Harry Potter and Ron Weasley stepped off the train alone when they arrived at Hogwarts. Carmen had left the compartment with a muggleborn girl named Hermione Granger, who had been looking for someone named Neville's toad. The two had hit it off well, and Harry's cousin had cheerfully abandoned the two boys.
When they saw the castle, they were glad Carmen was not with them, for she surely would have laughed herself silly at the look on the boys' faces.
***
"Adia, Carmen!" was the first name to be called. There were whispers throughout the Great Hall. Carmen Adia had been in the Daily Prophet for the last few days, stories of a heartbroken girl plastered on the front page. There was barely a moment's hesitation before the Sorting Hat yelled.
"GRYFFINDOR!!!"
***
After a long sorting that ended with Zabini, Blaise, in Slytherin, Albus Dumbledore climbed to his feet. "There is a time for talk, but, alas, this is not it. LET THE FEAST BEGIN!"
***
Quite a while later, the students tramped off to their dormitories, incredibly sleepy and well fed. Carmen hugged Harry goodnight when she reached the staircase, eyes drooping.
"N-Night, Haaaary." she slurred lazily, stumbling upstairs.
A/N: Okay, okay, I know! It was Majorly short, but I wanted to get them off to sleep and everything, because next chapter is the first few weeks of school, which makes it really long. Unfortunately, it also means that it'll take a while. Thanks to moony*padfoot for your review!
Tanydwr and Thriodien: the way Harry survived is a mystery to all except me. You'll find out later, when they do!