Hello again! I don't have much to say about this chapter, but if you want to find out what happened while Carlie was changing into her school robes, the conversation is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the chapter "The Prince's Tale". Also, a huge thank you to chippr12 and Olive Butter for their support. Thanks and, without further ado, Chapter 2!

Woah. I'm cool. That rhymed.


I hugged my knees to my chest inside the small train compartment inside the Hogwarts Express. The section was empty apart from me, and the chattering students hurrying past in the halls didn't look like they planned on sitting down near me. I didn't understand why I was feeling so shy; I'm shy, not at all. I socialize with everyone, and make friends with anyone I meet. So why was I so scared?

It most likely had to do with the fact that I was on my way to a school for magic, where I would be taught spells with other children my age. And not just children: wizards. I barely knew what to expect. It was a disturbing thought, to go to school with no idea what I might learn. I was usually prepared for school. I excelled in schoolwork, I always had. I usually didn't have trouble making friends either. 'I shouldn't be nervous,' I thought to myself. 'I shouldn't be scared.'

Of course, I was.

Suddenly, two boys slid into the compartment, not noticing me. I was used to that. My petite frame always keeps me hidden, but when I speak I have an infectious laugh and a voice that makes you want to smile. That voice is hard not to notice, but as I was silent for once, the rambunctious boys didn't notice me.

"What's your name? I'm James Potter, and I just know I'll play Seeker for the Gryffindor team this year. I don't care about the rules, they'll make an exception for me, I know they will." The words were spoken in a breath by a mischievous looking boy with extremely messy hair, but they weren't addressed to me. James Potter was speaking to a tall, dark haired boy who had walked in with him.

"I'm Sirius Black, and with an attitude like that you'll definitely play for Gryffindor. Only Gryffindor team could handle that kind of ego. Not that I don't have one just like it." Sirius's words may have been serious, but they were spoken with an air of joking playfulness. I laughed, though I didn't understand most of what had been said.

Sirius and James both turned to her. "Hi," I said, my previous fears floating away as I introduced herself, "I'm Carlie Reese, and I have absolutely no clue what you two are talking about." I beamed happily at them. "I don't know much about the Wizarding World. Apparently my mom was a witch but-"

"You're American?" asked the hazel-eyed James, ever so blunt. I laughed. "Yes, I'm American." That was another fear I had had about Hogwarts; my accent was still recognizable from my ten years of living in Texas. Apparently, there were few Americans at Hogwarts.

Sirius, who had flopped himself down on a seat, glanced over at me. "I've never met an American." I rolled my eyes, but in a friendly way. "We aren't that interesting. But what's 'Gryffindor'?"

Within seconds, James was off, explaining the different Houses of Hogwarts and Quidditch, which was apparently one of James's favorite things to talk about. Of course, he did seem to enjoy talking about anything.

"Now a Keeper's job is to guard the-" James was cut off as the glass door slid apart and a sniffling girl with a beautiful dark red mane of hair hurried into the compartment. Her face was painted with sadness, and despair was written across her small forehead. I immediately lost interest in the rules of Quidditch. There was work to be done.

"Hi," I said with a soft smile as she sat next to me. "I'm Carlie."

The girl looked over at me, tears in her emerald green eyes. "Lily," she whispered. The boys obviously didn't know what to make of Lily. She was obviously beautiful, but eleven-year-old boys don't know what to do when there are crying, upset girls.

"Are you excited to go to Hogwarts, Lily?"

Lily just started to cry harder. I was shocked. I was usually good at cheering people up, I felt terrible, like I had failed. Unfortunately, Sirius and James wanted to help.

"Scoot over, Carlie," said Sirius. "I'll talk to her." He motioned for me to move aside: I didn't.

"Oh no you don't. Both of you will make things much worse. So go sit and talk while I go change into my school robes," I ordered them. I knew what this poor girl Lily needed: time. Time to think and time to be left alone. That was what she was going to get.

I left the compartment and headed to the restrooms to change into my new black robes I had bought at Diagon Alley with Ralph. It had been quite the trip. I felt the wand in the back pocket of my jeans; Chestnut and dragon heartstring, 12 ½ inches, flexible. It felt so comfortable between my fingers.

Once I had changed my clothes, I walked back to the compartment I had been sharing. I was about to open the sliding door when an angry Lily burst into the hallway, accompanied by a skinny, greasy-haired boy I hadn't seen before. James and Sirius's hysterical laughter was loud through the glass. I sighed inwardly, and then stepped inside the small room.

"What did you two do?"