Disclaimer: I not own the characters or anything from the world of Harry Potter. All things Harry Potter belong to J.K. Rowling.

A/N: Thank you all for the positive reviews! I was super nervous to post my first fic but your encouraging support has been so awesome. ?

Chapter 3

A few weeks after the event at Diagon Alley, Hermione Evans found herself sitting on the Hogwarts Express with her sister Lily. While Lily was talking animatedly about their new school to her new friend Severus, Hermione's thoughts drifted to her new wand which rested between her palms. 10 ¾ inches, Beech wood with a thestral tail hair core. An extremely loyal wand that would work for no one else and apparently meant she had an important destiny to fulfill. To what destiny the wand maker was referring, Hermione had no idea. To quote Mr. Olivander the fact that this wand chose her was "most peculiar" as he sold the wand's mate earlier that morning to another young wizard headed to Hogwarts that year. The first thestral wands to be sold in his shop in over 100 years and they were both sold on the same day. Hermione was startled out of her thoughts when the compartment door burst open to revel a small boy with unruly black hair and glasses.

"Oi! Is there room in here for two more? Some seventh years just kicked us out of our other carriage. That Lucius Malfoy is a slimy git. All Slytherins are. His father must have paid the board to get him in as Head Boy."

"That's rather rude. Maybe they had reserved that carriage and you simply intruded!" Lily said quickly with a sharp look on her face. Her new friend Severus had nothing but good things to say about Slytherin and she wasn't going to let this pompous boy hurt her friends' feelings. Feeling her glare, the boy with the messy hair turned towards Lily and looked upon her with a large grin.

"Well hello there! I am James Potter, future Gryffindor and who might you be?"

Lily shot him a dirty look as he took the seat next to her and tried to strike up a conversation. Severus looked annoyed at his peace being interrupted and gave James a look that could kill. Hermione had an inkling that Severus had a little crush on his sister. Despite her sister's annoyance, Hermione watched James ramble and was filled with warm familiarity although she was unsure why as she did not recall ever meeting this boy before. She continued to watch James try (and fail) to engage Lily in a conversation until she felt the seat next to her dip.

"Hello again! Remember me?"

Hermione turned and saw the boy from Diagon Alley. The boy with the pretty grey eyes and long dark hair. The boy who glowed when he touched her. Sirius.

"Yes, hello. Sirius – right?"

"Sirius Orion Black at your service! Now about your name darlin – I don't believe that I ever got it last time we met."

"My names Hermione and this is my twin sister, Lily."

"Twins? Wicked! I always wanted a twin!" James interjected and was promptly ignored as Sirius continued his introduction to Hemione.

"Glad to be formally introduced, love. I haven't been able to stop thinking of you since we met a few weeks ago but that glowing thing must have just been a fluke cause we seem to be just fine now. Might be accidental magic, Uncle Alphard says that can happen sometimes with young witches."

Hermione nodded in agreement. That makes sense she thought. All the books she read on magic said that odd incidents can occur when a young witch or wizard was growing into their power.

Sirius picked up Hermione's feet, placed them onto his lap and continued, "What house do you think you will be in? I think James will be a 'Puff and your sister looks like a true Gryffindor with all that red hair and wild temper."

"Oi, I resent that! I come from a long line of Gryffindors!" and "I do not have a temper!" cried James and Lily simultaneously.

"I'm honestly not sure. I read in Hogwarts: A History that a magical hat looks into our mind and helps determine what house would best benefit our education. Ravenclaw seems like a potential candidate as I do love to learn and Rowena Ravenclaw was one of the brightest witches to ever live. Did you know she created a diadem that would increase the intelligence of whoever wore it. Can you imagine creating something like that?"

"I see you've done some research. A bit of a swot are we?" Sirius joked good naturedly.

Hermione blushed at her own exuberance and replied, "I like to be prepared. Me and Lily are muggleborns so we wanted to know what to expect. What house do you think you will get sorted into Sirius?"

"My whole family has been sorted into Slytherin so I guess that's where I'll end up, if not Walburga will implode." Sirius said dejectedly.

"You don't strike me as much of Slytherin, Black. Unable to uphold the family legacy?" Severus said with a sneer, his annoyance with the boys finally reaching a breaking point.

James quickly stood up ready to defend his new friend, "That's cause Sirius is not a grimy Slytherin. Hogwarts doesn't need any more snakes like you Snape."

"Neither of you are good enough for Slytherin. Both of you are a disgrace to your house, though the Potters have always been known to be a bit soft." Severus sneered.

Just as James lifted his wand, Lily stepped in front of Severus.

"Enough boys! Severus and Hermione let's go find a new compartment where we can get some peace and quiet." Lily grabbed Severus' hand and pulled him to the door, pausing only to look at Hermione who was sitting quite comfortably.

Hermione was torn, on one hand she had been enjoying the company of James and Sirius but on the other, she wanted to spend time with her sister in the event that they went to separate houses. She slowly lifted her feet off Sirius with regret and got up to follow Lily into a new compartment. But before walking out the door, Hermione turned to get once last look at the boys who she felt oddly comfortable with despite having only known them for an hour.

"See you around, Sirius. Bye James."