"Wake up Carina! We're going to Diagon Alley today!" her younger brother, Draco, shouted. With him entering his first year, this was his first time shopping for his own Hogwarts supplies and she couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. 

"I might actually get out of bed if you get off of me," Carina warned, and with that Draco leapt from her bed and bounded out of the room. Ever so lazily, she clambered out of bed and stalked down the cold, stone steps of Malfoy Manor. As she walked into the large, dim kitchen, she noticed her favorite house elf, Dobby, cooking breakfast.

"Good morning Mistress, would you like something to eat?"

"That'd be amazing," Carina mumbled while wiping her sleepy eyes. Dobby began piling bacon and eggs onto her plate, which she gladly devoured when h placed it before her at the table. As she finally adjusted to her surroundings, she noticed that Lucius and Narcissa were nowhere in sight.

"Dobby, do you know where Mother and Father have gone?" Carina asked through a mouthful of bacon.

"Yes, Mistress, they have gone to discuss 'private matters' with a visitor."

"Visitor? Who's visiting us?"

"Dobby has been ordered not to tell anyone."

"Please?"

"Dobby must follow Master's orders," he answered, leaving Carina pouting as she ate her breakfast. Why would anyone be visiting us this early in the morning? She soon shrugged the question off and handed her dirty plate to Dobby. Carina then walked to her personal bathroom and began preparing for the day.

A little while later, Carina grabbed onto her mother's arm and she felt a familiar sickness spread throughout her body as they apparated to Diagon Alley. Upon arriving, Carina scanned her third year list, noticing that she only required new books.

"Mother, I only need books... Could I please shop for a broomstick while Draco gets his supplies?" Carina begged with puppy eyes.

"I think it would be best that you remain with Draco," Narcissa whispered.

"But Mother, you let me go shopping alone last year!"

"Yes, but this year is... different. I'm not going to argue with you, Carina. You are to remain with Draco for the day and we will all go to purchase a broom when the time comes," Narcissa muttered, earning a glare from Carina. She had wanted to see her best friends, Fred and George, at least once during the summer and this was her only chance.

"Why is this year any different?"

"Carina, I believe your mother has made it quite clear that you are to remain with Draco today," Lucius hissed. Carina nodded grimly, then followed Draco up the cobblestone walkway to Madam Malkin's while their parents went elsewhere. Once inside, a plump woman began measuring Draco intently while Carina sat in a chair and watched with a spiritless expression. After awhile, Carina could hear the bell ring again in the front of the shop. Madam Malkin left another woman to pin Draco's robes while she scurried to the front of the store. Carina listened to their heavy footsteps on the creaky, wooden floor as they walked to the back of the shop.

"Hogwarts, dear?" Madam Malkin asked, hardly giving the boy a chance to speak before leading him to a stool. Draco quickly immersed himself in a conversation with the boy, if one could even call it that. The poor kid probably just wants to be left alone, Carina thought.

"Draco, perhaps you should lay off for a bit and let the women concentrate so they don't prick you both," Carina muttered. Draco sent her a glare before continuing his inquiries. Carina simply rolled her eyes, earning a small smile from the other boy.

"I say, look at that man!" Draco exclaimed with his index finger pointing directly out the window. Carina swiftly turned her head and spotted the Hogwarts gameskeeper, Hagrid, holding two gigantic melting ice creams that trickled down his monstrous hands.

"That's Hagrid, he works at Hogwarts," the boy added, seeming rather proud  of himself to contribute something to the conversation. 

"Oh, I've heard of him. He's a sort of servant, isn't he?"

"Draco!" Carina scorned. 

"He's the gameskeeper," the boy muttered sadly.

"Yes, exacly. I heard he's a sort of savage-"

"Draco, don't be rude!" Carina snapped. The black-haired boy gave her a small nod, then added, "I think he's brilliant."

"Do you?" Draco sneered in disgust, "Why is he with you? Where are your parents?" Carina facepalmed in her chair. 

"They're dead."

"Oh, sorry, but they were our kind, weren't they?" Carina's fists clenched tightly as she wrapped her ankles around the chair to restrain herself. Why does he have to be like this? she asked herself.

"They were a witch and wizard, if that's what you mean."

"I really don't think they should let the other sort in, do you? They're just not the same, they've never been brought up to know our ways. Some of them have never even heard of Hogwarts until they get the letter, imagine. I think they should keep it in the old wizarding families. What's your surname, anyway?" Draco rambled.

She was going to tell Draco to lay off again, but luckily Madam Malkin dismissed the boy, allowing him to dash out of the shop.

"I suppose you can leave as well," the woman pinning Draco's robes sighed. Carina handed her a few Galleons, then dragged her brother from the shop.

"Draco, why'd you interrogate the poor boy?"

"Just trying to make friends, Carrie!"

"Yes, interrogations make wonderful friends. Can you take any social cues? You were clearly making that poor kid upset!"

"Now Carina, why are you shouting at your brother?" Lucius sneered as he walked up from behind. Carina felt her heart drop and sent a glare in Draco's direction. He was beaming.

"Sorry Father," Carina muttered, before continuing down the path. For the rest of their day, the Malfoys strutted around Diagon Alley, frightening anyone who interfered with their shopping spree. She had always hated how intimidating her family was. Unlike her parents, Carina didn't hold herself above everyone else, and to her blood status was just a name. 

After hours of following her parents around, the family finally walked to Quality Quidditch Supplies to purchase Carina's broomstick. Much to her annoyance, Lucius wouldn't let her try out last year for academic reasons, but she intended on trying out this year. As they approached the store, Carina noticed a herd of students with their rosy face's pressed against the window, clearly admiring the Nimbus Two Thousand.

"Father, could I get a Nimbus Two Thousand?" Carina begged as she laid her eyes on the broom.

"We will see," was all Lucius said before marching into the store. As Carina entered behind him, she noticed the new Gryffindor Quidditch Captain, Oliver Wood, practically drooling over a Nimbus Two Thousand. With a smirk, she walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"You better close your mouth before a spider crawls in there," Carina giggled. Wood shook his head as if he were in a trance then turned to Carina.

"Oi, Carina! You nearly caused me a heartattack! Anyway, I was just admiring this broom. It really is exquisite," Wood said with a grin.

"Well, I don't blame you for admiring it... in fact, I'm trying to get Father to buy me one. Say, is there room on the team for a Chaser this year?"

"You bet there is... in fact, there's room for two... and a Seeker!"

"Well, let's hope I can help you with that... I think Katie Bell might be trying out as a Chaser too!"

"And a Seeker? Where do you suppose I find one of those?"

"I don't know, I just wanted to let you know that I'll be there as a Chaser!"

"You better be! Especially if you get one of these," Oliver murmered, motioning torwards the display. Carina bid Oliver goodbye, then began searching for her parents in the crowd. She immediately recognized their platinum blonde hair, and walked over to them.

"Who was that boy you spoke to? There's nothing between you two, right?" Narcissa asked.

Carina shook her head. "No Mother, he's the Gryffindor Quidditch captain... I just wanted to ask him if there's a position open."

"And is there?"

"Yes."

"Well, let's hope you're good enough to make it."

"Yes, let's hope... Father, can you please buy me a Nimbus Two Thousand?" Carina begged. Lucius glanced at her, before stalking over to the broom on display, pushing Oliver Wood aside, and grabbing the broom.

"This will be your broomstick," Lucius declared with a smirk. Oliver was gaping from the floor as Lucius handed the clerk a pouch of Galleons.

"I believe this should be more than enough."

"Y-yes sir," the clerk stuttered while examining the contents of the bag. Lucius gave him brief nod, before handing Carina the broom and strutting out.

"Father, why can't I get a broom?" Draco whined.

"Because you aren't allowed one, Draco," Lucius spat. Draco pouted while watching Carina admired her new broom.

"Oi, Carina, is that what I think it is?" A voice shouted from behind. Carina turned her head, only to see her two redheaded best friends trailing her steps. Her eyes widened, and she immediately motioned for them to back off, knowing her parents would have a fit if they knew she so much as associated with the Weasleys. After two years, they were still adjusting to her house. If they found out that her best friends were bloodtraitors, she knew she would be a goner. But of course, the twins didn't listen.

"Hey, I thought we were friends!" Fred shrieked. Carina could feel her face going red.

"Yeah Carina, why won't you talk to us?" George added. Narcissa and Lucius had both noticed their yelling and glanced at Carina, as if asking for an explanation. 

"You see, we're basically rivals in school... they're just trying to get on my nerves," Carina lied. Over the past few years of living with the twins, she had become an expert at lying with a straight face.

"Leave it to the Weasleys," Lucius muttered, believing her story entirely. That was a bit too close, Carina thought.

-

"Carina!" Narcissa shrieked from the ground floor of Malfoy Manor, "Father and I would like to have a word!" Carina hesitantly trudged down the stairs, wondering what on Earth they could yell at her for. All of her recent mishaps flooded her mind, and she began wondering which one it would be. As she entered their massive dining room, she saw her parents sitting across from one another at the edge of the table, the end was left empty.

"Please, have a seat," Lucius gestured. Carina shuffled over to the chair, pulled it out with a long creak, and hesitantly sat down. She couldn't help but widen her eyes as she noticed both of her parents staring intently at her.

"Can I help you?" Carina asked, twiddling her thumbs. Why aren't they saying anything? she asked herself.

"Well, I'm sure you have noticed how... peculiar we have been so far this summer, and we thought it would be fitting to explain why," Narcissa began. Carina simply nodded, allowing for her parents to continue.

"You know, Carina, you never know when it's beneficial to have someone famous in your life," Lucius began.

"What do you mean, Father?" 

"Knowing a celebrity... someone who is well known amongst all... it can be quite useful sometimes."

"Is that what you called me down to talk about?"

"Yes, actually. This year, Harry Potter will be attending Hogwarts," Lucius began. Harry Potter at Hogwarts? Carina thought, a spark of excitement igniting in her stomach. 

"This year?" Carina asked in disbelief. 

"Yes, this year, and we recommend that you to befriend him... You never know when having a famous friend like that can turn out to be quite useful." 

"But what happens if he isn't in my house?"

"It doesn't matter what house he's in. Of course, it would be much easier if he were in Gryffindor, but you cannot just leave an opportunity like this in midair. Harry Potter could grow up to be a miraculously influential figure, and it's only fair that he be acquainted with the superior wizarding race."

"I don't believe that we're superior to anyone," Carina murmured, eyes narrowed at her father.

"Don't remind me. Now, we have something else to tell you as well."

"And?"

"We would like to inform you that yesterday, someone broke into Gringotts, yet stole nothing. Does that sound odd to you?" Narcissa questioned. Carina nodded again. Where are they going with this? she thought.

"Yes and we agree. Gringotts is an extraordinarily secure facility, and it is rather suspicious that the criminal stole nothing, which is why we want you to remain safe, and keep your brother safe as well," Narcissa explained. 

"And Harry Potter too. From what I've heard, the boy has a knack for causing trouble," Lucius added. Carina could wrap her head around protecting herself and Draco, but Harry Potter? Since when did her parents care about him?

"Harry Potter seems perfectly capable of protecting himself..."

"I don't know about that... he's an easy target. Everyone knows about The Boy Who Lived, and it's only a matter of time before a previous follower of the Dark Lord seeks vengeance," Lucius commented. 

"And you think that I  can stop dark magic?"

"I suppose not, but you could at least keep an eye on Harry... make sure he's following school rules, not up past curfew, and most importantly, not wandering around the restricted portions of Hogwarts. Be sure to report him if he is."

"What good will babysitting do?"

"It will put the responsibility into the faculty's hands. You must promise me that you will do this, Carina. As one of the governors of Hogwarts, it's crucial for me to protect the students."

"I promise," Carina replied. She still was unsure why he even cared about the boy, but it was often easier to agree with him than fight back. 

"Perfect, I'll assume that you've got it taken care of then. Now, I recommend that you rest. We are leaving early for King's Cross tomorrow," Narcissa ordered. 

"Yes, Mother." Carina murmured, then walked back to her bedroom. She changed into her night clothes and crawled into bed, but her parent's interest in Harry Potter kept her thoughts alive for many hours. What was that all about? Why would they protect just Harry Potter? Why are they asking me to protect him? Why not a Professor? I do suppose that Harry's fame could put a target on him though... and I bet that having him around would be interesting . I mean, the boy came face to face with Voldemort and survived, he's got to be a pretty badass kid... Not to mention the fact that he might need a friend to count on... especially with what happened to his parents, Carina thought. A wave of sadness washed over her at the thought of losing her own parents. Despite their differing opinions, she couldn't imagine life without them. Narcissa had taught her to be compassionate, yet strong, while Lucius (indirectly) taught her to stand up for herself and her beliefs. Harry had no parents to teach him anything, and she couldn't help but pity the boy. Eventually, after wallowing in her sorrows, exhaustion swept her into a restless sleep.