Chance After Loss

At the tender age of nine, James was not as dim as his parents and friends thought of him to be. Sure, maybe he wasn't as book smart as his mom liked him to be, but he knew he wasn't stupid.

So when his mom and dad spoke with him last night about a girl staying with them for a while. He was confused but listened as his parents spoke about being kind and playing with her gently because she was coming to get better and "recover." They had said the same things before but in passing when he would meet up with their friend's kids and play but the seriousness in their tones spoke of another level. Then he figured "for a while" was a lot longer than they were hinting at.

But seeing her now, being brought in by an Auror. The girl was so...small.

Not just literally, but the way she pulled into herself with her head down, arms and legs shuffled tight to her body, it was like shf color to his, hung over her face like a curtain. She made absolutely no sounds, not even her feet as they slowly made their way across the wooden floors.

"James."

Said boy perked up from his hiding place behind the large vase. With a sheepish grin, he made his way towards his parents.

Shy, but curious, James stood by his parents and stared at the two strangers.

The tall blonde wizard smiled down at the young Potter before turning towards his guardians. His smile turned slightly strained and grim as he nodded at their silent question.

Euphemia Potter held back her tears as a small pale face peeked upwards through the black veil of hair. Though barely a glimpse, Euphemia recognized the hints of her old mate's faces. The gentle squeeze of Fleamont's hand on her shoulder gave her the strength to kneel down and smile at the little girl warmly.

"Hey there Kagome," She began softly, keeping her distance as not to startle the young girl, "My name's Euphemia...I don't know if you remember me, but the last time I saw you, you were still in diapers."

There was a slightly shuffle behind the dark hair.

The matriarch took that as a cue to continue.

"Your Mama and I used to dress you up and you even played with James over here as babies," Her hands wrung the fabric of her dress, wrinkling the fabric, "We-"
"M-Ma..ma?"

Though quiet, and weak, it was there. Kagome's questioning tone.

"Yes Kagome, I knew your Mama, we were best of friends…" Euphemia inched forward, now under the unwavering stare of Kagome's intense blues. At what seemed like her trigger word, Kagome's eyes began glistening.

Euphemia's own eyes began welling up with tears.
"Oh sweetheart…"

First a sniffle, then a heartwrenching sob left the girl.

Immediately Euphemia gave in and pulled the small girl into her arms tightly, her hands rubbing and patting her head and back in assurance.

The three males watched on silently, giving the two the space they needed.

Sighing, the Auror flicked his wand and before him suit cases and boxes appeared by the door way, neatly stacked.
"Thanks Mr. Potter, all her other belongings and inheritance will be stored now at Gringott's at your discretion until she is of age," the blonde wizard whispered, handing a manila folder to the man before shaking his hand firmly, "Thank you once again for taking her in, she….she needs someone to care right now."

"No, thank you for your troubles Alfred," Fleamont smiled grimly though friendly, "Please come by another time for a chat."

"Will do my friend. Let us know if she says anything..." Then he was gone.

"Dad," James questioned, tugging his father's sleeve inquisitively.

Reaching down, Fleamont raised his only son into his arms, hugging the boy a tighter than normal.
"Is that the girl?"
"Yes, that's Kagome. She's going to be with us for now," Fleamont answered, watching the two females carefully. Their sobs had died down, but their trembling continued.

"Why is she so sad?"

Sighing, Fleamont placed a firm kiss on his son's forehead.

"She lost her family," He explained, watching James lower his eyes in thought,"But that's why we're going to be there for her. Right?"

The boy was silent, concerning the elder Potter.

"James?" Fleamont let his son down to the floor as the boy squirmed to be free. He moved to stop his son as James made his way towards the girls but stopped short. His son was a smart boy, he would be gentle with the girl...right?

Kagome didn't want to be there, or anywhere for that matter. She just wanted to be home, even if it was just ashes now. But the lady who said she knew her mom, her hug was warming, almost hot against her own cold body. Nobody had been openly touchy with her since everything happened, they were too scared. But she wasn't sure if it was because they were afraid of hurting her or because they were afraid of her.

Her hands were still numb, like rocks that hung against her sides, the faint vibrations that last shocked her hands still present.

Oh how much she wanted her-

"Hi."

A bold, childish voice cut through her thoughts.

Blinking, Kagome looked up from the shoulder she buried her face in.

In front of her was probably the smallest carbon copy of the man who had opened the door. Slightly chubby cherub cheeks, wide smile, and missing teeth.

Kagome was startled.

"James," Euphemia choked, wiping her tears away, "Honey-"

"My name is James Potter and that's my mom you're holding on to," He continued strongly, grinning past the horror on his parent's faces.

"J-James/James!"

"But it's okay! You can borrow her for now! But you better watch out, if she sees one sock out of the drawerers, she's going to turn them pink!" He stuck his tongue out at that thought.

Blinking, Kagome slowly looked down at his feet, and to her astonishment, one of his socks was a shocking pink, in contrast to the stark white sock on his other foot.

Silence filled the Potter home

'Th-this is our son…' the two parents thought in unison, unsure of how to continue.

"Heh…" A cute sound escaped the small girl before the quietest of giggles came through.

James's smile grew in size, his eyes sparkling in achievement.

Warm smiles in disbelief formed on the Euphemia's and Fleamont's faces before they too joined in the laughter.