(A/N) Hey again guys! Thanks for reading! You don't know how much it means to me to have you read my story. It makes me so happy! I'm sorry for the long wait. I tried to upload as soon as I was finished, but the publish option wasn't working. They just fixed it today. I'm adding a snippet of Sam's point of view to this chapter, because I think we need her reaction to the platform, but I don't think James would be the kind of dude who would like waiting when he's excited.
In Mum's opinion, September 1st came much to fast. It was rainy and cold outside as my family made our way from the car to King's Cross. Dad had to keep a firm grip on Lily's arm to keep her from splashing in the puddles. I was practically bursting with excitement. I was finally going to Hogwarts! How many stories had I heard from my parents, grandparents, Aunts and Uncles? I was so looking forward to learning how to do magic, to making friends, to starting a band.
Because that was my plan. I was going to find some blokes in my year that had some musical talent, and we were going to start a band. I had made up my mind, and was super excited for term to start.
Sam, however, seemed to be feeling the exact opposite. She looked extremely nervous, and kept glancing back at the car, her eyes wide. Dad seemed to notice this, too.
"What's wrong, Sam?" he asked her. "Did you forget something?"
"n-no," Sam said, her voice shaking nervously. "I'm just scared." she said it like she was admitting she'd done something wrong.
"There's no reason to be afraid, Sam," Dad told her. "Hogwarts was my favourite place in the world. I'm sure you'll love it there."
"B-but I haven't got any friends," she whispered.
I made a fake annoyed noise in the back of my throat.
"What?" she asked, confused.
"What'm I, chopped liver?" I asked. Sam smiled at me.
"One friend," she amended. She looked slightly more confident as we entered the train station.
"Now, where's the platform again?" Dad asked, looking around, trying to be funny. I was too excited to find it so.
"9 and ¾!" I said anxiously, bobbing up and down on the balls of my feet. I started toward the platform, pushing my trolley in front of me. I didn't stop to wait for the family when I got to the barrier between platform 9 and 10. I looked back to make sure my parents could see me, then I charged through the barrier.
Sam's POV
I watched James take off with a growing sense of foreboding. He'd left me. I knew I was being very melodramatic, and that he was probably on the train platform, waiting for us, but I was scared, and not thinking straight.
"9 and ¾?" I asked Mr. Potter, confused.
He laughed at my bewildered expression, but not as if he was making fun of me. He seemed to be remembering some funny memory.
"Imagine us leaving you here now, to get to the platform by yourself," he said with a smile. I shuddered at the thought. How would I get into a platform that didn't exist without them? I didn't think I could manage it with them. He laughed again at my expression. "That's exactly what my Aunt and Uncle did to me. Didn't think I'd be able to make it on the platform. They all thought it was terribly funny. But I met some wizards who were running late, thank Merlin. They helped me through."
"I remember that," Mrs. Potter said, smiling at the memory. "That was the first time I ever saw you, Harry."
"And you were very star struck, weren't you Mum?" Albus asked, smirking at her.
"Well," Mrs. Potter said, sounding embarrassed. "I snapped out of it in the end, didn't I?"
"It only took you four years," Mr. Potter teased her.
I was still watching James's retreating figure. He seemed to be heading straight for a wall between to platforms. He was going to crash. Or was he?
"Wh- where'd he go?" I asked, shocked, looking around for him. He had disappeared right as his trolley hit the wall.
"To the platform," Mr. Potter explained. "It's magic. You can go through it if you're a witch or wizard." we pulled up in front of it.
"H-how?" I asked, panicking now. The wall looked very, very solid, and I was quite sure that if I tried to go through it, I'd end up slamming into it.
"Take it at a bit of a run it you're nervous," Mrs. Potter suggested.
"I-I don't want to go first," I muttered, blushing furiously.
"Why don't you take Al and Lily, Harry?" Mrs. Potter asked. "I'll see Sam through."
"Alright," Mr. Potter agreed. "You heard your mum. Through the barrier we go."
The three of them leaned casually on the barrier. I looked at them quizzically. But then, all of a sudden, they disappeared.
"Where'd-?" I asked, bewildered. Mrs. Potter smiled at me.
"Onto the platform," she told me. "Now, dear, what you need to do is run straight at it, holding your trolley out in front of you. You should go right through. Harry will be waiting for you on the other side."
"Okay," I muttered, my insides doing gymnastics. I was going to crash, I knew it. I wasn't a witch! I was normal! All the same, I had to try. I took a deep, calming breath, gripped the trolley tighter, and ran. I screwed up my face as I neared the wall, readying myself for the crash, but I went smoothly through the barrier to the platform.
James' POV
I ran to the train as soon as I passed through the barrier. I found a compartment near the back of the train and stuffed my luggage in it before running back out to the platform. It was extremely crowded. People were running all around, finding compartments, chatting with friends, and saying goodbye to their parents. The scarlet train was creating large puffs of smoke, which faded into nothing as they floated away from the smoke stack. I rushed back to the barrier to wait for Sam and my family, my insides bursting with excitement. I watched happily as my dad and siblings came sliding through the barrier.
"Calm down, James," Dad laughed, putting a hand on my shoulder to stop my bouncing. "You look as if you're about to explode!"
"I just might," I said excitedly. "Oy, when's Sam coming?" No sooner had I asked this than she came through the barrier. Her face was screwed up in fear, and she was very pale. She opened her eyes and looked straight at me.
"Hi!" I said excitedly, bouncing again. She smiled at my antsyness. Mum came sliding through the barrier right behind her. She looked very teary-eyed.
"I've changed my mind," Mum said, sighing. She put her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "You're not going."
"Can't I get on the train now?" I begged, pulling myself away from my mother. I started bouncing again.
"In a minute, James," Dad said exasperatedly. "We'd like to say goodbye first!"
"Bye!" I said quickly. I turned to leave, but Dad caught my arm.
"Oh, no you don't," he said. "Now we have to embarrass you."
"Nooo…" I moaned. Dad disregarded this completely and pulled me into a tight hug, so tight I couldn't get away.
"Bye, my little Jamsie!" he said loudly, for the whole platform to hear. People stopped to watch. "We're going to miss you so very much!"
I squirmed frantically, my face going red. People were starting to point and laugh. The whole family was laughing, even Sam was laughing (though I took comfort in the fact that she looked very guilty about it.) Dad let go of me so Mum could have her turn and I made a break for it, nearly making it to safety. Nearly.
"Goodbye, my little baby!" Mum said in a falsely teary voice. "We love you, Jamsiekins!" And she planted a noisy kiss on my cheek.
"Mum!" I protested loudly. She let go of me, laughing.
"Sorry, James," she said as the spectators began to disperse, still chuckling at my misfortune, "buy you deserved it."
"Yeah," I admitted, still bright red from embarrassment. The train whistle blew, warning us that we were about to be late. "Bye!" I called, grabbing Sam's hand and dragging her into the train.
"Bye, Mr and Mrs Potter!" she called over her shoulder. "Thanks for everything!"
"Bye!" they shouted back. "Have a good term!"
Sam and I jumped onto the train.
"C'mon," I said. "I've already found a compartment." I led her to the compartment I'd found earlier. To my surprise, there were four other boys in there.
"James…" Sam whispered, suddenly nervous again, "Let's find a compartment somewhere else…"
"My things are already in there," I told her. "And besides, I'm sure they're nice.
Sam still looked apprehensive, but she nodded. I pulled open the door and entered the compartment.
"Is there room enough for two in here?" I asked.
"Only for one," a tall, blonde boy told me. His gaze followed mine to the two obviously empty seats, and he was quick to explain: "One of those is taken," he said, pointing to the luggage above the seat.
"Oh," I said, suddenly smiling, "that's mine. Can we stay?"
"If that's really yours," said the blonde, "then sure."
I sat down in my seat, and Sam sat down next to me. I was right across from the blonde. Sam was looking, terrified, at the boy sitting next to her. I could see why she was worried; he was easily twice her size, but he smiled kindly at her, his shaggy brown hair falling in his face.
"I'm Kagan Brady," he told her in a thick Irish accent, holding out his hand for her to shake. Sam took it nervously.
"Sam Barnes," she said.
"I'm Lewellyn Cadwalader," said the blonde. "It's Lew for short, and you won't call me Lewellyn unless you want to die. These are Fie Morrison," he gestured to a dark-haired boy sitting next to Kagan, "and Marco Quinn." Marco, a boy with reddish brown hair and startlingly blue eyes, smiled.
"I'm James Potter," I told them.
"No way!" Lew said in awe. He looked around, impressed, at the other boys. "Are you really Harry Potter's son?"
"Yeah," I said, shrugging.
"So?" Sam asked timidly, her curiosity prevailing over her fear.
"So?" asked Fie incredulously. "You mean you've never heard of what he's done?"
"She must be muggleborn," Kagan said.
"Do you have a problem with that?" I asked defensively.
"Of course not," he said. "My dad's muggleborn."
"Okay then," I said, relaxing.
"So, what's it like to be the son of famous Harry Potter? Marco asked.
"Pretty normal," I told him. "Except he has a bit of a problem with being, as my Uncle Ron says it, 'being a noble git,' and he gets hurt a lot. Plus, he's made himself a lot of enemies, and we're always kind of worried when he doesn't come home from work when he said he would. But he hasn't been severely hurt yet, thank Merlin."
"My mum works in St. Mungo's," Lew told us. "And Dad's a muggle."
"Where are you guys going if you get the choice?" I asked.
"Gryffindor!" they chorused. I grinned.
"Me too," I told them.
"You'll definitely get in," Lew assured me. "You're Harry Potter's kid! It'd be a sin for you not to."
"I know," I said. "But I suppose it's only natural to worry. What if I got put in Slytherin?" There was a collective shudder among the boys as we imagined being in Slytherin.
"S-sorry," Sam muttered, extremely nervously, "but what are Gryffindor and Slytherin?"
"Houses," I told her patiently. "There are four of them: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Gryffindors are known for their bravery and chivalry. Ravenclaws are extremely smart. Hufflepuffs are loyal and hardworking. Slytherins-"
"Are evil gits," Lew interrupted.
"Cleverness," I insisted, turning on him. "I mean, yeah, a lot of Slytherins were evil, but some…"
"You-Know-Who was a Slytherin!" Lew reminded me
"Voldemort," I corrected (all four boys flinched,) "oh, come off it!" I said exasperatedly. "You aren't all afraid of words, are you? Some Gryffindors, afraid of the name of a man who's been dead for years!"
"Who was You-Know-Who?" Sam asked.
"VOLDEMORT," I said loudly, glaring at her, "was a horrible, evil person who killed people for fun and only cared about blood purity."
"He was terrible, from what I've heard," Kagan said. "No one could stop him! He was invincible."
"Exactly!" Fie said. "But your dad," he gestured to me, "stopped him twice. Albus Dumbledore couldn't do it. But Harry Potter did. Twice. He may just be the most famous wizard ever.'
"Someone's a fan," I muttered, and Fie turned red.
"Wow," Sam said softly. "Why didn't you tell me, James?"
"Dad doesn't really like to talk about it," I said uncomfortably, not willing to let them know how little I really knew about my dad's adventures. "He lost a lot of people in the war, and it was really hard fro him. He prefers to live in the present."
"Poor Mr Potter," Sam said quietly.
We sat in the compartment for a long time. Chatting about houses, families, watching the countryside fly by our windows. The conversation was about to turn to one of my favourite things - Quidditch - when a voice called from outside the compartment.
"anything from the trolley?" an old witch called. "Anything from the trolley?"
"c'mon Sam," I muttered as we all pumped up to purchase our snacks.
"What?" Sam asked in surprise as she looked at the selections.
"I know," I said. "Wizard candy. It's the best. What would you like?"
Sam shrugged, so I bought her the same things I got: chocolate frogs, Every Flavour Beans, and Drooble's best. I paid the witch, said "thanks" and went back in to our compartment.
"Dang it!" Lew said, frowning at his chocolate frog card. "Merlin again. I swear he's on every other card."
"Give it to Sam, I suggested, pouring her share of candy into her lap and opening my jelly beans. "She can start collecting.
"What?" Sam asked as Lew tossed her the card.
"There are cards in the chocolate frogs," I told her. "Ew!" I shuddered, swallowing hard.
"What?" she asked, looking startled at my sudden exclamation.
"I got a vomit flavoured one!" I said, quickly pulling out a strawberry bean and popping it into my mouth.
There was a collective groan in the compartment. "Those are the worst," said Lew, grimacing.
"You got a vomit-flavoured jelly bean?" Sam asked, surprised.
"You get al sorts wit Bertie Bott's," Fie said. "Sprouts, sardine, pepper, earwax…"
"But there are good ones too," I informed her as she stared disgustedly at her box of beans. "Anyway, back to the cards…"
"Ah!" Sam gasped, staring at her card.
"Disappeared, didn't he?" asked Kagan.
"Yes!" Sam said, her eyes wide.
"That's wizard pictures for you," I explained. "They can move."
"Wow…" Sam muttered.
"So, the Chocolate Frogs all have collectable cards in them." I opened one of the Frogs and ate it.
"Hey!" Sam gasped, snatching the card out of my hand and giving me a paper cut. "Isn't that your dad?
"Yeah," I said nonchalantly. "Now, if you find one of my uncle Ron…"
"I've got two of him!" said Lew. "But I haven't got your dad yet. Trade?"
And so we did. We spent the rest of the train ride eating and swapping cards. It came as quite a surprise when we heard:
"We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train; it will be taken to the school separately."
"Already?" I asked incredulously. "We can't be there yet!"
But he train was definitely slowing. We all watched the dark scenery outside the window as the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. We were finally at Hogwarts.
(A/N) Thanks for reading! Please review, it's always appreciated! I like to hear what you think, and I LOVE constructive criticism! Anyway, I'd like you to know that each one of James' friends names have a meaning, explained below.
Lewellyn Cadwalder: Lewellyn means lion like leader in English and Welsh. Lew means famous warrior in German. Cadwalader means leader of the battle in Welsh.
Fie Morrison: Fie means dark of peace in Scottish. Morrison means "darkie" in Scottish, which I thought was a funny way to describe him, as he's the darker one of the group, but still really nice.
Kagan Brady: Kagan means a fiery thinker in Irish. Brady means spirited in Irish.
And last but CERTAINLY not least: Marco Quinn: Marco means guardian in Greek. Quinn means wisdom in Irish.
There you are. Thank you for reading, and putting up with my obsession with names.