"Yeah."

Harry sat down next to Ron as Mariane and Hermione took their seats across from them.

"Is it bad?"

"Bad? Of course it's bad! Some stupid mugger practically stole our house!"

Gulping, Harry answered gently. "I'm sorry, Ron."

Ron didn't answer, but only stared out the window irritably.

"So, you're here for the foreign exchange program aren't you, Mariane?" asked Hermione.

Nodding, Mariane answered, "Yeah, my best friend Rosie and I signed up. She's from Beauxbatons. I used to go there, but then I moved to the US. I had to transfer."

"Oh, yeah, they visited Hogwarts last year for the tournament."

"Yeah, she told me! I heard it was wicked fun." Mariane smiled. "She should be here soon!"

Harry sat next to Ron in bother, not knowing what to make out of the situation.

"They stole everything, Harry!" Ron shouted out of nowhere.

Just sitting there, Harry listened to his friend.

Lowering his tone, Ron went on. "My parents were already on a tight budget this year with our trip to Romania and now this."

"I'm sure everything will be okay, Ron. What did they take?"

"Like I said before, pretty much everything. School stuff, pictures, and some of my dad's old stuff from when he was at Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. Changing the subject, he turned to Mariane. "Oh, I forgot to introduce you to my friend, Ron. Ron, this is Mariane. Mariane, Ron."

"Nice to meet you," Ron said, still looking out the window.

"You too."

Mariane looked at Harry and he shook his head.

"Mariane!!!" A voice rang out.

Shooting crazily up from her seat, Mariane hugged a girl standing at the door of the compartment.

"Ah! You're here! You're here!" the girl screamed.

"You guys, this is Rosie! The one I told you about!"

Rosie was a slim girl with long dark hair, and big brown eyes that completely took over Harry as he smiled at her.

"Rosie, this is Hermione, Ron, and Harry."

As she bit her lip, she shook Harry's hand and like her best friend, blushed madly.

Harry was beginning to like the new foreign exchange program, for he had found Mariane and Rosie quite stunning. He shifted closer to Ron, leaving Rosie room to sit.

The rest of the train ride passed in awkwardness. For one thing, Ron was as crabby as could be, and for another, Hermione could clearly tell that Harry was entirely in the clouds with Rosie and Mariane.

When they arrived at Hogwarts, Hermione guided everyone to the carriages and they were soon sitting in the Great Hall waiting for the Sorting Ceremony to start.

"Welcome," Professor Dumbledore started. "I am sure you are all aware of new foreign exchange program we are supporting. And now, at this time, I would like to call all the new exchange students and the first years to the front."

Mariane and Rosie got up and walked to the front of the hall nervously, hoping that they would get in the same house as their new friends.

As Professor McGonagall called off the names of the new students, Rosie and Mariane stood there nervously, waiting for their turn.

"Jones, Mariane?"

Anxiously, Mariane made her way to the stool where the Sorting Hat sat and sat down.

"Hmmm. You have intellect and plenty of bravery. Hmm.this is difficult. Let's see. Ravenclaw!"

Her heart dropped in disappointment, but she smiled as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table, Harry's eyes following her as she walked.

The list continued and soon it was Rosie's turn to be sorted.

"Okay. You have a great deal of courage and loyalty. This is tough one, but I'd have to say. Gryffindor!"

Beaming, Rosie skipped to the Gryffindor table. Even though she wasn't in the same house as her best friend she looked on the bright side and grinned madly.

When everyone was sorted into their houses, the feast began. Delicious food filled the golden plates and the goblets filled with pumpkin juice. Everyone stuffed their faces. It even seemed to cheer Ron up.

"Harry!" It was Michael; he was sitting a few seats down from him, next to a girl with strawberry-blonde hair and gleaming blue eyes, that was most likely his girlfriend he had talked about.

Harry got up and walked over to him. "Hey, Michael. Is this your girlfriend? It's Skylar, right?"

Michael nodded. "Skylar, this is Harry, the one I told you about."

"Hi, Harry! Nice to meet you."

Smiling Harry let them return to their meal. "I'll see you guys later."

A tapping noise came from Dumbledore's glass.

"Attention students, seeing as though this is another very special year, the teachers of Hogwarts and I have decided to hold another Ball this year. It will take place again during Christmas time. I hope you will all enjoy it."

Dumbledore continued, making sure everyone knew the rules and expectations.

Harry was looking forward to the new year, he had already made many new friends and he was just overall enjoying it. Little did he know that this year would be a peculiar year.