Disclaimer: If I owned Harry Potter, my three favorite characters would not have died. Since they did, I don't own it. I wish I did, though.

Chapter One

The rain was falling heavily as we reached Kings Cross Station. I stared blankly out the window, watching the hustle and bustle of the busy London streets. It wasn't often that I went farther than the small town of Ottery St. Catchpole, and now I was finally off to school. I was excited; not that I would ever admit it. I didn't even realize that we had arrived until my older brother opened my door.

"Come on, Carmen," he said excitedly. "You don't want to miss the train your first year!"

I scowled up into his perpetually cheerful face, and slowly climbed out of the car. "We have twenty minutes," I muttered at him, while fearfully worrying about just that.

"Cedric," my mother called from the trunk of the car, "be a dear and help Carmen with his trunk."

My scowl darkened as she said those words. As if I couldn't manage my own trunk! No, get my perfect older brother to get it because he can do anything wrong!

"I'll get it myself mum," I walked around to the back of the car. "I'm not helpless."

"Carmen, don't be difficult. The trunk is heavy." She turned to me.

"I said I'll get it." I grabbed onto the handle and dragged the trunk out. It was heavy. I knew I wouldn't be able to lift off the ground by myself. Thankfully, Cedric came over with a trolley and lifted it on without a word.

That's my brother for you. Cedric Diggory. Prefect, quidditch captain, popular, good-looking. The strong silent type, with brains to boot. Nice and modest. Perfect in just about every way, as our parents are fond of saying. Especially Dad. This summer, he told anyone who would listen about how his son beat Harry Potter.

It's nauseating.

I'm Carmen Diggory. I have no friends, am not good-looking, and am silent but not strong, and nowhere near as nice as Cedric. Probably not as smart as he is, either. And I hate quidditch. The most common thing I hear from my parents is always "why can't you be more like Cedric?"

Like I said, nauseating.

Thank you, dear," mum said, as Cedric loaded everything else onto the trolley. We all headed into the station.

There were so many people! It was really crowded as we made our way to Platform 9 3\4; we kept bumping into people. Finally we reached the wall between platforms nine and ten.

"Now, Carmen, all you have to do-" mum started, but I cut her off.

"Is go through the wall. Yes mum, I know." I ignored her angry look as I walked calmly towards the wall. It couldn't be all that hard; lots of people did it every year. I was nervous, still, and held my breath as I walked through the wall.

The gleaming scarlet steam engine was the first thing I saw as I passed through the barrier. Then I noticed all the other people around. I could recognize a few such as our neighbours the Weasleys, and the Lovegoods, but most of the people were new to me.

Cedric and mum materialised beside me, and Cedric led me onto the train to find a compartment. After we had stowed all of our things, we exited out on to the platform.

Mum gave us both a quick hug and kissed Cedric on the cheek. "Now, behave yourself, Carmen," she said sternly as every started boarding the train. "Try not to get into any trouble." She turned Cedric. "Watch out for him, okay?"

Cedric just laughed. "Of course mum. You have nothing to worry about. Tell dad we said bye."

"Yes, and he's so sorry he had to miss your first day, Carmen."

Yeah, right. "Sure. Bye mum." I turned and went aboard the Hogwarts Express before mum could say anything else.

A minute later, Cedric caught up with me.

"I have prefect duties to attend to; are you going to be alright?"

I glared at him. "I think I will survive being by myself for a couple of hours. I'm not a child."

Cedric just smiled at me and messed up my hair. "Sure you aren't kiddo. See you later." He turned to head to the front of the train, and looked over his shoulder. "At least try to make some friends." Then he jogged off.

"At least try to make some friends," I mimicked under my breath. Who needs friends? I made my way back to my compartment and flung myself onto the seat. They all treat me like a child. I'll show them. Someday. I pulled out one of my school books, and settled myself for the long trip to Hogwarts.