The Adventures of the Marauders: Before the Darkness

Chapter 2

"James, don't run too far ahead," a tall brunette woman called. The woman's son, James, was running through Kings Cross Station, pushing his trolley. He had left his parents behind because he was so excited to be going to school. His parents had told him amazing stories of their time at Hogwarts, and James couldn't wait to go and make his own memories.

"I'll be fine, Mum," the young boy called back. He reached the pillar between Platform Nine and Platform Ten and waited excitedly for his parents. There, he saw a family. All of them had black hair and were dressed very proper. All except for one.

The youngest of the family had the same hair to match the rest of his siblings, but he was not nearly as well dressed as the rest of them. The nice shirt that his mother had made him wear was untucked from his pants and wrinkled beyond belief. Despite the nice clothes, he was still wearing ratty sneakers that were completely in contrast with the entire outfit.

"Tuck your shirt in, Sirius," a tall, stern woman instructed. He ignored her and watched the rest of his family run through the barrier one by one.

"Do as your mother says, Sirius," a man said. The boy ignored him once more, so the man hit him upside the head. After the show of violence, Sirius unhappily tucked his shirt into his pants before pushing his trolley though the barrier to get away from his parents as quickly as possible.

The rest of that family had followed suit before James's parents caught up to him. "James, don't do that to us," his mother said, obviously worried. "You could get kidnapped or worse."

"Dear, stop worrying so much. James is fine," his father said. He gave his wife a kiss on the cheek before turning to James and saying, "You first, James." His father gestured to the pillar. James smiled and ran with the trolley straight towards the pillar. Instead of crashing, he ran straight through it and ended up on another platform: Platform 9 ¾.

The platform was full and busy with many kids and their families bustling about, getting ready to board the train. The train was painted bright red and had written on the side in gold lettering: The Hogwarts Express.

"Are you ready, James?" his mother asked. His parents had run through the barrier right after he had and now stood on either side of him. James nodded to his mother as his father put his hand on James's shoulder and guided him towards the train.

***

James was staring out the window, watching the scenery go by. Somehow, James had gotten a cabin on the train to himself, so he was lost in thought as the train moved towards Hogwarts. All he could think about was what he would do when he finally got to Hogwarts. He could make friends and learn magic and become a great wizard like his parents. James had never been more excited for something in his life. His train of thought was interrupted by the cabin door sliding open.

"Can I sit with you?" the boy from earlier on the platform asked. "I don't exactly fancy the people that I've been sitting with so far."

"That's alright, mate," James said to him.

The boy closed the door behind him and sat down across from James. "I'm Sirius. Sirius Black," he introduced.

"I'm James Potter," James responded. The two boys shook hands. "What happened with the people in your other cabin?"

"I was forced into sitting with the rest of my family. According to my parents, they need to change my mindset before I encounter the Sorting Hat," Sirius said. "They're not exactly the nicest people around."

"Pureblood Slytherins?" James guessed.

"The lot of them."

"That's a shame," James said. "You don't seem like the type."