James was not normally one for pity, but as he watched his closest cousin get sorted into the house of badgers, he couldn't stomp out the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
The two eleven year olds had spent the majority of their summer visits discussing all the pranks and adventures they would get into once becoming proud Gryffindors like their older relatives. Now it seemed like all those plans were ready to crumble for his fellow first year.
Though her face was hidden by her dark bronze hair, her back to him, he could already see her misery setting in by her hunched shoulders, as if she were trying to disappear from the world.
"What just happened?" It seemed someone had decided the thoughts of all the Weasleys sitting at Gryffindor table. Turning around, James wasn't surprised to find that it was Fred who had spoken up. He was, however, startled to hear his cousin so serious, so shocked.
Fred was rarely if ever a serious person. Sure, James might have him beaten for pranks and mischief, but his older cousin was always up for a laugh.
The sorting of his little sister into a different house was clearly was not one of those moments.
Growing a bit uncomfortable with the sudden silence in their part of the table, Dean asked if any of James' cousins played Quidditch.
"Are you kidding? Teddy and Fred are the best!" James boasted. His older relatives rolled their eyes at his antics, but couldn't suppress the faint smirks appearing on their faces.
"Well, he hasn't got it wrong now has he Ted?" said a blonde haired boy beside Teddy. "With you as keeper, Gryffindor's sure to win!"
Said keeper's hair turned bright pink at the statement, his modesty getting the best of him.
"We'll have to see now won't we, Isaac?" He chuckled and willed his hair back to its previous Gryffindor Gold. Isaac Finnigan then dove into some of the news about this year's Quidditch teams, during which Dean and James held on to his every word. It was only until McGonnagall once again stood up to make her speech that their analysis of the latest chase warm ups was halted.
"Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts." The elder witch greeted the students. "Now I know you all want to dig into our lovely feast, but I would like to remind everyone of a few ground rules."
James wrinkled his nose at the mention of rules. Rules, as far as he was concerned, were meant to be broken.
"First, remember that all students are prohibited from entering the forbidden forest."
"Because forbidden didn't already make that clear." Fred mumbled, earning a couple chuckles, relieved that he was no longer so serious looking.
"All first years are not allowed to own broomsticks."
"My heart just broke." James sighed, dramatically clutching his chest. Dean followed suit by feigning wiping his eyes with tears.
"And of course, all students are to abide by the school rules. Any broken rules will result in loss of house points." The headmistress paused for a moment, before waving her wand. "Now tuck in!"
Instantly, food began to appear over all the tables. James stared wide-eyed as a full tray of meatloaf presented itself not three inches from his elbow. Grinning, he happily loaded his plate with everything he could find. Mashed potatoes, gravy, biscuits, meatloaf, wings and more. And of course, treacle tart for desert.
"Just like your dad." Teddy laughed, noticing his cousin's desert of choice.
"Yeah, you should see him when mum makes it from scratch." The eleven year old grinned, "He always races Al and I to the kitchen."
"Oh yeah, that reminds me." Dean spoke up, putting his spoon down. "Why didn't you tell me your dad was Harry Potter?"
"What do you mean?" James asked, raising an eyebrow at his new friend. Sure, his father was head of the Auror Department, but he hardly considered that significant enough to bring up amidst all the wonders of Hogwarts.
"What do you-He's got to be the most fa-"
But at that precise moment, Fred and Teddy locked eyes and the Weasley quickly stood up.
"First years follow Darcy Richards to Gryffindor Tower!" He shouted, causing all the Gryffindors to stare.
A chocolate haired girl with caramel skin glanced up at him as if he were crazy.
"Fred, dinner's not finished yet-" she began, but the third year cut her off.
"Oh don't be silly Darcy darling" he beamed, making her stand up. "Now's good as ever! This way first years!"
Grabbing Emma Flint-Fletchy as well, Fred had the ladies guiding the new Gryffindors out of the Great Hall before James could even snag another piece of treacle tart.
Nonetheless, he tossed it to the back of his mind and followed the rest of his fellow first years.
Hogwarts Castle really was quite enormous. If one looked up, they could see a least six flights of moving stairs above them, rotating about however they pleased.
He, and Dean took up the rear, glancing about at all the moving pictures, some of which waved happily while others looked rather peeved at all the ooh's and ahh's they were receiving.
Eventually, they made their way up to a large portrait of a middle aged woman in pink.
"This is the Fat Lady." One of the prefects introduced. "She provides the entrance to Gryffindor Common room."
James scoffed a little at the portrait's title, deeming it a fitting name for the plump woman who was now glaring at him.
"Password?" She requested, her voice almost overly regal.
"Leo Fortis." Darcy called out to the portrait and the Fat Lady swung the door open, allowing the Gryffindors inside.
It took all of five seconds for James to decide that he quite liked the common room. Everything appeared to be covered in brilliant Gryffindor red and gold, all except the dark hardwood floors beneath his feet. Large cushioned chairs and couches littered the room with a grand roaring fireplace at the eastern wall. The house mascot was boldly displayed above the fireplace, an elaborate lion that flicked its tailed as it settled into its spot.
"The boys dormitories are up the stairs, on the left. The girls are on the right." A prefect told the first years. "You'll find find your name on one of the doors. Your belongings have already been delivered."
The boys quickly sprinted up the stairs, eager to see the rooms. James made a particular point of shoving past that blonde girl from the train, grinning when she glared at him.
Four doors to the left, he found the name James S. Potter printed proudly in golden letters over the wooden door. Also on the door were the names Dean M. Spinnet, Logan E. Turner and Thomas R. Blishen. He turned to his right to find Dean mirroring his infectious grin and both boys quickly dove into the dormitory.
Four tall poster beds lay spread about the room with deep red curtains tied up to the wall. A small stove sat in the middle of the room with a bathroom off to the left. James took a glance around before plopping himself into on of the beds closer to the window, sprawling out like a starfish.
"Dibs on this one." He stated, enjoying the feel of the soft mattress beneath him. Another body plop told him that Dean had selected the bed to his right.
Not two minutes passed by before two more boys entered the room. One with a thick mass of dirty blonde curls and the other big enough to be a Quidditch beater.
"Ah, you must be the roommates." Dean greeted the two. The curly haired boy tossed him a sharp grin.
"Thomas Blishen." He introduced himself. The three turned to the broad shouldered first year, who calmly introduced himself as Logan Turner. Dean and James did the same, though James watched as Thomas's eyes lit up at the introduction.
"Blimey, so you're James Potter!" He exclaimed. "Certainly an honor to meet ya."
There came that feeling again. It had happened during dinner when Dean was talking about his dad and it was even stronger now. The feeling of being in the dark from some big news. James didn't like it one bit.
"Why's it an honor?" The eleven year old asked.
"Well since your parents are famous and all." Logan mentioned quietly as he sank into his new bed.
"I mean yeah, I suppose since dad's an Auror and mum used to play for the Holyhead Harpies." He pondered out loud as he ran a hand through his messy brown hair. "I didn't think it was that big of a deal though."
The three other boys shared a bewildered look before glancing back as James as if he had had transformed into a pygmy puff.
"Are you joking?" Thomas asked, as if trying to decide if James was bluffing or not. "He's got to be joking right?"
Dean remained silent for a moment, which earned an incredulous look from the young Potter.
"No, I'm not joking. What are you lot going on about?" He asked, his tone a little more firm. It was getting annoying that everyone seemed to know some big secret except for him.
"James, you know you're dad's a hero, right?" Dean asked hesitantly. James raised an eye brow as he cocked his head to the side.
"What are you talking about?"
"The chosen one."