A/N: I don't own anything- it's all JKR

Enjoy!! 3

Chapter 1: I'd like to help you, if you'd let me.

With a start, Ava jumped out of bed and looked at her nightstand. "Oh no!" she thought as she read the illuminated numbers on her digital clock. She was running late.

…

The Potter house was hectic as everyone gathered their things in preparation for the trip to King's Cross. Sirius was hastily shoving things into his trunk and stuffing a slice of toast into his mouth. He heard the distant shout of James' mum urging the boys to hurry. James came to the door of Sirius' room.
"Hey Sirius need some help, mate?"
"Nah," he said, snapping his trunk closed and swallowing the last of his toast. "I was just finishing. C'mon Mr. Head Boy—let's go to Hogwarts!"

…

Ava pushed her trolley carefully through the barrier to Platform ¾ and sighed. The only thought that cheered her was that it was her seventh and final year at Hogwarts. She would soon be able to pursue her career in Healing and not have to remember her troubled years in the castle. She said a quick goodbye to her mother and father and started to drag her heavy trunk toward the train. "I swear this trunk gets heavier every year."

"Here, let me help you with that." She heard the voice and groaned inwardly. The last thing she needed was for some stuck-up pig-headed guy to play a prank on her right on the platform. It happened enough at the castle, but had never happened on the platform, and only rarely on the train. She turned to see who the speaker was and dropped the end of her trunk in surprise… right on her foot.

…

At the station, James and Sirius said farewell to the Potter's and began to board the train. They stowed their trunks in the usual compartment, and Sirius started to settle in.

"How about a game of Wizarding Chess, mate?"
"I've got to go up to the front. Head Boy duties, you know?" James replied apologetically. Sirius nodded and looked out the window hoping to spot Remus or Peter. He couldn't spot them anywhere in the crowd on the platform, but he did notice something unusual. There was a girl, Ravenclaw he thought, who was obviously having serious difficulties carrying her trunk. Sirius watched for a while and saw many different students and parents walking right by this girl and paying no attention to her struggles. He stood up and quickly made his way back onto the platform. He fought through the crowd hurrying to the train and saw the place where the crowd was breaking to go around her. He walked up to her and spoke.



"Here, let me help you with that." She froze, and Sirius immediately felt sorry for sneaking up behind her. She slowly straightened up, and turned to him with a doubtful look in her eyes. She seemed almost scared of him.

"I'm Sirius. Let me… Wow. Your eyes." She had looked up at him, finally. And he'd looked into her eyes for the first time. They were a deep, icy blue and he could feel himself getting lost in their depth. They were so knowledgeable and… hurt? She was hurting. He had this uncanny desire to physically harm whoever had made her eyes look so sad. She quickly looked toward the ground and blushed, and Sirius wanted nothing more than for her to look back at him so he could lose himself in her eyes yet again. She blushed.

"Thanks," she said quietly, "but it's ok. I've got it." Her voice was soft and melodic. It fit her.

"Well…um…" Sirius struggled to remember her name.
"Ava…" she supplied.
"Well, Ava. I'd like to help you. If you'd let me." She hesitated then glanced up at him again. As her shocking blue eyes met his, he knew he would help Ava with anything.
"Ok."

Sirius grabbed her trunk and followed her onto the train. They walked to the far back and she finally found an empty compartment at the very end.
"Here is fine," she said. "Thank you for your help."
"You're not going to sit alone, are you?"
"Yes," she replied, turning away from him.

Sirius didn't know why he said it, other than the fact he didn't want this girl to ever be alone.
"Well, here. I'll sit with you, if that's ok." She stared at him, her mouth slightly open. He instantly felt foolish. He was trying to force his company on her and she obviously didn't want it. "Nevermind, I'm sorry. That was rude of me. I-I'll just go now, then."

And Ava didn't know why she stopped him, she knew she'd regret it in the end, but there was just something about this boy.

"No. I-I-I'd like for you to stay… Please?"