Standing in front of a tall, dark wood door Kate's pale opal grey eyes stared intently at the gold plate located on the front of it. It's large calligraphy letters spelling out "Prefect Compartment" across its shiny surface. Kate sighed, her left hand hovering over the matching gold door handle as her mind internally battled with itself.

Come on Kate. What's the worst that could happen?

Well, they could tie you up, and use the curciatus curse on you.

Be logical.

Fine.

She rolled her eyes and glared at the door. Humiliation. Embarrassment. Fire. Curses. Jinx. Nudity. Death. Expulsions. . .

I said LOGICAL!

"Are you going just to stand there the whole train ride or are you going to open the bloody door?" A deep, familiar, voice grumbled angrily, and Kate's eyes widened slightly in fear as she turned her head to the tall man standing to the left of her. His handsome features were twisted into a snarl as his eyes glared holes into her small frame and she instinctively took a slight step away from him.

Recognition flashed across the man's dark brown eyes, and his features softened considerably. "Oh, Kate, I didn't know it was you." His eyes travelled down her body almost hungrily, and Kate gulped, wrapping her arms around her torso. "What are you doing here?" He questioned, running a hand through his chocolate brown hair, the dark tips haphazardly pushed, so they intertwined into beautiful chaos.

"I-umm." She stumbled over her words as she fidgeted with her duffle bag strap, her pale grey eyes never leaving his maple brown ones. "I was chosen as a Prefect this year, and umm C-calum forced me to come down here so. . ." She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and cast her gaze towards her feet. ". . .here I am.

"Oh, I didn't know you had become a Prefect. Congrats!"

Oblivious to her discomfort, the handsome young man pulled Kate into a hug, her head resting just below his chin. She tensed as his arms wrapped around her shoulders, his lips pressing against her hairline softly. "It's good to have you back Kate."

The scent of his cologne invaded her senses, and a wave of comforting familiarity washed over her. Kate breathed it in, sighing slightly as she relaxed into his embrace. Her arms wrapped themselves around his torso, enjoying the familiarity of his warmth as she whispered, "It's good to be back."

"Oi! There's our Head Boy!" A male voice yelled as the two entered the Prefects compartment. Young men and women were lounging around the large compartment laughing and talking. "Chris, what took you so long?"

"I was saying hello to a friend. Is that a problem?" He questioned, sauntering into the room and setting down a black canvas duffle bag with the Gryffindor crest embroidered into the fabric.

Kate shuffled into the compartment behind Chris and stood to the side of the door, scanning the large room for any familiar faces. There, sitting in the corner with some of the elder Prefects was Arthur Coal, the other Fifth-year Gryffindor Prefect besides Kate and one of their team Chasers. His curly light brown hair was bouncing slightly as he laughed with Shawn Caste, Emily Wright and Lauren Cui.

Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Arthur flicked his gaze towards Kate and his hazel eyes brightened at the sight of his fellow prefect. He waved her over, and Kate cast a quick glance at Chris to see him talking to Jacob Sky, Slytherin's seventh-year Prefect and his best friend.

Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Kate quickly made her way towards the small group. "Hey, Arthur." Kate greeted, waving slightly at the boy as he moved over to make room for her to sit down on the red suede couch. "How are you?"

"I'm doing good, how are you? You're summer go well?" He asked as Kate sat down next to him, smiling at her fellow beater, Shawn, and the two Ravenclaws sitting next to him.

"It was good, travelled a bunch, but that's normal. Calum was a childish pain in the arse but-"

"And like you weren't?" Kate glared playfully at Shawn, sticking her tongue out at him as he laughed. "You're just proving my point." His smile was contagious as Kate rolled her eyes, and soon the small group was laughing and smiling as well. Shawn's sky blue eyes twinkled with mischief as he watched his childhood friend, her melodic laughter making him smile bigger as she brushed a few strands of hair out of her face, tucking them behind her ear.

There was a knock at the door to the Prefects compartment, and Chris opened it to find a trolley full of different types of candies being pushed by an old witch. "Thought I'd stop by to see if you children would like some sweets for the trip to Hogwarts," she said with a smile as she pushed the cart into the room. From acid pops to sugar quills the sweets were a sight to be seen as the Prefects quickly swarmed the trolly. Kate stayed in her spot as the others raced to the old woman, quickly handing her as many sickles, knuts, or Galleons as needed to by the candy they wished.

"Do you really need ALL of that candy?" Kate asked, bewildered at the sight of Shawn as he came back to their spot with his arms full of different kinds of sweets.

"Do you really need to ask?" He questioned smartly, sitting down next to her and setting the candy on the table. He handed her a package of Deluxe Variety Sugar Quills, which she snatched from his hands eagerly. "That's all you get from this pile."

Kate rolled her eyes at him as Emily and Lauren started to head back with their selected candies. "You're just going to get hyper, and you know what that means."

Shawn took a Sherbert Lemon from its round container, and slowly popped it into his mouth. "Nifflers, glitter, and billywigs appear out of nowhere?"

"Nevermind."