Chapter 3- Homecoming

'Hey Simone, come sit with me on the train!' Yelled Harry.

Harry lugged in his trunk and Hedwig's cage and set them up on the rack above the seats in the cool damp train car. He grabbed Simone's trunk, as she walked in and rested it gently above her seat on the rack.

'So Simone, were are you from? I heard you talking to your self in a different language.' Harry blurted out. He silently kicked himself for not thinking about what to say before speaking.

'I am from Slovenia. That was Slovenian I was speaking. I was trying to figure out how to board the platform.' the girl replied, blushing slightly.

'Sorry to be a bother but why didn't you know how to board the platform? Haven't you gone to Hogwarts the past five years?' Harry asked bewildered.

'Oh, that is what you are asking, I just moved to Surry from Slovenia. My dad's a muggle and he got laid off from his job. An old friend of his got him a job in England, it's closer to school too so it worked out. I have gone to Hogwarts since first year, I am in Hufflepuff same year as you. Not, apparently that you noticed.' Said Simone.

'That's really cool that you lived in Slovenia! Don't they have Magic Schools over there though, Why Hogwarts?' Neville asked inquisitively.

'Well, my mom went to Hogwarts and she's really against Dark Arts training and many of the eastern schools make students take it. So my mom decided Hogwarts was best for me. Dumbledore has been setting up portkeys for me ever since I started to go here. This is my first year taking the Hogwarts Express though.' Simone smiled.

'Oh!' Harry nodded appreciatively, 'That makes sense! So who's your favorite teacher at Hogwarts?'

'My favorite teacher is Professor Snape,' Simone replied as both Neville and Harry shuddered involuntarily at the name. 'I love Potions! Just mixing and making concoctions is so interesting! I want to be a Medi-Witch when I get out of Hogwarts.'

'Well I was kind of thinking about becoming an Auror but I really don't know, I'm not that great at Potions and I hear you have to be good at it. I mean, I got an E on the OWL in Potions, but I can't even begin to tell you how come that happened.' Harry laughed.

'Well maybe I can tutor you in Potions! That would be great! I am not that great at Defense Against the Dark Arts, you can tutor me in that in return!' Simone said cheerfully.

'Sure!' Harry replied, secretly thinking about all the time he would have to spend with Simone.

Exactly as Simone was getting ready to talk again Hermione and Ron came busting into the compartment.

'Hello again!' Hermione said, her eyes twinkling.

'Oy Mate! She runs like a freaking Hippogriff!' said Ron exhausted form chasing Hermione down the hall of the train.

'And Who are you?' Hermione asked, slightly reprovingly, as if she had just noticed Simone.

Simone's body, shivered like ice, as she tried to brush off Hermione's words, "I..." she stammered. Harry glared at Hermione, and finished the statement, simply, "Simone."

Hermione, clucked her tongue thoughtfully and thought better of her next statement. She tossed her hair behind her and quickly sat down next to Neville. She stared at Simone intently.

Ron looked from Harry to Hermione and grinned akwardly at Simone. 'So,' he said, 'Mr. Potter, how has your summer been, you've been extraordinarily quiet this summer.'

A flash of recognition came in Simone's eyes but she looked over at Hermione, silently gulped, and pushed her thoughts back in her head. Hermione remained glaring at Simone, though occasionally she tilted her head to whisper something to Neville, who was looking more and mroe frightened each time.

'What is your problem with me?' Simone squeaked quietly, she grabbed her bag and ran from the compartment, clearly trying to get away from Hermione's unforgiving glare.

'Hey, Hermione? What was all that about?' Harry yelled loudly.

Hermione frowned, 'You need to stay away from her Harry. Please listen to me. I know you won't, I know you're angry but please for once in your life trust me, stay away from that girl!

Harry rolled his eyes. He sat in silence staring out the window for the rest of the way to the castle. It was truly not the trip he had envisioned for his return home.

End Chapter 3