Hello everyone! ^_^ Um, this is my first Harry Potter fanfic so please be nice reviewing. Some of the characters in this story might be a little OOC but that's only because I've read the books quite a lng time ago and don't really remember the exact personalities. So if you find that someone's not quite themeselves, please forgive me. There will be an OC in this story, just so you know. I'm a BIG Dramione fan so this MIGHT be one of those, I'm not quite sure yet. This is also my first time writing for the book section since I specialize in Anime/Manga, preferably in Shugo Chara so yeah... Um, um, um, don't know what else to say except read, review, and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, unfortunately. That honor goes to the lovely J. K. Rowling. That lucky son of a...

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Mayson Grey stood on the train platform and studied her ticket. "Platform 9 and 3/4," it said.

'Yeah,' she thought to herself. 'But where the heck is it?!"

She was about to go up and ask a train conductor when she felt a blow to her side, knocking her off her feet and onto the ground. She immediately felt a pair of hands help her to her feet and she shook her head to clear the dizziness.

"Oh honestly, Ron. Can you please watch where you are going?" She heard a girl's voice say in a stern tone, as if disciplining a child.

"Sorry 'Mione. I was just trying to reach the platform on time so we wouldn't miss the train and I didn't see her there." She watched as his face gradually became as red as his hair from embarrassment and burst into giggles.

A second boy she hadn't noticed before, cocked his head to the side and asked, "What's so funny?"

"Because," she said, after her giggling had died down. "His face was almost as red as his hair!" She burst into giggles again and reached finger up to wipe a stray tear from her eye.

She watched as the girl walk up to her, a menacing look on her face. Mayson's giggles soon died down until it was nothing but a whimper. She saw her raise her hand, wand firmly grasped in it, and flinched, awaiting the pain. When she felt none, she opened her eyes and gasped. The other boy had the girl's wrist firmly in grasp.

"Harry, let go of me. NOW." The girl hissed.

"No Hermione." The boy said, his voice calm but firm.

"Why not? We already get enough crap from Ferret-Boy, why does Ron have to be subjected to teasing from a little girl like this?"

Mayson gasped inwardly. She was NOT a little girl. Although she was the height of an 8 year old, Mayson was 14. Her height was something she had always been self-concious about and it didn't help when someone mistook her for an elementary schooler. She also had many people tease her about it and, even though she didn't show it, it affected her greatly. The only person who could tease her and get away with it was her best friend and they're not even there to do it anymore. (But back to the subject...) She wayched as the two boys gasped in surprise. Since when did Hermione get a backbone?

Mayson decided that this was the time to speak up. "Um, excuse me. But if you don't mind, I would like to interject." Hermione turned to her and scrunched up her nose but nodded anyway.

"Well," she continued. "The reason I was laughing was not because I intended to tease him, it's because I thought it was quite cute."

Hermione stood there for a few moments before Mayson's words actually sunk in. "Oh," she said, giving a small chuckle. "Well, sorry then." Harry's grip on her loosened and she lowered her hand.

"Oh, it's okay. I know I can be misleading sometimes." She scratched the back of her head sheepishly and looked down at her bag, where she saw poking out of it, a ticket. "That's right," she gasped. "Do you guys know how to get to Platform 9 and 3/4?"

As if something clicked in their minds, the three friends gasped and simultaneously said, "Oh no, the train!" With that, Hermione grabbed Mayson's hand and dragged her in the direction of the platform.

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After settling in their cabin on the train, Mayson decided to introduce herself -- properly.

"By the way, my name is Mayson Grey." She looked at the two boys seated in front of her, then the girl seated next to her, and smiled.

"I'm Hermione Granger," the girl said, extending her hand. When it was taken, she proceeded to introduce the others. "This is Ronald Weasley," she said, motioning to the redhead. "And Harry Potter."

The three inwardly flinched when Mayson opened her mouth, ready for, "Oh my god! It's Harry Potter!" or "You're the Boy-Who-Lived!" When all they heard was a mere, "Oh. It's nice to meet you." all they could do was stare.

Hermione was the first to break free of the trance. "So is this your first year at Hogwarts?" When she nodded, Hermione continued. "You must be a first year then."

"Well, actually no." When Hermione gave her a look that said, "Continue," she did. "I'm actually a fourth year like all of you. Well, at least I'm guessing you're all fourth years, right?" They all nodded and Mayson smiled. "Good."

When Mayson made no signs of continuing her earlier statement, Hermione pressed on. "Wait, how is that possible? How can you be a fourth year, yet this is your first time at Hogwarts? Wouldn't that mean you've been here three times before?"

"Plus," Ron added. "And no offense, but aren't you kinda short to be a fourth year?"

"Ronald!" Hermione scolded. "That's rude!" As Ron muttered his apology, Hermione turned back to Mayson and gasped.

Mayson's cheery face had disappeared, a blank one replacing it. She turned and whispered, "I'd really rather not talk about it, if you don't mind."

Hermione was about to respond when she was (rudely) interrupted by the sound of their cabin door being slammed open. After recovering from the initial shock, the four looked up to see the person in their doorway was none other than Draco Malfoy, smirk set in place.

"What do you wanyt Ferret?" Ron spat.

"What, I can't visit Hogwarts' favorite Golden Trio..." He threw a sneer in each of their directions and trailed off when he reached Mayson. "...and friend?"

She was looking up at him upon hearing him enter. They locked eyes and each immediately recognized the other. For a split second she saw a hint of concern on his face, but it disappeared as quickly as it had come, back into its original form.

He walked out of the cabin without another word and closed the door. The three bystanders that had just watched this scene unfold before them were again staring, their mouths wide open.

When Mayson was spotted, they expected teasing and laughing. When none came, they were utterly surprised. But when they saw the unspoken conversation between the two, the three of them were shocked beyond belief.

Hermione was once again the first one to break free of this trance and was about to question what had just happened but stopped when she saw Mayson's tear-stained face. What she DID say, however, was: "And that was the up close and personal meeting with the ferret of Hogwarts."

Earning a small chuckle from Mayson was just enough to make Hermione feel a little bit better but didn't help the knawing feeling at the back of her to push the feeling away and leave the serious questioning for later, Hermione asked the question she had wanted to ask since she got on the train.

"So, what do you think will happen this year?"

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Walking back to his cabin, Draco Malfoy pondered some things. Why was she crying? Where has she been? Why is she sitting with those twits? But mist importantly, why is she here?

I mean, he knew why she was HERE. It was, of course, the train to Hogwarts. But why now? What had taken her so long? He sighed and looked out the window, deciding he'd ask her about it later. He watched the scenery go by, one thing on his mind.

"Mayson..."

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Woohoo!!! The first chapter is finally done! I'm soooooooo happy! ^_____^ I realize that Hermione was QUITE OOC in this chapter, but let's just imagine that she's gotten way more outspoken, kay? Hmm, I don't really like this chapter personally but then again, this isn't about what I think, it's what YOU think. So R&R and tell me what you think could help improve my story or even just to say that you liked it. BUT PLEASE NO FLAMES!!! I HAVEN'T GOTTEN ONE YET BUT I'VE READ A COUPLE AND THEY WERE PRETTY HARSH, SO PLEASE?

I've got a question: What's a beta and should I have one?

Anyway, this is the end of the beginning of a new Harry Potter fic. (Did that even make sense? Whatever) Again, plz R&R and I'll love you forever and ever!

~Happy Writing! ^_^