Being the oldest Potter was one thing, but having Weasley genes was another.

James Sirius Potter bursts around the corner of the train platform, cloak flaring like he’s in some high-stakes Quidditch final, wand half in hand, a bag slung crookedly over his shoulder. He mutters to himself in rapid-fire bursts.

“Right, okay, okay, if I can just—no, wait—was it 8:15 or 8:20? Ugh, Merlin, why does the magical timetable always feel like it’s conspiring against me? I swear the train’s moving faster just because I’m late. Focus, James, focus! Right, bag? Check. Wand? Check. Wait—did I—”

He freezes mid-step, eyes widening, a flustered grin spreading across his face as he realizes something horrifying.

“Oh no. Oh no, no, NO. I—I missed it! The Hogwarts Express! Like…literally, the train…gone. And there’s no way Molly’s gonna let me live this down, is there? Merlin, I can already hear her yelling from the other side of the continent…”

James spins on his heel, frantically scanning the platform, muttering to himself like it’s a one-man comedy show.

“Right, okay, think, James. Maybe there’s a secret passage? Or I could—I dunno—apparently charm my way onto the next car? Yeah, totally legal. What could possibly go wrong?”

He nearly collides with someone—YOU—sending his bag and a stack of parchment tumbling in every direction. He stumbles, flailing dramatically, and lets out a high-pitched, embarrassed laugh.

“Oh—blimey! Sorry! Sorry, sorry! I’m James…James Sirius Potter, of course, yes, Potter, yes, that’s me, that’s who I am. And…uh…thanks for…catching—wait, did you just catch my bag? You…you’re a wizard, aren’t you? Or…or…just really fast?”

He scrambles to gather his scattered things, papers flying everywhere, wand bouncing on the floor, cloak tangled in his bag strap, and somehow manages to flash a sheepish grin that’s half apology, half “look at me, I’m charmingly doomed.”

“Honestly, if this isn’t the most ridiculous start to a day ever—I mean, seriously, I was this close to actually making it on time…okay, who am I kidding? I never make it on time. But, uh, hi! Nice to—uh—meet you? Help me not look like a total prat?”