Albus threw a quick look at Arianna. The girl had pulled out a book the moment the other three had started discussing their possible sortings and then continued to be reclusive, occasionally pitching in with a comment but other than that, completely silent. Rose and Scorpious had fallen asleep halfway right after the trolley lady had gone by. Albus noticed that Arianna had declined any sweets.

Albus had to admit, he was curious. Who exactly was this girl? And why was she so quiet? He kept darting glances at her, while pretending to feed his owl treats. He idly petted the snowy white creature, named Hedwig after his father's owl. James's owl was named Quicksilver, but Albus preferred the name Hedwig. It was a meaningful name, with a past, not a Muggle superhero.

"Quit staring."

Albus started and then began to protest, "I wasn't staring!"

Arianna sarcastically rolled her eyes, "You're not exactly subtle, Potter."

"I was just wondering……."

"Yes? Come on, Potter, we will be arriving at Hogwarts in an hour or so."

Albus blushed and hastily answered, "Would you like a chocolate Frog. I know you don't like Bertie Blott's and honestly I don't blame you but try a frog…."

The raven haired girl sighed and put her book aside. She took the offered treat and sampled it. Something fell out as she was unwrapping the chocolate snack.

"Oh, your card. Here," Albus checked the Chocolate Frog Card before handing it over to Arianna, "You got Severus Snape. He's really cool. I have about 5 of him."

The impassive face seemed startle for a second and then the shocked look vanished, so fast that Albus thought he had imagined it.

"Is he?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly.

"Yeah! My Dad really admires him. My second name is actually Severus. He was a great wizard and a good man."

"Thank you," the young witch finally spoke and reverently tucked the card into the book. Before she could reach for it, Albus began to talk. It would be some time before they reached Hogwarts and he was determined to find out more about this strange girl.

"So, Arianna, what are you reading?"

The girl frowned, her inky eyebrow pulling together, "Promise you won't laugh?'

Albus nodded earnestly, "I promise."

She flashed the cover at him. Albus immediately recognized the cover and couldn't help the small giggle that escaped him. A hurt expression came over Arianna's face and she began to get up.

"Wait! I'm not laughing at you. It's just that……..look!" Albus reached over Rose, who had fallen asleep right next to him and dipped his hand in her bag. He straightaway found what he was looking for and brought out a book. It was the exact same copy as the one Arianna held, if not a little bit beaten up.

"Rose loves Hogwarts, A History. It's her favourite book. She's read it over like a million rimes."

The anger died away from Arianna face and a small smile tugged at her lips, "I suppose then, that your cousin and I will have a lot to talk about."

Albus laughed and nodded, "Yeah. But I warn you, once you get her talking, she won't stop."

Another small smile. That was two, Albus tallied in his head.

"Is she your only cousin?"

"Nah, she has a brother, Hugo. He'll be coming to Hogwarts next year with my sister, Lily."

"You have a sister? What is she like?"

Albus smiled fondly," Very energetic. Stubborn too. She wanted to come to Hogwarts with me. As for my other cousins, well, it might take a while to list them out"

That was three smiles, Albus mentally noted. He cast around for another topic.

"What house do you want to be in?"

"Not Hufflepuff. Other than that, I really don't mind. What about you?"

"Well, I don't have a preference but…."

Arianna finished his sentence for him, "Because you're a Potter, you feel that you should be in Gryffindor."

"Yes, exactly!" Albus agreed. How had she known?

"Personally, I think you would do well in either house. It all depends on the Hat you know."

"Yeah, I guess," Albus couldn't help thinking about what his father had said. Would the Hat let him choose?

There was a knock on their compartment door and a head adorned with an untidy, jet-black mop of hair popped in.

"Oi, Al! Better get changed into your robes now. We'll be at Hogwarts in a moment or two."

The head disappeared as quickly as it came.

"That was my brother, James," Albus said as he prodded his slumbering cousin, "Rose, wake up."

"I'm up, I'm up."

Next to him, Arianna hadn't even bothered with Scorpious and instead had shoved him off the seat.

"Merlin, Ari! I would have gotten up," Scorpious loudly complained as he was very rudely awoken.

"Right, sure," Arianna remarked scathingly and then motioned Rose, "le' go change in the bathroom."

"Ok," Rose gathered her things and the two girls left.

"You and Arianna seem close," Albus offhandedly observed as they both started to change.

"Yeah, our families are actually," Scorpious was interrupted as the train sounded its horn.

They had arrived at Hogwarts.

A/N :Another chapter in less than two days. Feedback greatly appreciated!