"Isabelle! Hurry up, we need to go!" my brother called out to me. I sighed, exasperated. This was my sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the train was going to leave in about a minute.

"'Kay, Trent, I'm coming," I called back to my little brother as I boarded the train. This was his very first year, and I don't think I'd ever seen him so happy.

Suddenly, someone came up behind me, picking me up and spinning me around.

"Albus!" I screeched at my best friend as I saw the tell-tale flash of messy black hair. And yes, we were just best friends. Nothing more, despite the accusations, which were ridiculous. He did not like me like that, and the feeling was mutual. Explicitly friends.

Al set me down, grinning stupidly. "Miss me?" he teased, happiness in his bright green gaze, and I punched his arm.

"Come on!" Trent shouted again from the train, and I cast an annoyed glance at Albus.

"Gosh, do I hate little brothers. You'd better apologize to James if you ever acted like this to him. Really is a pain," I told my friend irritably.

He feigned shock. "I'm hurt, Izzy! How could you assume that I would be annoying in any way?" he asked me. I just laughed at the fake sadness on his face and pulled him along to the train.

We searched a little while for an open compartment, stopping to chat with a few people on the way. We finally found one that was unoccupied and slipped in.

"How was your summer?" Albus questioned. "I mean, besides the misery you must have felt without me being there…"

"Actually," I began, smirking, "it was wonderful. Even without my arrogant best friend." I looked at him, grinning.

"Aw, shut up," he mumbled at me. "In case it mattered to anyone, my break was a disaster," Albus informed me. "Lily got Dragon Pox, and you and Rose were both out of the country," he shot me a disapproving glare before smiling goofily. "I did get a little bit of enjoyment out of James though…" I shot him a curious look. "He was gone one day," he began to explain, the smile growing, "and an owl came. I didn't recognize it, and Mum and Dad were taking care of Lily, so I took the letter." Albus paused for effect. "The aforementioned letter was from Jamesie's new, secret, little girlfriend, Celeste Marten!" he smiled wildly at me, obviously pleased with himself.

I just snorted at his excitement. "What, Al? Are you, like, two?" I asked him teasingly. "James is graduating next year, he's allowed to have a girlfriend! And don't act like you haven't gone out with anyone," I glared at him accusingly.

Al blushed. "I…yeah, but…I mean, James is my brother! I'm allowed to make fun of him!" he told me defensively.

I just sighed. James was much different than his brother. He was a year older than Albus, but James was much less social, kind of like me. James was quiet, shy, and slightly awkward at times. I, however, had known the Potters long enough to coax James into somewhat of a friendship with me. He was really funny and sarcastic and witty if you could get him to talk. Sometimes I pitied the poor boy. Wasn't the older brother supposed to be the one acting like Al was right now?

"Just…cut your brother some slack, 'kay Al?" I asked him. Al just stared at me, shocked.

"I thought you were my friend!" he exclaimed, pretending that I'd hurt him dearly.

"Al. All I'm saying is that maybe you could be, I dunno, a little nicer to Jamie every once in a while?" He winced. "Fine, Al." I sighed. "Don't tell James, but you're my favorite between you two," I told him, and he acted like he was shocked. I ignored him, continuing. "But…I just think that you could lay off him every once in a while. You're still my favorite though," I said.

"Thank goodness!" Al gasped. "I was worrying that you would ditch me, your best friend since first day of first year, for James! I mean, I was legitimately-" I cut him and his sarcasm off by punching his arm.

"Shut up, Albus!" I exclaimed. He just grinned at me.

Gosh, did I love that boy.

"McCallum, Trenton!" Professor Longbottom, the Herbology teacher, called out. At this I perked up worriedly. Trent could be quite a burden, but I loved him to pieces. I really wanted him to be in Gryffindor with me, but he was just so smart. Like, seriously, he probably knew ten times as many charms and spells as I did half way through my first year. He just picked up on things so fast, and he was always, I mean always, reading. Obviously Ravenclaw material.

Then again, he was the first kid so far to glide up to the sorting hat like nothing was wrong. All the other first years had scampered timidly up to the stool, quiet as mice. This kid was smart, but he was pretty brave too. He'd done a lot of ridiculous stuff.

He pulled the hat on his head, and it fell down past his eyes. He just sat there, back straight, as he awaited the verdict.

The hat was obviously having trouble. I mean, with a mind that amazing, a heart big and loyal enough for Hufflepuff, and perfectly made to fit in Gryffindor at the same time, this wasn't easy at all.

Then, the silence was broken. "GRYFFINDOR!"

I was the first one to start cheering for him, then the rest of my house followed my lead. Trent walked past me, grinning hugely, and I grabbed his arm and pulled him into a hug. He pulled away after a second, smiling up at me still. "Congrats, kid," I told him. He just blushed and ran to his fellow first years.

The sorting finished, as did the feast a while later. I stood up with Albus as we set off around the first years, who were being herded by the prefects. Al and I made our way to the common room, laughing and talking. Rose Weasley, Al's cousin, caught up with us as we walked along.

"Hey, Izzy," Rose said to me, smiling.

I smiled back. "Hey!" Rose and I were pretty good friends. Her and Al were close, so she hung out with us quite a bit.

She then turned to Albus, smirking. The redheaded girl leaned over and whispered something in her cousin's ear, and he blushed profusely.

Rose just giggled, then turned back towards me, a knowing smile still remaining on her face. "See you guys later!" she chirped, running towards her friends.

"Al…" I began nervously. He didn't respond. "What did she want?"

"Oh…um…nothing…doesn't matter…" he grimaced, then stared at the floor before looking up at me. "Really. It's not a big deal." He was still blushing.

What the hell was that?

A/N: So, this is my first story. I don't know if it's any good…I guess I could've done better…but, just tell me what you think?

Thanks!