And it turned out; the Potters REALLY couldn't leave me alone.

When I finally calmed down, and opened up the battered Pride & Prejudice (a Hogwarts Express essential), my compartment door opened.

I had noticed movement outside the compartment beforehand, but whoever it was too short and ginger to be Potter (James).

Unfortunately for me it was the youngest Potter. It was made even worse by the fact she was crying.

'Oh my God, sweetheart, are you okay?'

Lily Potter looked up, surprised that there was anyone in the compartment. Her cheeks reddened and her eyes widened.

'Oh, I'm-I'm fine,' she stuttered, trying not to cry, 'I just s-s-stubbed m-my toe, really I-'

'Lily, stop. If you don't want to talk about it that's fine. Just don't lie to me.' I said to her gently.

She nodded and looked down. She was crying again.

I hesitated before standing up and wrapping my arms around her. She clung onto my jacket, and sobbed quietly.

I tried to be as soothing as possible, but really, I have next to no people skills. I had no friends at Hogwarts, and Vi never cried in front of me. She did behind locked doors, though. I had heard her once.

I hugged her tightly, rubbing her back, and whispered that it wasn't so bad, it would get better, and that she's be fine. It worked, thankfully.

She stopped crying, and had calmed down enough to sit down on the seat opposite me. Her eyes were red from crying.

'Do you want to talk about it?'

She shook her head.

'Do you want something to eat?'

She shook her head.

'Drink?'

Another shake of the head.

'Would you like me to do a series of difficult, yet wildly entertaining somersaults and body contortions, until I look like a bouncing shoe lace?'

She laughed. And nodded her head.

'Alright then! Body contortions it is!' I said, standing up and stretching.

'Don't forget the somersaults, Carrow.'

I spun around to find the eldest Potter child leaning against the door frame.

'Piss off.'

'Now now, Carrow, watch your language in front of my favourite baby sister.'

James was smirking. Git.

James looked over at Lily, and noticed her red eyes. He looked livid, before shoving his wand at my throat.

How the HELL did he move that fast!?

'What have you done to her, Carrow?' His voice was low and dangerous.

Someone wasn't very happy.

'JAMES STOP IT!' Lily shrieked.

'What did she do to you, Lily?'

Lily glared at him. He wasn't listening to her.

'For your information, you dim-witted troll, I ran into her compartment crying, and she was EXTREMELY nice to me. She stopped me crying, kept asking if I needed anything, and made me laugh, so do as she earlier suggested and PISS OFF!'

James looked hurt, and I honestly didn't blame him. He lowered his wand and turned to face Lily.

'Sorry, Lils, I just thought she hurt you. I'm your brother, I'm supposed to protect you.'

'Well you went after the completely wrong person. You always jump to conclusions.' Lily said crossing her arms.

'Who was it the-'

'Doesn't matter, James. Just go.'

James looked heartbroken. He lowered his head and slumped out of the compartment.

Lily turned to face me.

'I'm sorry about Ja-' she began.

'Lily, he was only looking out for you. You shouldn't have been that mean. He meant well.'

She had the decency to look embarrassed.

'I know, I know, it's just... He's always like that. It's kind of suffocating.'

I thought that was a bit strong coming from a Second Year, but I said nothing.

'Just promise to apologise to him?'

'Okay. On the condition you apologise to my parents.'

I blushed. I had already thought about that. I had been a brat. They had, like Potter, had meant well. They just hadn't gone the right way about it.

'I actually already have the letter I'm going to write planned in my head. I'm writing it after the feast and sending it with Mumford in the morning.'

'Mumford?'

'My owl. He's named after a muggle band.'

'Mumford & Sons?' Lily questioned, tilting her head to the side.

'Yes! Do you know them?'

'Yup,' Lily said, rolling her eyes, 'James has all their albums on constant replay. It's ridiculous.'

I think my eyes widened to the size of saucers.

I had something in common with POTTER?!

What is happening to the world?

~•~

Lily stayed a little while to talk, but she had to go change into her robes and find her friends.

I changed into my robes too, before going back to read Pride & Prejudice. I had my knees up and my back was leaning up against the window. It was perfect.

I was interrupted though.

AGAIN.

Potter slipped into my compartment and stood in front of me expectantly.

I let my head fall back against the window and closed my eyes.

'Will I ever be allowed to read my book in peace?' It was a rhetorical question, but Potter felt the need to answer.

'You can hardly call that a book. It falling to pieces.'

My head snapped up and I glowered at Potter.

'What do you want?'

Potter sighed and sat down. He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together.

'What was wrong with Lily? Is she okay? Does she hate me?'

I softened. He was still worried about his sister. I shifted around so I was facing him, with my legs crossed Indian-style.

'Look, Potter,' I said gently, 'She doesn't hate you and probably never will. She knows you're just looking out for her. I don't know why she was crying, she didn't want to talk about it and I didn't push her, and neither should you. She'll tell you when she's ready. And she seemed fine when she left.'

Potter looked at me gratefully, before jumping up and muttering his thanks and heading for the door. I moved to my original position and picked up my book again.

James opened the door, but stopped. He turned around to face me.

'Carrow?'

I looked up. 'Yes?'

'I...ehm...I'm sorry for judging you about the growing up evil thing. I didn't know where you grew up until last June at Kings Cross.'

To say I was stunned was an understatement. My jaw was hanging wide open. And it wasn't the fact he had said it that surprised me the most.

It was that he sounded like he meant it.

'Oh. Well, thank you. That means a lot, Potter.' I said sincerely. I honestly couldn't believe this was happening.

Potter gave me a small smile before disappearing into the corridor.

Did that really just happen?

I am sorry for the hideously long wait, it was really uncalled for. But, alas, I am a lazy person. Thank you for reading so far! Any questions feel free to ask, and reviews are loverly :D

~Quirkers