After much searching the group finally found and empty compartment. As the settled down Hermione couldn't help but notice the look in Harry's eyes as he glanced at Anastasia. It appeared, to Hermione, to be a mixture of jealousy and interest. For the time being she decided it was best to shrug it off, Harry had a lot on his mind and it was not the time to bug him.

Next to her Anastasia sighed as she fell in the soft seat. She tilted her head back and closed her eyes, knowing that it was the only way to stop the tears that were welling in her eyes. Her eyes opened as she felt a hand rest on her shoulder, turning her head she saw Hermione.
"Hey there, how are you doing?" Hermione asked.

"Fine, just a little tired." Anastasia lied.

"Look, the boys went to go copy so homework that they decided not to do, are you sure you're okay."

"I'll be okay how's that? It's just hard, I mean I'm used to saying goodbye to Bret, not that it's easier. Saying goodbye to Sirius was rough though, it just kills right now." Anastasia replied blinking excessively to stop the tears. "I'm getting way to worked up about all this. I'll be fine, school well be a nice routine to keep me sane." She smiled.

"I'm not promising any normalcy at Hogwarts!" Hermione smiled.

"What do you mean? You have no idea, let me start with our first year. . ." Hermione started as she launched herself into a hour length explanation of the adventures the trio had experienced over the last few years.

Not long after Hermione finished recounting the events of the last year Harry and Ron came back in to the compartment.

"Hey Hermione, Anastasia, how's it going?" Harry questioned.

"Oh good, just filling Anastasia in on our adventures of the past few years." Hermione said glancing out of the compartment into the hallway. "Apparently one of our bigger problems is about to make an entrance." She finished as Draco and his henchmen appeared at the door.

"What do you want Malfoy?" Ron sneered edging toward the door.

"Oh shut up Weasel. Besides where are your manners, aren't you going to introduce me to your friend here?" He asked looking in Anastasia's direction.

"Like you ever cared about manners Malfoy, but since you asked, this is Anastasia, she's a transfer from America." Hermione shot backed.

Draco glanced at the new girl racking his mind for an insult to deliver to this new girl, but he couldn't. There was nothing to say, she was gorgeous. "It's my pleasure." He mumbled as he turned on his heal.

"Who was that?" Anastasia questioned after Malfoy left.

"The biggest ass in the world." Harry answered. "By the way Anastasia, it's great to meet you, sorry if I haven't been exactly nice."

"Don't worry about it." Anastasia smiled back. "It's been a weird week for all of us don't you think?"

Before long they saw the lights of the castle gleaming from outside the window. Anastasia couldn't believe her eyes she couldn't remember seeing something so beautiful. As they stepped out on to the platform a steady rain began to fall.

"Firs' years this way, lets move now." A gruff voice from the platform called. Anastasia glanced in the direction and to her amazement saw a giant of a man ushering the first years in to what appeared to be a sort of boat.

"Anastasia, this way." Harry said giving her robes a slight tug.

"Right, who is that?"

"Oh that's Hagrid, a teacher here. He's pretty cool. Would you hurry up though we're getting soaked." Harry joked as he led Anastasia toward the carriages.

"Oh alright Harry; oh my go-" Anastasia gasped. She couldn't believe what she was looking at, the creatures pulling the carriages were the strangest thing she'd ever seen.

"You can see them?" Harry questioned

"Defiantly, what are they."

"Well their called Thesteals, the thing though, is you can only see them if you've seen death." Harry said looking at Anastasia with some concern.

"Well then, yes I can defiantly see them." Anastasia replied feeling slightly light headed.

"Who did you see die?" Harry asked.

"I'll tell you later." She replied climbing into the carriage.

As they settled themselves into the carriage Anastasia closed her eyes, remembering the only time she had seen death and hoping she would never have to see it again. As she thought about that fateful night a shiver ran down her spine; she was thankful they hadn't seen her standing in the corner, chances were that if they had she wouldn't be alive today.

"Anastasia, come on we're here. Are you sure you're okay?" Harry's voice questioned as her mind returned to her surroundings.

"Fine, never better really." She replied taking Harry's hand as he helped her out of the carriage. "Thanks Harry." All of the sudden Bret popped back into her head, for the second time that night a shiver ran down her spine. No, she thought to herself, you're with Bret; that's how it has to be, it's not in your hands so don't go falling for Harry no matter how much you like him. However, she couldn't help but feeling attracted to Harry.