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"You'll be just fine, won't you?" Grace straightened her daughter's jacket worriedly. The train huffed and hissed beside them, hazy steam drifting onto the platform.

"Now, don't fuss her about, Grace. I'm sure she'll write to us when she can!" Jacob waved his wife aside, bending down on his knees. "Won't you, my Angel?"

She looked into her father's deep brown eyes. "I promise!" Her father opened his arms and she ran into them readily. Her mother, too, joined the tearful hug.

"You'll make loads of friends, so do to share your sweets - don't be selfish with them. And help each other out where you can. You'll meet us right back at this spot on Christmas, okay?" Jacob ruffled his little girl's hair. "Off you go now."

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She gulped as she wandered through the cabins. Other kids have seemed to already found seats and settled down. Peering into the windows, she finally chanced upon a cabin that seemed to have an empty space.

She summoned her courage and knocked politely. "Is- is this seat taken?"

The three boys turned to look at her, as if surprised she'd even dared speak to them. "To you, it is," the blond one sneered, looking her up and down.

"Oh, okay," she squeaked and stepped away quickly, hearing them snigger as she left. Off to a good start, she thought, kicking herself mentally.

Much to her relief, the next cabin was virtually empty. One girl sat alone. Long golden hair fell over her face as she flipped the page of her book. Angel cleared her throat politely, not wanting to startle the girl.

"May I sit with you?" she asked, and the girl hesitated before nodding. She made her way into the cabin and sat carefully down in the opposite seat. Taking a deep breath, she stretched out her hand. "I'm Angel. Angel Dawson. What's your name?"

The girl smiled and shook it politely, but firmly, like she was used to meeting strangers all the time. "Hannah Abbott."

"What are you reading?"

"Tales of Beedle the Bard." Hannah lifted the book to show Angel the cover. "I've just started, though."

"I've read it!" said Angel eagerly. "My favourite is the Fountain of Fair Fortune." 

Hannah shot her another smile before looking back down. "I haven't gotten to that, but I'll let you know if I like it."

Angel settled into her seat and pulled out her own book: The Wizards' Complete Guide to Galaxies, Constellations, and Moon Phases.

As she scanned her eyes over the dark blue pages, she felt Hannah peering at her from over her Tales.

"What's that you've got there?" Hannah asked curiously.

Angel flipped the book over. "Astronomy. It's my favourite subject." To her surprise, Hannah got up and sat down beside her to look at the book. She was more than happy to tell her about all the constellations she knew.

It was night time when they finally stepped off the train. The castle loomed from beyond the lake, its hundreds of windows glowing like fireflies from a distance. They stared at it in wonder before Hagrid's voice interrupted. "C'mon, we don' wanna be late for yer sorting!"

The hours of chatting on the train had already warmed the two girls up to each other, and they walked side by side to one of the already-occupied boats. 

"What, we're sharing with them!" the blond boy said from inside the boat indignantly, and his friends turned to look at the girls. "By the sizes of you two, you'll make us topple over and drown."

"Well, if it can fit him," - Hannah jerked her head towards the plump boy - "then it can fit two more, can't it?" She grabbed Angel's hand and pulled her into the boat.

"Do you know who I am?" The blond demanded, his silver gaze piercing into Angel as he folded his arms.

"Oh, I know who you are, Draco Malfoy. No need for introductions," Hannah cut in before Angel could admit that she did not, in fact, know who he was.

Angel shifted uncomfortably in her seat. She didn't like confrontation at all. They haven't even set foot into the school and they were already arguing with someone. This was an absolute disaster.

"We won't be any bother," she added to Hannah's retort a little uselessly.

Draco opened his mouth to say something but the boat heaved and the fat boy almost fell into him. "Get off me, you big oaf!" He shoved him away with all his might, and Hannah and Angel almost burst from trying to stifle their laughter.

"Shut up. My father will hear about this. So will Crabbe and Goyle's," he sniffed. Angel immediately fell silent but Hannah just snorted loudly and rolled her eyes in open defiance.

She studied them carefully during the boat ride, particularly the blond boy, and wondered what broomstick he had stuck up his arse.

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After the Headmaster Dumbledore gave his opening speech, all the first years were to queue up and get ready to be sorted into their houses.

"Exciting, isn't it?" A girl with bushy brown hair whispered to her as they waited in line for their name to be called.

"I'm Hermione. Hermione Granger. This here's Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley." She gestured to her friends, and they waved and smiled.

Angel introduced herself and Hannah, glad that everyone was being so friendly. Well, except for the three boys.

"Draco Malfoy," McGonagall called, and the blond strode confidently up to the chair, a smug smile plastered on his face.

"Slytherin!" the hat shouted, barely touching his hair. The entire Slytherin house burst into hoots and hollers, and Draco seemed a little too happy as he practically ran to the Slytherin table.

McGonagall didn't seem to be calling the students in alphabetical order, and she waited impatiently for what seemed like ages before it was finally her turn. Hannah had already been sorted into Hufflepuff, and Hermoine, Harry, and Ron had all taken their seats at the Gryffindor table.

"Angel Dawson."

"Oh... this one is obvious enough," the Hat mused. "Hufflepuff!"

She clambered in next to Hannah, pleased that she'd gotten into the same house as her parents. Once the rest of the students had been sorted, a glorious feast appeared magically in front of them at Dumbledore's command.

They gasped in amazement, and even the older ones seemed just as surprised as the first years. With permission, they began to dig in, and Angel felt excitement bubble in her as her first year at Hogwarts officially began.

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A/N:

Thank you for reading my first chapter! The next few chapters are going to be quick snippets of Angel and Draco's interactions during their first few years. I promise it gets better, with a ton of romance and tears and heartbreak!