Determination|| Remus lupin

chapter thirteen

Ariana followed James off the train, clutching Remus' hand tightly in her own, trains were still terrifying to her, and the noise the scarlet steam engine made scared her.

The group gathered on the platform, Ariana seeing Lily pass and grabbing her arm, hugging the seemingly upset girl, who mustered a smile for her and then bid her a 'happy christmas'.

"Don't forget to write." Peter reminded them all, like they really needed a reminder. They always did.

"And you're all coming to mine in a week?" James checked. The other three boys nodded. Remus' parents were first to arrive, and although his goodbye with his friends was also emotional, Ariana was reluctant to let him go.

He held her tightly, she had her arms around his neck, hugging him. "See you in a week Ariana."

"I'll miss you Remus." She responded. They finally let go of each other and both managed a smile.

"I gotta go." He finally said.

"Bye." She sighed.

"Bye Moony!" The Boys, who had been watching the two with amusement, yelled loudly.

Peter was next to go, earning a warm hug from Ariana, who wasn't fond of him leaving them.

"Goodbye Peter, I hope you enjoy Christmas." She smiled.

"See you in a week Arie." And he left.

"Sirius." A man's voice cut through the pointless conversation that they were having.

"I... I have to go." Sirius said.

"You sure mate?" James asked. Sirius laughed and pulled both into a hug.

"I'll be fine prongs, see you two in a week." He said.

"I'll miss you Sirius." Ariana was not a fan of the fact that her friends were suddenly disappearing and she would have to wait an entire week to see them again.

"See you later dear Arie." And with that he left, heading towards a stuck-up looking family, who looked at him with disgust, Ariana felt her hands ball into fists.

"Don't Arie, we'll get him back." He too had a similar look on his face. "Come on, my parents are here."

She was startled for a moment, before remembering what was going on and smiled. "Lets meet them!"

He laughed and led her over to a kindly looking woman and tall man, who smiled as soon as they reached them.

"Is this Ariana? Oh it's so good to meet you!" Mrs Potter hugged her tightly, looking her up and down.

"It's nice to meet you too." Ariana nodded.

"Ariana! So glad to meet you." Mr Potter smiled at her.

"James dear, do you know where Justin is?" Mrs Potter asked. Suddenly, the boy in question reached them.

"Sorry." He murmured awkwardly, Mrs Potter hugged him tightly, he didn't respond to her.

"Come on, have you ever apparated before Ariana?" Mr Potter asked, she frowned.

"I'm not sure." She answered.

"It'll be fine." James told her, she nodded.

"Okay, Ariana, James with me, Justin go with your mum." Mr Potter instructed.

Apparating was not a pleasant experience. Ariana felt like she was turning into a whirlpool of mush and as they appeared at the bottom of a street, she felt like she was going to throw up.

"That was... interesting." She mused, James laughed at her.

"It's always weird on your first go." He comforted her. Mrs Potter and Justin had already entered the house, and as they entered Potter Manor, Ariana was astounded. It was beautiful, of the gothic era and an architectural masterpiece. James smiled at her awed face.

"Do you like it?" He asked cockily. She nodded.

"You live in a beautiful place James." She nodded, he laughed.

"I'll give you a tour later, but for now are you hungry?" He asked, she nodded and he led her into the kitchen, where Justin was sat on a still, by the fire with a mug of hot chocolate. Mrs Potter and a house elf were in a big room-like cupboard, which served as a pantry.

"What are you three feeling for dinner?" She asked, poking her head around the door.

"Arie?" James turned to her. She shrugged.

"I don't know, whatever you feel." She answered, he laughed.

"Alright. Jay?"

Justin just shrugged. James looked at him with concern, before looking back at his mum.

"Pasta?" He suggested, Mrs Potter grinned.

"Great one, I'll make my famous pasta bake." She grinned. James shrugged and grabbed a few cookies, passing Ariana one.

"Come on, I'll give you a quick tour." He told her, she munched on her cookie and nodded.

"Sounds good."

James' home was about as big as half the ground floor of Hogwarts, had all floors been merged into one.

The first floor held a grand dining room, a kitchen, a living room, a large study, a sitting room and of course a toilet. The second floor, held fice bedrooms and  three bathrooms. Of course there was the attic, which James said he didn't often enter, due to superstition and his parents hated it. And they had a cellar, which he had similar sentiments about.

She had been assigned a guest room, which was beside James' room and opposite Justin's. It was spacious and comfortable, although the double bed she had was a new experience and she was rather excited to sleep in it.

After dinner, Ariana and the Potters played board games, even Justin joining in and relaxing a bit, as well as seeming less shy. As she had never played the games before, it was quite an experience for her, which James found rather amusing and often laughed at her, and she too laughed with him.

She was going to enjoy her time with the Potters, she knew that for fact.