I'm Genevieve Poineau and I've went to Hogwarts for six years now. This is my seventh year and the problem is, I'm overweight. Technically, this isn't a problem for me. I've come to live with being overweight. The problem seems to be with everyone else because I think I'm a pretty decent person. I do my homework, I try to treat others with courtesy, and I've actually grown to like myself. I try to wear nice clothes and put on a bit of makeup, but people can just be so cruel because I'm different.

When someone is overweight like me, I tend to hear every insult in the book. I've heard it all from "fat ass," to "tub-o-lard", to "go on a diet," and even "drink a Slim Fast". I'll admit that the Slim Fast comment was pretty inventive, but it still hurt at the time. Most of the time, I just laugh at the insults people throw at me. I've heard them all, so they're overused and lame. People can't come up with anything creative like "You're so fat, people run around you for exercise," or "Every time you jump up and down, it causes an earthquake". Those would actually be creative and might sting, but even then, they're still pretty lame.

Another thing is, I may be overweight, but I absolutely refuse to turn to an eating disorder. I've seen what eating disorders can do to people, and to be honest, I wouldn't want to look like that. I refuse to look like a sack of skin and bones because I have no flesh left on my body. Yes, I may have more curves than most, but it is better than having my hair fall out and looking half-dead because I don't eat. In fact, I actually don't eat as much as people would think. Sometimes I only eat once or twice a day. This usually causes my friends to ask me if I'm anorexic, but they should know better. I would never turn to an eating disorder. The real reason I don't eat sometimes is because I forget, lose track of time, or am just too lazy to make something to eat. By the time I remember that I didn't eat, then it is close to bedtime, so I don't eat anything.

Just because I'm overweight, it doesn't mean I don't have friends. In fact, I do have a couple of friends. I consider them my best friends because they actually know me, instead of someone who has a lot of people around and they only like that person because of appearance. I would rather have someone like me for me, instead of being surrounded by people and still feeling completely alone. That's why Luna Lovegood is one of my best friends. She's in Ravenclaw with me, and she always speaks her mind. If she doesn't like something I say or do, she tells me honestly, instead of trying to protect my feelings. I appreciate that because I grew sick of false pretenses a long time ago.

My other best friend is Savannah Leery. We have been best friends since our first year at Hogwarts. She is in Hufflepuff, but somehow, we've managed to tell each other almost everything and stay close throughout the years. This year is different though. Half of the Hogwarts students aren't returning because Voldemort is on the rise. Parents are scared and mine almost didn't want me to come. I had to reassure my parents that Hogwarts is the safest place to be during this time, even without Dumbledore.

Right now, I'm actually on the Hogwart's Express. I'm sitting in the compartment by myself, reading a book. Eventually, Luna finds me and enters the compartment. She takes a seat across from me. "Hello, Genevieve Poineau." She says, in her typical, dreamy voice. Why she always greets people with their full name, I will never know. I've grown used to it though.

"Hello, Luna." I reply, closing my book. Ginny Weasley enters the compartment a minute or so after Luna. "Don't you two usually sit with Harry and his friends?" I ask, usually never having the privilege of these two sitting on the train with me.

"They're not coming this year," answers Ginny. "They wouldn't really tell anyone what they were doing either. Mum definitely was not happy about it."

I assumed it had something to do with Voldemort, and I couldn't ask anything further because Savannah entered the compartment. "Hey Gen!" She greeted with such enthusiasm. She always called me Gen, and in fact, most people call me Gen because it is easier for them to pronounce then Genevieve.

"Hey Savannah." I reply. She sits down next to me and it's like we're one happy family in this particular compartment. Ginny usually isn't included in our group, but sometimes she does talk to us. It's expected with her being friends with Luna. I've never had a problem with it actually.

After a couple of minutes of us talking about our summer, Neville decides to drop by our compartment. I've never had a problem with Neville. I don't really know him, but I know that he is friends with Luna and Ginny. "Hello, Neville Longbottom." Greets Luna. I try not to snicker because I still find it funny that she greets people like this all the time.

"Hello," replies Neville. "May I sit in here?"

"You're always welcome to sit with us." Ginny states with a smile on her face.

Neville sat down quietly next to Ginny and Luna. This sight reminded me of Dumbledore's Army. It brought back good times because I had fun in the D.A. I actually associate with other people then just my main friends. Luna was the one who convinced me to join. Once I joined, Savannah was close behind. She always had to do the fun things I did. I don't mind really because I like including my friends in the fun things I do.

The trolley lady came around once we were all settled down in the compartment. I'll admit, I do like sugary, sweet snacks, but I do like healthy food just like any regular person. In fact, I love vegetables, fruit, cheese, and even chicken. Everyone just assumes that I always eat junk food because I'm overweight. My real friends know better but occasionally, I enjoy sweets like most people.

"Anything from the trolley, dears?" The little old lady asks with her usual cheery voice.

I wait for everyone else to go first. Neville and Ginny look at me like they were expecting me to go first. I hate it when people assume that an overweight person has to get the food first just because they're overweight. Savannah and Luna knew better. They didn't look at me like that, and they actually went first. Savannah bought some Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans. I swear that girl has an iron stomach because she eats some of the nastiest flavored foods. Luna bought some Droobles. Luna seems like the Droobles type, even though, I'm not sure what the Droobles type is.

Ginny buys a couple of Chocolate Frogs while Neville buys three Pumpkin Pasties. When it's my turn, I buy two Licorice Wands. I plan on saving one for later, although, Neville and Ginny probably think I will eat both. I sit back down and bite into one of the Licorice Wands. It's black licorice flavored, which is my favorite. I just love licorice in general.

"Ewwww!" exclaims Savannah. "Nasal drainage flavored!"

I burst out laughing. "And only you would keep eating it instead of spitting it out." I comment.

"Of course." Savannah grins.

A loud burp comes out of Neville's mouth. We all start laughing loudly except for him. "Good one!" Savannah exclaims.

"Righteous!" I add in. Some people do not appreciate a good burp.

"Excuse me." Neville says, apologizing with his cheeks turning a light shade of red from being embarrassed. "I think I'm done eating and I still have a Pumpkin Pastie left."

Oh here it comes. He's going to offer it to me. The one who weighs the most usually gets offered the extra food. "Do you want my last one?" He asks me.

Bingo! I knew it. "No thanks." I reply.

"Are you sure?" He questions, holding out the Pumpkin Pastie like showing it to me will make me want it. If a person says no, the other person typically presses it. It's like they expect the person to take it anyways. If I refuse something, that person always double checks like I changed my mind within two seconds. This has been happening my whole life. Someone offers me food, I refuse, and then that person still offers me the food. I guess people can't accept a solid no from those who are overweight when it comes to food.

"No thanks." I state again. I hope he gets the point this time.

Savannah starts snickering for no apparent reason. I wonder what she thinks is so funny. Maybe a weird bird flew past the window or something. "What's so funny?" I ask.

"Because he tried to make you take the food," she answered. "I remember your whole bit about how people try to force you to take food just because you're overweight." Poor Neville. She's going to embarrass the poor boy.

Sure enough, his cheeks start turning a deep shade of red. "I didn't mean it like that," he says. "I was just being nice."

I simply shrug. "I'm fat. It's fine," I confess. "People always offer me food because I'm fat. I'm used to it."

"You're not fat." Says Neville. Ah there it is. People who want to be nice to me, or try to be my friend, always tell me I'm not fat. The truth is, I would rather have them admit I'm fat then lie about it to my face. I especially hate it when I talk to someone who is skinny and that person says, 'I'm fat'. If that person is fat, I'd hate to think what that must make me. I hate it when people say they're fat and they're really not. It's even worse when they say it in front of someone who is fat, like me, and then tries to tell you that you're not fat.

Savannah starts laughing. "What's so funny now?" I ask. I swear that girl has the giggle button induced today. However, she does have a really infectious laugh.

"Well, I also remember how you mentioned that you hate it when people tell you you're not fat. You said it's like they're lying to your face." She explains.

"I really don't think you're fat," he repeats. "I mean, I weigh a few extra pounds and I could care less. How much a person weighs has nothing to do with the actual person. It's what's in the inside that counts."

Neville actually made a smile come across my lips. "Thank you." I said graciously. He stated a very good point. People tend to care more about appearance than the actual substance of a person. Personality, morals, and inner beauty are more important than a persons physical appearance.

After a few more hours of sitting on the train, it finally arrived at Hogwarts. The carriages were waiting for students to fill them up. "I have to go find Alex," explained Savannah. "I'll see you guys later." She took off and soon after, Ginny and Luna went their separate ways. I didn't mind having to find my own carriage. They typically went off on their own anyways. Savannah usually rode with me but since she had gotten a new boyfriend, she had been a little more preoccupied lately.

"Want to share a carriage?" Neville asks.

"Sure." I reply. I hop up into the next carriage and Neville follows closely behind. I can't see the Thestrals pulling the carriage, but I know they're there. Luna has told me all about them. It's not that I haven't experienced death in my life, I've just never actually seen somebody die. However, I have lost quite a few people in my life. I'm actually glad I haven't seen any of them die. I think the thoughts would haunt me if I did.

"I really don't think you're fat," confesses Neville. "I offered you the Pumpkin Pastie to be nice. I didn't mean anything by it."

"I know." I reply. I smiled at him, knowing that he really didn't mean anything. He wouldn't be apologizing if he had actually meant anything rude by it. Someone with a non-guilty conscious would have never apologized. What confuses me more, is the fact that Neville is being nice to me. Maybe he likes me. Hah! That would never happen. Overweight girls don't typically have guys wanting to be with them. Guys usually want that really skinny chick. I don't get it and I've never had a boyfriend because guys tend to be more shallow. Oh well. Maybe this year will be different.