Chapter Three – Curiosity On The Hogwarts Express

The Hogwarts Express wove its way through the countryside, steam billowing out behind it as the magical steam engine clattered and chattered on its way. To the students, it was more than just a train, it was a lifeline that connected them to that wonderful place, the school where they would spend an incredible year of magic, excitement and enjoyment...

In a carriage near the back of the Express, Harry sat amidst his luggage on one of the high backed seats with Hedwig's cage sat on his lap. Hermione sat opposite him and Ron sat to his side, wedged in amongst his own luggage. So far all three of them held the anticipation and excitement that everyone felt, mixed with the nervousness that came with knowing it was their first year of NEWTS, wizarding exams one step up from the OWLS (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) of last year.

"Its almost scary," Hermione declared as the twin Patil sisters wandered past looking for spare seats, "This year, everything gets a lot harder..."

"Its alright for you, isn't it?" sighed Ron, "You've never got anything less than a hundred and six percent. Try being one of us facing the NEWTS... Weren't the OWLS bad enough?"

Hermione sniffed disapprovingly, "Its only because you don't study hard enough Ron. You get obsessed with Quidditch, chess and daydreaming. If you put just an ounce of the effort I put in, you might just achieve some higher marks!"

Harry thought, with some horror, that Hermione might be about to embark on one of her infamous tirades on the benefits of studying, when an excited shout came from somewhere down the corridor. When the shout came again, he shifted Hedwig's cage off of his lap (earning a moody hoot from the gorgeous snowy owl) and made his way to the door of their compartment and peered out.

At the end of the corridor, a crowd of people were talking excitedly, surrounding someone.

"What's going on Harry?" called Ron, "Anything good?"

Harry wouldn't be surprised if Neville Longbottom was in the midst of that crowd, having lost his toad or some other essential trinket. Poor Neville's troubles always seemed to start on the Hogwarts Express and last for an entire year. But, knowing for certain that Neville wasn't there, for Neville had wandered aimlessly past their seats a few moments ago with a distracted wave as he scoured the floor, so it would have to be someone else.

"Harry!" called Dean Thomas excitedly, "Come here! We've got new people!"

Blinking in surprise, Harry made his way towards the knot of people. New people at Hogwarts were hardly anything new, there were always first years starting every year, just like in any school. "What do you mean, new people?" he asked as he drew close to the group and Dean Thomas shook his hand energetically and Seamus Filligan called his greetings.

"Two transfer students! And a home schooled wizard!" said Dean, "Can you believe it? We never get transfer students!"

The crowd parted to reveal three girls, still engaged in deep conversation with the Patil twins who had doubled back on hearing the squeal of surprise, as well as Hannah Abbot and Cho Chang. The first two girls wore identical long black coats over ankle length grey skirts and neat purple blazers. The girl on the left wore her ash blonde hair tied up and thin black framed glasses which seemed stark against her pale skin – her green eyes were downcast and she wore something of a shy smile. The other girl had chestnut hair down to the small of her back, and while equally pale, wore a confident grin and met everyone's eyes equally. It was the third girl that Harry thought a little curious. Shorter than the others, with dark hair and skin not tan or pale, she seemed to possess a curious strength and confidence as she stood there in her robes, shoulders back, talking up front and laughing boldly – but all the time looking around, taking everything in.

"Harry!" called Cho, and Harry felt his insides clench and freeze as she said his name, "Hey, come and meet the new girls!"

Cho Chang, the first girl Harry had ever kissed. He still liked her, even if he couldn't understand her at all. Of course, her last boyfriend had died at the hands of Lord Voldemort and Harry had seen it happen. So, they already had some history between them when they tried going out. But, the year's age difference and Harry's lack of experience with girls had driven them apart. Yet, he hoped that they could remain friends.

"Sure!" he said, walking over.

"Harry Potter?" asked the ashe blonde girl quietly, "My goodness. I forgot you went here..."

Harry smiled and blushed, celebrity never came easily, "Oh... Uh..."

"My name's Elisabeth," she replied quietly, "Elisabeth Crowe."

The next girl took his hand and shook it slowly, making Harry blush to the roots of his hair, "My name's Emily – Emily Theroux – its nice to meet you!"

And so Harry came to the third girl, who nodded hello and offered, "Alright? I'm Emma. Emma Farrell."

"Its good to meet you all," Harry grinned, "Where do you all come from?"

"Lizzie and I come from Marchpeace Witches Academy in the Alps," declared Emily, "And, I know, we don't sound Swiss. Its because we're English, our parents just work for the Ministry and got stationed out there. All the girls were English. But, our parents got sent back, and here we are!"

Emma grinned – Harry noted she had a very infectious grin and returned it, "Me? Oh, I got home-schooled for a while. I was gonna go to Hogwarts but I came down with something proper nasty and got laid up in St Mungos – missed my first year and everything. So mum decided to help me catch up and because my health wasn't up to much, we just never bothered enrolling me. It was proper Ministry sanctioned curriculum work – but I really wanted to go to Hogwarts for my NEWTS..."

"Harry?" a voice whispered behind him.

Harry flinched, he'd completely forgotten about Hermione and Ron! Spinning round, he ushered them forwards, "Ron and Hermione, this is Elisabeth, Emily and Emma. Elisabeth and Emily are transfers and Emma's a home-schooled student. They're all starting this year!"

Hermione stepped forwards and shook hands with each one cheerfully, "This is wonderful! Its nice to meet you all!"

Ron, blushing as Harry did at Emily's rather forward handshake, said hello to each and then vanished back to their compartment. Hermione leant in to whisper to Harry that it seemed Ron's blush had already started with Elisabeth – and that she was sure Ron was probably beginning to notice girls at long last...

Back in their compartment, Harry noticed that they would soon be arriving at Hogwarts and felt his spirits lift. New students, a new school year – who cared if Voldemort was coming back? They were all going to have fun this year. He was determined...

Draco Malfoy smiled as Neville backed himself into a corner in the furthest train compartment. Poor Neville, despite overcoming a lot of his clumsiness and silliness since starting Hogwarts, had never gotten over his fear of Draco. And, now knowing that Draco's own father was a loyal Death Eater and that Draco himself was probably in league with Voldemort, it made everything a whole lot more terrifying for him.

"Well, Longbottom, you've really made things difficult for yourself," the wiry, silvery haired Malfoy heir whispered, "All those heroics assisting Potter have hurt my father's reputation. I really think that the punishment should go both ways though – and I'm quite sure my father's influences will ensure my protection from the underage use of magic laws..."

"M – M – Malfoy..." whispered Neville quietly...

As Malfoy raised his wand, a hand fell upon his shoulder. No magic was uttered, but the fingertips dug in and Malfoy opened his mouth, uttering a quiet cry. Turning to face the person who dared interrupt him, he suddenly laughed, "You? I can't believe this? Listen, you're new here, so I'm prepared to overlook this kind of mistake. I'm a Malfoy, and..."

Emma smiled, "I know who you are. Now leave Neville alone."

Malfoy chuckled, "Then, if you know who I am, you'll leave me alone?"

Emma increased her grip on Malfoy's shoulder and Malfoy cried out in pain again, he could feel bones rubbing together now, "No, Malfoy. I won't leave you alone. I'm going to make this very easy for you. You won't intimidate this boy again. If you try, if you even look at him, I will put a permanent Crucio Curse on you. And worse. Believe me, home schooling means I can do things you and your father could only ever dream of..." then, as though the speech had taken a lot of her energy, she lowered her head and when she looked up again, she smiled brightly, "See you at school, okay?" and, grabbing Neville's hand, she lead him off down the train...

And so the school year began, with three curious new students and two more to come, exams to prepare for and excitement to be had – everyone felt it deep in their souls – that something incredible was going to happen...