Another Year At Hogwarts

[James Potter]

James hardly had time to open his eyes before his father was rushing Sirius and him out the door; this was how it went every year. Instead of doing all his packing in the preceding week, he'd put it off till the morning of; so he'd be throwing things haphazardly into his trunk, never quite sure if he had everything or not. The fact the Sirius now lived with them changed nothing, in fact it only made their morning scramble that much worse.

James hurried to gather a few last minute things. The books he had bought the previous day; his broom that was still in the mud-room (he had Sirius had played their last game of the summer well into the night); his robes; and other basic essentials, including a stock of candy and prank items that would last the Marauders for a few months.

A deep yell came from the landing of the staircase, and James quickly answered it, grabbing his trunk and heading to the front door. Sirius was loading his own trunk into the car and Mr. Potter was waiting at the bottom of the stairs for his son. James could still remember the days when his mother would be standing next to him, smiling broadly and close to tears that her ‘little baby’ would be gone for another year. He would assure her that he’d back on the holidays, but she would still instill every precaution she could think of in him, even though she knew very well that he wouldn’t follow them.

This time around, there was little conversation between James and his father. Though the bond was unconditional, both knew for prides sake to not get emotional over it. His father helped load his own trunk into the back of the car and within a half hour, they were at the train station, heading through the barricade that separated them from the Hogwarts Express.

“See you over the Holiday then?” Mr. Potter asked, giving James a firm pat on the back. James nodded his head in agreement and disappeared onto the train as Sirius ran off to socialize before the their journey began. His head peaked into each compartment as he passed, looking to see if the other Marauders had boarded yet, since he hadn't seen them out on the platform.

[Emearld Knight]

Emerald was walking idly through the halls of the train, a very content and bored expression plastered against her face. She saw a boy not to far ahead, he was handsome she had to admit, and she recognized him as James Potter, a boy her cousin Ayla Blane always spoke of. She just studied him as she walked closer to him. "Um excuse me," she said, her Irish accent betraying her. Just as she spoke, a whole hoard of boys surrounded her. "You're Emerald Knight!" one exclaimed. "Wow, you're just as pretty as they say." another said. "Pretty? Bloody hell are you blind?! She's gorgeous!" another added.

Emerald smiled a fake smile, wishing she could really just be rid of all these "fan boys". It was getting old by every minute. She wriggled her way out of the mob and walked over to James. "Um excuse me, I was wondering if you perhaps could direct me to Ayla Blane? She's a cousin of mine and she's supposed to be a friend of the famous 'Marauders'." Emerald said, smiling at him.

[James Potter]

James barely heard her over all the excitement on the train. He paused for a moment to look over his shoulder, but all he saw swarm of giddy boys. They seemed to be fighting to get a look at something in the middle, but James didn't intend to stick around long enough to get a peek. Whatever it was he was sure he'd hear about later, or it wasn't really worth his time to be begin with. So, he moved into the next compartment, continuing his search for the other Marauders. Maybe Sirius had already made it onto the train as well.

It was only a minute though, before he was interrupted again by the same voice. James turned on his heels once more, not entirely pleased that someone was wasting his time with questions. Did he look like a directory after all? But his words were caught in his throat when he laid eyes upon the girl that was trying to get his attention. She was quite beautiful actually, but James could think of someone else who surpassed her beauty. Stop that, he scolded himself. You'll only get yourself worked up again. James had been thinking Lily all summer long. Even Sirius had noticed there was something on his mind.

A smile widened across his face. "Ayla Blane you say?" James thought for a moment. Everyone was a 'friend' of the Marauders these days. It was hard to keep them all straight, and he was quite certain he had never met the beautiful creature that stood in front of him now before. "Oh yes, Ayla!" He remarked. "I haven't seen her, but I'm sure I can help you find her. I'm looking for my friends... the other Marauders that is. I'm James, and I don't believe we met before. I'd remember a face like yours." He couldn't help it... it was just natural these days. His charm seemed to click on every time he was within five yards of a pretty lady.

[Emearld Knight]

Emerald laughed a little. This James boy was very entertaining she had to admit. Nothing like what Ayla had said about him, obnoxious, childish, annoying. So far, James hadn't shown any of these qualities. It was very interesting to hear something from someone about a person's character, then see for yourself that their character is something completely different. But then again, you really can't go by first appearances, she learned that the hard way. She smiled at him, being polite and sophisticated, like always.

"Thank you, I do believe if we had met before I would remember someone as charming as you," she said, still smiling. She pushed back stray strands of her hair which were draped over her shoulder. "Would you mind some company in finding your friends? I could keep you company while you search for them, then when you find them I'll go find my cousin and be out of your hair," she said smiling. She also had a very flirtatious nature, probably obtained from her mother's side. She just looked at James while she waited for him to reply to her offer, hoping he would say yes.