i probably (definitely) forgot to mention this earlier, but the kids start hogwarts at 14, in all my hogwarts books (ahem, drafts and crimson curses)

one: prince archie's trip to diagon alley

The week before children were to leave for Hogwarts was certainly. . .amusing. There was a hustle-bustle in the castle only ever seen when there was a ball, coronation, or wedding near and neither had been anticipated in a long while. 

So when not one of the royal children, but both were going to be away for a good part of the year, well, the chaos was doubled. Both mothers kept talking and talking and talking to their kids, and the days faded into nights with Lady Tremaine rushing through her syllabus, often complaining about how now she'd have to educate both the menaces during the summer break. 

"You're sure you wish to go, Archie? Isn't it a little. . .unsafe for you, dearie?" 

Archie's — sorry, Merlin's — mother was born in royalty. Polly's wasn't. 

"I'll take care of him, auntie Beth. Besides, it's supposed to be the safest place on earth, even more now that we're going there." Polly didn't look at her aunt as she stuffed her clothes into her trunk — a pretty purple with a neat P painted on the side. 

It wasn't a well kept secret that Beth didn't really like Polly all that much. Beth wanted to marry the older brother, but Mary came in first, and because of that, the Royal Family lived in the midst of juicy family drama.

Beth, short for Elizabeth, sighed, "Of course, Pollyanna, but there are complications further than your foolish wand waving. Archie here, falls ill frequently," she held in a chuckle (a poor attempt), "I don't suppose you can become Fairy Godmother and fix him up." 

"You say as if something's wrong with him." Polly didn't like aunt Beth either. "Besides, we have Madam Pomfrey who takes excellent care of the students, she's quite good at her job as the school nurse. I assure you that there is nothing to worry about." 

"Polly stayed alive and well for a year." Mary gave Elizabeth a look, warning her to conclude this conversation. "If a girl as troublesome as mine can survive, so can a sweet boy like Archie."

"If you say so, my Queen."

"Great, now that that's settled." Polly shut her trunk, quite loudly too, earning a glare from both the (terrifying) women. "When can we both leave for Diagon Alley?"

James Potter was always one to complete his school shopping on time. Did he suck at being punctual? Yes. Did his mother remind him every single day that his sense of time had never, ever kicked in? Yes. But did Hogwarts excite him enough to get his arse out of the house and at Diagon Alley at least three weeks before school started? Also yes. 

So, when he found himself at Flourish and Blotts just a day before his train to Hogwarts was to leave, whom did he blame? His lovely sister, Meena. 

"Merlin, Mimi, Mum just had to hog you over the entire summer didn't you?" 

"It's not my fault that all you did was fly around on that stupid broom of yours." Meena rolled her eyes, grabbing onto a few books that interested her, completely trusting her brother to get the books first years needed. There was no way in hell she'd reuse her brother's old books. Ew.

"Every time I was free, you weren't." the girl continued flipping through books, yellow dress fluttering in the wind when the door opened. "So blame yourself, smart arse." 

"Yeah, I'm an extremely busy person, trying to make it in the Quidditch team this year, y'know?" 

The bell above the door jingled as yet another group of students came in. Bored old James looked up, hoping to find a friend or at least someone he knew, and just his luck, Her Highness walked in. 

James grinned, "Nevermind, Mimi, thanks for bringing me here today."

Meena only raised her eyebrows and nodded, leafing through Hogwarts: A History, wondering whether it was absolutely essential to buy it. 

Polly was excited. It was evident in the bounce of her step and the chipper voice (though, if you asked James, that's what she was always like). 

Her hands automatically clutched the books she knew Archie would need, not once referring to his list, which was more or less her way of showing off, and it worked, because Archie was in awe of his sister. 

"Hullo, Princess." 

Polly wanted to bash her head into the wall. 

"Potter. Hi." she held the books in her hands out towards Archie, "Take these to the counter, won't you?" 

"Okay. . ." Archie tentatively held onto the books, grunting under its weight, "but who's this?" 

"No one—"

"'M James, nice to meet you mate." James reached around Polly to shake Archie's hand...which was quite the task since he was struggling with his books. 

"Yeah," he groaned, pulling his hand back quickly, as if he'd touched the stove whilst it was still hot. "Nice to meet you, mate." 

Archie hurried away with the bucket load of books she thrust onto him, panting as he reached the billing counter. He really needed to start running.

"Didn't think Princesses could be tardy, Polly." James followed her around, already done with his shopping. The only reason he was still in the store was his sister. "You're an exception though, I suppose." 

"I though you weren't tardy either, James." Polly rummaged through the racks for her copy Standard Book of Spells, cursing those people who always messed up the shelves. "Thought Hogwarts was your life and soul." 

"Yeah, well my lovely sister there," he pointed towards Meena, Polly temporarily looking away from her search to glance at the girl at the counter, making conversation with poor, shy ol' Archie, "had her schedule full for the summer." 

"So, you suddenly need a chaperone to come to Diagon Alley?" Polly raised her eyebrows, letting out an aha! once she found her book. "Even I don't need a chaperone, James."

"Yeah, except for that big old burly man keeping watch over you." James leaned over a shelf, quickly backing up once it shuddered under his stature. 

"What man?" Polly could distinctly remember her mother saying that both she and Archie were going to Diagon Alley together, alone. She turned around and saw Mr. Young, the man who often looked after Prince Archie as one of his very few trusted physicians (trusted by his mother!), innocently whistling away as he looked through some bits and bobs and not so inconspicuously at the royal kids.

Pollyanna groaned, alerting Archie, - poor soul, he looked scared, yet concerned, "What is it, Pol?"

She shook his question off, hurriedly picking up all her required books, paid for her supplies, and rushed out, letting out a hurried, "Thanks!" as she did so. 

"Mr. Young! What are you doing here?"

"Y-Your Highness." clearly startled, he tried to explain, "Lovely weather, isn't it?" 

Clouds blanketed the blue sky. It was a normal day in London. 

"Mr. Young." 

He sighed. "Your aunt didn't wish for the two of you to travel alone. She sent me here to look after you." 

"But you're neither my parent nor my guardian. So if you're allowed here, that must mean you're a wizard?" 

"You are correct. . ." 

"I know! But you're American. So you went to Ilvermony?" 

"Yes, I did." 

"Were you any good with charms?" 

"You could say so, yes." Pollyanna had started walking, a smirk of mirth on her face as she watched Archie take it all in. Mr. Young followed after them with his hands in his pockets, maintaining a safe distance. 

"Knowing my mother, she definitely opposed your presence here." Pollyanna's mother had stopped accompanying her to (safer) spaces when she turned 14 and was sure she could handle herself. And she could. And so, her mother always opposed the presence of guards and caretakers.  

If she knew that Mr. Young had been trailing the children, she wouldn't like it one bit, and well, that would stir up some drama between the sisters-in-law. 

Mr. Young winced, "Yes she did."

"If you agree to help me with my charms paper which is due the day after, I won't tell mum that I saw you here." 

"Deal."

.  .  . 

the shittiest chapter ever written <3