Disclaimer: I do not own any character and/or places that is recognisable in this story, or appears in one of the Harry Potter books. Harry Potter is a registered trademark of J.K. Rowling, and under no circumstance do I claim any of J.K's characters as my own, nor do I (unfortunately) gain any sort of payment for the writing of this story.
A/N: Ok, this is my first ever fanfiction to be posted (still don't know why I do this) so, please review to your hearts content, whether good or bad. I am not someone who writes comedy well, nor do I wish this tale to be all that funny. I apologize in advance if any of J.K's characters are OOC, and I know that some of the happenings in this story is a bit far-fetched, even for a HP story. Also, I have not yet read the fifth book, so if I write anything incorrectly because of this, please email or review about it so I can fix it. Then, lastly, I must state that English is not my first language, so my tenses do suck most of the time, but bear with me. Enjoy!
The morning was crisp and clear as the students of Hogwarts waved goodbye to family and loved-ones on the Platform nine and three-quarters. James Potter exhaled as he made his way past a group of giggling third-years who looked at him as if he was a horse on sale. As much as he loved Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, he most certainly could do without the oggling - but then, that was all part of being one of the most popular boys in school.
Dodging a group of fourth year Hufflepuffs without a second glance, he was surprised to find himself walking straight into a trolley stacked sky-high with heavy trunks. His speed was just too much, and the trolley just too out of control to stop the collision, and when it hit, it hit hard.
A very surprised Potter looked up from the flat of his back as the trolley suddenly braked and a strange dark-haired girl stooped over him.
"Oh crap." There was a strange accent to her words as she bent down to offer him a hand. "I am so sorry, I didn't see you there."
James grinned slightly and took her hand, surprised at the stranger's strength. "Well, it is quite a difference not to be noticed." He managed to right himself with the girl's help before making a big fuss of mockingly dusting himself off "I do believe, however, that you might have cracked some of my ribs."
An arched eyebrow is raised at his words. "I am sorry, I really did not see you. It seems as if my cat has managed to get himself lost, so I was too busy looking for him to notice any arrogant boys striding about." Her smile was open and friendly, and her tone had a bantering ring to it.
James stood for a moment, silently glancing over the girl. He did not know her at all, which was strange, for she appeared about his own age. Hair the colour of raven's feathers framed an oval-shaped face with delicately chiselled features. Azure eyes stared out from beneath long lashes, and a full mouth was curved in a slightly mocking smile. Although not overly tall, she still seemed taller than most girls, and along with her willowy frame made a picture that one would not easily forget.
"Arrogant, am I?" James replied. "Well, shall I be so arrogant as to presume that we have never met before?"
"You would be quite right, at that. This will be my first year at Hogwarts, although I will be joining the sixth-year students." The girl brushed a strand of hair from her face. "But I do believe that we will miss the train if we stand here much longer."
For the first time James glanced around him and noticed that the remaining students were dashing about trying to find place on the train. "I think that you might be right. Come on, I'll help you put away your stuff."
He turned around and made his way to the train, very sure that the girl would follow. Hastily they settled her stuff just as the train started moving. "That was too close." James said as the train pulled a way from the station. A large black cat rubbed against his legs and purred softly, as the girl laughed.
"It seems that it was a good thing I nearly ran you over, for now at least, you have found my cat for me." She grinned and scooped the cat up in her arms, hugging it to her chest. "He has such a lust for adventure. But, I forget my manners. I am Katherine."
James grinned and nodded. "And I am James. It is nice to meet you." He glanced about him. "If you want, we could move your stuff to our compartment. There should be another space left"
Katherine nodded and motioned for him to lead the way, holding the cat with one hand and lugging several items of baggage with the other. James grabbed her remaining stuff and lead her down the hallway.
***
They were a strange group, Katherine had to admit to herself as she settled into her seat opposite James. Clearly the leader of the group, he had a natural magnetism that made one want to laugh at his jokes or listen intently to his stories. Black hair stuck up in several different angles and begged to have someone draw fingers through it, while vivid green eyes glanced out from a pair of glasses. The Prefect's badge on his robes looked almost out of place with his playful demeanor.
Next to Kat sat a boy who had introduced himself as Remus, a silent but yet intense young man with light brown hair and sombre eyes. Kat liked him immediately, for she instinctively knew that he too had secrets and would not ask annoying questions about things she would rather keep secret.
Across from Remus sat a pudgy boy called Peter, nice enough, Kat would guess, although she was not quite sure how he fit in with the other two.
"So, where did Sirius get himself to?" James asked after Kat had been introduced to the other two.
"I think he said something about going to fetch Lily and Jess." Remus replied, slightly shaking his head. "Not that I know why. Lily is your girlfriend, after all."
"She's not my girlfriend." James muttered and threw Remus with a chocolate frog-wrapper.
Kat grinned. "Most of the time friends would know whether she is your girlfriend or not, James. They tend to have these uncanny instincts about such things."
James glared at her. "Lily is not my girlfriend!"
"I am most certainly not!" Came a voice from the doorway, where two girls and a very smug-looking boy stood. "I'd rather date a slug, James Potter."
The others snickered and rolled their eyes. "Yeah right, Lily. We believe you." Came the other girl's reply, blond hair swirling around her shoulders as she shook her head before plopping herself down next to Peter.
Lily shot the other girl - Jess, Kat thought Remus had said - a nasty look before making herself comfortable next to Remus.
"Charming." Sirius growled. "Am I to stand for the entire trip?" His eyes fell on the new arrival and he raised an eyebrow. "Who's she?"
"I'm Katherine. I was transferred here from the United States." She turned the full force of her stare on him, taking in his dark hair and handsome features. To her great annoyance, it seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever.
"Well, did you have orders to transfer yourself into my seat?" He did not appear too highly annoyed at it though, and the comment was more of a grudging welcome than anything else.
"Are you pompous by nature or do you work on perfecting the skill every day?" Kat shot back, but there was a tiny smile on her lips. She did love a good match of wills.
"It is just one of my many talents." Sirius shrugged and made his way where Jess sat before unceremoniously dropping down into her lap, despite heavy protests from her part.
"Oh, and I presume weighing a thousand pounds is another of your talents, Black?" Jess gasped and vainly tried to shake him off. "Not that I mind or anything."
Sirius smiled down at the blond girl. "I try, my dear, I try. And you are ever so comfortable to sit on."
The door of the compartment was thrust open and a young man with platinum hair and a permanent sneer poked his head into the compartment. "So, I see that you Mudblood lovers are all reunited again. Shame, it must be so good to be back among dirt, Potter." Lucius Malfoy smirked viciously as his gaze travelled across those present. Eyebrows rose as he spotted Katherine.
"Well, I never thought I would see you amongst these losers, Kat. My, my. What your father would not say."
James made as if to reach for his wand before he heard Malfoy's words to Kat. All those in the compartment turned their eyes on the new girl, while her own eyes burned livid with anger.
"Ouside, Malfoy. Now!" Kat raised her chin and stood up, pushing Malfoy roughly back out of the compartment and shutting the door firmly behind them.
"What in the bloody blazes are you playing at you stupid prat?" She hissed and placed her hands on her hips. "Who I sit with has nothing to do with you!" Every inch of her radiated anger, although her face had gone completely devoid of any emotions.
"It is my business if you sit with them." Lucius sneered down at Kat. "You are a disgrace to your family, Kat, and to Him."
Fury flashed in those azure eyes as Kat balled her fists. "As of the moment I stepped onto this train, Malfoy-" She spat the name like a curse "- my business is my own. So sod off!"
Malfoy opened his mouth to say something, but a fist in his guts cut him off.
"Not a word more from you, Malfoy, for you might just make me angry." She whirled around and yanked open the door to the compartment.
"Mark my words, Katherine Hale, you will be put into Slytherin, and then we will speak again!" Malfoy wheezed, clutching his stomach.
Kat slammed the door viciously.
***
There were a few gauche moments of silence as Kat sat back down in her seat. Peter twitched nervously and fiddled with his hands, Remus was gazing out of the window with all his might, James was intent upon his sneakers and the two girls were shooting each other strange glances across Sirius's (who was still sitting on Jess' lap) shoulder. Sirius alone faced the new girl, a strange expression in his eyes.
"So, how do you know Malfoy?" His voice was cold, almost openly hostile.
"I used to lock him in our broom-shed when I was younger." Kat replied, shrugging her shoulders slightly. "Our parents went to school together, and before we moved to the US we used to live quite close to them. His parents used to drop him off at our house to play - much to my eternal annoyance."
All eyes were now on her, some with slack mouths.
"You locked Malfoy in your broom-shed?" James roared with laughter, green eyes sparkling. "You don't by any chance have photos of that, do you?"
Kat grinned and shook her head. "No, I don't. But I do have one where he fell face-first in a puddle of mud. It is quite amusing, actually."
Several of the others laughed with them.
"What did he mean about your father, Kat?" To the surprise of all those present, it was little Peter who spoke up.
Kat sobered up immediately, her eyes hooded. "I come from a pure-blood family in which every member for the last two hundred years has been in Slytherin. They would disapprove, but quite frankly, I don't give a damn."
Remus grinned. "Seems like she would fit in just fine with us, don't you think?" He glanced at her. "We are well know in the school for breaking rules - and several traditions."
"I just hope that I don't end up in Slytherin. I think I might just slit my wrists if I do." Kat was about to say something else when the sweets-trolley rolled past.
For a while everyone was content simply to eat and joke around, once more comfortable with the new girl - all that is except for Sirius and Lily.
***