A/N: Thanks go to The Queens Of All Awesomeness for their helpful hints and support.

Chapter Two

He jumped forward instinctively, managing to avoid any pain.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed a high pitched voice, "Oh, that was awful of me, I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!"

Justin looked round at the newcomer. It was a small girl, with blonde hair and freckles flicked across a thin face. He smiled at her, seeing her distress and wishing to put her at ease.

"Nothing to worry about," he said kindly, "I got out of the way in time. Anyway, it was my fault for standing right in the way."

The girl frowned slightly before her eyebrows shot up and she turned around to see a solid-looking wall. She emitted a high-pitched squeak and span around again.

"Goodness," she said, "I actually forgot about running through that wall, can you believe it? Of course there's no way I'd have seen you!"

"Well," said Justin, taking the handle of his trolley and pushing it towards the train. "We'd better get out of the way. Are you waiting for family to come through?"

The girl shook her head. "Nope, none of my family can get through. None of them are wizards of witches, I'm the only one as can get through."

Justin realised that he had forgotten all notions of being nervous. This confident girl, who was entering into the wizarding world under the same circumstances as he, had blown away nervous thoughts. He smiled.

"How about we get on the train, then," he said, waiting for her nod and smile before he marched forward.

He helped the girl to haul her trunk up onto the train, and they began to walk along the corridor. As they had arrived early, and most students were still on the platform, there were still plenty of empty compartments. Justin entered one and between the two of them, they managed to get their trunks into the baggage bays. They sat down facing each other.

"So, what's your name?" asked the girl, "My name's Lisa Turpin."

"My name is Justin Finch-Fletchley, it's a pleasure to meet you," said Justin, sticking out his hand.

The girl looked down at his hand and laughed. "Oh, you're a manners boy," she said, reaching out and shaking his hand.

"What do you mean, a 'manners boy'?" asked Justin curiously.

"My mum says there are manners boys and there are rude boys. I'm only allowed to make friends with manners boys," Lisa explained with a smile.

"Oh, well I suppose that's alright then," said Justin, relaxing, "I thought you were being rude yourself, there."

"I'm never rude," replied Lisa, "I talk quite a lot, and I'm quite confident, but I'm not rude."

"I think we can be friends, then," said Justin with a straight face, "As neither of us is rude."

Lisa looked at him for a moment, then he cracked a grin and they both laughed. Lisa suddenly reached into her pocket and pulled out a pack of cards. She brandished them in front of Justin's face.

"Want to play cards?" she asked, "I don't know many games, but I can play rummy and canasta."

"Do you know how to play poker?" asked Justin. Poker was the one game he was good at.

"Nope, never been taught that one," she replied, "Maybe you can teach me."

Justin nodded. "Alright, but let's just play rummy for now. Some other people might come into our compartment, and it would be quite rude if I'm teaching you poker for the whole journey."

"Very sensible," she replied, already dealing out a hand of rummy.

They hadn't even finished one game when there was a quick knock on the door. It was slid open immediately after, and a tall boy wearing glasses poked his head in.

"Are you two first years?" he asked bluntly.

Justin nodded. "Yes, we are."

The boy drew back and pushed a boy through the door. "Here you are, Ern," he said, "Sit with these two and make friends."

With that, the tall boy shut the door, leaving Ern standing hesitantly.

"Is it alright if I sit with you?" he said quickly, flicking his eyes between the two of them.

"Of course you can," replied Justin instantly, "I'm Justin." He stuck out his hand, which Ern pumped vigorously- obviously relieved that he hadn't been turned away.

"Ernie MacMillan," he said loudly, sitting down next to Justin.

"I'm Lisa Turpin," said Lisa, smiling widely. "Are you from a wizard family?"

Ernie nodded. "My family is pureblood for nine generations!" he boasted, sticking out his chest, "That was my brother David, he's a Hufflepuff prefect."

Justin thought Ernie might explode. His chest was so puffed up and he looked so full of pride that Justin had to work to conceal his smile. He looked over at Lisa, who was smiling widely.

"That's nice, Ernie," she said, "What about you?"

"No, I'm the first of my family to come here," replied Justin, "My parents were both … erm, normal, I guess."

Lisa nodded, but Ernie frowned. "Normal? Oh, you mean muggles!" he said, laughing, "You're both muggle-born?"

Lisa frowned. "Muggle?" she replied, "Is that what you call non-magical people?"

When Ernie replied in the affirmative, Lisa laughed. Justin grinned at her across the compartment, much to Ernie's confusion.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"That word," she said, "It just sounds funny."

"Yes," agreed Justin. He could see that Ernie didn't think it was funny at all, and he wanted to make sure he didn't get upset. "You see, it's just strange for us, that's all. We've probably got lots of words that you think are funny."

Ernie smiled faintly. "I suppose," he said, "But muggles have some pretty funny habits too."

"What was that word you used to describe your brother earlier?" asked Lisa suddenly, "You know, you said he was a something prefect."

"What, a Hufflepuff?" said Ernie, causing Lisa to giggle again. "What?" asked Ernie, confused again.

"Hufflepuff is a bit of a funny word," said Justin reluctantly. He really didn't want Ernie to think that he was making fun of him. "What does it mean?"

Ernie frowned. "It doesn't mean anything," he said, "It's a house."

Lisa giggled harder. "A house?" she said eventually, "Your brother is a house?"

"You know, a school house," said Ernie, trying to explain, "Like Gryffindor."

While Lisa grinned at this new word, Justin was beginning to understand. "You mean the pupils are separated into houses?" he asked, "And then you earn marks for your house?"

"Yes," said Ernie, sounding relieved, "We get sorted into houses, and then-"

He stopped abruptly as there was another knock on the door. Justin stood up and slid it open. Out in the corridor stood two girls, one with a long plait running down her back, and the other was a Chinese girl with shoulder length black hair. They both smiled nervously at him.

"Hello," he said, "Do you need somewhere to sit?"

They both nodded, looking incredibly nervous, and Justin stepped back to let them in. The girl with the long plait came in first, and promptly tripped over Ernie's feet. Justin quickly leant down to pull her up, but she had already scrambled up by the time he was down, so he was left crouching down oddly.

"Oh, goodness," sighed the girl, "I'm such a clumsy oaf. Sorry about that."

"Nonsense," said Justin, "Nothing to be sorry about."

"It was his great big feet that got in the way anyway," said the girl, nodding at Ernie.

"I do not have great-" began Ernie, only to be cut off by the girl.

"Could you help me with my trunk?" she asked Justin, ignoring Ernie's offended look.

Justin immediately stepped forward, offering his assistance. However, the trunk was too heavy for him to lift alone, so he was forced to ask Ernie to help. The two new trunks were safely stowed away, and the five of them sat down.

"Susan Bones," said the clumsy girl.

Justin felt Ernie sit up beside him. "Any relation of Amelia Bones?" asked Ernie.

Susan nodded. "She's my aunty."

Ernie looked impressed. "I'm Ernie Macmillan," he told her, his tone making it obvious that she ought to have heard of him.

Susan nodded. "The Macmillans are a good family," she said approvingly, "But don't think that means I'm going to like you."

Justin kept his face straight, but he found it hard not to laugh at the look of astonishment on Ernie's face. He looked across at Lisa, who was also regarding Ernie with a look of amusement in her eye, but then turned to the other new girl.

"What's your name?" he asked, smiling warmly at her.

"Su Li. What are your names?" she asked, looking between Justin and Lisa.

Two and a half hours later, the train was well on its way and Justin was thoroughly enjoying the journey. They had been talking and joking the whole time, and there were very few awkward pauses or misspoken words. Justin was incredibly relieved to have made friends so quickly- it would make starting the strange new school a lot easier.

"Anything from the trolley?"

They looked up from their game of cards to see a cheery-looking woman pushing a trolley loaded with sweets. Ernie stood up immediately and bought some brightly-coloured packets. Justin moved forward to see what there was. He'd eaten a large breakfast, so he wasn't too hungry, but he knew that he'd be getting peckish soon.

Su came up with him. "Those are pumpkin pasties," she said, pointing, "Those are chocolate frogs, Drooble's blowing gum, lollipops, Bertie Bott's beans, liquorice wands."

"Can I have some chocolate frogs, please?" Justin asked the woman.

"Of course, dear," she said, taking some of the strange bronze coins that Justin had pulled from his pocket. The wizarding money still seemed strange to him, just like everything else.

"Does anyone else want anything?" asked Justin, looking around the compartment.

"What is there?" asked Lisa curiously, "Do they have any crisps?"

"No, it's all wizard sweets," he replied.

"I think I'll have some beans," said Susan, getting up to pay.

"No, no," said Justin, "Don't worry, I'll buy some for you."

Susan's eyebrows rose, but she sat down again smiling. "Thanks, Justin."

Once the lady had sold her wares, they decided to abandon the cards and talk again. They began to talk about families.

'Well, my mum's a muggle, but I've been brought up as a witch," said Susan.

"I'm the other way around," said Su, "My dad's the muggle."

"Do you have any siblings?" asked Lisa, "I've got an older brother and three younger ones- they're all insane, always playing football."

"One younger sister," said Su, smiling, "She's like a miniature me, really."

"I've got a younger sister too," said Justin, "But she's not a mini-me. If she was, I'd be worried."

As Ernie went on to talk about his wonderful older brother, and Susan informed them that she was an only child, Justin thought about Elizabeth.

They'd been very close growing up, always playing games and talking together. Elizabeth had, essentially, been his best friend. When he'd received his Hogwarts letter, she'd withdrawn from him, something Justin had seen with sadness. He had been too caught up in the whirlwind of preparing himself for this new world to do anything about it, however. Just yesterday, Justin had gotten into an argument with her, where she said he was a freak for being a wizard, and how she embarrassed to have him as a brother. This had struck home, and Justin had spent most of the night awake, thinking over what she had said.

He looked around at the friendly faces. He wasn't a freak here- he was normal. If he performed magic, they wouldn't look oddly at him, they'd probably be impressed. He smiled. As long as he was at Hogwarts, he was going to forget about being miserable. These were going to be the best days of his life, or so his father had informed him, and Justin was determined to live through them with as much happiness as possible.

"What are you smiling about?" asked Lisa quietly, while the others argued about something.

"Just that I'm really looking forward to Hogwarts," replied Justin. "I was a bit scared before I came, and I'm happy to have made some friends already."

"A bit scared?" said Lisa, "I was terrified! When I ran into you, I thought I was going to burst into tears from being so scared!"

"What?" said Justin, surprised, "But you were so calm and you weren't shy at all!"

"I'm never shy," said Lisa proudly, "But that doesn't mean I'm not scared out of my wits half the time. If I didn't say anything every time I was nervous, I'd never say anything at all. In fact, I usually talk more when I'm nervous. I've been told to shut up a fair few times in my life, would you believe it?"

Justin saw the glint in her eye and understood that she was being sarcastic. "No, I'm honestly shocked to find that anyone would say that you talk too much."

Lisa let out an unladylike snort. "Nice one, Justin," she chuckled.

He grinned at her. "When I'm nervous, I get sort of … I don't know, really," he said thoughtfully, "I think I hide my nervousness under layers of manners."

"Ah," said Lisa knowingly, "That's what all good manners boys do."

Justin smiled widely at her, and was about to reply when there was yet another knock on the door. Without waiting for an answer, a bushy-haired girl opened the door.

"Have any of you seen a toad?" she asked in a snobbish voice.

"I'm afraid not," said Justin, "Sorry." The others all murmured in the negative.

"Never mind," said the girl, "Are you all first years?" she asked curiously.

"Yes," said Susan, "Are you?"

"Oh yes," said the newcomer, "I'm very excited, though it's all very strange and new. Have any of you read Hogwarts: A History?" She looked around to see everyone in the compartment shaking their heads. "I can't seem to find any first-years who have," she went on in a slightly disappointed voice, "I was hoping to discuss it before we got there."

"I've got a copy, I just haven't read it yet," said Su kindly, "Maybe we can talk about it when I have."

"That sounds excellent," said the girl, smiling broadly at Su, "I'm Hermione Granger."

"Su Li," replied Su.

"I'll see you in a few days then," said the girl, "But I've got to find Neville's toad now, he's lost it."

With that, she whipped out of the compartment and, presumably, off down the train. Justin looked around at his friends.

"Well," said Susan, "She's a Ravenclaw if ever I saw one."

"I hope she doesn't really come to talk to me in a few days," said Su, "That book is so thick, it'll take me ages to read!"

"It's alright," said Ernie, "I doubt she'll have it all memorised or anything. Just learn a few things and talk about that."

Su nodded. "Good idea, thanks," she said, before looking around sheepishly at the others. "Did any of you read your school books before coming here?"

"I flicked through a couple," said Lisa, "I like things to be explained to me, I'm not very bookish. I'm a quick learner, though," she added quickly.

"I don't think it's right to," said Ernie pompously, "After all, it might throw off the teachers."

"Of course it won't throw off the teachers," retorted Susan, "They're going to teach us what's in the books. I didn't read them thoroughly – 1000 Herbs and Fungi was a complete bore- but I liked the Charms textbook."

"You liked the Charms textbook?" said Ernie disbelievingly. "It's a textbook, not a magazine. You're not supposed to enjoy it, you're supposed to learn from it."

"Why can't learning be interesting?" asked Susan, "Have you looked in the Potions text? It's got loads of cool potions in."

Justin looked around at them. They were discussing textbooks. Su looked quite interested, and Ernie and Susan could have jumped down each other's throats at any moment, but Lisa was looking quite detached. Justin decided to contribute to the discussion.

"Are there magical books that aren't about spells?" he asked, "Sorry, I mean are there magic spy novels or anything?"

Ernie's face lit up instantaneously. "Of course there are," he said. "You should read some, you'd understand our world more."

The conversation diverted back to neutral territory, Justin listened to Ernie extol the virtues of his favourite author, Azor Hitchborn. This led, strangely, to a discussion about modes of transportation, which led to broomsticks.

"You actually fly brooms?'" asked Lisa, her eyes alight with interest.

"Of course," said Susan, "They're the best way to travel, in my opinion."

"And they're wicked fun," grinned Ernie, "Just wait until you see quidditch."

Justin heard Ernie and Susan sigh happily, and saw them get a far-off, happy look in their eyes. He exchanged looks with Lisa.

"What on earth is quidditch?" asked Lisa.

"The best sport on the planet," said Susan matter-of-factly, "And there's no better team than the Chudley Cannons."

Justin felt Ernie flinch beside him, and upon looking round, thought his eyes might pop out. He saw Lisa begin to shake with laughter across from him.

"The Cannons!" said Ernie loudly, "You've got to be kidding! No one supports them!"

"I disagree," said Susan, "The Cannons are going to win this year, I know it."

Justin looked over at Lisa. They shared an amused look. Susan and Ernie were obviously quidditch fanatics, whatever the sport was. Justin wondered what was wrong with Susan's team.

"Who do you support, Su?" asked Lisa loudly over Susan and Ernie.

Su visibly cringed. "I know this is like saying 'I'm a muggle', but," she looked warily at Ernie and Susan, "I don't really like quidditch."

Susan and Ernie both looked gobsmacked. Before they could say anything, though, Justin spoke up.

"That's alright, there's lots of sports I don't like," he said diplomatically, "I'm sure you've got some other interesting hobbies."

Su smiled. "I do, actually. I read a lot, but I can play the piano and sing as well."

"Have you read any muggle books?" asked Lisa, "I like reading fiction."

Justin only just managed to stop himself from rolling his eyes. They were talking about books again! And not good books, like the ones Ernie had been telling him about- where there was action and adventure- but girly romance novels. He looked out the window, only to see that it was dark.

"When did it get dark?" he asked absently, not realising that he spoke out loud.

"Quite a while ago," said Su, "We must be nearly there."

"I think we should put on our school robes," said Susan, "We'll go and change somewhere else."

"No you won't," said Justin, "Ernie and I will go somewhere else."

"Manners boy shows his face again," said Lisa teasingly, "He's being all polite because we're girls," she said to Su and Susan.

"Well, I think manners are important," said Justin defensively.

"He's right, we'll go somewhere else," said Ernie, "Besides, there are more of you than of us, so it's logical that we go."

Justin gathered his robe from his trunk and followed Ernie from the compartment. He changed in the toilet while Ernie went to find his brother- with whom he'd left his trunk. Justin returned to the compartment and knocked meekly on the door.

"Is it alright for me to come in?" he asked through the door.

The door slid open a fraction and Lisa stuck a slither of her face in the gap. "No, you can't come in, Justin. We're all naked."

Justin felt himself blush furiously and closed his eyes, as though somehow closing eyes would make it untrue. He heard the door open fully and heard the three girls laughing. He opened his eyes slowly to see the three of them in their black school robes giggling at him. He scowled mock-seriously at Lisa.

"That wasn't funny," he said, then joined in the laughter when Lisa stuck her tongue out at him.

They were still in high spirits a few moments later when Ernie burst back into the compartment, breathing heavily.

"You'll never guess what," he said excitedly.

"You managed to get changed without getting your robes caught on your feet?" asked Susan jokingly.

Ernie sent her a withering look. "Of course not," he said.

Justin laughed with the others. Ernie realised too late what he'd said, and let out a single bark of laughter before looking impatiently around at them.

"I don't know, Ernie," said Justin, wanting to put Ernie out of his misery.

"Harry Potter's in our year," he said. Susan and Su stopped laughing immediately and sent surprised looks at Ernie.

"Are you sure?" asked Susan, round-eyed.

"Yes, he's further down. My brother told me when I got my robes."

Justin and Lisa shared a confused look, and Justin opened his mouth to enquire as to who Harry Potter was, when the train lurched to a stop.