Disclaimer: No I do not own anything Harry Potter related. This all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter is her genius. But otherwise . . . enjoy the story I wrote and please read & review.

Chapter 1: The Alley, the Wand, and the Boy in the Robe Shop

A small boy wondered through Diagon Alley walking next to his parents, one on each side of him. The boy had been here before but never for this occasion. With a smile spread on his face, James Potter looked around at all the shops with glee. It was just yesterday he had received his acceptance in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His parents couldn't have been more proud of him.

"Can we stop in the Quidditch shop mum..?" James asked starting to head through the sea of people to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

"Hold on James Matthew Potter..!" said a thin woman with waist long dark black hair and beautiful blue eyes and thin glasses and with a strong effort grabbed her son's hand, "We are here for school shopping."

"But there's Quidditch in school," James argued. He gave his mother a pouty look through his black bangs, which were messy and in need of a hair cut.

"I understand that," Mrs. Potter said coolly, "But now it's school supplies and depending on how me and you're father feel we can stop at the Quidditch store."

"All right," James said feeling defeated. He wanted to go now . . .

James turned left with his parents in Flourish and Blotts. James had been in here before but never before the week before term. There were people everywhere. Mrs. Potter grabbed her son's hand but James pulled it out of her grip, "Mum . . ." he said dully.

"James I don't want to lose you in the crowd," she stated.

"Calm down Elizabeth," said Mr. Potter from behind, "I've got an eye on him."

Mrs. Potter sighed and let go of James' struggling hand. He smiled at his dad. At least he understood he wasn't a baby anymore. Mr. Potter smiled back and winked one of his hazel eyes. James had inherited his father's eyes and his messy black hair. They looked almost identical except James had glasses while Mr. Potter did not. Walking back closer to his dad to avoid another 'mum attack', James trailed behind his mother's dark violet cloak and rubbed his arm next to his father's black one.

"Here we are," said Mrs. Potter in a sweet voice pulling of a few books form a table that said: Hogwarts First Year Books in scratchy writing, "All your books in one."

James picked them up. Seven heavy books and each one was pretty thick. Carrying them behind his parents (his father had taken a few of the heavier ones) James followed them through the forest of new hyper students and ecstatic adults.

Waiting in line was killing James' arms. These books were heavy. Was he going to have to carry all these at once in school..? He sure hoped not.

A few more minutes passed and James felt his arm falling asleep. His mother was tapping her foot and looking at a large golden clock in the store. It had pixies carved into it and the clock glowed with mysterious magic. Mrs. Potter sighed as she read the clock as it chimed four o' clock, "How much longer do we have to wait..?"

"Not sure," said Mr. Potter casually and shrugged as he looked through some of James' books, "It is crowded dear."

Mrs. Potter nodded and her lip thinned a bit. James knew that when the lip thinned she was getting a bit frustrated. Normally it was James blowing something up or making a new experiment or dragging in a stray animal, but today it was the crowd. James was getting frustrated too. At this rate he'd never make it to the Quidditch Store.

"Next," said a plump little witch.

The Potter stepped forward and James shoved his books on the desk. He rubbed his arms. That hurt. Mr. Potter placed the three he had and stepped back as Mrs. Potter took her purse out.

The witch checked each book and smiled, "Three Galleons."

Mrs. Potter nodded and smiled and dug into her black purse and pulled out twelve shinny gold coins. Placing them on the table the witch took them and using her wand wrapped them and using her wand, let them zoom over into a bag. Mrs. Potter walked over and grabbed James' books.

"Am I going to have to carry all those during school..?" James asked as they started to leave the shop.

Mr. Potter smiled and chuckled, "Course not."

"Oh good," James sighed, "Because that hurt my arms."

Mr. Potter merely smiled and rubbed his son's head, "Awww James . . ."

"What..?" James asked.

"Nothing James," Mr. Potter said remembering when he was a child like that.

James knew his father did that all the time. He told James he did it because he was proud of him. James guess he was but didn't know why. Getting a letter to go to Hogwarts wasn't that big of a deal was it..? James attention soon faded as he saw his mother carrying his books.

"Aren't those heavy..?" he asked innocently.

Mrs. Potter shook her head, her smooth hair flowing her movements, "Not at all."

James looked astonished, "Really..?"

"Really," she said smiling, "When there's a Lighting Charm on them it's not heavy at all."

James laughed. He couldn't wait to learn. Growing up in a pure blooded family, magic was almost second nature to him except he didn't own a wand. He had stolen his parents before to do different 'experiments' on items through out the house and found magic pretty fun. The Potters' hadn't gone to the wand shop yet but next to the Quidditch store that was something James was dying to go into.

The sun was fading fast but the Potters' were moving much faster now. They had gotten his books, a cauldron, a set of crystal phials, a telescope and a set of brass scales. James was also allowed to pick one pet. He had chosen an owl so he could write to his parents during the school year. It was a dark brown owl and James named him Hershey.

"Next stop," Mr. Potter said crossing off Pet Store on his list, "Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C."

"That's a long time," James said carrying Hershey.

"Yes it is," Mr. Potter said opening the door for his wife and son as they walked into Ollivanders.

James stood transfixed on the shop. Wands everywhere. Big ones, little ones, fat ones, thin ones. Dark wooden ones, light wooden ones. Any kind of wand you could imagine was here, "Woa . . ." James heard himself say.

"Good afternoon," said a soft voice. James turned to see a pale eyed old man standing in front of him. His eyes glowing like moons.

"Ahhh yes," he said smiling, "The Potters'. Been wondering when you'd come in."

James felt a bit awkward. This man scared his a bit, and the fact that he was extremely close to James as if they were best friends didn't make things easier for James to like this man either.

"So," the man said holding out his feeble hand, "Mr. Ollivander at your service Mr. Potter," he said grabbing then shaking James' hand.

James remembered his manners. One thing his parents had drilled into his head when around adults. With both James' parents being not only very wealthy and both working in high classed jobs he was always expected to be polite. A part of growing up to him, "Oh . . . nice to meet you too . . . Mr. Ollivander."

Mr. Ollivander smiled, "So I suppose you're here to find a wand..?"

James nodded. Looking around so not to look at Mr. Ollivander James noticed the crowded shelves with thin boxes collecting dust. It was almost like a library that was a bit out of order and messy. Mr. Ollivanders desk had various wands scattered across it and had papers thrown about and a dim lighting in this shop. If you looked closely enough you could even see a thin layer of dust covering the light. He walked over to a book and opened it. The wand inside was very pretty but very unique looking at the same time. This was the one James wanted. One the side of the box it read: Mahogany, eleven inches, pliable, excellent for transfiguration.

"So, your wand arm Mr. Potter."

James extended his right arm. Mr. Ollivander began to measure his arm, then his legs, then his waist and before James knew it he was a bit tangled in measuring tape.

"Well," Mr. Ollivander said pulling out a box from a heavily stocked shelf, "Give this one a go."

James was puzzled. He thought he got to pick out his own wand, "Ummm . . . Mr. Ollivander..?"

"Yes," Mr. Ollivander asked as James looked at the box he was holding.

"I thought I got to pick out the wand..?"

Mr. Ollivander chuckled to himself, "Well almost. It's just the opposite my boy," he said draping his arm around James' shoulder, "The wand picks the wizard."

James felt awkward, "Ohhh . . ."

"Here we go. Maple and phoenix feather. Seven inches. A bit whippy if I say myself."

He took the wand from the box Mr. Ollivander was holding. James picked it up then looked at Mr. Ollivander, "Do I wave it and say a spell..?"

"Oh no. No spell just give it a wave."

James gave it a flick with his wrist and as soon as that was done the lamp on Mr. Ollivander's desk spun in a circle then fell to the floor and blew up, "I'm sorry..!" James said.

Mr. Ollivander smiled, "No need to worry my boy. That isn't the match for you."

James felt horrible now. He just blew up a lamp and all Mr. Ollivander would say was 'that isn't the match for you.'..? James took a step backwards and then Mr. Ollivander came out with a few more boxes."

"Here. Nine inches. With Beachwood and dragon heartstring. This one, nice and flexible."

James took it but did nothing with it.

"Go on give it a wave."

"I just don't want to blow up another lamp . . ." James mumbled.

He raised the wand but before he even flicked it Mr. Ollivander took it out of his hand and slipped another one in, "Ebony and unicorn hair. About . . . yes eight and a half inches. Springy so watch out."

James flicked this one. He was pushed back by a jolt and dropped the wand and fell onto the floor. His wand caused a book to fly and almost hit his mother in the head. She ducked in time and Mr. Potter caught the book and placed it back on the table.

"Sorry . . ." James said quickly, "I didn't know it would—"

Mr. Ollivander however had picked that wand up and slipped another one into James' hand. James noticed it was the one he had picked out earlier, "No need for worry Mr. Potter. Try this one. I think we have a match with this one."

James wasn't sure he was up for more wand testing . . . but non-the less he waved it and long behold. The wand glowed and let out blue sparks and they started to dance around the room like pixies changing form blue to green, to red, to yellow and then as James brought the wand above his head the sparks twirled around and exploded causing a mini fireworks show.

Mrs. Potter ran up and hugged James, "Good job James."

James was confused. What had he just done..?

Mr. Potter now came up and clapped James on the shoulder, "Good shot sport. Think we found your wand."

"Oh indeed..!" Mr. Ollivander said dropping the boxes he had in his hand and rushed over to James, "Bravo..! I must say . . . wonderful effect. Good show."

"But I—"

Mr. Ollivander placed James' wand back in the box, "A good wand indeed. Eleven inches. Mahogany. Pliable. A little more extra power and this is a very excellent wand for transfiguration."

Mr. and Mrs. Potter were smiling and James started to smiled too. His wand. His very own wand. He rejoined his parents and his mother paid the seven gold Galleons for his wand. As they started to leave Mr. Ollivander disappeared behind the wands again.

"And our last stop will be . . ." Mr. Potter looked at the list, "Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions."

"But I have robes," James said, "Why do I need more..?"

"You need school robes dear," Mrs. Potter stated.

"Ohhh . . ." James said then he looked at his wand in his box, "Can I use it..?"

"Maybe when we get home," Mr. Potter yawned.

James was too excited to be tired like his parents were, "Really..? Can you teach me a hex or jinx..? In the one book I got it says—"

"James dear," his mother said in a 'no' type of voice, "I'd prefer if your first spell was not a jinx or hex. Maybe a simple little charm."

James felt his mouth slide, "A charm..? Awww . . . come on mum . . ."

"No dear. At school," Mrs. Potter said as they entered Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. James had been in here before but had never really been to the school section of robes. He dragged his purchases behind him.

"Come on Elizabeth what's the harm in a little jinx or hex..?" Mr. Potter said as Madam Malkin came over. Mrs. Potter gave her husband 'the look' but he seemed un-effected by it, 'Come on . . ."

"I'd rather have him stay out of trouble Matt," Mrs. Potter said sharply.

"He won't use it at school will you James..?" Mr. Potter said winking at James.

James grinned, "Of course not."

"all right," Mrs. Potter said smiling and raising up her hands, 'I'm out numbered and defeated," she smiled at her son, "You can practice tonight."

James felt himself smile broadly. He was going to learn some magic tonight. The very thought of it made his stomach jump. Finally he would able to do magic.

Mrs. Potter turned her head and spotted some dress robes, "I'm going to go look at some new robes Matt."

Mr. Potter looked up, "I'll join you. Wait here James."

"Okay . . ." James said sitting down.

A few moments later as his parents shopped for new robes James was bored. He was thinking about doing magic finally with permission. With a sly grin, James looked left, then right and pulled his wand out. He held it up to get a good look at it when a voice greeted him, "Hogwarts dear..?" said a smiling, squat little witch all dressed in mauve robes. Madam Malkin.

James almost jumped out of his skin, "What..?! Oh yea . . . Hogwarts."

"Follow me please. I have a few students being fitted up now," she said cheerfully.

James followed her but before he did he slipped his wand back into his pocket of his robe he had on now. Madam Malkin didn't see and James sigh with relief as she placed him up on a stool in between a boy about his age and a red headed girl slipped a long robe over her dropping to the floor.

James looked at the red haired girl. She had beautiful green almond shaped eyes and shinny long red hair. She smiled and waved at James and James felt his face grow red.

"Okay here we are," said Madam Malkin putting some robes over top of James' head, "Careful of your glasses dear," she added as James almost dropped them.

"Here I'll hold them while you put your robes on," said the boy next to James.

James turned his head and looked at the boy. He had a slick looking grin on and he held out his outstretched hand. His hair was a shinning black and his eyes were a dark, graceful, handsome brown. James smiled and handed his glasses to him, "Thanks," James said slipping the robes on.

"No problem," the boy said, "So you going to Hogwarts."

"Yup," James said getting his head free and taking his glasses back, "You too..?"

The boy nodded, "Yup," he looked around behind him fearfully. James turned too to see what he was looking at. The was a woman who looked positively disgusted to be here and she had a young boy with her. He looked around at the students as if they were below him as did the woman. She then spotted James. Her dark eyes narrowed on him and she took a step closer, her dark hair shinning in the light, her thin young face looking heartless.

James turned around quickly, "Who's that scary woman..?" James asked.

The boy smiled the frowned, "That's my . . . my mother . . ."

"Your—?" James felt horrible, "I'm sorry."

The boy smiled again and laughed, "Don't be sorry. Just be thankful she's not your mother."

James smiled but didn't say anything. He didn't want to upset the boy. But then again the boy seemed upset with his mother. James decided to steer the conversation away from the boy's mother, "So what house do you reckon you'll be in..?"

He looked up, 'Gryffindor. That's the house I want to be in."

James smiled, "Me too. Both my family was in Gryffindor. I've had a few Ravenclaws and the occasional Hufflepuff. How about you..?"

Te boy frowned, "All Slytherin."

"All..?"

"Yea . . ." the boy said depressed, "But that's why I want to be in Gryffindor..! To make them angry."

James was confused, "Why would you want to make your family angry..?"

"Because I hate them, and I want them to know how I feel," he said shortly, "Plus for the fun of their despair. I'll embarrass the so much if I make Gryffindor."

James smiled but again didn't say anything. He was beginning to think this boy had family problems. Again he steered the conversation away from the topic of the boy's family, "So what's your name..?" James asked holding out his hand, "I'm James Potter."

The boy shook it happily, "Sirius Black."

James smiled, "Nice to meet you Sirius."

"Same for you . . . James was it..?"

James nodded.

"Can I call you Jimbo..?" Sirius asked with a grin.

James laughed as Madam Malkin finished with his and Sirius's robes. Madam Malkin told them to stay put as she needed more pins and Sirius and James began to talk some more, "You like Quidditch..?" Sirius asked.

James felt sprung with energy, "Yea..! Love it..! I wish first years could try out for the team . . ."

"Me too."

"You play..?"

"Sort of," Sirius said brushing of his robes, "I like Beater the best."

James nodded, "Beaters are coo. I'm a Chaser. Or well that's my favorite position."

Sirius smiled, "Wish I was good enough to be a chaser. I'm not the graceful."

"Never know til you try."

"Guess that's true."

And with in a few minutes the boys were laughing and talking as if they didn't have a care in the world. They had a lot in common. Both enjoyed Quidditch. And both wanted to be in Gryffindor. There was much more but one thing that really sparked their interest was that they both couldn't wait to do magic.

"I got my wand," James said pulling his wand out and showing to Sirius who took it and looked at it, "Got it today."

"Neat," Sirius said, "I got mine yesterday. It's at home. Mum made me leave it," he handed the wand back to James, "I can't wait to do some jinxes and hexes with that thing."

"Me too. My dad's gonna teach me some tonight," James said showing off his wand a bit, "But I know some jinxes and hexes already."

"Do you..?" Sirius sounded interested, "Do some."

"Alright," James grinned. He lifted up his wand and right as he was about to say the spell someone came up behind the two boys.

"Sirius..!"

Sirius jumped up in fright with a turn and James turned in fear and his wand spit out a jet of blue light, which hit the woman. She flung back and hit the wall. Sirius started to laugh. However James stood transfixed. That was Sirius's mother, Mrs. Black.

"Why you un-great full little—" she began with anger but stopped.

She stared at her skin then let out a screen. She was turning purple with pink spots. James shoved his wand back in his pocket and took a step back and tripped over his robes. Sirius looked at his mother and burst out laughing. James felt horrible.

"I'm sorry I—"

"JAMES MATTHEW POTTER..!" roared a voice behind him.

James gulped down hard as his mother rounded up on him. Mr. Potter went over and took the hex of Mrs. Black who was obviously outraged, embarrassed and upset. She stood up. Mr. Potter began to talk to her.

"I'm terribly sorry," Mr. Potter began, 'It won't happen again . . ." he said looking at James who felt like he was the smallest person in the world and everyone else was a giant.

"It most certainly will not," Mrs. Black said outraged and grabbed her youngest son, "Come Regulas," she said grabbing the robes and handing them to Sirius, "Sirius get over here . . . this way."

Sirius glanced sadly at James and whispered, "Bye . . ."

"Bye . . ." James whispered back as they began to leave the shop too.

Authors Note: So what did you think..? Yea I know it was a bit long . . . but once I started I couldn't stop. Well please read & review and tell me what you think.