Disclaimer: The world of Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry belongs to J. K. Rowling. Most of the characters are hers with few exceptions.

Zachary Flint was the son of Marcus Flint and Milicent Bulstrode and had been generally unnoticed by the Hogwarts population for the past two years. Flint wasn't exactly the most unobtrusive person being nearly the size of a burly sixth year. However, his unusual size and unfortunate looking face kept most children his age away from him. His face wasn't horribly disfigured or anything; he just had an unpleasant look about him. Zach had inherited his father's crooked teeth, so he never smiled in an effort to hide them. His brow was fairly low slung with two close growing eyebrows. The general affect of the whole arrangement was that it looked like he was continually glowering. Zach didn't mind being left alone; he wasn't very good at talking to people and would rather not talk at all if allowed.

Zach had a compartment to himself and his cat, Mr. Tinkles (one really can't be blamed for the name they gave their cat when they were three), and was preparing for his third lonely train ride to Hogwarts. He had the latest Quidditch weekly and was just going over the latest changes in Irelands starting line up when the door of his compartment opened. This had of course happened in the past. A student would stumble upon a nearly empty compartment and decide to join the loan occupant. Normally the door would be quickly closed after the intruder realized who the occupant of said compartment was. However, instead of hearing the familiar muffled apology and close of the door, Zach heard someone dragging a trunk into the apartment. If this wasn't odd enough, it was followed by a smart tap on his shoulder.

Zach looked up from his magazine and then had to quickly redirect his eyes down to the small figure of a girl with wild red hair. She, unlike most people, seemed completely unaware of his natural glower. "Hi, I'm Rose," she said brushing a mass of hair away from her face. "I was wondering if you could help me lift my trunk onto the shelf". She smiled brightly at him without a trace of nervousness. Zach noticed that her teeth were rather imperfect as well, the front two being abnormally large. However, her smile revealed all of her teeth proudly.

Zach didn't know what to do. In three years nothing like this had ever happened to him before. "Uh…don't you have some friends to sit with," or thinking that this girl might be one of those unfortunate muggle borns, "or people your own age," he suggested.

Rose didn't seem fazed by his clumsy attempt to get her to leave. "Well I was sitting with my cousins, but the compartment was rather full and I was sick of James taking the mickey out of Al, so I went looking for a compartment with more room, and well yours seems to be the roomiest one around," she explained as she struggled to shift her trunk. "Look, are you going to help me with my trunk or not? I can always try to magic it up there, but as an untrained witch you're just as likely to end up in the rack as my trunk". Rose then preceded to pull out her wand which caused Zach to stand rather abruptly, as one doesn't want to be sitting down held at wand point even if it is by a first year girl.

Unfortunately, Zach had grown yet another several inches over the summer and misestimated the distance between his head and the overhead rack. The result was a nasty crack followed by him slumping back onto the bench.

"Oh…Are you alrght?" Rose attempted to move his hand away from his head, so she could get a look. "That's a nasty bump. I could go get someone". She swung her head toward the door and hit Zach in the face with her wild curls in her rush to find help.

After spitting hair out of his mouth, Zach managed to grumble, "It's nothing". Noting her continued expression of worry he tagged on a weak, "it's fine". She still wouldn't stop looking at him and gnawing on her lower lip, so Zach did the only thing he could think of to assure her that he wasn't going to slip into a coma. He grabbed her trunk with one hand and in one quick movement launched it onto the luggage rack. The unexpected motion caused her to fall back into the opposite seat with a bit of a huff. Zach then picked up his quidditch magazine and tried to remember where he had left off. His throbbing head and her presence made it difficult to concentrate.

"Right…Thanks," Rose said seeming slightly taken aback.

Zach grunted a response. Maybe if he ignored her, she would wonder off and go look for those cousins again.

"What was your name? I don't think I caught it."

"Zachary"

"Zach for short?" He chose not to answer her question, fearing it would only lead to more conversation.

Rose sat back on her bench and picked up a book she must have set there when she entered the compartment. It looked to be thick and possibly school related, not something Zach would be remotely interested in. After a few minutes of reading she began thumping her bench with her feet which Zach found difficult to ignore. In fact he found her silent reading difficult to ignore. He hadn't read another sentence of the article since she came into his compartment. All he kept thinking about were the things he would be doing if she wasn't there: like finishing the magazine article or letting twinkles out of his cage.

He was still constructing a list of things he could be doing when she interrupted his thoughts yet again, "You like quidditch?" Rose asked.

Zach looked up at her over his magazine and would have raised an eyebrow, if he could have. Instead he raised both of his close growing eyebrows as far as they would go and hope she got the message.

Rose reddened, but pushed on with the conversation. "I…well you're reading a quidditch magazine.

"Yeah I like quidditch," he responded and went back to the magazine.

He heard Rose let out a breath of air and the soft thumping of her feet against the bench.

"So do you play?"

Zach looked up again having lost the track of the conversation. "Huh"

"You know brooms, quaffle, bludgers, snitch, do you play".

"Uh..yeah"

"Brilliant, so do I. What position do you play? I play chaser. Mind I'm not great, but I can hold my own. Let me guess you're a beater."

"Uh yeah. How'd you know?"

Lot's of comments had been made about Zachary Flint's intelligence and not all of it had been wrong. He wasn't the quickest sort of person, but if you gave him time he could figure most things out. In this case he figured it out right after Rose chose to explain her logic, "Well you're an awfully big bloke and that usually means beater. At least with all the beaters I've seen. Not that you couldn't have been a chaser or even a seeker. Viktor Krum was rather large and he was brilliant at seeking…"

"You know Viktor Krum," Zach spat out before he could remember that he was supposed to be surly.

"Not personally…"

"That's not what I meant. You just don't run into people who know about Krum anymore I mean…"

"How so?" Rose asked raising her eyebrows.

Zach waved his magazine in a circle as though the answer was obvious, "Well he retired five years ago and I don't know many who follow the Bulgarian teams".

Rose blushed slightly at this. "Well, I don't really follow the Bulgarian teams. Krum's a bit of a family friend".

Zach just stared at her a bit in awe.

"My mum and dad met him at the triwizard tournament when they were back in school and they've kept in touch. I've never met him, but we always get a Christmas card around the holidays."

"That is bloody brilliant. I mean Krum must have been one of the greatest players of the last century. If only my Dad had been there at the triwizard tournament, I bet they would have been great friends. I mean my mum was there, but she's not really all that into quidditch" At this point Zach realized he had just spoke more in the last five minutes to another Hogwarts student than he had in the past three years and promptly turned a purplish red.

Rose seemed determined to ignore his social awkwardness. "Well I could probably get you an autograph".

Zach choked slightly. Normally he could easily maintain his stony silence, but Krum was a personal hero of his. Sitting right here in front of him was the chance for an autograph. "Really…I mean I wouldn't want to bother…but if it wasn't…that would be great," he stammered.

"I'm sure it would be fine," Rose assured him. He had never met anyone who was so confident. He was certain she'd be sorted into Gryfindor. I mean she'd have to be brave to keep trying to talk to him. He was slightly disappointed the spunky red head wouldn't be in his house.

The conversation had lapsed in to a silence; a silence that at least Zach found uncomfortable. Luckily, Rose was there to pick up the slack.

"You said you played. Are you on one of the house teams?"

"Yeah actually. I started playing for Slytherin last year".

"Slytherin really? My cousin James says they had a brilliant team last year. Not his words exactly mind you. He included a few swear words and I don't think he meant it as a compliment."

Flint smiled slightly. Not enough to show his crooked teeth, but a smile nonetheless. "He a Gryfindor then?"

"Yeah how'd you guess?" Rose gave him an impish smile.

"Just a feeling". Zach gave her another partial smile. Rose opened her mouth to say something else when the compartment door slid open again. Zach turned towards the door along with Rose to see who else was daring enough to enter his compartment.

It was to his displeasure to realize that the new person was William Wood, a Gryfindor boy in his year and his rival. Their fathers hadn't gotten along in school and that hatred had been passed down to their sons. It didn't help that they were both the youngest players on opposing quidditch teams. Flint was also rather resentful of Wood's good looks. He was only thirteen and already he had girls fawning over his dark hair and Scottish accent.

Wood matched his glare and began speaking to Rose without looking at her. "I thought I'd give you a warning about him. He's a slytherin and a rotten cheat and if you knew what was good for you, you'd stay away".

Zach made to stand up, but Rose spoke up before he could start something with Wood. "Stop being ridiculous Will. He's perfectly nice, a sight better than James on some days".

Wood looked over at the red head in surprise. "Rosie! What are you doing in here?" Zach frowned between the two. Rose seemed like an okay girl, but any friend of Wood's was no friend of Zach's.

Rose rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I'm riding the train to Hogwarts. It's not like I'm a squib. Honestly, Will."

"No, I mean, what are you doing here, in a compartment with Flint?"

Once again the hackles on the back of Zach's neck raised, but Rose wasn't in the mood to listen to Will. "Look Will. I got your warning and I'll keep it in mind".

Wood took another step into the compartment and held out his hand to Rose, "Come back with me Rosie. I don't think James would approve".

Instead of taking his hand like Zach expected, because Wood wasn't the type of guy that girls refused to take the hand of, Rose crossed her arms over her petite frame. Her face also became redder and she pierced her lips. "James isn't my mother or my father, so I don't really care about his approval. Besides he's a bit of a bully himself, so I don't think he's the source of moral authority".

Wood frowned down at her, "I don't approve either Rose".

"Will, you're a nice guy, but I can take care of myself".

"Rosie…"

"I think she told you to bugger off," Zach put in.

Wood looked like he wanted to say something more, but spun on his heel and left the compartment.

"That wasn't very nice," Rose rebuked him.

"He wasn't being very nice back".

"I guess that's true".

"So you know Wood". He didn't ask it as a question, and it came out rather less than friendly.

Rose got a bit defensive at the tone of his voice. "Yeah. I know Will and usually he's a nice guy".

"Are you friends with him?" He asked slightly dejected.

"Not exactly. He's a friend of my cousin, James, and they spent the summer together. They spent some time at the burrow with our family and some of the other Weasley's over the summer".

"You're a Weasley then," it came out as more of an accusation then Zach had intended.

"So what if I am?" Rose stood up out of her seat and glared at Zach.

Zach realized he was about to end the closest thing to friendship he had come across in all his years of Hogwarts if he wasn't carefull. "I just…you're not anything like them…in a good way," he finished lamely.

Rose relaxed slightly and sat back down. "So, how do you know Will?" she asked.

"Same year and he plays for Gryfindor," Zach shrugged as if that explained everything.

"Oh you're a third year then," Rose said abruptly changing the subject.

"Yeah, so?"

Rose blushed again. Zach noticed the blush spread across the bridge of her nose and cheeks and ended at the tips of her ears. "I just thought you were a bit older like a fifth year or something."

Zach brushed aside her embarrassment with a wave of his hand. "I get that a lot. Do you mind if I let my cat out. You're not allergic or anything are you?"

"Oh no I love cats," Rose smiled.

Zach opened the door to the wicker cat carrier and let Mr. Tinkles slink his way out. He looked like his owner in a lot of ways. He wasn't the most handsome cat in the world, an overly large gray tabby with a ragged ear and a kinked tail. However, all of those things didn't seem to matter to Rose.

"Oooh what a pretty kitty you are," she cooed to it stretching her arm and scratching it about the ears. "What's his name?"

Now it was Zach's turn to blush. He had never told anyone at Hogwarts his cat's name before. He rubbed his neck right behind his ear and confessed, "I'd rather not say".

"It can't be that bad". Rose paused for a second before qualifying her statement. "Unless, you're one of those people who named your cat after Harry Potter".

"No nothing like that," Zach smiled at her. He had never smiled so much outside a quidditch pitch in his whole life. "It's still embarrassing thought".

"Well if you don't tell me his name, I'm going to have to come up with something which will be at least as awful to call him". "Perhaps, Foofoo or…" Rose got an evil grin on her face. "Will's a very nice name".

Zach growled at her, "Mr. Tinkles".

"Well, Mr. Tinkles it's a pleasure to meet you and I think your name suits you rather well," Rose told the cat, though Flint did notice a slight smile on her face. He was very impressed that she did not laugh. She continued to pet Mr. Tinkles causing him to begin his imitation of purring, which sounded much more like someone clearing their throat than actual purring. Mr. Tinkles did not purr or attempt to purr for anyone but Zach. Zach had always assumed he was rather self-conscious about his purring capabilities and therefore didn't purr in the company of others. Yet, another surprise from Rose.

The compartment door was thrown open once again and this time Wood had backup. James Potter and Fred Weasley looked murderous. They also had a smaller boy with messy black hair with them. Except he looked like he would rather be anywhere else. Zach noticed Fred Weasley had a tight grip on the back of the boys robe. The wrinkled state of the clothing made it look like the boy had made several failed escape attempts.

"Hey, Rose," The boy said sheepishly raising a timid hand.

"Albus! What on Earth?" Rose began her eyebrows flying up in surprise. Zach did not think this would end well for him. He discreetly wrapped his hand around his wand in his pocket and hoped it wouldn't come to hexing.

"Merlin's Beard Rose! What on Earth indeed," James exclaimed. "First, we find little Albus consorting with a Malfoy and then here you are with Flint of all people."

"Albus's mistake is understandable. He's always been a bit slow," Fred explained. "But you Rosie, we thought you had your mother's brains". Zach noticed that Wood just stood back quietly and seemed to shrink under the glare Rose was giving him.

"I can't believe you actually went and got James," Rose exclaimed furiously.

"Don't take out your anger on Will, Rose. We understand that you'd be temperamental after spending time with Flint, but we're here to rescue you," James finished with a flourish.

"I'm not going anywhere with you nitwits".

"Well, here's the thing; you don't have a choice. You can come quietly or we can remove you by force". James told her. Zach tightened his grip on his wand. He really didn't want to get involved with family matters, but he didn't like the direction this was going.

"Albus chose force, and it didn't work out so well for him," Fed said.

"You all are being ridiculous twats!"

"That sounds like resistance to me". Fred looked over at James.

"Very resistancy," James agreed. "Oh well, Will my good man if you would kindly," he said gesturing towards Rose.

Zach stood up and was going to get involved, but James drew his wand and pointed it at him before he decided exactly how he was going to get involved. "I would love an excuse Flint".

"Sorry about this Rosie" Wood apologized before he came into the compartment and scooped up Rose before she could do anything about it. She was much smaller than he was, so she was easy to pick up. However, she wasn't easy to hold onto. The second he grabbed hold of her, she let out a piercing shriek and smacked him in the nose. This put a smile on Zach's face that would have gotten him hexed if James wasn't so distracted by Wood and Rose. "William you put me down this instant. I swear I'll write all of your parents!" She screamed at them. Her hair seemed to grow exponentially in her fury. Wood had to keep spitting out mouthfuls as he struggled to hold onto her. However, he did manage to get her out of the compartment kicking, screaming, and by the sound of Wood's scream as he rounded the corner biting.

James flicked his wand at the luggage and said, "locomotor trunkus" causing Roses trunk to fly off the rack. "See you on the pitch, Flint," he said nonchalantly.

"Bring along the other traitor Fred. Some serious emergency family counseling is in order before we get to Hogwarts. At this rate their both bound to be in Slytherin".

Fred laughed and dragged the other hapless boy along who looked apologetically at Flint. "Teach us to let them out of our site for five minutes," Fred said as he followed James. "Merlin help us if Lily and Hugo are just as difficult. Who knew it would be so much work keeping…" Fred's voice faded as they walked away from the compartment.

Zach sat back down on the bench. He felt overwhelming disappointment and didn't know what to do with it. He ended up scratching Mr. Tinkles under the chin. He let out a scratchy mewling sound. "I thought she was nice too," he told the cat before once again picking up his quidditch magazine. However, he found he couldn't concentrate and settled for staring moodily out the window at the passing scenery and wishing that Wood and a majority of the Weasleys/Potters would drop dead.

Let me know what you think. I really am open to suggestions. I haven't decided who characters will date or end up with. I just had an idea about the next generation of Flints and wanted to write it down. Next chapter will be the sorting, though the speed of the story will pick up after that. I will hopefully be continuing to focus on Flint's point of view.