CHAPTER 2

The train hooted loudly at the London Station.

"Here you go buddy!" Reynold Potter threw a suitcase to his tall, fine built son. James caught it with a smile. He looked at his Dad and Mom, both anxious with worry. "I'll be fine, it's alright Dad! I love you Mom!" He couldn't help but laughing at the lifeless waves they gave him.

His mom came over to his ear and told him softly, " I really hope that she is the one, James. Not that I really like her, but I want to see you settled down and happy."

James sighed. He had heard this speech over fifty times. He was only nineteen for God's sake. What does she mean by settled down. He bent down till he reached his mother's ear and whispered, " Girls are like seasons. They come and go…"

THWACK! James rubbed the sore spot on his head where his mother hit him. "What have I told you about women, James? They are not like seasons. When will you learn to respect ladies. Women are mothers, ladies, and-"

"- and Sisters, I know," James sighed, " But they aren't my sisters now are they?" James father grunted his laugh. THWACK! James yelped as he rubbed the second sore spot on his head. " I really do appreciate women, Mom. Like , I am proud of Mother Teresa, the Earth Mother, The First Lady, Miss Lincoln, Miss France…Ooooh..Miss France!" James ducked his head as his Mother swooped on him again. James jumped up onto the train as he waved goodbye to his parents. The train called one last time as it chugged off.

With an over exaggerated grunt of "manliness", James stuck the suitcase on the highest rack, trying to give his new, 2 day old girlfriend a good look at his side body. James inwardly smiled wryly, thinking about how proud Sirius would be at his latest choice of a lady.

" Now Jamesie, where were we?" A blonde girl of about twenty five years turned and faced him. James wiggled his eyebrows and both sank into their train compartment.

After a few minutes of doing stuff I find gross, James sat up and ran his fingers into his messy chocolate hair. "Victoria, sweetie, here's the plan. France is really big-"

" Yeah sweetie! It is really big isn't it?"

James sighed. This is one of the many things he found annoying about her. She never let him talk.

" Like I was saying, France is really big. We will meet Remus and Sirius at the station and we will tour France, just the two of us. And I also think-"

" Really, what else do you think?" Victoria guffawed loudly, silently pulling he collar of James's shirt closer. James breathed softly, as he released her hands from him. Victoria pouted. "Darling, just listen to what I say, please. We will meet my friends there and travel from there into downtown Paris and find a hotel, just for us." Victoria let a hyena pitched giggle and James winced. James put his face down to hers very closely, bent his head down to hers, closed his eyes-

" AHHHHHHHHHH! Auntie! AUNTIE! It's like in the movies! Its like what Mommy with Daddy when they tell me to turn around. Ewwwww! Gross! Get a room!" A three year old girl with bouncy curls stepped into their compartment. James sighed irritated, as a blushing Victoria pushed him off.

" I am so sorry! My niece is so rude sometimes." A brown haired lady stood up and stepped into the compartment, closing the glass door behind her beautiful frame. Her soft brown hair accentuated her thick, hazel eyes. " Go apologize to Mr. Man please Nina." The little girl inched toward James and mumbled a sorry before running away from him. She seemed thoroughly frightened of him.

" Hey! It's alright! What did you say your name was?" James asked softly.

" Nina Brookwood. I am three years old and Daddy told me kissing was gross."

" Did he now?"

" Yep. That's why I tried to tell you not to. My dad would pu-pun-punis-ugh!" The blue eyed girl seemed to fall into her own train of thought. James shifted his attention to the beautiful lady who was struggling with her suitcase.

" Here, Let me help you." James got up and set up her suitcase.

" Thank you. Oh! I forgot! My name is Arabella Figg, this naughty three year old girl's aunt! We were just going to go to France to meet a couple of family- "

"Wait!" James jerked up, wondering if he heard right. " Arabella Figg? Arabella Figg. As in Belle?" James stared at her, not believing his eyes. She was so different; she looked wonderful.

Arabella whipped head around. " What the hell? My God, Belle, you look so different. So much older..so.." James stopped inspecting her.

Arabella smiled a wonderful white smile. " It took you a while to notice James. You were never the fastest of the bunch. How are you? It's only been a year since we were out of school, but I feel like I forgot all of you guys." James blinked his eyes stupidly.

"Belle! Belle!" Sirius ran to her. "I won! I got it!"

Arabella turned around, her hair in a frizzy ponytail with a chocolate bar in her pudgy hand. "What did you win, Sirius?"

"Chess! Chess! I beat old Arthur Weasly by a mile. I put him a checkmate, just like you taught me!" Sirius, without realizing it, threw his arms around the chubby, short girl, who was now a bright red crimson apple. The girls of Hogwarts hated how intimate they both were. James knew they would never date, but they had a very close relationship. "Now James owes me my five galleons! Oh Jamesie!" Sirius left a red Arabella and ran off to find James to cash in on his prize.

" Ahem!" Victoria icy steel voice interrupted James from his reverie.

" Oh, I forgot-" James immediately gulped in his words. He knew he stepped the line. Voctoria kicked him really hard and gave him a look that clearly said. " I'll deal with you later!"

" Hi, Arabella. My name is Victoria Glandeur. I'm this forgetful boy's girlfriend for the past two days."

Arabella smiled and thought Won't Lily be happy when I tell her I met the ever bashful, ever romantic James. The train slowed to a stop and Nina ran out onto the train station.

Arabella got up and ran out of the compartment quickly trailing her little niece. "Nina! NINA!" She yelled loudly, tripping over with her suitcase in her hand. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice and the musical laugh of her niece.

"Now who is you mother, little girl?" A tall, dark man, with thick, shaggy black hair and a fine build was walking towards her. Arabella could barely believe her eyes.

" I don't have my mommy with me now, because she is with Daddy on their second honeymoon. I'm here with my aunt-there she is!"

He tapped Arabella's shoulder. Fear dripping in her butterfly filled heart, she turned and faced her friend, Sirius Black. If Nina hadn't jumped out of his arms, she would have been dropped by him. His mouth circled in an "o", to Arabella's happiness. "Belle, is that you? Its only been a year, but you look so different."

Arabella loved that voice ever since se could remember. She laughed out loud and pulled Sirius into a hug. " Yeah, Black. Am I that surprising?"

Black, swallowed audibly, and croaked, "You lost so much weight-"

Arabella smiled and said, " I know, I know. You won't believe how many people told me. Getting the open mouth surprise look beat all the other looks I got so far. How are you?"

Sirius laughed and pulled her into a bear hug. Suddenly, he lifted her up and swung her over his shoulder. Nina giggle loudly as she ran towards a grumpy Victoria and James, who was trying to be extra manly by holding both suitcases. James had to let out a laugh at the sight before him. Sirius stood straight and tall, with Belle thrown over his broad shoulder, with a silent, but very handsome Remus next to him.

"Wasn't Belle a nice surprise, Sirius?" James nudged Sirius who elbowed him back. Belle, after hitting the bruised boy into oblivion, stood up and got her suitcase and gave Remus a proper hug. All of them got up and left for the taxi cab.

Sirius smiled wisfully, taking long stares at Belle who st playing with Nina on her lap. Wow. She is amazing!