A/N: Review responses! DeathByHanging, you seriously are the best reviewer I could ever ask for!
Thank you, Sent by another :) Yes, I prefer to do research before writing and it was actually easier because I learn French (so I know all the rules…like where to use mon and ma and stuff like that)…I would never leave a story out in the rain! Hmm, I think I know who you are…Mana might have mentioned you…so thanks if you're who I think you are - Mira, right?
And thank you too, HornyCorny! Nicole was just messing around with James' looks, don't worry ;) And I'd NEVER create a Mary Sue! I've read far too many Mary Sue fics to know how NOT to write one! And I'm glad you learned something - French is actually quite a common language, so it's handy to know! And I'm all for humour! Hmm, did you know that my friend and I got into trouble once at school for looking up French swear words on my phone? Being Aussie is awesome, I don't know why you don't like it!
And also, thanks to CaptainMeghanSparrow for actually pointing out something that might be costing me reviews: she thinks that James and Sirius are too flirty and shouldn't know so much about females. Is this the problem? Although any flirting towards Nicki by James and Sirius is purely friendly, not romantic - they're just teasing her. But a big thanks to CaptainMeghanSparrow for her help!
Disclaimer: Don't own. Why must you torture me?
Christmas this year was different than last year. Maman and Papa wanted to spend Christmas together alone (though they did say that they had a surprise for me) and all my other relatives were in France, so I had to stay at Hogwarts. I didn't mind, though; Bella was staying to keep my company and so were the boys.
"Why are you not going 'ome?" I asked them when they announced to me that they were staying. In reply, they simply winked at me and I smiled to myself. Of course. We had our Animagus transformations to work on!
Remus and I had warned the other three that it was illegal for people under seventeen to attempt the transformation but it was like talking to, well…a boy. They were so excited that I ended up giving in in the end, thinking about how cool it would be to be able to transform. Being the little co-teacher's pet that I am (Lily and Remus shared the title with me), it was fairly easy to persuade Madam Pince to let me borrow a book on the theory of Animagi.
"Eet ees only for research, Madam Pince!" I told her. "I 'eard from someone zat we study zem next year and I want to be ahead!" Later that night, we flipped through the book and found what we were looking for.
"Here it is!" Remus said, pointing at a page.
"So, what've we got to do?" James asked. Remus and I gave him a 'seriously-do-you-not-read' expression and turned back to the book that was perched on our laps, meaning that we were sitting side-by-side on the bed.
"Ok, I know zat you boys sont stupides," I said and even though they did not speak French, I knew that they got the gist of what I said because they exclaimed, "Hey!"
"It's true," Remus grinned.
"You traitor!" Sirius pouted, clutching at his heart. I chuckled and continued to speak.
"So I will simplify zis for you. Apparently, we 'ave to meditate until we find our inner animal and zen we clear our minds and focus only on ze animal and say ze incantation over and again in our 'eads."
"What's the incantation?" Peter asked. I squinted at the page and replied, "Animalis Veneficus. And zen to transform back, we say Humana Veneficus."
"Ok, that sounds simple enough," James said. I snorted.
"James, zere ees a reason why eet ees difficult to accomplish," I said. "Eef eet was really zat easy, everyone would be Animagi." James gulped and Remus and I exchanged smirks.
-NM-
I was right; a week later, it was Christmas Day and we still had not managed to find our inner animals, though I reported that I was not on the ground. James said that he was in a forest, Peter felt very small and Sirius just said that he smelt like an animal, which was not really new.
"Wake up, Nicki!" Bella cried. "It's Christmas!" Normally, I would have killed her for daring to wake me up any earlier than nine on a non-school day but Christmas was the exception. When I sat up, I saw a large pile of presents at the end of my bed; one of the perks of your mother having four siblings.
Our family was so big that each couple and their children all pitched in to buy a present for two children, since it would be far too expensive to get everyone something - this year, from what I could see, I had gotten a present from Tante Marie, Oncle Alain and Pauline, Rosalie and Luc. When I shifted to the end of the bed and sifted through my presents, I saw that I had also been given something from my Oncle Pierre and Tante Apolline Delacour. Knowing Tante Apolline, it would probably be a whole heap of new clothes and make-up.
I was not blood-related to Tante Apolline - Oncle Pierre was my mother's brother and that meant that if they decided to have children, the children would be the only cousins of mine to be part-Veela, since Tante Apolline was a half-Veela. Unfortunately, since I was the second oldest out of my cousins and she had no children, Tante Apolline had made it her mission in life to make me as fashionable as possible, since she had failed with my oldest girl cousin, Sacha Moreau.
Sure enough, when I ripped the paper off, I had a whole box of pretty new shirts and skirts, along with a new book from Oncle Pierre. The Cléments had gotten me a pretty golden chain with an amethyst (my birthstone), the Marauders had given me prank products, Alice a glittery silver headband, Marlene some sweets, Lily a pair of amethyst earrings and from Bella, I received a silver photo frame with a picture of us five girls, laughing with our arms linked.
"Thanks, Bella!" I said happily, putting the photo up on my bedside table. Bella beamed happily back as she clipped on the silver bracelet I got her.
Finally, I opened my present from Maman and Papa, which was a deep purple notebook and white quill. I beamed happily; I loved drawing, not that I was any good at it. I was terrible at drawing bodies and I always made the lips and eyes look weird but I still loved to do it. I opened the notebook and picked up a photo and piece of parchment that were stashed in them. I looked at the photo and froze, my mouth agape.
"Nicole? Nic? Nicki? Hellooooo? Are you home?" Bella waved a hand in front of my face but it barely registered. "What's up, Nic?"
"Maman," I murmured, my lips barely moving. Before Bella could ask what I was so shocked about, we heard the Marauders calling for me.
"Nicole! Get down here!" I snapped out of my reverie and slowly crossed the dormitory and descended the staircase, the photo and parchment clutched tightly in my hand.
"Nicki! There you are! We were - what's up?" James, Sirius, Remus and Peter stared at me and I looked back at them blankly.
"Nicole! Just tell us what it is already!" Bella said impatiently from behind me, losing her otherwise barely existent temper.
"Maman est enceinte," I whispered.
"In English, please!" Sirius huffed.
"My muzzer ees pregnant," I said. There was a silence.
"P-Pregnant?" Peter stammered. I nodded.
"Oui." I held out the photo and the other five crowded around to see it. In it, my mother was beaming at the camera and, looking at her stomach, you could see that it was a little swollen.
"That's brilliant!" Remus smiled.
"Oui, I know," I said quietly. "I - I am just -"
"Shocked?" Bella grinned and I nodded and let them keep looking at the photo while I sat on a chair and unfolded the parchment. It was a letter from Maman:
Mon chéri Nicole,
I am sure that you know by now, if you have looked at the photo, that I am pregnant. Your papa and I wanted it to be a coming-home surprise but I have found out that I have been pregnant since August and we are expecting in May. Just think of this as a late Christmas present: your own little brother or sister.
Papa and I have already decided on names: Gabriel Antoine if it is a boy and Sophie Jacqueline for a girl. I hope you are happy with these names - if you are not, we will happily change them.
Now comes the difficult part, mon chéri. I know that it will be tough having un petit frère or une petite soeur but know that I will always love you and you will always be ma bébé fille. I just ask that you be the best grande soeur that you can be. Je t'aime, Nicole, very much, and Papa loves you too.
Joyeux Noël et une Bonne et Année,
Maman
I smiled weakly as I folded up the parchment and Bella handed me back the photo, which I slipped into the folds of parchment. So I was going to be a big sister when I returned home. I still could not believe it; I knew I would have a younger brother or sister in my head but it still had not sunk in fully. I had been an only child for twelve, nearly thirteen years; what would it be like to have a sibling? What if I was not a good sister?
"You ok, Nic?" Remus asked me quietly, sitting on the arm of the chair. I nodded, still looking at the parchment.
"What'd the letter say?" Sirius said loudly and I heard a whack.
"Sirius! Nicole might not want to share it with you!" Bella scolded and James roared with laughter at the fact that Sirius had been told off by a girl.
"Maman and Papa 'ave decided on names," I said quietly. "Gabriel Antoine eef eet ees a boy and Sophie Jacqueline for a girl."
"What gorgeous names!" Bella beamed. Sirius stuck a finger in his mouth and pretended to gag, earning another smack.
-NM-
The months flew by after Christmas and soon, it was the tenth of May. Ever since May had started, I had been shaking with nerves and anticipation because of the baby. A week ago, Maman had sent me a photo of herself. She was so big!
Lily, Marlene and Alice had squealed upon hearing the news and had profusely congratulated me. They had wanted to send letters of congratulations to my mother and I had lost that battle, so they did so and a week later, Maman sent replies back saying that they were very sweet and that I should be very lucky to have such nice friends. I wholeheartedly agreed.
At breakfast, the mail arrived as per usual and I saw Rose swooping towards me, a letter clutched in her beak.
"Merci," I smiled and she stole some of my bacon before swooping off back to the Owlery. I slit open the letter and as soon as I had read the first word, I squealed loudly, attracting stares from everyone.
"Mon dieu! Mon dieu! Eet ees 'ere!" I shrieked. Noticing that everyone was staring at me, I stood up and bolted out of the hall with a slice of toast, heading towards the Transfiguration classroom, even though I'd be the first one there. I had just opened my letter again when I heard the footsteps of my friends, before they came into sight.
"Nicole! Is the baby here?" Lily said. I beamed brightly and nodded.
"Well? Read it!" Marlene ordered. I opened the letter and read:
Nicole,
Sophie Jacqueline Martin was born at eleven o'clock last night, the ninth of May. I cannot tell you how happy we are! All your tantes and oncles are here, along with Sacha, Nicolas and Mathieu, and they are taking turns to visit and hold her. She looks almost like you did, belle fille. She has a little tuft of golden hair and eyes such a deep blue that they can only compare to the ocean.
We are looking forward to next month, when you come home. She may not know you yet but little Sophie is eager to see her big sister and everyone else wants to see you soon.
Work hard and make me proud, bébé fille,
Maman
"I 'ave a seester," I said slowly, testing out the word and liking how it sounded. "A leetle seester."
"Congratulations!' Bella beamed.
"Hey look, there's something on the back!" Peter said. I turned the letter over and sure enough, something was attached. It was a photo of a tiny baby, her eyes open and looking at the camera.
"Aww, she's so adorable!" Alice cooed.
"Isn't she?" Lily gushed.
I had to agree. Little Sophie had a wisp of bright gold hair, exactly the same colour as Maman's, whereas mine was a darker blonde, like Papa's. Also, where I'd inherited Papa's light blue eyes, Sophie's were a deeper blue, like Maman's. She was moving around, blinking and staring at the camera and opening and closing her mouth.
"I am sure that this is quite a joyous occasion but I hope that will not interfere with my class," Professor McGonagall's stern voice said.
"Sorry, Professor," I said, stashing the photo and letter away and only then noticing that the rest of the class was here. As Professor McGonagall passed me to enter the room, I could have sworn that she gave me a small smile.
I was distracted all through Transfiguration, only managing to complete the spell because Lily and Remus prompted and helped me, and when the class was finished, Professor McGonagall asked me to stay behind.
"I understand that this is a happy event but in future, please try and pay attention to class," she said sternly. I looked down but Professor McGonagall's next words made me look up sharply.
"Congratulations, Miss Martin, she is a very pretty baby," she said. "I hope that you are very proud." I gaped at her until she made a shooing motion with her hand and I hurried off to my next class.
-NM-
The next month felt like it went on forever but soon, we were on the train, heading home. When we arrived at the station, I got a surprise. Instead of Maman and Papa, my triplet cousins, Sacha, Nicolas and Mathieu Moreau were picking me up.
"Sacha! Nicolas! Mathieu!" I said in delight, launching myself at them and hugging Mathieu around the middle. Laughing, he brushed my blonde locks away from my face and hugged me back.
"Bienvenue à la maison, chouette chevêche," Nicolas smiled softly when I hugged him.
" Ow 'ave you been, petite cousine?" Sacha grinned, ruffling my hair.
"Excellent!" I said. "But why are you three getting me?"
"Well, Tante Claire ees busy with Sophie and Oncle Antoine does not want to leave 'er," Nicolas replied. "And seence ze ozzer adults wanted to stay with 'er and Sophie, we volunteered to come and get you."
"You mean, we were forced," Sacha grinned, flicking back her short brown hair
"Zat sounds about right," I snorted.
"Hey, Nicole! Who're they?" Marlene called and I turned to see the boys and the girls approaching to say goodbye.
"Zese are my cousins," I smiled. "You guys, zese are Sacha, Nicolas and Mathieu Moreau. Zey are triplets. You three, zese are my friends, James, Sirius, Remus, Peter, Lily, Marlene, Alice and Bella." I gestured to each of them as I introduced them.
"Pleased to meet you," Nicolas said politely, shaking their hands. Mathieu winked at them and Sacha just grinned. I noticed Sirius eying Sacha up and I decided not to tell him that Jacques would probably smash his head in.
"Stop staring at my seester like zat, meester," Mathieu glared at Sirius.
"And besides, I 'ave a boyfriend," Sacha smirked. "'Is name ees Jacques Durand."
"Drat," Sirius sighed dramatically and Bella hit him. She had taken to doing that a lot more since Christmas, something that Lily, Marlene and Alice had found absolutely hilarious when they returned.
"Lily!" we heard a voice call.
"I have to go," Lily said. "Nice meeting you three! Goodbye, Nicole!" She gave me a hug and melted into the crowd.
"I wish she'd do the same to me," James sighed and my cousins burst out laughing, as did the rest of us.
After exchanging goodbyes, Sacha held out her hand for me to take, which I did warily.
"We will meet you guys back zere," she told Nicolas and Mathieu, who nodded and disappeared with my trunk.
"We are Disapparating?" I said in alarm. Sacha merely smirked in response and turned on the spot, dragging me along with her. I felt like I was being squeezed through a black, very tight tube and before I could pass out from lack of air, we appeared at my house.
"Mon dieu! I never want to do zat again!" I gasped, falling to my knees. Sacha just laughed, pulled me up and dragged me inside.
"Nicole! Mon petit bébé! Comment avez-vous été? Comment était l'école?" When I entered the dining room, Tante Marie had swooped in and given me the biggest hug I had had in a long time, crushing my ribs.
"C'est excellent, tante!" I managed to gasp out.
"Chouette chevêche! Vous êtes de retour!" Now it was Tante Apolline's turn to squash me to her and when she had finished, Tante Adeline and Julie took their turns. When I was free, I noticed that all seven of my cousins were here, counting the triplets.
"Nicole!" Maman had swept into the room and embraced me tightly and I breathed in the familiar smell of chocolate and roses that seemed to cling to her. She let me go and turned to face the room she had come from. "Antoine! Bring 'er!"
When Papa entered the room, I nearly gasped out loud. In his arms was the most beautiful little baby I had ever seen - she was even more gorgeous than in her photograph. At one month old, she had more hair and she had almost started smiling and to me, she looked like an angel from heaven.
"Nicole, meet Sophie Jacqueline Martin," Maman smiled. I slowly approached Papa and tentatively placed a hand on Sophie's forehead. She gurgled, making me break out into a grin.
"C'est beau!" I said, making Maman beam.
"Do you want to 'old 'er?" Papa asked, alarming me.
"I do not know 'ow to 'old a baby!" I said. Maman smiled and showed me how to hold little Sophie, correcting my grip and moving Sophie around so that I was more comfortable. Once I had had a hold, Maman took her off me and cuddled her longingly. I felt a strong pang of jealousy but pushed it down, feeling ashamed.
"Do you want to go and 'ang out with your cousins?" Papa asked and I said yes, so I went into the living room with Rosalie, Pauline, Luc and Olivier - Sacha, Nicolas and Mathieu obviously felt that they could stay with the adults.
"What ees 'Ogwarts like, Nicole?" Pauline asked instantly. I smiled and began to tell her all about it, even pulling some photos out of my trunk to show them.
"So zese are your friends?" Rosalie said, examining them. "Who ees who?" I pointed out my friends and told my cousins about them.
"I want to go to 'Ogwarts!" little Olivier suddenly piped up in French - Auntie Julie had been teaching us all English but since he and Luc were four and seven respectively, they were still too little to grasp it fully, though they did get the gist of most of it. "It looks far more interesting than Beauxbatons!"
"It is," I grinned. "But if you want to come to 'Ogwarts, you will either have to move here or stay with me, Maman, Papa and Sophie."
"It will be worth it!" Olivier said. "Tante Marie and Oncle Alain will want Pauline to go to Beauxbatons with Rosalie but Maman and Papa might send me here if I ask! Then I could be with my big cousin!" I felt a swell of pride and happiness at his words and that he would want to be with me.
"I want to come to!" Luc said. "No way do I want to go to some stuffy school with girls and girly boys!" Rosalie shot him a gare at that.
"Well, if you two ask very nicely, I am sure that your parents will let you stay here in the last week of the summer holidays each year so that you can get to 'Ogwarts!" I said and both the boys looked very excited.
"Let's go and ask, Olivier!" Luc said and they jumped up and raced into the kitchen.
"I am not going to be ze one to tell zem zat they have to learn Eenglish properly and actually study," I said and Rosalie and Pauline snorted.
Translations:
- sont stupides - are stupid
- Tante - aunt
- Oncle - uncle
- Maman est enceinte - Mum is pregnant
- Mon chéri Nicole - My darling Nicole
- un petit frère/une petite soeur - a little brother/a little sister
- grande soeur - big sister
- Je t'aime, Nicole - I love you, Nicole
- Joyeux Noël et une Bonne et Année - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
- belle fille - beautiful girl
- Bienvenue à la maison, chouette chevêche - Welcome home, little owl
- petite cousine - little cousin
- Nicole! Mon petit bébé! Comment avez-vous été? Comment était l'école? - Nicole! My little baby! How have you been? How was school?
- Chouette chevêche! Vous êtes de retour! - Little owl! You're back!
Ok then, more French than usual but considering that she's with her family now and all (the italics were French written in English)…and this marks the end of her (short) second year. And in regards to Monsieur Delacour's first name, it was never given, only Monsieur, which means Mr in French.
Note: Rosalie Clément does not, I repeat, does NOT have ANYTHING to do with Rosalie Bitchface Hale from Twitlight. Rosalie is simply a French name that I like (along with Alice and Seth - why, Twilight, WHY?)
Now then, what about a review for little ol' me?
Come on. Imperio!
Now you will review! You will just scroll down to that little box and leave a comment, whether it be a word or a mini novel.
Ok then. You go off and do what I asked you to do.
Au revoir!
