The third compartment on the left

"The older Slytherins are being really friendly." Emily pointed out sarcastically, while sliding her trunk into the compartment and onto one of the seats awkwardly. She set down her pet-carrying case and slid the door shut before examining her left hand. One of the Slytherins had pushed her over and rolled their trunk wheels over her hand. It really hurt and she had a feeling one of the nerves was trapped. "I'd better get it checked out when we get to school." she said, trying her best to get a magazine (Witch weekly) out and then put her trunk up onto the rack above.

"Yeah. That's probably a good idea." Mai nodded. She stared out the window worridly. She hoped the other students wouldn't be that bad. She wouldn't wan't to get hurt. What the slyrtherins had done to Emily was really mean. She couldn't believe such behavier was tollerated. Mabey it wasn't, Mai thought. Maybye they would calm down once they got to school and were under the watchful eye of a teacher.

After letting Penny out of her case, and to get herself comfortable, Emily sat down petting the cute kitten. "I can't wait to get to Hogwarts." she exclaimed. "I bet it's even nicer than the pictures."

Lugging her case around was begining to be hard work and Hale would be greatful for a chance to put it down. Looking around, she was standing outside the third compartment on the left and decided to go inside.

Plonking herself down on the seat, she saw two other girls. "OH! Sorry! Do you mind?" She said with an apologetic smile, she had not realized anyone else was in there and was embarrassed to be the center of attention.

"Oh Hi." said Emily, looking up. She suddenly reaslised she was holding her hurt hand and quickly stopped knowing she would only make it worse. "No more seats?"

Mai smiled. "Everywhere else must be full, then. I mean we are about to leave" Sure enough, as soon as the words were out of her mouth, the train started moving, slowly at first but then faster and faster. She felt a jolt of adreniline, excitement and anxiety. As the train sped up, so did her worries. Would she make friends? Would the lessons be hard? Would the teachers be nice? Would they be strict? Would she gets lots of homework? What house would she be in? Her biggest worry of all was: Will anyone like me? Mai always had muggle friends back home. But that was different. There were always secrets she couldn't tell them. Her mum had said that Mai was a happy, cheery person that drew everyone to her. Thinking of her mum hurt. Her mum was such a nice person and now she was dead. Mai never stopped smiling though. Especialy infront of her dad. He was the only person that loved her more than Mai had. She didn't want anyone anyone to feel sorry for her. So, she smiled. She reached her hand down to her shoulder bag. She sorted through it untill she found what she was looking for, her book. It was brilliant and she had read it many times- Harry Potter and the philosophers stone. It was one of many, many books telling the story of Harry Potter and his friends and she loved it. She soon lost her self in the exciting tale untill a voice brought her back to the present.

Hale smiled. "Thanks. I am really nervous I have never been away from home very long before!" Smiling again, thinking she had introduced herself too willingly she ducked her head, ashamed. "Sorry. I tend to talk a lot when I'm nervous." She said dejected.

"Don't worry, your not the only one who's nervous. I'm worried enough for everyone on this train, two times over." She smiled kindly and flicked a strand of her long blonde hair over her shoulder.

Emily stood up suddenly. "I think I'm gunna get a drink... anyone want anything?"

"I'll have a butter beer please. I'll pay you back later ok? My money is at the bottom of the bag and it will take ages to get out." Mai looked at Emily pleedingly.

"Sure." replied Emily, walking over to the door. She turned. "Hale?"