Hermione walked onto the Hogwarts Express and turned around to wave bye to her parents. She walked to the back of the train to wait for Harry. As she walked she fought to keep the memories at bay. The last time she was on the Hogwarts Express was sixth year before the war, before she erased her parents memories, before Colin and Lavender and the others-

No. That wasn't going to happen this time around. She refused to let it. Anyways, Hermione entered the last compartment and nearly ran back out as she realized Terrence Higgs, the current Slytherin seeker, was in the compartment as well. She would have run, if she hadn't had her trunk weighing her down.

Breathe. Don't worry. Higgs is one of the semi nice ones. You need practice anyways, become his friend. Well, try to at least. Fate said.

Hermione took a deep breath and entered the compartment. She ignored Higgs and put her trunk under the seats. She grabbed a book from her backpack, (Her parents made her take it okay?!), and sat down. Terrence looked up at her. "What do you want firstie?" He said trying to seem intimidating. Trying, because Hermione had seen a lot of things scarier than a thirteen year old boy.

Did Slytherins do that on purpose? Hermione wondered.

She shook the thought away and raised and eyebrow. " Nothing. I'm going to sit here for the train ride. Is that a problem?" She asked slowly.

Hermione didn't mean to talk to Higgs as though he were an idiot, but really? Wasn't it obvious that she planned to stay there? Higgs looked kind of offended, but then it turned into a kind of respect. Not many people stood up for themselves at Hogwarts, so most bullies were under the impression that they could get away with anything. Which was slightly true with Dumbledore giving everyone and their kneazles a second chance.

"Alright. Your not that bad I guess." Terrence said. He grabbed a book as well and they sat in silence. Strangely enough it was rather comfortable. The train started to move and Hermione sighed. Harry was probably stuck somewhere else. Oh well, at least she wasn't stuck with Pansy Parkinson. There were somethings even she couldn't do.

Harry was indeed caught, but by someone. Well, three someones. The Hufflepuff trio: Justin, Ernie, and Hannah. Harry had entered what he had assumed was an empty compartment, but Justin Finch-Fletchley, future Hufflepuff, was in there. Harry cleared his throat and Justin had jumped about three feet in the air. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. I'm Harry." Harry greeted kindly.

Justin nodded, but he still looked jumpy. "It's fine. I'm Justin. You-you can sit down if you want." He said shyly.

Harry wondered where the confident, slightly naive and annoying, but confident, Justin from fifth year, or heck, even second year was. It was probably finally setting in that he was going to a school with actual magic. Either way, Harry nodded and sat down. They just sat there quietly for a moment, despite being the so-called 'leader' of the war against Voldemort, Harry had next to no social skills whatsoever. Harry was saved, however, by the other two parts of the Hufflepuff trio.

"Honestly, Hannah, just pick a compartment already." An exasperated Ernest Macmillan said in the hallway*.

"I want to make some new friends on this trip Ernie. Can't you understand! I choose this one!" Hannah Abbott replied sounding slightly annoyed.

The door to Justin's and Harry's compartment was opened rather harshly, but the future Hufflepuffs were beaming. Well, Hannah was, Ernie looked rather embarrassed actually. "Hi! I'm Hannah, this is Ernie. Do you mind if we sit with you?" She asked enthusiastically.

Justin and Harry sat there bewildered by the two,(Once again mostly Hannah) but apparently Hannah took it as a, 'No, we don't mind at all', and that is how Harry got stuck with the badgers. Not that he minded all that much.

Alright...So, i'm not entirely happy with this chapter and it will probably change, but I couldn't leave you hanging. I'm also not sure if I should include the train ride or just skip to the sorting. * Not sure if it's called hallway or not. In my mind it's a hallway, so there. If it's not tell me please. Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.