𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐂 𝐆𝐑𝐘𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐎𝐑 - {𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐎𝐍𝐄}

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗙𝗜𝗩𝗘

~   JAMES' POV   ~

«※»

The 1st of September couldn't have come quick enough, James bounded out of bed and woke his Mum and Dad up before the sun was even up. To James it was like Christmas, he's stuff had been packed for weeks and James had even tried to cast a few simple spells with his wand. They hadn't worked so far but he liked to try it anyways.
He dragged his parents out to their muggle car that his Dad was quite proud of and they drove to King's Cross Station. James sat in the back with a barn owl called Otis. He was supposed to be a family owl but his mother insisted that James takes Otis with him to Hogwarts so he can write to them whenever he wants. James had promised he would write to them that very night and he'd try to write to them every day if he could, but with the excitement of going to Hogwarts and all the new things he'd be experiencing, his parents knew that they'd be lucky to get one letter in his first week there.
James heaved his trunk out of the car boot as his Dad brought over one of the trolleys to put his things on. James looked around in excitement for platform 9 and 3/4. It'd have to be concealed in some way, maybe with a secret passageway or spell? Otherwise, any muggle could just hop onto their train.
"This way James," his mother called.
He hurried after them until they came at a stop before a brick wall. 'So much for a grand entrance''
"You go in with James," his dad said looking around to make sure no one was watching.
His mother grabbed the top of his arm and pushed him and his trolley through the brick wall. James looked back at the solid brick behind him, his Dad came through seconds later and James gaped at the black and red train.
Hundreds of students, most in muggle clothing, were gathered around the train trying to get their luggage on and find a compartment.
"Alright this is you, d'you need help bringing your stuff onto the train?" His Dad asked.
"I think I'll be fine," James replied.
His nerves came out of nowhere as it dawned on him what he was about to do. He wouldn't be able to see his mother or father for quite a while, longer than he's ever been away from them before. His Dad seemed to understand his nerves and knelt in front of him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"It's alright to be nervous about it all, if you weren't I'd think you'd be slightly crazy. We're always an owl away, okay? And I'll bet you'll be having so much fun that you'll forget all about these nerves. Soon enough, you'll be back here for Christmas," Fleamont soothed.
James nodded, swallowing his nerves and plastering a smile on his face.
"You're right, I'll see you at Christmas," James said hugging his Dad.
Euphemia was close to tears as she wrapped her son in a tight hug and pestered him with kisses. When he finally got out of her grasp he gave them both one last hug before boarding the train. He struggled to pull his bag along behind him in the narrow corridor and his owl hooted angrily as he accidentally knocked her cage against the compartments.
He managed to find an empty compartment sighed in relief when he finally had everything in the compartment, the real challenge was getting his stuff in the racks above. He desperately tried to shove it above and stop it from falling back down on him.
"Do you need help with that?" Someone asked from the hall.
He dropped his stuff in the middle of the hallway and grabbed the other side of James' trunk and shoved it up onto the rack.
"Thanks," James smiled, "Did you want to bring your stuff in here too?"
"Sure."
The boy had wavy brown hair and a gangly build with bright greyish blue eyes. He dragged his stuff inside apologising to the people in the corridor for dumping his stuff and the boys shoved his stuff up on the other racks. The boys flopped down on the seats opposite each other, their arms already tired from the lifting.
"I'm Sirius by the way," the boy said offering his hand to shake.
"James, thanks for helping with the trunk again," he replied.
His parents caught his eye out the window, they were waving frantically and to his embarrassment, his mother was blowing kisses to him. James groaned and looked away after half-heartedly giving a wave back.
"Sorry about my folks, they're always like that," explained James, "I think it might be an only child thing that makes them act like that."
"I think it's sweet," Sirius replied smiling at James' parents who were still waving.
"Are your folks here?"
"Nah, they're pretty busy so they just dropped me off and left."
James frowned at this but didn't say anything. He couldn't believe that parents would just drop their kid off and leave. They wouldn't be seeing him until Christmas.
"You like the falcons too?" Sirius asked excitedly after seeing the banner hanging from his bag.
James lit up at this.
"Yes, they're only like the best Quidditch team of the century," James added.
"My brother thinks I'm crazy for liking them, I haven't met anyone who likes the team," Sirius admitted.
The boys excitedly began talking about Quidditch, Fleamont had said the best conversation starter is talking about Quidditch or which house they want to be in. If those don't work them buying lollies and sharing them always seemed to work.
As the train peeled away from the station and James waved a quick goodbye to his parents before going back to talking with Sirius. A few minutes after they'd left the station a boy knocked on the compartment door, dragging his stuff behind him.
"Sorry, everywhere else is full. Could I sit here?" a boy asked.
He was a skinny boy with short but fluffy brownish-blonde hair, he was quite pale and looked a bit unwell.
"Of course," James said, getting up to help him put his trunk above.
Once they all sat down they redid introductions, the boys found out, to their complete shock, that Remus Lupin wasn't a Quidditch fan.
"How can you not like Quidditch? There's nothing better to do in your spare time than play Quidditch!" James exclaimed.
"I don't find it interesting to just chase after a ball on a broomstick," Remus had replied.
"It sounds boring when you explain it like that but actually being in the air and the excitement of flying is incredible!" Sirius added.
Remus shrugged.
They moved on to other topics like the teachers and things they've been told by their wizarding parents about Hogwarts.
"Both my parents were in Gryffindor when they went to Hogwarts so I've got a reputation to live up to," James boasted.
"My Dad was in Gryffindor too, d'you think they knew each other?" Remus asked.
"Probably, I'll have to ask him when I send my letter home," James replied, "What about your parents, Sirius?"
"They were both in Slytherin," Sirius mumbled.
James thought back to what his mother had said. Most people who become death eaters only do it because it runs in their families. Sirius didn't seem like someone who could be in Slytherin.
"D'you reckon you'd be the first one to break the family tradition?" James asked nudging Sirius' arm which got a small smile out of him.
"I hope so, although my parents wouldn't be happy," Sirius replied.
That was the confirmation James needed to know that Sirius wasn't on his way to becoming a death eater.
A prefect came past, telling them they should start putting on their Hogwarts robes as they'd be arriving soon. The boys struggled to yank their robes out of their trunks and pull them over their heads.
James gaped out the window as the first signs of Hogwarts came into view from the train. It was even better than he'd imagined.
This is where the magic begins.