Free The Curse of the GateKeeper (James Potter #2) by G. Norman Lippert Page A

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