September 1st

Hogwarts Express

I've always liked the comfy-ness of the Hogwarts Express. The seats are all spongy and great for sleeping on - as Sirius always informs us - and the perfect number of seats to accommodate us all!

This morning's trip to London from home was uneventful - or as uneventful as having Sirius in the group can be! He spent the entire time morning before leaving, tearing through the house looking for his prefect's badge. How he got prefect, I'm still not sure, but then he is a Lupin. Grandpa Potter stills laughs whenever Sirius and his prefect-ness is mentioned. Apparently the thought of a Sirius in a Prefect position amuses him.

"Hari, what's with the diary?"

"I'm writing in it."

There, she didn't like that, maha. Guess I should introduce my friend and dorm-mate, Essa Darcy. Essa's one of those blonde haired, blue eyed beauties that makes guys fall over their feet for her. She may put on the dumb blonde act but don't be fooled. She's incredibly smart, violent and has the wickedest temper imaginable! Essa is also a brilliant hexer, so watch out!

Oww!

Essa just read that last part and hit my arm. What did I tell you about violent!

I wonder where Sirius has gotten too? He disappeared about an hour ago. Oh I hope he hasn't gotten into trouble ... again!

We arrived at Kings Cross with about 10 minutes to go till the train left and managed to get onto the platform without much trouble, although mum reckons a muggle saw us, she probably was just seeing things. The platform was already bustling with students, all saying goodbye and such to parents and younger siblings. I wish I had a younger brother or sister. I asked mum about it once and her response was that two Potter's were more than enough for her to handle. I guess she meant me and dad.

Anyway as soon as we got on the platform, mum had to leave (something about a potion about to boil over...) After crushing me in a hug (I've still got the bruise!) and ruffling Sirius' hair, which he hates, mum left. That was when the trouble began!

Picking up our trunks me and Sirius starting walking innocently across the platform to the train when who should bump into us? Malfoy.

Urgh, just writing that name makes my skin crawl!

"Watch where your going, Potter!" Malfoy spat at me. (And I mean literally spat, I had to wipe his disgusting spit off my face -shudders-)

"It's you who should be watching it, Malfoy!" Sirius butted in.

"Is that a threat, Lupin." Malfoy growled.

Sirius and I just smirked. I mean, come on. Malfoy intimidate us? Pah.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for Malfoy) just as we'd gotten our wands out to do some serious hexing, who should show up? The bloody Head Girl that's who. Not that I have anything against Sophia of course, after all she is family, but still. Those that prevent me from giving Malfoy and his goonies a good hexing deserve to be glared at. Don't they? Sophia apparently didn't think so cause she glared right back at me!

Well, in the process of yelling at us for causing trouble on the platform and setting a bad example for the younger students (personally I think she got this wrong, the youngsters would have learnt something after all!) Malfoy just slunk away. Typical.

Anyway, Sophia dragged Sirius off by his ear to the prefects carriage, leaving me to find Logan and a compartment by myself. That was an hour ago...

Woo!

The food trolley has just arrived and we now have enough chocolate frogs and Bertie Botts to last a couple of weeks at Hogwarts! Sirius will be sorry he missed this. I guess I should put a few things back for him ... there.

32 minutes later

"Where's my chocolate!"

Uh oh!

Sirius has just come through the door, face like thunder to find us finishing off the chocolate. I think his face is about to explode! Better give him the stash I saved now before he hex's us all into next week.

"Here Sirius."

Grabbing them out of my hand, he sits down in one of the chairs, ripping open the packaging of the frogs and ripping their heads off savagely, muttering murderously under his breath. Looking at Essa and Logan, I can see that they're as shocked at Sirius' behaviour as I am. He's not usually like this. Sirius is the calm, collective one of the group. The usual mastermind behind most of our pranks (although Logan and I have come up with a fair few brilliant ones in our time) but I've hardly ever seen Sirius this angry before.

Now Essa and Logan are nudging me. What do they want me to do? They don't seriously expect me to ask him what's wrong right? Oh bugger.

"Sirius?"

My voice surprises me by coming out slightly shaky. What's wrong with me? Suck it up girl, you're a Potter! Clearing my throat I try again.

"Sirius, are you ok?"

For a moment he doesn't respond. I wonder if chewing that hard on chocolate effects one hearing? NOTE: 'Attempt to find if chewing hard on chocolate decreases ones hearing capabilities.' Moving across the compartment I gently put a hand on Sirius hunched shoulder when -

"URGH!"

The three of us jump as Sirius chucks the empty chocolate frog box at the window. Staring at Sirius in astonishment I inch back. I don't want anything thrown at me, thank-you very much!

"I can't believe him! Why on earth did he do it! Imagine that pompous ... idiotic ... arse being a Prefect! It's bloody stupid!"

"Er ... who are you on about?" Logan asks.

"Malfoy!"

Me, Essa and Logan can't help but stare at Sirius. Surely he's joking? A giggle is threatening to escape my lips. I mean, who in there right - oh no.

"You've got to be joking! Grandpa Lupin would never appoint Malfoy as a prefect! Anyway, he can't! Livingstone and Morgrim's prefects for the Slytherin 6th years! They can't have three!"

Sirius just laughs bitterly. "Livingstone's left Hogwarts. Transferred or something Sophia told us. Malfoy's prefect."

Sirius slumps in his seat. I can see how much this has affected him. I can't believe it though! Why would Grandpa give a Malfoy this opportunity! He doesn't deserve it! Malfoy's always been a trouble maker. Always bullying those younger than him, muggle-borns and hexing anyone that get in his wa-

Later

Meh.

Sorry about that.

There I was, scribbling away in here on how idiotic I felt it was that Malfoy got appointed Prefect when Sirius leaned across and pulled you out of my hands, stopping me mid word and refusing to give it back. Apparently the scratching of the quill on the parchment was giving him a headache. Whatever. He's been in a foul mood ever since the Prefect meeting this morning.

Anyway, the rest of the train ride past without much incident. We didn't speak of the 'situation' again after that and just wiled away the time playing exploding snap and catching up with our holidays and talking to friends that popped into our carriage every now and then. Essa, it appears has a new boyfriend! I hope this one will last. His name is Piers Richards, a Ravenclaw 7th year. At the mention of a boyfriend, Sirius got this peculiar look on his face. I wonder if Sirius likes Essa? Must remember to ask him about that when he's calmed down a bit.

Anyway, we got to Hogwarts without much mishap. Peeves the poltergeist was in the entrance hall throwing water balloons at us all as we entered. One cantered our way but Logan put up a shielding charm that rebounded the balloon sending it right back to Peeves! Don't think he liked that, ha-ha. This group of 4th year girls starting clapping and cheering at Logan, who just grinned at them and entered the great hall. I couldn't help but laugh. I think the Longbottom fan-club, is about to get some new members. In fact, those girls are probably being initiated right now!

The feast continued without much out of the usual happening - 10 new Gryffindor-ettes, all looking impeccable small! - it wasn't until we got to the common room that something interesting happened.

We were coming through the portrait hole, laughing at Malfoy (who had slipped on some food on the floor and fallen flat on his face) when we came face to face with the most gorgeous, handsome and striking guy I've ever met! I just stood there staring! He was asking about something but my mind went a complete blank.

When I finally recovered my senses, Logan was laughing hysterically at me, whilst Sirius was shaking his head and smiling. The new guy had disappeared.

"Wh - where'd that guy go?" I asked stupidly.

"To bed. Goodnight."

And with that the pair of them disappeared up the stairs to the guys dormitories. I could have strangled them!

Who is he? What year is he in? Obviously he's a Gryffindor since he was in our common room, but what is he doing here? Grandpa Lupin (did I mention he's Headmaster of Hogwarts?) didn't mention anything in his start of term speech and he usually introduces new students if they are starting in the higher years. He must have been sorted earlier. I'd remember if he had been sorted along with the first years.

Oh I wish it was morning now!

Well, sleep here I come. Essa has demanded that I stop writing now, since "that damn quill" is keeping her up!

Oh well.