When we entered the dim and densely packed pub, I noticed immediately a crowd of redheads. James walked over to them, and approached an older man who looked a great deal like him. It was safe to assume this was his father.
"Dad this is Christine, her parents Andrew and Juliette, and her brother Andy," James stated, "She's the transfer from the States."
"A transfer," a bushy haired woman exclaimed, "It's been practically unheard of until just this year."
"I'm Hermione, I work at the Ministry of Magic but I never pass up an opportunity to make an appearance back at school." I shook her hand and she began to tell me about all of the classes she took during her years at Hogwarts.
"And then I stopped sleeping because taking all of those classes was rubbish," a redheaded man imitated, interrupting the conversation while eating a cauldron cake. Hermione slapped him on the arm causing him to choke a bit.
"That is my husband, Ronald," she explained, "He is just jealous that he slacked through his years at Hogwarts."
"I wouldn't call it slacking; it was more like reveling in adolescence," James's father interjected, "I'm Harry by the way." It was going to be a nightmare to remember all of these names.
"Why don't we fill your parents in about credentials concerning the school, and you all can get to know each other better," Hermione announced, leading my curious parents to the other side of the Leaky Cauldron.
"I'm Hugo," a younger redhead introduced himself with a firm handshake, "That is my sister Rose." His sister smiled and waved, she had matching red hair and a pair of stunning blue eyes.
"I'm Lily," a bubbly younger girl chirped as she appeared in my line of sight, she too had red hair, "I'm James and Albus's sister, and I'll be a second year this term."
"And I'm Albus," the last member in the group extended his hand; he had black hair and green eyes that matched his father
"I'm Christine," I muttered, trying to keep names with each face, "I'm a seventh year and this is my brother Andy."
"Are you coming to Hogwarts too," Rose asked Andy.
"Not as lucky as my sister," he replied with a chortle.
"What house are you all in," I questioned.
"Gryffindor," the five stately answered in unison. I couldn't help but feel extremely left out because I had no idea where I would be spending my next year within the school.
"They're loosening house restrictions this year, even if you happen to not be a Gryffindor you'll be allowed in our common room for the first time ever," James informed me. I nodded my head, it sounded like a good new rule but I had zero idea of what he was talking about.
"And another good thing about having a transfer is the Winter ball," Lily screeched, "It will be so exciting to dress up for Christmas!" I sighed, thanking myself for packing some formal wear.
"I assume you'll fit in quite nicely at Hogwarts," Rose stated with a smile, "It'll be both of our first year in upper school."
"What kind of wand do you have?" Lily inquired vehemently. I reached into my satchel and pulled out my prized possession.
"Dragon heartstring 10 ¾ inches," I answered, "Can you do magic outside of school?"
"No, we get in so much trouble with the Ministry of Magic if we do," Albus replied, "James would know about that one." I smiled and laughed at the one person in the group I was closest with at the time being.
"We have a list of simple spells we're allowed to do at home, and we can apparate too," I elaborated.
"It was a summoning charm 4 years ago," James defended, "Dad told me to get something and it was barely a day after term ended."
"Our Dad had plenty of run ins with the Ministry during his school years," Albus continued, "He's got quite an interesting story as a matter of fact."
"I love telling it," Rose interrupted, inserting herself into the melee.
"Take it away," James insisted. I sat in awe as I heard the long tale of the dark wizard Voldemort and his reign of terror in and around the Hogwarts school a few decades ago. In James, Albus and Lily's father's first year he had to fight off this dark wizard with just the help of his two friends in the same year, Hugo and Rose's parents. The plot thickened when the story explained the rise of this Lord Voldemort and how he killed the Potter children's' grandparents. The story switched orators here when James got to speak highly of his grandpa, his namesake. Each year of James, Albus, Lily, Hugo and Rose's parents' school years ensued some event of dark magic that caused someone to either die or be in much worse shape than before. Eventually it was explained that their parents hadn't been able to complete their seventh year due to being on the run from dark forces that completely took over the school that year. James was extremely excited to be living out his seventh year for his Dad. I could tell that these families were extremely tight knit, and it made me a bit concerned about being able to hold a friendship with them.
"Before we put you to sleep," Albus asserted himself into the conversation, "Do you have any impeding questions about the school?"
"Not right now, I'm actually quite tired, portkey travel over too many time zones is a zinger," I answered.
"Perfect timing. It looks like Mum and Dad gave up on droning on and on to your folks," Hugo sighed.
"We'll see you up for bed," my parents called as they ascended a staircase to the upper part of the inn. I stood up and made my way to following them after politely thanking and saying goodnight to all of my new friends and their family. The stairwell was poorly lit and right when I got to the top my foot found a hole in one of the planks that served as support. I muttered curses and reached down to yank my leg out of its wooden vice.
"Let me help," a voice murmured from behind me, causing me to jump and further lodge my foot into the staircase. I craned my head around my leg and saw the crooked smile and brown eyes that identified my new friend, James.
"This place is old as anything, and falling apart, but it's stuck in wizarding history," he told me as he pushed down on the edge of the gap with his shoe. I pulled my leg back with all the force I could muster and landed with my back at the door to the top.
"If bloody England let us do magic four days before term that would've been loads easier," he said with a laugh. I tried to ignore my face getting redder and hotter by the second and the small corridor shrinking by the second. Nobody was around and I couldn't hear a peep from the other side of the door, but I kept felt myself feeling for the handle behind me. Before I could wrap my mind around the vortex of tension, I sneezed. My recoil pushed me backwards and through the door. I didn't know how to answer or what to say, so I quickly got up and jogged down the hallway. Only I would be able to master something so embarrassing it is almost painful I told myself. Little placards on each door dictated the family inside each room and not soon enough I found the one that read Hetter. When I pushed the door open I saw my parents asleep and Andy on a bunk not far from them. As quickly as I could I prepared for sleep and slipped into unconsciousness trying not to recollect the last few moments of my evening.