Disclaimer: All recognisable characters, places etc. in this fanfic are the property of J.K. Rowling and/or Warner Bros. Any original characters are property of Aligalloo.

Chapter 1

"Hello. Can we sit in this compartment? Everywhere else is full," the red-headed girl said. Hermione thought she looked like a potential friend in this strange new world. She was very pretty, with a petite frame, long red hair and strikingly green almond shaped eyes. Although Hermione liked the look of this red-head, she wasn't sure about her black-haired friend.

"Yes! Yes, of course you can," Hermione replied in surprise. They walked in and sat down opposite her. The black-haired boy immediately took out a book and began reading, "I'm Hermione by the way, Hermione Granger."

"Nice to meet you Hermione Granger!" grinned the red-head. "I'm Lily Evans and this slimy- haired git is my best friend Severus Snape."

The 'slimy haired git' bowed his head in greeting. "Come on Sev, say hello."

"Hi."

Hermione thought he was very interesting looking, with his jet black hair and long, slightly hooked nose. Some would say he wasugly but she found a strange attractiveness in his imposing profile.

"So are you a muggleborn?" asked Lily.

"Yes I am. I got my Hogwarts letter only a couple of months ago. What about you?"

"I'm a muggleborn too! Sev here is half-blood. How much do you know about the wizarding world?"

"Just what I've read in the schoolbooks. You seem quite knowledgeable."

"Yes, Sev has taught me a lot about the magical world. We've been best friends for a few years now."

"What house do you want to be in?" Hermione asked.

"Oh definitely Gryffindor! It sounds by far the best although Severus prefers the sound of Slytherin. What about you?"

"I think any of the houses would be fun. I see myself in Gryffindor or Ravenclaw most likely though."

"Anything from the trolley dears? Anything from the trolley?"

"Oh that'll be the lunch cart lady. Do you want anything? I recommend chocolate frogs, they're excellent." said Lily.

"That sounds nice. Thank you Lily."

Lily smirked knowingly, "Do you want anything Sev? How about some Bertie Botts? Remember the time you got a shampoo flavoured one?"

"Sure Lily. Whatever."

Hermione noticed he was so engrossed in his book that he didn't even really seem to hear what Lily was saying.

"You'll get used to him eventually Hermione, he's prickly at first but much more likeable once you get to know him."

"Will I get a chance to know him? Do you – d'you want me to be your friend?" Hermione was a bit in awe of this bubbly and outgoing girl, something she'd never been.

"Of course! Whatever made you think otherwise? Anyway, do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"No. I'm an only child and I miss my parents terribly already! You?

"I have a sister called Petunia. She hates me because I'm a witch, thinks I'm a 'freak'.

"Oh that's awful! It can't be true, did she say it to your face?"

"Oh yes." said the so far quiet Severus, "I was there. It was horrible."

"I'm very sorry. Maybe she'll come around?"

"Not likely." Lily sighed, "Oh well, it's over now and I only have to see her in the holidays. I don't really want to talk about it any more. What subjects do you think you'll like?"

"I quite fancy potions myself, although transfiguration doesn't sound all bad." said Severus.

"I like the sound of charms the most to be honest." Lily admitted.

"Oh I think it'll be transfiguration for me." Hermione said, "Although all the subjects sound so interesting, how could I ever choose a favourite? I've read and memorised all the set textbooks of course and I bought a couple of extra for light reading with my birthday money. Hogwarts: A History is so fascinating, it tells all about the school. Oh I'm so sorry, am I boring you?"

"No, no of course not!" said Lily, "I'm just wondering if we ought to be there soon, it's getting very dark outside!"

"Hey Hermione." said Severus

"Yes?"

"When is your birthday if you don't mind me asking?"

"19th September. You?"

"9th January. What year?"

"1959."

"Ah. Me and Lily are 1960."

"I think we should put on our robes now." said Lily. "Out Sev! You can come back when we call."

"Okay okay I'm leaving."

"Gryffindor!

Hermione didn't think Lily had seen the sad look Severus sent her as she ran to sit down at the Gryffindor table but she had and it hurt her heart to see him hurting like that, she could tell that he was half in love with Lily. She was also in Gryffindor and all they could do now was wait and see where the Sorting Hat was going to put Severus.

"Slytherin!"

"Oh no! I was so hoping he'd be in Gryffindor. Oh well, we can still be friends I'm sure." said Lily.

"Hello. I'm James Potter."

"I'm Lily Evans. Nice to meet you! Oh, and this is my friend Hermione Granger."

The Potter boy inclined his head politely to her, but she didn't like the look of him, he was too cocky and overconfident.

"This is Remus Lupin, Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew."

"Hello. "

"Howdy!"

"Nice to meet you two."

At that moment, there were exclamations of delight from all over the room as the food appeared out of thin air on the table. The headmaster Albus Dumbledore got up to say a few words and give out notices before proclaiming: "Dig in!"

"First years follow me! Quickly now! No dawdling."

"That's Lucius Malfoy, he comes from a very long line of 'pureblood' wizards." James Potter whispered in Hermione's ear. "He's a Slytherin through and through."

"He can't be all that bad can he?"

"Oh I'm sure he can, I'd watch out for that one if I were you."

"Thank you James, I'll keep an eye on him."

Hermione still felt slightly uneasy about James Potter, he just had an air of being a spoiled child and getting whatever he wanted.

Hermione, Lily and the Potter boy and his friends were led to the Gryffindor common room by Molly Prewett, a Gryffindor prefect.

"Oh my goodness! This is amazing!" Hermione exclaimed, looking around at the wonderful read and gold interior of the common room.

"First year dormitories this way! Boys: to the left and down. Girls: same on your right. Your luggage has already been placed there, you'll find it waiting for you."

"Night Lily, Hermione." called James.

"Goodnight James" said Lily. Hermione just nodded.

"Isn't it just amazing being here? I never even knew magic existed a few months ago, and now look at me! At the finest wizarding school in the world!" Hermione said to Lily softly when they got to their dormitory.

"I know. I think we're going to have an wonderful seven years here Hermione."

"You know what? I think we will. Good night Lily. Sweet dreams."

"Goodnight Hermione, same back to you."

Author's note:

Just to clarify, Molly Prewett (later Molly Weasley) was not at Hogwarts with the Marauders, I just thought it would be nice to see a familiar face.

Any questions please leave a review - constructive criticism is also appreciated.

Author's note as of February 2017: I'm just reading through this and editing in preparation for some new writing. Seeing as I was 14 when I wrote this, I'm pretty impressed at how decent it is!