Roughly two weeks later, Carina was packing for Hogwarts. She neatly folded all of her uniforms, packed her wand, and had her Great Horned Owl, Aries, in his cage, but Carina had the feeling that she was missing something.

"Robes? Check. Wand? Check. Owl? Check. Prank Supplies? Check. Normal Clothes? Check. Broom? No.... Oliver would've killed me," Carina muttered as she strode to the Broomshed. Once she arrived, she notcied Draco struggling to carry seven Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones.

"How... am I... supposed.... to carry... all of... these brooms?" Draco panted.

"Oh, poor Draco has too many Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones to carry!" Carina taunted.

"Oh please, you're just jealous," Draco muttered while dropping them all on the ground in defeat.

"You're right, I am. But I still think that Gryffindor can crush your sorry arse," Carina growled.

"We'll see about that," Draco hissed.

"I suppose we will," Carina replied sweetly, then grabbed her single broom and strode back to her bedroom. That evening, Carina could hardly sleep in anticipation to return to her true home. Butterflies fluttered within her stomach as she realized that she could finally be herself again until Christmas Break. Before she even noticed daylight outside, Draco was bursting through her bedroom door and jumped onto her bed.

"Carina, Carina! It's time to go to Hogwarts!" He exclaimed.

"No way, I thought summer just started!" Carina retorted while swatting her brother off the mattress. Draco ran out of her bedroom, and Carina hopped into the shower. She then changed into a simple, knee-length black dress, and pulled her hair into a bun. Within seconds, she was lugging her trunk out of her bedroom, and down the stairs.

"Come along," Narcissa encouraged as she held out her arm for Carina. Carina took her mother's arm, while Draco took his father's, and the four appeared at King's Cross Station. Carina placed Aries and her trunk on a trolley, then began to strut towards Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

"Carina, you first," Lucius ordered. Carina pushed her trolley to face the brick wall, then raced towards it. The Hogwarts Express greeted her eyes, and a smile spread across her face. Within seconds, her family had also gone through the barrier.

"You two remember what we talked about. You both have to be cautious this year. Do you understand?" Narcissa warned.

"Yes, Mother," the siblings replied in unison, then Carina went to hug her parents goodbye.

"I'll see you at Christmas," Carina stated with a smile.

"Yes, yes. I love you, Carina," Narcissa stated as she embraced her daughter tightly.

"I love you too, Mother," Carina whispered.

"Goodbye, Father," Carina bidded as she moved onto Lucius.

"Goodbye, Carina. I expect you to do outstanding at school this year," Lucius reminded as he hugged his daughter.

"Of course, Father," Carina stated. With a final wave, Carina was free from her family. She then scanned the crowd for her favorite redheads, but they were nowhere to be seen. With a shrug, she boarded the Hogwarts Express and searched through the various carriages.

"Oliver!" Carina shrieked when she saw the boy among a group of sixth-years. She practically flung herself at him, leaving everyone within the carriage to send glances her way.

"Carina! Oh, come on," Oliver said as he bidded his friends goodbye and lead her into an empty carriage.

"How was your family? Were they nice to you? What happened with your house elf? Are you okay?" Oliver babbled.

"Calm down! I'm fine! My house elf took my mail, so I wasn't able to reply to anyone! You won't believe what I got though," Carina replied with a grin.

"What'd you get?"

"This," she said as she opened her trunk and pulled out her broom.

"You're kidding!" Oliver gasped as he gingerly took the broom from her hands. He sat there in awe with a Nimbus Two Thousand and One in his hands for nearly ten minutes, before finally saying, "You're a spoiled little prat, you know that right?"

"Of course I know that! But you won't believe what Father bought Draco!" Carina cried.

"How does it get any better than that?" he asked while pointing at her broom.

"He bought them for the entire Slytherin team," Carina muttered grimly.

"WHAT?" Oliver yelled, "YOU'RE JOKING!"

"Nope."

"That's ridiculous..." he muttered as his entire body tensed.

"I know, and Draco hasn't even tried out yet!"

"Absolutely ridiculous," Oliver murmured, "Well, tell your brother that no matter what brooms his rich father buys for their team, Gryffindor will always have more talent than them," Oliver murmured.

"Don't worry, I've already told him that," Carina replied with a smirk.

"That's my girl!" Oliver said as he wrapped an arm around Carina's shoulder. At that moment, Fred and George appeared at the door.

"That's enough touching!" Fred exclaimed while sitting between the two. Oliver simply rolled his eyes, but Carina was ecstatic to see her friends.

"Fred, George, I'm so sorry about my Father!" Carina exclaimed.

"It's fine!" They exclaimed as they hugged her. The three broke apart, before Carina returned to her seat next to Oliver and the Twins sat across from them.

"Why didn't you answer out letters?!" The Twins asked eagerly.

"My house elf took them!"

"That's strange..."

"I know, I wasn't expecting it either. Look what I got, though!" Carina exclaimed as she showed them her broom.

"Woah," the Twins muttered.

"Anyway, how was your summer?" Carina asked playfully.

"Wicked, we had Harry over for break!" George replied

"And we could've had you too, if you'd come with us!" Fred exclaimed.

"I hope you realize that Mother and Father would've disowned me if I did!" Carina shrieked.

"Come with you where?" Oliver asked suspiciously.

"These two decided to show up to my house in the middle of the night with a bewitched car!" Carina exclaimed.

"Why?" Oliver asked.

"She wasn't answering our letters!" the Twins shouted in unison.

"Don't worry, she wouldn't answer mine either," Oliver retorted.

"Oh, I already told you all that my house elf took them!" Carina exclaimed.

-

"Weasley, Ginerva," Professor McGonagall announced. A small, redheaded girl scurried up to the stool, and the hat barely touched her head as it announced "GRYFFINDOR!" All of the Weasley children erupted in applause as she ran to join the table.

"Nice job, Ginny!" the Twins exclaimed, patting their little sister on the back. A grin spread across her face, but immediately went away when she noticed Carina.

"Nice job!" Carina encouraged but Ginny only gave her a halfhearted smile in return.

"I reckon she's just shy," Fred muttered. Carina nodded hesitantly, then continued to eat her food.

"Has anyone seen Harry and Ron?" Hermione asked as she walked past the fourth-years.

"Ron was following us earlier, he should be around here somewhere," George replied through a mouth full of bread. With a concerned expression, Hermione nodded and moved on to interrogate the next group.

Later that evening, Carina sat between the Twins in the Gryffindor Common Room, planning their first prank of the year.

"Definitely on first years," George added.

"I agree, and it should involve fireworks!" Fred exclaimed.

"We should put fir- Harry? Where've you been?!" Carina asked as she saw the boy trudge into the common room.

"There you are! Where have you been? The most ridiculous rumors - someone said you'd been expelled for crashing a flying car -" Hermione began, but was cut off by Harry.

"Well, we haven't been expelled," Harry pointed out. Carina's mouth dropped as she glanced at the Twins, who also appeared in shock.

"He took the car?" Carina whispered to the Twins.

"Wicked," the Twins replied.

"Brilliant!" Lee yelled, "Inspired! What an entrance! Flying a car right into the Whomping Willow, people'll be talking about that one for years -"

"Why couldn't we've come in the car, eh?" Fred and George asked as they got up from their seats. Carina nodded in agreement, wishing she had been there to see that. Harry and Ron didn't bother responding as they scurried to their dormitories.

-

The next morning, Carina sat between the Twins at the Great Hall, piling eggs onto her plate. They were preparing for their first day of lessons, which included Potions with the Slytherins and Transfiguration with the Hufflepuffs.

"Ginny! Want to sit with us?" George asked as he saw his little sister walking into the Great Hall. With a glance at Carina, her eyes widened, and she shook her head vigorously before sprinting away.

"I suppose I should introduce myself," Carina murmured to the Twins. She didn't bother waiting for a response as Carina chased after the girl.

"Ginny! Wait!" Carina cried, but Ginny didn't stop for anyone. They ran through a variety of twists, turns, and doorways, before Carina realized that Ginny had no idea where she was going. Eventually, Carina caught her in a dead end.

"Ginny... Hi.... I didn't mean... to.... scare you," Carina panted. Ginny simply stood there in terror.

"I suppose chasing after you wasn't the best introduction, but I'm Carina. I swear I'm not like my family, I hope you realize that," Carina stated with her hand out. Ginny stared at her hand.

"Listen, I get it, my family is scary, but it really isn't fair to judge me by them," Carina continued, "and if you ever need anything, like anyone to talk to, then I'm here for you, okay? I know what it's like to grow up with brothers," Carina added with a smile.

"Not six of them," Ginny muttered.

"I suppose you're correct, but still, I'm here for you," Carina stated. Ginny simply nodded, then pushed past Carina once the bell rang. I suppose I should befriend her before warning her, Carina thought. She then walked to her Potions class, and plopped into a seat next to Fred.

"How'd it go?" He asked.

"Terrible. She hardly spoke to me at all," Carina sighed.

"Oh, don't worry, she's just shy with people she doesn't know. Anyway, you missed a Howler from Mum. She sent it to Ronald, and she was furious... I must admit, I'm glad I didn't receive that," Fred declared. Carina was about to reply, but Professor Snape burst into the room.

"Turn to page five hundred and forty-three," Professor Snape ordered. The class did as they were told, and began brewing their first potion of the year.

-

"Good to see you all here, bright and early!" Oliver chirped as the team got ready in the changing rooms.

"May I ask why you have us here so early?" Carina asked with a yawn. Both Twins nodded in agreement as they leaned against Carina's shoulders.

"We have a brand new strategy for this year!" Oliver exclaimed, while everyone else groaned with exhaustion, "Oh, don't be like that! Come on, get changed!"

Carina decided it best to listen to her boyfriend as she pulled on her Quidditch robes.

"There you are, Harry, what kept you?" Wood asked, but didn't bother to listen for a response as he continued to lecture, "Now, I wanted a quick talk with you all before we actually get onto the field, because I spent the summer devising a whole new training program, which I really think will make all the difference..." Wood began to explain a variety of new tactics for the game, putting the team into an even deeper sleep than they were before. He lectured for nearly an hour, drawing marks in various boards, and putting arrows across them to signify different plays.

"Carina! CARINA!" Oliver shouted as he shook the girl awake. Carina slowly opened her eyes, only to realize she had fallen face first onto the concrete floor.

"Huh.... oh... sorry," she muttered as she regained awareness. Oliver shot a furious glance at her, before walking out of the room. The team followed suit. Once outside, Carina mounted her broom and began flying with the Twins.

"It's amazing to be flying again," Carina stated as she raced Fred and George.

"Right you are, Malfoy," George hollered at her.

"Hey, what's that funny clicking noise?" Fred asked suspiciously. The three turned, and saw a small, blonde haired boy taking pictures of them from the stands.

"Look this way, Harry! This way!" the boy orderded.

"Harry, do you know him?" Carina asked.

"Nope."

"What's going on?" Wood questioned as he flew over to them, "Why's that first year taking pictures? I don't like it. He could be a Slytherin spy, trying to find out about our new training program."

"He's in Gryffindor," Harry replied.

"And the Slytherins don't need a spy, Oliver," George muttered.

"What makes you say that?" Wood inquired suspiciously.

"Because they're here in person," George replied as he pointed to the Slytherin team emerging from the locker rooms.

"I don't believe it! I booked the field for today! We'll see about this!" Wood shrieked as he shot towards them with his team on his tail.

"Flint! This us our practice time! We got up specially! You can clear off now!" Wood demanded in a furious fashion. Marcus Flint, the Slytherin Captain, towered over Oliver.

"Plenty of room for all of us, Wood," Flint replied with the smile of a troll. Carina watched Oliver's face turned a deep shade of red.

"But I booked the field! I booked it!" Oliver shrieked. At this point, his arms were swinging in rage.

"Ah, but I've got a specially signed note here from Professor Snape. 'I, Professor Snape, give the Slytherin team permission to practice today on the Quidditch field owing to the need to train their new Seeker.'" Marcus Flint pointed out.

"Wow, I didn't know trolls could read," Carina muttered.

"Oh, stay out of this, Carina. You've got a new Seeker? Where?" Wood asked. The Slytherin team shuffled, to reveal the one and only, Draco Malfoy.

"Yes, we have a new Seeker, and look what his father bought us," Marcus stated as the entire team held out their brand new, sparkling, Numbus Two Thousand and Ones.

"Very latest model. Only came out last month. I believe it outstrips the old Two Thousand series by a considerable amount. As for the old Cleansweeps - sweeps the board with them," Marcus Flint bragged boldly as he motioned towards the Weasley Twins, who both clutched Cleansweep Fives.

"Too bad the older Malfoy isn't on our team, she'd fit in well," Adrian Pucey commented with a smirk as he motioned towards Carina's broom.

"I'd rather be on the winning team, thanks," Carina retorted with narrowed eyes.

"Oh, look, a field invasion," Flint said with a smirk. The Gryffindor team all turned to see Hermione and Ron marching across the field.

What's happening? Why aren't you playing? What's he doing here? Ron muttered when he arrived while nodding towards Draco.

"I'm the new Slytherin Seeker, Weasley. Everyone's just been admiring the brooms my Father's bought out team," Draco sneered as he held out his broom. Ron's jaw dropped when he read the model.

"Good, aren't they? But perhaps the Gryffindor team will be able to raise some gold and get new brooms, too. I doubt Father will buy your team these, sister, but you could raffle off those Cleansweep Fives; I expect a museum would bid for them," Draco said as his team roared with laughter.

"At least no one on the Gryffindor team had to buy their way in. They got in on pure talent," Hermione replied sharply.

"No one asked your opinion, you filthy little Mudblood," Draco spat. Carina noticed that Fred and George shot towards Draco, but Flint blocked them.

"How dare you," Ron gasped, then pulled out his wand, "you'll pay for that one, Malfoy!" He stormed wildly towards Carina's brother. Carina watched as a thundering bang echoed throughout the stadium, and a bolt of green light backfired from his wand, hitting him directly in the stomach. Hermione rushed to his side, and Ron looked as if he were about to speak. Instead of words, several slugs erupted from his mouth. The Slytherin team howled in laughter as Harry and Hermione rushed to his side.

"You are all dreadful. little. BASTARDS! How DARE you laugh at someone who is puking SLUGS?! That is simply BARBARIOUS!" Carina shrieked as she strutted towards her brother and slapped him in the face with all of her might before anyone could stand in her way. Draco fell to the ground from the force of the hit, and as Carina was about to lunge towards her brother again, a pair of arms wrapped around her waist.

"Carrie!" Oliver whispered in her ear as he held her.

"Let me GO! He can't get away with that!" Carina demaned as she struggled in Oliver's grasp, but the boy wouldn't let go.

"You're going to regret this later," Oliver murmured as he struggled to maintain his grip. Carina freed herself, and began to march towards her brother again, but this time the Twins and Oliver restrained her.

"Carina, calm down," Fred whispered. Carina looked him in the eye and realized her mistake immediately.

"Sorry... I'm sorry," she whispered to her friends as she gained control over her temper. They nodded, then slowly released her, unsure whether she would charge again or not.

"I recommend you get a leash for that beast!" Flint hollered over his shoulder as the Slytherin team went towards the Quidditch pitch. Carina narrowed her eyes at the team, before grabbing her broom from the ground and stalking to the dressing room in frustration. Both Oliver and the Twins chased after her, but ultimately it was Oliver who entered the room.

"Carrie?" Oliver asked gently as he padded into the room. Carina didn't respond when he sat next to her and took her hand with his.

"It's okay, you know... to go off like that... I mean, it isn't preferred, but it's good to know how much you care about your teammates," Oliver said, "and I guess the situation is different when it's your own sibling."

"I just don't understand why he has to talk to people like that," Carina said as her voice cracked. She was trying her best not to burst into tears, but it clearly wasn't working out for her.

"I suppose it's just how he was raised," Oliver commented hesitantly.

"But I was raised the same way, and I didn't turn out like that! I can't stand it, Oliver, to see my own brother hurting people like that. He doesn't even realize how bloody rude he is!" Carina exclaimed, "I know, I'm pathetic. Constantly crying like this, and going to slap my brother all the time, but I just can't stand when he acts like that! People think that I'm some sort of animal because of the way my family acts! Ginny Weasley won't even make eye contact with me!" Carina cried, this time allowing tears to spill.

"Carina, that isn't the case at all. No one in your grade considers you an animal, and the only people who judge you off of your family are the ones who neither know you nor deserve you," Oliver stated while looking directly into Carina's eyes and wiping the tears from her cheeks. Carina nodded slowly, before pulling Oliver into a tight embrace.

"Thank you," Carina whispered into his ear.

"Uh, Carrie, hate to ruin the moment but, uhm... there's a visitor here for you," Fred said from the door of the locker room. Carina regathered her emotions, then strollled out the door to see Professor McGonagall.

"Malfoy, you'll be serving a weeks worth of detention with Professor Lockhart," Professor McGonagall declared.