5

It had been exactly six days since our trip to Diagon Alley, which meant tomorrow was the first of september - my first day at Hogwarts.

That night I found myself sitting restlessly on my bed, waiting for my parents to come and say goodnight.

"Millie!" My mum cheered, walking into my room with my Dad. "Are you excited hunny?"

"I'm so excited!" I said, grinning.

"We need to be up early tomorrow. The train leaves at exactly 11:00, so you better get some sleep." My Dad said, smiling softly. "Your going to love it, Hogwarts is the best." He added, ruffling my hair gently.

"Night Dad."

"Night Mills." he left, leaving myMum and I alone.

"So," Mum said, sitting down at the end of my bed, smiling slightly. "Harry."

I raised my eyebrows. "What about him?"

"You seemed to get along really well," mum said, winking.

"I don't have a crush on him, if that's what you think," I groaned, rolling my eyes.

"I wasn't saying you do!" she laughed. "But he is a very nice boy..."

"Okay, Mum, whatever."

"Alright, alright, well I expect a letter at least twice a week please. Keep me updated with all the latest gossip."

"Okay," I said, cringing slightly.

"Goodnight sweetheart, I'll miss you." She kissed my forehead.

"I'll miss you too."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Woah, calm down Mills," my Dad said laughing, as we arrived at King's Cross Station the next day. He opened the boot to get my trunk, my Mum taking Smokey, my cats, cage.

"Come on, come on, let's go!" I said, placing the trunk and cage on a trolley. My parents walked on either side of me as I wheeled my trolley into the crowded train station, looking up at the board.

"What platform are we?"

"Millie," my Dad said, taking my hand and leading me over to a different part of the train station - my mum behind us, steering my trolley. "Your a witch remember, it's no normal train your getting."

My eyes widened with excitement. We stopped about five minutes later in front of a brick wall with two signs on it, one saying 'platform nine' and the other 'platform ten'.

"Which one are we?" I asked.

"That one." My mum smiled, pointing directly half way between each sigh, at a brick wall.

"Er - what one?" I said, squinting my eyes tightly.

"It's magic remember Millie. Like I said, this is no ordinary train." My Dad said, leaning down to me. "Now, all you have to do is walk straight at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. Don't stop and don't be scared you'll crash into it, that's very important. Best do it at a bit of a run if your nervous."

I looked up at him, narrowing my eyes. Run at the wall?

"Together," my Mum said. Hesitantly, I nodded. "On three. 1...2...3!"

And we ran at the wall. Closing my eyes, I prepared myself for the crash - but it didn't come. I kept running, until I felt my parents stop.

I opened my eyes.

A scarlet steam engine was waiting next to a platform packed with people. A sign overhead said 'Hogwarts Express, 11 o clock'. I turned my head to see a wrought-iron archway where the wall had been, with the words 'platform nine and three quarters'. I had done it.

My parents led me down the platform, past chattering witches and wizards, cats and owls of every colour everywhere I looked.

"Have the best time Millie, I love you," my Mum croaked, tears forming in her eyes. "Stay safe, and work hard."

"Okay Mum, I love you too." I replied quietly, hugging her tightly. I then turned to Dad.

"Your going to love Hogwarts, Millie." He whispered, crouching down so he was the same height as me. "And if you don't, remember, help is always given at Hogwarts, to those who deserve it." I nodded, smiling softly. "Oh, and stay out of the way of Peeves."

"Peeves?" I repeated as he stood back up.

"You'll know who he is." My Dad laughed. With one final goodbye, I stepped onto the busy train, walking down the long corridor, in search of a seat. The first few carriages were already packed with students, some hanging out the window to talk to their families, some fighting over seats. A boy with dreadlocks was surrounded by a small crowd.

"Give us a look, Lee, go on."

The boy lifted the lid of a box in his arms and the people around him shrieked and yelled as something inside poked out a long, hairy leg. Grimacing, i scurried past them. I pressed on through the crowd until I found an empty compartment near the end of the train, with just one other person in it. A boy. A raven-haired boy with emerald, green eyes. Smiling, I pushed open the door.

HARRYS POV

"Alright if I sit here?" I heard a familiar voice say. Whipping my head around, I saw Millie leaning against the door.

"Millie!"

"Hey idiot," she said, sitting down opposite me.

"Woah, I never said you could actually sit here," I said, furrowing my eyebrows.

Before she could send me an insult, the door of the compartment slid open again and the red headed boy that I had met on the platform came in.

"Mind if I sit here?" He asked, pointing at the seat next to Millie. "Everywhere else is full."

"Sure," I replied, while Millie shuffled over slightly so that the boy could sit down. I noticed his eyes dart to my forehead, before quickly looking out of the window, pretending he hadn't looked.

"Hey, Ron."

The twins I had also met on the platform were standing in the doorway.

"Listen, we're going to the middle of the train - Lee Jordan's got a giant tarantula down there."

"Right," mumbled Ron.

"Harry," said the other twin, "Did we introduce ourselves? Fred and George Weasley. And this is Ron, our brother. Whats your name?" He added, looking at the brunette.

"Millie Donovan," Millie told him, grinning.

"Nice to meet you Millie." Fred said, smiling back. "See you all later, then."

"Bye," the three of us said together. The twins slid the compartment door shut behind them.

"Are you really Harry Potter?" Ron blurted out. I saw Millie role her eyes, as I nodded.

MILLIES POV

"Are you really Harry Potter?" Here we go. Harry nodded, his eyes darting between me and Ron.

"Oh - well, I thought it might be one of Fred and George's jokes," said Ron. "And have you really got- you know..."

He pointed at Harry's forehead. I watched as Harry pulled back his fringe to show the lightening scar. I shuffled in my seat uncomfortably.

"So that's where you know who-?"

"Yes," said Harry, avoiding my eyes. "But I can't remember it."

"Nothing?" said Ron eagerly.

"Well- I remember a lot of green light, but nothing else."

"Wow," said Ron. I watched as he sat and stared at Harry for a few seconds, before quickly turning towards me.

"And you're Millie Donovan?"

"Yep," I replied.

"I think my Dad's friends with yours. They both work at the ministry right?"

"Yeah, my Dad's an auror." I said proudly, sitting up straight. Ron's eyes widened.

"Donovan? As in Jake Donovan?"

"That's the one." I laughed as Ron's mouth dropped.

"Wow," he breathed.

"Auror?" Harry asked, causing us both to look at him.

"Dark wizard catcher," Ron explained. "Proper dangerous job. Jake Donovan's put loads of people in azkaban." I nodded.

"So does that, you know, put you in danger?" Harry asked me.

"Probably not," I then turned back to Ron. "Are all your family wizards then?"

"Er- yes, I think so," said Ron. "I think Mum's got a second cousin who's an accountant, but we never talk about him."

"So you must know loads of magic already." I muttered anxiously, knowing both Harry and I knew nothing. Ron shook his head, before turning back to Harry.

HARRYS POV

"I heard you went to live with muggles," said Ron. "What are they like?"

"Horrible-"

"No they are not!" Millie said angrily. "My Mum's a Muggle!"

"If you had let me finish, I was about to say not all of them," I returned calmly, before turning back to Ron, who was watching us with wide eyes. I continued as though nothing happened. "My aunt and uncle and cousin are though. Wish I'd had three wizard brothers."

"Five," said Ron. For some reason, he was looking gloomy. "I'm the sixth in our family to go to Hogwarts. You could say I've got a lot to live up to. Bill and Charlie have already left - Bill was head boy and Charlie was captain of quidditch. Now Percys a prefect. Fred and George mess around a lot, but they still get really good marks and everyone thinks they are really funny. Everyone expects me to do as well as the others, but if I do, it's no big deal, because they did it first. You never get anything new, either, with five brothers. I've got Bills old robes, Charlie's old wand and Percys old rat."

Ron reached inside his jacket and pulled out a fat grey rat, which was asleep.

"His names Scabbers and hes useless, he hardly ever wakes up. Percy got an owl from my Dad for being a prefect, but they couldn't aff- I mean, I got Scabbers instead."

I noticed Ron's ears went pink. Millie must have too, because she looked at him then at me.

MILLIES POV

I don't think there's anything wrong with not being able to afford an owl. After all, I have Smokey, who has been in my Family for a while now too, which I told Ron. This seemed to cheer him up. Harry also told him about wearing Dudleys old clothes, and never getting proper birthday presents.

"... and until Hagrid told me, I didn't know anything about being a wizard or about my parents or Voldemort-"

Ron gasped. Harry had told me the whole story about his parents and Voldemort before Ron has come into the compartment.

"What?" Said Harry.

"You said you know who's name!" Said Ron, sounding both shocked and impressed. I raised my eyebrows at him, while Harry grinned. "I'd have thought, of all people-"

Harrys smile faded.

" I'm not trying to be brave or anything, saying the name," Harry said quickly. "I just never knew you shouldn't. See what I mean? I've got loads to learn... I bet." He added, sounding worried.

"Me too," I grumbled. "I bet I'm the worst in the class."

"You won't be. There's loads of people who come from muggle families and they learn quick enough." Ron said, smiling reassuringly at us both.

While we had been talking, the train has carried us out of London. Now we were speeding past fields full of cows and sheep. We were quiet for a time, watching the fields and lanes flick past.

At around half past twelve there was a great clattering outside and a smiling, dimpled woman attempted to slide back the door, but it kept getting stuck. I jumped to my feet and helped her, sliding the door open. The woman smiled warmly at me.

"Thank you, dear." She said gratefully. I nodded and sat back down. "Anything off the trolley?"

Harry stood up, but Ron's ears went pink again and he muttered that he'd brought sandwiches, so I left him and followed Harry into the corridor. The trolley was full of sweets I had never heard of before - Bertie Botts every flavour beans; droobles best blowing gum, chocolate frogs, pumpkin Pasties, cauldron cakes, liquorice wands and a number of other strange things I had never seen in my life.

"What do you want?" Harry asked, turning his head slightly.

I rolled me eyes and said, "I'm not hungry. Thanks though."

I took a step towards the compartment, but someone grabbed my arm, preventing me from moving.

"Please, I want to."

I tore away from him and said, "Why?"

"I, erm," he began. I raised my eyebrows, and he muttered, "It doesn't matter why."

"Just get something for yourself, Potter," I said. As I sat back down, I saw Harry shake his head in the reflection of the mirror, and I copied this action when he returned with his arms full of sweets.

"I told you not to get me anything," I moaned. Now I would have to be somewhat nice to him.

"Who said they were for you?" he said calmly.

I've changed my mind about being nice to him.

"Hungry, are you?" Ron said.

"Starving." said Harry, taking a large bite out of a pumpkin pasty. I took a liquorice wand and began chewing it.

"Thought you didn't want any?" Harry said, a small hint of amusement in his green eyes.

"Changed my mind," I said, swallowing the sweet.

Meanwhile, Ron had taken out a lumpy package and unwrapped it. There were four sandwiches in there. He pulled one of them apart and said, "She always forgets I don't like corned beef."

"Go on, have a pastie," said Harry, handing him one. Ron looked at me, as though asking for permission.

"Just take one, I did," I said, lazily waving my hand.

"Yeah, but you don't know what manners are, do you Donovan?" said Harry, as Ron began eating happily. (The sandwiches lay forgotten).

I just hummed, too content on my sweets to argue.

"What are these?" Harry asked, holding up a pack of chocolate frogs.

"Dad told me about them," I said, happy to know something for once. "He showed me the cards he had collected when he was at Hogwarts."

"Cards?"

"Chocolate frogs have cards in them, you know- to collect." Ron told Harry. "Famous witches and wizards. I've got about five hundred myself." I stared at him in awe, and his cheeks burned red.

"Unwrap it then Harry!" Ron said quickly, trying to cover up the fact that his face was now matching his hair.

Harry unwrapped the chocolate frog and picked up the card.

"So this is dumbledore!" He said.

I sniggered playfully while Ron said, "Don't tell me you've never heard of Dumbledore! Can I have a frog - thanks."

"Wait - he's gone!" Harry exclaimed.

"Let's see," I said, getting up and sitting next to him. Harry flung me the card absentmindedly, and snorted when it hit me on the nose. I glared furiously at him.

"Well, you can't expect him to hang around all day," said Ron. "He'll be back. No, I've got Morgana again and I've got about six of her... do you want it? You can start collecting." I watched as his eyes stray to the pile of chocolate frogs waiting to be unwrapped.

"Help yourself," said Harry, obviously noticing where he was looking. "But in, you know, the muggle world, people just stay put in photos."

"Do they? Ron gasped, his eyes darting between Harry and I. "What, they don't move at all?" He sounded amazed. "Weird."

I glanced out of the window. The countryside flying past the window was becoming wilder. The neat fields had gone. Now there were woods, twisting rivers and dark green hills. A knock on the compartment door made me look back round. A round-faced boy came in, looking tearful.

"Sorry," he said, "but have you seen a toad at all?"

We all shook our heads.

"I've lost him! He keeps getting away from me!" the boy cried.

"I'm sure he'll turn up." Pushing myself up to stand next to the boy. I placed a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. He smiled tearfully at me.

"Yes, well, if you see him-" I nodded and he left.

"Don't know why he's bothered," said Ron, as I sat back down, "If I'd brought a toad I'd lose it as quick as I could." Harry laughed.

"Well you brought Scabbers, you can hardly talk,"I snapped.

"Sorry, Miss Sassypants," Ron teased, putting a hand over his heart, clearly pretending to be hurt. This only made Harry laugh harder. I knew these two were going to be very good friends.

"So, Ron," Harry said, after he had calmed down. "Can you do any magic yet?"

"Well, I've tried, but haven't had much luck yet. I tried to turn Scabbers yellow the other day, to make him more interesting, but the spell didn't work. I'll show you, look." I leant forward eagerly, as he rummaged around in his trunk, pulling out a very battered-looking wand. It was chipped in places and something white was glinting at the end.

"Unicorn hairs nearly poking out, anyway- "

He had just raised his wand when the compartment door slid open again. Disappointed, I slumped back down in my seat, looking up at the newcomers. The toadless boy was back, but this time he had a girl with him. I quickly sat back up again, as I hadn't spoken to a witch yet. I noticed she was already wearing her Hogwarts robes.

"Has anyone seen a toad? Nevilles lost one." The girl said. She had a bossy sort of voice, a bit like myself, I guess.

"We've already told him we haven't seen it," said Ron, but the girl wasn't listening, for she had just spotted the wand in his hand.

"Oh, are you doing magic? Let's see it, then."She sat down next to Ron, who looked taken aback. I watched Ron's hand closely, waiting eagerly to see what was going to happen.

"Er - alright." He cleared his throat. "Sunshine, daisys, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow!"

He waved his wand but nothing happened. Scabbers stayed grey and fast asleep.

"Are you sure that's a real spell?" said the girl. "Well it's not very good, is it? I've tried a few simple spells just for practice and it's all worked for me. I've learnt all our set books off by heart, of course. I just hope it will be enough - I'm Hermione Granger, by the way, who are you?" She finished, facing me.

She said all this very fast. I looked at Harry and Ron and were relieved to see by there stunned faces that they hadn't learnt all the books off by heart either.

"I'm Millie."

"Nice to meet you." Hermione smiled warmly at me.

"I'm Ron Weasley," Ron muttered.

"Harry Potter," said Harry. I wondered what the reaction would be this time.

"Are you really?" said Hermione. There we go. "I know all about you, of course - I got a few books for background reading and your in quite a few."

"Am I?" said Harry, and I tried not to laugh at the dazed expression on his face.

"Goodness didn't you know? I'd have found out everything I could if it was me," said Hermione. "Anyway, we'd better go look for Nevilles toad. You three had better change, you know, I expect we'll be arriving soon. Actually, you could come with me?" She asked me. "I expect you don't want to get changed in front of these two."

"Oh, yes please," I said, jumping up and grabbing my trunk. "See you in a bit," I added to Harry and Ron.

Hermione and I separated with Neville a bit further down the train, so I could get changed. We walked all the way to the other side until we found an empty compartment, talking the entire time. I found we got on really well. She had told me all about her family, and her about mine.

"Here we go." Mione said, sliding the door open.

"Thanks." I replied, following her into the compartment and shutting the door.

"So, how do you know Ron and Harry?" Mione asked, sitting down as I began changing.

"Well, I met Harry when I was getting my Hogwarts things in Diagon Alley," I explained. "and we met Ron today on the train."

"Funny one, Ron, isn't he?" Hermione said.

"Yes," I chuckled softly. "But that's what makes him fun."

"I can imagine," Hermione said, giggling. "Is there anything going on between you and him? Or you and Harry? Like, a crush?"

"Absolutely not," I said instantly, scrunching my nose. "How about you and Neville?"

"Neville!" She yelled. "No, no - I would rather date Ron."

"Ron? So why don't you?"

"No, thank you."

"I reckon you'll get married one day..."

We stared at eachother before bursting out laughing. We continued talking until I had finished getting changed, then we headed back to Ron and Harrys compartment and picking up Miones trunk on the way, as I had invited her to sit with us.

HARRYS POV

Ron had just been explaining to me what Quidditch was, when the compartment door slid open yet again, but it wasn't Neville, Hermione or Millie this time. Three boys entered and I recognised the middle one at once: it was the pale boy from Madam Malkin's robe shop. He was looking at me with a lot more interest than he'd shown back in Diagon alley.

"Is it true?" He said. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potters in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"

"Yeah," I said, looking at the other boys. Both of them were thickset and looked quite violent. Standing either side of the pale boy, they looked like bodyguards.

"Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said the pale boy carelessly, noticing where I was looking. "And my names Malfoy, Draco Malfoy."

Ron coughed slightly, which was obviously hiding a snigger. I grinned. Draco Malfoy looked at him.

"Think my names funny, do you? No need to ask for yours. Red hair, freckles and more children than they can afford."

He turned back to me.

"Where's that girl you were with? You know, the pretty one?"

I glared at him and he sighed.

"Look Potter, you'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others. You don't want to making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." He held out his hand to shake mine, but I didn't take it.

"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." I said calmly.

Malfoy didn't go red, but I noticed a pink tinge appear in his pale cheeks.

"I'd be careful if I were you, Potter," He said slowly. "Unless your 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 riff-raff like the Weasleys and that Hagrid and it'll rub off on you."

Both Ron and I stood up, Ron's face was as red as his hair and my fists were clenched tightly.

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

"Say that again," a voice came from outside the compartment. Malfoy's head whipped around tocome face to face with Millie, Hermione close behind her.

"Oh, it's you," breathed Malfoy, stepping towards her.

"Get away from her," I said fiercely. Draco turned back towards me, eyes narrowed.

"Or what?"

But before I could answer, Goyle let out a horrible yell.

MILLIES POV

Scabbers the rat was hanging off of Goyles fat finger, his teeth sunk deep into his knuckle - Crabbe and Malfoy backed away as Goyle swung Scabbers round and round howling, and when Scabbers finally flew off and hit the window, all three of them disappeared past Mione and I at once. I laughed loudly, dragging Mione inside the compartment and sitting down, Mione next to Ron and I, unfortunately, next to Harry.

"What's been going on?" Mione said, watching Ron picking up Scabbers by his tail.

"I think he's been knocked out." Ron said to us. I looked closer at Scabbers. "No - I don't believe it - he's gone back to sleep." We all laughed except Mione, who sighed loudly.

Ron turned to her.

"Can we help you with something?"

"You haven't been fighting, have you? You'll be in trouble before we even get there..."

Ron and Mione continued arguing between them, so I forced myself to turn to Harry.

"Thanks, about Malfoy," I said.

"I should be thanking you," he said, glancing at me and leaning back in his seat. "By the way, you look good in the uniform."

"Thanks, I know," I said, as Harry smirked.

"Guys, I think we're here!" Hermione said, glancing out the window, as the train slowed down and finally stopped.

My stomach lurched with nerves as the four of us got up and joined the crowd thronging the corridor. People pushed their way towards the doors and out onto a tiny, dark platform. I looked up to see a lamp bobbing over our heads, hearing a familiar booming voice.

"Firs-years! Firs-years over here! All right there, Harry? Millie?"

I nodded, smiling.

"Wow," Ron said, coming up behind us with Hermione.

"Yer ready?" Hagrid asked, still waving other first years over.

"Ready."