Disclaimer: I only own Maria and the plot.

A/N: Special thanks to harrison potter for helping remember some important parts of a story.

Chapter 1: Intrusion

Harry walked into the compartment. Hermione quietly pointed out the girl watching them come in. Harry looked at her. She was in her fifth or sixth by the look of it. She was tall, with black hair and dark green eyes. She had high cheekbones, and a sneer on her face. He knew before he glanced her robes; she was a Slytherin.

"I'm sorry, is this spot taken?" he asked. He tried to conceal the malice in his voice. After all, this Slytherin hadn't done anything to him. Yet.

She had seen the scar when he walked in. She had to get rid of him fast, and the Mudblood Granger too.

"Yah, it is. I'm saving a spot for my friends. Now get your Mudblood out of my compartment." This was a downright lie, of course. She wasn't saving the seats for anyone, but the last person she wanted anywhere near her was Potter.

Before he left, she caught his eye and recognized something in them. Fear, sorrow, loneliness. For a moment, she felt sympathetic. She knew those feeling well. Then he shrugged and left.

Maria shook her head, trying to chase away the idea that Potter and her had a lot in common. She couldn't afford to be anywhere near him, in any way; and sympathy only bring you closer to a person. She thought she had chased those feeling away long ago.

Just as she settled down again, the door opened again, revealing another unwelcome visitor. Draco Malfoy and his cronies Crabbe and Goyle strode in. Maria glanced at the diary in her hand. She had been about to write in it again, but now she put it hurriedly away. You could never know what trouble Malfoy felt like causing.

"Oh look boys, a compartment with just enough room for three more. I'm sure our guest won't mind." Draco smirked at Maria, and she wished she could hex him into oblivion. He couldn't just walk in like everything he touched was his. Unfortunately, this thought slowed her hand, leaving the diary to Draco's peering eyes. And he took the opportunity.

"What's this? A diary? Maybe it has Riddle's crush in it." Malfoy snatched the book and began to open it, while the two bodyguards guffawed. "I'll bet it says Dear Diary, I am desperately in love with Draco Malfoy, I wish he would notice me. I-"

He was cut of when Maria said "It's more likely to say Malfoy's a pathetic loser, I wish I could feed him to a Hungarnian Horntail. Now give it back."

"Now, now; no need to be violent. I think I'll read it before I give it back. Maybe then you'll learn some respect"

Just as he opened it, Maria shouted "Adion Heradatai!" Malfoy fell to the floor, grasping his head. She quickly retrieved the book before the spell wore off. Draco slowly stood up, still wobbling form the effects of the spell.

After he stopped shaking, he glared at Maria. "When I'm through with you, Riddle, you'll be sorry! You'll-"

It was Maria's turn to smirk. "Now, now Malfoy; no need to be violent." She glared at him. "Now get out."

There was poison in his eyes as he left. That girl didn't deserve to be in Slytherin. And he would get that diary. He'd show her...

Maria put her diary away and waited for the train to get to Hogwarts.