Edit: July 20, 2006

To everyone who just reads the first chapter and judges the story on that:

I worked hard on this, and think that it deserves a chance. I know there are many flaws to it and things that need to be rewritten, but I think that it is good. I'd like to change some things, sure, but I don't have the time or the will to, seeing as I tried to do that (The Leviathan's Strength) a while back, but no one really listened to it. So I'm leaving it as it is and hope that people will actually get past the crappy writing and accept that this was written early on in my writing career and should be considered a "rough" draft, really. My newer pieces are much better and display my talent moreso than this one.

Thank you for reading my little rant and I hope you enjoy "Eternal Silence."

"Is this compartment taken?"

Harry peeked into the last compartment on the Hogwarts Express. To him, it seemed like the population had grown, or there were less people that actually liked him.

A girl in normal clothing was sleeping with her feet on the seat opposite her. She had silver hair, though, which was a bit odd, but it didn't bother Harry.

"We can crash in here, you guys. There's someone in here, but I don't think she'll mind. She doesn't look like a Slytherin."

"She looks like one of those Veela, Harry. I'd rather sit with Loony Lovegood than with a Veela." Ron shuddered at the memory of Fleur as he sat down.

"She's not totally like a Veela, Ron. You should give people chances more often. Remember when we first met?" Hermione said.

"I'm not a Veela. I don't know what they are or why I look like one. Frankly, I don't even know who you lot are."

Ed, who had been standing in the door, was startled by the girl (who was supposedly sleeping) as she spoke. He stumbled backwards out of the compartment and right into the trolley loaded with sweets.

"Her…her mouth didn't move!"

The four looked at the girl, who cocked her head.

"What?" she said. It was true. When she spoke, her lips didn't move.

Harry blinked. "I guess it's okay…it could be worse…"

An light, airy laugh came from her as the others took their treats from the trolley and Ed finally managed to sit down.

"What's the deal with that?"

"I don't talk through my mouth. It's something along the lines of…telekinesis, as you would call it? Though not exactly."

"Um…I don't mean to be rude or anything," said Ron. "But who are you?"

"I'm Aileen Owarii. I'm the new Defense against the Dark Arts teacher."

Everyone stared at her.

"You're a teacher? But…you can't be older than us!" Hermione exclaimed.

"I'm probably not. How old're you guys?"

"Sixteen."

"Then I'm younger than you."

Everyone stared again.

"You aren't sixteen?"

"I'm fifteen. I got my teacher's license this summer."

She held out her hand and a bag of Fritos appeared.

"Wait, how'd you do that?" Ron asked, chewing on a chocolate frog.

"Has to be Alchemy. She's probably like me, a real prodigy, except for the fact no one's ever heard of her," Ed laughed. He never failed to seize the chance to brag, though no one ever noticed.

"It's not."

"Then what is it?"

"Don't worry about it. You wouldn't get it if I told you."

After everyone finished their snacks, Aileen fell asleep again and the others talked for the duration of the trip.

"Should we wake her up?" Hermione asked as the trio stood up to exit the train.

"She's a teacher, right?" Ron said. "She should be fine."

"I'll be okay. Go on ahead," Aileen said, her eyes still closed. The four shrugged and filed out, anxious for their new year to begin.

Yes, Envy will show up sooner or later. It'll just probably be later than sooner. JK. He'll be here in a couple of chapters.

And yes, I have another story pending, but I've already finished this one...I'll finish writing that one as soon as this one's done.