivander replied, "and you must be James Potter. You look just like your father. I believe I have another customer too." Mr. Ollivander indicated to the boy, no older than the other two, standing behind James. He had a handsome face and charming grey eyes that were hidden from view behind his dark hair.

"You are one of the Blacks, I assume. Sirius, no doubt?" Ollivander questioned, bowing deeply. Sirius nodded with a slight smile.

"I'll get you two" he gestured to Sirius and James "wands to try out. And Remus, I'll get you another pile." As soon as Mr. Ollivander went off, Sirius turned to James.

"So, are you going to be a first year at Hogwarts?"

"Yeah." James responded.

"What about you?" Sirius asked, now facing Remus. He looked up, astounded that someone was actually speaking to him.

"Oh, um, yes." The timid wizard tried another wand, but nothing happened. The reddish smoke hovering above him laughed heartily.

"Where are you going next James?"

"I want to stock up on some dungbombs from Burkes Joke Shop before the term starts, you?"
"Same here."

"Here we go. I have more for you," Ollivander placed ten wands next to Remus, "and one each for you." Sirius flicked his wand, and a fountain of red sparks erupted for the end.

"Excellent wand. Beechwood, 14 inches, and a unicorn hair as the core. Perfect for dueling. Try yours, Mr. Potter." Mr. Ollivander suggested. James waved his wand, and a stream of golden light glided through the room.

"Another good wand, 11 inches, mahogany, and a unicorn hair as well. Great with Transfiguration. Oddly enough, the same unicorn gave its hair to both of your wands. I remember every wand." Sirius's expression could be read that he was either impressed with Mr. Ollivander, or he though that he was completely insane. James smiled at Sirius, and they strolled out of the wand shop, passing a short, chubby young wizard with a pointed nose.

"Did you hear that Burkes has a new product called the Flipping Hat?" Sirius said as they walked down the street of Diagon Alley.

"No."

"Well, it looks like a normal wizard's hat, but when someone puts it on their head, they flip over instantly."

"Cool." They eventually reached their destination. The shopkeeper walked over to greet them.

"Mr. Black, it is good to see you. And I am happy to see that you brought a friend too." The man bowed his head.

"Sirius?" James whispered.

"Yeah?"

"How come people-"

"Hey! There are the hats." Sirius interrupted as he pulled James to the product by his arm. James was curious at this peculiar behavior, but he decided maybe it wasn't the time to talk about it. Sirius grabbed one of the hats at the top. James watched intently as Sirius cautiously placed it upon his head. In less than second, he flipped over and landed painfully on his bum. Instead of cursing angrily like someone else would have done, Sirius laughed, allowing James to laugh with him. James grabbed another hat and joined Sirius in continuous rounds of flips and chuckles. Many older witches and wizards scoffed at their immature behavior.

"Such a frivolous toy." they convinced themselves. The two new friends each bought a hat once their bruised bottoms didn't allow any more tries.

"I'll see you later," James told Sirius as they walked out of the store with bags full of dungbombs and other miscellaneous joke items, "I have to meet my parents at the broom shop."

"That's okay. I gotta go to Flourish and Blotts. I'll see you at school." James squeezed across the crowded street, and Sirius opened the door to Flourish and Blotts.

A/N: Don't worry; the story will get much better as it progresses, especially when we get past those pesky introductions. Anyway, please review. We accept compliments, corrections, and flames.