Eveline stared at the Hogwarts express with a mixture of wonder, excitement and fear. Today was the first day of the rest of her life. Or so she hoped. At the very least, it was her first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy. She had heard tales from her two older sisters about how magical the school was both inside and out. The unique people, the friendly ghosts, the bizarre creatures and the magnificent castle.

Evy was shaking in her Chuck Taylors by the time she was ready to board.

"Girls," her father barked at them, rounding up the three blonde girls.

Evy bounced up and down, ready to burst at the seams with excitement. Her oldest sister, Tabitha, a seventh year Ravenclaw prefect was examining her chipped nail polish and staring behind her. Her friends were waiting for her by the train's entrance. Beth, the middle sister and a fifth year Hufflepuff Keeper, crossed in arms in an annoyed huff, waiting for their father's speech to be over.

"Now all of you behave. And write to me and your mother every week. You know how much she looks forwards to your letters," he smiled, his eyes watering up as he looked at each of them. "You know she doesn't get outside much anymore. You're really all she has to look forward to." A punch of sadness hit Evy square in the gut. She already missed her mom. She had given her a gentle kiss on the cheek. She had to be very gentle with her mother these days. The cancer was spreading, her hair had fallen out, but the family remained hopeful that somehow she would pull through long enough to see her three daughters all graduate from Hogwarts.

Evy's father coughed. "Tabby, Beth, look after your sister. Make sure she's comfortable and that she knows where she's going. I don't want to hear either of you two picking on her, do you understand me?" Their father straightened up. His large, American football player physique scared them into submission and both girls nodded, turning their full attention back to their father. He softened a little once they nodded.

"And Evy, enjoy this. Your first week will be a bit scary, but fear can be a good thing. Embrace it." Evy smiled. So much like her dad to try and be logical. No wonder he had been a Ravenclaw when he went to Hogwarts. Tabby was smart too when she focused on books rather than boys. "Remember," their father continued, "we will be proud of you whichever house you get sorted into. Your mother was a proud Hufflepuff. Remember that and so were both of your grandmothers and your grandfather. Don't let your magical background go to your head. Be good to the muggle borns too. They can be very powerful. Don't underestimate yourself, Evy. Most of all, do your best in school."

With their father's longwinded lecture over, the girls gave him a big hug and he bent down, kissing each of them on top of their bright, blonde heads. The he stepped back into the throng of tall parents and watched as one-by-one, his little girls disappeared into the red train.

Tabby vanished with her group on prefect Ravenclaw friends into their own, special compartment. Beth sighed and pointed down the long corridor, filled with young adults trying to sort themselves into compartments with friends. "Most of the first years will be down at the end of the train. Go and meet some people. And don't forget your robes." Beth then marched off down several compartments until she met her best friend, Olivia. Evy strode by, but Beth stopped her and pointed down the hall. "Go meet people," she said before sliding the compartment door closed in front of Evy.

Evy heaved a sigh. This was going to be a long day. She wanted to cry. She ferreted through groups of students, all different ages, from first years through seventh years. A few older-looking people, probably professors, were scattered throughout the train as well. Finally she reached the last compartment. Two boys were sitting and arguing about Quidditch.

Evy poked her head in and they stopped talking. "Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" she asked.

The taller boy with large, black glasses and jet black hair nodded. But the smaller boy with a mass of dark brown locks and a crooked smiled said. "Hold up, James. Before she sits here, she has to answer a question."

"Huh?" the boy named James said, looking confused.

"We have to make sure she's not just another girly girl who wants to sit here. What's your name?" the brown haired boy asked.

"It's Evy. And who are you?" Evy crossed her arms and leaned against the doorframe.

"I'm Sirius," he said.

"So am I," Evy said. "What's your name?" she asked again.

"Sirius," he said, his face deadpan and sincere. James laughed.

"Yes, I'm serious," Evy said. "I told you my name. What's yours?" she asked a third time.

"Sirius, Sirius Black. At your service madam," he said, jumping out of his seat and bowing in front of her. Evy's jaw dropped. James double over, howling with laughter.

"Sorry," she said, her face blushing bright pink, the tips of her ears turning red. "I didn't mean to make fun of your name. I just…"

"Yeah, family name," Sirius smirked. "I get it all the time. So, ready for your question Evy?" She nodded. "The Chudley Canons or the Montrose Magpies for the League Cup?"

Evy looked between Sirius and James and now she laughed. "That's what you're arguing over? God, neither of them. The Ballycastle Bat for sure!"

James' bewildered expression made Evy laugh even harder, so hard that her ribs began to throb beneath her hands. "The Ballycastle Bats? You must be crazy," James exclaimed. "They have Duncan McCain as their Seeker. He's as good as blind!"

"Is not!" Evy defended in a huff as her laughter died down. "He caught the snitch the last three matches in a row! That hasn't been done in over two years."

"So what?" Sirius chimed in, patting the seat next to him with a cheesy grin. "I bet you that the Montrose Magpies are going to win this year. Their new keeper doesn't let anything get past him."

Evy entered and sat down, a bit relieved to have met some people she could at least talk to for the ride to Hogwarts. Who knew what house they might be sorted into after all? Best not to get too friendly yet. They might end up being in Slytherin…

"'Scuse me?" a tall blonde boy with neatly trimmed hair stopped by the door. "Looks like everywhere else is full. Can I sit here?" he asked, his bright blue eyes shining cheerily.

"Sure thing!" Sirius said, pointing to the spot across from Evy.

"Hey, he didn't answer the question!" Evy complained, crossing her arms over her chest. "Totally unfair guys."

"Well he's a boy and you're a girl," Sirius said. James rolled his eyes.

"No duh," Evy said, glaring at Sirius.

"So what's your name?" Sirius asked the blonde boy, ignoring the girl beside him who was now sticking out her tongue.

"Remus Lupin," he said, holding out his hand for a handshake. Sirius looked at his hand, confused but shook it nonetheless. So proper for a kid their age. "And who are you lot?"

"I'm James," James announced, puffing out his chest. "That's Sirius," he said, pointing at Sirirus' chest. "And this apparently is Evy," James aid nodding to Evy.

"Evline Graham," Evy said, holding out her hand to Remus. He shook it with a firm grip and a warm smile. "Pleased to meet you."

"Likewise," Remus said, releasing her hand.

"You're a Graham?" James asked, his eyes bulging wide. "My uncle is best friend with a Graham. Do you know a David Graham?" James asked, bouncing in his seat like an excited puppy.

"Yeah, he's my uncle," Evy blushed.

"No wonder she likes the Bats, James. Her uncle is one of the Beaters!" Sirius howled, laughing a little while James stared at Evy in wonder.

"Can you get me his autograph?" James swooned. "He's one of the best Beaters in the League! Really, he's amazing. How he ended up on such a horrible team, Lord only knows. Bad spot of luck I guess." James stooped himself, his ears turning bright red. Sirius laughed harder.

"Who are the Ballycastle Bats?" Remus asked.

"The Bats?" a voice squeaked outside of their door. A short, brown haired boy with an angelic face and cute, hamster cheeks stood outside their compartment. "They're great! I bet they sweep the whole League this year!"

"Agreed!" Evy said, beaming at the boy. "Who are you?" she asked.

"Peter," he said. "Peter Pettigrew."

"Well Peter, you can sit by me." She patted the seat beside her and glared at Sirius. "At least he has good taste!" She stuck her tongue out at the boys again.

At that moment, the train lurched forward and off they went…

***Hi everyone! This is my first fanfiction so please please review and let me know what you all think!

I have another story on (definitely rated M though) called "Come Fly With Me," so feel free to wander over they and read as well. Thank you!