Prologue

Lara. Lara Nemesis. And I'm an orphan. Muggles' child. But the bottom line is, I am adopted. I have parents, obviously, but I never knew them. All I knew about my damned babyhood is that I was left in the rain to die. No, not to die. I was left in the  rain to be found. My Muggle parents told me that I was left crying under a lamp post. And it was raining. They pitied me and adopted me. I have nothing, not a bracelet or memento of my real parents. The Muggles just found me with a note with my name: Lara Nemesis. The Muggles didn't see it fit to rename me when I already have a name. They also didn't see it fit to give me their last name. Thankfully, else, I would be disgraced. I didn't think of it that way, until Durmstrang came.

Durmstrang is my school. My favorite place in the world. I love it there. There I could stay with my kind and away from Muggles. Durmstrang gives me a world that is not like good 'ol Earth. No, it gives much more. I am always the top in my class. I am always the teacher's pet, the model student, the popular girl. I was perfect there. And now, any ordinary, ignorant and stupid Muggle might think of me as a crazy crackpot for loving school. Well. Muggle, I'm sorry to disappoint you, because I'm not like you. I'm a witch.

I am not the cackling ugly wart-filled witch you see in pathetic storybooks. But I can't deny the fact that I am beautiful. In a strange and mystical way. Muggles think of it as weird but my fellow wizards and witches think of it as perfect. In the Muggle World, I am strange. In the Wizard World, I am a miracle. But that all changed when I reached eleven years old. Ever since then, Muggle boys, much to my dismay, have come to my house with flowers and candy and chocolates. They are all lovesick morons. And because of that, I am convinced about my beauty. But despite being beautiful and being a model student, I am a selfish, self-centered and mean girl who cared nothing about Muggles except when they come drooling in front her.

  I have long silver-blond hair that cascades down to my waist. My eyes are gray and changes into the color of cold ice when light shines brightly near it. I don't know how but it does. My skin is as pale as the moon and as smooth as cream. And I also forgot to mention of the most special thing about me. I have a scar in the middle of the back of my right hand. It is shaped like a curved snake. And about an inch long. My Muggle parents thought I had a tattoo during my birth and didn't bother. But mine is not a tattoo. It looks too fine, too beautiful, and too realistic to be one. It looks as if it could move by itself. Before the wizard world, I thought of it as a charm. A charm that could give luck and joy for me only. I didn't believe the lies my parents told me. I knew this scar was something. And I found out during my stay at Durmstrang.

During my first year there, the History of Magic teacher told us about the rise and fall of Voldemort or like others say You-Know-Who. I wasn't afraid to call him Voldemort like the other students. I actually liked the sound of it. Anyway, he told about Harry Potter, the baby boy my age that destroyed Voldemort and came out without wounds but only with a lightning shaped scar. I didn't think of mine as a result of a killing. I knew mine was about being chosen.

Chapter One

I was doing my homework. Well, one only. I have finished all of my essays and researches on everything. As I was completing my Dark Arts essay, an owl floated in through my window. I was annoyed. It was a snowy owl, not the usual dark colored ones from Durmstrang.

"Now who are you from?" I said crossly. I wasn't used in being interrupted by snowy owls.

The stupid white owl merely stared. I rolled my eyes. Then, I noticed another owl swooping in. I was glad. It was gray and dark: Durmstrang. I got my packages and gave the owls some water. I sat on my bed and opened Durmstrang first. It must be my requirements.

Dear Lara Nemesis,

We are to inform you about the Exchange Student program that would Durmstrang will participate. Two students would be chosen in our school to be with either Beauxbatons or Hogwarts. Because of you top grades and excellency in academics, Durmstrang has decided that you be the representative for Hogwarts. You will start the school year in Hogwarts.

You will receive further instructions from Hogwarts.

Sincerely,

Lora Spellinda

Headmistress

I was horrified. This must be a joke. An utterly unfunny joke! Hogwarts! I couldn't even imagine going there! That place is crawling with Muggle loving fools! But then, I knew I was wrong; Durmstrang doesn't joke. The next letter. It was from Hogwarts. This is true.

Dear Lara Nemesis,

We are pleased to inform you that you are the chosen student in the Exchange Student Program. We will commence the Sorting when you get there. Also, your sixth year will begin here. The next papers are your requirements, reminders and the ticket for the Hogwarts Express.

We anticipate your arrival in Hogwarts.

Sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Headmaster

It's true. I have to go to Hogwarts. Goodbye Durmstrang. And to think I just finished all my homework.

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I looked around Platform 9 ¾. Every student of Hogwarts are already boarding. I suppose it is not all of the students for I expected more. I didn't know anyone and I saw enough blank stares from everyone that decided not to ask for directions. Leave it to Albus Dumbledore to introduce me. I decided to sit down on the benches instead of barging in. I looked at the entering people. Entering the platform through the wall was a family of redheads. A dorky looking guy accompanied them my age. He had black hair and just as dorky glasses. When I looked at him, I felt sudden anger. It was involuntary. It disappeared as quickly as it came. The anger came like a sudden electric jolt. I was puzzled. I have never seen this dork before and I have no reason to be angry with him. But why?

He and his redhead friend looked somber. What is wrong with them? Because of my utter meanness, I have to resist a great urge to come up to them and say, "What happened you idiot crybabies?" But having enemies before the school year starts is a bad reputation. Since I am not in Durmstrang where my reputation has exceeded the goodly meter, I plan to be the same here. And I do not want some redhead and some dork ruining it. I won't.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Students are now boarding the train. And I endured one minute of goodbye tears and goodbye kisses. Me? I have no one to "goodbye" to. The Muggles don't understand so they are not here. I was stupid for not going inside early. Because of it, I have no seat. I planned to have one all to myself but then, I can't. I surveyed the whole train for empty seats. All were freaking full! When I entered compartments, the students either politely say no or gape at me with their mouths full of drool. I decided to leave. I reached the second to the last compartment. I peeked my head in and saw dork boy, red head and some girl. Must be the girlfriend of one of them.

"Can I sit here? I'm sorry to bother you but all the others are full." I said. There was a slight smirk in my voice. I couldn't help it.

"Sure." Dork said. And the others nodded.

"I've never seen you around Hogwarts before." Redhead said.

"I've never seen you too! I'm new." I said mockingly. I was annoyed. He gaped at me like the others.

"You're new? You must be the exchange student too! Me also!" the girl said.

I looked at her. I felt her as a rival. She was pretty enough but I was prettier. She has black hair and an okay skin: not too pale and not too brown. She was the opposite of me. Because she is friendly and happy. Against bitter me.

"I'm from Beauxbatons. And my name is Callista de Laplace."

One look at her, I knew I would hate her. And I feel I should say that she was French. But she doesn't have the accent.

"I'm Lara Nemesis. From Durmstrang." I said coldly. Callista looked intimidated.

"I'm Ron Weasley." Redhead butted in. I was annoyed so I glared at him. Callista looked revolted at this. Maybe because she had a little crush on this Ron Weasley who was now staring at me dreamily.

"I'm Harry Potter." Dork said.

That got my attention. "Excuse me?" I said. Ron looked a bit annoyed at Harry. Probably because I didn't notice his freckle-filled face.

"Harry. Harry Potter."

Harry Potter. "Oh." I said flatly. I placed my hand on top of the table. "I've heard about you. You and Voldemort."

Everybody except Harry and me flinched.

"Don't say You-Know-Who's name!" Ron told me.

"Why not? Voldemort. Voldemort. Voldemort. Voldemort. Satisfied?"

Ron and Callista both flinched. Then Ron went out. I didn't know where he was going. Probably the bathroom. I wouldn't care less.

"It's not nice to say his name!" Callista said.

"It's just a name." I said flatly.

"What's that?" Harry suddenly spoke up, pointing at my scar. I deliberately placed my hand on the table so the would see. I smiled.

"A scar. What do you call it?" I replied.

"Where did you get it? Did you tattooed it there?" Harry persisted.

"No. I did not. It was there when I was born. You're not the only one with a scar, Harry."

"Yours is strange…" Callista said after recovering from the name of Voldemort. "A snake…"

"Yes, that's what it is. A snake. Are you blind?" I snapped.

Callista stood up and looked at me straight at the eye. It was hard for her. I was taller than her. And I was much more powerful. "I was just asking, you hot tempered—"

"Stop with the catfight!" Harry suddenly intervened while trying to part the both of us.

"Hot tempered what? Why, afraid to throw a bad word at me? Oh, and may I say that you are the one who is hot-tempered? I just said it is a snake and now you're standing up at me?" I sneered. Callista grew red with anger.

"I meant hot tempered—"

"Put a lid on it! We just became friends and now you're fighting!" Harry shouted. He too was red with anger.

"Why are you all being taunted so easily? And, pardon me but did you just say we are friends? We just know each other's names. That doesn't make us friends you little dweeb." I smirked.

"Hey, am I dreaming or are we encountering the girl counterpart of Malfoy?" Harry said.

"What a lousy joke Potty.  And if you say Malfoy is like me, I'm going to his compartment. Translation: I'm leaving." I said coolly. They were going burst while I'm still cool as ice. 

As I walked out I heard Callista and Harry arguing.

"You should have just let her be!"

"She was taunting me!"

"Forget it. Let's wait for Ron."

I smiled. Maybe this wasn't so bad. For once I felt…great. I saw Ron coming.

"Where are you going?" he asked me. He still had the dreamy expression.

"Away."

I made my way to the last compartment.

"Wait! Malfoy's in there!" He said warningly.

"He is?" I said brightly. "Thanks for telling me."

I proceeded in going to the last compartment. Ron was speechless. He just stood there, mouth gaping open.

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