Spell checking will be minimal... writing this for fun.

Rushing through Kings Cross Station a slim red-haired young woman weaved her way through the crowd of muggles. Her eyes never left the raven-haired teen in front of her, and the current reason for her apparent tardiness from the Hogwarts express. Under her breath she mumbled a curse word or two towards her cousin.

Albus Severous Potter though extremely kind had the knack of never being on time... Ever.

Originally they broke away from the Potter-Weasley group to play a quick game of exploding snaps much to the objection of their mothers. But, with the time tested excuse of them being the 'responsible' ones they were able to slink away into a quiet corner of the station.

"Al if you ever think I am going to listen to you again you are dead wrong!"

Al cast raised eyebrows to his cousin behind him.

"Your the one who had the snaps on her!"

She huffed instead of giving a reply. He wasn't wrong...

They made it to Platform 9'3/4 stopping beside each other they both nodded in agreement. Al entered first in a brisk walk. Taking a deep breath she did the same. From out of the blackness that surrounded the corridor the Express came into view in all of it's rustic black and red glory. Steam billowed out from the stoke of the engine, and the chirping of families sending their children off surrounded the platform. A smile crept onto her lips, but before nostalgia could take over the all too familiar sound of reason hit her ears like a Howler.

"Rose Minerva Weasley!"

Her freckled nose cringed at the use of her full name.

Storming up to her of course was her Mother... Hermione..

"Mom... I was just...:

Hermione raised and eyebrow to her daughter with arms crossed.

"Just?... Just about to miss your ride on the express?"

Rose rolled her eyes.

"The train is still here! We weren't that late were we Al..."

Searching around her she didn't spot her cousin. He must have bolted right for the train that lousy gi...

Looking her Mother in the eyes she sighed. Of course she just had to have that look on her face. Not anger. Oh no Hermione Weasley had this look that went past anger... It was her Hermione look as her father and uncle always described when they were a little to merry with the fire whiskey.

"Sweetie you are a fifth year this year, and a prefect! You cannot be tardy like this when you are at scho..."

Rose rolled her eyes again.

"Mum come on! It's not that bad, okay? I'm here so why don't you just come off..."

Hermione raised an eyebrow.

"Were just about to tell me to come off it?"

Rose stood her ground eyes furrowed.

"Well if you wouldn't get so wound up at..."

Hermione huffed about to give her daughter a retort before arms came around both mother and daughter's shoulders. Both still giving pointed stares a strong laugh rebounded from the large gutted man holding them.

"Doesn't count as a Weasley send off if there isn't at least one argument."

Both witches held each others gaze before shrugging off the arms holding them in place. Hermione sighed rather loudly before pulling her daughter into a strong hug.

"Have a good year sweetie. Right your father and I whenever you get a chance alright? Fifth year is a challenging one especially with O.W.L.S. If you need anything just let us know?"

Rose grumbled an alright into her mother's shoulder. Letting go Hermione smiled sadly at her daughter and let Ron step in to embrace their daughter.

"Your Mum means well Rosie, it's just hard to see her first baby growing up so fast..."

Letting go her smiled at Rose causing her own lips to mirror her father's.

"You are so much like your mother. Intelligent, caring, and kind... But, you got the short end of the Weasley stick and are has hard headed as the rest of us. Go easy on her alright? She loves you more than the world."

Rose nodded knowingly.

"I know Dad... Thank you."

Ron shrugged his shoulders.

"Someone's got to be the voice of reason around here."

Causing both of the Weasley witches to laugh. Rose waved goodbye to her parents before stepping onto the express. Breathing in deeply and out she took a moment to decompress. In her reflection with the window of the now closed door she watched the train inch away from the platform as it lurched forward. Her parents waving and smiling face disappeared amidst the bellowing steam of the engine. In place her own reflection caused a moment of surprise. She had to admit to herself that she had change a bit over the Summer. An entire Summer spent reading in the sun, and playing Quidditch in the garden had left her usually pail skin slightly golden. Her freckles that ran across her to cheeks to the bridge of her nose were even more apparent. Her greenish-blue eyes danced crossed her delicate features before reaching her most noticeable Weasley-Granger trait. Her once unattainable mane of red curls now placed wavily down her face and above her shoulders. Luckily her Mother taught her a relaxing spell that she herself had learned during her fourth year... Her mother definitely had her good qualities. Chuckling to herself a bit she turned and headed towards her usual compartment. With each step the annoyance that her favorite cousin had left her to fend for herself built.

Al and Rose were in the same year, and same house. Following the family tradition each had been sorted into Griffin. Much to the secret joy of their parents. Unlike his older brother Jame who was in his sixth year Al was soft spoken. You would find him more likely in the library studying than out playing pranks like his brother. Al was incredibly bright and thoughtful of others. But, one quality that suited him more like his father was his ability to be at the wrong place at the right time. Sometimes she didn't know if it was a sixth sense or something that allowed Al to veer off path and into some sort of fun that she wouldn't of even thought was possible.

Reaching the door of the compartment she heard laughter billowing from the cracks of the door. Sliding it open her annoyance melted away. In the compartment were some of her favorite people.

Al of course.

Next to him sat Scorpious Malfoy.

A Malfoy being friends with a Potter and a Weasley?... The world must be ending.

But, luckily for him Scorpious took after his mother more than his families darker side. Though sarcastic to a fault Scorpious was harmless. Except of course when it came to potions and Quidditch. He was highly competitive in both. Scorpious of course inherited his fathers platinum blonde hair which he kept closely cropped to his scalp. His features were more filled out like his mothers strong blue eyes and all.

Across from the boys sat a cross legged witch around the same age. With stringy almost white blonde hair and wide silver eyes Helena Lovegood, aptly nicknamed Lena, met her gaze with a soft smile.

"Rose! How good to see you."

Rose reflected her positive greeting.

"Lena you too! Feels like it's been forever."

"Well in some cases it has... My mother always says that forever is more than a second, but less than eternity."

Scorpious narrowed his gaze.

"What does that even mean?"

Lena shrugged attention still on Rose.

Rose peered at Al as she plopped down on the seat next to Lena. Al twiddled his thumbs looking anywhere but at his cousin right in front of him.

"So you just up and left me huh?"

Al's head shot up.

"Rose it's not what you think! I..."

She quirked an eyebrow.

"Saw my Mom and bolted into the crowd as soon as you entered the platform. Leaving me to face the wrath of the strictest parent know to wizarding kind by myself?

Al opened his mouth to speak, but closed it nodding quietly. As the two cousins held a serious gaze finally they broke into laughter along with their friends.

"Was it bad?" Scorpious spoke.

Rose shook her head.

"Not really. Just a speech on responsibility, and how I need to take care on something or other..."

The compartment again cracked into laughter.

After a few minutes Rose spoke up in a curious tone.

"So where's the prodigal king of Hogwarts? Flirting with another seventh year?"

Al let out a sigh.

"Come on Rose he isn't that bad."

Rose arched an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Who was caught making out with a sixth year from Slytherin last year?"

Scorpious shook his head at Rose with a sly smirk.

"Just because you wish it was you that he was snogging..."

Rose's eyes locked with Scorpious's.

"If you think even for a second I would let that Badger's lips anywhere near me..."

The group around hers lips were pursed with laughter as their eyes were trained on the compartment door. A familiar American voice rang from the compartments entrance as she closed her eyes ready for...

"Always so thorny Rosie."

She clenched her jaw, and before she could retort she open her eyes and her smart remark quickly died in her throat. Leaning in the doorway was her nemesis...enemy...arch rival...

Wendell Butler.

With light chocolate brown skin, deep black eyes, and a bright white smile her eyes narrowed as her heart sped up a bit. He smiled towards her kindly only making her detest for him grow.

"And I'll have you know Badgers make better snoggers than lions, more cuddly."

The group finally broke into laughter again excluding one slightly blushing read head. Again before going into a retort her mind went into second gear once she really looks over Wendell. As he leaned on the door frame she noticed that his right arm, his wand arm, was in a sling and wrapped in bandages. A long the ride side of his face small cuts splayed over his stubbly cheek, and a small scabbed gash marred his right temple. In all he looked a little worse for wear, and the bags under his eyes didn't help.

Her voice betrayed her look of annoyance with a slight softness.

"Wendell what happened to you?"

His smile faltered a little before resting on a slight grin.

"Ehh fell playing Quidditch you know?"

Before she could inquire more Al coughed and spoke.

"So uhh... who's ready for O.W.L.S. this year?"

Scorpious chimed in with an inquisitive look to Al and Lena.

"Definitely not me... Only thing I feel confident about is...

Both Al and Lena cut him off.

"Potions!"

The three shared in a small chuckle. Wendell sat down between Al and Scorpious joining in on the conversation. All the while Rose's gaze never turned away from Wendell. As if opening a new book she studying him intently. This went on for a few more minutes before deep black met greenish blue. His features softened almost as if telling her he was really alright. She pursed her lips, but the nagging feeling in the back of her mind died out for now. She didn't know why she even cared? It's not as if they were good friends or anything. Heck they were barely acquaintances. But, he was friends with these three...and if she had to put up with him to be around them... She would.

As the training continued onto Hogwarts Rose knew at least one thing at the moment.

It would be an interesting year.