Chapter One – Emelia

I'm sixteen. I'm sixteen and I'm going back to Hogwarts tomorrow. I'm starting my sixth year there, so it's going to get pretty serious. I like most of the classes and I'm good at them too. But the real reason I'm going back is for my friends. I don't know how I could survive without them.

I met them all in different periods of my life and I need them for different circumstances. We're all spread across the four houses, so it's sometimes difficult to talk. But that doesn't matter. We always find time and we barely ever fight.

I met Aidan when I was six months old. Our mothers were best friends when they were children. He knows all of my secrets. He helped me through the year when my father died. I don't know how I would have lived without him.

Leah is a different story. We first met on the train to Hogwarts. She struck me as a very headstrong type of person and she was quick to speak her mind. I didn't like her at first, but after Professor Snape made us partners in Potions, we quickly struck up a friendship. Aidan doesn't like her, which makes me rethink our friendship sometimes – Aidan usually knows what's best.

Keira was sorted into the same house as me and we bonded over dinner. Since we were both purebloods, we didn't need to explain much to each other – but we were both fond of literature and bonded over this mutual interest. She was always very studious – she got along with another friend, Hermione Granger.

How can I explain my meeting with Gale? It was of very few words. He sat with me on the train, but was immersed in his books. We mainly grew closer because we studied in the library together. Now he is a man of many words, but only when I'm around. Otherwise, he doesn't speak. None of my friends like him, but that's because they don't know him. He's wonderful.

Troy is a great friend to me. I grew closer to him in third year when we were partnered in Ancient Runes. He's very intelligent and always seems to know what I'm thinking. He always helps me to solve my problems.

My friends and I share a bond stronger than mere friendship. We have reasons to stay together and be with each other. But most people don't understand why I want to be friends with Slytherins.

I can't wait for school to start. I want to join the Quidditch team this year, definitely. I've been practicing all summer and I want to be Keeper. I'll be so much better than Ron – even though I won't tell my friend that to his face.

We also got career advice next year and I was told that I'd make a good Healer. Aside from all of my classes, Professor McGonagall has decided to grant me permission to gain work experience at Saint Mungo's. I'm very excited for that.

With so much excitement, there's no telling what this year will bring.

--*--

Shit!

Where are my spell-books? What about my robes? Why, oh why, didn't I bother to pack last night?

The train is leaving in two hours and I'm still not packed!

"Emelia! Hurry up!" my mum calls. Her name is Catherine. But I don't call her that to her face. I inherited her green eyes and mood-swings, whilst I got my brown hair and studious demeanour from my father. Apparently, he was a reader too.

I hurry downstairs and kiss my mum on the cheek. My younger brother, Thomas, is already sitting at the kitchen table devouring a piece of toast with strawberry jam. I take my plate of eggs and bacon from Catherine and wolf it down within three minutes. Then I run back upstairs.

I strip off my red flannel nightie and pack it into my trunk. I quickly grab a pair of black flare jeans and a cream coloured shirt and throw them on. I carry my heavy purple trunk downstairs and tie my hair into a loose pony-tail.

"Are you ready, Mum?" I yell as I collect the Floo Powder.

"Yes, honey. I'm just helping Thomas with his coat." she shouts back.

Thirty seconds later, we are standing at Kings Cross Station, hurrying towards Platform Nine and Three Quarters. I see several teenagers rush through and I follow them, Catherine and Thomas behind me. I quickly spot Gale on the train. He gives me a nod.

I quickly hug Mum and Thomas goodbye and promise to write every few weeks. I jump onto the train, tugging my trunk behind me. Troy meets me at the stairs and grabs it, effortlessly pushing it into one of the train's overhead compartments.

"You always know how to make an entrance." he grins as I blow my fringe out of my face.

"Thanks." I replied, staring at him. His muscles have become more defined over the summer and his hair became a light shade of honey from the sun.

"Are you coming to sit with us?" he asked me.

"Of course. So long as I can bring Gale." I replied.

He groaned. "He's such a downer. Do you have to?"

"Of course. He's my friend and I will not abandon him on this train."

"Sure thing."

I watch Troy sit on a seat in his compartment and talk to Aidan and Keira, who are sitting across from him. I motion for Gale to come and sit with us, but he shakes his head. He points to his book and gives me a thumbs-up. I nod.

I walk into my compartment and shut the door. "Gale's busy."

I ignore the smiles that cross their faces and sit next to Troy, but not before I'm given a monstrous bear-hug from Aidan and a high-five from Keira.

I let the conversation go on without me for a while, alternating between staring at the scenery and Gale. But soon I was roped into a discussion about Quidditch by Aidan and forgot all about Gale.