You looked up to see a girl with bushy brown hair standing near the doorway with a young boy.

"We've already told him we haven't seen it," Ron replied, referring to when the round-faced boy had burst into their compartment, tearfully asking about his lost toad.

"Oh, are you doing magic?" the girl questioned, noticing the battered- looking wand in Ron's hand. Before this 'Neville' had burst in, Ron had introduced you and Harry to his pet rat, Scabbers, that was currently asleep in his lap and was talking about a spell he had learned that would turn the animal yellow.  "Let's see it then."

And with that, the girl, already dressed in her Hogwarts robes, sat down in front of him, seemingly anticipating his next action. You glanced over at Ron's wand warily. It was chipped in several places and as he had previously stated, had something white sticking out at the end that supposedly was unicorn hair.

"Er - all right." Ron cleared his throat, then lifted his wand. "Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow. Turn this stupid, fat, rat yellow!" 

Ron had waved his wand over his pet, but nothing had happened, except for the busy-haired girl raising an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" she scoffed, tilting her head to the side as she fixed Ron with an exasperated look. "Well, it's not very good is it?"

Your jaw nearly dropped upon hearing her. The girl was clearly very blunt and not afraid to speak her mind, but at the moment, she was honestly being quite rude. You couldn't imagine saying those words to someone you had just met. You looked over at Harry to see him staring at the girl with the same expression of bewilderment on his face.

"I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me." The girl continued, speaking quickly, either not noticing your apprehension or simply not caring. "Nobody in my family's magic at all, it was ever such a surprise when I got my letter, but I was ever so pleased, of course, I mean, it's the very best school of witchcraft there is, I've heard - I've learned all our course books by heart, of course, I just hope it will be enough - I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?"

You blinked, trying to process all she had said. Dear Lord, she talked a lot - and very quickly too! 

"Wait, you learned all the course books by heart?" you blurted out, her comment sticking with you and making you nervous. You were sure you had an expression of surprise written across your face, since the letter had not stated it was necessary to read the books before arriving.

"You haven't?" the girl questioned, looking equally shocked.

"I didn't know it was a requirement," you responded slowly, glancing over at Harry and Ron to see fear washing over both of their faces.

"Oh, I'm sure it's not." Hermione said. "It didn't say anything of the sort in the letter. However, I think it's always best to be prepared. Not to mention I didn't know much about the Wizarding World before, and learning through these books was quite entertaining!"

She clapped her hands excitedly, not seeming to notice you, Harry and Ron staring at her. Hermione read textbooks for fun? Who did that? You hated reading them in class, let alone for entertainment.

"I've told you my name already, but I don't believe you've done the same," Hermione said suddenly. She raised an eyebrow expectantly at Ron. "You are?"

"Uh, I'm Ron Weasley," he said quietly, eyebrows furrowed.

"(y/n) (l/n)," you said, gingerly holding out a hand for her to shake to be polite. She gave you a small smile as she shook your hand once before retracting her own.

"Harry Potter," Harry pitched in and flinched when Hermione's scrutinizing gaze landed on him.

"Are you really?" she asked curiously, leaning forward as if to get a better look at Harry. "I know all about you, of course - I got a few extra books for background reading, and you're in Modern Magical History and The Rise and Fall of the Dark Arts and Great Wizarding Events of the Twentieth Century."

Harry looked completely dazed as he commented offhandedly, "Am I?"

You were beginning to feel under prepared. You hadn't even touched the books since buying them, and here was this bushy-haired girl, already having read through them multiple times and reading extra! You remembered she had stated she was from a non-magical family. So far, that was the only thing the two of you had in common. You wondered if you should have read ahead as well to better understand the ways of the Wizarding World.

Hermione stood, fixing Harry with a gaze of complete surprise. "Goodness, didn't you know, I'd have found out everything I could if it was me. Do any of you know what house you'll be in? I've been asking around, and I hope I'm in Gryffindor, it sounds by far the best; I hear Dumbledore himself was in it, but I suppose Ravenclaw wouldn't be too bad...Anyway, we'd better go and look for Neville's toad. You three had better change, you know, I expect we'll be there soon."

She gave a final curt nod before taking the arm of the toadless boy who had simply been nervously observing the entire time and leaving, closing the compartment door behind her.

"Well...she sure talks a lot," you commented, still staring at the spot she and the boy had just been standing in. You were still trying to process everything she had said, once again. "What is this Gryffindor? And who is Dumbledore?"

"Gryffindor? It's one of the four Hogwarts House. It's for the brave, or something like that. Everyone in my family has been sorted into Gryffindor, so I expect that's where I'll be going. But whatever house I'm in, I hope she's not in it." Ron looked at his wand in disgust before throwing it into his trunk and picking up a chocolate frog. "Stupid spell - George gave it to me, bet her knew it was a dud."

You vaguely remembered Ron mentioning his siblings. You were pretty sure that George was one of the two prankster twins. 

"I really hope I'm sorted into Gryffindor," Ron sighed, a serious look that did not suit him settling across his face. "I don't know what my parents will say if I'm not.  I don't suppose Ravenclaw would  be too bad, but imagine if they put me in Slytherin."

"What's wrong with Slytherin?" you asked curiously, taking note of the obvious disdain that Ron held for the house.

"Look, (y/n), like I said there are four Hogwarts Houses," Ron explained, mouth full of chocolate frog, "Gryffindor is for the brave and loyal. Ravenclaw is for smart people. Then there's Hufflepuff for the kind and Slytherin - that's where a lot of bad people go."

You immediately frowned. "I'm sure that's not the case..."

"That's the house Vol-" Harry stopped himself, probably remembering how Ron had reacted the first time he had dared to speak the Dark Lord's name, "I mean, You-Know-Who was in?"

"Yeah," Ron said simply, not looking like he wanted to dwell on the subject. However, you weren't finished.

"That doesn't mean everyone in Slytherin is evil." You said, feeling like you needed to say something. You felt warmth in your cheeks as both Harry and Ron turned to stare at you. "I - I mean - well, I just don't it's right for a school to have a house for 'bad' people. They wouldn't do that."

Ron opened his mouth, eyebrows furrowed. He was clearly ready to argue.

"You know, I think the ends of Scabbers' whiskers are a bit lighter," Harry said quickly, eyes flicking between you and Ron nervously. "So what do your oldest brothers do now that they've left, anyway?"

Ron continued staring at you warily for a few beats before he focused his attention on Harry. "Charlie's in Romania studying dragons, and Bill's in Africa doing something for Gringotts. Did you hear about Gringotts? It's been all over the Daily Prophet, but I don't suppose you get that with Muggles - someone tried to rob a high security vault."

You had started tuning Ron out, but then you heard his final words, and your interest was piqued. "What? Is Gringotts a bank?"

Harry nodded before asking, "Really? What happened to them?"

"Nothing, that's why it's such big news. They haven't been caught. My dad says it must've been a powerful Dark wizard to get round Gringotts, but they don't think they took anything, that's what's odd. 'Course, everyone gets scared when something like this happens in case You-Know-Who's behind it."

You honestly doubted it. The guy was supposed to be dead - how could he be behind an attempted bank robbery? And why would he need money anyway?

Ron had begun explaining some strange game called 'Quidditch' to Harry while you were staring off into space. Deciding not to risk starting an argument with Ron, you remained silent, instead choosing to look out the window.

You jolted when the compartment door slid open yet again, and your eyes fell upon the rude boy you had bumped into earlier that day. You tried to slump down in your seat, hoping he wouldn't notice you.

"Is it true?" the pale boy's voice rang out. "They're all saying down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yes," you heard Harry reply, albeit reluctantly. You snuck a glance at him only to see he was looking at the other two boys the blond was with warily.

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," the boy said after following Harry's gaze, gesturing to each of them in turn. "And my name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

You thought it a tad bit odd that he had chosen to say his last name first when introducing himself. You had never known anyone to do that, other than teachers. Malfoy's gaze suddenly fell upon Ron when the freckled by gave a slight cough that seemed to be hiding a snigger. You could have sworn the blond's eyes had flicked towards you for a second, but you were unsure.

"Think my name's funny, do you?" Malfoy sneered, venom in his tone. His eyes glinted dangerously, as if he knew what he was going to say was wrong but excited him nonetheless. "No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."

At that, the tip of Ron's ears began to glow a vibrant red as he stared at the ground, determined to not look anyone in the eye.

You, however, would not stand for it. Sure, you had just met the boy, but did anyone deserve that jab at their family?

"Just who do you think you are?" you demanded angrily, throwing all thoughts of your previous argument with Ron. "What the bloody hell gives you the right to say that about his family?"

The larger of Malfoy's two bodyguard friends gave a snarl and began to walk threateningly towards you, but Draco held out his hand in front of him, lips tilted upwards in a confident smirk. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."

Although he was clearly speaking to Harry, Malfoy had fixed you with his piercing gaze while speaking, addressing the first part to you. You narrowed you eyes, immediately taking a dislike to his arrogance. He had been rude when you had initially bumped into him on the train, but now he was just being downright cruel.

You glared at the hand that was currently extended to Harry. Harry, however, did not take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coldly, eyes lifting up to meet Malfoy's in a challenge.

You watched as a pink tinge appeared in the boy's pale cheeks as he retracted his hand as though he had been burned. "I'd be careful if I were you, Potter. Unless you're a bit politer you'll go the same way as your parents. They didn't know what was good for them, either. You hang around with riffraff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid, and it'll rub off on you."

Both Harry and Ron stood up at that, menacing glares etched upon their faces. 

Ron's face was as red as his hair. "Say that again."

"Oh, you're going to fight us, are you?" Malfoy sneered, crossing his arms.

"Unless you get out now," said Harry who was settling into a fighting stance, lifting his fists. 

You glanced over at Ron, who was creeping towards his trunk to draw his wand. Instantly, you were up on your feet as well. "As much as I'd like to punch you for disrespecting my friends at the moment, I think it's best to avoid a fight on the train."

"Hah, you're just afraid to fight us because you're a weak little girl." Malfoy said, Crabbe and Goyle sniggering at that.

Your blood began to boil. "I'm just going to pretend you didn't say that, you sexist jerk."

Malfoy gave a sickening smirk as he walked forward. "We don't feel like leaving, do we, boys? We've eaten all our food and you still seem to have some."

Ron looked on in horror as the taller of the two bodyguards reached towards the chocolate frogs near him and gave a loud yell before Ron had so much as touched him. He jumped back, revealing Scabbers hanging off his finger. Crabbe and Malfoy began to back away as Goyle tried to shake the rat off his knuckle, howling like a bloodhound, and when he had finally flung the rat against the window, the three of them scampered off. 

You didn't have time to celebrate or laugh about what had just happened, as Hermione entered the compartment once again. 

"What has  been going on?" she asked, hand on her hip as she surveyed the room. You weren't in the mood to deal with her chatter, so you knelt beside Ron, who was checking on Scabbers.

"I think he's been knocked out," Ron murmured, picking up Scabbers by the tail. He began to poke and prod at the rat, examining the creature. "No - I don't believe it - he's gone back to sleep."

You snorted at that, watching the sleeping rat currently cupped in Ron's hands. Questions about Malfoy's words on wizarding families were floating around in your mind, so you decided to voice your thoughts. "So, why exactly does Malfoy think his family is better than yours? Is there something I'm missing here? Some weird family racism?"

"I've met him before," Harry commented darkly, not giving Ron a chance to answer your questions.

"Really? When?" you asked curiously.

"It was at Diagon Alley, when I went to buy all the items I needed for school. Saw him when I went in to get a robe. He talked about Quidditch and how father said it was a crime if he wasn't picked for his house's team or something. He also said something about wanting to be in Slytherin and how he'd leave if he were placed in Hufflepuff? I don't remember his exact words, but I do recall him making fun of Hagrid. Called him a savage and said he gets drunk and sets fire to his bed."

Ron gasped, looking up and glaring at the compartment door as if he could kill Malfoy with looks. "Why, that son of a - "

"Language!" a stern voice echoed from behind, and you were reminded that Hermione was still here, for some reason. 

Harry chose to ignore her, and continued, "Yeah, he also brought up how he thinks people who weren't born into wizarding families shouldn't be allowed to attend Hogwarts."

Ron's face darkened considerably at that. "Many older wizarding families think that. You know, I've heard of his family. They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared. Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go to the Dark Side."

The three of you sat in silence, before someone cleared their throat. Ron looked up in annoyance. "Can we help you with something?"

Hermione began to rock back and forth on her heels, jutting out her chin defiantly. "You'd better hurry up and put your robes on, I've just been up to the front to ask the conductor, and he says we're nearly there. You haven't been fighting, have you? You'll be in trouble before we even get there!"

"Scabbers has been fighting, not us," Ron scowled, placing said rat in his trunk. "Would you mind leaving while we change?"

"All right - I only came in here because people outside are behaving very childishly, racing up and down the corridors. (y/n), are you coming?" Hermione sniffed, sounding self-righteous. You shook you head and she nodded, turning to leave when she suddenly whipped back around, narrowed her eyes and tapped her nose, staring at Ron. "And you've got dirt on your nose, by the way, did you know?"

Ron mimicked her words in a nasty tone, glaring at her back as she left, causing both you and Harry to laugh at his childish actions. He grinned sheepishly at the two of you.

"As much as I hate to say it, she's right; I should leave so you can change," you said, standing to fish your new robes out of your trunk. Once they were bundled up safely, you exited and began looking for an empty compartment to change into. You had to walk for quite a while before you found one, which surprised you. You didn't know so many people were attending this school! There were even some who looked to be around their late teens. You pulled the robe over your head, gathering all your discarded clothes before walking back to the compartment.

You had only just arrived and began stuffing your clothes into your trunk when a voice echoed through the train, "We will be reaching Hogwarts in five minutes' time. Please leave your luggage on the train, it will be taken to the school separately."

You felt your stomach lurch with nerves as you, Ron and Harry began to stuff your pockets with all the unfinished sweets and joined the growing crowd in the corridor. You pushed yourself against the glass doors in an attempt to avoid the throng of people, making sure to keep Harry and Ron in sight. 

Though you were definitely nervous, you couldn't deny the flutter of excitement that bubbled within at the thought of learning magic.

You could already tell that this year was never going to have a dull day - at least, with Ron and Harry by your side.