A/N: So, how do you like it so far? Chapters will get longer as the story progresses. In coming chapters, be on the lookout for flying lessons, tricks on an uptight Snape, and all sorts of wild fun. Please read and review, it keeps my muse happy!

Disclaimer: If they were mine, things would be wildly different. Don't sue, it's not worth it, and besides, Shakespeare's been dead to long to make it worth your while.

Chapter 2: Hitch a Ride on the Hogwart's Express

"Either I mistake you shape and making quite

Or else you are that shrewd and knavish sprite

Called Robin Goodfellow. Are you not he

That frights the maidens of the villagery….

Mislead night-wanderers, laughing at their harm?

Those that "Hobgoblin" call you, and "sweet Puck,"

You do their work, and they shall have good luck…"

-Fairy

Midsummer Night's Dream, Act II, Scene I

Platform 9 ¾ was full of parents and children, each hurrying to say their goodbyes. Oberon and Robin, again in their mortal disguises, stood off to one side as Oberon gave his sprite her instructions.

The fairy king pointed to a few of the children entering the train. "Those are three of the ones you are to protect. Stay close to them, be their friend. You must earn their trust if you are to protect them when the time comes." Noticing two other individuals, one adult, one child, each with pale blond hair, Oberon shifted his focus.

"That is the fourth there. Beware of him. He is the type that would put a fairy in chains quick enough. You'll need to be careful not to draw too much attention to yourself. Play your part, and keep a sharp eye for Illyria." Oberon looked down at his sprite.

"There's an old wood on the edge of the school grounds. That is where I will meet with you. I won't be there all the time, but you'll know when I am. Look for me by moonlight. Send word if you need me, and be on your guard. Should Illyria find you out, there could be trouble."

"Fear not, m'lord," Robin answered. "Your servant shall do exactly as you command." She gave an impish bow and smirked.

Oberon rolled his eyes and grabbed her arm, pulling her upright as he glanced around to make sure that the mortals hadn't seen. "Fool," he growled, releasing her. Robin only grinned; she wasn't really afraid of Oberon—she knew that he was never truly angry with her.

The five minute call was given and the pair knew that they didn't have much time left. "Oh, I almost forgot," Oberon said, reaching into his jacket pocket and pulling out a wand. He handed it to Robin who stared at it quizzically.

"A twig, m'lord?" she asked. Oberon laughed and shook his head.

"No, no. The wizards use them for their spells. I believe this one is rowan, with unicorn hair in it. Be careful not to channel too much of your energy through it; I'm not sure what the effect would be." A whistle blew, causing the pair to look toward the train.

"You'd better hurry," Oberon said. "Be off with you. You have work to do." Robin inclined her head to him slightly before backing away and hurrying to get on the train. Oberon watched her board, smiling softly, before turning and walking away from the crowd of parents. A few steps later, he disappeared.

Robin made her way through the corridors, looking for the right compartment. She came to it suddenly, recognizing the voices within it.

"Mind if I join you?" Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked up to see a small girl with chestnut curls staring at them expectantly from the doorway. "Most everywhere else is full."

The trio exchanged glances. "Alright," Harry said. Robin entered the compartment and slid into the seat next to Hermione.

"I'm Robin," she said. "Robin Gooden."

"Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, and Harry Potter," Harry introduced, pointing to each of them in turn. He found himself oddly pleased when the new girl didn't even raise an eyebrow at his name.

"I don't believe I've ever seen you at Hogwarts before. Are you a first-year?" Hermione asked. Robin shook her head.

"Third-year, actually. But you're right; I haven't been to Hogwarts before." The three young wizards looked confused.

"But how is that possible?" Ron asked.

"My family's been home-schooling me. We move around a lot, and they only recently saw fit to send me to Hogwarts. My parents are rather…overprotective."

"Oh," Harry said. "Do you know what house you're going to be in?"

Robin appeared to think for a moment. "Gryffindor, I believe," she said slowly. "I visited the school over the summer, and they went ahead and placed me. Actually," she turned to Hermione, "I think we're rooming together. I remember seeing your name on the list they showed me."

"Great. We're all in Gryffindor too. You're going to love it," Harry said.

"Who could love anything about that horrid place," said a strange new voice. Robin looked up to see the blond boy that Oberon had pointed out to her earlier, and grinned when she realized that he had been one of the people shrieking at the monster books in the bookstore. She gave him the once-over, and smirked. She could have some fun with this one.

"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry spat. Malfoy glared at him and was about to retort when he spotted Robin.

"What's this, Potter? Found another mugblood to join your pitiful little group of friends?" Malfoy sneered. Robin knitted her eyebrows and stood to meet the newcomer.

"Mugblood? Mugblood? Hmm…can't say I've ever heard of a mugblood before. Is it a type of snail? Or perhaps a frog? Of course, both are considered delicacies, so I suppose either way it's a compliment."

Malfoy looked absolutely dumbfounded by Robin's comment. His mouth hung open and he shook his head before answering. "What?"

Robin crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows. "I don't believe we've met. I'm Robin Gooden," she said, holding out her hand suddenly. Malfoy looked at it skeptically.

"Draco Malfoy," he answered, without shaking her hand.

"Ah," Robin said. "Well that explains it."

Malfoy looked at her suspiciously. "Explains what?"

"Well I suspected that you would be the class fool. I wanted to have my facts straight as I met my new classmates."

"Why you…" Anger contorted Malfoy's face and he shifted his gaze from Robin to Harry behind her. "What've you all been saying about me?"

"Oh, they've told me nothing," Robin answered swiftly. "I simply have a knack for sniffing out fools." She pointed looked Malfoy up and down. "And I'm glad to see that I have yet to be wrong." With that, Robin turned and shut the door in Malfoy's angry face.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione looked on with shocked and amused expressions. "That was brilliant!" Ron said.

"Do you really not know what a mugblood is?" Hermione asked. Robin shrugged her shoulders as she sat down.

"Eh, coming from that one, I figured it couldn't be anything good. Besides, the best way to deal with an idiot is to confuse them. And that's all I did."

The trio smiled and exchanged glances. This new girl was beginning to show some serious potential.