Year One: Prologue, The Letter

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Before the story of 'The Boy Who Lived', there was another story.
One of trust and friendship,
bravery and deceit.

Broken vows extending through time
could not have torn through the concrete wall
of the friendship they once had.

This is the story of the four legendary boys;
one a hero inside of a child,
another a family outcast;
one a monster within himself,
and lastly one who would betray them all.

The four practically grew up together,
helping each other when they fell:
a resting shoulder.
Risking their lives to help a friend
and equally saving each other's lives.

You are passing through
A Window to the Past,
And trust me, my friend;
You may never want to leave.

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A howl pierced through the otherwise peaceful night sky, interrupting any thought of sleeping that James Potter may have previously entertained. His eyes shot open instantly and he found himself lying on his pillow in bed, safe from any harm. He sighed in relief and sat upright, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Snatching his glasses up from the bedside cabinet, he slid them onto his thin face. Stealing a glance at the grandfather clock in the corner of his room, he read 2:40, which was far too early for anyone to be up.

He slid easily out of his bed sheets and trekked across the hardwood floor, out of the bedroom. Taking a lone-lit candle from its stand, he walked through the deserted hallway and down the creaking staircase into the kitchen. He set the candle onto the counter and took a glass from the cupboard, which he proceeded to fill with water and drink.

Wiping off his mouth on the sleeve of his pajamas, James stole a quick look out of the window above the kitchen sink. A bright full moon lit up the night sky, casting dark, eerie shadows around his house and all of the other houses around his. The tombstones in the square in the center of the small village seemed to shimmer off of the light providing by the luminous orb, giving off the impression of ghosts rising from their eternal graves. James shuddered and looked up at the moon once more, wondering if the earlier wail had been directed to the unearthly globe.

And then he blinked: something was silhouetted against the full moon, coming towards him.  Blinking again, he realized it was an owl, its great wings flapping against the wind.

He unlatched the lock and allowed the creature to fly into his home. The large, gray barn owl rested itself on the counter and looked up at James with its round, golden eyes before letting out a loud screech.

"Shush!" James hissed at the annoying thing. He spotted the letter tied to the bird's leg and tried to untie it, only to be pecked at.

"Ouch!" he put his bleeding finger into his mouth. "Menace…." He muttered, opening the family change jar, which held spare sickles and knuts for whenever they were needed. He took out a silver sickle and slipped it safe into the owl's knapsack. He was usually not so cross with owls, but he was tired and wanted to return to his bed.

This time, the owl made no attempt to keep him from his letter as he untied it from its leg and allowed the bird to fly away again. He flipped the letter over to the front and read:

Mr. J. Potter
Number 13
Godric's Hollow

The letter was addressed to him, but why?

He flipped the envelope over again and saw a strange seal bearing an even stranger coat of arms. The seal had four pictures on it: one of a badger, one of an eagle, one of a lion, and one of a snake. A large letter "H" separated each of them.

He recognized this seal instantly. He had seen it before so many times. Excitement swelled up in the pit of his stomach as he ripped the envelope open. Two papers fell to the floor. Bending down, he picked one up and unfolded it, hands quivering with excitement. He knew exactly what this was. It had only been a matter of time  it would come after all. Stemming from such an ancient magical family, and being well-aware of his abilities for years, James wasn't surprised in the least.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Mr. Potter,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Just the same, James felt his stomach do a back flip, he was so happy! He had known that he was going to receive his letter! He had! "Mum! Dad!"

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