Disclaimer: I do not own any of J.K. Rowling's characters except Brooke Stevens and her family. I also don't own many of the places that the characters visit.

Chapter 3: Decisions on the Train

"BEEEEEP!" Brooke's alarm clock goes off. She hits the button to stop it and stretches. It's morning all ready…In an hour I'll be on my way to Hogwarts…She changes into some muggle clothes, gets ready, grabs her luggage (Including her owl, Haemon), and heads downstairs. Her mother and father are sitting at the kitchen table talking. Brooke mutters hello then sits down to her normal breakfast prepared for her.

"Brooke dear you must hurry up. We don't want to get to King's Cross too late," her mother tells her.

"Ok mum, I'm almost finished."

"Mary, what platform is Brooke's train supposed to be at? The ticket here says nine and three-quarters. I know that can't be right. They must have printed it wrong," Mr. Stevens exclaims.

"I'm pretty sure that's correct… I once had to go to platform five and a half to see a Quidditch game. I'm sure it's the same type of deal… you just walk in between the platforms towards a wall Sam. That's all there is to it," replies Mrs. Stevens.

Mr. Stevens looks at Brooke's mother quizzically. Brooke finishes her breakfast and they head out to Mr. Stevens car. Brooke's mother looks at the vehicle with disdain, but gets inside while Brooke heaves her luggage into the trunk. She and her father then get into the car and they drive towards King's Cross.

During the thirty minute drive Brooke sits in the back quietly pondering. I wonder what Hogwarts is going to be like. I do hope I'll fit in well, and make some friends. That reminds me… who should I sit with on the train? Harry…or Draco? They both seemed pretty nice and I don't want either to dislike me for not sitting with them. Maybe I can try sitting with both of them… And with Brooke's final thought the car pulls to a stop right outside the train station.

"Come on dear. We must hurry. Sam grab her suitcase," says Mrs. Stevens.

Brooke's father grabs the suitcase and the three family members start walking towards platform nine and three quarters. When they arrive close to platforms nine and ten Brooke notices Draco standing nearby watching her.

"Well Brooke I guess this is goodbye. We'll miss you, but hopefully you will decide to come home for Christmas," declares Mrs. Stevens.

"Bye Brooke… have fun at Hogwarts. It's called Hogwarts right? What a peculiar name..," says Brooke's father.

"Bye guys! I'll miss you too! Oh and I see my friend Draco over there so he can show me how to get to the train," announces Brooke.

Brooke hugs her parents and Mr. and Mrs. Stevens wave to her then depart towards the car because Mr. Stevens needs to get to work.

Draco waltzes up to Brooke, "Glad to see you made it. Ready to go? Just follow me right in between the platforms."

"Alright."

Draco walks into the seemingly brick wall and Brooke follows. They reappear on the other side right next to the Hogwarts train.

"Wow that was cool!" exclaims Brooke.

"Yup… Let me help you with your suitcase. That is assuming that you're sitting with me and not… Potter."

"Alright… I guess I will sit with you, but if I do see Harry I'll have to talk to him for a bit as well. I don't want him to be angry."

"Suit yourself."

Draco carries Brooke's luggage into the train with Brooke following close by. He leads her into a compartment occupied by two gruff looking boys.

"Have a seat next to me Brooke. This is Crabbe and Goyle… and Crabbe and Goyle this is Brooke. She's the one I told you about," he grins and sits down.

"Nice to… meet you," replies Brooke. She sits down next to Draco and stares awkwardly at the two intimidating boys who didn't respond. They look a bit… rough. She thinks to herself.

"So Brooke… Are you excited about your first day at Hogwarts? I bet your going to have to ride the boats to the school with the first years… with that oaf Hagrid because you aren't sorted yet. Oh I do hope you are in Slytherin," says Draco.

"That reminds me…. How exactly do they sort people into houses?"

"You put on this old rotting hat that decides where to put you. I always thought it was a bit weird that a hat sorts you… but it did put me in the right house so I guess it's ok," replies Draco.

"I see…"

Suddenly the compartment door slides open. Harry slips his head in and spots Brooke. He smiles, "There you are! I've been looking everywhere for you. Come sit with me." He then sees Draco and his smile turns into an angry look.

"Potter! Get your bloody head out of here! Can't you see I'm in the middle of an important conversation!" shouts Draco.

"Malfoy… It's obvious Brooke wasn't too interested. She looked quite relieved that I stepped in. Come on Brooke," says Harry.

Brooke shrugs and stands up, "Sorry Draco… I did promise Harry that I would sit with him before I promised you… perhaps we can talk again later? I really enjoyed your company.."

Draco looks flustered and angry, but when he notices Brooke looking at him kindly his face softens. "Oh alright… just don't get too cozy with Potter… he is a Gryffindor.."

Harry shoots Draco a threatening look and drags Brooke towards his compartment. They go inside and the first thing Brooke notices is a cute guy with freckles and red hair staring out the window and a girl with dark blonde hair reading a very large book.

"Ron and Hermione this is Brooke. I met her in Diagon Alley yesterday," says Harry.

Hermione looks up quick and mumbles, "Nice to meet you." Then she continues reading. Ron however, looks away from the window and his eyes instantly bulge out a bit when he sees Brooke. He says, in a bit of a squeaky voice, "Hi…". Harry laughs then sits down and motions for Brooke to do the same.

"Your're going to love Hogwarts Brooke. It's amazing and Dumbledore is a great headmaster… All the teachers are really nice too...except Snape. He's the potions teacher and he's not too cool.. especially to Gryffindors. He really favors Slytherins the most. And then there's Quidditch. I play Quidditch for Gryffindor. I'm the seeker. Have you ever played Quidditch?" Harry said all of this quite fast and excitedly to Brooke.

"I've never played Quidditch. I did watch it once though with my mum," says Brooke.

Hermione looks up, "We're nearly to Hogwarts. You three should really change into your robes."

Harry, Ron, and Brooke all go change then come back into the compartment. Hermione has put her book away and is stroking her cat, Crookshanks, when they return.

Ron looks over at Hermione "You better keep an eye on that cat. I don't want it getting Scabbers as its' next meal." Ron holds a jittery rat in his hands then gently places it in his pocket.

"So umm Brooke… what house do you want to be in?" asks Ron blushing a bit.

"I'm not sure… I have heard great things about both Slytherin and Gryffindor… so either would be nice," says Brooke.

"You definetly want Gryffindor. That's the house we are all in," replies Harry.

Hermione rolls her eyes and mumbles something that sounded vaguely like, "Pfft...boys."

The train comes to a stop and the four gather their items and get off the train. Brooke is immediately greeted by the sound of a voice saying, "Firs' years! Firs' years over here!"

Harry tells Ron and Hermione he'll join them in a bit and he leads Brooke over towards a giant looking man.

"Brooke this is my friend Hagrid… Hagrid this is Brooke. She is a transfer student from Vadino's and I'm not sure if she is to take the carriages with me or ride in the boats," says Harry.

"Ah yes! I've been waitin' for yer Brooke! Yer have to be taking the boats," says Hagrid.

Brooke nods and waves goodbye to Harry. Hagrid leads her into his boat at the front and they start off towards Hogwarts with all the first years following behind in boats.