AJ took a deep breath and looked down at her watch. It felt like years had gone by since she had said goodbye to her parents and grandfather. According to her watch, however, it had barely been five hours. She looked around her at all of the other students and parents standing about the platform and felt a pang of guilt. She wished her parents could have come with her, but knew that they had to stay back at the farm.

The train whistle blew, and suddenly the scene around her exploded into activity. Young students hugged their parents. Older students hopped onto the train, eager to head back to school. Some of them leaned out the windows to retrieve items that they had forgotten to pick up in their excitement.

AJ kept her luggage close as she approached the nearest door onto the train. It took some maneuvering, but she managed to pull her two suitcases up the steps and down the hall. She made it nearly the entire way down the car before she found an empty room. Though was was born from wizarding parents, she felt like she knew next to nothing about magic, and was too afraid that if she sat with others they might notice her lack of experience and make fun of her. She would rather sit alone than be mocked.

Still, she kept the door to the room open. Just in case someone else might need a seat.

Once her bags were safely tucked overhead, AJ pulled out a book and opened to the page being held by a photograph. She began to read.

Cassie almost miss the train. When they got through the wall between platform 9 and 10, the train whistle already blew. Hurriedly they hopped on the black and crimson train. "Your bag, Cassandra"Their mother shout after them. "Just throw it, mom"Cassie said to their mother. Their mom throw the medium size backpack and Cassie catches it with ease.

"Thanks, mom"Cassie said as the train slowly pulled off from the platform and wave to their mother. Their mom waves back, "Be good!"Their mom said from the distance. Cassie nodded then they pull themself inside the train. Almost all the compartment are full except one near the door.

The compartment occupied by a black hair girl who reading a book. Cassie really wish the girl want to share the compartment with them but they afraid they might disturb the other girl that so immensely read the book that she holds. The more quiter the better, Cassie thought to themself.

Cassie politely knock on the open door, "Hey, do you mind if I sit here with you? The other ones already full but if you do not want to be disturb, I could search for less crowded compartment"Cassie said to the girl. Standing at the open door with long black robe. "I'm Cassandra"Cassie introduced their name and waiting for the other girl to acknowledge them.

AJ was fully focused on her novel, and soaking in every single word. This is why, when she heard the voice from the doorway, she jerked her head up, eyes wide, and quickly closed her book. The last thing she wanted was for someone to find her out before they even made it to the school. She would never live down being a witch who had been raised like a Muggle.

When she saw the kind-looking girl standing before her, she relaxed a bit and nodded.

"Hi, I'm AnnieJade. You can call me AJ, though." She motioned to the seat across from her. "Help yourself."

AJ offered up a friendly smile, in an attempt to hide her nervousness. She quickly straightened her robe and sat up taller in her seat. Meeting new people always made her nervous, and this person could very well be her first magical friend.

"This is my first year at Hogwarts. I am guessing it is yours, too?" She tapped the book in her hands. "I was just reading a bit about the school. Have you considered which house you might want to be in?"

She paused for a moment and felt her ears start to turn red.

"Sorry, I tend to ramble when I'm nervous..."

Cassie tried to suppress their smile but no avail. A wide grin appear on their face upon saw how the other girl jerked her head, her eyes wide, and quickly she closed her book. "Relax, lass. I do not bite"Cassie told the girl jokingly with a bit of Spanish accent after seeing the other girl reaction.

"Before you ask, I'm one quarter Spaniard or half? I am not so sure"Cassie inquire to herself more then to the other girl then scratch the back of their neck, a bit confused with their Cuban bloodline. "Anyhow I am a British - Cuban descendants. Both of my grandparents are Cuban from my mom's side. Mostly speaks Spanish and a bit speak English back home"Cassie explained briefly. The girl introduced her name as AnnieJade but can be called as AJ.

When AJ permit Cassie to seat inside the compartment, Cassie tossed their black backpack and flop down on the cushion. "Thanks"Cassie expressed their gratitude. AJ throw Cassie a smile but it is a nervous one. AJ told Cassie that it is her First year attending the school and ask what houses Cassie might want to be in.

"I am a bit conflicted. Father once a Slytherin and Mother once a Ravenclaw. Father wants me to follow his footsteps and Mother only wants me to enjoy and have the best 7 years of my life while attending Hogwarts. I guess I let the Sorting Hat decided my fate then, although the Hat listen to your option"Cassie uttered. "Which one do you think you will be sorted?"This time it is Cassie who asks AJ.

AJ apologize for her rambling and she said she rambled when she is nervous. "Esta bien conmigo, I mean it is fine with me"Cassie translated. "Why are you nervous, if I may ask?"Cassie enquires AJ.

AJ felt herself growing more relaxed when the newcomer, Cassandra, smiled and talked about themself. Cassandra's accent was unique and unlike any that AJ had heard before. She found it interesting to hear. Cassandra explained that they spoke quite a bit of Spanish where they were from.

After Cassandra took a seat across from AJ, they talked about their choice of Hogwarts houses. As they spoke, AJ realized that she hardly knew anything about her parents' time at school. The subject had just never really come up until AJ had received her own letter, and by then they hardly had any time to tell her stories. When it was AJ's turn to answer, she dropped her gaze to the book in her hands.

"I'm nervous because I guess I don't really know much about magic. I mean, my parents both went to Hogwarts, but we live with my Muggle grandfather on a big animal farm, and we don't really use much magic at all. My mother likes to say that I should understand the true value of a hard day's work before I fall back and be lazy with magic."

AJ shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the train began to move. Outside the window, the station slowly slid by and opened up into the outdoors.

"Anyway, my mother said that she was a Ravenclaw when she was here. Dad jokes that I am a copy of her because we both love to read and learn new things. He was a Gryffindor, and two years ahead of her. If I had to guess, I will probably be in Ravenclaw like my mother. The book I am reading says they focus on learning and wisdom. I am not really brave or sly or ... Hufflepuff-like, so I think I would be happiest in Ravenclaw."

"What classes are you most looking forward to?"

Cassie just realize they also rambling too. They were out of character. Usually they could be so quiet and observe their surrounding but since inside the compartment just the two of them, that would be awkward.

"Turns out I am rambling too. That is so not like me at all"Cassie told AJ then chuckles. AJ told Cassie why she was nervous. She said she does not know much about magic and both of her parents went to Hogwats. Her family live with her Muggle grandfather on a big animal farm and do not really use any magic at all.

At the mention of animals, Cassie's ears perk up. "Animal? What kind of animal?"Cassie inquires. "Back home I have two female poodle dogs. Their fur is white and red, respectively. Now I wonder, when I am away whose going to take care of Bella and Windy? That is their name. Hope Mother will take care of them"Inform the young green eyes girl with sadness in their voice. The reality just set in and it sadden them.

This will be the longest time Cassie will be separate from their pooches companions. "Not rely anything with magic? That is the first time I ever hear someone said that"Cassie said. "But I guess there is first time for everything and that is something to value on"Cassie nodded and smile to the other girl.

Slowly the train shift and left the platform. Parents, older and young siblings waving their hands to whomever in the train. When both of them talking about which houses they will be sorted, both of them are not so sure. AJ inform Cassie that her mom once a Ravenclaw and her dad was a Gryffindor. AJ guess she will belong to Ravenclaw just like her mom was because the similarity both her and her mom they are love to read and learn new things.

"If we both sorted into Ravenclaw that will be cool but I guess we will have to wait and see. But if I get sorted into Slytherin, we will still be friends? Well, I do not know if you know the reputation of Slytherin students or not, a lot of people do not like Slytherins because they are bad, cunning and manipulative. Not all of them but still"They try to defend their possibility house and there is a hesitation tone in Cassie's voice. Cassie sigh after this fact.

AJ ask what classes are Cassie most looking forward to. "Charms, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Flying and Herbology. How 'bout you?"Cassie asks their train companion.

As AJ explained how she grew up on a farm, she saw Cassandra's interest grow. Cassandra told her about their dogs back home, and how much they missed them.

"On the farm we have horses, goats, chickens, and more. As much as I like to ride horses, I think the goats are my favorite animals. They are so cute, and really fun. We have a couple dogs and some barn cats, too. The dogs help herd the animals, and the cats keep mice out of the barn. The cats are technically wild, but very friendly."

As AJ explained that the farm did not really utilize any magic, Cassandra noted the oddity of the situation. "I guess it would be a little strange to a witch or wizard," she replied with a small laugh. "It is a lot of work, but really rewarding. You word hard and when you're done you feel really good that you accomplished it all by yourself! Though when I think about it... having magic would probably make things go a lot faster, so you could accomplish even more..."

As the train ride continued on, Cassandra mused about if she were to be sorted into Slytherin. AJ had read that Slytherin was for the cunning types who tended to put themselves first, but the book had made them seem smart and clever. She did not know until Cassandra told her that Slytherin had a reputation for less than good personalities. A slight sense of concern came over AJ. This was the first fellow witch that she had really met. Could she really have just befriended someone who could become manipulative and bad?

No, Cassandra had been nice so far. There was no reason whatsoever to believe that she could be a bad person, or a bad friend.

AJ smiled. "Of course we can still be friends! Besides, if each house has its own strengths, it would be good to have friends in other houses to help out sometimes."

As conversation drifted toward classes, AJ began thinking about her textbooks. She had been trying to read them in the past couple of weeks, but none of them really pulled her interest. "I think flying could be fun. Potions would probably be the most helpful on the farm, though. Really, I am most excited to learn more about magical animals when I can! I can't wait until third year."