Harry felt something as soon as he stepped foot on the Hogwarts Express. The feeling of safety. The feeling that his days of being with the Dursleys would soon be a distant memory. The physical, mental, and emotional trauma they caused.

Harry was eleven, but was closer to a nine year old in size. He was perpetually deprived of quality nutrition and did not get ample exercise. He had gone all-in in thinking that this train was a one-way ticket to a brighter future.

He found an empty compartment and stretched his scrawny legs. He secretly wished he had parents to wave good-bye to as he saw several adults waving to students boarding the train, but he didn't dwell on it too much.

Harry soon felt the train jolt a bit, and heard the loud rumbling of the wheels grind on the track. He watched the train station gradually disappear from view, and it wasn't long before the city turned to green countryside.

Harry was deprived of many things, but he had really wanted companionship more than anything. He couldn't be by himself this whole train ride, could he? Was he that repulsive? Or that boring? Whatever it was, he sure found himself just as isolated here on the train as he was back with the Dursleys.

It wasn't long before his prayers were answered. He heard a gentle knock on the compartment door. A girl in what appeared to be a school uniform peeked her head in.

"Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" she asked politely.

"I don't mind," Harry replied.

The girl must have been Harry's age, but she was at least three inches taller. Her hair was honey blonde and silky smooth, pulled back into a tidy ponytail. Her eyes were silver-grey, almost icy in color. Her nose was rather pointed, but not unflatteringly so. And it looked like her left earlobe was a smidge bigger than the right, but maybe it just seemed that way. Her lips were a bit on the thin side, but otherwise she was very cute, thought Harry. Were all Hogwarts witches this cute, or was she the exception?

The girl smiled at Harry. "I'm Lilah Darling. I don't think we've met."

Harry returned the smile. "Hi Lilah, I'm Harry. Harry Potter."

Lilah gasped. "THE Harry Potter? I've heard of you. You are a bit of a big deal, you know."

Harry chuckled. "I'm just plain old Harry from Surrey."

Lilah giggled. "You're being modest. I like you already, Harry. I take it you're excited to leave home for the first time? By yourself at least?"

Harry nodded. "That might be an understatement."

Lilah saw a bit of worry in Harry's face. "It's my first time too. I turn twelve in three days - it will be my first birthday without my parents. It's going to be very different, that's for sure. But I'm excited just the same."

Harry smiled at Lilah. "I could use a friend. I've never really had one. You seem very nice, I'd be delighted if you'd be my first. And happy early birthday, Lilah."

Lilah returned the smile. "Thank you, Harry. A new friend would be rather nice birthday gift. I'd be delighted to be your friend too."

A kind witch pushing a cart of sweet treats approached their compartment. "Hello dears, would you care for some treats?"

Harry was so hungry he couldn't see straight. "I'd like a bit of everything, please," he said politely. He felt the coins clinking around in his pocket as he reached in to grab some.

"Thank you," Harry said as he exchanged some sickles for sweets.

"Would you care for a snack or two?" Harry asked Lilah.

"Maybe later," Lilah replied sweetly.

Harry was wolfing down his goodies so fast that Lilah started to stare.

"Oh my goodness, Harry. Are you all right? You act like you haven't eaten in weeks," she declared.

Harry's cheeks flushed in shame. "I'm sorry, Lilah, I guess you could say something like that."

Lilah gave Harry a puzzled look. "Did you have problems at home? It's okay if you don't want to talk about it, but I do want to try and help."

Harry sighed. "It's a long story, Lilah. Maybe another time perhaps."

Lilah nodded respectfully. "It's okay, Harry, I understand."

Harry gave her a look, like he was reminiscing. "Lilah... that's a pretty name. Not unlike my mum's - she was the late Lily Evans Potter. She was a witch but she died in an explosion just about ten years ago."

Lilah smiled. "Yes, Lily and Lilah are similar names - they both mean 'purple'".

She continued. "I'm sorry to hear about your mum. She must have been a fantastic witch. I'm what wizards call 'Muggle born' - my family is not magical. My father is a draughtsman and my mum is a social worker. Not glamourous jobs, but I never went hungry, and I never felt unloved."

Harry smiled sadly. "It sounds like you come from a good home."

Lilah flashed a bright, reassuring smile.

"So what do you know about Hogwarts, Lilah?" Harry asked.

"Honestly, not a ton. I've skimmed through the books but didn't really do much in-depth reading," replied Lilah.

Harry nodded. "Do you know any spells, perhaps?"

Lilah tilted her head a bit. "A few, but not many. Let me crack this dusty thing open and see if there's something we can try. One moment please." She pulled out a rather heavy looking tome and flipped through the pages.

"Let's see here... hmm... I hope you don't mind being a Guinea pig for a minute, Harry."

Harry shrugged. "What's in it for me?"

Lilah giggled. "I'll give you a kiss if you let me practice a spell on you. How's that?"

Harry shrugged. "Sure, why not. Just not on the lips, please."

Lilah smiled. "As you wish, Harry." Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Hmm... your glasses do look a bit rough around the edges. I found a simple repair spell that should help. I've never done this before, so I hope this works." She pointed her wand at Harry's face, just above his nose. "Oculus... reparo!"

Harry took his glasses off to examine them. Good as new! "Wow, Lilah... thanks!"

Lilah smirked, and beckoned Harry with her index finger. She grabbed him by the collar and planted a big, moist smooch on his forehead.

Harry felt slightly embarrassed, and slightly giddy.

"Don't get too used to that, Harry," Lilah said with a sly grin. "Now, the sun will be setting in not too long so now would be a good time to change into your school robes. There's a loo to your right. I'll make sure nobody takes your spot in the meantime."

"Got it. Thanks, Lilah! I'll be back in a few."

Harry stepped outside the compartment with his bag of school clothes. He returned to the compartment several minutes later. Much to his chagrin, he heard Lilah giggling.

"Oh Harry, you need some help, don't you? You haven't worn neckties much, I take it. Come here, please."

Harry walked over to Lilah. She smiled warmly at him. "Harry, I'm going to teach you a basic knot style. It's called the "four-in-hand-knot". It's not as fancy as say, a half-windsor, but it will do. Let me show you." She demonstrated the not in front of Harry. "Now you try."

Harry took the plain black tie back from Lilah with a bit of trepidation. He placed it over his neck, and deliberately looped one end over the other. "Over, under, through..." he thought to himself as he tried to make a passable knot. He saw Lilah stifling giggles as he attempted the simple knot.

"You're too cute Harry - really, you are," Lilah laughed. "Good job, at least you did it, though it was rather sloppy. You just need to keep practising, you'll get it down quickly enough. I promise. I suppose there's always those tasteless 'clip ons', but you're above that, I'm sure." She smiled at Harry, and undid Harry's tie, and re-tied it more tidily. "Much better," she said with a bright smile.

"Thanks, Lilah," Harry said. "You're a life saver. In more ways than one." He smiled at her gratefully. "You're a terrific first real friend."

Lilah beamed at Harry. "You're a terrific friend yourself. And I promise, I'll only be the first of many."

"Lilah, may I ask you a personal question?" Harry asked.

"Anything, Harry," Lilah answered sincerely.

"You're the child of a social worker. Your mother must be a very kind and patient woman to do that. Did you see anything... alarming personally? I'm just curious."

Lilah shook her head. "No, and it's for good reason. The kinds of cases my mum works are often very sensitive in nature and she is not at liberty to discuss the details, even with her own family. It's a lot like the confidential relationship between a doctor and a patient. Very much a need-to-know, sort of thing. But if there is one thing I do know, it's that I very much admire my mum for her compassion and I really do my best to emulate her."

"Thank you, Lilah," Harry said. "Thank you for being my friend. That means the world to me." A tear flowed down his cheek as he embraced Lilah warmly. "

A/N: I originally had Harry show Lilah his scars (no, the one Voldemort inflicted doesn't count), but I took that out as that likely isn't a very realistic scenario, especially in front of a female, and one he barely knows at that. I think a more likely scenario is that Harry opens up to Lilah over time, piece by piece. And she reaches out to her mother for advice.