It's been a week since I started my first year at Hogwarts. I got sorted into Slytherin, big shock! My mom says she's proud of me and that she's sure ill fit right in. I tell her I've made loads of friends and that everyone's kind to me. I hate lying but I know it will only hurt her more if she knew the truth. I sit alone at lunch and breakfast at the end of the Slytherin table every day and I have no friends. I try to stay away from the Great Hall as much as I can; usually I eat in the girl's bathrooms, the one with moaning myrtle. I know gross right? Myrtles not that bad actually, sure she moans a lot but can you blame her? She lives in a toilet for Merlin's sake! She understands. Everyday people look at me and whisper. I hold my head up high and pretend I can't hear them, until I get to the bathroom and then my walls crumble and I sob until there are no more tears.

I haven't spoken to James since the train ride, he's in some of my classes when Gryffindor and Slytherin's have lessons together but he never speaks to me. Sometimes he gives me a small smile if we catch each other's eye but that's it. I have however had the misfortune of talking to his airhead girlfriend. It seems she's made it her life mission to make my life hell. She keeps making jokes about my big hair and my ex-death eater mother. She pushed me down the stairs today, which is why I now have a huge lump and bruise on my head.

Walking into potions class early I take my usual seat at the back in the corner out of everyone's way. Potions is one of the classes I share with the Gryffindor's. I'm excited to see James but I'm scared Lizzie will try to hurt me again. As the rest of the class file in and take their seats I keep my head down hoping to stay unnoticed. But it would seem that today just isn't my day. Someone sits by me and I instantly go rigid. Please don't be Lizzie. I sigh a huge breath of relief when I notice the person sat by me isn't her, however it is a Gryffindor. I don't remember his name but I know he's friends with James. He turns his body towards me on the seat and flashes a toothy grin at me.

"Hi, I'm Tyler Wood. You're Courtney aren't you?"

"Um yeah that's me. Nice to meet you." I smile back hesitantly holding out my hand for him to shake. He chuckles and shakes my hand taking my small hand in his large one.

"So, you any good at potions? Because I suck at it, we will definitely fail if you're not any good!" he laughs.

"Y-you want to be my partner?" I stutter shocked.

"Duh! Come on it'll be fun, I'm really funny and I'm extremely charming" he winks at me when he says the last statement and I can feel the heat coming to my cheeks.

"um ok I guess it would be nice to have a partner for once" I say smiling at him. All the way through potions we talked while brewing our potion. He's really funny, I don't think I've smiled and laughed this much in a long time. He promised he'd be my partner for every potions lesson. We talked about my family and his family. His father used to go to school here too, Oliver Wood. Apparently he was really good at Quidditch and was the Captain. I can tell Tyler loves Quidditch from the way his eyes light up whenever he talks about it. He made me promise to go and watch him try out for the team and I'm so excited. He's my first friend in all my life, and I know we'll be friends for a long time.