"So we meet again." Came a drawling voice from behind her and as Layken turned she recognized the boy from the robe shop.
"Draco, right?" Layken asked.
"Yes. And you're Layken." Draco said.
"That's me." Layken said.
Picking up her dropped trunk, the pet carrier still safely tucked under her arm, Draco began to lead her down the platform.
"I'll help you find a carriage." Draco said as he stepped onto the train, Layken following.
Finding an empty carriage was easy and Draco placed the trunk in the overhead storage.
"I best be going but I'll see you when we get to Hogwarts." Draco said.
"Thanks for helping me, and you know, catching me." Layken laughed.
"My pleasure." Draco smirked before he walked off down the train corridor.
Shutting the door, she let Opal out and sat down to read her book. She once again got lost in her book and only realized the time when the train began to move. It was at that point that she began to think about what was going to happen at the sorting. She knew that Dumbledore was going to be shocked that she was going against him but she didn't care. He was the reason she had suffered at John's hands for all of those years and it was down to him that she didn't have one happy memory from her childhood, she didn't have to listen to him and she certainly wasn't going to be someone else just because he told her to.
A knock on the door distracted her from her thoughts, the door slid open to reveal a girl with bushy hair and large front teeth.
"Have you seen a toad? Neville Longbottom's lost his." The girl said.
"No, sorry. I haven't seen one." Layken replied.
"Thank you anyway. I'm Hermione Granger by the way." The girl said.
"Nice to meet you." Layken said.
Realizing that Layken was not going to tell her her name, Hermione shut the door and left. Layken began to read her book until there came another knock at the door. A girl with long brown hair pulled back the door.
"Hi, I'm really sorry to bother you but can I sit here? Everywhere else is full."
"Of course." Layken said, lifting Opal's carrier for the girl to sit down.
"Thanks so much." The girl said, placing her luggage on the rack and taking a seat.
"I'm Gracie." The girl said.
"I'm Layken, nice to meet you."
"That's such a lovely name." Gracie said.
"Thank you. Your's too." Layken said.
"Thanks." Gracie said. "Your cat is so cute. What's it's name?"
"Her name's Opal." Layken said, scratching behind Opal's ear.
Gracie reached her hand out to pet Opal as she nuzzled Gracie's hand with her nose.
"If you don't mind, I'm going to finish my potions book before we get to Hogwarts." Layken said.
"No that's okay, I wanted to read my book too." Gracie said.
The pair lapsed into a comfortable silence and when the trolley lady came, Layken bought a fair few sweets for her and Gracie.
"I suppose I better get changed now." Layken said, standing. "Would you be okay to stay here with Opal while I change and then you can go, I won't be long."
"Of course I will." Gracie said, Opal having snuggled down beside her.
Heading in the direction of the toilets, Layken was overwhelmed by the amount of magical people she came across on the way. Quickly as she could, Layken changed into her uniform and got back to the carriage.
"That was quick." Gracie laughed.
"Yeah. You better go, we'll be at Hogwarts soon." Layken said as she sat down.
"I'll not be long." Gracie said.
Ten minutes later, Gracie returned in full school uniform just as they were pulling into Hogwarts. Stepping off of the train, they were met with the huge towering figure of a man at the end of the platform.
"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" Came the booming voice of the man.
Following the man, they were led out onto a lake with boats docked.
"Four to a boat please!" The man called.
Layken grabbed Gracie's hand and pulled her into a boat with the girl from the train and another boy. Once everyone was seated the boats took off across the water and the first years had an amazing view of Hogwarts from here. The ride seemed shorter than what it was because they had just docked at Hogwarts.
"If you'd just like to make your way up them stairs there please." The man said, pointing to a set of large stone stairs.
Following the crowd up the stairs, Layken was mesmerized by the sights around her. Luckily Gracie had been paying attention and had stopped her before she fell into the person in front of her.
"Thanks." She whispered.
Looking up to see why everyone had stopped, Layken locked eyes with a woman with sharp features and an extremely tight bun in her hair. Opening her mouth slightly, the woman began to speak.
"Welcome to Hogwarts."