Harry had left Surrey just a few hours before, and he had already made a real, live friend. He still couldn't believe his luck at how quickly that happened. Lilah Darling had been nothing but kind, caring, and patient with him. He finally found the 'happy place' he so desperately craved. Harry was on cloud nine - he actually had someone to share treats with, someone to share a laugh with, someone to appreciate him.

"So, Lilah, have you met anyone else on the train?" Harry asked innocently. "Other than yourself, I haven't seen any of the other students."

Lilah thought for a moment. "A few, but not many. There's a cad named Draco Malfoy a few compartments over. He's got the slicked-back blonde hair and a smug expression on his face. He didn't really seem to think very much of me as I'm not what he calls a 'pureblood'. I really wanted to bust his lip open."

Harry nodded. "I seem to remember him back at Diagon Alley a while back. Yes, 'smug' is a very good way to describe him. He's definitely bad news."

Lilah smiled. "Thankfully, there's much kinder children on this train. There's a ginger... I think his name was either Donald or Ronald, I forgot which. He seems like a sweet boy. He had a handful of meat pies with him. He was kind enough to offer me one. He might be someone you'd be interested in acquainting yourself with when you get off the train.

And there's this frizzy-haired brunette girl as well, she asked me if I saw another boy's pet amphibian. Really unusual name. Think it was Calliope or something like along those lines, I don't rightly remember. She seems fairly sweet, but perhaps a bit bossy. She kept going on and on about all the books she's read on magic... I told her, 'I get it, you're bright, but you're really just showing off.' Don't get me wrong, studying is important, but I think she is taking it a bit too far. She must be a Muggle-born too, because when I told her my name, she sang that bloody Beatles song "Oh Darling". I gave her the biggest eyeroll I could manage."

Harry guffawed at that. "Well, two out of those three sound like they have potential. Especially that Ron-Don lad, he sounds like he could be a true keeper. I'll definitely keep an eye out for him." Lilah smiled as she nodded.

The rolling green countryside gradually faded into a sea of dark blues and purples, with countless white dots sprinkling the sky. "We must not be too far from the castle," murmured Lilah.

It wasn't long before Harry and Lilah heard the squealing of brakes, and felt the grumbling vibrations below their feet. A few minutes later, the train had lurched to a complete stop.

A few moments later, Harry heard a familiar sound barking from outside: "First years! First years! This way! Step lively!" A very large bearded man with a lantern was gesturing to the first-year students to follow him. Lilah saw a huge smile creep on Harry's face, a smile she hadn't seen before. Harry grabbed Lilah by the hand and did his best to navigate through the cluster of children - he just had to say hello to Hagrid and introduce him to his brand new friend.

"Hagrid! Hagrid! It's me, Harry Potter!" he called out, hoping that Hagrid could hear his voice above the din. He waved his hand high in the air, hoping that he could be seen.

Hagrid finally seemed to take notice of Harry. "Harry? Harry Potter? Oh Merlin, it's so good ter see yer! And it looks like yer found yerself a new friend, too! And who might yer be, miss?"

"Lilah Darling, sir," Lilah answered in her posh Received dialect.

Hagrid smiled at her. "Lilah... that's a right pretty name there. Not terribly common, if I might say so, but right pretty." The glint of his lantern revealed his kindly eyes to Harry and Lilah. "Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts Gamekeeper at yer service, but most folks simply call me 'Hagrid'. I'm pleased ter meet yer, Lilah."

Lilah smiled back. "And I'm pleased to meet you, Hagrid. Harry seems to know you, so if he likes you, you must be a good person."

"Thank yer," Hagrid replied. "And yer must be a good one yerself if Harry finds yer good company. Now, if yer will excuse me, we have places ter go." Hagrid stepped back to give himself a bit of room, and resumed barking out instructions to students. "First years, this way please!"

A gaggle of first years lined up behind Hagrid, and as soon as they were all assembled, he led them to a dock with many rowboats waiting for them.

"Four ter a boat," Hagrid called out to the students. "Water is too cold fer a swim so boats it is tonight," he added with a laugh.

Harry and Lilah got into one of the rowboats together. The other two with them seemed to be the redheaded boy that Lilah described, and a shy brown-haired boy who seemed to be a little distraught.

Harry smiled at the red-haired boy. "Hello there," he said. "I'm Harry Potter. Lilah here told me you would make a good friend."

The red haired boy's face lit up. "Harry Potter? No way! You'll have to show me the scar when we get inside... I'm Ron Weasley, by the way." He offered his hand to Harry, who accepted it gratefully.

"Ron," Lilah said as if she were making a mental note.

Ron looked at Lilah. "Hi, Lilah, what's up?"

Lilah shook her head sweetly. "I'm sorry, Ron. I just wanted to make sure I got your name down. I knew it was either Ronald or Donald, but now I know for sure. Thank you."

Ron simply smiled at Lilah. "I like your name, by the way. Lilah... it's very pretty. Not many girls named Lilah."

Lilah beamed at Ron. "You're right, not many. But I rather like it that way, Ron."

Harry tried reaching out to the other, shy boy. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name. I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

"Oh hello, Harry. I'm Neville Longbottom. You'll have to forgive me, I'm still trying to find my toad, Trevor. Please let me know if you see him. I know he's not far, but he has this nasty habit of escaping me all the time."

Harry smiled. "I promise I'll let you know, Neville. Glad to meet you, by the way."

Several minutes later, the students had crossed the lake and continued their trek to the castle. They made their way inside, and up a number of steps. When they reached the top of the steps, they were immediately greeted by a witch clad in green. She looked a little stern, Harry thought, but not unkind.

The witch in green greeted the students. "Welcome to Hogwarts, students. I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts. The Start-of-Term Feast will commence shortly, but first things first, you must be sorted into one of four houses. They are, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Good deeds will earn your house points... any rule violations will lose your house points. At the end of term, the house with the most points, wins the House Cup. Does anybody have any questions?" She paused to allow the newcomers to think of any questions or concerns.

"Very well then. The sorting will commence momentarily. Wait here, please."

Something on the ground caught Lilah's eye, it was brown and had bulbous eyes. She gently picked it up, and turned around. "Is this yours, Neville?" she asked sweetly.

Neville practically jumped for joy. "Trevor!" he exclaimed. "Thank you, Lilah."