Chapter Four

New Faces on the Train

The kids were thankful that they had a compartment to themselves. As anxious as they were to make new friends, they still had first-year-jitters, and they thought it best to stick with the familiar for the time being.

"Feels weird, doesn't it?" James asked.

Tyler looked up from his book. "What does?"

"Finally being on the Hogwarts Express for the first time; I mean, how many stories have we heard about it? How many years have we been anticipating the time when it was our turn?" James had a twinkle in his eye as he spoke, which made Miley smile.

"It does feel a bit strange," she agreed. "Don't you think, Ty?"

Tyler shrugged. "I suppose it does." He put down his book. "I'm going to go…wander."

"Wander where?" Miley asked.

"I dunno, Miles, I just can't sit still." Without another word, Tyler was gone.

"Sheesh." James raised his eyebrows. "What's eating him?"

Miley's eyes were still gazing in the direction her brother went. "I have no idea, but," she looked back at James, "I'm worried about him. You and I are lucky, you know?"

"How so?" James asked.

"Well, for one, we've always had each other. No matter how often we've tried to include him, he's always felt left out. He doesn't mention it, but I can tell. Our parents can certainly tell, though they'd never blame us or say we do it on purpose." She sat back against the velvet-cushioned seat and crossed her arms.

James nodded slowly as he thought. "Look at it this way," he finally said, "most kids coming to school here don't have any friends yet. He's not alone. People like us, who don't need to find a best friend, are probably pretty rare around here."

Miley grinned a little. "You always know just what to say."

James shrugged and raised his eyebrows in mock arrogance. "What can I say? It's my job."

Suddenly they what sounded like an older student picking on a younger one in the corridor. Miley and James immediately got up to see what was going on.

They opened the door to their compartment and stepped out. A few compartments down, they saw Tyler on the floor, with a sixth-year Slytherin leaning over him.

"Tyler! Are you okay?" Miley ran to her brother who turned around at his sister's voice.

"Yeah, I'm fine, Miles. This guy just didn't see me when he came out of his compartment is all."

"Who's this?" the big burly teen asked Tyler.

"I'm his sister, and who are you?" Miley had never been afraid of bullies. She was born with her mom's bravery and her dad's confidence. Tyler, unfortunately, had neither of those things. The one thing he inherited from Hermione was his intelligence.

"You're a brave little thing, aren't you? Maybe you'll do well in Slytherin. I'm Zabini…Jason Zabini."

"What did you do to my brother, Jason?" Miley asked, narrowing her eyes at the teenager.

"Miles, I don't need your help," Tyler hissed.

"I didn't do anything. It's my job as an older Slytherin to scare the first years. I didn't mean any harm." He had a look on his face that suggested he felt odd defending himself to an eleven year-old.

"Sure you didn't," Miley huffed.

"You know, I'm not kidding, you'd make a great Slytherin. What's your name?" Jason asked.

"Miley," was all she gave.

"What's your last name, Miley?" he pressed.

"Malfoy."

Jason raised his eyebrows at her. "Malfoy? You're not Draco Malfoy's kids?"

Miley nodded once, eyeing the boy suspiciously. "We are."

"In that case, I have no doubt that at least one of you will be in Slytherin."

"Maybe we will, maybe we won't. I kind of hope I am, though. Someone has to keep a decent reputation in that house, or maybe even provide it with one."

"Big talk for a first year." Jason seemed impressed. "Who's your friend?" he jerked his head in James's direction.

James stepped forward, arms crossed with a hard look on his face. "James Potter," he said simply.

Jason raised his eyebrows again, this time out of shock. "A Potter and a Malfoy…friends? Though, I guess Draco did marry that Muggle-born who was friends with Harry Potter. What was her name?"

"Granger," Tyler said. "Hermione Granger."

"Right, my dad did say that," Jason nodded in understanding. "Well, welcome to Hogwarts."

"Wait!" Miley called as Jason turned his back.

He turned back around. "What?"

"Why are you being so nice? And, why did you call my mum a Muggle-born?"

"Well, I'm being so nice, because believe it or not, I'm not a bad guy. I was just having some fun with your brother. Sorry about that, Tyler," he added. "And as for your mum, what would you rather I called her?"

"Nothing," Miley answered. Then more quietly she said, "I just expected a Slytherin to use more harsh terms. My dad warned us that it might not be pretty."

Jason grinned. "Well, not me. My dad was one of the few Slytherins who was on your dad's side when he started dating your mum. I've heard stories about how everyone turned against him. Well, not my dad. Not all Slytherins are bad, Miley. I'm surprised you of all people are not more aware of that."

Miley smiled. "Thanks, Jason."

"James!" someone shouted from behind them.

Miley, Tyler and James turned around to see Emily Weasley coming down the corridor toward them, her long reddish-brown hair flowing perfectly behind her. "Oh, Miley, Tyler! Hey, guys! Enjoying the Express?"

"Emily!" Miley shouted back, and moved to give her a hug.

"You know these kids, Em?" Jason asked.

"Oh, hey Jason!" Emily greeted him, as if she just realized he was there. "Yeah, they're my cousins. Well, James is my cousin and Miley and Tyler just feel like it."

"Oh, that's right…Potter," Jason said, putting the pieces together.

"Yeah, my dad is his mom's brother."

Just then, a pretty brunette came up behind Emily. "Did you find the trolley lady?" the girl asked. Then she noticed who her friend was talking to. "Oh, hey! I know you guys. You're the Malfoys, right?" she asked. "Miley and…Tyler. And you're James Potter," she concluded.

Tyler nodded. "Alice, was it?" Tyler wasn't exactly shy, just more quiet when it came to, well, pretty much anyone.

"That's right!"

"How do you know my cousins, Alice?" Emily asked smiling.

"They were in Florean's about two weeks ago. Professor Longbottom was there, too."

"I see," Emily said. "Well, as long as Jason's not giving you too much trouble, I guess we'll be going."

"Later, Emily," Jason said in what must have been his best manly voice as she squeezed past him.

"See you, Jason. Bye, kids," she added.

"Bye, Emily," they said in almost perfect unison.

"I'll see you kids around, huh?" Jason said once Emily was gone. "I was on my way to the loo, and that problem still hasn't been solved."

Miley giggled at his honesty. "Sure, see you." She turned back to her brother. "So, he wasn't giving you any trouble?"

Tyler shook his head. "Nah, not really. I just tripped and he towered over me. It looked like he was going to yell at me, but all he said was 'Watch where you're going, newbie,' and that's when you and James came out."

Miley nodded. "He seemed really nice, actually," she said as they turned to head back to their compartment.

They walked in and slid the door shut behind him. James plopped down on the seat and said, "He has the biggest crush on Emily."

Miley and Tyler laughed and agreed. They spent the rest of the train ride chatting about classes and making friends, but mostly about the sorting that they were about to go through in a matter of hours.

After what felt like a short hour or so, though it was much more, the train pulled up to Hogsmeade station. Suddenly, the train got very noisy as all the students made their way off. When Miley, James, and Tyler reached the door, they saw a huge man with lots of hair on his head and face alike.

"Firs' years! Right this way!" he boomed.

James nudged Miley. "That's Hagrid!" he nearly shouted in excitement. He grabbed Miley's hand, and she grabbed Tyler's as they ran to the half-giant.

They came to a stop right in front of him, nearly smashing right into him, and he looked down. "Ah! Finally!" he said, a wide smile spreading across his face. "James Potter, and ah, Miley an' Tyler Malfoy."

James nodded and Miley and Tyler smiled. "You're Hagrid," James stated bluntly.

"That's righ'! Yer Dad's been sendin' me pictures o' you three since yeh were born. Your brother an' sister, too, James. It's great teh finally see yeh lot in person."

"It's great to meet you, Hagrid," Miley said, holding out her hand.

Hagrid took her hand in between his thumb and forefinger and shook it lightly. "So polite, jus' like yer mum."

Once the rest of the first years were grouped around Hagrid, they started walking toward the boats. Hagrid continued talking to the threesome.

"Yer dads said yeh lot were a bit nervous about the sortin' ceremony this evenin'."

"Yeah," James said. "I'm pretty sure I'll be in Gryffindor, but these two could go either way."

Hagrid nodded understandingly. "Draco said he hones'ly doesn't know where yeh both will be placed. Tyler, he thinks Ravenclaw or Gryffindor; Miley, Slytherin or Gryffindor."

Miley shrugged. "I wouldn't mind Slytherin I guess, but if James is in Gryffindor…"

Hagrid smiled. "I heard yeh two kids were inseparable already. Yer mum and dad started quite the trend, you know," he said to the twins. "No Slytherin has dated a Gryffindor since them, but it's gettin' pretty near I'd wager."

"What do you mean?" James asked.

"Yer cousin and Jason Zabini," Hagrid said, as though it should have been obvious. "I see the way he looks at her, and I think he's afraid of what would happen."

Miley and James nodded thoughtfully. Tyler didn't seem to care much about the gossip.

When they finally reached the castle, Professor McGonagall was waiting on the large front steps for them.

"Welcome first years!" she greeted them.

There was a sudden roar of excited chatter around them. "Silence, please!" McGonagall shouted. The students obeyed and she continued. "You are about to be placed into one of four houses. Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff. In those houses is where you will remain through your seven years at Hogwarts. You will sleep in the house dorms, and eat at the house tables. Though, you'll find that it is possible to sit by friends in other houses at mealtimes." She gave the students a moment to digest the information they were given, then said, "Now, I believe we are ready to enter the Great Hall. Follow me, please, everyone."

McGonagall turned and the huge front doors opened in front of her, causing "oohs" and "ahhs" and quite a few gasps from the first-years. She led them through the Entrance Hall and heads all around were moving back and forth viciously trying to take in every detail.

When they reached the huge open doors to the Great Hall and walked through them, everyone suddenly became very aware of the eyes of older students on them.

They looked up at the ceiling, which was enchanted to look like the sky outside. Tonight it was clear and starry, and looked absolutely elegant above the floating candles.

They reached the front and Miley beamed when she saw her dad sitting at the staff table, and he grinned back. She noticed James and Harry do the same thing as her dad's eyes moved to Tyler.

"I wonder if anyone's noticed your dad yet," Miley whispered to James.

James shrugged. "I was just wondering the same thing," he admitted.

Their attention was turned back to Professor McGonagall when she placed the ratty-looking Sorting Hat on the stool. "Let the Sorting begin!" she called.

"I thought this was the job for a Head of House, not the Headmistress," James whispered.

"I thought so, too," Miley answered, "but maybe it's your dad's job, and since he's new…"

James agreed silently, just nodding, and they looked back to the front, where the first name was being called. "Anderson, Robert!" she called.

Professor McGonagall worked her way down the list and they watched in silence as last names beginning with A through L were sorted.

"Malfoy, Miley!" Miley tensed and James pushed her forward. She shot one glance at him before stepping forward, then threw another glance at her dad who smiled encouragingly.