Disclaimer: I own any new characters, which is almost everyone. J.K. owns the places and spells, and all the stuff like that

A.N. Hi. This is something new I wanted to try. It's mostly a 1st person view. The beginning seems depressing, but I PROMISE it gets better. Enjoy!

"Alone in the Dark"

Chapter 1

I never wanted to be alone. It's just, always been that way. My parents are both famous Aurors, and hardly ever home. It's always, "We'll be back soon honey. Love you." Then they shut the front door, and I see the sparks and hear the pop as they Apparate somewhere to fight evil. I never know if I am going to see them alive again.

My name's Arianna. I live with my parents and my younger sister, Jane. She's always out with her friends, being the 13-year-old social butterfly she is. I'm 16, and I have no real friends. Hardly anyone ever talks to me. Any girls, anyway. To the boys, I'm just another person on their 'list' of cute girls.

I don't think I'm very cute. I think I'm average looking, but certainly not gorgeous. I have green eyes and black hair. My hair is really wavy, and for the most part, not that frizzy, thank God. I am rather thin, but that's only because sometimes I skip meals. Not intentionally, of course, but where I work, it's nearly impossible to find time to eat. I'm a part-time summer waitress at the Three Broomsticks.

Besides working, during the summer I do my homework. It's not that bad, really. I like Charms the best, but I can't stand Potions. Making the potions isn't that bad at all. It's the teacher, Professor Snape, that no-one can stand, except the Slytherins. I am not a Slytherin, though, so I dislike him.

To get a better idea of what my life is like, let me tell you all about my fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

First off, I never thought the inside of the castle would be so… interesting. I mean, I've always seen the outside of it from my bedroom window in Hogsmede. When I was younger, before bed I would gaze at the moonlight casting shadows on the stone walls. But now, I see the moonlight casting shadows on my house. For the past four years, I have lived in this castle during the school year. But it's not my home.

Not to sound depressing or anything. It's just, no-one speaks to me. I'm not mean or anything- I'm nice, sweet, passionate, and caring. What I suffer from is shyness. It's nearly impossible for me to approach a person. I'm also a bookworm. I always do more homework than needed, and I'm talking about four extra classes than needed, so I hardly have time for a social life anyway.

Anyway…back to my story. It was the beginning-of-the-year feast, and I was sitting at my table, with all of the other Ravenclaws. The whole school went into shock when the Sorting Hat called out my house. My parents were both famous Gryffindors, so everyone expected I would be one too. The food had just appeared at our plates when a voice came from behind me.

"Hey, Potter! Have a nice summer?" I rolled my eyes and turned around in my seat slowly. Just who I thought it was. Akasha Orion.

I used my sweetest voice and lie, "It was lovely Akasha, how about yours?" There was a pause, and I swear, the devil couldn't have looked angrier. Her eyes were practically on fire.

"How many times do I have to tell you to call my Shay?" she said in a menacing tone. Her signature blue and silver flames ignited from her fingertips, measuring about half an inch out.

A hand fell upon her shoulder and the flames ceased. The person kissed her lightly on the cheek, and I stuck my tongue out in disgust. He whispered into her ear, just loud enough for me to hear, "Hey Baby, calm down. It's the first day, and I hate seeing you terrorize someone if I'm not there."

Shay sighed and leaned into my face. "You better watch your back this year, Potter," she hissed, putting a finger in between our faces and letting it ignite once again. "I mean it," she added, standing up. She said to the boy, "Come on Ezzy, let's go enjoy our meal, without any pests." She led him away, and they both walked back over to the Slytherin table.

I rolled my eyes and went back to my plate, which had a healthy serving of mashed potatoes, pork chops, peas, and gravy. I wasn't particularly hungry, but I managed to eat my potatoes and most of the pork chops. People around me chatted and caught up on their summers. There were a couple people sitting near me, but they paid no attention to me. Besides the meal and speeches by the teachers, nothing else happened that night at dinner.

All of us Ravenclaws walked to our familiar territory. Once all of us were in the common room, people began to drift to their dormitories. I was sitting in an armchair, reading the book Quidditch Through the Ages contently. It's one of my favorite books. My favorite part is when they tell of the snidgit, a small golden bird that the players used before the snitch was created.

I was reading for about an hour or so when I sensed someone sitting next to me. So, slowly, I put the book down on my lap, and turned my head towards the person.

All I'm saying is that…WOW! A really cute guy. Wait…why is he sitting next to me? "Hi," I say to him. 'Does he know who I am?' I think to myself. He is really cute.

"Hey. What's up? My name's Christopher."

I thought I was going to die. Some-one actually talked to me. Then, I remembered that I'm on 'the list'. "I'm Arianna, fifth year," I paused, taking in a breath. "How long have you been sitting there?"

Christopher looked taken aback. "Do you not want me to sit here?"

"No, it's okay. Are you new here?"

"Why, yes. I am a transfer student from Durmstrang."

'That explains it,' I thought to myself. "Oh. I was just asking because no-one hardly ever talks to me."

"Why?"

I shifted uncomfortably, and I could feel myself shrink back. "Because, well, I'm considered, well, a um…a freak." I looked down at my lap and began to pick at the binding of my book.

"But you look like such a nice, intelligent person. How come no-one likes you? Why are you thought of as a…freak?" He tilted his head to the side. His eyes showed concern.

I sighed deeply and looked up at him. "I don't know. It could be because I'm a know-it-all. Or because I'm rather shy. I usually keep to myself, reading books and such."

Christopher shrugged. "Sometimes being a know-it-all is a good thing. At least the teachers will like you." He chuckled slightly and his broad shoulders shook. I giggled a bit, and as I did, a girl walked over to be such a player, that I'm so surprised she wasn't put in Slytherin.

"Hey Cutie! What are you talking to her for? Wouldn't you rather talk to me? I could give you a tour, if you know what I mean," she said in a soft, sexy voice. You could tell that she made some, "adjustments" to her uniform. The skirt was unusually high, her shirt was way too tight, and her shoes, instead of being the traditional Mary-Janes, were black leather hooker boots. She sat on the other side of Christopher, and began playing with his hair.

"Actually, I was thinking of asking Arianna for a tour, and not the tour you mean," Christopher answered, pulling Stephanie's hands away from him. I blushed slightly and looked at Stephanie. She looked hurt, but kept trying to persuade him.

"Come on. You know you want to. And why are you talking to her, anyway? She's a weirdo. You can do better," she said pleadingly, still trying to seduce him.

Christopher rolled his eyes and pushed her forcefully. She slunk back into the side of the armchair. "Go find another guy to screw," he said coldly and harshly. Stephanie looked shocked, and she stormed off to the girls' dormitory. I let a giggle escape, and Christopher looked at me again.

"So, would you like to give me a tour of Hogwarts?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of joy. "How about tomorrow after breakfast?"

Christopher started to nod, but then stopped. "Don't we have classes?"

"Oh yeah. I never got to ask you. What year are you?"

"Fifth, I think. I'm fifteen."

"Great! Me too! That means we'll have all of out major classes together."

Christopher's face lit up. "That's awesome! Now at least I'll know someone in all of my classes."

"But, I take a couple of extra classes. So a lot of my free time is spent in another class," I said sadly.

"What other classes are you taking?" Christopher asked, slightly puzzled.

"Nothing complicated, really. Just Muggle Studies, Flying, Divination, and Arithmacy," I said, shrugging.

"Muggle Studies sounds fun," Christopher said thoughtfully. He was about to say something else when the Head of Ravenclaw walked in. It was Professor Dumbledore, the grandson of the old Headmaster.

The new Professor Dumbledore is tall, young, and has a rather long nose. He wears glasses, and has long, billowing robes. All of the students stopped what they were doing and all sat down in any available seat, or stood at the back of the room. People who were in their dormitories came down the stairs. All talking ceased.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. For some of you, this year's the last hurrah. Others, welcome for your first year. I have an announcement to make. For all of you fifth years, we have a new student. He's over…there," he said, as his eyes scanned the room. Once his eyes found Christopher, the students around him parted so that Christopher could walk into the circle. I watched him walk to Professor Dumbledore.

"Hello, Sir," Christopher said simply.

Professor Dumbledore chuckled. "My name's Professor Dumbledore, and you may call me as such. Now, you'll need a tour. Who can give a tour?" He began to search the room.

"But I was going to ask Ari-"Christopher began to say, but he got cut off.

"Professor, I would be honored to give a new student a tour of out lovely school." A voice said from the bottom of the stairs leading to the girls' dormitories. A small group of girls parted to reveal the person who spoke. Ug. I shook my head slowly in disbelief.

"Lovely, Miss Walker. Tomorrow during lunch would be the perfect time," Dumbledore said happily. He patted Christopher on the shoulder and walked back out. While the students began to chatter again, Christopher hurried over to me in disbelief.

"Arianna, this is terrible! Now I have to spend my whole lunch period with her! That's the last thing I want to do."

I stood up and put my book on the armchair. I thought of what to say as I brushed dust off of my skirt. I felt Christopher staring at me again. I stood up straight and walked over right in front of him.

"Is it really that bad?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, not really. It's just that, I'd rather have a tour from you…" Christopher trailed off, speaking in a sad tone.

I blushed furiously and gave a reply. "She'll probably pull you into a corner somewhere, stubborn b."

There was a pause, and we burst out laughing. He stopped before me and said, "I haven't laughed like that for a while."

I managed to say, while ending my laughter, "I don't think I've ever laughed that hard." We were just about to sit down again when a bell rang, signaling that it was time for bed. I sighed. "Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow at breakfast." Christopher nodded, and we both went to our dormitories. I lay on my bed, happy, for a change, because I finally had a friend. Little did I know that someone was planning a terrible fate for me….

A.N. See? I told you that the depressing part would be over. Now, it wasn't that bad, was it? PLEASE review! Thanks! Remember- the more reviews, the faster I'll write my next chapter.