Okay, so this is my first attempt at starting a Harry Potter Universe story. I started writing this, and then realized that it didn't have a real plot. So I had to go back and fix that. Anyway, for those of you that have read something by me before (though I doubt you have, and I wouldn't suggest it either) you may recognize a few characters, just under different names.

On the Hogwarts Express

If there was one thing that could be said about Missa Couquett's life before she began attending Hogwarts, it was that she knew Anubis Meduse. One could point out that she lived a fairly easy life, her father was a ministry official, her mother had always lived comfortably, she owned two cats and an owl, was half-raised by a House Elf by the name of Fappy, had red hair and indigo eyes and was a pureblood... but everyone at Hogwarts quickly came to know her as that girl that Anubis knew.

They were neighbors, and their mothers, Isis Helenstod and Mina Bones had been in the same year at Hogwarts, as well as the same house, Slytherin. Anubis's father, Nox Meduse, several years older, had been the object of Isis's affection from the time she was a third year and he was a seventh year. Being that much younger, Nox took no notice of Isis until he was trying to get a job at the ministry just after she had graduated and she was visiting her father. Her father offered him a job, not quite the one he wanted, and she became his assistant. It wasn't long before they became engaged, she took to becoming a housewife, and he rose the ranks, using his ability to speak several different languages. Soon, they had a baby, to be raised in England, and Mr. Meduse had two well paying jobs that only required him being away from the house during regular hours.

Missa's parents, Willem Couquett and Mina, on the other hand, had met in Hogwarts, and despite being in different houses, and different years, had begun a secret relationship. The problem with him was that he was a Hufflepuff. But, once they were out of school, and he had secured a job at the Ministry, it didn't seem as big of a problem, and they were married shortly after she graduated a year later.

With two women so close, each having been the other's only bridesmaid, no one thought it strange that they became pregnant at the same time... nearly the exact same time. To the point that Anubis was born only fifteen hours before Missa, him at seven in the evening on April the first, and her at ten the next morning.

The two children grew up together, while Mrs. Meduse and Mrs. Couquett secretly planned the wedding of the two. It wasn't arranged, officially, but they would drink their tea while the House Elf of the house they were at took care of the babies.

Anubis and Missa were friends for many years, until Anubis decided that he better liked his other friends, specifically the ones that were boys, better. To impress those boys, he'd tease Missa, often to tears, just to be more liked by those boys. When they were gone, he'd loosely apologize, but Missa had already decided that she didn't want to be his friend by the time she was nine.

When their Hogwarts letters came, their mothers took them both shopping, together. Missa refused to listen to anything Anubis would say, and she smiled a bit, knowing that she could get under his skin just as much as he could get under hers.

However, on the Hogwarts Express, Missa was the one left out, as Anubis had other friends, and she really only had him and her House Elf, Fappy. She went from compartment to compartment, trying to find one that was either empty or had some other first years. She struggled with her trunk and owl.

"You can sit with me if you'd like," a girl said, noticing her.

Missa looked at the girl. Brown hair in a ponytail with bangs over her light brown eyes. Her cheeks were a little sunburnt, but she wore black slacks and a white button up. Missa guessed Muggle-born. She smiled at Missa and the red-headed girl nodded.

"Thank you," Missa said, walking in and putting her trunk in the over-head bins. "There are so many people here, you'd think that more than one would be nice enough to invite me in."

"Well, you did look lost," she said. "I guessed you were a first-year like myself."

"I am," Missa said. She cocked her head at the girl. "Are you American?"

"Um, that's a good question," she said. "According to the United States Government, no, I'm not. Considering I've lived there since before I could hold my own head up, I thought that, even though my father lived in London and I was technically born in England, it wouldn't matter. Apparently it does. My parents just had a custody battle, and because I'm technically British, my father won. My mom was devastated. But, I had been at my dad's house for less than a week when I got a letter, by owl... Owl..." She eyed Missa's owl. "Considering you've got one, I'm guessing you were raised in a magic house."

"American and Muggle-born, wow," Missa said with a chuckle. "I'm Missa, by the way. Missa Couquett. Might I ask after your name?"

"Brett Holiday," Brett said. "And that was my mother's surname. The letter was actually addressed to Brett Lancaster-Holiday, like they knew my father's name."

"A pleasure to meet you, Brett," Missa said.

"So, don't you know someone?" Brett asked. "I mean, being raised in the magical community?"

"Only some boys," Missa said. "And they've all taken to teasing me. I decided I didn't want to be stuck with that for hours."

"I understand," Brett said. "I think. I mean, I was never teased by boys, but the girls at my school..." Brett shuddered at the thought.

"Well, I've never been to school before," Missa said.

"Never?" Brett asked.

"My mum taught me what I needed to know," Missa said. "Reading, writing, and mathematics."

"What about science and foreign languages and music and art?" Brett asked.

"Well, those aren't essential to a witch's life," Missa said. She pulled out her wand. It was short at just over half a foot, but made of a beautiful cherry wood. She gave it a little flick, which didn't do anything. "Magic is."

"Well, who said it needed to be essential?" Brett asked. "Those aren't essential to an accountant's life, yet they are taught it. Those are about enrichment."

Missa turned her head and looked at Brett from the corner of her indigo eyes. "You're a strange girl, Brett Lancaster-Holiday," she said. "But, I think I like you."

The two continued to talk for a few more hours as the train brought them closer to Hogwarts. They were only about an hour out when the compartment door was opened and Anubis stood in the doorway. There was a smirk on his face. Brett's brown eyes widened. For an eleven-year-old, Anubis was very good-looking. His golden blonde hair fell in perfect waves about his head, a look that the older boys needed advanced magic to achieve, but was natural for him. His skin carried just enough tan to enhance his features, without making him look too tanned or too pale. And he had eyes that were the color of cinnamon, with little flecks of gold. He wore his Hogwarts robes, but the top button wasn't done up and his tie was just hanging around his neck.
"So, this is where you've been hiding out, Missa," he said, his eyes briefly taking in Brett before he leaned against the doorway, facing Missa.

"Who's hiding?" Missa asked. "I haven't been hiding, have I Brett?"

Brett heard her name and blinked back to reality. "What?"

Missa sighed. She was aware that Anubis was what others would consider very good-looking. However, she had known him way too long to think of him on those terms. No, when she looked at Anubis, she could easily still picture the seven-year-old that held out a hand to help her stand when she had fallen, as well as the ten-year-old that dribbled eye-of-newt liquid into her hair when she wasn't looking to impress his other friends.

"Brett, this is Anubis Meduse," Missa said quickly. "Anubis, Brett. Now, did you need something or are you here just because you know it bothers me?"

"The latter," Anubis said, a smile on his lips.

Missa shook her head. "You are so going to end up in Slytherin."

The smile on Anubis's lips grew and he stepped closer to her and leaned in so he was right in her face. "Oh, and you think you won't? Missa Couquett, you are going to be right there with me."

"That is highly unlikely," Missa said. "I'm aiming for Ravenclaw."

"You'd have to be smart for that," Anubis said, straightening up. "And we both know that you haven't an ounce of intelligence in you."

"I know enough to not bother with you," Missa said. "Now please," she waved her hand as if to dismiss him. "Leave."

"Because you asked so nicely," Anubis said. He then took a seat, right next to Missa. "I figured that you'd somehow find yourself in the attendance of Mudbloods," Anubis looked at Brett for a moment. She, of course, was still half mesmerized by him, and had never heard that term before. Missa frowned and tried to scoot down closer to the window, but he followed her and then slipped his arm around her. "So, I took the liberty of finding you a proper friend." In that moment, a beautiful blonde girl stepped into the compartment doorway. "Missa, meet Malin. Malin, Missa."

"Charmed, I'm sure," Missa said, frowning at Anubis's arm around her shoulders.

"Likewise," Malin said in the same tone. She looked down to inspect her blood red nails and took a seat. Next to Anubis. She was clearly only there to be near him. She spotted Brett. "And this is?"

"Mudblood garbage," Anubis said quietly.

"Anubis, stop that," Missa said, standing up.

"Stop... what?" Anubis asked. He glanced at Brett for the shortest of moments. "Not like she understands it."

"You're still being a complete jerk," Missa said.

"I'll stop it if you sit where I ask you to sit," Anubis said.

Missa cocked an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Anubis said. "I don't want you to be tainting yourself. I'm sure that your mother will thank me for this when she hears of it. But, you should be properly seated with our kind. You might as well meet the girls that you will be friends with eventually. So, come with me and I'll never call her another name again." He stood up and held his hand out to Missa.

Missa frowned, her lips forming a tight line. "Fat chance," she said. "I'm not someone you can order around. Now, I asked you nicely once. Leave. Before I make you."

Anubis looked at Missa for a long moment before he shook his head. "You'll see it eventually, Missa. I know what is good for you." With that said, he turned around and walked out. Malin said nothing more and followed him.

After minute, Missa sat down again. She looked at Brett. "I'm sorry about that."

Brett looked at Missa, a little confusion in her eyes. "I'm not sure what happened even."

"Pureblood supremacy," Missa said. Her indigo eyes looked down at her hands. "I'm sorry he called you that. He wasn't always such a complete werewolf."

"What does it mean?" Brett asked. "To be a mudblood?"

"It's a nasty word for Muggle-born," Missa said. "It's a word that people of Anubis's standing should never use."

"Anubis's standing?" Brett asked. Missa realized, very suddenly, that being Brett's friend would mean explaining nearly everything in the magical world to her.

"He comes from a very rich, very powerful family," Missa said. "And, everyone will know this. His so-called 'friends' will follow him because of his money and political standing. He has no real friends. And the girls... as you might have realized..." she gave Brett a look to tell the Muggleborn that she was included in what she was about to say. "Girls will be into him for those reasons, and because of his looks."

"Then why are you immune from all that?" Brett questioned. It was a very legitimate question.

"Because I have known him for way too long," Missa said. "I was his chance at being a real friend for life because we were friends before he was good-looking, and before we understood what money and power meant. But, he ruined that. He has to learn that his actions have real consequences. And I am the only one willing to do that... for now at least."

Further along on the train, a lone figure stayed still in a compartment. The only movement was that of a heaving chest, and the sound which accompanied it was deep ragged breaths. As a second-year was passing, the figure threw the compartment door opened. The second-year jumped, but then placed a hand on her chest, noticing that it was just another student, not some sort of monster.

"Hi," she said. "Is there anyway I can help you?"

"As a matter of fact, yes. You wouldn't happen to be able to help me find my wand, would you. I placed it in my trunk, but I think it's fallen to the bottom."

"Oh, I can just levitate everything out until you find it," the girl said, pulling her own wand out.

A smile spread. "That would be perfect."

Several minutes later, the girl was leaving the compartment, feeling oddly drained, but glad to have helped. The figure, on the other hand, rested easily the rest of the train ride.