~ Chapter 10 ~

As Jaden made her way through the crowds of young and old people, she looked down into the depths of the compartments, trying to find an empty one to sit in. She didn't feel too comfortable sitting with anybody she didn't know, which happened to be everybody. She looked over at a compartment near the back, seeing it was empty. She made her way through the crowded station, trying to make it to the compartment before anyone else could.

She finally made it there and sat in a seat. Finally, she could be by herself. No one around to mess with her. She opened her trunk and pulled out her little blue book. Opening it, she also took out one of her favorite quills she had and began to write. She wasn't writing any poetry now, she was just writing. Writing down her feelings, her woes, and anything else to pass the time. It was going to be a long train ride, as she could tell, and this was the only thing she could possibly think of doing.

*****

Ron turned in his seat and looked out of the compartment window. Just behind some of the people he could make out his parents. When they met eyes, his parents smiled at him and waved. Ron opened the compartment window and smiled back, waving as he did.

"Bye Mum, bye Dad," Ron shouted out of the compartment window, and closed it behind him. He turned around and sat in his seat. "Wow, our 6th year. I can't wait to get back to school. Who knows what's going to be waiting there for us?"

"Work," Hermione said bluntly, closing her copy of Notable Witches and Wizards of the 13th Century. "You do know that N.E.W.T.s are next year, don't you?" Ron frowned at this remark. He didn't expect to hear work at a time like this. Harry seemed to notice this, too.

"Well, we know that we will be having a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher again," Harry said. It was all too familiar seeing last years teacher mysteriously disappeared then left his resignation on Dumbledore's table. It was said that that job was cursed, as no teacher had taught it for more than a year and either resigned, or just disappeared all together.

"Well, I hope we don't have the real Moody this year. I heard he was really strict and all," Ron said.

"Well, he can't be," Andrea said, "I heard about him before I left America. He was working with a foreign relations kind of Aurorship League or something. Seems like he was rounding up some Americans to come and help him back in England."

"Well, I heard that our new Defense teacher just started teaching," Hermione said. "With me being a Prefect and all, I hear things." She stated this seeing the faces all turn to her.

"Well Prefect or no Prefect, you still don't know who the person really is," Ron said. Hermione glared at him, making him take a step back. She looked over to Andrea and nodded, to which Andrea nodded back. They both got up and started walking towards to the exit of the compartment. "Where are you going?"

"We are going to talk to some civilized people, unlike yourselves," Hermione said and led Andrea out of the compartment. Ron sat with his mouth open.

"Oh well, I guess they're going to be gone for a while," Harry said with a chuckle. Ron gave him a slight punch to his arm. "Sorry." As they finished their conversation, they could hear the train whistle blow, making sure all passengers were in the train and cueing that it was taking off. Ron was hoping that Andrea really did like him. That way he would have a girlfriend and would be 15 galleons richer.

*****

Jaden could hear the whistle of the train blow in the front of the train, giving her an idea. Trains. She had never taken one before, and she could document her train ride in her book. That would be...stupid. No one wants to hear about a train ride to her school. I guess it would be a long train ride.

She placed her blue book and quill back into her trunk and closed it. She lay out on the seat, all alone. A yawn escaped her mouth and she closed her eyes. Now, she could get a little sleep from getting up so early. She opened her eyes once more to check if her bags were still there. Her heavy eyes then closed once more and in minutes she was fast asleep. Unknown to her, a certain someone came strolling through the compartment.

He snickered, seeing her asleep, and eyed her trunk. After a moment of staring there, he made a pass for her trunk. He was surprised to get a lengthy shock when he came near it, making him fly backwards. He rubbed his head in fury, not thinking someone would put a protecting charm, and possibly a very good one, on their trunk. Jaden started hearing beeps in her head, which made her think that someone had touched her trunk. She guessed they had found out about the shock and made a small smile on her face.

"Probably a Mudb..." said the person, but Jaden couldn't make out the last part of the person's remark. Jaden made herself comfy, as she would probably be sleeping for a while.

*****

Harry and Ron had started a game of Exploding Snap, finding it very fun, until an unwanted voice stepped into the room.

"Ah, the poor-boy and hero-boy," said the drawling voice from the front of the compartment, "All alone in this compartment. Where did your girlfriends go? Out to find better taste than you?" Ron glared up at Draco, looking straight up into his gleaming gray eyes.

"Oh, shut up, you slimy git," Ron shot at him. Draco's grin turned into a scowl.

"I wouldn't be calling anyone slimy, compared to the hole that you live in," Draco shot back. Harry leapt up to keep Ron from punching his face inside out. One more remark, just one more remark and Ron would really snap. Hole that he lived in. Only someone who had lived in a hole all their life would come up with something like that. Don't fall as low as he is. Ron stopped struggling and sat back in his chair. Draco's smile returned to his face. "Can't afford a comeback, eh, Ron?"

"No, I just think that retaliating might make me say something that may offend you, ferret, I mean, Malfoy," Ron said with a slight grin. He was remembering their expedition from two years ago. The fake Mad-Eye Moody had turned Malfoy into a ferret, which had made him the laughing stock for quite a while.

Draco's smile again dropped. Ron could tell that the ferret thing had scarred his reputation a bit. Harry muffled a chuckle from behind the two. Draco instantly gave him a scowl, but it didn't phase his laughter.

"What are you laughing at, Potter?" Draco said. Harry stopped laughing, seeing that he was now Draco's subject of the moment. "Who wouldn't remember you? Still giving out autographed photos probably, eh?"

"I wonder why people would actually want autographed pictures of me...instead of you. Did you ever think about that?" Harry stated, giving a quick retaliation. Draco opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. A moment later he opened it again, yet after giving silence, he closed it. Both Harry and Ron tried to suppress a giggle.

"Well...um...well, you both are stupid gits. That's what you are and you'll never get out of it." With that, Draco turned on his heel, a triumphant yet uneasy smile upon his face, and exited the compartment. When he finally was gone, both Ron and Harry burst out in laughter.

"At...least...we're...not...ugly," Harry cried through gasps of air as he laughed. Looks like the tables might turn this year. Ron gave an even bigger smile before he turned back to their game. "Snap!" Harry quickly moved away their cards as a crackling SNAP was seen and heard in front of them.

*****

Jaden had soon enough awakened and started writing again. To her surprise something clicked in her mind. Meg. Where had she gone? Suddenly the door to the compartment opened. In came a girl with her trunk behind, hauling it into the compartment.

"Meg!" Jaden said. The girl turned around and smiled.

"Jaden, there you are!" Meg replied, leaving her trunk in the halfway open doorway. "I've been going from compartment to compartment trying to find you." Jaden smiled with glee, and then looked over to Meg's trunk, which was slipping out of the compartment inch by inch.

"We'd better get your trunk before it falls out," Jaden said and walked over to the trunk. She had a tug and almost broke her back. Aye, what could be in something this heavy? "Umm... a little help?" Meg looked over and gasped. She came over and quickly helped Jaden with the trunk. "How did that get so heavy?"

"It's that heavy? I didn't notice!" Meg stated.

"Didn't notice? How couldn't you? It weighs a ton," Jaden said, going over to her seat and sitting down. Meg made a modest smile and sat across from her.

"I guess I don't know my own strength," Meg said and popped a piece of candy into her mouth. "YUCK!" Meg spit out the candy, getting the taste out her mouth. "Oh my God! I swear that, that thing tasted like some kind of booger or something."

"What! You did not just say that that tasted like booger did you?" Jaden asked for reassurance. Meg nodded and started brushing off her tongue. "What kind of candy are you eating??"

"I don't know, but you can have the rest," she said tossing a little bag over to her. Jaden read the label saying Bernie Bots Every Flavor Beans. Jaden started to chuckle and looked into the bag. "Are you actually going to eat one of those things?"

"You didn't read the label. It's called "Every Flavor Beans" so they must not be kidding," she replied tossing a red and white one into her mouth, which happened to be peppermint. Jaden liked peppermint and chewed in its goodness. Suddenly, a switch went off in her brain. "Hey, where were you?"

"What? Where was I when?" Meg replied.

"Where were you at the resort? I never saw you."

"Oh, umm... I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not? I looked for you everyday yet I didn't see you."

"It's sort of sad in a way."

"Tell me. We've got time till we get to school."

"Well, when my uncle and I got to the resort, I was so exited, but when we talked to the guy at the counter, he said that we had no reservation at that address. I had to stay with my uncle." Jaden looked surprised.

"Oh, that's fine," Jaden said, "Just wanted to know."

"So, are we still cool?" Meg asked, a large grin on her face.

"You know it." Jaden quickly high-fived her, leaving them to burst out in giggles. Meg was still alright. Jaden made a broad grin as big as Meg's and sat back in her seat, dropping another bean in her mouth. Looks like Hogwarts won't be so lonely after all.

*****

By the time the game of Exploding Snap had ended, Hermione and Andrea had come back. They had talked for a while and had laughed through some of Ron's stupid jokes. Suddenly, Harry heard a tapping at the window of the car. It looked like a large brown owl that had traveled very far, seeing a tired statement on his face. Harry opened the window to the compartment and the owl flew in. Harry closed the window back and turned to see that the owl had swooped down to a seat.

"Look there's a note in your lap, Harry," Ron said, pointing to Harry lap. Harry looked down and picked it up. When he did, a newspaper clipping fell to the floor. Harry did notice this but he still opened the letter.

"It's from Sirius," Harry said. They all gathered round Harry as he read the note:

Dear Harry,

How are you? Again, I can't tell you where I am in fear of this letter being intercepted, but I did not send you this to say hi. I've gotten the latest issue of the Daily Prophet and you wouldn't believe the news.

I will be near Hogwarts in a few days and will still be sending you owls. Say hello to Ron, Hermione and Andrea, if they aren't already hunched behind you reading this letter. Well, I must be off. I can't stay in the same place for more than a moment. See you soon and please read the article.

Your friend,

Snuffles

Harry looked down and picked up the Daily Prophet article clipping from the floor. On it was a picture of Ron's father, who happened to be smiling.

"Hey, what's my dad doing in this article?" Ron asked, inching closer.

"Hold on, I'll read the article!" Harry said, almost getting knocked off his seat. The lengthy article read:

Death of Muggle at Resort

Horrifyingly, a Muggle was found dead at the spot only a few days ago at the Sunset Beaches Resort, says correspondent Ami Tuscan. He was found at his desk, dead instantly. Mr. Arthur Weasley (see picture at left), head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office, made sure that no loose ends were left around. "It is appalling that anyone would think of doing such a thing to a harmless Muggle," quoted Mr. Weasley, and the Daily Prophet fully agrees with him. "I personally think that You-Know-Who is behind something like this." The officials who took the Muggle away had no comment to this issue, but we were glad that Mr. Weasley could give us something. Are his thoughts true? Does You-Know-Who have anything to do with this killing? Will he be returning to power? This reporter shall stay on the case to find out.

Harry put down the article and blinked his eyes a bit. Ron sat with a smug smile on his face, obviously feeling that his father in the Daily Prophet was big news to him. They all came from behind Harry back to their seats in awe, except Ron.

"Guys, wasn't that the place where we were staying?" Andrea asked.

"I think so," Harry said. "I'm not sure."

"Wait a minute, that couldn't have been near us," Ron said, wiping the smile from his face. "We should have heard something about a killing in our own complex, shouldn't we have?"

"Not if no one knew about it," Hermione said. Andrea bit her lip while tapping her fingers on the seat consistently to this statement.

"Let's not think about it, I hate thinking dead thoughts," Andrea said, making them all chuckle a bit. "Hey, look. Here comes Hogwarts." Sure enough, around the bend they could see the towering castle coming up.

*****

Jaden looked out of the window for a moment and was about to pop another bean into her mouth. She suddenly dropped the bean to the floor and sat wide-mouthed. Meg looked over and saw that she dropped the bean.

"What? What's happening?" Meg asked. Jaden almost didn't hear her. She only uttered one word.

"Look." And that was all she needed to say. Meg came over to the other side of the compartment and looked out of it and, too, had her mouth fall open. It was no surprise why. Just around the bend a huge castle had just appeared. It sat on a high cliff, almost looking spooky for a moment. The castle easily outdid anything that Jaden had seen before. It had so many towers and windows and looked like you could get lost if you took a wrong turn. As they ended turning on the bend, Jaden noticed something. The tracks of the train were leading up to a trail that led to the castle. That only meant one thing. This towering castle has to be the infamous Hogwarts. Jaden turned to Meg and, when she did, Meg turned to her.

"THAT'S HOGWARTS?! Man, am I going to have a great time there," Jaden said, letting a smile cover her face. Meg nodded having a smile cover her face as well. They both turned back and marveled at the sheer size of what could have been a trillionaire's mansion until the train stopped. Suddenly, Jaden heard a familiar voice calling through the train.

"Firs' years this way! Firs' years! Hullo Jaden, how was yer trip?" called Hagrid, as a line of first years came in front of him.

"Hi Hagrid! It went fine! I'll see you in the school!" Jaden replied, smiling. Hagrid smiled back broadly.

"I guess I will be seein' ya. Now, now, get in a straight line. You in the back stop yer cuttin' up," Hagrid said calling back at a boy in the back of the line. Jaden then heard a new voice behind her.

"All transfers! Leave your trunks in the train. They will be taken to the school separately. Find a carriage to take you to the school and wait for me there," said a old woman with glasses and a stern looking face. She didn't look as cheery as Hagrid had, which started to bring down her mood. "Come now, we need to move quickly." Jaden and Meg quickly exited the compartment and went to a carriage. It looked as if it was supposed to seat four but Meg and Jaden decided to have it to themselves. Before they took off, a girl came up.

"Hey, wait. Can I join your carriage? I can't find another... hey, it's you!" the girl said. Jaden turned to see it had been the girl that had helped her through to the platform.

"Ginny, right? Of course you can come in with us. It seems to have some room left," Jaden said, smiling at her. Ginny smiled back and entered the carriage just before it took off. They didn't talk on the way to the school, but they did smile at each other before parting. "She's a nice girl."

"Yeah, where'd you meet her?" Meg asked.

"It's embarrassing. I had to ask her how to get on the platform." Meg giggled and said she had to do the same thing. As they were about to enter the school, a boy behind them pushed between them.

"Out of my way, I'm trying to get into the school. Can't you see that you're blocking the entry doors? What morons!" the boy said. Two ugly-faced boys followed him in the same fashion but without the words. Jaden felt mad that a boy would even try pushing past her and getting away with it. That boy just got on the wrong side of me. When Jaden took a deep breath, she opened the door back and entered the school.

Its massive inside was almost as big as it was outside. She marveled at almost everything she passed, feeling like some kind of first year to the school. When she came to a door that everyone seemed to be entering, she opened the door. If she had been astonished by the entryway, she would have had a stroke at the Great Hall. There were four tables across the room and a large table at the head of the room, with obvious professors of the school.

She took a few more steps and was stopped by a person wearing a large badge with a "P" on it.

"Hello, are you transfers?" the boy asked them both. She and Meg nodded and he pointed them to some seats up front. They went up and tried to find some seats that were next to each other, but the best they could do was find one where one person was between them. Jaden sat back in her chair to see the ceiling had the same sky as outside. This was going to be a great school year. She could tell it was either going to be or she would try to make it that way.

*****

Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Andrea exited a carriage and started into the school. They went through the entryway and entered the Great Hall. When they had taken a few steps, a boy with a badge that had a "P" on it stepped in front them.

"Are you all transfers?" the boy asked. Ron rolled his eyes and chuckled.

"Of course, we are transfers! Justin, you idiot, we've been classmates for six years. Why would you think we would be transfers?" Justin Finch-Fletchy looked up and covered his mouth with his hand, then removed it.

"Oh, sorry Ron," Justin replied. "McGonagall told me to show transfers over to the front. I've just been checking everyone for some reason." He then returned to his post by the door and asked the group behind him consisting of a few 6th year Hufflepuffs, who, when asked, popped him over the head.

"I swear that becoming Prefect has turned him into a mindless drone or something." Hermione gave Ron a quick kick to the shin, to which he glared at her. It was true that Justin did seem to be acting weird. She didn't have to kick him. They went over to the Gryffindor table and sat in their usual spots.

"Well, we're finally here," Andrea commented. Yes, they had arrived. They were finally back to school.

"I'm glad I studied The Werewolf Rebellion of 1593, Common Transfigurations for the Intermediate, and The Advanced Art of Potions. I feel ready for anything that comes towards me," Hermione said. Ron felt like saying "Yeah right. I bet you wouldn't be ready for a nice smack to the back of your head," but worried for his already weakening shin.

"Well, I didn't study a thing and the only thing I would probably need studying for would be Potions. I'll probably miserably fail enough to get a howler from Mum," Ron said, trying to urge back his thought. Andrea giggled and Ron smiled at her. Maybe she did like him.

"And I probably know exactly what she would say. RON! HOW COULD YOU FAIL POTIONS! YOU SHOULD HAVE PASSED ANYWAY, EVEN IF SNAPE IS," Harry said, mimicking Ron's mother, but was cut off.

"What am I, Potter?" said a voice from behind him. Harry turned to see Professor Snape. He had been standing behind him for a minute and just happened to hear their conversation. "Tell me what I am. Go on. Cat got your tongue." Ron could have glared at him, but feared of Snape doing something against him. "I would take house points off, but the school year hasn't started yet. Consider yourself lucky, Potter. Too lucky." Snape walked away, a smug smile on his face, and went up to the head table.

"Sometimes I wish I could once, just once, give him a good kick in the rump down a flight of stairs," Ron said, feeling disgusted. Hermione looked shocked.

"No, Ron. Don't wish for a professor to get hurt. Maybe a little humiliated, but never hurt," she said with a wink. They all chuckled at this but were quickly silenced. Dumbledore stood at the head table and announced that the sorting ceremony was about to begin. Everyone sat contently and waited for the ceremony to start.