Finding somewhere to sit was an absolute nightmare.

Harry shoved through older students, so he wouldn't be swallowed up by the crowd. They shoved back.

One boy. A squat ginger barged by him, and Harry turned his head, glaring at him hard enough to send him toppling like he was pushed over by an invisible figure.

Eventually, someone tapped on his shoulder. He whipped around, but as he saw who it was, all he did was stare for a moment, before asking.''

''Isabella, is that you?''

Just last month when Harry got lost, and almost froze to death in the wild, a tribe called the Golden Bisons saved him. Isabella was one of them.

''Yep, it's me!'' She said, grinning. ''I didn't know you were going to Hogwarts too.''

''Didn't think you were going to either.'' He admitted. 'Because, you know. I thought you couldn't leave.''

''Well, my mum knew I wanted to go really badly, so she let me,'' Isabella said happily. ''I just can't believe I'm here. I thought I was never going to leave.''

He frowned. ''So she really just let you go because you asked?''

She nodded. ''She knew I really wanted to go really badly.''

He turned away from her, to look out of the window. If only that worked for me.

''So.'' Isabella started, pulling a strand of hair from behind her ear. ''Why don't we find somewhere to sit?''

He just shrugged. ''Sure. I haven't been able to find anywhere to sit though.''

''I haven't either.'' She said, still smiling. ''But there has to be somewhere.''

So the two of them searched, storming up and down the train, poking into compartments that either had no room or were full of grumpy older students.

''Found one!'' She called and slid inside a room. Harry followed. ''This one really looks nice too.''

They sat opposite each other, in awkward silence. The thought of sitting with her was preferable over then with someone he did not even know, but he had still only met her once. Harry looked up to the ceiling and counted the patterns.

''This is exciting, isn't it?'' Isabella said, filling a hole in the silence. ''I've heard about Hogwarts, but I never thought I would actually go.''

''I guess.'' Harry studied her attire, similar to the one he had to wear. A tunic, cut at the knees and arms ''So are you really going to wear that?''

''I am. It's nice.'' She said and looked at him. ''Don't you like it?''

''It's fine, I guess.'' He muttered. ''So, er.'' He tapped his chin. ''So what House do you think you're going to be in?''

''House?'' She blinked. ''Oh, House. I don't know, I don't mind. I would be happy with any of them. Do you know what house you want to be in?''

''No idea.'' He admitted. ''I know my whole family were Gryffindors, so I might change that tradition.''

''Gryffindor?'' She asked. ''That's one of the Houses then?''

''Yeah. You don't know them?''

She hummed. ''Well, I know Ravenclaw. That's the only one my mother told me about. But either way, I really don't mind which one I end up being in.''

The door slid open and the boy he'd seen with his father earlier came inside, dropping beside him and almost covering the seat.

''Thank god. I thought I was never going to find anywhere to sit for a sec.'' The boy said. Running a hand through his dirty blonde hair.

''The train really is full.'' Isabella agreed. ''We almost didn't find somewhere to sit.''

''I thought it was going to be way bigger.'' Harry joined in. ''I think there's, what, a thousand people going to Hogwarts.''

''A thousand?'' Isabella murmured. ''There's really that many?''

''A thousand ain't that many.'' The boy said. ''I remember my mum and dad saying that Secondary schools have that much.''

Harry crooked a brow. ''Secondary School?''

''Yeah, you know. Where you go after Primary School.''

''I still have no idea what that is.''

The boy turned to Isabella. She had the same answer.

''I don't think I know what a Secondary School is either.''

The boy shook his head. ''What the hell. So you never went to school? Where'd you learn stuff then?''

''Learn stuff?'' Harry asked.

''Yeah, stuff. Like...maths.''

''Well, my mom just got me, tutors,'' Harry answered.

''Tutors, really?'' The boy turned back to Isabella again. ''You got Tutors too?''

''No…. But my parents taught me everything I needed to learn.''

And then Harry remembered. ''Wait, wait. Aren't Secondary Schools Muggle things?''

''Muggle, the hecks a muggle?''

''You know, people who can't use magic,'' Harry said like he was talking to a child. ''You're a Muggleborn, aren't you?''

''Muggles, Muggleborns – what the hell are these names!''

Harry sighed. ''Okay, listen. Muggleborns are people with parents who are Muggles. And Muggles are, you know, people who can't use magic.''

The boy nodded glumly. ''Ah, okay. I think I got it.''

And then the room was wrapped in silence. No one spoke. Not him, the boy, or Isabella. Harry was trying to think of something to say, right as the door slid open.

''I'm sitting in here, okay?''

It was not a question. The girl stomped on in and sat beside Isabella. She was short and scrawny, dressed in drab robes with tangled brown hair.

''Are you okay?'' Isabella asked tenderly, and Harry just noticed the cut on her lip.

''I'm fine.'' The girl said, almost snarling.

The longer Harry looked at the girl, the more he remembered. Until it suddenly clicked.

''Wait, it's you.''

''What?'' The girl finally looked at him, eyes widening slightly. ''What are you on about? I don't even know you.''

''It's you,'' Harry repeated. ''Don't try to play dumb. You're the girl who tried to pickpocket my mom in Diagon Alley.''

Isabella faced the smaller girl. She didn't look angry, she never did. But her voice was full of disappointment. ''Is that true?''

''Don't matter.'' The girl grumbled. ''I wasn't even able to steal anything. And I just needed a few Galleons!''

''And?'' Harry said coldly. ''Maybe you should have begged or something.''

''Beg?'' The girl yelled. ''Beg! I ain't going to beg for a few stupid Galleons!''

''Can we all calm down?'' Isabella urged softly. ''We're all going to Hogwarts together right?''

''I'm very calm.'' He drawled. ''Very. She just tried to pickpocket my mom. Do you really think I'm just going to be alright with that?''

''Well, I needed it.'' The girl persisted, louder than him. ''Your mom was loaded. I know the type, wearing fancy robes. and I needed it, so why wouldn't I?''

Isabella tried again. ''Can we please calm down?'' She looked at the other boy.

''Well…. everybody's nicked something before right?'' The boy said slowly. ''I know I stole some chocolate bars before.''

''You don't even know who my mom is, do you?'' Harry asked sharply. ''Because if you did, you'd be too scared to even look at her.''

Isabella tried for a third time, and this time she shouted ''Can we please not fight? I really don't want to get kicked off the train.''

And then once again silence followed. Isabella smiled, and spoke in a softer, quieter voice. ''I know what we could do. Since we don't really know each other well, why don't we introduce ourselves?''

''And why'd we do that? It sounds stupid to me.'' The girl said grumpily.

''Well….I just thought…''

''Nah, Nah. Let's do.'' The boy said. ''I remember when I started year five we went in a circle and did that. It was pretty fun.''

The girl sighed. ''Fine. Not like we got anything better to do.''

''Okay, okay. I'll go first.'' Isabella clasped her hands together. ''Okay, my name is Isabella. I love my parents. I like practicing Archery and I'm really looking forward to starting Hogwarts.''

The three of them looked at the girl, who sighed again but did not argue.

''I'm Tracey Davis.''

''It's nice to meet you, Tracey,'' Isabella said. She looked at her for several seconds.

''Fine,'' Tracey grumbled. ''I guess I like looking around. You know, exploring woods and stuff. But what I like the most is money. Lots of money.''

''Guess it's my turn.'' The boy said. ''Well, I'm Duddley. I like playing games and watching telly.''

''I like playing games too,'' Isabella admitted. Her eyes drifted over to Harry.

''I'm Harry,'' Harry said dully and did not add anything.

''Are you serious, that's all you're going to say?'' Tracy asked. ''If I had to, you do too.''

''This is ridiculous, but fine I'll do it.'' Harry leaned back in his seat, staring up at the ceiling, almost as an attempt to hide from the stares. ''I'm Harry, and I guess I like…. You know what, it doesn't matter.''

''It does matter,'' Isabella told him unhesitantly. ''My mom once said the first step to really getting to know someone, is to listen to their interests.''

He sighed. ''Ok, well. I'll start again then. My Name's Harry, and I guess I like…. Well, sometimes I play the violin…I read sometimes too I guess.''

Tracey snorted. ''Playing the Violin, you? Seriously?''

''There's nothing wrong with playing the Violin,'' Isabella said before he could get a word in. ''I knew a few people in Bersvile who played instruments.''

''I heard you can make a ton of money from it too. Like thousands of pounds.'' Duddley added.

''Wait, when'd I say there was something wrong with it.'' Tracey said ''I just thought someone like you wouldn't play the Violin.''

His voice came out sharply. ''What's that meant to mean, somebody like me?''

''What do you think? I just said you didn't seem like the type.'' Tracey crossed her arms. ''But you seem pretty snobby, and everyone knows snobby people play violins.''

''How am I snobby?'' Harry growled and took her clothes in. ''And if I'm snobby, what are you, some homeless girl? Maybe that's why you were pickpocketing my mom.''

In an instant Tracey got up, the smugness drained from her face. ''What was that?''

''Are you deaf or something? I said if I'm snobby, then you're some homeless girl. Just look at what you're wearing.''

Tracey went for him. Isabella stood up in a flash and grabbed her arm, in a strong enough grip to stop the girl in her tracks. ''Can we please not fight in here?''

''Right, don't try to fight me in here idiot,'' Harry said. ''Just wait until we get to Hogwarts.''

Dudley muttered. ''You know that's a girl?''

Tracey scowled at Dudley. ''And what's that meant to mean? Just cause I'm a girl I can't fight?''

Harry stood up from his seat to peer at the much shorter girl. ''So, know any curses yet? I do.''

''Do you think I care? You're probably lying anyway.''

Harry began to juggle his wand. ''Want me to curse you then?''

This time Duddley got up, who was shorter than him, but twice as wide. ''C'mon. You ain't really gonna fight her, are you?''

''Duddley is right,'' Isabella said swiftly, still holding onto Tracy. ''Please don't fight. Let's just sit down and…..relax.''

Harry continued to stare at her, almost daringly. Tracy wrenched her arm free and sat down first. She grumbled. ''Fine.''

Isabella let out a deep, relieved sigh,'' Thank you.''

However, Harry didn't sit down. He made his way to the door.

''Harry?'' Isabella asked, face creasing.

''I'll be back soon.'' He said. ''I just saw the trolly lady earlier, and I'm pretty hungry.''

''Trolly lady?'' Duddley said, perking up. ''I'll come, I'm starving.''

His eyes closed. Can't I be alone for a minute?

''If you don't mind, then I'll come as well.'' Isabella got up and walked to his side. ''We didn't have time to eat much this morning.''

And then he looked at her. And of course, Tracy said, just to annoy him. ''I'm commin' too.''

So the four of them left the compartment, to look for the Trolly Lady.

''Where the hell is she?'' Tracy said. ''You sure she's even here?''

''Of course, I'm sure,'' Harry muttered agitatedly. ''I saw her, I know she's here. If you don't believe me then just leave.''

''There, there.'' Duddley pointed a finger at a lady down the hall, pushing a trolly along. ''That her?''

''Yeah, I think so.''

Four shadows reflected themselves off the walls. ''Out the way!'' A large, troll-looking boy barged into him. Harry hissed. ''Watch it.'' And pushed back, muscling him with his shoulder.

''Look at what we have here.'' The boy from last month said; Draco Malfoy. ''If it isn't the Mud-Muggleborn.''

There were four of them. Draco Malfoy, looking as annoyingly smug as the first time he saw him. Two larger boys, one tall as him, with the other being much shorter. And finally, Theo Nott.

''It'sth you!'' Theo lisped.

''You know these guys?'' Duddley whispered into his ear.

Harry just shrugged. ''Not really. I've met the blonde kid once.'' He faced Theo. ''Surprised you're here though. Thought you would be too scared to show up to Hogwarts.''

''Shut up, H-Harry. Why would I be scared?''

''Do you know him, Nott?'' Draco asked but didn't wait for an answer as he noticed Duddley's attire. ''What are you wearing? Playing dress up as a Muggle?''

''Playing dress up? You're the one playing dress-up. You're the one in a silly dress.''

''This is not a dress.''

Even if it was a dig at him too, as he and Draco wore very similar robes, Harry still laughed under his breath.

''Sure looks like it to me mate,'' Duddley said, taking a step forward.

''I said this is not a dress. Are you deaf, or just a dunce?'' Draco hissed, cheeks reddening slightly. ''Crabbe, Goyle, why don't we teach him a lesson?''

Isabella slid in front of Duddley. ''I don't know what you're problem is, but all we're trying to do is get some food.''

''We're just trying to get some food.'' Draco mocked, mimicking her voice. ''I thought the Muggleborn dressed oddly, but what are you wearing? You should be working at a Circus, not attending Hogwarts with us normal people.''

Isabella patted her clothes down. ''What's wrong with my clothes?''

''It ain't any better than yours,'' Tracey said. ''You're dressed like a little girl! You look like a pansy.''

''These are what a Wizard wears,'' Draco said coldly. ''You two are an embarrassment, especially you.'' He looked at Dudley. ''I know some of us are unlucky enough to have Muggles as parents, but dressing up as them still shouldn't be allowed.''

Dudley almost growled. ''And what the hell's wrong with my parents not having magic?''

''What isn't wrong with it?'' Draco asked. ''We are better than them in every way, and my father always said that they think they are better than us. It's absolutely ridiculous!''

Something dark flickered in Duddley's eyes. Harry spoke for him.

''You know, when I saw you before I really wanted to jinx you. But my mom stopped me.'' Harry ripped his wand out. ''She's not here. So want to get jinxed?''

Draco rolled his eyes. ''As if someone like you knows any Jinxes.''

Duddley made fists. ''I'm in. If you don't buzz off I'll punch you.''

Theo looked around and whispered into Draco's ear. ''Er, Draco. I don't know if we should do this…''

''Don't tell me you're scared, Nott.''

''W-well….no….but Harry's kind of….''

''I'm kind of what?'' Harry asked, his eyes gleaming. ''You remember what happened last time, I'm guessing. Want me to get some bees?''

Theo paled.

''You are such a coward, Nott.'' Draco hissed ''Goyle, Crabbe.''

The two boys listened. They went for Harry, but Dudley stepped in front of him, as if trying to protect him, and punched the taller one in the face.

Chaos followed.

Duddley and Goyle fought without a wand but with their fists. Rolling across the floor and hitting each other with all their might. Crabbe tried to help his friend out, but Isabella just took him by the arm and flipped him flat on his back.

Tracey went for Theo. He pointed a wand at her, to cast a spell, but all that came out was a faint light. She took advantage of it, tackled him to the floor, and started to pound away.

It was almost an amusing sight. A short, scrawny girl beating the daylights out of someone so much taller, even if that someone was built like a twig.

So that only left him and Draco Malfoy. They circled each other, and Harry had to say. ''You probably don't even know any spells, do you?''

All that came out from the other boy was a hiss. A dazzling flash of white pierced through the air, and Harry barely ducked in time, to reply with his own spell. ''Lacesis Captionem!''

Draco Malfoy's shoelaces tied around his ankles, forcing his feet together, and he fell on his face. Harry approached, twirling a wand in between long fingers. ''That's the best you can do?''

Grey eyes looked up at him, alight with cold fury. ''Free me now.''

As Harry spoke, he saw Duddley hit Goyle hard enough to send him stumbling. ''Or what? What are you going to do? You're actually kind of pathetic. I thought it'd be harder than this.''

''Or-'' The boy picked his wand from the ground, aiming it at Tracy, who was on top of Theo, completely unsuspecting. ''Flippendo!''

A bang echoed through the train and Tracy was sent hobbling off the taller boy. Theo crawled, feeling around him until he found his wand, to point it at her.

But Harry didn't let him. First, he whacked Draco's hand, sending his wand flying. And then yelled. ''Frigus!''

For a moment it was as if nothing happened, but it soon became clear. Theo slowly began to turn pale, shivering and hugging himself, before letting out a violent sneeze.

''W-what did you do?''

''I just gave you a little cold. Don't be a baby.'' Harry revealed smugly. ''And who knows, try anything and I might just show you some bees. How'd you like that Theo?''

That made him whiten even further.

''N-no, not the bees.''

''You coward.'' Draco croaked, erupting. ''I always knew you were one, but this is embarrassing!''

Tracy struggled to her feet, only to insult the boy further. ''Who knew you were such a scaredy cat! Imagine being scared of some' bees.''

Harry was about to cast another spell on Draco, but there wasn't a chance before a voice demanded ''That is enough!''

In an instant, everyone stopped. Duddley pulled his fist back before it could land against Goyle. Isabella, who did not even have a scratch on her, got up from Crabbe, and Harry could already see the bruises on his face.

Tracy just stepped over Theo's body, and Harry did the same with Draco.

Heads peeked out from the compartments, looking at them. But the person the four of them were really paying attention to, was her. An older student, with hair like honey and stormy grey eyes.

''And who the heck are you meant to be?'' Tracy demanded.

''What were you all thinking?'' The older girl barked. ''Fighting even before starting your first day? You're lucky that none of the Professors are here. But I'm still giving you all detention.''

''Oi, what?'' Dudley spluttered. ''You can't do that. You're not a teacher.''

''I can and I will.'' The girl said, crossing her arms. ''I'm a member of the School Council, so I can give you detentions for the rest of the year if I wanted to.''

''Oh,'' Isabella whispered, lowering her head. ''We're sorry….we really didn't mean for it to go that far.''

''Well, I'm not,'' Harry said. ''They're the ones who started it, not us.''

''Aren't you a brave one.'' The upperclassmen stepped forwards, to peer down at him with cool grey eyes. ''What's your name?''

Harry put his hands into his pockets. ''Tell me yours and I might tell you me mine.''

She laughed but didn't sound amused in the least. ''You're going to be in detention longer than anybody else.'' She looked at the eight of them. ''Now get back to your compartments before it gets worse.''

Harry had opened his mouth, ready to unload on her, but Isabella slid by his side and whispered. ''It's not worth it, Harry. Maybe we should just go back…''

His face contorted viciously. ''Only because she's part of the student council doesn't mean she can just tell us what to do.''

''I think you should listen to your friend.'' The girl said and then added. ''Harry.''

Once again Isabella whispered into his ear, quieter than before. ''Just ignore her...and let's go back to our compartment. We don't need to fight anymore.''

His answer came out as a growl. ''Fine.'' But he did not take his eyes off the older, smug girl.


She, who Harry learned to be Victoria, undid the jinx on Theo and untied Draco's shoes. However, she only left as the eight of them departed in opposite directions.

None of them were hurt too badly. Harry barely had a mark on him. Neither did Isabella, even if she got into a fistfight. However, both Duddley and Tracy were a little bruised, the other boy more so.

''I don't know what their problem is.'' Duddley raved. ''So what if my parents can't do magic? Who cares.''

On their way back to the Compartment, Tracy kept eying him but kept silent for the most part. At least, that was until they finally took their seats.

''Y'know, for a sec' I thought you were going to let him year me, or maybe join in.''

''And why would I do that?'' Harry asked, leaning into his fist, as he looked out onto snowy fields. ''We were fighting the same people. I'm not that stupid.''

It wasn't for another second did Tracy answer. ''Well, thanks. Maybe you ain't as bad as I thought.''

Harry looked at her. ''It's fine I guess.''

''See, I knew you two could get along.'' Isabella joined in, smiling. ''You two actually seem similar.''

''Nah, we don't,'' Tracy said, looking away. ''And we're not friends. I'm just saying thanks.''

''Oh,'' Isabella murmured. ''But why can't we all be friends? We all fought together, didn't we?''

''She's kinda right,'' Duddley said. ''We thrashed them too.''

''See?'' Isabella's smile widened. ''Why can't we all be friends?''

''Never had friends before,'' Tracy admitted glumly.

Isabella took Tracy's hands. ''Then I'll be your first friend.''

Harry and Duddley looked at each other.

''The way you got him was sick, honest,'' Duddley said. ''How'd you learn so many cool spells though?''

''Yeah, I wanna know too,'' Tracy said.

''Well, my family has this really big library.'' Harry started to explain, finally allowing himself to recline in his seat ''And to be honest…everything is really boring at home, so I read a lot.''

''Huh, so you're saying you've got a library at your house?'' Tracy asked, studying him. ''Knew your family was loaded.''

''I guess you could say that,'' Harry said. He went on, a tad smugly. ''Honestly, you've probably heard of them.''

''Snobby much,'' Tracy said, but much more jokingly than before. ''Tell us then.''

Harry hesitated. ''It doesn't actually matter.''

''Chicken, chicken!''

''I'm not a chicken,'' Harry grumbled. ''Okay, fine. It's Potter.''

And the other girl yelled. ''Wait, Potter? You mean that Potter!''


The compartment dropped in temperature.

Ice formed on the windows. Wind hissed outside and snow laid on so heavily it was the only thing you could see.

Catherine sat by the window, not too slouched, or too tense, just right with flawless posture. She was dressed in dark Colours, a perfect match for her hair and eyes.

''It was just a bunch of kids, but I got them to stop,'' Victoria said. ''What did they think they were doing? The whole damn train probably heard them.''

''Probably.'' Catherine agreed but seemed too focused on the globe in her hands. ''One of them went by the name Harry, did they not?''

''Yeah,'' Victoria said. She sat in the corner, as far away from the other girl as she could. ''How'd you — you watched it from your globe didn't you?''

That finally prompted her to look up at the globe, directly at Victoria. ''Is that an issue?''

Victoria waved her hands nervously. ''No, no. Of course not. And it's not like I could stop you…..even if I wanted to.''

''You are not wrong.'' Catherine returned her attention to the globe, showing four children conversing with each other, none the wiser. ''But did he tell you his surname?''

Her response came slowly. ''No….''

''His name is Harry Potter. I am sure you know who that is.''

''Potter?'' Victoria asked. ''Oh, I see. So that's Lyra's brother? I guess I can see it now. They both have the same stuck-up, I don't care attitude. How'd you know though?''

Catherine put the globe to one side. ''Because I have met him once before.''