By the time fourth year started, Emma was confident that no one cared about her sexual preferences. She's sure it didn't even take the whole summer for people to get over it, but she feels better knowing that it's a new year regardless.

She felt more confident stepping onto the train that year. Things between her and Regina left off on a good foot for what felt like the first time. And her summer had been the best so far. The older couple she stayed with lived in Diagon Alley and let her wander around. She loved the freedom and being able to see her friends when they came shopping.

This new confidence lasted right until she was trying to find a train-car to sit in. She had forgotten that Wendy had graduated Hogwarts the year prior and while John and Michael were still in school, they had decided to sit with their friends instead of as a family. She didn't feel close enough to either of them individually to seek them out for the ride.

And so Emma wandered the aisles of the Hogwarts Express, seeking out familiar faces. Naturally she was looking for one face in particular.

She knew she probably shouldn't sit with Regina even if she happened to see the girl soon. After all, they never figured out who was spying on Regina at Hogwarts for her mother. Sitting with her may seem excessive to Mrs. Mills.

As Emma was strolling through the aisles she runs into the last person she would want to talk to- Mary Margaret.

"Oh, Emma, hello!" She says as she meets her head-on.

"Hey" Emma responds awkwardly. She doesn't hate the other girl or anything, but that doesn't mean she wants to spend time with her if she doesn't have to.

"How was your summer?"

"Fine."

"Ruby said she saw you in Diagon Alley." Not discouraged by the lack of enthusiasm from the blonde. Emma has a feeling a lot of M.M's conversations are on-sided anyway.

"Yup-Look I have to find a seat so I'll see you later." She tries to cut this off. Knowing the other girl could go on forever.

"We have room in our car." She offers. "Archie is in there so you won't be the only non-Gryffindor"

"Uh- that's o-"

"Emma There you are!" A voice cuts her off from behind.

The voice of an angel that's come to save her.

Emma spins around immediately. "Regina!"

"Come." She says and takes Emma's hand. "The train is about to leave the station and we need to put your things away."

She starts to pull Emma along, never having even looked at the Gryffindor. Emma only spares M.M a "what can you do" kind of smile before blindly following her friend.

Regina leads them to a car not too far down and opens the door for Emma to bring her things inside.

Naturally, all of Regina's Slytherin friends look up at her as she enters. It's not hostile environment but they certainly seem surprised.

Katherine's brother Daniel jumps up to help Emma put her bag on the rack. He's tall and makes it look like nothing to haul trunk above their heads. Emma gives him a small smile, but notices the way Regina looks adoringly at him for this action.

Suddenly, Emma is second-guessing the decision to sit in this car. However the train has started moving and her things are in here so she really has no other option.

She sits in the only available spot next to Katherine.

"Emma, you know everyone right?" Her roommate asks when they get settled.

And yes, Emma knows of everyone in the car even if she's rarely spoken to them. Regina, Daniel, and August are all sitting across from her, while she sat on the bench with Katherine and Mal.

"Yeah, uh, hey." She says with a little wave. They all give a nod of acknowledgement and resume their conversations from before Emma arrived.

Emma hasn't felt this self-conscious in a long time. Everyone in the car are friends except for her. They are currently talking about people she doesn't know, and Emma is not inclined to ask. After about an hour she gives up on even listening, which she's worried makes her seem weird. She's being too quiet and shifty. She's not normally shy, why is she acting like this?

Probably because Emma can read social cues. She knows that even if they don't mind that she's sitting with them, they don't exactly want her there.

And it's not like this would have been her first choice of places to sit. It's hard to have to be somewhere you don't fit in.

Everyone except for her is posh and looks like they come from money. The girls are pretty and have perfectly coiffed hair. Hell, Emma admits even the two boys are good-looking. At least Regina seems to think so with the way she is fawning all over Daniel.

Emma's never seen her act this way before...all smitten and flirty. It makes her chest tighten.

She can't bare to look but it's like a broom accident, and she finds herself watching the two of them despite herself.

Suddenly, Emma feels claustrophobic. The little car filled with students feels constricting and she just wants to leave. She doesn't belong there. Not like Regina does. And she never will. Regina is her best friend and yet that feels like so little in this moment. Realization comes with panic. Regina and her would have never even been friends had they not been sharing a room alone together for all these years. Would a friendship like that be able to last beyond Hogwarts?

A tingle in her nose tells Emma that she's on the verge of crying which is the very last thing she wants to do right now.

"Emma, where are you going?"

It's only at Regina's voice that she realizes she's stood up.

"Uh, restroom." She says and hurries out into the corridor.

After throwing some water on her face, Emma felt a little calmer. Who cares why she and Regina became friends. The important thing is that they were! Regina trusted her and she wasn't going to ruin that. So with a deep breath she enters the snake pit once more.

"So Emma, how was your summer?" She hears the question almost as soon as she sits down and is startled by the use of her name.

The inquiry came from August who was sitting directly across from her.

"It was pretty good." She admits. "I was able to stay with a family in Diagon Alley so that was fun."

"Why were you staying with them?"

"Oh" She assumed everyone knew she was orphaned by now. The whole school seems to know everything about her. "I'm an orphan so the ministry and school find different families for me to stay with during the breaks."

"I'm sorry to hear it. My mom passed away when I was small but I at least still have my father." He empathizes.

She doesn't want the conversation to be such a downer though so she tries to lighten it up. "It's been a lot better since coming to Hogwarts. Most people don't realize how fun it can be to stay in the castle during Christmas."

"You must have free-reign of the place." He smiles and leans in closer. "Have you been in the other house's common rooms?" He asks quietly, like it's a secret.

Emma laughs and sits back again. "No, those passwords can be a bit tricky. Plus, just because they give us a lot of freedom doesn't mean I couldn't still get into trouble."

"I always wanted to see them all. It's my goal before I leave Hogwarts."

"Well, you still have a few years to achieve that goal." She doesn't know why she's encouraging him to break the rules, but August seems harmless. She gets a nice brotherly vibe from him, and he's a good distraction from Regina and Daniel the rest of the ride.

She doesn't really get a chance to catch up with Regina until they are back in their dorm room together. The welcome feast is always loud, chaotic, and spent trying to say 'hello' to everyone that you haven't seen all summer.

Their room is a stark contrast to that.

Underground, cozy, and quiet. It's like being cocooned in a blanket.

"I noticed you speaking with August for a while on the train." Regina comments once they are laying in their respective beds.

"Yeah, he's pretty cool."

"He can be." She half agrees. "I'm sorry I didn't get to talk with you more during the ride."

"It's okay." Emma assures, though it wasn't entirely okay at the time. "You were catching up with your other friends."

"Yes, I hadn't seen Daniel in a few weeks." She visibly hesitates for a few moments before continuing. "He asked me out in July."

"Oh?" Is the only thing Emma can respond with. It's not like she hadn't noticed them being affectionate on the train but she didn't realize they were already together.

"He's very sweet and we both love Quidditch." She goes on, as if she needs to defend her decision to Emma.

And she doesn't. She really doesn't.

Emma didn't expect anything from her. She had immediately dismissed their moment last year. Zelena had simply gotten in her head about them being together and it lead Emma to read more into any affection she was given. She knew this at the time and she knows this now.

It doesn't stop a terrible feeling from rising in her at Regina's words.

She had a feeling it was going to be a long year.

Thanks for reading! Sorry about any spelling/grammar mistakes. I try to go back and edit with fresh eyes even after the chapters have been published.