A.J RYAN IN THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX

Chapter Five - The Hogwarts Express

The next morning, I was dragging my trunk onto the Hogwarts Express at ten forty-five. I had to be in a compartment at the front somewhere. I stepped into the doorway of what I thought was an empty compartment to come face to face with a seventh-year boy who jumped to his feet when he saw me.

"Hi." I smiled politely, taking in his Head Boy badge already pinned to his muggle clothes.

This boy was only an inch or so taller than me, with dark hair and honey toned skin. He was sort of attractive.

He held out his hand immediately. "Hello, I'm Simon Ashton, Head Boy. Are you the new Head Girl? I don't think I've seen you around before?" He gushed with rather a lot of excitement.

"I'm Alexis-June Ryan, you can call me A.J. Yes, I'm the new Head Girl, and no, you wouldn't have seen me around before. This is my first year at Hogwarts." I shook his hand.

He stared at me thoughtfully.

"Do you mind?" I pointed into the compartment.

"No." He stepped aside quickly.

I levitated my trunk into the rack above the seats. I gently wedged my Tawny owl – Astro, in his cage against the trunk and wall. I looked at him thoughtfully, before turning to Simon.

"Is he allowed out?" I asked uncertainly.

He shrugged. "If you just let him around the compartment, I don't mind."

"Great, thanks." I plonked down opposite him, beside the window.

"So, are you transferring from somewhere?"

"I was taught from home. I just wanted to attend school for my final year."

He looked at me with that same thoughtful expression, which I now realised was a calculating one.

I smiled encouragingly at him.

"Just wondering how you were chosen to be Head Girl, if you've never been to Hogwarts?"

"Oh, I had a meeting with Dumbledore weeks ago. I also took my O.W.Ls at Hogwarts a couple of years ago. And I came to watch the Tri-wizard Tournament last year."

He nodded.

"I'm just going to say goodbye to some people." I gestured towards the compartment door as I stood and walked out of it.

Harry, Hermione and the Weasley kids had just arrived on the platform with Molly, Arthur, Tonks – as an old woman – Remus, and Alastor. But what got my attention was the great big bear-like black dog standing next to Harry. Sirius. I took a couple of steps down the platform towards them, when Sirius looked at me. He wagged his tail and ran towards me like a friendly stray.

I bent over a little while patting him.

Oh Sirius, you nut job. I placed the words in his head.

A warning whistle sounded, and all the students rushed onto the train. The Weasley twins – who were being given last minute warnings from their mother to behave themselves this year, were last to board.

"I do not want one more owl telling me-" She was saying. I had a feeling they got that talk every year.

I was back in the carriage sitting across from Simon as a bunch of students entered.

"Hi, is this the Prefect carriage?" A sleek white-haired boy with a pointed chin asked with his droning voice.

"Yes, come in." Simon jumped to his feet and offered his hand. "I'm Simon Ashton. This is Alexis-June." He pointed to me. "You're Draco Malfoy." He said as the boy shook his hand rather reluctantly.