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Chapter Three

The first week went by rather quickly. We met all of our professors, went to classes, and my dormmates stayed up late into the night fooling around.

I really wasn't too keen on making friends with them.

The first day there was some excitment, though, when Mad-Eye Moody turned one of the students (Draco Malfoy, a fellow Slytherin, and quite a bratty one too) into a ferret. I don't know what he did, but I don't think anyone is going to get on Moody's bad side anytime soon.

I had successfully avoided Cedric all week; I really did not want to deal with asking how I'm liking school, or if I'm making any friends, or how many times I've gotten lost. He is always so predictable.

It was Saturday, and I was sitting in one of the courtyards doing homework and enjoying the good weather before he found me. I didn't even notice him approaching before he sat down beside me.

"Hey, kiddo," Cedric smiled as he ruffled up my hair. I scowled at him, and he just laughed. "How are you doing?"

I sighed. "I'm doing just fine."

"How's the first week of school been? Have you made any friends?"

So predictable.

"No." I muttered, turning the page in my textbook.

"No?"

I sighed again before looking at him. "No, I haven;t made any friends. I'm more trying to focus on my school work right now." I looked back at my work. "And school has been fine."

It was Cedric's turn to sigh. "You know, Carmen, you can't spend your whole life in seclusion. You have to have some companionship sometime."

I frown, still not looking at him. "Maybe you need companionship, Ced, but I don't. I'm perfectly happy in my lonely existance."

"Somehow I don't believe that, Carmen."

"Well, I don't care what you believe!" I snapped at him, finally looking up.

He just stared at me with a hurt expression.

I felt guilt rush in. Running my hand through my already messy hair, I sighed again. "I'm sorry, Ced. I didn't

mean to snap at you."

He smiled again. "Don't worry about. I just worry about you, kiddo. I'm sure that it's not healthy to spend so much time on your own."

"I'm not alone, Ced, I've got you." Oh Merlin, he's got me saying mushy stuff.

"I won't be around forever."

I rolled my eyes at him. "Fine, I'll try to make friends with the annoying cretins I'm forced to call roommates."

He laughed at that. "Good. Hey, what do you think about the Triwizard Tournament coming here? Pretty neat huh?"

"If you say so," I muttered, returning to my homework. I can feel his stare though, so I look back up at him. "What? You know I hate sports and stuff."

He smiled and shook his head. "I'll never understand why, though. I was thinking of trying out. I should be seventeen then."

I stared at him in shock. "But Ced, people die in those things! You can't do that to Mum and Dad!" I didn't mention, though, that I was scared for him.

He laughed again. I don't understand how he can always be laughing.

"Don't worry Carmen; I'm sure that I won't get it. But I would never forgive myself if I didn't try."

"Hey Cedric!"

We both turned towards the call. A hufflepuff was standing there, waving his arms at us. Well, at Cedric, because no one really cares about me. Except for maybe Cedric.

Cedric waved back to the boy, and stood. "I've got to go, alright?"

I nodded.

"Okay kiddo. I'll see you later." He messed up my hair one more time before running to join his friend.

My brother might be perfect, and our parents might love him more, but I really didn't know what I would do without him.