Jane stuck to her promise and woke me up so all four of us could go down together to breakfast the next morning. I kept fidgeting with my new uniform. It was much heavier than the robes at my old school. But I supposed that was because Hogwarts was in Scotland as opposed to California.

I stuck with toast and pumpkin juice as the other girls heartily scooped up eggs and sausage. We sat at one end of the table, and were the first ones down from Gryffindor. I pointed this out.

"Georgie and I thought it'd be best to get down early so we can race back up and get what books you need in time for class," Jane explained. "Plus, we get to talk more!"

Georgia, who was sitting directly across from me, leaned forward. "What part of the States are you from? I've got a cousin in Florida."

"California," I answered. I looked at them in confusion as they all gasped and sighed. "What?"

"The Californian Condors!" Georgia looked at me desperately. "Tom Goldmeir!"

I laughed, and supported my head in my hand. "I know." I smiled dreamily.

"I didn't know what team he was on, but I saw him at the World Cup last year." Carly laid her head on the table. "What a handsome man."

"They're my favorite team!" I smiled. "They've got the best stats on the west coast."

"West coast of where?" said a new voice. I looked round and saw a small girl with flaming red hair join us.

"States," answered Jane.

She noticed me and brightened up. "Hi! I'm Lily Potter, third year! You must be Caroline Bene…"

"Benedetto." I smiled as I shook her hand. "But please, call me Linny."

"I heard you met my brothers last night." She chuckled. "Albus and James?"

I frowned at James name. "Yes, I did."

Lily nudged me with her elbow. "It's okay. Al has always been my favorite brother."

"What happened?" Carly, who was sitting next to me clutched at my robe, almost desperately.

"Yeah, Lin, share some gossip with us," Jane pleaded.

"Nothing happened." I shrugged. I didn't want to offend Lily.

Lily sighed. "James was a prat. Told her she talked funny, told her Hogwarts was loads better than her old school, and wouldn't leave her alone."

Carly frowned. "Jerk. He's in our year, you know?"

I smacked my forehead on the table. "Just my luck." I turned to Lily. "No offense, but what're you doing with a bunch of sixth years?"

Lily smiled. "Jane and my cousin Victoire are good friends, and I used to tag along whenever they'd do something. Still do."

Jane reached across the table and ruffled Lily's hair. "Annoyed the hell out of us, but we got used to her. Now it's just us, though. Victoire graduated already, but she's got a brother over in Ravenclaw."

"Ms. Benedetto!" I turned and saw McGonagall making her way towards me. "Glad to see you making friends. Here is your schedule. And Ms. Potter, kindly inform your eldest brother that Moaning Myrtle is to be left alone."

With that she walked off. Lily looked mad. "I've told James to –"

"To what, Lil?" James sauntered up and sat next to Lily. I scowled.

"To leave Moaning Myrtle alone! Even Dad says you should do it. I promised him I'd write, you know, if you did it again." Lily slapped her brother's hand away from her sausages. "Leave them alone and get your own!"

He winked at her until he saw me. And then he frowned. "Yank."

"Idiot." I returned.

"And who's saying you're not one?" He pointed a finger at me. "Don't see you in bloody Ravenclaw."

I looked confused, but Jane stood up for me. "Neither was your Aunt Hermione."

James growled. "Don't start, McCoy."

"I'll start where I bloody well please. Arse." Jane grabbed my hand. "Grab your schedule, and we'll look it over in the dorm. We've still got an hour before classes."

Carly and Georgie stood up, too. "We're done anyways. See you, Lily."

Lily waved. "Nice meeting you, Linny!"

I smiled at her and waved back, and then pointedly scowled at her brother.

My first class wasn't until 10. It was Defense Against the Dark Arts, and I had it with Carly. We walked Jane and Georgie to their classes, respectively Arithmancy and Potions. As we walked around, Carly gave me a tour, and I found myself in awe of the size and beauty of Hogwarts. She also explained the four houses, and the traits associated with each. I smiled to myself when I heard about Ravenclaw. I could imagine the look on James's face if he learned the Sorting Hat had considered putting me there, and it made me laugh.

We got to class ten minutes early, and decided to sit together. "Who's teaching this class?" I asked.

"Professor Roberts. He's very practical. I think he's great." Carly smiled. "Defense is my favorite class."

I flipped through our book. "I wonder what he's going to start teaching us."

"Oh, I hope silent spells!" Carly looked excited. "I hate having to shout spells."

"I hope we do that, too. I started it last year, but I would love the review." I sighed, tapping my wand absentmindedly.

"Can you show me?" Carly squealed. "Actually, could you help teach me?"

"Sure." I smiled. "To both. Here, watch."

I pointed my wand at the book in front of us. Wingardium Leviosa.

The book hovered, and Carly clapped. I lowered it back down and took a mock bow.

Another person started clapping, too, but it was a slow clap. I looked around, and my eyes narrowed. James had waltzed in with Jack and another boy.

James plopped into the desk next to ours.

"What do you want, Potter?" I frowned.

"What? I can't sit here?" He pretended to be offended. "I thought it was a free country, Yank. Told you you weren't special."

I bristled. "I have a name."

"Yeah. Yank."

"You're insufferable." I fumed and turned to Carly, who shrugged.

"Ah, that's a big word, Yank. I thought all you Americans ever did was watch the telly and eat burgers."

"You are an absolute ass." I stood up and glared down at him. "Don't you have some other person to bother? I'm busy."

"Yeah, show off." He snorted as he, too, stood up and glared back. "You went to school in America, oh, how nice."

"I don't know what I said or did that made you so angry at me, but I couldn't care less. Leave me alone." I sneered.

"Or what?" he challenged.

I stepped closer. "Or else."

He snorted, and closed the gap between us. "I think I'm hearing an empty threat, Yank."

"CLASS, ORDER." Professor Roberts tapped his podium with his wand, and the door slammed shut. James and I realized that most of the class, which was only comprised of 12 people in all, had come in while we were arguing. I flushed and sat back in my seat as James did the same.

This was going to be a long school year.