Chapter One: The Hogwarts Express
The steam from the Hogwarts Express billowed in the air around the station, making it difficult to see anything further than a few feet away. Though for Francis Hill, this didn'tmake much difference, she was sat in her usual compartment with her nose already buried in one of the new books that had been listed on her school letter. It was her fifth year at Hogwarts, so the arrival at King's Cross, the farewell to parents and the following boarding of the train was no longer the magical novelty it had once been. Yet, through the window there were the blurry shapes of the new first years, who were either chattering excitedly to their parents or standing, awestruck, staring at the scarlet engine.
The compartment door slid open and a tall blonde haired girl smiled happily as she saw her best friend. "Wow, Fran, behind on reading already?"
Fran didn't look up from her book, but instead her forehead creased slightly in a frown as she replied, "It's my second reading of this book, actually-" As she said this it dawned on her that Amanda, who knew her so well, had been joking. She looked up as her friend flopped down on the seat opposite her. The two girls hadn't seen each other all summer as Amanda had been travelling with her family and Fran had spent most days working her way through her Grandparents' extensive personal library. Other than a light tan, Amanda hadn't changed, thought Fran, as she took in the familiar rounded face, blue eyes and long hair.
Knowing that it was only a matter of time before the ritual questioning and gossiping began, Fran reached upwards to place the textbook back in her trunk on the luggage rack above her. However, she had chosen the wrong moment to do so as the train lurched forward as they began their journey to school. The force of the movement knocked Fran backwards through the open compartment door. Unable to grab anything for support on her way down, she hit the floor with a hard thump. The reactions from the onlooking students varied; Amanda let up from her seat in a mix of bemusement and surprise, the neighbouring group of students erupted into fits of laughter, which attracted the attention of a fellow fifth year Hufflepuff boy, Alex Cooper, who immediately went to help Fran, only to be beaten by someone that Fran didn't recognise. A tall dark haired boy pulled her to her feet and after the most fleeting of glances, moved her aside to continue down the corridor.
Not to be outdone on chivalry, Alex moved forward to escort her away from the mocking students. "Are you okay?" he asked, his brown eyes flicking between her and Amanda, who were both staring after the mystery boy down the train. Fran brushed the wispy strands of brown hair that had fallen from her ponytail out of her face and looked up at Alex. Although Hufflepuff was often paired with Ravenclaw, her own house, for classes, the two had rarely spoken. Despite this, Alex's presence wasn't out of place, the reason Alex was so popular was that he was one of those rare people who were infinitely nice to everyone regardless of house, gender or bloodline.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you." she smiled with gratitude. From the corner of her eye she could tell that Amanda was also smiling, though not likely for the same reason.
"I better go, but I'll see you up at school." Alex waved his goodbye and after a quick look back over his shoulder he disappeared into the throng of students crowding the train's corridor.
"You and Alex Cooper. I have to say, I never thought of it until now, but you'd make a great couple. Your kids would be intelligent, athletic and popular." she teased. Rolling her eyes, Fran turned back into the compartment and attempted to avoid the subject of boys for the rest of the journey. It was a fruitless attempt.
