Author's note: A special thanks to WillowD and RottenTangerine for their support and comments, and to everyone that has left a kudos. Now on to the story.

Dinner was insane. More food than I thought possible filled the tables, from hot dogs to prime steak and everything in between, which was a very good thing since the only food on the train was a sandwich and some snacks, and that was at least five or six hours ago. I should've known there would be dessert, made me wish I saved some room. I still couldn't help but grab a slice of peach pie, but I was unable to finish it. Once the tables were cleared, Professor Dumbledore released us to our house prefects, and the entire student body left for our respective common rooms.

I stood there dumbfounded for a few minutes before I realised that I still had chores to do. I hid my letter and the quill in my secret place in my room, and then started on the dishes. When those were all dried and put away I headed out to the garden to finish pulling weeds for Aunt Petunia's new flower garden she wants me to plant. It was at that time my only friend came up to me. It's sad that at almost 11 years old my only friend is a small garden snake, but she (at least I think it's a she) has been very cuddly since the first time I found her almost three years ago.