I had been at Kings' Cross for a while and was getting irritated. Where was that bloody platform ? Standing in between platforms nine and ten I looked at my ticket again. Sighing I rubbed the stiff muscles of my neck.

' Run at the wall, ' A baritone said. Whipping about I couldn't see anyone near me. All I saw were the throngs of people rushing about in haste to make their trains. ' Trust me, run at the wall. You will not get hurt, ' The voice said again.

" Where are you ? " I spoke out loud.

' Inside your mind, ' It replied. I decided to give it a try. With the carts before and behind me I rushed at the wall. At the last second I squeezed my eyes shut as I held my breath. Opening a green-blue eye I saw a train. The other one popped open. I wasn't hurt. I was actually okay. Letting the breath out that I had been holding I left the trunks and luggage with the baggage man. I hurried onto the train and walked straight to the back. A black head poked out of the large bag I carried.

" Mer,row, " S. S, my all black cat, sounded.

" It's the express train bound for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, " I explained. His big green eyes looked around taking everything in as I made my way to the last compartments. I slid open the last door on the left and walked in. I sank down onto the plush bench. I was weary of standing, but, fed up with sitting. Slowly, I swung my legs up onto the seat lowering my bag to the floor. S. S settled inside the black leather satchel, his eyes narrowed to mere slits. He watched as I shifted on the bench, getting as comfy as I could upon the thing. Before I knew it, my eyes had closed of their own accord.

" Who's that ? " Ron Weasley asked.

" I don't know," Hermione Granger admitted. " Every-where else is full. I'm sure she won't mind. "

" Hey, where's Harry ? "

" He'll be here. Don't worry, Ronald. He came with us, didn't he ? "

" I just went to the loo, " A voice said behind them.

" Harry !! " Ron whipped around.

" What, did you think Voldemort was hiding in a stall, prepared to take me out by swirly ? " Harry Potter asked. Hermione snorted at that, then, exploded in laughter.

" Death by swirly !?! " She snorted.

" Hey, who's that ? " Harry asked, pointing.

" We don't know. But, surely she won't mind sharing with us. After all, everywhere else is full, " Hermione explained. They crowded into the compartment and stowed their carry ons above and below them. Harry chose the seat beside me, letting Hermione sit with Ron, since they had started going out. He lifted my head, then sat down. Hermione raised her eyebrows and her opinion,

" I hope she doesn't try to hex you, Harry. "

" I think I can handle a mere girl, " Harry said.

I could feel a weight about my shoulders.

" Move, Sev, " I mumbled. Harry, Hermione, and Ron exchanged glances.

" Sev ? " The trio mouthed. I batted at the weight, shifting my own. Turning my face I was confronted with a deep woodsy, musky smell.

" Mmm, " I moaned, trying to bury my face in the object, which was actually Harry's tummy. Looking down, he smiled, giggling. The sound made me freeze. Then, I turned over and promptly rolled onto the floor.

" Here, let me help you up, " A British voice asked. Looking up, green-blue eyes met Emerald green ones.

" Thanks, " I murmured, accepting the proffered hand. I let Harry Potter help me to my feet.

" Anytime, " Harry smiled. A cough sounded. It caught my attention.

" I see I'm no longer alone, " I said, smiling.

" Is that all right ? " Hermione asked. I just nodded. I didn't want to give away the fact that I had the entire Harry Potter series in my carry-on with my cat, Severus Snape.

" You remind me of someone, " Harry said, cocking his head to the side as he studied me.

" Really, who ? " I bit my bottom lip. " My name is Erin Lily MacLaine. But, please, call me Erin. "

" Erin Lily ? What kind of name is that ? " Ron demanded.

" Ronald ! " Hermione exclaimed. I just shook my head, grinning.

" It's okay. That was my father's idea. It seems that Lilies were one of my father's favourite flowers. And my mother's parents were Scots/Irish. So Erin is Gaelic for peace. Hence the name Erin Lily. " I just stayed silent, waiting.

" Hermione. Hermione Granger, " Hermione said.

" Was ? " Hermione caught the past tense as we all settled into seats. Harry sat down beside me as Ron wouldn't leave Hermione's side. " What happened ? "

" Hermione ! " Ron exclaimed. " And you said I was rude. "

" It's all right. I don't really know. I never knew my father. I barely remember my mother. I do know that my father was English. I live with my grand aunt and uncle in America. "

" America ?! Where in America ? " Harry wanted to know. " My godfather had family in America. "

" I didn't know Sirius had family outside of England, Harry, " Hermione interrupted.

" Yeah, it was in the will. "

" Anyway, " I said, looking at Harry, " We live in Texas. They have a sort of mansion in East Texas, MacLaine. . . "

" Manor, " Harry finished, looking at me.

" How did you know ? " I asked.

" This is a small world, " He muttered. Then, " Um, Erin, there's something you should know. The Evans passed down the ability to see into the future. "

" Yeah, on the MacLaine side, " I supplied. " The muggle side. "

" Huh ? " Harry was thoroughly confused.

" I take it you didn't know that the MacLaines are descended from Godric Gryffindor ? "

" What !?! "

" Aye, the MacLaines of Loch Buie are the Clan that gave birth to the daughter that would wed Lord Godric Gryffindor. After all Loch Dubh, the Black Lake is not that far from Loch Buie. Meaning, our ancestral lands border Hogwarts. "

" How do you know so much about this, Erin ? "

" I luve to study. Family genealogy is a hobby of mine, as well as things that go bump in the night. " The trio exchanged looks. They all knew that the new Defense professor was really a werewolf. Looking behind me at the sky, Hermione noticed dark clouds beginning to form.

" Looks like we're in for a storm, guys, " She pointed out. We all looked outside.

" Hopefully, it won't start until we get to the school, " I suggested.

" I doubt it, " Hermione disagreed. I sighed. Then, pulled a book out of my bag.

" Me, ow !! " S. S made his presence known.

" Sorry, Sevvie, " I mumbled, stroking between his ears.

" Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, " Harry read over my arm. Ooops !!!! How was I going to explain this !?!

" What's that ? " Hermione butted in.

" Nothing, " I said, shoving the book back in. S.S moved over as I looked for something safe. Finally, I pulled out a dog-eared paperback.

" Dark of the Moon, " Harry read over my shoulder again.

" You actually read stuff like that, Erin ? " Hermione asked, appalled.

" Some of us happen to like romance and fantasy, " I reminded Hermione.

With the squeak of wheels the treats' trolley rolled to a stop outside our compartment effectively terminating any argument. Poking her head inside the trolley maid asked,

" Anything off the trolley, dears ? " Harry got a little of everything which Ron helped him eat. All I got was chocolate. I got enough so that I would have some until the first Hogsmeade trip, that Hermione and the guys told me about. With some of the chocolate I snuggled next to my cousin as I opened the romance.

The rain thickened as the train sped yet further north, the windows, now a solidly shimmering gray, gradually darkened until lanterns flickered to life overhead and outside in the corridors. The train rattling, the wind roared, battering around the slowing car as rain hammered down.

Harry, who was nearest the door, got up and poked his head out the door. All along the length of the train heads could be seen peeking out various compartments. The train stopped with a jolt. Harry went flying back, nearly landing in my lap. I grunted as Harry's back hit my legs.

" All right down there ? " I asked, extending my hand. His warm, strong hand grasped the proffered hand. Warmth spread through me at the contact. Stop it ! He's family. I helped Harry up off the floor.

" Thanks, Erin, " Harry said.

" Any time, " I said. The lamps flickered once, twice. Then, an unseen entity seemed to just blow them out. Darkness engulfed our compartment completely and crept along down the corridor, stealing into the other compartments and robbing the lanterns of their precious flames.

" Hopefully, this isn't a precursor to how the book willend, " I sighed. Everyone laughed.

" What's going on ? " Ron asked.

" I wish I knew, " I admitted. " Maybe the lights just went out and they're fixing them. "

" Ouch ! " Hermione gasped. " Ron, that was my foot. "

" Sorry, " The redhead muttered. Harry felt his way back to his seat. His hands accidently grazed the tips of my breasts. Then they cupped the mounds, lightly squeezing.

" Umm, Harry, " This was not happening. Even though warm fluttery sensations began throughout my body, this was wrong. We were family. " That's not the back of the seat, " I pointed out.

" Sorry, Erin. " Even in the dark I could tell that Harry was blushing.

" Do you think we've broken down ? " Hermione asked.

" Dunno," Harry replied. There was a squeaking noise. We watched Ron wipe part of the glass clean and peer out into the stormy night.

" I'm going to go ask the driver what's going on, " Hermione announced, picking up her cat, Crookshanks.

" I'll come with you, Mione, " Ron said. " Malfoy would be one to take advantage of this situation. "

" Thanks. Ronald. " S. S and I watched the two leave the compartment. Then, I turned back to Harry.

" Alone in a dark compartment. Now, what do we do ? " I could see the lightening glinting off his glasses every now and then.

" Oh, " Harry said, dropping his gaze to my lips in the dark, " I'm sure we can think of something. " Then, somehow, his lips were upon mine. His tongue flicked against my bottom lip, wanting entrance.I shivered in his embrace, parting my lips. His tongue slipped inside stroking mine. Liquid fire raced through my veins as I melted into him. Fire exploded inside me. His arms tightened around me as his hands moved in my hair. Undoing the barrette that secured my hair he pocketed it. His hands tangled themselves within my long hair, angling my head back further for a better possession of my mouth. I moaned in the back of my throat. Tentatively, I brushed my tongue against his. This time he moaned. His hands left my hair to travel down my back. His hands settled on my waist. Without warning he grabbed me settling me on his lap. I gasped against his lips. I could feel his desire pressing up into me. I could hardly breathe. He pressed me down into him as he thrust against me. Oh, my ! The fire that exploded began to consume me. I ground myself against him as our lips pooled low in my belly. Sweet Heaven, I wanted him then and there. His hands guided my hips atop him. If he wanted to take me right then and there I wouldn't mind.

" Har,ryy ! " I moaned in the back of my throat. I was one big explosion created by him. I was a firecracker exploding up in the sky. We broke apart gasping for breath. Opening our eyes, we smiled at each other. And the lights flickered back to life.

" Hermione ! " I gasped. " She and Ron will probably be back any second. " Harry just looked at me.

" I really hope you're sorted into Gryffindor, " He said softly. Then, the door opened.

The train ride was nice and boring from that point.

The carriage wheels rattled as the wind beat against the carriage. Slowly the vehicle made its way up to the darkly beautiful castle. Gazing up at the turrets and steeples, I was entranced by the majestic view of the awaiting castle.

" I can't believe this is your first time to Hogwarts. " Ron said.

" Believe it, " I breathed. " Is it always this beautiful ? "

" You should see it during the day, " Harry smiled, gazing at me.

Harry helped me out of the carriage. I let my body slide down his. I could see the desire begin to return to his emerald eyes. His lips grazed mine then he shook his head lightly.

" Come on, " He said, tugging on my hand. I couldn't take my eyes off the great structure, that I was going to be attending, that I was going to live in. We walked through the giant wooden doors that led into the keep. My eyes widened at the sight of the entrance.

A Great Hall was to my right, giant hourglasses flanking the entrance. Jewels trapped within sparkled back at me. The Grand Staircase loomed before me, large, elegant.

" This way, " Harry said, tugging on my hand as he led me past the giant hourglasses into the Great Hall. I let him lead me into the Great Hall and over to the Gryffindor table. My eyes fell upon a gothic black-haired man seated at the staff table. Who was that ? He's certainly delicious. His dark eyes swept over my robe-clad form. Heat swept through me and my bosom ached as his eyes raked over my form.

Professor Minerva McGonagall swept the length of the Gryffindor table.

" There you are, my dear. Miss MacLaine, would you come with me, please ? "

" Sorry, guys. I guess I better go, " I smiled at my friends. Rising to my feet, I followed the Deputy Headmistress to the front of the room where the first years were congregated.

Headmaster Albus Dumbledore rose to his feet, demanding the attention of everyone.

" I would like to welcome each and everyone of you back to another wonderful school year here at Hogwarts. " Clapping burst from three of the tables. Professor Severus Snape glared at the Slytherin table. They responded with a few light claps. " Before we get onto the feast and the first years are sorted, I would like to introduce a student all the way from the United States. She will be joining us to finish her seventh year here. May I introduce Miss Erin Lily MacLaine. " There was a scattered amount of applause as I stepped forward. Making my way to the stool, Professor McGonagall picked up the sorting hat. Nervously, I sat down. The hat essentially sifted through your mind, it was privy to everything, nothing could be hidden.

" You shouldn't be here ! " The hat exclaimed. I just snorted. Tell me something I don't know. I thought.

" Hmm . . . " But, do get on with it. I do have better things to do and hats to hex.

" You need a wand for that. " Like I don't already know that, Mr. Obvious. " You're not supposed to know about that, about us. " But, I do. I don't think you want to meet the business end of my wand. The hat ignored that. Slowly conversations began to buzz about the Great Hall. Usually by now the student who needed sorting was already sorted into their House.

Could you get on with this, please ? Or are you planning to bore me to Death ?

" Patience, my dear little muggle. After all it is a virtue. Now, where to put you ? " That's a tough one, huh ? My loyalty surpasses that of a Hufflepuff, I have the brains and dedication of a Ravenclaw, the balls of a Gryffindor, and the resourcefulness and determination of a Slytherin.

" Don't you think I can see that ? " The hat snapped. Not up to the challenge, are we ? Can you not sort me ? If hats could give Death glares, I would certainly be dead by now. How about a deal ?

" A deal ? " Yes, a deal. I pick what House I want and you can go back to a peaceful nap on the headmaster's shelf. " What House do you want ? " Slytherin. " They would eat you alive. " Really ? But, it would make this so much easier. " Make what so much easier ? " Never mind. Just agree to it and this. Everyone is getting restless, hungry, and curious.

" Very well . . . " I held my breath " Gryffindor ! " I hate you ! Then the hat was lifted off before it could form a reply.

I rose from the stool. Then went and sat down at the Gryffindor House table beside Harry. Sitting back down the Headmaster raised his goblet and the feast began to appear.