It was a cold and rainy day the day that Oliver Wood boarded the Hogwarts Express, ready to start his sixth year at Hogwarts. He whipped the soaking wet light brown that had grown far too long over the summer break, spraying small water droplets over the compartment he had managed to claim. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his friends and fellow Quidditch Team members; Fred and George Weasley. He had much to tell them. Professor McGonagall had sent Oliver an Owl during the break to tell him that when he got back there would be a special Quidditch-related task for him.

As the train was about the depart, Oliver heard yelling from the platform. He chuckled and shook his head. It was the Weasleys. Always late. He watched as Percy [his least favourite class mate], Fred then George [or was it George then Fred?], Ron and who he assumed to be Ginny all boarded the train as it began to shuffle slowly off the station.

Oliver sat back and waited for the twins to find his compartment, which took about 10 minutes.

"Alright Oliver?" Fred nodded as he and his brother clambered into the compartment, trunks dragging behind them, "What's this ruckus about McGonagall?"

"Yeah, alright," he answered, before launching into the story of the owl.

After he had finished George sighed, "Well, sounds like she's hiring you for the Slytherin team. Merlin knows they need a better captain."

Fred nodded seriously, "I agree, it's the only possibility. Since you'll be going to the dark side, I volunteer as captain to replace you."

"Like hell," George snorted, "I'd be a better captain than you any day. Just like I'm a better Beater, right Olly?"

Oliver threw his hands up in the air defensively, "I'm not getting into this," he paused, "and don't call me Olly."

Oliver relaxed into his seat, listening to the twins argue over who was the better Quidditch player. He knew this argument would take a while, so he resigned himself to staring out of the window.

Soon, the twins were interrupted by a small knock at the compartment door. Oliver snapped back to reality to see a girl he had never seen standing at the door. He jumped up to open the door for her, seeing as the twins had got themselves into a mini wrestling match.

"Hi, can I help you?" he asked, watching as she shifted nervously under his gaze.

Before she could answer, there was a loud crack, making the two of them jump and Fred and George separate with a jolt. Several students poked their heads out of their respective compartments to see what the noise was.

Professor McGonagall stood behind the girl, looking directly at Wood.

"Good Morning Mr Wood," the professor nodded curtly at Oliver, "For goodness sake Misters Weasley, get off the floor."

Oliver looked behind him to see the twins had fallen on the floor. Composing themselves, the twins greeted McGonagall and sat back on the seat.

"Mr Wood, are we just to stand here or are you going to be a gentleman and let us in?" She asked, looking rather annoyed.

"Sorry Professor," Oliver moved back from the door to let the two ladies in.

Professor McGonagall decided not to sit, "Gentleman, this is Miss Jemima Gorman." she nodded towards the girl that had followed her in, "She will be attending Hogwarts this year as a part of an exchange program set up with Hogwarts and her school, Nimirix." All three boys looked confused, the professor sighed, ""None of you pay attention during History of Magic, do you?" again, blank faces, "Jemima has joined us from Australia and her school will be welcoming Angelina Johnson for the year. Before you panic, Mr Wood, Miss Gorman will be your third Chaser in Miss Johnson's absence." McGonagall huffed, "Now if you will excuse me, I have a castle to prepare for everyone's arrival." with a swish of her coat and another loud crack, the professor was gone.

The three boys observed Jemima, she shifted in the seat she had taken opposite Fred and next to Oliver. Jemima's skin was incredibly pale, her hair dark brown with a red tinge. Oliver couldn't help but stare at her eyes, they were bright blue and mesmerising.

Fred was the first to talk, "I'm Fred," he stuck out his hand to shake Jemima's, "It's nice to meet you Jemima. This is George," Fred added as his brother stuck out his hand.

"Please call me Jem." She said, retracting her hand from the twin's grasp, "Mr Wood?" she asked, blushing.

"Oh," Oliver jumped, he had been focussing on her so hard that he had not heard anything she had said, "O-Oliver." he stuttered, "I'm Oliver."

"Nice to meet you Oliver." she smiled, "I understand you're the captain?" Oliver nodded, still not able to take his eyes off hers, "Cool..."

"Well," George started, "this isn't at all awkward."

"So Jem, tell us about yourself?" Fred added, looking at Oliver with quirked eyebrow.

Jemima launched into a long story about life in Australia and Nimirix. She had three brothers, all older; James, Michael, Robert and Christopher. Both of her parents were Wizards, his father hailing from Hogwarts and his mother a native Australian. She explained that it was a oddity to be a pure-blood witch at Nimirix, seeing as most of the students were Muggle-born or half-bloods. She also explained that Australia had different laws when it came to magic. When a witch or wizard turned 14, they were allowed to apparate and do magic; seeing as England had a different law, she would have to abide by their rules; no magic outside Hogwarts, no apparating.

As she was being bombarded with questions from the Weasley twins, Alicia Spinett and Katie Bell joined the group and welcomed Jem with ease; claiming they were glad Angelina would be replaced my a girl.

The train slowed down as they reached Hogwarts. It was still raining as all six of them disembarked the train. Oliver waved his wand and a gigantic purple umbrella popped out, hovering over Jem's head as she hopped onto the platform. He joined her under it and, both blushing profusely, they made their way off the platform and towards the castle.

Oliver watched her as the Thestral drawn carriages took them all up the winding path to the entrance of the castle.

He smiled as he watched her face light up, "Welcome to Hogwarts."