YAAY! ANOTHER CHAPTER! HOPE U LIKE IT!

I OWN THE USUAL, AND EVYR.

Tala's POV

The train pulled up to the platform in Hogsmeade. I took Fabian's hand and started out the door, my friends behind me. Other kids jostled us in the hall, and Fabian's grip on my hand tightened. I allowed myself a slight grin. I was so close to my true home. The place I loved. I had my friends by my side, and was ready for another adventurous year at Hogwarts.

Fabian's POV

I stole a look at Tala's face. The joy and love I saw there made me think that coming here had been the right choice. She pulled me along the platform through the village. Her friends ran alongside us, saying hellos to people. The red haired one used her bag to knock younger kids out of the way, screaming, "Big Brother is watching you!" Tala smiled and pushed her hair out of her face. She pulled me faster and faster down a trail through the woods. Her friend Kohl turned back, but they didn't seem to care, so I said nothing.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"You'll see," Tala answered.

And I did. About ten yards up the path were ten carriages pulled by the most scarily beautiful creatures I'd ever seen. They were skeletal horses the color of midnight, with leathery wings. I walked right in front of one and reached out my arm to touch it, but thought better of it. There was so much I didn't know, I didn't want to do something stupid my first day here.

"What are they?" I asked, looking to Tala.

She looked at me, a peculiar look in her eyes. But before she could say anything, her friend Hunter spoke up. "What are what?"

"The-"Tala shook her head slightly, stopping my thoughts.

"We'll talk about it later," she mouthed.

We loaded our luggage into the carriage and began to pile in. Tala did a head count.

"Wait, where's Kohl?" she said, eyes widening in alarm.

"She turned back a few minutes ago. I thought you saw." I answered.

Scarlet turned to Tala. "Pleaseeee?" she whined.

"No, it's your turn!" Tala said. Scarlet made puppy dog eyes at her.

"Oh fine!" Tala huffed, grabbing her wand. "But if I miss the sorting, I'm going to kill you!"

She hopped down out of the carriage and sprinted away.

"Sooooooo….." I said awkwardly.

"Sooooooo….." they echoed in return.

Tala's two friends. One me.

Oh crud.

Kohl's POV

I saw him and my heart skipped a couple beats. How could I have forgotten?

Derek caught my eye and blushed. He jerked his head back and I turned to join him. He grinned and draped an arm over my shoulder. "Hey Kohl," he whispered.

This was the boy I'd had my first kiss with. My last day of school 3rd year. He'd pulled a prank on me earlier, to make his friends laugh. I had hid on the astronomy tower, wanting no one to see my ultra-frizzy hair. He came up but I don't think he saw me.

Then he turned around.

His eyes widened in surprise. "Ohhh, umm, hi Kohl," he said quickly.

I started. I didn't even think he knew my name. He was one year older than me and in Gryffindor. I was a Slytherin. We were worlds apart.

"Look, I'm really sorry about that," he said, pointing at my hair. I shrugged.

"Just adds to my overall ugliness," I retorted.

He narrowed his eyes. " You're not ugly," he said with finality.

I looked up at him. "In fact, I think you're beautiful."

I stood up. "You're probably just playing some sick joke on me," I said, walking towards the staircase. I would not let him ruin my last day here.

He blocked my way. "No, I'm not. I really like you Kohl."

"I-"he cut me off by pulling my lips to his. We stood there for a few minutes, liplocked, but I could feel myself smiling on the inside. He pulled away, smiled, and without a word, left me there longing for more.

"Kohl?" Derek said, snapping me out of it.

"Yeah, sorry," I answered. He smiled and I returned it. I wasn't sure where we could place ourselves on the friendship/dating scale, but I didn't care. What I cared about was right now. I took in all of his features like a thirsty person gulping fresh water. His deep green eyes, long dark brown hair, tan skin, his muscles, and his easy smile. As much as I wanted to look away, I couldn't. He was perfect.

He saw me looking and picked me up bride-style. I gave a shriek and he laughed. We lightly kissed and laughed again.

"Soooo….." he said, obviously looking for a way to say something important. "How do you feel about….. us... you know… Going out?..."

"Are you kidding me?" I screamed, jumping out of his arms. His eyes fell, and he looked at the ground.

"Of course! I'd love to!" I screamed, hugging him. He grinned wide and looked excited.

"Oh thank god, I thought you were going to say no." I giggled. "What?' he asked.

"Well, it's just, all year I was like, in love with you. All I could hope was that you would notice me, and now we're going out.'

Just then I saw Tala running up the path towards us. I began to wave, but then she stopped and turned. I shrugged. She knew I was okay. I linked arms with Derek and walked off to find a carriage.

Tala's POV

I ran toward Kohl. She saw me and started to wave. I smiled." Yes!" I thought. "She's okay. And with Derek….."

Before I had time to process this, I slammed into an invisible barrier. I hit it so hard I bounced back and turned around. Evil giggles floated toward me. I wiped the blood from my nose on my sleeve and stalked toward the source of the giggling.

"Very funny Parkinson." I said snidely, looking her square in the face.

"It- wasn't-me!" she said through giggles.

"Did you see the way she bounced off of it?" I heard a snarky voice drawl.

I rounded on him. "Malfoy!" I screeched, striding over to him. He looked up and for a second I could see panic in his eyes. Then it was hidden and replaced by insolence.

'Yes?" he said sarcastically. I narrowed my eyes.

"I know it was you who made the barrier."

"Ohh, do you know?" he asked sarcastically, looking at his friends and smirking.

"Yeah, I do, and I intend to get you for it," I answered.

"Ooooooo, I'm so scared," he said, laughing.

That teared it. I brought my fist back and socked him straight in the eye. He stumbled back and I grabbed the front of his shirt. "You've been warned," I snarled into his face.

I stalked off to find a carriage, ignoring all the stares.