Draco and Carina Malfoy were sitting quietly on the leather sofas in their Common Room. Carina was sipping her blackberry tea as she observed her brother who was gaping at her like a fish with a dumbfound expression. She just finished explaining him about the trapdoor, the Philosopher's Stone as well as how she came across with this knowledge.

"The Philosopher's Stone?" Draco asked slowly and Carina hummed in agreement.

"In Hogwarts?"

Carina sighed "Yes Dray dear, the Philosopher's Stone is in Hogwarts." she replied in a sweet tone a little irritated.

"And Snape wants it?" Draco questioned.

Carina shook her head "That's what the Potter and Co. believe but I don't think so."

Draco stared at her confused "And what do you think then?"

Carina put her cup of the tea in the table "I think that he is protecting it from someone else. Someone who desperately seeks its power."

"And who is that?" he asked in hesitation.

Carina rolled her eyes "Who else than Voldemort?"

Draco gasped and glared at her "Don't say his name!" he spat, then he cleared his throat "Besides You-Know-Who has been demolished or did you forget the whole Boy-Who-Lived thing?"

Carina crossed her arms and watched him with raised eyebrows "They never found a body. " she pointed out.

Draco's eyes widen "What?"

"That night they should have found three dead bodies instead of two if Voldemort-" Draco glared at her once again and Carina scoffed "You-Know-Who was truly defeated. I'm just saying that he is not dead but missing or even hiding waiting to appear once more." she finished.

Draco eyebrows frowned, he seemed not to be convinced and Carina almost growled in frustration "Draco I'm pretty sure that you have noticed father gripping his left arm since last year. That's where the Death Eater Mark is." she said.

Draco shook his head "Yes but the Death Eater disappeared the night You-Know-Who also vanished."

Carina hummed "I think it has began to reappear." 

Draco took a deep breath and glanced worriedly at his sister "Are sure that Snape is protecting the Stone? Wasn't he also a Death Eater."

Carina nodded her head "For some reason I don't think that our godfather has the heart to become once again a Death Eater."

Draco rubbed his hands in his face speaking with a tone of horror "Then dark times are to come. We need to chose our side carefully." he then glanced at his sister "Cara, please, please do not get yourself more involve with the Philosopher's Stone mess."

Carina stood up walking towards her brother and putting her left hand on his shoulder "I promise you brother." and she meant it "Do not fear Dray, whatever happens will go through it together."

Carina stared softly at his grey eyes with a kind expression and then turn her eyes at the window while thinking "I'm not going to let father or anyone else control us. I'll make sure that we'll have our choice... Away from the Death Eater world...".

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The Philosopher's Stone was forgotten and the Malfoy twins as well as all the other students were concentrating and preparing for the upcoming exams. Carina was confident that after her tutoring her fellow Slytherins will thrive in these exams especially against Ravenclaw.

Carina really detests Ravenclaws. She finds the whole 'I'm-a-genius-just-because-I'm-a-Ravenclaw' attitude unbearable, especially when mos bimbos come from that House. Hufflepuffs she adores, they are kind and loyal, let's not forget that she considers their behavior quite adorable. Carina's favourite author of Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them by Newt Scamander was a Hufflepuff. Now, Gryffindors are just plain naive and she finds their 'act-before-thinking' annoying. But still more bearable than Ravenclaws.

They had their written exams in a large scorching classrooms. They had been given new and special quills bewitched with an Anti-Cheating spell. Draco would often complain that it was hard to concentrate with the heat but Carina paid no mind. As long as she achieves first place, damn the heat. Written exams were quite easy yet Potions was a little tricky but she was confident that she didn't get less than an outstanding.

Practical Exams, for the Malfoy twins, were much more preferred than written ones. They got to stand and wave their wands around, generally do actual magic. Charms had them called one by one into Professor Flitwick's class to see if they could make a pineapple tap-dance across the desk. Transfiguration had Professor McGonagall watching them turn a mouse into a snuffbox and Carina won extra points for the decoration. After all, she is a Malfoy and Malfoys have high standards.

Now Potions was a piece of cake. They were supposed to be making a Forgetfulness Potion, its key include Lether River Water, mistletoe berries and Valerian sprigs. Carina was satisfied with her work as she waved her wand to complete the Potion followed by her brother some minutes later. When they saw Snape walking over them and smirking down at them pleased,they high-fived each other.

The last exam was History of Magic. Absolutely dreadful. They spent one hour of answering questions about batty old wizards who'd invented self-stirring Cauldrons. Finally,it was over. No more revision and no more studying in the heat. Now, they could relax.

Draco and Carina were sitting down in a tree near the Black Lake. They decided to spend some time together away from heir friends to just enjoy the sun and read a book. Their cloaks were off as well as their sweaters with the Slytherin crest, their ties were loose and their sleeves were pushed up to their elbows. Acting like kids for once. 

They just laid there luxuriating the nice shade the tree made until Carina glanced up from her book when she felt someone staring at her and her blue eyes met green ones behind circular glasses.Her face was void of any emotion, her eyes ice cold urging the Potter boy to waver his gaze away but he continued boldly to stare back at her.

Harry was sitting with Hermione, Ron and the Weasley twins with their friend Lee when his eyes fell to the Malfoy twins. He had never saw them looking so relaxed, so carefree and just enjoying each others company. They didn't look like the elegant twins always keeping their uniforms tidy, Carina had a small smile in her face as she read and Draco was sneered-free. Harry knew that those siblings are too close with each other, maybe even more than Fred and George, sometimes he was envious of their relationship, Draco brought the best and the worst of Carina and vice versa.

Harry was a little jealous of Draco. Carina seemed to care only for him and no one else. She always stood by his side even when he was acting like a git however Draco behaved differently to Carina. He didn't boss her around, he laughed at things she said and he protected her from everyone as Carina often did. Harry sometimes wondered what would take to become one of the twins close circle. Then he remembered that Malfoy Draco was a bullying ferret and he couldn't stand bullies.

Draco had his eyes closed enjoying the peace and quiet until he felt his sister sift beside him. He opened his eyes and turn his gaze at the way Carina was staring to and then he scowled. Harry Potter was watching Carina and he was so observed that he ignored his friends who tried to gain his attention as well as Draco's intense glare. Draco looked away and turned to study his sister.

Even though she was expressionless he could read every single emotion just by looking at her.Her hands softly held her book, he shoulders were untensed and her breath was even. Her eyes were cold and deadly yet there was a small glint in them that anyone who wasn't Draco wouldn't be able to identify. He could tell that was amused.

"You find this funny?" Draco voiced his thoughts aloud forcing Carina to look away from Harry much to his disappointment.

Carina smiled at him gently "Look at the Gryffindor trying to challenge a Slytherin to yield or the lion trying to roar to a hissing snake which is ready to charge at him with its poison." she described softly patting his head "Yes, I find it entertaining that he tried to intimidate me."

Draco's eyebrows shot up "Intimidate? Cara, Potter has a crush on you!" he spat making Carina laugh wholeheartedly.

"Potter? Boy-Who-Lived? Gryffindor's Golden Boy? Has a crush on me? A Malfoy? A Slytherin? His archenemy sister?" she mocked "Dray dear do not be ridiculous" she denied and continued reading her book. 

Draco glanced at Potter who finally noticed his stare and glared darkly at each other before turning away. Maybe it was for the best that Carina didn't believe him and it's not like Potter's stupid crush will not go away. Draco once again laid down and closed his eyes, besides, it's not like his sister will ever return Potter's feelings.

"Carina Malfoy and Harry Potter? Yeah right!" thought sarcastically Draco.  

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Carina was wandering on the halls, memorizing Hogwarts before leaving for the Malfoy Manor in three days. Tomorrow being the final Quidditch Match and the day after they'll announce the Slytherin winning the House Cup at the Final Feast then they'll leave for the Summer.

As she was walking around she saw something strange. She noticed Hermione Granger acting rather suspicious and she begab to walk towards her when she realized that she was following Professor Snape. Carina paused and titled her head, was this about the Philosopher's Stone? She once again started to walk forward approaching Granger to question her the girl. However, Snape beat her, Carina didn't even notice that they had reached the Staff Room.

"What do you want?" asked Snape with narrowed eyes.

She watched Granger as she gulped before saying "I was- I was just waiting for Professor Flitwick.'

Snape didn't look like he believed her since he had an irritated expression on his face, walked back into the staff and got Professor Flitwick to Granger's utter shock. Snape smirked at her as he started to walk away from them. Carina kept her eyes trained on his back as he marched down the corridor. She noticed that Granger despairingly tried to watch Snape as she talked gibberish with Flitwick who had a bewildered look on his face.

Carina took a pity on the girl and decided to aid her. She straighten her uniform and walked to the two as she called "Professor Flitiwick!"

They both turned at her and for the first time she saw Granger's face lighting in relief now that she was here. As Carina finally reached them she smiled politely at them and turned to Professor Flitwick "Excuse me Professor but could we discuss about my exams' results? I do not believe that Charms is really my strongest point." she lied flawlessly.

"Of course miss Malfoy if miss Granger here hasn't anything to ask." he replied kindly.

Hermione shook her head "No that's all Professor! Thank you Professor!" and she run away before mouthing a 'thank you' to Carina who nodded in return.

"However miss Malfoy you have nothing to be worried about." said Flitwick not noticing the young girls' exchange "You actually scored first place closely followed by miss Granger and your brother coming third."

"Really?" asked Carina. Third? She was proud of Draco but her father will not be pleased to hear that a muggleborn surpassed her brother. Maybe learning that Carina was first place would ease his anger.

"Yes miss Malfoy. May I help you with anything else?" Professor Flitwick asked and Carina smiled kindly at him as she shook her head.

"That will be all Professor. Thank you for your time." Carina replied and waited for Professor Flitwick to dismiss her.

Carina fought the urge to follow the path that Granger took but she was sure that if she did she would get even more involved with the Philosopher's Stone problem and she promised her brother that she wouldn't. The Gryffindor inside her roared but the Slytherin within her silenced it.

She would be damned if she betrayed her brother's trust because the little Gryffindor wanted to.

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The next day the news about the events of the previous night were all over Hogwarts. Everybody knew the adventures of the Gryffindor Golden Trio and how the saved the Philosopher's Stone. Ron Weasley managed to get past McGonagall's chess game, who would have thought that Weasely bared a strategic mind? Hermione Granger achieved solving Snape's puzzle, well of course the girl isn't stupid. Lastly, Harry Potter faced Professor Quirrell who rumor said that he was possessed by Lord Voldermort but not many believed it.

Slytherin won the Quidditch Cup and that was only because Potter was unconscious in the Hospital Wing being taken care of Madam Pomfrey. Slytherin celebrated passed the usual pureblood antiquated ways and many were looking forward winning the House Cup too. At the same day results of the exams were announced. Carina and Draco were leaving Snape's office who waited them with satisfied expression. It seems Carina not only scored first place but the Slytherins in her year had the best results in contrast of the other Houses.

The next day as Carina and Draco with their friends beside them made their way towards the Great Hall for the final feast they came across Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, the latter when she noticed Carina gained a sour look.

"Malfoy." said Hermione as she stared at Carina.

"Granger." acknowledged Carina.

"Did you find out about the exams results?" Hermione asked.

Carina nodded "I did. Did you?"

Hermione nodded. Carina wanted to smirk at the girl "Seems like you lost the bet. How does it feel to be second place?"

Granger turned red "I'll you this year Malfoy but next year I'll beat you!" she challenged.

Carina hummed "Do not be so sure Granger." and she walked away with the rest following her.

"Oh man! Her face was hilarious!" laughed Draco and the rest Slytherin.

They made their way with the others to the Great Hall which was quickly becoming full. It was decked out in the Slytherin colors of green and silver to celebrate Slytherin's winning the House Cup for seventh year in a row. A huge banner showing the Slytherin serpent covered the wall behind the High Table.

The moment Harry Potter walked in there was a sudden silence taking over the Great Hall and everybody started talking loudly at once. He sat between Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor Table and tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him. Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived and everything went quiet once again.

"Another year gone!" said Dumbledore cheerfully "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink out teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been!Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were... You have the whole Summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts." he paused for a moment.

"Now, as I understand it, the House Cup here needs awarding and the points stand thus; In fourth place, Gryffindor with three hundred and twelve points. In third place, Hufflepuff with three hundred and fifty-two points. In second place, Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty-six points and in first place Slytherin with four hundred and seventy-two points."

A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin Table. Carina wanted to roll her eyes at her brother who was banging his goblet on the table. Carina didn't cheer and Harry noticed that she was just clapping politely nothing else.

"Yes, yes, well done Slytherin." said Dumbledore making them stop "However, recent events must be taken into account." The room went still, Carina could see her housemates' smiles fading a little. "Ahem." started Dumbledore "I have a few last-minutes points to dish out. Let me see, yes..."

"First, to Mister Ronald Weasley!" Carina watched as Weasley turned red in the face and then purple "For the best-played game of chess Hogwarts has seen in many years, I award Gryffindor House fifty points!"

Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling, the stars overhead seemed to quiver. The oldest Weasley could be heard heard telling telling the other Prefects "My brother, you know! My youngest brother! Got past McGonagall's giant chess set!"

Once they calmed down Dumbledore once again began "Second, to Miss Hermione Granger for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor House fifty points."

Granger buried her face in her arms, Carina suspected that she had burst into tears. Carina watched as her brother lost her smile and looked at her with pained eyes. They both knew that Slytherin this year will not win the House Cup. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves, they were a hundred points up.

"Third, to Mister Harry Potter," said Dumbledore as the room went deadly quiet "for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor House sixty points."

The dinner hall was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points, exactly the same as Slytherin. They had tied for the House Cup. Both Carina and Draco knew that this is not the end as they watched Dumbledore raising his hand. The room gradually fell silent.

"There are all kinds of courage." he said smiling "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies but just as much to stand up to our friends. I therefore award ten points to Mister Neville Longbottom."

It seemed as through a bomb went off from the Gryffindor table. Longbottom was piled up by Potter, Granger and Weasley, poor boy, was white form shock. Everyone was cheering as loud as they could for him. He had never won so many points for Gryffindor before. The Hufflepuffs and Ravenclaws joined in as well as they all celebrated the downfall of Slytherin and Snape.

"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause "we need a little change of decoration."

He clapped his hand and in an instant, the huge Slytherin serpent vanished replaced by towering Gryffindor lion. Carina glanced at her brother who was pouting dissatisfied and shrugged. They cannot always win.

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Carina was walking around Hogwarts Express searching for her brother when she heard someone calling her "Malfoy!" she turned around and saw Potter getting out of a compartment shared with Granger and Weasley.

She raised her eyebrow "Can I help you Potter?"

Harry paused for minute "I wanted to thank you once again for helping me with he Philosopher's Stone and at the Forbidden Forest." he said.

Carina nodded "You're welcome. Anything else?"

"Yeah congratulations on scoring first place at the exams." Harry said stalling.

"Potter could we hurry up? I need to find my brother." said Carina.

"Yeah, ah... You were right about Professor Quirrell." Harry commented rubbing his neck sheepishly.

Carina stood still studying him. She took a step towards him and pushed his glasses up to his face making him blush "Listen Potter, I'd advise you that from now on to not make rush decisions but unfortunately you are a Gryffindor boy with no tact so the only thing I can tell you is good luck." she finished backing away.

"Ah! Congratulations in winning the House Cup." she said walking away.

Harry took a deep breath and said "See you next year Malfoy."

Carina glanced at him from her shoulder smirking "See you Potter." and only after she disappeared from his sight went Harry back to his compartment with a cheeky smile.