Hermoine Granger stared at the scarlet train called the Hogwarts Express. Clutching her trunk, she took a deep breath and began walking away from the brick column that secreted the Kings Cross entrance into the Wizarding World. Stepping up, into the train she walked past numerous compartments, that were slowly filling with students; before choosing one on the left side of the train. Upon entering she saw the back of a brunette boy, about her height, wandlessly levitating his trunk into the overhead bin. Smiling, she watched as he visibly started upon turning around and seeing her. His eyes wide, he sputtered incoherently when she did the same. She introduced herself, chewing her bottom lip and waited to see what happened next.

"Hello, my name is Hermione Granger, Heir Dagworth-Granger." Merlin above, so much depends on his response...what if I'm wrong? It looks like him, but what if it's not. What if I am alone. Alone. The word reverberated through her mind. Can I do this alone? She continued to stare, waiting on a response that appeared to not be forthcoming.

Adorable. Yes, he decided she was absolutely adorable. He hardly blinked as he stared, drinking her in. Gone were her womanly curves and sleeked curls, replaced by her frizzy hair and slightly bucked teeth. But the intelligent spark in her eye, the calculating look that she hid with a slightly manic smile...she was still herself. Just younger. Thank Merlin he wasn't alone.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Sebastian Snape, Heir Prince. My father is the Potions Master who used to teach at Hogwarts."

She blinked. "Used to?"

"Indeed." He smirked. "This being my first year, he decided to take a sabbatical so I could, 'Settle In' as he called it."

Before she could formulate a response, let alone actually speak; someone cleared their throat behind her. She turned only just now realizing they had yet to sit down. Who she saw made her heart ache. His black as night hair falling across his forehead and his chubby cheeks made her grin. She longed to reach out and...no! Stop. He may not remember. She cast about trying to come up with something that would indicate he knew. Or not. Smiling shyly, the newcomer stepped halfway into through the door dragging a trunk and a toad peaking out of his rob pocket.

"Let me help you" Sebastian said as he showed off, again wandlessly levitating the trunk from the startled boys hand and up into the rack above the seats.

"Wow, um, okay, wow. Um, thanks" Damn, how does he still impress me? Wait could he do that before? We were not friends first time around, but Merlin, thats impressive. He startled from his thoughts as his toad, Trevor, jumped out of his pocket and began hopping out the door.

"Not again!" Groaned the young witch as she leapt passed him to try and grab the runaway amphibian.

He froze. "Again...?"

Hermione plucked him from the air mid jump and turned back to the two boys. "Sorry, what? Oh, here you go. She handed him back his familiar, then startled, "Oh, um. I mean...that is to say.." She trailed off helplessly. Ye Gods, I am terrible at this. I just want to fall into their arms and be back home. I cant do this all again. We haven't even been sorted and I am already exhausted.

Seeing the anxiety in both his mates faces, Sebastian took charge. Wandlessly he closed and locked the door. Drawing the shades down with a thought as he placed a hand on the small of their backs and ushered them to a bench, pulling them down on either side of himself he cuddled them close.

"Mia, one of your specialty silencing charms please. Nev, a notice-me-not on the door please. We do not want to be disturbed during this conversation, and we only have 7 hours to figure out a plan to stay out of the Old Goats way, save Potter from himself not to mention away from the Lord of the Flies, as well as eat the lunch I had the house elves pack for us.

"Um Sev? First...Why, well HOW, are you our age?...not that I am complaining, actually this makes things much easier." Turning to Mia he grins cheekily, "Maybe this time, you wont set his robes on fire during Quidditch?" The two boys laughed uproarishly at the blush flooding their witch's face.