James Potter sauntered down the train corridor, looking for an empty compartment. All of the compartments were starting to fill up, with all of the first years babbling excitedly. James rolled his eyes at them. Stupid first years, he thought, smirking. He found an empty compartment at the end of the train, and he was just about to prop his feet up and relax, when his stupid little brother walked in, followed by his cousin, Rose. James sighed loudly; he wanted to make sure they knew they weren't welcome. After all, he didn't want to be caught hanging out with first years! James himself was in his third year, and he had loads of mates who would tease him endlessly if they were to see him now.

His brother, Albus, looked at his feet and said "Sorry James, but this is the only compartment left. We really didn't want to sit with the sixth years."

"So why don't you go and find some other first years to sit with? I'm a third year. I can be scary."

Albus looked shocked. "But- But you're my brother!"

"And?" James scoffed.

"Don't listen to him Albus," said Rose bossily, "He just thinks he's too cool to hang out with us!"

It was true, James thought. Both Albus and Rose had a somewhat dorky appearence about them. And anyways, he thought, what kind of wizard in their right mind would want to hang out with their little brother?!

But instead of saying this, he just huffed, and scooted to the far end of the carriage, feining a sulk. Albus, watching him cautiously, took a seat opposite him, nervously pulling his legs out of kicking range.

For a long while, James listened to Rose and Albus talk animatedly about their upcoming sorting, until he decided it was time for some fresh air. He quickly changed into his robes (in the bathroom of course; he didn't want Albus and Rose to see him change!), and headed down the corridor to find some of his friends. He passed the food trolley, and he bought a pumpkin pasty. Munching it greedily, he made to turn back towards his carriage, when something caught his eye.

A girl had just walked out of the compartment he was standing next to, and she was apparently laughing at a joke someone inside had just told. The grin was still etched on her face as she turned to face James. Her long, chocolate brown hair swayed behind her, a thick curtain framing her beautiful face. But her eyes, although partially obscured by her hair, were her most interesting feature. They were a deep, dark brown, so dark that they looked almost black, with a tiny cold glint in the corners. When you looked into them, you would feel like she was reading your mind, which gave her an edge of mystery.

"Hey," she said casually, flicking a stray strand of her hair behind her. Wow, James thought sheepishly. Even her voice sounded silky. What was wrong with him?!

"Er, hi," he said, kicking himself inside for sounding so ridiculous. He moved to the side as she scooted past him towards the food trolley. His eyes followed her, glued to the spot.

"I'll have...two pumpkin pasties, three chocolate frogs and a sugar quill, please," she told the witch with the trolley, whilst keeping her mysterious eyes firmly on James. James suddenly realised he'd been staring at her for far too long, and he felt his face start to burn up. She gave him a cheeky smile, took her order from the witch, and with a swish of her hair, she disappeared back into her compartment.

James just stood there, dumbstruck. He did not know what had come over him! He had never been this nervous in his life! He always prided himself in being super-confident! Did he like this girl? Was that it?

Don't be stupid, he thought. But even as he glanced back at the carriage she was in, he caught her eyes, and he felt his stomach flip. Hastily, he turned away, and plundered down the train towards his carriage, trying to forget all about that girl.