Author's note: I do not own Harry Potter or its characters. Don't sue me, or rather do. I'd love for someone else to pay my student loans. This is set in the year 2051.

The Hogwarts Express

They met on the train. Of course, everyone who goes to Hogwarts meets on the Hogwarts Express, so that's not saying much. Remus had arrived early with his father and quickly settled into a compartment. Fifteen minutes after the train started, he had been curled up in the still empty compartment with a good book when the door was flung open by a pair of laughing girls.

They could have been sisters. Well, maybe not, but they acted like it. The one on the left was maybe an inch taller than the other girl. Her raven hair was pulled into a ponytail by a sapphire ribbon that matched her sweater which was set off by a black pleated skirt. Her grey eyes sparkled with mischief as she turned to him. "Mind if we sit here?"

"Go ahead."

Her friend flashed him a merry smile and her hazel eyes were warm as she flipped a long chestnut braid over her shoulder. "Thanks."

They settled into the seat across from him, and Remus tried to return his attention to his book. The raven haired girl turned back to her friend. "I think you really ticked that guy off, Pet."

"He shouldn't have been so sensitive. And don't call me Pet. You know I hate that."

"Sure thing. Pet."

Pet's smile dripped false sweetness. "All right then, Sirius."

Sirius' glare could peel paint. "Petra, you know better than that."

The humor was gone from Petra as she sighed. "Yeah, I do. Sorry."

Sirius shrugged and the matter seemed to be forgotten. "God, I hope we're in the same house. I don't even care which house. Well, maybe not Pol's, but.."

The door popped open again, and a girl who could have been a Nordic princess strode in.

"Can I sit in here?" Her Cornish accent was rather at odds with her long white blond hair and ice blue eyes.

"Sure," Petra answered. "I'm Petra Ashton, the raven beauty next to me is Siri Williams, and the guy we keep distracting from his book is…I'm sorry. I don't know who you are."

"Remus Maddox."

"Kate Webster. My mom's Norwegian, but we live in Penzance." She grinned at the look on their faces. "What? It was obvious you wanted to know. My dad's English. He met my mom in Oslo was promptly conked over the head and dragged to the alter."

The three girls settled into a card game, and Remus returned his attention to his book. He didn't even realize the food trolley had come and gone until someone dropped a chocolate frog on to his book. He looked up to find Siri grinning at him.

"You looked like you could use some chocolate."

He smiled back at her. "Thanks. These are one of my favorites."

"Great. I don't suppose I could interest you in a game of blackjack? Petra and Kate are busy playing Egyptian rat screw."

"Sorry, I don't know how to play."

"I'll teach you," she offered.

"Sure."

Teaching Remus the game gave Siri plenty of time to study the sandy haired boy. He seemed nice enough if rather shy. She liked his eyes. They were an odd amber-brown color she hadn't ever seen before. They were also warm and friendly which is why she'd asked him to play cards in the first place.

"You're Welsh, aren't you? I recognized the accent."

"Yeah. You live in Wales?"

"No, London. But Petra lives in Shrewsbury, and her mum and dad have taken us to Cardiff a few times."

"You're related?"

"Cousins. I think we're third cousins twice removed, but you know how it can get with wizarding families. Mum and Dad don't really like Petra's parents, but she's the only one my age, and we've been friends since we were toddlers, so they don't complain much about it."

"You're an only child then?"

"No, that's Petra. I've got a sister at Hogwarts actually. Pol's a sixth year though, and we've never been close. What about you?"

"Only child. Well, I've got a half brother, but Julius is twelve years older than me and lives in France. Besides, he's never really lived with us. His mum, well, it's not something we talk about."

"Ah. We have some of those stories in my family too."

Unfortunately, a prefect interrupted their game, telling them it was time to change into their school robes. When they arrived shortly afterwards, Siri and the other first years were herded towards the lake and boats. She found herself in the same boat thankfully, but Kate and Remus were not. She caught sight of Remus in the same boat as the Scottish boy Petra had managed to anger in the ten minutes they shared a compartment before turning to watch the shore. Siri took a deep breath; this was it. She couldn't decide whether she was nervous or excited, within the next hour she'd be sorted in her house for the next seven years.