Spiteful Pleasure
Chapter One: Homesick and Hopeful

She looked out the window, staring thoughtlessly into the sky. The sky outside was cloudy and gray, much reminding her of her father's eyes. Oh how she missed him. She grew homesick fairly quickly, as she had only been on the train for a few hours, and already she felt like crying. What if something happened to her parents? The entire wizarding world knew that Voldemort was back again, and it was only a matter of time before he struck out. What if he had some grudges against her parents from when they were in school together? Her eyes became watery. She knew Voldemort and her father had been friends, perhaps Voldemort was angry at her father for not returning to him to follow him as a Death Eater? What was going to happen? The possibilities scared her significantly, and tears began to run down her face. She was staring out the window, helplessly crying, when the door to her train compartment slid open. She was no longer alone.

"Hey Kimball-Oh what's wrong?" said one of her friends, a girl with strawberry blonde hair, and ocean blue eyes. The girl rushed to Kimball's side, hoping to cheer up her close friend.

"Hi Collette," she said, furiously trying to dry her eyes and wipe away any evidence of tears, "Oh, you know how I get, I'm just homesick, I'm sure I'll get over it. I mean, I always do." said Kimball, with an air of confidence. But inside, she knew she wouldn't get over it. This year was different-all her past years going to Hogwarts, Voldemort had been nearly deceased. Voldemort was now back in power. However, Kimball was very good at faking confidence, as she had been on edge since Voldemort came back, nearly three months ago.

"I'm sure you'll start feeling better once you get some food. I just love the food at Hogwarts-it's all tastes like it's from some nice restaurant. And the best part is-it's free!" stated Collette with a look of anxiousness on her face, as she hungrily awaited the feast.

"Yep, the food sure is great." Kimball forced out. She wasn't into this conversation. The thought of Voldemort being back was still on her mind.

"Well, I'll see you once we get there. Shouldn't be too long, only about fifteen minutes, I think." said Collette. With that, she gave Kimball a hug and walked out of the compartment, saying a quick "bye", and closed the door. Kimball could see out into the hallway. She watched as Collette met up with two of her other friends, a girl with brunette hair and equally brown eyes named Laurel, and a light-brown haired girl with the name of Tilly. Neither of the girls stopped in to say 'Hi' to Kimball, but she was okay with that. In fact, she was quite used to it now, as none of her friends had written to her over the summer, with the exception of Collette.

Tilly and Laurel, what a funny pair.Tilly is so eccentric, she doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. Maybe that's a good way to go. Laurel, gosh, could she spend any MORE time in front of the mirror? Seriously, spending all that time worrying about how she looks, when there is no time left for anyone to look at her, once she's finally left her reflection. Yet somehow, they are best friends. I just don't understand. Oh well..

Her thoughts drifted back to Voldemort and her parents, and her eyes became watery again. But her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the whistle of the train, the Hogwarts Express. We must be at school, finally. She thought to herself. She picked up her trunk and opened her compartment door. She exited the train and looked up at the castle. It seems so much smaller than last year. Maybe I've just grown.. she picked up her trunk and followed the rest of her classmates, almost in a day dream. Maybe I'll make some new friends this year…or maybe my friends will start to notice me.. She was very sick of being left out by her friends. She didn't even know why she called them her friends. They were in her house and in her year. But why did that automatically mean they were friends? I need some guy friends.. She laughed at the thought that came to her mind. What her friends called guys. Slytherin frys.. She didn't understand why they called them 'frys', maybe it was just a codename or something. No one had bothered to tell her.