Project 0.4 (Title in progress)

**Chapter 1**

“Good luck, bud.” I smiled as my father pulled me into his warm embrace, I could feel the studs on his dragon-hide jacket pressing into my stomach as he squeezed me tightly. “I’ll miss you, dad.” I murmured.

My father was a dragon trainer; he often wore such outfits including dragon-hide to protect himself from burns, though he still often had burns on his arms, face and neck when he came home.

“I’ll miss you too, don’t get in too much trouble, especially with those Weasley friends of yours.” He warned teasingly. He had never met the Weasley twins before, but by the stories I had told every summer, he had fallen in love with them.

I glanced at the Hogwarts Express, a bright red steam engine which took students, and sometimes Professors, to Hogwarts.

“Bye.” I whispered, tearing up. I hugged my father once more before climbing up into the train, dragging my trunk behind me.

          I found myself an empty compartment, after I threw my luggage on the overhead compartment I sat down, waving goodbye to my father as the train started to move.

Once he was out of view I slumped against my seat, frowning unhappily.

“Aw, turn that frown upside down.-““And smile!” Two voices echoed as the door slid open. I perked up instantly, smiling brightly as my two favourite twins plopped themselves down opposite of me.

“How was your summer, Fred, George?” I questioned, cocking my head to the side. They sighed collectively, slumping their shoulders. “We got grounded for the entire summer.” Fred grumbled, crossing his arms. “-All for playing a prank on Percy.” George grumbled, equally upset.

“What did you do?” I questioned. They exchanged looks. “We, er-..”  George started but paused. “What my darling twin is trying to say, we uh...” Fred paused. “We basically drowned Perce’s report for the Ministry.” Fred mumbled.  “Yeah, he had to re-write it... But c’mon! De-gnoming the garden everyday all summer is unfair!” George complained.

          I cracked a smile. “Well, at least other than that you’ve had a good summer, correct?” I shrugged weakly. “True. But what did you do for summer?”

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I glanced at the penetrating gazes. I had never been one to share much about myself besides the basics; they had always tried to get me to tell them about myself and such since my second year.

“Erm-“I nearly choked myself on my forming tears. What had I done this summer? Well, I cared for my late mother while he was romping about freely with no care in the world while his family were struggling to keep his mother alive. My father had given him a blast at the end of the funeral, causing him to disappear again before I had gotten to talk to him.  

“Well my father taught me how to train the Green Scaled-Fire Back over the summer.” I shrugged. It was the truth; I had learned how to train this specific breed over the summer. Their eyes lit up at this information, as it always did when I mentioned dragons. And so we collapsed into a full-blown topic of dragons until I had fallen asleep hours later.

~*~

          I felt myself being carried as I neared consciousness, opening my eyes I tilted my head upwards to be greet by Fred Weasley’s smiling face.

“Hey.” I croaked. Wow, I needed water. “The train barely stopped, just gettin’ to the carriages now.” George answered my unsaid question. Nodding I gestured to be let down, stumbling on my feet as I blinked groggily.

 “Is Princess finally awake?” A mocking voice called. I scowled, ignoring the infuriating Slytherin. “I’m speaking to you, Silver!” he yelled out snottily, this comment was followed by a rude gesture on my end.

George and Fred snorted in laughter, pulling me along with them towards the carriages. I stopped short, seeing for the first time what looked to be a demon-horse like creature.

Blinking, I approached the carriages. “What’s that?” I questioned, gesturing to the creature. Both Fred and George frowned. “You must have something in your eye-“Fred began. “-Because we see nothing...” finished George. This caused me to frown.

Was I going insane?

I remained silent for the rest of the carriage ride, mulling over my thoughts.

“Hello. Harry, Ron, Hermonie.” I acknowledged as I plopped down beside them, commotion wild in the Great Hall as we all indulged in our meals. They chorused similar greetings.

I watched from the corner of my eye as Hermonie eyed me. “Amanda, are you ill?” she blurted out. I turned my head to look at her, hoping my eyes gave away nothing. “Yeah, now that you mention it, Amanda is looking skinnier...” Harry poked my ribs, causing me to squirm.

          Since my mother’s death I had lost a fair amount of weight, I hadn’t noticed until recently that my diet had decreased.

“I-I’m fine. But er- Harry can I talk to you later? Alone?” Despite how I thought I was crazy I realized Harry must have gone through some stranger things. “Sure.” Harry shrugged.

Luckily Dumbledore introduced the newest staff member, Professor Umbridge, who immediately began boasting about the Ministry.

I ignored her, focusing my gaze on my plate.

Was I going crazy?