Annabelle Finnigan was rushed to the train by her mother and father, her small body shoved in as the last whistle blew. A crew member righted her, before walking down the corridor.
She held her bag to her chest, avoiding some of the upperclassmen who shoved past her.
She found an empty compartment in minutes, and settled in, curling up by the window, and rested her head against the cold glass as the train rumbled, it's wheels turning.
She was so excited. Hogwarts! She was going to Hogwarts! The school her mother raved about, the one she'd said she'd never get into!
She pulled out her wand, admiring it, and hugged it to her chest. It was warm to the touch and fit perfectly in her hand.
She placed it back into her bag, and pulled out two books. One on hexes she managed to sneak into her mam's bag, and a Quidditch book. Weighing them in both, she ultimately chose the book on hexes.
As she opened it, a loud bang came from outside, and the compartment door opened, two bright red heads of hair tumbling in, smoking.
Another boy with locs rushed in after them, slamming the door shut and pressing his back against it. Annie looked at them wide-eyed, before her brows furrowed. She cleared her throat, and the three boys froze, turning to look at her.
She covered her mouth to cough, the sound echoing in the silent compartment, before she closed her book and slid it back in her bag.
"What're you lads up to?"
The boys relaxed, steadying themselves before they made themselves at home in the compartment. The two identical redheads sat on the seat across from her, their long, gangly limbs folding at odd angles, while the other boy sat next to her, giving her an enthusiastic smile.
"Lee Jordan" he stuck out his hand, and she took it hesitantly, shaking it.
"Annabelle Finnigan"
"That's got a nice ring to it!"
"Why are you lot smoking?"
"Set off a dungbomb in our older brother's compartment" one of the twins snickered, "gave him a right fright" at that moment, the end of his hair lit.
"Oh bloody hell!" His twin cursed,  smacking the boy's hair with his sleeve pulled over his hand, trying to dampen it.
"Here" Annie grabbed her wand and pointed it at his head, "Aguamenti" a jet of water expelled from her wand and drenched him, putting the fire out.
"Scourgio" He was dry again, and he looked at her with awe.
"Where'd you learn that????"
"Our books. That's the first time I've tried it."
"Wicked." He stuck his hand out.
"Fred Weasley. Annabelle, was it?"
"I go by Annie"
"Annie"
"George Weasley" as soon as the first twin's hand was out of hers, the second had replaced it.
"A pleasure"
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The four had warmed up to each other quickly, soon cracking jokes and laughing, creating boisterous noise.
By the fourth hour, Fred and Annie had already gotten into an argument, both too stubborn to back down until a soft knock was heard on the door.
The four first years turned their head as it slid open, revealing two girls. The shorter one with disheveled hair and untied shoes spoke first.
"Any room?" She asked, stepping further into the compartment.
"Does it look like there's room?" Fred quipped back.
"Don't be rude" Annie snapped at him, and he stuck his tongue out at her.
"Sorry, we're pretty full."
"Rats" she turned to her slightly taller friend, the one with a kind smile and a head full of curls, "Guess we've got to keep looking."
"We were booted out from our last one" the friend explained, readjusting her hold on her bag, "sorry to bother you."
"It's no problem!" Lee smiled at them cheerfully, "you first years too?"
"Yeah. I'm Maisie" the shorter girl responded, "and this is Bennett" the other girl waved.
"Oi! I remember you!" Fred grinned, "Cindy Ellie, right?"
Maisie scowled at him.
"Oh! The wand shop!" Annie grinned, "you nearly hit me!"
Maisie's eyes widened, "I'm so sorry-"
"It's alright! I've got fast reflexes!" Annie three a few uncoordinated punches in the air.
"Well I hope you find a place to sit soon" Lee waved.
"Try not to trip over your laces!" Fred snickered as the girls started to leave. Maisie smacked into the window across the hall as she tripped. Bennett helped her up and guided her down the corridor.
Lee shut the door behind them.
Annie turned to Fred "Did you have to be so rude?"
"Do you have to be so annoying?" He dodged the kick she aimed at his calf.
"Careful Freddie, Annie's got a hex book in her bag" George switched places with his twin.
"Exactly"
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As time wore on, the light outside dimmed to a musky grey. The twins had seemed to be the only ones who had brought lunch, and gladly shared their mountains of sandwiches their mother had packed them with Lee and Annie.
As the sky turned from grey to black, a sharp knock sounded on the door before it slid open, revealing a weasel-looking boy with a pinched face and shocking ginger hair.
"Excuse-there you two are!" His face turned into a frown as he lunged into the compartment and grabbed Fred and George by their collars.
"Hello Perce!" Fred greeted jovially, struggling out of his brother's grip.
"Long time no chat!" George unhooked his brother's hand from his shirt, "What can we do for you this lovely evening?"
Their brother, Percy, was turning redder by the moment.
"You set off a DUNG BOMB and EMBARRASSED ME in front of my FRIENDS!"
"Tough luck on that-"
"We weren't expecting it to hit you in the face-"
"We were aiming more for your shoes-"
"Enough! You both are coming with me. I have your robes. We'll be arriving soon." He stormed towards the door, before turning around, "do not leave me waiting"
"Oi, why do we have to listen to you?"
"Because I will write mother"
"Ooo so scary! Isn't it George?"
"Like you would."
"She will send you a howler-"
"Do you think we care? Not like she hasn't yelled at us before."
"I'll tell her you both snuck on the things you weren't supposed to bring. Remember that lecture? Because I do"
The twins went silent, before grumbling and grabbing their things.
"Bye Annie"
"Bye Lee!"
"I suggest you two change as well, bathrooms are to your left"
The three boys exited the room, leaving Annie and Lee.
"Well, I'll get changed, I'll make sure to knock when I get back" Annie grabbed her bag and headed out.
Once she'd gotten changed into her robes, she looked into the mirror, her dirty blonde hair mussed and her bangs sticking up. She huffed and tried to flatten her hair down as best as she could before she exited the bathroom, bumping into someone.
"Sorry" a thick, Scottish accent answered. She looked up to see the most beautiful boy she'd ever laid her eyes on.
"H-hey" She stuttered, dazed.
"Ye alright lass?" He picked up the bag she'd dropped and handed it to her. She nodded dumbly, still not answering.
"Ok then" he nodded, before continuing on his way. She watched him until he disappeared into the next car.
"Wow" a big grin split across her face.
She was going to like it here.