"Ok guys," said Charlie, lifting up one end of his trunk, "I'm gonna find Miro and the others, see you later."

"Alright Charlie," replied Fred, "see you later."

"What about you Percy?" George asked his other brother, "Percy?"

The twins turned around to see their other brother was half way down the carriage with his bag in tow.

"He didn't even say goodbye," snorted George indignantly.

"He's probably still mad after the whole thing at breakfast."

"Hey, I didn't make him eat those Rainbow Tongue Drops."

"No," admitted Fred, "but you did sneak them into his scrambled eggs."

"You can't prove that."

"You mean apart from when you elbowed me in the ribs and whispered 'watch this'?"

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that."

"Still," said Lee as he kickeda bag down the corridor to an empty carriage, "his tongue did look good changing all those colours. I think I liked blue the best."

The three young Gryffindors lugged their bags up onto the overhead racks and sprawled out across the two sets of seats as they got settled in for the long train journey. George had broken out a packet of Exploding Snap cards and was slowly dividing them out amongst the three of them.

"I'm actually looking forward to Defence Against the Dark Arts," said Lee as he quickly flicked through his copy of 'Hexing for Pleasure'.

"Yeah I know, so am I," admitted Fred, who suddenly gave a theatrical shiver, "urgh God that just sounds so…er…"

"Percy-like," cut in George as he finished counting out the cards.

"Exactly."

"Well the whole school work thing shouldn't be a problem this year," grinned Lee, "not when we have that Inspiration Potion on our side, a quick drop before an exam and we'll be laughing."

The previous year the twins, and Lee, managed to nearly kill themselves by the end of the term whilst hunting for some hidden treasure. It wasn't quite what they had expected, instead of gold or jewels the treasure turned out to be instructions for a potion, along with a small bottle of it. Unfortunately they were hidden inside a pair of very old, extremely smelly boots, which George had proudly claimed as his own and hung on his bedroom wall, until Mrs Weasley saw them and made him throw them out.

The potion, it turned out, was an Inspiration Potion, anyone drinking even a small amount would suddenly be able to think quicker and much clearer then before and thus come up with all manner of ways of solving a whole variety of problems. The twins had spent much of the summer holidays experimenting with the potion and had managed to come up with a whole catalogue of their own concoctions. Sadly the small vial of the liquid had not lasted that long, and the list of ingredients needed to make more it was very long, with rather rare and expensive items needed.

In the end, and with the last drop of the potion, the three boys hatched on the idea of 'borrowing' the ingredients from the Potion's Supply Room. The fact that this would undoubtedly annoy and anger Professor Snape was just a bit of bonus.

"Snap!" shouted Fred slapping a hand down on the pile of cards, which promptly exploded under his palm, causing him to wave it around in pain. "Remind me why we play this game again?"

"Because that happens," pointed out George grinning as his brother who was now blowing cold air on his hand to try and take some of the sting out of it.

"Hey what's going on out there?" asked Lee nodding towards the corridor of the train.

There seemed to be a bit of commotion outside their carriage. George stood up and slid back the door revealing what seemed to be two bodies rolling from side to side. Occasionally an arm would fling out from one of the bodies and throw a punch, much to the enjoyment of a small group that had gathered and were cheering on the combatants.

The two fighters suddenly broke away from each other and forced themselves to their feet. One boy whose long black hair had been ruffled well out of shape raised his fists again; the other participant did the same but with a greater deal of reluctance, and George could see why. The second boy was about half the size of his opponent with large thick glasses, which had one lens broken and were eschew on his face. A large black eye was already forming and a line trickle of blood dripped down his chin from where his lip was cut.

"Oi that's a bit unfair isn't it?" said George stepping between the two, "you're twice the size he is."

"Yeah?" sneered the other boy had to look up since he was still shorter then George, "then he should show me a bit more respect?"

"Hey, he doesn't have to do anything just because you want him to," Fred said stepping out into the corridor along side his brother. Lee too, joined his friends, the three of them forming a human barrier in front of the smaller boy.

"Fine," replied the boy, as he weighed up the three friends. He jab a finger towards his frightened target, "make sure you keep out of my way."

"Th-th-thanks," stuttered the boy leaning against the window of the carriage in obvious relief.

"Anytime," replied George picking up one of the boys bags, "I can't stand people who pick on people smaller then them. Here, you can stay in with us, we've got the room."

"Hang on," said Lee lifting up a heavy trunk with Fred, "you two picked on Ron all summer."

"Yeah but that's different," admitted Fred, as his brother pushed some bags underneath the seats

"How come?"

"He can be a right little plonker some times," Fred grinned as they wedged the trunk back against one of the empty seats.

"So…what's your name?" asked George as the four boys got settled.

"Sebastian Walsh," said the boy taking off his glasses and looking forlornly at the large crack across the glass.

"Nice to meet you Sebastian, I'm George, that's Fred and Lee," he said nodded at each one in turn. He reached out a hand towards the newest occupant of the carriage, "here, give me those."

Sebastian placed the glasses into the opened hand and squinted as he watched George take out his wand and point it at the broken spectacles.

"Reparo," said George, a small ripple shot out of the end of his wand and struck the lens. The crack slowly sealed itself and he handed the glasses back to Sebastian, "there you go, good as new."

"Cheers," said Sebastian, placing the glasses back on his face and grinning broadly as his vision returned, "that's brilliant."

"Ahh, you're a Muggle born then?" said Lee at the look of wonder on the young boy's face.

"Oh no," replied Sebastian shaking his head, "both my parents are wizards but I've just never seen anything being repaired like that before."

"Really?" asked Fred giving George a frowned glance, "it's a pretty simple spell. I mean George can do it after all."

"A simple spell? I've just never seen it used. But my mother always made sure I was careful," explained Sebastian, "I don't think anything was ever broken in our house."

"What?" replied the twins in unison, clearly amazed at this possibility.

"Yep," nodded Sebastian looking a bit embarrassed, "well, I wasn't really allowed to do anything that might knock something over or injure me."

"But that's all the fun stuff," said a baffled George.

"It is?" asked Sebastian looking slightly confused, "oh… I didn't know. She was always a bit protective of me since...er well… she just protective."

"Well, it looks like we found you just in time," said Fred, his brow creased as he tried to look stern.

"Are you alright Fred?" asked George, "is it a dodgy stomach? Mum did tell you that bacon had probably gone off."

"No, this is my stern face. Look. Stern," Fred pointed at his face to emphasise the expression.

"Really?" asked Lee, "cos I agree with George, you look like you need the toilet."

"No. Thisis the face I'd pull if I need the toilet. And this is my stern face. Can you see the difference?"

"It's the same face," replied George exasperatedly, "this is what a stern face looks like."

"Did you have the bacon as well?" asked Lee after a few seconds.

"Look it doesn't matter what face I pull," Fred dismissed the other two with a wave of his hand, "the fact is that Sebastian here is lucky to have met us."

"I am?" Sebastian queried looking decidedly unsure.

"Oh yes," nodded Fred attempting to look serious, which came across more along the lines of appearing sleepy, "you have led a sheltered life. Mayhem, mischief and general messing around are our areas of expertise, and we shall teach you them all."

"Er… and that's good is it?"

"Good? Is it good?" asked Fred very theatrically, "er… actually no it isn't good, it's bad, but that's kind of the point isn't it? Stick with us Sebastian, we'll teach you all we know."

"I don't know why," said Lee looking out of the window into the sky above, "but I really think some thunder and lightning should have happened when you said that."

The four boys talked long into the day as the train sped through the countryside. Sebastian soon learnt to take most of what the twins said with a pinch of salt and would often look to Lee for confirmation on whether or not a story was true. The sun soon disappeared over the horizon and the boys clamoured into their school robes just as the Hogwarts Express pulled into Hogmeade's station.

"Fir' years follow me!" bellowed the familiar voice of Hagrid as the entire school disembarked from the train.

"Don't worry," George consoled Sebastian who looked petrified at the sight of the gamekeeper, "that's Hagrid, he's alright. Stick close to him."

The twins and Lee waved to their new friend as the first years headed off with Hagrid, before climbing into one of the empty stagecoaches that were waiting for the rest of the school. They were soon joined by a couple of girls from their year; Angelina Johnson and Alicia Spinnet. The group chatted animatedly over what they did during the summer as they waited for the horses for the coaches.

Suddenly the coach jerked into life and set off towards the school at a steady pace. Fred stuck his head out of the window to take a look, as did some of the second years in other carriages, their faces breaking into large grins as they watched the horseless carriages pulling away from the train station.

The carriages moved slowly onwards in a long procession, the large wooden wheels crunching the gravel beneath them as they made their way up towards the school. The castle stood over the students in the dark of the night as they hopped out and walked through the familiar entrance of the school.

The pupils filtered into the Great Hall and began to separate themselves into their various houses. Every student tried to vie for the best possible seat from which to see the Sorting Ceremony.

"Hey, can you see any new teachers?" asked Angelina, "With Quirrell gone there is a spot opened for Defence Against the Dark Arts."

"I can't see anyone new," replied Fred scanning the top table, "there's a space empty though. Oh and look there's Filch. Hiya Mr Filch!"

The scraggly looking Filch's head flicked up as he stopped looking at the closest table of students in disgust to see who had called his name. When his gaze fell upon the two twins, who were enthusiastically waving in his direction, his eyes narrowed.

"I think he missed us," admitted George

"Is that why he is suddenly looking like he just took a mouthful of Blort Bugs?" asked Alicia looking over her shoulder.

Before George could answer the doors to the Great Hall swung open once again and Professor McGonnagal led the group of first years in. The twins waved at Sebastian amongst the pack as they passed causing his apprehensive expression to break out into a smile.

Excited muttering filtered through the school as the first years were led to the top of the room where they looked uncertainly at the battered Sorting Hat that had been place on a stool. Knowing what was going to happen this time, the twins watched the first years and were delighted with their reaction of shock and wonder when the Sorting Hat suddenly broke into song.

Another year has started
And it's time for us to see,
Which new students will be joining?
A whole new family tree.

Will you go to Gryffindor,
Where the brave reside?
The thunderous roar of the lion,
Will cause your foes to hide.

Or will it be Slytherin,
The House where you'll be seen,
Only the cunning and the shrewd,
Will wear the silver and green.

If you're quick witted and clever,
Then off to Ravenclaw you go,
The smartest of the smart,
Will teach you all they know.

Or maybe you're off to Hufflepuff,
If you heart is pure and kind,
Where good and life long friends,
You will surely find.

All these questions I can answer,
Before you wander off to bed,
Just lift me up with your two hands,
And plonk me on your head.

I'll look deep into your mind,
While beneath me you are sat,
For I am the wondrous, remarkable,
One and only Sorting Hat.

"I think I preferred our one," called Lee over the claps and cheers the end of the song brought from the school.

"Alice, Gemma," called Professor McGonnagal from the list she was holding in her hand. A very timid looking red haired girl stepped forward and sat down on the stool as the Sorting Hat was placed on her head.

"What do you think?" asked George, "I'm gonna say Hufflepuff."

"Easily Ravenclaw," Lee said confidently, "She has all the look of a bookworm."

"Don't be so mean," scolded Alicia, "just because someone wears glasses doesn't make them a bookworm."

"Ravenclaw!" called the Sorting Hat; it's voice echoing loudly around the room before the cheers and claps from the Ravenclaw table drowned it out as the students welcomed their latest member.

"You were saying?" asked Lee looking smug.

"Oh very well done," replied Alicia sarcastically, "you just got lucky that is all. I bet you cant guess the next one."

"Cavendish, Lance."

"Slytherin," said Lee and the twin's in unison immediately. Lance Cavendish it turned out, was the boy that had been fighting with Sebastian on the Hogwarts' Express. He walked confidently up onto the stage and had sat down on the stool. There was slight smirk on his face as he relished being the centre of attention, and he held his head up high as though he was holding court in front of the rest of the students.

"Yeah I think you might be right," admitted Angelina, "he's very smarmy looking, isn't he?"

"Slytherin!" confirmed the Sorting Hat, before a rather pleased looking Cavendish headed towards his new home, not before flashing Sebastian a very dirty look.

The five Gryffindors spent the rest of the Sorting Ceremony trying to guess where everyone was going to be placed. Lee's earlier expertise turned out to be a complete fluke as he failed to get most of the rest correct. The only two he did manage were placed into Slytherin House but since they were Cavendish's two lackeys from the train it wasn't such a difficult choice to make.

Finally there was only one student left. A rather frightened looking Sebastian stood patiently waiting to be called. As he lingered in the middle of the room, he seemed even smaller then usual, and even from where they were sitting the twins could swear they could see him turning red.

"Hufflepuff," said Alicia confidently, to the approval of Angelina.

"I don't know," replied George thoughtfully as Sebastian's name was called, "remember he was in that fight on the train even though he was out numbered. That's brave. I'd say Gryffindor."

"Three against one, that's not brave that's stupid. Hufflepuff," voted Lee.

"He seemed pretty smart when we were talking to him," admitted George, "I'm going with Ravenclaw."

The brim of the Sorting Hat opened and it's low gravely voice spat out it's answer, "Slytherin!"