Ron pushed him to the side, he nearly fell out of his seat. Harry grabbed at the gray fabric and caught himself. Ginny folded her arms, looking like a spitting image of her mother. Hermione simply shrugged and returned to staring out of the window. It was a dreary day, and Harry didn't understand what she was so interested in. He guessed she was just thinking, he did a lot of that lately. Harry regained his balance and pushed Ron back who actually did fall out of his seat. He tumbled on to the carpeted floor and Harry laughed.
"Are you guys excited for this year?" He asked through his laughter. "I mean, if they don't throw something like the tournament into the mix it should be better than last year, at least."
"I can't wait to find out all of our new classes." Harry didn't even need to look up to know it was Hermione speaking. "Though they will be harder, with O. at the end of the year. I suppose we'll need to think about specializing as well. I'm not what I'd like to do though. What about you Ginny?" Ginny shrugged.
"I just want to know who the new defense teacher will be." She said. Ron didn't reply as he was still sprawled on the floor, snarling and fighting off an angry Crookshanks. He grunted and returned to his seat when he finally freed himself of the cat. He glared at his twin.
"What?" Ginny asked. "It's Hermione's cat, not mine!"
There were lumbering footsteps coming down the hall. Harry slid the door open slightly and peered through. At first it seemed to merely be a mass of limbs and long cloaks edging toward him, but they passed under on of the many lanterns hung on the walls and he realized it was Luna pulling Neville along who appeared to be tangled up in his own clothing.
Another compartment opened up down the way a bit and a girl shot out, hurrying to help Luna with Neville. Luna looked grateful and took the opportunity to raise one hand and wave at Harry. He waved back and hurried into the compartment to make room for all of them. At the last minute he managed to reach to door and push it open all the way so that Luna and the other girl didn't have to deal with it. Ron took one look at Neville and flicked his gaze towards Harry.
"Malfoy." Ron frowned and turned back to Neville.
"Was it him who did this to you? Was it Malfoy?" He asked a still struggling Neville. Neville whimpered slightly. Ron took that as a 'yes' and stood up quickly, whipping his wand out. Harry waved him back down.
"Give him a break, you know Narcissa isn't doing well…" Hermione cut in.
"That doesn't give him any right-" Ginny glared at him, cutting him off. She had perfected the art of Molly Weasley.
Neville had finally managed to untangle himself in the far corner off the compartment, he wiped his nose and looked up Harry with watery eyes. He blink rapidly, fending off tears.
"Yeah, it was Malfoy." He hung his head slightly, Luna leaned over and gave him a quick hug. The other girl was still there, but even up close Harry didn't recognize her. None of the other occupants of the compartment seemed to either. At least to ones not involved in the kissing fest that was Luna and Neville. Harry cleared his throat loudly. Luna straightened up quickly and straightened her skirt. Neville merely blushed.
"Everyone, this is Bethany." Luna said, motioning towards the girl.
"Beth," she corrected. "Everyone calls me Beth." She let her voice trail off shyly.
Hermione stood up and shoved Harry aside. She stuck out her hand. Beth took it.
"Hi! I'm Hermione." She smiled, and Beth returned the gesture. Hermione busied herself introducing Beth to everyone else in the compartment.
"I assume you already know Luna?" Beth nodded. "Good, this is Harry." Harry nodded. "This is Ron." Ron smiled. "And this is his sister Ginny." Ginny followed Hermione's lead and stood up to shake hands. Beth visibly relaxed.
"Can I sit down?" Hermione nodded, still grinning. Beth sank into her new seat as everyone settled back in.
"So what year are you Beth?"
"Already trying to make a move on her Ron?" Hermione asked, her grin now a smirk.
"Why? Worried I won't have enough time for you?" Ron made slight kissing noises. Ginny cringed while Hermione slapped him on the arm. Harry laughed.
"But really, what year are you?"
"Fifth." Beth answered.
"So same as us!" Ginny chirped.
"I guess so…" Beth twisted her hands in her lap.
"You okay?" Ron asked.
"Oh yeah. Just nervous, new school and all." They all exchanged confused glances.
"How come you didn't start as a first year?" Luna asked, looking just as confused as the rest of them.
"Well, I started at Beubatons. But my mom decided that I wasn't fit to stay with her and shipped me off to my father. Now Hogwarts is closer."
"Oh." Hermione and Ginny echoed.
"Does that kind of thing happen often?" Harry asked her.
"I don't know. I assume it's happened before though… I mean, Dumbledore seemed okay with it."
"Hey guys!" Fred popped his head into the compartment. Hermione turned to Beth.
"Beth, this is Fred, Ginny and Ron's brother." She turned to Fred. "Where's George?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Heck if I know." He was staring at Beth. He stepped into the compartment and shoved Hermione over, plopping down next to Beth.
"So, how come I haven't seen you around here?" Ginny's face dropped into her open pond and Ron rolled his eyes.
"We were just talking about that…" She motioned around to the rest of the compartment. "My parents are divorced and my mom shipped me off to my dad after she got tired of me and I decided to come to Hogwarts instead of Beubatons."
"Oh." Fred was quiet. "Well I guess you're going to need a guide?" Fred slipped an arm around her and he smirked.
"Sure." Beth smiled. "So, do you guys like it here?" She asked.
"Of course! It's absolutely amazing! All of the teachers are super nice, well except for Snape, and maybe you should watch out for McGonagall and Madame Hooch can be harsh, Trelawney is most certainly off her rocker…The grounds are gorgeous! Just never go into the forest, and the greenhouses are off limits. But the castle is soooo pretty! There's a certain third floor hallway that I wouldn't recommend and the dungeons are a bit gloomy, plus you always need to look out for Filch and that cat!" Hermione was speaking as fast as possible, the way she does when she super passionate about something. Harry caught Ron staring at her adoringly. Ginny put a hand on her shoulder and she took a breath.
"So," said Beth. "Sounds like there's a lot I need to know."
They spent the rest of the train ride teaching her everything she needed to know.
The whistle blew and they all stood up, shocked. They didn't realize how much time had passed.
"I need to get my stuff…" Beth said, turning to leave the compartment. Hermione grabbed her arm.
"Don't worry about it, the suits will get it." Beth gave her a confused look. Hermione turned and pointed out the window. Beth's eyes got wide. Harry grinned. He remember feeling the same way the first time he had seen all of the suits of armor trooping down the platform and boarding the train.
"Wooow." Beth kept her eyes on the window, but Hermione had to pull her away. Beth looked at her confused.
"We have to get off the train before they trample us!" Hermione explained as she tugged Beth out of the compartment following the rest of the group. Beth regained her footing and hurried to keep up with Hermione.
They stepped out on to the platform and hurried out of the way. Harry turned towards the sound of the familiar voice.
"FIRST YEARS!" Hagrid checked the piece of paper he was holding. "AND BETHANY!"