Nineteen years later: The beginning

The Potters

'Muummm! James set off a dung bomb on my bed' screamed Albus as he ran down the stairs two at a time covered in filth. Ginny Weasley-Potter hardly looked up at her son as he came running to her. She was used to her sons antics by now, at least that was what she liked to believe.

'Go to your father Al. I really have to finish knitting this jumper for Uncle Ron's birthday. You know how much he hates maroon jumpers don't you?' said his mother with a mischievous glint in her eyes. Albus sauntered off to his father knowing that it would be pointless. James wasn't scared of anybody. Except his mum of course. But then, his mother was rather terrifying when angry. Her face would turn as red as her hair and then you'd hear her say, ' ALBUS SEVERUS POTTER. YOU GET HERE RIGHT THIS INSTANT' . Thats when you'd know it's time to leave.

Al however never really had to face his mothers wrath as there was a lot of competition for that. Her anger was usually reserved for his father or his older brother James. His sister Lily on the other hand was completely different. She seemed to spend her time studying the muggle neighbours and constantly speaking to grandad Weasley about the wonders of the spark plug and the television. James never really paid much attention to her unless she spoke to the boys living next door. And when that happened, he acted like a dragon protecting its eggs. Not that it scared anybody especially Lily. Lily would roll her eyes at her brother and run to her father crying about how James was tormenting her. And Lily was Harry's pet. She was his darling. The pumpkin pasty of his eye. No one was allowed to say anything to his little princess. That's what Harry liked to call Lily, which James would imitate rather scathingly.

Albus ran to his father and saw him tinkering rather furiously with his broom. Turns out James had decided to use the muggle miracle super glue to glue his father's Firebolt 3003 to his mums knitting basket. Harry James Potter stood, wiping the sweat off his brow and wondering how a 13 year old teenager constantly had him stumped when even Lord Voldemort, the greatest dark wizard of all time failed to do so. Throwing his hands up on frustration Harry decided to ask Hermione to fix it for him. He found it amusing that even now, he would turn to his oldest friend every time he needed help. Some things just never change. He turned around and saw his son Albus staring at him, the amusement clearly written all over his face. It was like looking in a mirror. Albus was the spitting image of Harry. He was the only one of all of his children who had inherited Lily Evans eyes.

'Dad, we really need to get a move on. The train leaves at 11' said Albus with his eyebrows furrowed in worry. Harry sighed. Time moved so fast. James would be attending his third year and Al would be joining the first year. Harry had never felt so old before. He quickly arranged his features into some semblance of excitement at the thought of his son leaving to Hogwarts and grinned at him brightly before clapping him on the back and locking the shed behind him. 'Nervous?' he asked looking down at his sons brilliantly green eyes. Al shrugged and said he wasn't but sidled closer to his father anyway. Harry laughed, took his hand and led him to their porch where he could hear his wife screaming at James. Again.

'You have nothing to worry about. My time at Hogwarts were the best years of my life. You'll make plenty of friends. And God only knows, Professor McGonagall could really use a break from dealing with your brother' said a grinning Harry remembering the number of times he'd received complaints from his old Transfiguration teacher regarding his son's inappropriate behaviour. His son had inherited Fred Weasley's spirit and penchant for causing mayhem wherever he went. Shaking himself from his thoughts he looked at his younger son again only to see him staring at him with a confused expression. He wondered how long he'd been sitting there grinning like an idiot. 'Alright?' he asked Albus. 'I'll be alright dad' he said. 'Of course you will! You're a Potter for Merlins sake!' said Harry looking at his son with pride. At that moment James walked in rather sheepishly to apologise to Albus about the chaos he'd caused in Al's room. The three of them had a good laugh about it until they heard Ginny screaming from inside to get into the car with their school trunks.

Wanting to avoid trouble, Harry quickly began to load the trunks into the magically enhanced car and zoomed away the minute the entire family got in. 'Daddy?' said Lily with mock innocence.

'Yes princess? Do you have space? Would you like some water? Is James bothering you again?'

'No' she giggled and asked him when they'd be meeting Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione.

'They'll be waiting for us at platform nine and three quarters love' said their mother.

'Ugh, I'm going to have to deal with both Al and Rose aren't I?' moaned James into his hands. Ginny tsked in disapproval and told him to be nice. James just rolled his eyes in response. If anything, he was looking forward to seeing his Uncle Ron. He was his favourite in the family. He was loud and good natured and laughed the loudest at everything he did even when Aunt Hermy would glare at him. Rose Weasley was an enigma. How she was best friends with his brother he just couldn't fathom. She was the perfect child. At least when there were adults around. The second she was out of their eye she would transform into a mad prankster. James didn't like to admit it but she scared him. And he really didn't like that she surpassed his every prank with an even better one. Hugo on the other hand was Lily's age. He idolised his father and would follow him around squeaking Uncle Harry! Uncle Harry over and over again.

Lost in his thoughts, James didn't realise they had arrived when the car came to a screeching halt and he fell onto his mothers skirts. They were here at last.