"It's strange how some of the most important people in your life don't even know the real you. You don't even know the real you. And it takes a person you know nothing about to show you who you could be."

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I walked out onto the platform; Apollo's cage in my right hand, my rolling trunk in my left, and Roy by my side. My nervousness died out completely as I stared at the scarlet train before me. The Hogwarts Express was already filled with people, so I quickly said goodbye to my family, kissed my mother on the cheek, and boarded the train.

It took awhile, but we found a compartment to sit in. The only person that was sitting there was Talia Singh, a Gryffindor. She was a first year just like Roy and I.

"Hi! I'm Sovay Tinsley!" I said, holding out my hand. My parents had taught me plenty of manners. That's the downside to being a Tinsley. Appearance is everything. If my parents even caught me with a hair out of place I would be grounded in a blink of an eye.

Talia looked up nervously. She was olive-skinned and shy. "Oh, hi," she said quietly, "I'm Talia." She glanced at my hand and didn't know what to do, so I put my arm down, giving up, and sat across from her.

"This here's Leroy. He's a Davenport." I said importantly, trying to create as big, fake, and sarcastic deal about it, and motioned toward Roy.

"It's Roy." he said, slightly annoyed. I smirked. I new he hated being called Leroy, but that's what made it fun to use. He came from the same kind of background as me. Pureblood and rich. Our fathers were old friends and that's how we became friends. As children we would play quidditch outside together and run around in the gardens while my mother was inside, too busy entertaining her guests. Roy sat down next to me and I kicked my legs up so my feet sat on the windowsill.

Talia nodded absently and turned back towards the window.

"So Sovay, Slytherin, right?" he said and winked. We had been planning our sorting since we were little and we would both came to the conclusion we'd be sorted into Slytherin like our family's wanted. With age, my opinions changed, although I'd never tell Roy that.

"I don't know, maybe I'll break the traditon." I teased, however, in my mind I was dead serious. It was a lone time ago when my viewpoint changed. I was maybe about seven.

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I was at the Quidditch Supply Store with my mother and aunt. We were buying my very first adult-sized broom. I was still very tiny, but fastly outgrowing beginner brooms. I loved to play Quidditch, even from an early age.

I remember this day like it was yesterday. It's the day that changed my life, although not much happened. Her striking red hair is still engraved in my memory.

I was walking through the aisles as Mum was paying at the counter. I was towards the back when I noticed a girl, about the same age as me, was arguing with a dark haired boy wearing glasses. I stayed back and watched, attempting to stay hidden.

"No, Al, the Firebolt 1001 is nothing compared to the Starstriker!" redhead said.

"Oh, really? I would take you on any day on that thing!" said the boy.

I decided to let myself be known. I wasn't much of the mysterious lurker type, anyways. I walked out into the open and towards the two. "The Starstriker? That's the new model, isn't it?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Redhead looked my way, clearly confused, not knowing someone was listening to them. I was sure the whole store could hear the two, though. "Huh? Oh yeah," she said, "came out last week; you are?"

"Sovay." I introduced myself, "Sovay Tinsley."

"Tinsley... you're a Tinsley? Your father works for the Ministry, right?" she asked, sounding polite enough, keeping her voice fairly level.

"Yeah, Magical Law Enforcement." I answered.

She nodded. "I'm Rose Weasley and this," she pointed to her acquaintance, "is my cousin Albus."

Albus waved slightly, not knowing what to say. He seemed to be quite the shy type, but I didn't put that against him. "Hi," he nearly whispered.

I smiled. These were relatives of Harry Potter. They weren't as horrible as my father always complained they were and they were nice enough. "What are you here for?" I replied.

"A new broom for my mum. She's the seeker for the Holy Harpies, you know." Albus said matter-of-factly, his quietness slowly fading away with every minute as he got a bit more comfortable with the situation.

I didn't get a chance to reply before I heard my mum calling my name sternly behind me, "Sovay Marie Tinsley, get over here now."

I stayed silent. I knew she wouldn't approve of me talking to the son and niece of Voldemort's worst nightmare. I walked toward my mum and glanced back at the two apologetically. We made our way from the store and away from Rose and Albus. That would be the last time I'd see them for a while.

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Roy laughed, clearly buying my fake sarcasim, "Oh, really now?"

I shrugged.

We chatted about various things the rest of the ride to Hogwarts; Quidditch, Bertie Botts every flavor beans, even his older sister, Dominique, who was at the time a fifth year Slytherin Prefect.

I barely even noticed Talia drift off to sleep in the corner.