A/N: Ok then, I'm not one of those hopeless 'I-want-to-write-about-someone-from-another-country-with-absolutely-no-knowledge!' people. I actually do study French, I am in my second year of it, and for your information, I can count up to 1000 in it. I kid you not.

Extra note: Yes, this is an extra-long author's note but please read it. This story is just for fun. It will in no way take precedence over my schoolwork so if I don't update in yonks, please bear with me; I will either be snowed under with homework or I'll just have a massive case of writer's block, in which I will ask you readers for ideas. I am halfway through high school and even though I don't get very many assignments and all that now, just wait till next year and the years after… -_-

Oh, and if you guys would prefer me to write Nicole's speech as normal, I will spell her words properly from next chapter onwards and you can imagine her accent. Similarly, please tell me if you feel that I am slipping too much French in.

Disclaimer: I wish I could say that I own this but I don't. I only own Nicole Martin.

"Ees zis eet, Maman?" I asked, looking at the barrier between platforms nine and ten.

"Oui, zis ees the place, bébé fille," Maman smiled.

"Do not call me zat!" I said crossly. "I am not a baby girl anymore!"

"You will always be my baby girl," Maman smiled and I rolled my eyes.

"Come on, we will push zis togezzer," Papa said, giving me the trolley. He stood behind me and bent so that I was in his arms and we were both holding the trolley. "One, two, three!" I started to run, pushing my trolley with Papa, and we burst through the barrier and onto a crowded platform.

"Wow! C'est incroyable!" I breathed as I took in my surroundings.

"Eet ees amazing, is it not?" Maman smiled as she appeared behind me.

"Oui!" I cried. I pushed my trolley along the platform, trying to find an empty compartment.

"You will probably never find one," Papa grinned as he helped me search. "I am surprised that there is enough space for all the students actually."

"Eet ees a zing called magic, Antoine," my mother teased. "I never went to 'Ogwarts and even I can figure eet out!" In retaliation, Papá stuck his tongue out.

"I never went to 'Ogwarts either!" he shot back.

"I am going to keep looking for a compartment!" I said when they began to ignore me with their flirting. When they did not reply, I sighed, gave them a hug each and walked off. I spied a red-haired girl with an older blonde girl that I assumed was her sister and they appeared to be having a conversation, though the blonde was pale and the redhead was close to tears.

"Freak!" the blonde spat and flounced off to her parents. The redhead grabbed her trunk and pushed through the crowd and I had the impression that she was trying to hide the tears sliding down her cheeks.

"Enfin! Il est grand temps!" I muttered as I spotted an empty compartment. I put my owl, Rose, into the compartment and then attempted to lift my trunk. Unfortunately, it was a little bit too heavy...

"Need a hand?" I spun around. Behind me was a handsome boy with long, black hair, grey eyes and a giant smirk plastered on his face. Though compared to some of the boys I had seen back in France, he was nothing.

"Oui," I replied and he frowned slightly. "I mean, yes. Please," I added. He grabbed my trunk and, together, we hauled it into the compartment.

"Mind if I sit with you?" he asked, pulling his trunk forward. Before I could even answer him, he said, "Thanks," and pushed his trunk up. He was surprisingly strong for such a thin eleven-year-old.

"Come on, we'd better get in there," he said and, grabbing my wrist, he pulled me in and shut the door behind us. I wrenched my wrist out of his hand and sat down opposite him.

"What ees your name?" I asked, staring at him.

"Sirius," he replied after a moment, brushing the hair out of his eyes.

"Sirius who?" He hesitated, almost as if he didn't want to tell me.

"Sirius Black." There was a silence.

"Nice name," I said and he almost looked surprised.

"You don't know…?"

"Know what?" I frowned.

"Never mind," Sirius muttered and suddenly brightened up. "Who are you, fair maiden?"

"Nicole Martin."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, milady," he said mockingly, kissing the back of my hand.

"And you too, kind sir," I smiled.

"You sound French," Sirius commented.

"Oui, I am French," I replied. "We moved to Eengland a few months ago, since Auntie Julie is Eenglish and she went to 'Ogwarts, and I wanted to go zere rather zan Beauxbatons. That is also 'ow I know Eenglish," I added, "zough I am not ze best at it. I 'ave 'eard that 'Ogwarts is one of ze best schools, zough."

"It is," Sirius replied and before I could say something, the compartment door opened and another boy walked in.

"Can I sit here?" he asked with a cocky grin. His hair was messy and jet-black and his twinkling hazel eyes were hidden behind a pair of round glasses. He was hot but, in my opinion, not as hot as Sirius.

"Yes, you may," I nodded and he lifted his trunk into the overhanging bit and then sat down next to Sirius.

"You're very formal," he said. "And pretty." I flushed pink.

"She's French, man!" Sirius hissed and the boy's mouth dropped open slightly, while I narrowed my eyes at Sirius.

"So, who are you?" the boy asked as he looked over me with a raised eyebrow.

"Nicole Martin," I smiled.

"She grins for him but she doesn't grin for me," Sirius muttered in mock-annoyance. I flashed him a wide grin.

"Zere, I grinned for you!" I said.

"Thank you!" Sirius said with an answering grin.

"Am I even here?" the boy said.

"No," Sirius and I said together.

"Thanks for that," he pouted and Sirius and I smirked at him.

"And what would your name be?" I asked.

"James Potter," he said with another cocky grin. "And you?" he added to Sirius.

"Sirius Black." James winked at him and as the train started to move, I waved to my parents when I saw them pass by.

"Au revoir!" they yelled.

"Au revoir, maman! Au revoir, papa!" I called as I hung out of the window. Maman managed to plant a kiss on my nose before our compartment passed them.

The compartment door opened yet again and we all looked up to see a girl walk in - the same redheaded girl I had seen on the platform. I could see tears in her almond-shaped green eyes and she ignored me, James and Sirius as she sat in the corner on my side. The boys looked at her for a moment and then continued their loud conversation, but I noticed that James' eyes kept flickering to the girl.

"Are you ok?" I asked the girl softly.

"F-Fine," she sniffed.

"What is your name?"

"L-Lily Evans."

"And I am Nicole Martin." She nodded and rested her head on the wall, still crying.

"Mon dieu! What ees wrong?" I said.

"M–My sister h–hates me!" Lily sobbed. "B–Because I'm a w–witch and she's n–not!" I was clueless; I may have a lot of cousins but I did not know what she was feeling, so I did not know how to comfort her. Luckily, she provided the answer.

"C–Can you just l–leave me alone for a bit?" she said. "I–I just want t–to b–be alone." I nodded and moved away from her.

"Could you be any louder?" I muttered to James and Sirius, who were arguing about Quidditch teams.

"YES!" they hollered.

"Vous êtes des idiots!" I muttered, slapping my face with my palm.

"What does that mean?" James asked.

"You are idiots!" I told him.

"Why be all impressive about it?" Sirius said, resting his feet on my lap. I pushed them off, only to have him put them back up. "I mean, if you want to say that we're idiots, you don't need to be fancy about it!"

"I 'ave only been in Eengland for a few months," I said. "I slip back eento French sometimes. I cannot 'elp it. And cut zat out!" I pushed Sirius' feet off me again. I looked out the window as James and Sirius started talking again and saw that we were speeding through the countryside.

"Oh come on, no one beats the Cannons!" Sirius protested loudly.

"You've got to be kidding!" James said back. "Those losers? The Tornadoes will smash them!"

"I am sorry, Sirius," I said with a grin, "but I 'ave to agree with James. Ze Cannons are rubbish!"

"Hey!" Sirius said with a mock-glare at me as James smirked widely. "I thought you were on my side!"

"I am not," I said. "And I am not on James' side eizer. I am on ze 'Olyhead 'Arpies' side."

"Them?" the boys said together.

"Yes, zem," I said with a sweet smile. The boys decided to resume their conversation and I was only too happy to tune out as I watched a light drizzle outside. The door opened again and only Lily and I noticed the boy standing there. He had black hair, sallow skin and was already wearing his robes. He walked in and sat opposite Lily, looking at her with sorrow (at least, I think it was sorrow). She turned her head to look at him, tear tracks down her face.

"I don't want to talk to you," she said in a low voice.

"Why not?" the boy said.

"Oui, why not?" I said, looking between the two. "Did you 'urt 'er? We French are very protective of family and friends." Lily gave me a weak smile. "And who are you?"

"I'd never want to hurt her!" the boy said, glaring at me. "And I'm Severus Snape."

"I don't want to talk to you," Lily repeated to Severus. "Tuney h – hates me. Because we saw that letter from Dumbledore."

"So what?" Lily gave Severus a look of deep dislike and I glared at him.

"So she's my sister!" Lily said.

"She's only a -" Severus stopped mid-sentence but Lily did not appear to notice; she was wiping her face to get rid of the tears and trying not to be noticed.

"Only a Muggle?" I whispered. Severus glared at me, but it was marred with sorrow. He turned to Lily and said, "But we're going! This is it! We're off to Hogwarts!" Lily nodded with a small smile, mopping her eyes.

"You'd better be in Slytherin," Severus told Lily.

"Slytherin?" James looked around at the word. "Who wants to be in Slytherin? I think I'd leave, wouldn't you?"

I have a very bad feeling about this! I thought.

"My whole family's been in Slytherin," Sirius said, unsmiling.

"Blimey, and I thought you were alright!" James said and Sirius grinned.

"Maybe I'll break the tradition. Where're you hoping to go, if you get the choice?" I would've replied but I was too busy trying to stay out of it. And yes, I do know about the houses; Auntie Julie told me about them and she was a Gryffindor herself.

James lifted an invisible sword and said "'Gryffindor, where dwell the brave at heart!' Like my dad." Severus made a small noise and James turned to him.

"Got a problem with that?"

"No." Severus had a sneer on his face that said otherwise. "If you'd rather be brawny than brainy -"

"I do not like where zis ees going," I muttered but I was ignored.

"Where're you hoping to go, seeing as you're neither?" Sirius interrupted. James roared with laughter, I glared at Sirius and James and Lily eyed them with distaste.

"Come on Severus, let's find another compartment," she said and she stood up, followed by Severus.

"Oooooo..." James and Sirius imitated her voice and I held my head in my hands. As Severus passed, James tried to trip him.

"See ya later, Snivellus!" Sirius called. The compartment door shut and I turned to the boys, my temper finally breaking.

"I zought you two were nice!" I said loudly. "I zought you two were going to be my friends! I guess I was wrong. You boys are a disgrace to Eenglish boys!" I grabbed my trunk and exited the compartment in a huff, completely missing the apologetic looks being sent my way as I muttered under my breath in French. Only when I had moved up the train did I realise that I had nowhere to sit. But luck was on my side. I noticed a compartment with only one boy in it, who was reading.

"May I sit here?" I asked the boy. He looked up from his book and nodded, then went back to reading. I dropped my trunk and then sat down opposite him.

"Who are you?" I said. He looked up from his book again and I noticed some faint scars on his face. I wondered how he got them and I was so deep in thought that I almost missed his answer.

"Remus Lupin. And you?"

"Nicole Martin. I moved 'ere from France a few months ago to come to 'Ogwarts." I studied the boy closely; he had sandy hair, amber eyes and pale skin.

"France? I've always wanted to go there," Remus smiled. "It sounds amazing, from what I've read!"

"Oh, eet ees! C'est beau!" I said

"You like to read?" Remus asked me.

"Oui, I love to read!" I said and Remus beamed. "What are you reading?"

"Hogwarts: A History."

"I 'ave not read zat book. Ees eet good?"

"It's excellent! Did you know that the ceiling in the Great Hall is bewitched to look like the sky outside?"

"Really?" I said in interest and he nodded happily. Just then, we were interrupted by the door opening and a smiling, dimpled lady poking her head in.

"Anything off the trolley, dears?" she said. I jumped up excitedly; I was starving and all I had had for breakfast was a couple of pieces of toast.

"Some Chocolate Frogs, Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans and Cauldron Cakes, s'il vous plaît," I said, tipping some money into the woman's hand. "I mean please," I added when she stared at me. She looked at Remus, who shook his head.

"Why are you not getting anyzing?" I asked him as the woman disappeared.

"Not hungry," he said, but I knew it was a lie from the way he was staring at my Chocolate Frogs.

Maybe he can't afford it, I thought and instantly felt bad.

"Ere, 'ave a Frog," I said and tossed him one.

"Oh, no, you don't have to -" I cut Remus off mid-protest.

"I want to share zem with you, Remus," I told him. "Please take one. I will not finish zem all and I will feel 'orrible if I seet here and not share." Remus took a Frog with a smile.

"Thanks." He bit into his Frog with a satisfied moan. I recognised the symptoms from my father.

"La dépendance au chocolat? Chocolate addiction?" I grinned. He nodded as he tore into his second Frog. I left the Frogs to Remus and decided to start on the Every Flavour Beans.

"I'd be careful of them," he warned with his mouth full.

"I 'ave eaten some before, you know," I said and popped a bean into my mouth while rolling my eyes. "Mmm, strawberry!" Suddenly, there was a crash out in the corridor and Remus and I jumped up.

"Come on, let's see what's going on," Remus said and we exited the compartment together, wands out (even though we didn't know any spells). A small boy with mousy brown hair and blue eyes was cowering on the ground, while some people stood over him. What looked like a fifth year boy with blond hair was teasing him and raining down the occasional hex and a few people behind him were jeering. Some of them included a blonde girl who looked a year younger than the blond boy, a dark-haired boy with brown eyes and two thug-like fifteen-year-olds with dark hair.

"Arrêter! Leave 'im alone!" I shouted and pointed my wand at the group. The blond boy paused in the middle of hexing the boy on the ground again and looked up at me with a strange smile.

"What do we have here, an ickle first year?" he mocked, raising his wand. "Come to save your little friend?"

"I do not even know zat guy," I said, gesturing to the boy on the floor with my wand. "But I cannot let you get away with zis! Zis ees wrong!"

"Famous last words," the dark-haired boy snorted.

"That's enough, Rodolphus," the blond boy said, his smirk growing wider. "I think we should teach this young lady here what happens if you annoy us, don't you think, Narcissa?"

"Definitely, Lucius," the blonde girl nodded.

"Fernun-"

"Get down!" someone behind me shouted and I was pushed to the ground as the curse sailed over my head and hit an inquisitive person behind me.

"Are you alright?" the person asked and helped me to my feet. I turned and saw that I was looking into the face of Sirius Black.

"Je suis bien," I answered. "I am fine."

"Ah, dear Cissy," Sirius sneered, looking at Narcissa.

"Sirius," she sneered back. I noticed James behind Sirius with his wand out and Remus had his wand pointed at Rodolphus, who looked like he wanted to curse one of us. The two heavily-built boys were pointing their wands at me, but I got the feeling that they were thicker than a man under a Veela's spell.

"Come on," Lucius muttered. "Let's get out of here." He left, flanked by his cronies.

"You ok?" James said to the cowering boy, who nodded. He helped him up, while Sirius and Remus looked at each other interestedly.

"I see you've made a friend, Nicole," Sirius grinned to me, nodding his head at Remus.

"And 'e ees way better company zan you," I responded. "At least 'e doesn't argue about Quidditch."

"I'm hurt," Sirius pouted, putting a hand over his heart. Remus grinned at me and I grinned back.

"So, who's the young man who's stolen my Nicki's heart?" Sirius said to Remus.

"Remus Lupin," he replied. "And you're welcome to her heart if you want it."

"Remus!" I protested. "I am 'urt!"

"If you boys have finished arguing over who Nicole's future husband is," James said and both Sirius and Remus said, "Hey!"

"So, what ees your name?" I asked the mousy-haired boy.

"P–Peter Pettigrew," he squeaked.

"Do you want to sit with us, Peter?" Remus said and Peter's face lit up excitedly.

"We'll get our things and invade your compartment," James said to me and Remus.

"Ok," I smiled.

"Come on, Pete," Remus said and helped Peter haul his trunk into our compartment. I ended up sitting next to the window, Sirius between me and James, while Remus and Peter sat opposite us. The drizzle outside turned into a downpour and the rest of the trip was spent talking to each other or, in James and Sirius' case, cracking loud and dirty jokes.

"Please! Stop!" I begged eventually. "How do you even know zose? Vous êtes âgé de onze ans! You are - what do zey say? - freaking eleven!" James and Sirius smirked as Remus' face turned pink and he buried himself back in his book, and Peter had a grin on his face.

"We have our ways," James smirked and then grew serious. "You know what?" We looked at him quizzically.

"What is it?" I said after a few moments.

"I reckon that we were destined to meet each other," James said. "I think we're here together for a reason and that we're meant to be the best of friends. Who's with me?" He held his hand out, palm down.

"I am," Sirius said instantly.

"Same here," Peter nodded, thrusting his hand out. Remus hesitated and I noticed his face twisting, before he put his hand in as well.

"I do not know," I said hesitantly. "What would Lily say? She might not like me being friends with you, especially James, and I do not want to lose 'er as a friend!"

"If she is your friend, she won't mind, Nic," Remus said and, looking into his sincere amber eyes, I made my decision and put my hand in with the other four.

"So it's settled," Sirius grinned. "Henceforth, we shall be the best of friends and the best of troublemakers!" James beamed, I smiled hesitantly and Remus and Peter looked alarmed.

"I can't cause trouble to save my life!" Remus protested.

"Neizer can I!" I said and James looked offended.

"But it's never too late to start!" he said. "Especially with us two!" He gestured to himself and Sirius.

"Don't worry, I don't mind!" Sirius announced as if he had done a heroic deed, slinging his arm around my shoulders. I turned pink and pushed it off.

"How deed I end up being ze only girl in zis group of boys?" I moaned.

"You should count yourself lucky! We're the hottest group of boys around!" James boasted and Peter laughed as Remus' face turned pinkish-red. I pretended to think.

"Non, you are alright," I shrugged and James pouted. "Remus ees definitely 'ot –" Remus's face went darker so that it was bright red "- Peter, you are pretty good-looking –" Peter went red as he beamed at me "- but I would 'ave to say zat Sirius is ze 'ottest one 'ere right now." I did not feel ashamed because I knew I would not fall for him and if I did, it would be on personality. I have seen so many hot boys in my life that I do not care for looks, although they do help.

"I knew you were my favourite friend, Nicki!" Sirius grinned, slinging his arm around my shoulders again. I tried to push it off but Sirius was ready and it merely tightened.

"Sirius Black, get your arm off me right now!" I said, bucking my shoulders. He just grinned in response.

"Hi, Nicole!" I looked at the compartment door to see Lily Evans standing there, completely ignoring the four boys. Upon seeing her, Sirius let go of me.

"Salut, Lily," I smiled. "Are you feeling any better?"

"Loads," she said. "Anyway, I thought I'd better tell you that we're going to be at Hogwarts soon, so you'd better change."

"Merci. Thank you."

"Hi, Evans!" James said, ruffling his hair. Lily gave him a look of deep disgust and turned back to me.

"See you there, Nic!" She shut the door and walked off.

"She's hot," James said dreamily and I hit him up the head.

"James, if you want to eempress a girl, I do not suggest acting like an eediot, which means zat you really do not have a chance, seeing as zat ees your normal attitude," I said and Peter and Sirius roared with laughter, Remus grinned and James' face fell.

"You must help me win her heart!" he begged, falling onto the floor on his knees and seizing my hands. "Please, Lady Nicki! Tell me that you'll help me in this noble quest!"

"Go away, Sir Eediot," I snorted and the laughter increased. "Now, all of you, out."

"Why?" Peter said.

"Did you not 'ear Lily?" I said with a raised eyebrow. "I 'ave to change. Out." I jerked my thumb at the door and James, Remus and Peter instantly left.

"What?" I said to Sirius.

"Can't I watch?" he pleaded. "I like girls with a nice figure!" I glared and shoved him out so hard that he pushed James over when he crashed into him. I shut the door, pulled the blinds down and changed into my robes, before exiting and pushing the boys back in.

"We're dressed!" James called out. I did not like the way he said it but I entered anyway and let out a shriek. I should have known that English boys couldn't be trusted! Sirius didn't have a shirt on yet and his bare chest was showing, making my cheeks burn red.

"Mon dieu! Get some clothes on!" I yelled, covering my face. "I 'ave to get out of 'ere!" I bolted out of the compartment and ran up the train until I found Lily with a dark-haired girl.

"Nicole?" Lily said as I burst in and fell onto the seat opposite her and the girl.

"I – I –" I couldn't get my sentence out. "I saw somezing! Somezing 'or – 'orrible!"

"What did you see?" the girl said instantly as I struggled to control my breathing and Lily moved to sit next to me.

"I saw Sirius Black! With no shirt!" I started hyperventilating and Lily patted my back sympathetically.

"There, there," she said soothingly as my breathing finally slowed. "It'll be ok."

"Sirius Black?" the girl said with an amused expression. "You mean that dark-haired hottie who saved you from getting hexed?" I nodded feverishly and she burst out laughing.

"That's Marlene McKinnon, by the way," Lily informed me as Marlene continued to laugh.

"Lucky you!" Marlene said as she finally managed to calm down.

"Non! Not lucky me!" I squeaked. "I am going to be scarred for life! Oh, and James fancies you, Lily," I added in an offhand voice to Lily, who looked like she was going to be sick.

"James Potter? That arrogant bastard?" I looked up as Severus Snape entered the compartment and glared at him.

"James ees my friend!" I said. "I cannot say zat I am proud of 'im for calling you Snivellus but 'e can be cool!" Severus' face twisted as Lily stared at me incredulously.

"So, you're friends with Sirius?" Marlene asked me excitedly.

"Oui," I answered and then shivered. "'E put 'is arm around me!" Lily hugged me sympathetically as Severus smirked and Marlene sighed longingly. A voice suddenly echoed over the train:

"We will be arriving at Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be collected for you."

"Mon dieu! We are nearly zere!" I squealed, bouncing up and down in excitement. "I am going to find ze boys!" I exited the compartment and trudged back to the four boys, where James and Sirius were playing a game of Exploding Snap, Peter was watching and Remus was still reading.

"And the goddess returns!" Sirius announced in a deep voice, making me glare at him. I still had not forgiven him for that trick!

"Where've you been?" Remus asked kindly, looking at me over the top of his book.

"Seeting with Lily and Marlene McKinnon," I shrugged, collapsing next to him. "Oh and Severus."

"Snivelly?" James said with a disgusted expression. I reached over and slapped his head.

"Well, 'e doesn't really have ze best impression of you eizer, you know," I said sharply and James shrugged before putting a card down. The pile exploded, leaving James with singed eyebrows.

"Nice look," I grinned as Sirius and Peter roared with laughter and Remus snorted. The train suddenly started slowing down.

"We're here!" Peter said happily, clapping his hands.

Translations:

- bébé fille - baby girl
- C'est incroyable! - This is amazing!
- Enfin! Il est grand temps! - Finally! It's about time!
- Mon dieu! - MyGod!
- C'est beau! - It's beautiful!
- s'il vous plaît - please
- La dépendance au chocolat - chocolate addiction
- Arrêter! - Stop!
- Vous êtes âgé de onze ans! - You are eleven years old!
- Salut - Hi

I don't know how I did. I mean, I'm the writer!

I rely on you readers.

That means typing a little comment in the box below.

Or, if you're on a phone, pressing the bubble button.

Even if it's just a smiley :)

Yeah. Like that one.

And while you're at it, why not vote in my poll?

It will decide the direction I take with this story, in a way.

And we all know how readers like taking part in a story, don't we?