James Potter and the Curse of the Gatekeeper

the partition seemed to dissolve. He flashed through it and pulled the trolley to a stop on platform nine and three- quarters. It was as crowded as it had been the last time he'd been there, although the mingled fog and steam made it hard to see everyone. Out of the dense mist, James could hear the chug and hiss of the Hogwarts Express, and for the first time all morning, he felt a bit better. Without waiting for the rest of the family, he pushed his trolley through the crowd toward the sound of the train.

        'James!' a voice called out. James glanced around and saw his Cousin Lucy standing next to Uncle Percy, who was apparently lost in animated conversation with a man in a pinstriped cloak. Percy's wife, Audrey, stood nearby, holding Lucy's sister's hand and looking over a schedule of departures.

        'Hi, Lucy,' James said, pushing the trolley over to her. 'I didn't expect to see you here. What's going on?'

        'We're on our way back already,' she shrugged. 'Daddy got a call. There was some sort of magical disturbance in Wandsworth and the Ministry needs him back. At least we get to go home for awhile. Where's Albus?'

        James gestured back the way he'd come. 'Albus is still in a snit. He's been grumpy ever since the Burrow.'

        Lucy nodded understandingly but said nothing.

        'Well, I better get my trunk on board,' James said. 'We're already late. See you, Lucy.'

        'Bye, James,' Lucy replied, then added. 'Keep an eye on Albus, all right?'

        James felt a tiny twinge of guilt at that. He nodded. 'Sure, Lucy. I'm his big brother.'

        Lucy smiled and waved. James turned and ran toward the train, pushing his trolley. As he met the porter, he saw Teddy Lupin moving through the fog with Victoire at his side, lost in hushed conversation. Satisfied that his things would be loaded safely onto the train, James trotted to catch up to them.

        'Hey, Ted, Victoire,' he called.

        They stopped near the station, but Victoire continued talking, her head close to Ted's.

        'It's time,' she said, her face serious. 'I do not wish to spend the year away at school with this secret between us.'

        'It isn't between us, Vic,' Ted said reasonably. 'You know your parents aren't ready to know about us. Your mum already thinks I'm a bum waiting to happen. Give me some time to arrange things in Hogsmeade. Once I've proven I'm serious…'

        'To whom do you need to prove yourself?' Victoire asked, stepping back and placing her fists on her hips. 'My parents, or yourself?'

        Ted rolled his eyes. He glanced at James. 'This is what it's like dating a girl whose family I've known all my life,' he said. 'They know me too well for my charms to work on them.'

        'Your charms work just fine,' Victoire sniffed. 'In fact, if it wasn't for your charms, you wouldn't even have this problem.'

        'Sorry to interrupt,' James said, raising his hands, palms out. 'I just wanted to say hello. I'll just fade away into the mist again.'

        'Wait a minute,' Ted said, his face growing thoughtful. 'I've got an idea.'

        Suddenly, he grabbed Victoire and hugged her to him. She resisted for a moment, but then he kissed her, and she relaxed. Slowly, she dropped the handbag she was carrying and wrapped her arms around Ted's neck. James took a step backwards and looked around nervously.

        'Er, like I said—' he began but stopped as Ted held up a finger, still kissing Victoire. Finally, he broke away and looked aside at James, smiling crookedly.

        'You saw that, right?' he asked.

        'I don't think I saw anything but that,' James replied uncomfortably.

        'Good. Now do me a favor.'

        Victoire looked at Ted, her arms still around his neck. 'Teddy, no…'

        Ted's smile didn't waver. 'Go tell everybody what you saw.'

        'What?' James blinked.

        'Just tell them. Say I came to see Victoire off, and you saw us snogging right here on the platform. Say you interrupted us and I told you to shove off. It's the juiciest bit of gossip on the platform this morning, and you get to be the one to share it. It'll get the word out about us and we won't even have to say a thing,' he turned back to Victoire. 'Happy?'

        She tilted her head haughtily at him but smiled. 'You're a rogue,' she replied.

        Ted shrugged. 'I'm simply good at coming up with reasons to kiss you. So what do you think, James? Are you up to the task?'

        James grinned. 'I learned how to lie from Zane. I'll make it as juicy as possible.'

        'Excellent,' Ted replied. 'And just to make it as realistic as possible,' he made his face stern and looked at James, 'shove off, will you? I'm busy.'

        With that, he kissed Victoire again. She grinned and giggled, pushing away from him playfully. James turned on his heels and trotted back into the crowd. After a moment, he saw his family gathered with Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione near the train. They were all looking back toward the station. James followed the direction of their gaze and saw Draco Malfoy standing with his wife and son near the partition. Draco nodded curtly in their direction, and then turned to his son. The son had the same sharp features and white-blonde hair. He glanced toward James, seeming to recognize him. After a moment, the boy looked away again, as if bored.

        James remembered the news he was supposed to share. He ran toward his family, dodging and weaving through the crowd. As he approached, he heard Uncle Ron say to Rose in a pointed voice, 'Don't get too friendly with him though, Rosie. Granddad Weasley would never forgive you if you married a pureblood.' James was glad to interrupt the uncomfortable pause that followed.

        'Hey!' he yelled as he approached. Rose saw him first and smiled. The rest of the family turned curiously. 'Teddy's back there. Just seen him. And guess what he's doing? Snogging Victoire!'

        The adults looked down at James rather blankly. James raised his eyebrows, exasperated at their lack of response. 'Our Teddy! Teddy Lupin! Snogging our Victoire! Our cousin! And I asked him what he was doing— '

        'You interrupted them?' Ginny said incredulously. 'You are so like Ron…'

        James plowed on, committed to telling it like Ted asked. '—and he said he'd come to see her off! And then he told me to go away! He's snogging her!'

        Lily spoke up, 'Oh, it would be lovely if they got married.'

        James rolled his eyes, ignoring the rest of the conversation. Well, at least he'd succeeded in getting the word out. Ted would be satisfied. After a moment, James heard his dad saying, 'Why don't we just invite him to come live with us and have done with it?'

        'Yeah!' James agreed instantly. 'I don't mind sharing with Al. Teddy could have my room!'

        'No,' Harry interjected. 'You and Al will share a room only when I want the house demolished.' He checked his watch, and smiled. 'It's nearly eleven. You'd better get on board.'

        James hugged his mum and dad and a minute later climbed aboard the train, leaving the noise and steam behind him. He clumped into the nearest compartment with Rose right behind him. She pushed the window open and leaned out to wave. James joined her and glanced out. Albus was still on the platform with their dad squatted next to him. James remembered Harry doing the same thing with him last year, and didn't doubt that Albus and he were having a very similar conversation. Ginny saw James and waved at him. Lily skulked nearby, loosely holding her mum's free hand.

        Albus disengaged from his dad, hugged his mum, and then clambered onto the train. A moment later, he entered the compartment with James and Rose. There was a commotion behind them as several other students crowded into the compartment, leaning toward the open window, chattering excitedly.

        'Why are they all staring?' Albus asked as he and Rose turned.