The Train:

The Hogwarts express was slowly getting over-crowded. Witches and Wizards from all sort of different families and houses scrambling to find a train booth for the long journey.

Squeezing past a few people. Arianna's long hair fell over her face, shielding herself from most. It was her 6th year at Hogwarts. And you'd think that she would have been excited. But for her, it was anything but. The horror of last year was still very much ingrained in her mind. Having lost her father, the wound was very much fresh. But she wasn't the only one grieving. Knowing, Harry too was torn over the loss of Sirius Black.
'I killed Sirius Black...I killed Sirius Black...I killed Sirius Black' Even now, Arianna still could hear Bellatrix's shrill laughter echoing in her mind. It was enough to keep her awake at night. Barely any having gotten any decent sleep, since then. Almost walking into the glass door of a booth, as she hadn't been paying attention where she was going. Going to make a B-line for another booth, but a voice stopped her from doing so.

"Ari...Arianna." The familiar sound of Hermione's voice brought her back to reality.

"Huh?" Arianna's slightly monotone voice filled the air. Realising that she was standing outside of their usual booth. "Oh right, booth." Muttering to herself, she took her usual spot by the window on the right side. Upon sitting down, she noticed Hermione's concerned face. Arianna could never hide anything from her friends. Most knew how to read her well. But it didn't stop her from putting on a brave face. "I'll be fine. Promise." Trying to give her the best reassuring look that she could. Glancing out of the window, as they waited for the rest of their little crew to join them in their booth.
The booth usually consisting of herself, Hermione, Harry, Ronald, Axel, Mimoza and Rowan. It had been like that for years. Whilst the group might have been a group of unique individuals; equally talented Witches and Wizards. They meshed together perfectly. Making each other stronger, when someone was at their weakest.

Meanwhile...

_{At the entrance of the train;}

"Excuse me...coming through.." A male voice breaking through various chit-chats on the train. Trying to squeeze himself through. Axel's blonde hair a ruffled mess. Most of the time, he opted for a neat hairstyle. But today's chaos at the train station and boarding the Hogwarts Express, left him looking otherwise. The chaos had never changed, for as long as he had been going to Hogwarts. Most of the chaos and excitement, always coming from first years, than most returning students. Axel was never one for waiting patiently at the front of the train. He'd much rather be sitting comfortably in his usual booth, with his friends. Than be waiting for ages to find a seat..or standing the entire journey.

It took a few moments, before the line was slowly moving a bit quicker. "Finally." Muttering to himself in relief. Now it felt like he could actually breathe, let alone move.

Eventually, he finally managed to get to his usual booth. Seeing it was slowly filling up with familiar faces. "Hey everyone." His greeting as always, seemed to be jovial. It was hard to catch him in a bad mood. Unless people he loved got hurt; Axel was never one to be angry or down in the dumps. Sitting down, he leaned against his seat with a sigh of relief. Finally, he could relax and catch up on what everyone's been up to over the holidays.

Rowan allowed himself to be lead by Mimoza through the sea of students, new and older, his movements zombie like. The full moon had drained him a few days ago leaving him as an insomniac which was torture upon making sure he had everything. If it wasn't for his sister and parents he most likely would have left his wand at home. All he wanted was rest; even though he slept through the ride to the station.

He mumbled an apology as he bumped into a first year, his mind in a fog before Mim gently helped him into his usual window seat across from Arianna. "There you go, Row. You can rest now." Mimoza soothed, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. Out of the entire group the only ones who knew of Rowan's monthly curse aside from himself was his little sister and Hermione who figured it out in their third year because of Professor Lupin having the same condition. Thankfully both kept his secret.

Mim turned her attention to the others once Rowan started to relax, looking tired herself. The events of last year clung to everyone, especially Arianna and Harry after the loss of Sirius. Despite the lies surrounding him, Mimoza was glad to have known the truth and the wizard himself. She couldn't imagine the pain her friends were feeling.

"So...um...how was everyone's holiday?" She asked, breaking the awkward air that hung around them.

As the last of their group arrived; Arianna noticed Rowan's exhausted reflection in the train's window. Her brow creasing with worry instantly. It was the first time, in a long time that she had seen him looking so tired. But then again, she didn't look much better than him. Looking sleep deprived. As nightmares of last year at the ministry of magic, had kept her from getting any decent sleep the past few months.
"Are you okay? you look like you haven't slept." Doing her best to keep her voice even. Trying to keep composure, for the sake of everyone. Arianna was never one to let her friends see her weak and in tears.

"Ari's right. You really don't look to good bud." Harry said, with concern. But his gaze shifting over to Arianna. Having known her for a long time, he knew when she was doing her best to stay strong. It was okay to feel weak and show emotion. Hermione had taught him that. But Arianna was never one to let them win.

Axel smiled softly as Mimoza was sitting across from him. "All things considering. It's been...alright, I suppose. Visited distant family in Scotland with the parents over the holidays. And my little sister got her acceptance letter over the summer." Sharing the brief little news with the group. Not wanting to seem like he had a blast over the summer, considering that everyone was grieving in their own way.

After the battle at the Ministry of Magic, The Dark Lord had been growing in more power. Recruiting death eaters to serve him and follow his cause of destruction. It was few of the things, that had prompted Lord Dumbledore to keep a more watchful eye on Harry and Arianna. Harry especially. Not wanting to leave him vulnerable. It'd make it easier for Voldemort to target him. "Professor Dumbledore needed help recruiting a new potion's professor this summer." Harry said with a light shrug. It was probably the most exciting thing that had happened all Summer. Other than that, it had been pretty much the same. Suffering at the Dursley household.

"Long week." Rowan mumbled in response to his friends. Lying always pained him since they first became friends; even after the events of Professor Lupin's secret revealed to the whole school. He silently blamed himself for not being able to help that night, having drank the wolvesbane potion to control the inner wolf. He blinked a few times to dismiss the memory as he heard Axel then Harry talk about their summer.

"New potions master?" He echoed, sharing a look with Mim who shrugged in response, just as confused by the news.

"What's going to happen with Snape? I mean, he's the potions master but Dumbledore wouldn't replace him like that...would he?" Mim questioned. Everyone knew of Snape's dislike towards Harry since their first lesson even though the professor had helped save Harry's life, even the lessons to protect his mind from Voldemort.

"Not to mention the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Let's hope this time their not a pathological liar, one of His followers, or anything like Umbridge." Rowan added, snarling a little at the last person. Ever since her first "ah ha hem" Rowan kept his distance the best he could from the twisted witch. Mim had to talk him out of confronting Umbridge when he learned about the punishment Harry endured; reasoning if she knew the truth he'd be hated, ridiculed, or possibly expelled. He shook his head, thankful the woman was finally gone from Hogwarts.

If anyone would have understood Rowan's predicament, it would have been Arianna. For she too was different. Inheriting her father's gift of being an Animagus. Knowing how to be different from a fairly young age. But unlike her father, she didn't shift into a dog. Her animagus form was more rarer than that; A Phoenix bird. Some claimed it was due to her talents as a Witch, others simply thought that form suited her personality. Whichever one it was, there was some truth to both. But Hermione knew it wasn't her secret to tell; even if she would have thought that Rowan would have come clean to Arianna at least.

"Let's hope that the first week back isn't chaos." Arianna told Rowan. It'd give him a chance to rest, after his chaotic week apparently. Raising a brow, as she looked towards Harry. "Why would Dumbledore, hire a new Potions professor?" As they were all lost in their conversation, she didn't even notice that the train was starting to move away from the station.

Looking around, to make sure no one was eavesdropping. Harry leaned over Axel slightly to shut the door to their cabin. Not wanting someone listening in on their private conversation. "I don't know Aria. I am sure Dumbledore has his reasons." Harry learned now to question Dumbledore over the years. If it wasn't important, it wouldn't have been done. "But apparently, he used to teach at Hogwarts before."

"I don't think Snape would be going anywhere." Axel said deep in thought. Even if Snape didn't like many students and was strict, he was valuable to have around. The group started to speculate what would happen with him, now that Professor Slughorn was returning to Hogwarts. Chuckling a little at Rowan's hatred of Umbridge. But she had gotten what she deserved. "I am surprised, that Fred and George didn't try and poison her with one of their sweet creations." The thought had probably been way too tempting. "But who knows, maybe Snape will finally get the Defence Against the Dark Arts position." Shrugging his shoulders at the thought. Everyone knew that it's what Snape had been after for years; but other Professors always got that job over him. Could this be his year?

"But why now after all these years? It's fishy that Dumbledore now decides to give Snape what he's been after. It doesn't make any sense." Mim stated with a sigh.

"Dumbledore is...eccentric. There must be a reason why he's rehired Slughorn, the question is why. As for Snape, at least we know he won't try to kill Harry." Rowan said, shrugging. He did have a point; Snape oddly had protected Harry during his stay at Hogwarts despite his distaste towards him. Whatever Dumbledore was up to was definitely preplanned.