Luna Grace Corrona had no idea why she was on this train, which was going to a school that she had never heard of. Actually, she did know, but she resented it. Luna was from New York City. She had been living a completely normal life until she was 12, when she discovered that she, her father, mother and brother were wizards and witches. Her entire family had lied to her, telling her that her brother had been going to boarding school out of the state, but the whole time he'd been going to a wizarding school called Rosenthal School of the Magically Gifted. And when she was 12, the whole secret had come out, and she had discovered the family secret. She went to Rosenthal, where her brother had graduated, and learned what it was to be a witch. She was only beginning to accept what she and her family was, when her father was cruelly taken from her. He was from London, and he frequently went between the two cities. He had been killed in a freak wizarding accident, but none of them knew what happened, only that his death had been quick, yet painful. They didn't even really know what it was he did, and she knew that it drove her mom up the wall. Her mom had gotten a Muggle job at a publishing house in NYC. After her father had died, shortly after Luna's 15th summer birthday, her mother had made the decision to transfer to the London chapter, in part so that Luna could go to Hogwarts, which her father had always wanted, in part so that Solace could work in the Ministry of Magic in London, in part because the London offices paid more and in part because her mother had been particularly close to her in-laws, and it was better to mourn in good company than completely alone. It made sense, but nothing really made sense to Luna anymore. As she moved to the very back of the train, she tried hard to dodge the curious stares, but she felt them penetrate anyway. She moved to the last compartment and sat down heavily. "Hi," someone next to her said. She jumped and turned to face the owner of the voice. "Oh, hello." The girl had a British accent, and very pretty, curly red hair. She wore glasses, and she had chocolate brown eyes, as well as a sprinkling of freckles across her petite nose. "You look bloody exhausted!" "I guess I am," said Luna. "Oh, sorry, I should introduce myself. My name is Sally MacDarwin, but you can call me Sally. In fact," she said, confused, "everyone does. I don't know why they chose Sally, but, my mum said something about how it was my name." Luna giggled and Sally smiled kindly at the girl. "I'm Luna. I'm glad that we seem to be becoming friends, as I was contemplating jumping off the train and running home." "I saw you in the station. You did look ready to bolt." "I suppose I've never been so nervous. Seriously, this is all so weird!" "Where is home for you?" "Sit back Sally, it's a very long story." "Oh, Luna, I'm very sorry about your father. It must be horrible, losing your father so young. What year are you going into?" "Five." "Excellent, so am I! Do you know what house you'll be in?" "Yes, we visited the school in July, and I was 'Sorted' right in Professor Dumbledore's office. I'm a Gryffindor, like my dad was." "So am I. My mum was in Ravenclaw, but Dad was in Gryffindor as well." "What are the different houses? My dad never really talked about them." So Luna, and her new friend Sally discussed Hogwarts, boys, and the world in general as the train continued on. -One-hour later- "Yes, I know this boy named Sirius Black. He's really quite good- looking, but I can't really see him with any girls." "Why not?" "You'll see what I mean when you meet him. He wanted to go out with me in my first year, but I didn't take him seriously. Quite the jerk." Luna could tell that Sally didn't think that this "Sirius" was a jerk at all, and Sally probably thought the world of him. "Yes, Sirius is a jerk. Remus Lupin is all right, and so is James Potter, but Lily Evans is dating him." "Really? How long have they been going out?" "Oh," said Sally, waving a hand in the air impatiently. "Ever since they were babies." Luna smiled. "How sweet! Who was that other boy you mentioned? Peter, was it?" Sally looked darkly at Luna. "Him. Yes, Peter Pettigrew. James and Sirius and Remus let him hang out with them, but Lily and I know what he's really about. Always has to have big people looking out for them. I'm shocked he didn't end up in Slytherin. Has to be with the big kids." "Slytherin is the bad one, right?" Sally nodded curtly. "How about a change of topic? Who's that boy that was with you in the train station? He nearly knocked me down when I was going to the train." "Oh, that's Solace, my brother. He acts all tough around Mom and me, but it's all an act. He's a sensitive guy. Quite the heartbreaker, but as I said. It's all and act." Sally nodded. "I guess that it happens to me, too. I don't really open up like this to lots of people. I really hope that I'm nice to your friends, but I can be rather cold. I think it's because I grew up in New York." Luna shivered. "Sally, if you and Sirius have kids, DO NOT raise them in New York. It's the only thing that I hold against my parents." "Me and Sirius have kids? Yeah right, Luna. Dream on." Luna smiled though, because a very noticeable blush passed across the other girl's face. A girl, who also had red hair, walked into the compartment. Her hair was auburn, and longer than Sally's was. She had piercing green eyes, and creamy, unblemished skin. "Who's that?" But Luna didn't hear the girl. Luna had run-ins with green-eyed girls in New York. She had green eyes herself, but this girl's were piercing. There was one girl that Luna would never forget. *Flashback* "Hey, girl. Get your butt over here!" A 13-year-old Luna was walking home from school. The bad girls had been giving her trouble for a couple weeks, and she knew that if she just gave them her money, she wouldn't get beaten up nearly so much. "Dirty slut," the leader said. She had penetratingly fierce green eyes, and Luna could never run when she was under their gaze. "Empty your pockets. I said now!" Luna would empty her pockets, get beaten down a little bit, and then get kicked on her way. She was threatened. She knew that this girl carried a knife, and knew what could happen if she ever told. It was only worse when she cried, so she learned not to." *End Flashback* "Hello? Are you there?" This girl waved her hand in front of Luna's face, and she snapped into action. She suddenly grabbed this girl's hand and pushed it back. She yelped in surprise, and Luna smiled. "Let's get this straight, Nosy. You don't invade my space; I don't get up in yours. You don't stick your hand where it doesn't belong, and I don't break your arm. Got it?" The girl raised an eyebrow, not agreeing to anything. "What's the matter? Are you deaf?" She looked infuriated. "Look, Yank. I don't know where you come from, and I'm sorry that they didn't teach you manners back in the backwaters of wherever it is that you grew up, but don't you ever touch me again!" Luna looked like she was waking out of a trance. The fire in her eyes died down, and she looked at her shoes before pushing past the girl and going to another empty compartment.