Steam rose from the scarlet train, and the chatter of students filled the station platform. Gilbert leaned against one of the brick pylons, an unlit cigarette hung between his pale lips. It was a nasty habit he had picked up from watching too many muggle rock stars. The sixth year was bored of all the mindless talk, and was waiting for his friends to show up. He found the enthusiasm in the air palatable and embarrassing. It was just Hogwarts for godsakes.

"You know that muggle device can kill."

Gilbert looked up to see the sarcastic smirk of his best friend.

"And how did summer holiday treat you?" he asked back.

Arthur shrugged, "Not bad. Course I had to spend it with my family."

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "That's rough."

"Bella here yet?" Arthur asked casually.

"Hey boys!" above the muted chatter of the other wizards came the cheery, sonorous voice of Slytherin's star chaser.

"You know Bella, always likes to make an entrance," Gilbert said dryly. "Hey Bella, how are you?"

Bella pulled each of the boys into a hug before replying, "I'm just ready for this year's Quidditch season to start~"

"Planning on beating Gryffindor this year?" teased Arthur.

Bella pouted. "We were so close last year...you're just sympathetic cause your boyfriend is the seeker."

Arthur smiled. "Guilty."

Gilbert laughed. It was good to be in the company of his friends again. Summer had been lonely, just him and his solemn brother in their parents' large, dark mansion.

"Shall we go save a compartment?" asked Bella cheerily.

"How did you ever get sorted into Slytherin," muttered Arthur, for possibly the millionth time since he had met her. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the girl, but she just seemed too damn cheery all the time.

Bella shrugged. "I can be ambitious, resourceful..."

"Maybe if you actually watched our team play Quidditch, and not just Jones, you would notice what a bad ass she is," commented Gil.

The others just laughed.

The three of them made their way down the car, until Bella bumped into someone. The other opened their mouth to apologize immediately, but seeing who it was decided to close it.

"Antonio," Gilbert said icily.

"Ah, Gilbert. Bella. Arthur. Have a lovely ride to Hogwarts," the other's tone was just as chilling.

They passed, and as they did the moment did as well.

"Ass," Bella said contemptuously.

"I can't believe you were ever friends with that git," Arthur said shaking his head.

Gilbert rolled his eyes. "I know right? But at least I never dated him."

Bella's face scrunched up in disgust. "Low blow Beilshmidt."

Arthur sneered. "You were the one to introduce us."

Gilbert raised his hands in defeat. "I know, I know. It was silly. I just didn't think he would try dating both of you at the same time."

"He's a Gryffindor, that's what they do," Bella hissed.

Arthur turned to the girl.

"Not that Alfie would ever do such a thing," Bella backpedaled.

Arthur looked smug. "Better believe it."

They reached their usual cabin, in the back of the train. Already seated there was the fourth member of their gang.

"Hey guys!" The brunette's eyes lit up.

"Beta!" Bella exclaimed giving the other sixth year a hug.

"Lizzie," Gilbert said warmly.

"Elizabeta," Arthur merely nodded.

"Good to see you guys! I can't believe summer is already over," Elizabeta exclaimed falling back into her seat.

"It's nice to see you too," Gilbert said.

"Are you ready for Slytherin to beat Ravenclaw's ass in Quidditch?" taunted Bella.

"Is that a challenge, snake girl?" Elizabeta leaned across the seat towards her friend.

Gilbert laughed. He truly had missed his friends.

Arthur simply rolled his eyes, "save it for the pitch, you two."

Elizabeta fell back laughing. She was Ravenclaw's best beater, probably one of the best in the entire school. But before she was a Ravenclaw, she was Gil's best friend. They had known each other since infancy, and it was a tradition of theirs to ride the Hogwarts Express together. And since their first year, that's what they had been doing.

"So are you guys excited for any of your classes?" Elizabeta was chatty. Probably more chatty than Bella.

"Not particularly. I'm just going to enjoy all the free time," Gilbert said with a grin.

Both Arthur and Elizabeta rolled their eyes.

"You know sixth year has a lot of homework don't you?" Arthur asked speaking to Gil like he was six.

"Pfft. I'll be fine," Gil shrugged, mainly thinking about what he might be doing in that free time...and who he might be doing it with.

"Don't come crying to me when you need help with nonverbal charms," Elizabeta scoffed. She said this every year about some subject or another, but she always managed to tutor Gilbert anyhow.

"But Lizzie, you're a Ravenclaw. So of course I'm gonna get you to tutor me," Gilbert drawled.

Elizabeta rolled her eyes, half in jest. "Ask Arthur. He's smart enough...probably could have been in Ravenclaw...too bad he got stuck with your lot."

Arthur rolled his eyes.

Gilbert laughed. "Arthur's a great Slytherin. And if he weren't in Slytherin, I would never have met him, and we would never have started our band!"

"Oh yes, what is that called again?" teased Elizabeta, who had heard way too much about the band not to be a fan.

"Parseltonguing, duh~" Gilbert said.

"Hey, where are the other members?" asked Elizabeta, realizing she hadn't seen them.

"Nat's with the rest of our Quidditch team, and Lukas...?" Bella paused. "...I think I saw him in one of the Gryffindor coaches."

Gilbert shrugged. "That's odd, but I'm sure we'll catch up with him later."

"Speaking of Gryffindor, why aren't you spending time with your boyfriend?" asked Elizabeta.

Arthur huffed. "I don't like spending time with his associates. They're much too loud, and remind me an awful lot of my brothers."

Elizabeta nodded. "I forgot you came from a long line of Gryffindors..."

"Everyone since my great, great, great grandfather has been Gryffindor. My family was so disappointed," Arthur said acridly.

"That's us, the family rejects," joked Gilbert.

"Oh please, at least your family expected you to be in Slytherin." Arthur argued.

"Yeah, but I'll never compare to my brother, Mr. Perfect grades, himself. My parents love him, the teachers love him-"

"He's boring. A good beater, but you're much more interesting," Bella interrupted. "Everyone who's anyone knows about your band, Gil. They like how twisted you are...your obsession with muggle culture, even though you're a pureblood turns them on. Half the school is dying to get into your robes, male and female. Ask anyone."

"You're making me blush," Gilbert snickered.

"Do you remember the scandal of when you guys got your first piercings?" Elizabeta asked, eyes wide.

Both wizards grinned. It had been their fourth year at Hogwarts, and they had decided that over Christmas holiday they would both get a piercing. Arthur had gone the more traditional route, and had his ears pierced. As for Gilbert, he had gotten a stud on his tongue. Those were just the firsts in a long line of body piercings.

"My parents were livid," Arthur said fondly.

Gilbert nodded. "Mine were just disappointed. Asked me why I couldn't be more like Lud."

"And the school?" prodded Elizabeta.

"Boys were fawning over me for months," sighed Gilbert.

"That's when I met Alfred," reminisced Arthur. "God that was a good year."

The four friends continued to talk about the past for the rest of the ride to Hogwarts. Although no one could predict what this next year would bring, they were all pretty excited.

Lucky you! I wasn't intending to start this until after exams, but here I am procrastinating as usual...well more like trying to de-stress. I hope you enjoy this new story! Let me know what you think. Loads of kokoros~ T.W.o.W.