Disclaimer: No I do not own anything Harry Potter related. This all belongs to J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter is her genius. But otherwise . . . enjoy the story I wrote and please read & review.

Chapter 2: The Hogwarts Express

"Honestly James..!" Mrs. Potter shouted as they arrived at the Potter house (more like mansion), "Of all the fool hardy things to do..!"

"I'm sorry..!" James said for the hundredth time to her, "I didn't mean to..!"

Mrs. Potter opened her mouth to say something but Mr. Potter cut her off politely, "I know you didn't mean it James, but you know you weren't supposed to do magic."

"I know but—"

"If you knew then why did you do it..?" Mrs. Potter said in an almost tearful voice, "Why..?"

James shrugged irritated, "I dunno..!"

"To your room please," Mrs. Potter asked in an angry tone.

James frowned at her and stomped up to his room. He didn't like fighting with his mother, and this had been a good 2-hour shouting match. He didn't mean to curse Mrs. Black, and besides, Sirius seemed pretty amused by it. Stomping up the stairs James stuffed his hands in his pockets. He climbed up the stairs like his feet were dead weights and slammed his door as he entered.

Thumping himself upon his bed James sighed. He had just made a friend and in no time he had lost a friend. Maybe he shouldn't have done magic. He looked around his room thinking. His Quidditch poster's inhabitants flying around. Pictures on his desk of his family were waving back at him, Hershey was in her cage hooting silently. His clothes were scattered everywhere and his room was a bit messy. His Tornado 67 was in its broom case with the cleaning kit sprawled out everywhere.

He moaned, "Uhhh . . ."

There was a knock on his door, "James dear."

James lifted up his head from his pillow, "What..?"

"May I come in..?" his mother's voice sweetly said from behind the door.

James nodded, "Yes . . ."

His mother opened the door slowly pushing some Quidditch banners, jerseys and clothes with the door creating a space for her to walk in. She was holding James' schoolbooks, robes and other items and had a chest with the Hogwarts emblem on it, "I have your school things."

"Yippie," James said with sarcasm.

Mrs. Potter sat the books down on James' desk and then sat on the end of James' bed and placed her smooth hand on James' shoulder, "Are you alright..?" she asked.

"Peachy."

"I don't appreciate the sarcasm James," his mother said.

"Sorry," James said into his pillow.

"I wanted to talk to you," Mrs. Potter said inching herself closer to James, "About today."

"Thought we already talked about it," James said a bit coldly, "Or more so we shouted about it."

"James . . ."

"Well we did."

"That's not the point," Mrs. Potter said keeping her temper in check unlike her son, "I think we should talk about it, not shout it."

"Okay . . ." James said into his pillow looking right at it.

"What happened today..?" she asked.

"I was doing magic," James said sitting up next to his mother then glared at her a bit, "We already have this conversation."

Mrs. Potter ignored the last part, "I thought we said that you could learn some magic latter tonight."

"Yes . . ." James said folding his hands together and letting them hang off the edge of the bed, "But I wanted to show my new friend. I mean he asked me so I said I would, for my new friend that is."

"And who was that..?"

"Sirius Black," James said. His mother frowned. James knew why. In their conversation Sirius had explained his family with a group of purebloods who wished to get rid of half bloods and Muggleborns, "He's not like his family..!" James began, "He doesn't like the way they think..!"

"I don't think the way the rest of his family thinks either James," his mother said sympathetically, "But I'd prefer if you didn't—"

"You don't want me to hang out with him do you..?" James interrupted.

"That's not what I—"

"But it's what you think..!" James shouted, "He liked things I liked mum..! I really liked him..! And now just because you don't like his family I can't have a friend..!"

"That's not what I said James," Mrs. Potter said firming her tone, "I might not be the biggest fan of the Blacks or their method of non purebloods but I—"

"Mum..!"

"Let me finish young man..!" Mrs. Potter shouted back, "Like I said I don't agree with all their methods or beliefs. I just don't want Sirius pulling you into his family problems and—"

"Sirius would never..!"

"How do you know, you've only just met him."

"I can tell," James said crossing his arms, "I know it."

Mrs. Potter nodded. James really thought he had a best friend. This wasn't going as she expected. She didn't know Sirius and didn't wish to judge him, but after seeing him laugh at his mother when James hexed her made her feel he was like the rest of his family. He might not believe in the same ideas but he still had what Mrs. Potter called 'the attitude' of his family. She didn't want her son growing up around a child like that.

"James," Mrs. Potter began, "I can't judge Sirius but—"

"But you are because you don't want him to hang out with me."

"Let me finish please," she cleared her throat, "I won't try and judge Sirius but after what I saw today in the robe shop, I'd prefer if you stayed clear of a child like that. I only want the best for you."

"So the best for me is to play with the losers you and dad make me meet and think I'll be friends with them because you're friends with their parents..?" James said coldly.

Mrs. Potter remained silent.

"Those so-called 'friends' you think I have are a bunch of gits," James mumbled to her.

Mrs. Potter sighed.

"I'm not a little kid mum," James said sharply, "I can pick my friends. And I pick him," James said firmly, "Aren't you always telling me to judge people from the inside not the outside..?"

Mrs. Potter double blinked, "So you do listen to what I say..?" she said with a little smile.

"It only looks like I'm not listening," James said with a little sly smirk of his own.

Mrs. Potter let out a little laugh and sat down next to her son, "Alright. I was wrong," she began, "Maybe I was wrong to yell at you about your friends. After all I'm not you. I shouldn't choose for you. You should choose for you."

James smiled, "So I can maybe invite him over..?" James said with a huge grin.

"We'll see . . ." Mrs. Potter said, "It might take a while for Mrs. Black to forgive you for turning her purple with pink poka-dots."

James laughed, "Think she forgot . . ."

"Oh I don't think she'll get for a long time . . ." Mrs. Potter said with a smile, "That was the best she's looked in years. It will be hard to not forget her moment of beauty."

James let out a laugh and Mrs. Potter hugged James tight. James couldn't believe she had said that about Mrs. Black. His mother was almost always respectful to adults . . . James felt his smile grow wider as his mother said she thought Mrs. Black was a bit of an old hag.

"So," Mrs. Potter said, "Are we all clear..?"

"Crystal," James said with a grin.

"Good," Mrs. Potter said hugging James, "Because I could never stay mad at you forever."

James felt himself glow with a bit of pride with that. He hugged his mother back then looked at her, "Do you really think Mrs. Black looked better purple..?"

"Of course . . ." Mrs. Potter said laughing, "It hid all those sour wrinkles she gets from glaring at people."

"Can I please use magic to make this trunk lighter..?" James begged as he dragged his Hogwarts trunk behind him as his family made their way to Platform 9 and ¾.

"No," Mrs. Potter said, "We don't want your trunk turning purple and pink."

James rolled his eyes with a little chuckle, "Mum . . ."

So James dragged his trunk and his father held Hershey as he made his way through the crowd of Hogwarts students and average Muggles.

"Ah, Platform 9 and ¾," Mr. Potter said smiling, "Train leaves in five. Perfect timing."

James looked. There was Platform 10 and 9, "So all I do is walk through the wall right..?" James asked.

"Nothing to it," his father said walking into the wall.

He disappeared. James knew this of course, other train stations in Britain had platforms like this. James had done this several times before and with one last glance at the Muggle station James walked through the wall dragging his belongings behind him.

Emerging on the other side James saw his father waiting for him and then his mother walked behind him smiling. Hershey hooted as James approached his father.

"All set..?" Mr. Potter asked.

"Yup," James said feeling excited but nervous at the same time.

"Have fun sweetheart," Mrs. Potter said hugging James.

"Mum..!" James shouted struggling to get out of his mother's hug, "You're embarrassing me..!"

Mrs. Potter smiled still and kissed James on the forehead and stepped back, "Have fun James."

James rubbed the spot where his mother had kissed him then grinned, "I will," he said starting to head off towards the train.

Climbing on the train, James waved back at his parents with a smile.

"Remember dear..!" Mrs. Potter called out, "We'll be proud of you no matter what house you get in..!"

Mr. Potter nodded and smiled, "But do try to get into Gryffindor..!"

"Matt..!" Mrs. Potter snapped.

"Just joking Elizabeth," James heard his father mutter as he started to laugh. With on final wave James turned around dragging his trunk and Hershey behind him.

The train was pretty crowded and James was beginning to wonder I f he'd even get a compartment to himself, let alone a seat. He was all the way to the back of the train now. There were about 5 compartments left . . . hopefully this next one was free.

He dropped his trunk and placed Hershey down gently and glanced through the window. There was a boy, he looked to be James' age and he was fast asleep with his head gently leaning against the window. He had a pale, peaky look about him and even asleep he looked a bit tired. His hair looked thin and was a brownish blonde color. His robes looked a bit worn out and shabby ("Were they hammy downs..?" James thought) and his trunk was above him. In little faded gold letter the trunk read: R.J. Lupin

"R. J. Lupin..?" James repeated. The last name Lupin was ringing a bell . . . perhaps his father worked with James' father. Mr. Potter was always mentioning people from work.

"Well if it isn't the kid that turned my mother purple..?" said a sly voice behind him.

James turned around to see Sirius Black dragging his Hogwarts trunk behind him. James felt himself grin, "Sorry about that . . ."

"Sorry..?" Sirius laughed, "Don't be. In my opinion Jimbo, that was the best she's looked in years."

James felt himself starting to laugh at the comment. Sirius was grinning then looked in the compartment window, "Who's that..?" he asked.

James shrugged, "I dunno. His name is R. J. Lupin though."

"Well," Sirius began dropping his trunk letting it thud loudly, "For someone who doesn't know who he is, you seem to know enough."

"His name was on his suitcase," James pointed out.

"Ohhh," Sirius said glancing to the boy's trunk, "I see . . ." he said, "Well lets go in. I'm not standing in the hallway all day."

James nodded and grabbed his things. He really didn't want to go in the compartment, mainly because he didn't know this boy and didn't want to wake him up, but there was no where else to sit. Opening the door quietly Sirius and James squeezed inside placing their trunks up on the top shelf and sitting in the seat across from the boy.

"You don't think we woke him up do you..?" Sirius asked as they sat down and the boy started to stir a bit.

James got up and leaned over real close him to check if he was sleeping. He was still sleeping, "Nope. Sound asleep."

"Does personal space mean anything to you..?" Sirius chuckled as James sat down next to him.

"What, am I too close to you..?" James said inching closer to the window.

"No," Sirius said grabbing James shoulder and pulling him back where he was, "You don't even know the kid and you leaned right over him."

"What..? I was seeing if he was asleep . . ." James said.

Sirius smiled, "Just joking Jamesie."

James smiled as a knock came to the door.

A fat little plump witch pushing a trolley full of sweets was smiling at the boys. James and Sirius looked at each other then smiled at the sweets, "Anything from the trolley dears..?"

Sirius' smile faded, "No thanks."

James looked up and pulled some Galleons out of his pocket, "Here," he said collecting some treats for Sirius and himself, and even some extras, "I got it."

Sirius double blinked and looked at James, "Are you sure..?"

"Positive. This was my candy money anyway," James said grinning as he placed the numerous amount of candy in front of him and Sirius, "I even got some for him," James said pointing to Lupin, "Just incase he's hungry when he wakes up."

Sirius nodded, "Guess it's true then."

"What..?"

"That your family is stinking rich," Sirius said helping himself to some Pumpkin Pasties.

James felt himself turn red. Kids said this to him all the time, "I'm not that rich . . . well . . . I heard your family was wealthy too."

"Yes," Sirius said with a mouthful of sweets, "But not as rich as yours."

James felt his face grow hot again. He hated when people said he was in one of the richest kids in the world. It made him feel guilty for some odd reason, "Yea well . . ."

Sirius smiled, "But it doesn't matter to me rich or not," Sirius smiled, "You'll still be my mate."

"And same with you," James added shoving a chocolate frog in his mouth, "Wou'll wtill we wy wate woo."

"Excuse me..?"

James swallowed, "I said you'll still be my mate too."

Sirius looked over at the boy, R. J. Lupin as they ate, "You know my parents talk about his family."

"You know him then..?" James asked.

"When I mean talk . . . I mean they don't say nice things about him and his family," Sirius stated, "They say his family is dirt poor, his mum has some low job at the Ministry. And I overheard that his father . . . erm . . .that his father and his mother don't get along that well anymore. My mum said they hardly have enough money to keep their house. Not like it matters to me. I'm sure the kid is nice."

"Why would they talk mean about someone they don't know..?" James asked eating a Cauldron Cake.

Sirius snorted a laugh, "You saw my family, or most of them, back in the robe shop . . . they think everyone who isn't a pureblood is below them. Or any pureblood that likes Muggle-borns or half bloods," Sirius said darkly.

James looked at him.

"Like I said before I don't agree with them."

"Neither do I," James said quietly.

"Good," Sirius said with a smile, "Because if you did . . . I'd have to hurt you."

James and Sirius smiled as the boy across their seat started to stir again.

"Morning," James said as the boy open his eyes and sat up a little straighter, "Did you have a nice nap..?"

The boy looked at James and Sirius puzzled.

"Or snooze..?" James said thinking that 'nap' was offensive to him.

"I didn't realize I had fallen asleep," the boy said.

"Extra tired last night..?" Sirius asked, "Stay up excited for school."

"I did," James said, "Couldn't wait to get here."

The boy looked both reproachful and fearful, "Yea . .. yea . . . stayed up extra late last night . . ."

James nodded and smiled the held out his hand, "I'm James Potter."

"Sirius Black," Sirius said outstretching his hand too.

The boy looked at them through tired eyes and slowly shook James' hand and then Sirius' and said softly, "Hi. I'm Remus Lupin."

"Remus Lupin," James said, "Pleased to meet you."

Remus smiled weakly and looked out the window. He placed his head on the window and looked out as the sky grew darker.

"Chocolate frog..?" James asked holding a few out for Remus to take.

"I don't have any money to pay you back with," Remus said shyly.

James laughed, "It's free. You don't need to pay me back."

"Oh," Remus said taking one slowly still looking a bit nervous at James and Sirius. Sirius took notice too.

"Are you scared of us..?' Sirius asked. Remus shook his head 'no', "We don't bite I swear," he chuckled, "Well Jamesie might," Sirius said slapping him on the back, "But for the most part I'm safe."

"For the most part..?" James laughed.

Sirius rounded on him, "Yes I'm a vampire . . ." he said in an accent.

James laughed and pushed him away and growled, "Well if you're a vampire then I'm a werewolf," James said attacking him.

Before they knew it James and Sirius were laughing on the floor. Remus felt sick to his stomach. He had to get out of this compartment. He began to get up.

"Oy..! Where ya going..?" Sirius asked.

"To erm . . . get some fresh air," Remus said quietly.

"Open a window," Sirius suggested.

"I was going to walk around a bit too," Remus said quickly wishing he could leave, "Stretch my legs out a bit too . . ."

"We're almost here anyway," Sirius said standing up stretching his arms and cracking his knuckles.

"I think we have to change into our school robes then," James said eating another Chocolate Frog and looking at the card, "Albus Dumbledore . . ." James flipped it in his hands and placed it on the seat.

"Isn't he the headmaster..?" Remus asked interested and looking at the card.

James nodded, "Yup. I heard he was in Gryffindor when he went to Hogwarts."

"That's what my Mum said," Sirius said grabbing his school robes out of his trunk, "I actually listened to the hag that time."

James laughed and started to gather his new school robes.

Remus was still looking at the card. James looked up, "You want it..?"

"What..? Oh no . . ." Remus said, "I don't have any . . . I erm . . . don't collect."

"Well here," James said happily handing him the card, "You're first one."

"Are you sure..?" Remus asked.

James nodded, "I have about 12 Dumbledore cards. I even have extras of some others. I can give you some and you can start a collection if you want."

"Thank you," Remus said feeling happy.

"No problem."

James looked up at Remus; he was already changed, and smiled at Remus who was standing there nervously looking towards the door then glanced at his card he had just received.

A few minutes later, James and Sirius were fully changed in their Hogwarts robes and smiled at themselves in approval.

"For some odd reason," James began, "I feel different."

Sirius shrugged, "Me too. Probably the feeling knowing that were not babies anymore. That were on our own," Sirius said proudly, "No more mum calling me anymore names. This school thinks has it perks."

James frowned, "Wished my mum would stop calling me a baby . . ." James said, "She still thinks I'm five."

Sirius laughed, "Awww mummy loves her wittle Jimbo . . ."

"Cut it out," James said smiling and pushing Sirius' shoulder.

Sirius smirked and grabbed his bags as the train came to a halt. James looked out the window. It was quite dark and on top of a magnificent hill was a castle, a large glowing castle full of enchantment.

James caught himself gapping at it, "Woa . . ."

"Come on," Sirius said tugging James by the back of his robes, "You coming Remus..?"

"What..?" Remus said holding his bags.

"You coming..?" Sirius repeated.

"You mean . . . you don't mind if I . . ." Remus seemed puzzled and confused, "If I hang out with you..?"

"Why would we..?" James said with a smile, "I mean it's not like you're like that boy," James said pointing to a tall pale faced, blonde haired boy walking down to the exit.

"Whose he..?" Remus said quietly.

"Lucius Malfoy," James and Sirius both said together then looked at each other.

"You know him..?" James asked Sirius.

"Yea . . ." Sirius said darkly, "My family is friends with his family."

"My dad works with his," James added before Sirius could ask.

Remus raised an eyebrow, "Is he bad or something..?"

"He's a git," James spoke.

"A low, dirty, fowl, pureblood loving git," Sirius added.

"Nothing like you," James said smiling at Remus, "He's a jerk."

"And you seem to be just the opposite of him," Sirius added with a grin all his own, "You're not a jerk . . ."

"You're our friend," James said brightly with a smile.

Remus felt his lips curl up and he smiled too as James and Sirius lead their way out of the compartment keeping in pace with Remus. For the first time in his life, Remus felt happy. He had friends for the first time in his life.

Authors Note: So what'd you think..? Don't worry they'll meet Peter soon enough... Read and Review please.