Falling

Chapter 1: In The Beginning...

Arriety's POV

Arriety sat statue-like next to the window and took a deep, calming breath. Looking out the window, she watched the thick green countryside slide past the window and tried to swallow the nerves that kept threatening to burst out of her at any moment. But this wasn't just any train trip. This was her first train trip, on the Hogwarts express that is. Her first trip to Hogwarts, her first time at a new school, her first time with all of these unfamiliar faces. Shit.

So lost in thought, she almost didn't notice when the carriage door flew open with a bang and three rowdy teenage boys jostled into her compartment. Almost as if choreographed, all three of them fell silent as their gazes turned to her.

Arriety gave them a sheepish grin as an awkward sign of contact, before turning her head back towards the window. But she was no longer admiring the picturesque scenery.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw two of the boys look at each other and shrug, before plopping down on the seat opposite to her, whilst one took the seat immediately to her left.

It would be totally rude not to try and talk to them Arriety thought, so, summoning all her courage, she turned to make contact. But before she could even open her mouth, she was beaten to the punch.

"Hey," said one of the boys opposite her, a tall lanky kid with bright red hair and a face full of freckles. "You don't look familiar, are you new?"

"Yeah," Arriety replied, relieved that she didn't have to start the conversation. "I just moved here this year. My name's Arriety May."

"Fred Weasley." The red head winked as he introduced himself, and she couldn't help but raise her eyebrows. "The one sitting next to you is Lark Wood," he raised his head from his book and gave her a short nod before turning his attention back to his novel, "and this strapping young man in James. James Potter."

Arriety looked over to James. "Pleased to meet you," she smiled.

For the tiniest second, James looked slightly dumbstruck, but when she blinked he seemed to be a totally different person.

"I'm sure you are," he said with a wink and a cocky grin etched itself into his face. "I'm sure you'll be wanting our autographs now, right?"

Arriety furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. Why would I want their autographs? "Sorry," she said after a second, "why would I be asking for your autographs?"

Both Fred and James looked momentarily bewildered, before James spoke again, "You're joking right?"

Arriety looked sideways at the boy Lark, who, although still buried in his book, seemed to be listening intently. Without lifting his head, he let out a soft chuckle.

"It seems you've finally found the one person in the whole world who doesn't know who you are, lads. Enjoy." And with that he was lost within the pages of his book once more.

"Wait, so you seriously have no idea who we are?!" Fred said an amused look on his face. "Weird..."

"That would mean..." James said slowly, looking at Arriety with a quizzical expression. "Where did you say you moved from, again?"

"I didn't," Arriety said, smiling. "I moved here from Australia. My parents are muggles, and they got relocated for work. So here I am." Arriety finished with a small sigh. "Why? Are you guys a big deal or something?"

She heard Lark snicker from beside her as Fred began to talk.

"Our parents are directly responsible for the death of Lord Voldemort! How could you not know that?!"

"Now now Fred," James said, the cocky expression returning to grace his attractive features, "cut her a little slack. She is a foreigner after all. I should have noticed the accent earlier. It's cute." He winked again.

Arriety felt her cheeks grow hot, but she did her best to maintain her composure.

"Are you nervous for sorting?" Fred asked, staring at her intently.

Arriety smiled internally, grateful the conversation had turned to a topic she was familiar with. "Actually no. Since I am moving to Hogwarts straight into fifth year, I had to be pre-sorted into a house so that I was able to be slotted in before the school term started. Apparently I'm in Gryffindor."

James grinned at her as she spoke. "Gryffindor? And in fifth grade, no less! Well, May, it looks like we'll be spending a lot more time together."

Before Arriety could retort, however, the train lurched and she looked out the window to see a platform pulling into view.

"Well, boys, that's our cue to get outta here." He looked Arriety in the eye as he stood to leave. "Until next time, Miss May."

Arriety narrowed her eyes but smiled nonetheless. "Yeah. Until next time... Potter."

Hi guys! I hope you like the first chapter :) I know it's not really that exciting, but im easing you in ;) Next chapter will be more introductions and scene-setting, but Chapter 3 will really pick up! So please review! And go gentle, this is my first fanfic! Thank you my lovelies :)