I'm on the train now, but I before I got on I had a "talk" with Luscious and Tom. Basically the same Jazz as always. My goal was Harry, I was a pawn, I had no say, and lastly, as hard as it was for me, mind my manners. So after that I boarded the train with Draco, who calls me Smith. He really isn't all that good looking. Sure, he has that bad boy thing going for him, but just spend a week and you'll understand that it's not so bad boy as spoiled boy. He had the gall to ask me to get him a drink when we first met. Things kinda went down hill from there.

Finally I could no longer stand his whining (and he whines about EVERYTHING) and I left. After going from compartment to compartment I was starting to get pretty fed up.

"Is it ok if I sit in here?" I asked as politely as I could.

"No." Said some snotty first year before slamming the door in my face.

"Fine then! I'll just go away. Who cares that I don't know any body or that I'm new! Here, I'll just leave some chocolate for you out here! You obviously need it!" I screamed, walking away. Of course, I didn't actually leave any chocolate for her, as if she deserved it!

"Hey, do you want to sit with us?" I turned to see a bushy haired girl holding a door open for me. She looked familiar.

"Sure." She was friends with Potter. I stepped in and as I was sitting down I remembered to smile and say "Thanks."

"So, you're new?" I nodded, this was true. I was home schooled by a tutor, handpicked my Tom himself. "Well, I'm Hermione Granger, that Harry Potter, and that's Ron-"

"Weasley." I said, and she looked at me curiously. "I ran into him this summer, though I never did get his first name. Nice to meet you Ron." I said, offering my hand, which after a moments hesitance he took.

"Why were you with Malfoy?" he blurted out. Hermione hit him, but looked interested just the same.

"Oh," I said, wrinkled my nose in disgust. "he's a friend of my uncles, nasty old man, but he owed my uncle a favour so I got stuck with him. I lost him for a while, but he found me again." Ron gave me an understanding look.

"Do you know what house you'll be in?" Harry asked quickly, as if to change the subject.

"Um, I'm hoping for Gryffindor, but I suppose I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw" The conversation went on like this for a while, then Hermione fell asleep, her head resting on Harry's shoulder. Harry, moving carefully so to not to wake up Hermione, got out a book, and Ron stared out the window. I started humming under my breath. I told you I have a problem.

~*~

"this year we will have not only our first years joining us, but also a home schooled sixth year. We will sort her first, then the first years." Dumbldore said. I decided I liked him. Walking slowly up to the front, I noticed how many students there really was at Hogwarts. There were a lot, and I mean a lot. Probably about a thousand it seemed, which meant there was probably about two thousand eyes on me right now. I sat on the stool, placing the hat on my head. A blush crept up my face as it slipped down to my nose.

Everything was silent, until a small voice whispered in my ear, "I don't know what to do with you."

"Oh, you don't do you? Make a pros and cons list, that'll help" I muttered. I wasn't sure if it took my advice, but it didn't talk to me anymore. Instead it called out "Gryffindor". I smiled, this would make things so much easier.

Taking my seat at the Gryffindor table, I greeted Ron and Hermione. Harry, for some reason, was no where to be seen. Half way through the sorting he stomped up, then flopped himself into his chair. I couldn't quite hear what he was saying, something about bloody obsessive (not to mention possessive) quidditch captains. Hermione nodded sympathetically, patting his arm every now and then. I felt a pang of guilt, then I reminded myself that my job wasn't to care about their feelings. Dinner appeared on my plate and I felt much better.

~*~

Sitting in the common room it struck me as a good idea to write to dear old Tom, let him know the good news. I was stuck on how to write it though. Time to revert back to my muggle loving days.

"Dear Shirt Guy,

I thought you'd like to know that I made into Gryffindor. V. please with self. I've met some lovely people (Ron, Hermione and Harry) who have agreed to help me get around. They seem to be really good friends, maybe they'll allow me into their circle? Anyways, I must be heading to bed, I have potions first thing tomorrow morning and I want to be well rested.

Yours Truly, your favouritest little me, Amanda,"

I signed the letter with great flourish, hoping he'd remember my pet name for him. Now, if only I knew the way to the owlery…

"Hey, could one of you maybe show me the way to the owlry? It's just that I wanted to send a letter home, letting them know that I'd made it into Gryffindor and all that."

"Alright, I can take you." Ron said, smiling. I smiled back, but grimaced inwardly. I had wanted Harry to take me, then I could get to know Harry. Get closer to him. That was why I was here after all.

Ron led me through the corridors, showing me passages that would be helpful for getting to classes on time. He really was sweet, if not a little outspoken. And he was best friends with Harry…

We were there. He helped me coaxed an owl off it's perch and blushed when his hand brushed mine. Ok, so I blushed a bit too, but really, I was sixteen. It was my job and I have been deprived of anyone remotely dateable. After I sent the owl off flying, we both stared at it until it was out of sight, and then Ron awkwardly suggested we head back to the common room. I nodded and we walked back in silence. This wasn't good. I'd read about things like this. I was crushing on Ron.