It occurred to him that he would never again ride the Hogwarts Express as a student, and a momentary malaise descended over him. He thought back to his first, nervous ride to Hogwarts, filled with nearly crippling anxiety about living up to his father’s legendary reputation. A wan smile came over his face as he recalled his first meeting with Zane, the unexpected American with his precocious wit and roguish irreverence, and Ralph, the apparent Muggle-born, filled with apprehension, equipped with the ridiculously oversized, green-tipped wand.
He replayed his other most memorable moments on the train: his and Albus’ first confrontation with Scorpius Malfoy, back when Scorpius had still been full of vim and vigour about becoming a Slytherin, before any of them knew that it was Albus who would go to the green and silver whilst Scorpius, amazingly, ended up a Gryffindor; the chasing of the strange shadow creature, the Borley, and the subsequent encounter with the swarm of Dementors around the crimson engine. The meeting with the otherworldly entity known as the Gatekeeper and the nearly disastrous train ride after, when Headmaster Merlin had miraculously saved the train from barreling to its doom in Sparrowhawk gorge.
He mused on the many games of Winkles and Augers he had played with his friends as they travelled back to school, each year more confident, excited, and eager to face whatever awaited them.
He remembered the giddy anticipation of new school subjects and experiences, of connecting with old friends and rivalries, of seeing teachers both beloved and abhorred.
This, he thought again, cautiously probing the concept, was the last time any of those things would ever happen. James could scarcely appreciate each passing moment for the sense of sudden melancholy that it evoked in him. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had transformed from a frighteningly mysterious challenge during his first year to a deeply familiar old friend as he began his seventh. It had never been quite real to him that those days would one day end. Now he knew: there would be only one last train ride, eventually one final night slept in his bed in Gryffindor tower, one last meal in the Great Hall with his friends and all the teachers lining the head table on the dais, one last ceremonial school event in the form of his own graduation.
And then after that, the real world awaited. Much larger and more exciting and infinitely more challenging than Hogwarts had ever been.
It was a giddy, troubling realization, underlined by the steady rumble-clack of the train, carrying James inexorably forward into his future, whether he was ready for it or not.
He turned to Rose and asked what she was reading, not so much because he was interested, but just to break the tension of his thoughts.
“The second of those Cormelian Blitz detective stories,” Rose answered eagerly, not taking her eyes from the open pages. “You know, the female giantess who solves mysteries in old timey Diagon Alley.
Written by professor Revalvier, although under a different name. Much different from her other stories, I have to say. A little on the violent side.
Mum’s hair would probably stand straight up if she knew I was reading it.” She licked a finger and turned a page, flicking her gaze over it.
James nodded, already bored with the topic. He let Rose fall back into her book and decided to get up and wander the train again, ostensibly in search of the cart lady, but hoping more for distraction than a licorice wand or a packet of Cockroach Clusters.
2. – Winds of change
“First years!” Hagrid boomed, raising his lantern as always, and summoning the newest students to himself. James spied the half-giant easily over the heads of the disembarking students as they milled on the Hogsmeade platform, and the sight gladdened him. “First years, this way to th’ boats! Step lively now. Yer trunks will be taken direc’ly.
Follow me an’ watch yer step.”
“I wish I could ride the boats again,” Lily commented wistfully from next to James. “So much better than the carriages, don’t you think?” The ever-present entourage of her friends cooed and agreed all around. James stepped away, not wishing to be seen in their company.
He was a seventh-year after all, and was expected to be above hanging out with a gaggle of middle-year girls. Beneath this, however (although he would never admit it aloud), he half-resented the easy popularity that his sister had cultivated over the past few years. She and her friends burbled on, barely noticing his departure.
Rose was waiting in line for black carriages and the ride up to the castle. James joined her, waving to Ralph further down the line where he waited with some of his Slytherin mates. Ralph waved back sheepishly. He’d been acting a little strangely ever since they’d met on platform nine and three quarters.
“If I didn’t know any better,” James commented idly. “I’d say Ralph was up to something.”
“Our Ralph?” Rose clarified, frowning and glancing aside.
“Ralph Deedle? He’s about as cunning as a mint humbug. I wouldn’t count on it.”
The carriage trip up to the castle was a familiar and splendid ride, with the sun just dipping behind the mountains and painting the clouds with watercolor pinks, purples and oranges. Against this panorama, Hogwarts castle loomed, seeming to lean back on its rocky perch, comfortable and welcoming. Its myriad windows glinted like golden coins flashing in the bottom of a pool. James found himself crammed into the carriage with Rose, Morgan Patonia, Ashley Doone, Graham Warton, and Joseph Torrance.
“Good summer, everybody?” Graham asked blandly, seeming merely to pass the time. James didn’t answer. On his other side, Joseph Torrance brightened. “Went to the Hocus Brothers Circus when it came to Chudley. The levitating acrobats and juggling elephants are great, but Montague the performing dragon is best of all.”
“What’s he do?” Rose asked from the front seat. Before her, as always, James could just make out the skeletal shape of the thestral in its harness, trotting into the shadow of the castle.
“Oh, amazing things,” Joseph enthused. “Aerial stunts through flying rings, breathing fire to light torches held in bears’ mouths, balancing a whole team of dancers on its tail. It barely ate any of the people in the audience, and only stomped one or two of the concession stands. But even that was just for show, I’m pretty sure.”
“It’s a dangerous thing, dragging dragons around the country these days,” Morgan sniffed. “I hear the Ministry is cracking down on those sorts of events, what with all the weakened borders around magical places.”
“I hope not!” Ashley Doone piped up next to Morgan. “I want to see that show when it comes to Diagon Alley this winter! No way that’s not secure enough to host a magical circus.”