James and Harry were both standing in front of a mirror in the informal hall, trying but failing to comb their short, but messy black hair.

"It's no point, son, we're cursed with the Potter hair,"

"Oh, would you both stop fussing about your hair," said an amused Sirius.

"Not everyone is blessed with naturally great hair like you, Sirius," said James.

"Well, that's true." Sirius stroked his hair and gave it a flip.

Sirius had lustrous black hair with soft curls that fell easily on his face.

"You could use your dad's Sleekeazy hair potion," Remus suggested.

James's father, Fleamont Potter who also had his son and grandson's messy black hair was a famous potioneer who invented the Sleekeazy Hair Potion. The potion gave its' wearer sleek hair and massively increased their family's fortune. Fleamont sold the company for a large sum shortly before he died.

"Applying that potion takes at least an hour. It's best used only for formal occasions," said James.

Nevertheless, with a bit of muggle hair gel, they managed to groom their hair to be at least partially neat. It didn't work as well as Sleekeazy's, but it was much quicker to apply and needed no brewing.

James put both his arms protectively around Harry from the back. "Do I really need to send my baby boy away to school? Can't I just home-school him?" He clinged as tightly as possible to his son.

This was the fifth time he had said this ever since Harry got his Hogwarts letter. Aside from the fact that he would miss Harry, he was also a little overprotective of his son. The first month after Lily's death was the worst as he would refuse to leave Harry's side. For the next six months, he would only be comfortable leaving Harry with Sirius or Remus. It took a year before he was ready to hire a caregiver.

"Now James, Harry needs a proper education," Remus said in mock patience as if explaining to a child.

"And you don't want Harry to miss out on experiencing Hogwarts, do you?" asked Sirius.

"But what if it's not safe?" he asked defensively.

"James, there's no safer place than Hogwarts. Even back when Voldemort was at large, he never dared attack the school while it was under Professor Dumbledore's watch," Remus reasoned.

"And I'm sure the few of his Death Eaters that still roam around *cough*Lucius*cough* would not dare do something Voldemort himself was afraid of," Sirius added.

James deliberated this before sighing and letting go of Harry. "I suppose you're both right."

There was a last minute hustle and bustle at Platform Nine and Three Quarters as students said their last goodbyes to their parents and boarded The Hogwarts Express. Harry looked his at father, godfather and Uncle Remus and took in their faces. It would be months before he saw them again.

"Bye dad".

"I'll miss you, son," said James earnestly.

"I'll miss you too, dad," said Harry as both father and son embraced.

"We'll see you in December. Have a great term and don't forget to write to your dear old father," James said after they pulled away.

"I will".

"Bye Uncle Sirius".

"Well, Prongslet, try not to get into too much trouble. The key is not getting caught." Sirius winked.

"Sirius," said Remus incredulously.

"Well, if he doesn't get into *any* trouble, his life would be boring," said Sirius as Remus rolled his eyes. "I'll miss you," he hugged Harry.

"Bye Uncle Remus".

"Take care, Harry. We'll all be missing you", said Remus as he took his turn to hug Harry.

After last goodbyes, Harry got onto the train and waved at all three Marauders as the train picked up steam and begin moving. They stood waving back at him and he didn't take his eyes off them until they were out of sight and neither did they.

Harry carried his trunk and his owl which he had named Hedwig and walked across the train's corridor to find a compartment. He carried his trunk easily as it had been bewitched to be light. His heart felt both excited and heavy. He was excited about his new adventure at Hogwarts. But he would also miss his father, godfather and Uncle Remus dearly, especially his father. He wasn't used to being away from his father.

"Potter"

He turned around to face to a blonde boy with pale skin and a pointed chin.

"Alright Malfoy," said Harry.

"Come sit in my compartment", said Draco.

Harry hesitated at first but remembered what his father said about giving people a chance.

"Thank you," he said as he followed Draco into his compartment.

There were three boys in his compartment. Two of the boys were quite big sized and had the stereotypical look of bullies who weren't very bright. The third boy who was smart-looking and skinny was reading a book. All three boys looked up and gave Draco a questioning look.

"Oh come on. Would I bring in a muggle-born or someone who wasn't from the right sort of family?" asked Draco. "This is Vincent Crabbe, this Gregory Goyle and this is Theo Nott," he introduced his friends.

Theo Nott, the bookish, smart-looking one was sitting on the seat by the window, with Crabbe and Goyle sitting beside him. Harry felt a surge of discomfort. He knew Crabbe, Goyle and Nott's fathers were former Death Eaters.

"Nice to meet you all," said Harry who extended his hand. The three boys took turns shaking his hand.

"And this is Harry Potter," said Draco.

"Harry Potter!" Crabbe, Goyle and Theo gasped.

Harry took a seat by the window, directly the opposite of Theo while Draco took a seat beside Harry.

"Do you have the ... scar?" asked Theo.

"Oh. Yeah," he brushed his fringe up to reveal his lightning bolt scar.

"Whoa," said the four boys in astonishment.

"Do you remember anything from that night?" Draco leaned forward, his eyes perking with interest.

"Not really. All I remember is a lot of green light," said Harry.

"The killing curse," muttered Draco.

"Sorry, what?" asked Harry.

"The killing curse. It's one of the unforgivable curses and gives out green light," said Draco.

"My mum died in front of me too. I was seven, so I remember it clearly and it was horrifying," Theo trembled and had gone slightly pale.

"I'm sorry," said Harry sympathetically.

"You really don't remember anything?" asked Crabbe.

"Not even what you-know-who looked like?" asked Goyle.

Theo could sense Harry was getting uncomfortable with questions about the night he was scarred.

"Boys, please stop with the questions. He was just a baby, so of course he doesn't remember. I know how uncomfortable it is to speak about my mother's death," said Theo.

"Thanks Theo," Harry said gratefully as Theo nodded with a smile.

Theo went back to his book while Crabbe and Goyle played Exploding Snap.

=to be continued=

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I was planning on finishing the whole train scene in this chapter, but I had to cut it here as I still have some thinking to do about Harry and Draco's conversation on the train. I will continue the train scene in the next chapter.

Please review so that I know if it's any good, or if I should change anything. Thanks!