disclaimer: characters are J.K.R.'s not mine, don't sue me, etc.

"Where has my toad gone?"

"BLOODY HELL, THAT'S MY FOOT!"

"Has someone seen my parcels?"

"Didn't you save a compartment for us?"

"I'm so excited!"

"Bye, Mum!"

"Did you see where Lavender went?"

"I think I'm going to hurl."

"I'll be home for winter holidays, don't worry!"

"I think the new captain of the Chudley Cannons is better..."

"Do you have enough underwear packed?"

"MUM!"

"Oh, bother."

The bustling humdrum of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters overflowed with the Hogwarts students as they wished their farewells, coaxed their toads back in their cages, and found compartments to ride in. High-pitched screams met the ears of many students as a few first years found a rat scrambling across their compartment.

"Perhaps this year there will be a Christmas or Halloween Ball..." The chattering of the anxious, excited, (and some even queasy) students reached the nearly empty compartment housing only one girl. She stroked her light blonde hair absentmindedly as she read one of her many books.

BANG!

"OH! Dangit! I knew I left my exploding snap cards somewhere." The girl in the nearly empty compartment looked up as a girl with slightly smoking orange locks stepped into the compartment.

"Mind if I sit here?" She mused, scratching her head.

The girl looked at her with wondering grey eyes.

"Do you know that your hair is smoking?" The other girl laughed.

"Yeah, quite nasty side effect of using exploding snap cards with hair barrettes."

The girl with grey eyes laughed at the exasperated look the orange haired girl gave.

"I'm Kira Cassidy." The girl with orange hair said, her emerald eyes twinkling.

"Gracelyn Badeau... Gracie." Kira noticed her slight accent.

"Oi! Are you french?"

"Yes, actually."

"OH MY GOSH! I'veneveractuallybeentofrancebutIalwayswantedtogo what's it like?" She said this all very fast, some of it blurred by her irish accent.

"Well, it's kind of like a big french orgy..."

"ORGY?" A third year boy burst into the room.

"Le sigh."

"Not yet, little man."

And the third year walked away with an emo face and singing Bright Eyes.

(which immediately attracted Draco to him.)

(who was caught snogging the third year in the broom cupboard of the train.)

(which made a very jealous!Harry.)

(why resulted in a few train toilets being blown up.)

(which were then sent promptly to Fred and George, care take of Ginny.)

...

"Did you hear that?"

"What?"

"I think it was my self-esteem being eaten by something."