Prologue, part 2

Lilly came slowly to a stop and stared at the scarlet Hogwarts Express.

"Hey! We're finding a compartment, want to come?" James asked hopefully.

"Ewww! Girls have cooties!" Sirius said, cackling mischieviously.

Lilly turned red, and looked away, embarrassed.

"She wouldn't hang out with you anyway, Sirius Black!"

Lilly smile gratefully at her rescuer, a pale girl with brown, curly hair and brown eyes.

"Whatever, Gretchen. Let's go, guys."

Sirius and James walked off, James glancing over his shoulder, with Peter following behind. Remus waved slightly and ran off after them.

"Thank you!" Lilly exclaimed.

"Don't let Sirius bother you, he's not too hard to handle. I'm Gretchen Mundie, by the way, and these are my friends, Alice Fletcher-"

A petite blonde with blue eyes and a round face wave brightly-

"-a Tabitha Moonstone"

Tabitha smiled shyly; she had a mysterious air about her, with long black hair sweeping back from a widow's peak, and starry violet eyes.

"Come sit with us!" said Alice, as the other girls nodded enthusiastically.

Lilly could tell she would bond with these girls quickly.