We were going to be late and if there was one thing I hated, that was it. Which was why it was ironic that I lived with the least punctual person known to man. What is they always say on the daytime tv shows? The world works in mysterious ways?

"Jules! If you don't hurry up, I'm going without you."

Finally, I heard her hurried scuffle through our apartment. I almost smirked when I saw my aunt hurrying towards me, still trying to slip her shoes on as she went. Almost. But like I said, I hated being late. Especially when I was nervous. Today is one of those days. At sixteen, I'm heading off for my first day at Hogwarts. I have absolutely no idea what to expect. After all, most of the students would have started as first years and here I was strolling in, blind, when everyone else had had years to work out the school's various cliques and secrets. Yep, I couldn't wait. Forcing a smile onto my face, I held my arm out for Jules to take, making sure I had a firm grip on my trunk before had. I had never really gotten used to apparating, regardless of the fact that we rarely travelled any other way seeing as Jules was terrible at being on time.

When we reached Kings Cross I couldn't help but be struck by the sheer number of people hanging around the platform we had been told to go to. The only problem was that it wasn't there. All I could see was a brick wall. Don't get me wrong, I knew all about the concealing charms wizards used, I just didn't really fancy running into a brick wall, even if I knew it wouldn't hurt me.

Ah hell, you only live once right? Smirking at Jules, I took off at a run, leaving her to follow me through. Just as I had feared, all the students stood in groups talking. I felt my aunt's hand on my shoulder, turning to see the encouraging smile she was giving. It could be worse I guess. I mean none of my friendships had been that close. It had always been that way with me. I tended to keep people at a distance. The counselor I had been forced to see when I was in primary school said I had abandonment issues, which, quite frankly, is bullshit. I just think it's wiser to be careful who you give your trust to. It makes things a lot easier.

"You'll be okay Em"

Merlin, I hoped she was right.

Luckily, I managed to find an empty compartment quickly enough and sat down before somebody else took it. I could hear the talk from outside the door. New kids always attracted attention. That was what I hated the most. Jules and I moved a lot. And not just from town to town, she was a photojournalist which meant we spent a lot of time abroad. She hadn't really wanted to leave me in a boarding school though so I'd had a tutor wherever we went. I hadn't studied in an actual classroom since primary school.

She'd been offered a position in the Quibbler, however, which meant it was back to England and time to join a real school. I would be lying if I said I was excited. I loved the freedom I have, sorry had. There was something about being cooped up in a classroom that I really couldn't stand. Maybe it was because things were so impersonal. Teachers never seemed to care if you could already do something or if you found it impossible, they just left you to it. I'm sure the counsellor can't explain that.

My peace was shortlived.

Within moments of setting my bag to the side of me, the door slid open to reveal a tall boy who looked as if he was around my age with the scruffiest brown hair I had ever seen. Without a word, he took a seat opposite me.

"Can I help you?" I asked when he continued to ignore me.

No answer.

"Excuse me?"

Finally, his head snapped up, his brown eyes locking into my own lighter blue ones before taking in my appearance eventually settling on the band shirt I had picked out this morning.

"Nice shirt. You like the Weird Sisters?"

"No. I'm just wearing because I liked the colour.." He obviously seemed to find my sarcasm amusing as he smirked before holding his hand to me.

"James Potter."

"Potter? Huh." I turned back to my bag, looking for the magazine I was sure I had put in there earlier.

"Huh? That's it?"

"What did you expect? Me to fall on my knees and beg for your autograph?"

"Yes actually," the poor sod looked genuinely confused, "that's what most people do."

"Well I can tell you now that ain't gonna happen." I said before finally turning to the magazine, leaving him with his mouth agape.

His jaw still hung slack when the door opened once again. Did people not understand the concept of privacy at Hogwarts?

"James! Why'd you run off so quickly?" began the redhead before she realized the carriage wasn't as empty as she had first thought, "oh…who's your friend?" Before I had a chance to answer, she was pushed further into the compartment by what I guess was the majority of the Weasley family; I may not have gone to school but everyone knew about the Golden Trio.

And that is how I found myself lost in a sea of redheads with a brunette staring straight at me.

Disclaimer: Anything you recognise as belonging to J K Rowling's, is. Only the OC's, plot etc has been dug from the darkest recesses of my mind. This is true for the whole story.

A/N: I present my newest story. For those of you who are curious, this does NOT mean that i will be abandoning Inheritance. In fact, I am working on the next chapter today.

Please read and review :)