Again, most characters belong to J.K. However Hope is one I made up. Thanks to: Dizzy-Iris(Joyu) and iluvderek21 for reviewing!!

The Train

Hope had awakened early the next morning, in order to make it to platform 9 ¾ on time. Once she had boarded the train she found an empty compartment, and sat down sighing.

Five or so minutes passes until a girl with rather bushy hair came in, "Excuse me, but do you mind if my friends and I join you in here?"

Hope looked up,"Uh,.. No, its fine. Go ahead."

"Thank you" She replied kindly. Then she took a seat followed by a boy with Red hair, who resembled the two boys Fred and George she had met only yesterday, and a boy with untidy black hair.

Again the girl spoke, "By the way, I'm Hermione Granger, and this is Ron Weasley and Harry Potter." She spoke gesturing to the two boys.

Hearing the name 'Harry Potter' Hope was shocked for a minute or so. How many times had she heard her father speak about this boy? For a split second she felt hate against this boy she had only known for a minute. Hope could have sworn that her father cared more about this boy than his own daughter. He didn't want Harry alive however, he wanted him dead. Although the way Hope saw it was: Any attention was better than none.

She thought for a moment, smiled, then spoke, "Nice to meet you, I'm Hope. Hope Evans."

She felt their gaze on her for a while, but stared at the floor. She heard Ron clear his throat, and she looked up.

"Your not a first year are you? "Ron spoke with a puzzled look on his face.

"No, I'm starting my sixth year"

This time Hermione spoke, "Sixth year? I've never seen you before. What house are you in?"

"Yes sixth. I haven't been placed in a house yet. this is my first year at Hogwarts, but I will be placed with the sixth years."

"Its your first year? Where have you been going up until now?" It was Harry who spoke up this time.

"I attended Durmstrang for the last five years. But my father has decided it was best to come to Hogwarts this year." She spoke thinking as she said the last bit..

Hermione nodded, as if taking it all in, "So have you read anything about Hogwarts? Do you know anyone here?"

Hope thought for a moment before speaking, "No,.. I haven't read anything much about it. But I do know someone who attends the school. He has told me much about the teachers, and students."

"What did your friend say about the students? "Hermione asked.

Hope found it odd that she hadn't first asked who her friend was but answered her anyway, "Well, to be honest he spoke a lot about the three of you."

This caught Harry's attention and he spoke, "The three of us? Who was it? What did they say?"

"Well,.. I don't think he's all that fond of you and his name is---" She stopped speaking as someone entered the compartment. Turning to see who it was she saw it was Draco.

He looked around at who was sitting with Hope then smirked, "Hope, I see you've met the Mud blood, Potter, and Weasel."

Hope rolled her eyes, "Yes, I have.. and they aren't nearly as bad as you make them sound."

She saw Draco glaring at the trio. Hope knew he was still upset that his father was sent to Azkaban, because of Harry. She thought she would never hear the end of how this year was going to be the year that he made Harry's life a living hell.

"Leave us be Malfoy." Harry said through gritted teeth.

Hope watched everyone carefully. Then a boy came to the compartment they were all in,"Ron, Hermione, Draco prefect duties now!" He spoke in a rushed voice, and left.

Draco looked at Hope, "I suggest you make your decisions wisely Hope."

Hope rolled her eyes, "Don't worry. I got it covered ok?" She spoke in a reassuring tone, and Draco smirked and left as well, followed by Ron and Hermione.

Harry and Hope were the only two left in the compartment.

"Your friends with Malfoy? But how?" He had a shocked look on his face.

"Yea, I guess you could say we were friends."

"What did you mean when you told him 'I got it covered'?" Harry had a very puzzled look on his face.

Hope shrugged, "I don't know. but it got him to leave faster."

Harry nodded in slight disbelief, "O.k."

Hope sat there in silence for the rest of the ride, replaying the conversation she had had with her father just before she left that morning. A small tear ran down her cheek as she thought about what she would have to do. Before Harry could see she wiped the tear away and took a deep breath. This year she was going to need to be stronger than she ever had before.

This year was going to be a year many would never forget.