James side-along apparated with his father to the Leaky Cauldron, with his mother following them mere seconds behind. Tom, the landlord nodded his head at Mr Potter as they walked through the pub and out into the courtyard entrance to Diagon Alley. Charlus tapped the bricks in the wall, causing the wall to magically fade away. "Right, where to first, son?"

"Erm…" James looked at his list there were so many things he needed. "I don't know dad."

Charlus looked at the list, reading it out loud:

"First-year students will require:

Uniform:

Three sets of plain work robes (black),

One plain pointed hat (black) for day wear,

One pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar),

One winter cloak (black, silver fastenings),

Please not that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books:

The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk,

A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot,

A Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling,

A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch,

One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore,

Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger,

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander,

The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble,

Other Equipment:

1 Wand,

1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2),

1 set of glass or crystal phials,

1 Telescope,

1 set of brass scales,

Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.

Well son, there's plenty to be getting on with. I think we should start with your uniform."

"But dad, that's almost the most boring thing on the list," complained James.

"Now, now, Jammie. If we get your robes sorted, then we can get an ice-cream," encouraged Dorea.

Harry watched as James walked with his parents to Madam Malkin's Robes for all Occasions. James noticed a couple of girls stood in a corner of the shop. They were smiling and laughing, having just bought their own Hogwarts Robes.

Madam Malkin walked up to James, "first year at Hogwarts, dear?"

"Yes it is." James said in response.

"You must be so excited," Madam Malkin's tape measure took James' measurements.

"Yes, I can't wait." James' eyes shone with excitement.

"Not long now." She said flipping her wand over some material on her work desk. "There we go. Three sets of plain black robes, a winter cloak, and your hat."

"Fantastic! Thank you very much." James said as he took the bag out of her hand. Charlus chuckled indulgently at his son, whilst handing over some a couple of galleons over to Madam Malkin.

Harry watched as James tried to talk his father into letting him have his own broomstick. "Dad, why can't I take my broomstick? In fact why can't I have a new broomstick?"

"Jimmy boy, you know you aren't allowed to take a broom." Charlus said calmly. "Come on let's get you a wand and then an ice-cream before going home." He smiled, dragging James into Ollivander's Wand Shop.

"Ah, Mr Potter, here for your first wand?" Ollivander asked James.

"Yes, sir." James replied.

"Right, well let's see what we've got for you." Ollivander walked into the back of the shop only to quickly return with an armful of different boxes. Harry's sight began to fog once more.

The scene Harry found himself in next was one he recognised straight away; platform nine and three quarters. Harry could see Snape watching Lily. Harry's eleven year old mother was pleading with her sister, Petunia.

"I'm sorry, Tuney, I'm sorry! Listen –" grabbing her sister's hand, "maybe once I'm there – no, listen, Tuney! Maybe once I'm there, I'll be able to go to professor Dumbledore and persuade him to change his mind!"

"I don't – want – to – go!" replied Petunia pulling her hand out of her sister's grasp, "You think I want to go to some stupid castle and learn to be a – a –" She looked around at all the different people on the platform, "- You think I want to be a – a freak?"

Lily's eyes began to fill with tears, "I'm not a freak, that's a horrible thing to say."

"That's where you're going," said Petunia viciously, "A special school for freaks. You and that Snape boy… weirdos, that's what you two are. It's good you're being separated from normal people. It's for our safety."

"You didn't think it was such a freak's school when you wrote to the Headmaster and begged him to take you."

Petunia turned scarlet, "Beg? I didn't beg!"

"I saw his reply. It was very kind."

"You shouldn't have read –" whispered Petunia. "That was my private – how could you – ?"

"That boy found it! You and that boy have been sneaking in my room!"

"No – not sneaking – Severus saw the envelope, and he couldn't believe a Muggle could have contacted Hogwarts, that's all! He says there must be wizards working undercover in the postal service who take care of – "

"Apparently wizards poke their noses in everywhere! Freak!" Petunia spat at her sister before flouncing off to stand beside her parents.

"Right kiddo, make sure you don't get up to too much mischief." Charlus gruffed.

"Yes, father." James replied with his fingers crossed behind his back.

"Are you sure you have everything? You have money to get food off the trolley?" Dorea asked.

"Yes mum, I have everything except that broomstick dad wouldn't let me buy."

Charlus ruffled his son's hair, "maybe next year, Jim boy."

"Ok Jamie, we'll miss you. Make sure you write." Dorea kissed her son on the forehead.

"Come on Dorea, let the boy get on the train." Charlus said gently, as he hugged his son. "Love you, son."

James was sat on the train with Sirius as the sweet trolley came past. "Sirius, do you want anything off the trolley?"

"Yeah, we should get some of everything." The boys pigged out on chocolate frogs and berty botts every flavour beans. When they finally saw the castle through the train window they were well and truly stuffed.

"James do you think the sorting hat takes what you want into consideration?" Sirius asked nervously.

"Yeah, I would have thought so."

"I really don't want to be in Slytherin."

"Then try telling it that. I hope you're in Gryffindor." James smiled at his new friend.

"Firs' Years! Firs' Years this way!" The boys heard a voice calling. They quickly found the source of the voice, the biggest man either of them had ever seen.

"Hello sir, I'm James Potter and this is my friend Sirius Black. We are first years." James said shaking the large man's hand.

"Gud, gud. Just got ter wait fer the rest of 'em. I'm Hagrid."

"Ah, you're the gamekeeper, my cousins told me about you. Cool." Sirius said quickly. Hagrid smiled at the boys, before turning to the rest of the group.

"Right, firs' years travel to the castle by boat. Four ter a boat. Quickly, quickly."

James and Sirius shared a boat with a boy and a girl that neither one of them had met yet.