It was the attack on the Gryffindor ghost that caused panic among the student body. He was already dead and someone or something managed to petrify it. There was a rush to book seats on the Hogwarts Express back home for Christmas. Narcissa Malfoy tried repeatedly to convince her twins to return home but it went from ear to another.

No one seemed to want to be around Harry Potter over the holidays and they kept skirting around him in the corridors while most of them where pointing, whispering and even hissing as he passed by them. Carina began to pity him, this is the second year in a row that the Potter boy has been outcasted by the students around here. Speaking of the Potter boy, he tried many times to talk to Carina in order to explain himself for the Dueling club scene but no Slytherin would allow him to get close enough to their Lady.

On the other hand, Carina noticed the rather rather dubious behavior of the Gryffindor's Golden Trio.  She is absolutely certain that they stole some ingredients from Snape's storage, she just has no proof of this to comfort them about it. However, she can't put a finger on what they would need a powdered horn of a Bicorn or a shredded skin of a Boomslang.

A month has passed and Christmas holidays arrived urging most of them to leave. Cedric promised his favourite twins to write them and he gave them his presents personally as did them. Carina spend most of her holidays in Hogwarts library searching every kind of monster book to figure out what kind of creature the Slytherin hair was using against muggleborns. Draco when he was not with Goyle and Crabbe he would help her but he always came to get her from the library to dine in the Great Hall.

On New Years Eve, Draco and Carina were done eating in the Great Hall and they decided to stay for a little longer playing Wizard Chess while they pointed out the decorations in the room. The Great Hall was magnificent with dozens of Christmas tress and holly streamers and mistletoes everywhere. The ceiling was enchanted to make snow fall but it was warm and dry. Dumbledore was leading some Professors and students that stayed behind, particularly Weasleys, in a few of his favourite carols with Hagrid booming more and more loudly each eggnog. Surprisingly, no Potter and Co. was around.

In the Great Hall, now there were only the Malfoy twins and some other Professors. Draco was winning against Carina in the Chess as they eat some pudding that their godfather, Severus Snape, gave them  much to their amazement. Draco smirked amused as he watched his sister pouting, she was always a sore loser. Out of the blue, they noticed someone taking a seat next to Draco, they glanced up and blinked curiously when they saw none other but Dumbledore smiling down at them with a childlike glint in his blue eyes.

"May I?" he asked in a polite manner and the twins exchanged a quick glance to each other then nodded mutely.

"Happy Christmas sir." spoke suddenly Carina breaking the awkward silence while she continued exchanging a skeptical look with her brother.

"Happy Christmas Mister and Miss Malfoy." replied kindly Dumbledore.

"Excuse me Professor Dumbledore, without wanting to sound rude but why are you here?"she asked making Draco's grey eyes widen and kick her leg gaining her attention as she hissed in pain and he gave her a warning look.

Dumbledore chuckled as he observed the Malfoy twins behavior "Well, Miss Malfoy, I was just wondering if you and Mister Malfoy find Hogwards comfortable. I ought to believe that this is the first time that you ever been away from home on Christmas."

Carina ordered her Queen to move before replying "Thank you for your concern Professor but we feel that Hogwarts is also our home, right Dray?"

Draco watched as his bishop destroyed her Queen "Of course it is." he replied with a small smile.

"Anything else sir?" asked Carina in a ladylike manner as her mother has taught her.

Dumbledore just smiled with a mysterious and sad shadow over his face "If you and your brother ever need help with anything, please, do not hesitate to come to me." he stood up and patted their heads softly making them gaze at him in confusion "Remember, everyone has a choice. There are no good or bad people only choices. Besides, we should learn from history." then he left.

"What was that about?" Draco wondered in bewilderment.

"I have no idea." Carina replied frowning.

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The Malfoy twins were walking down the marble staircase leading them to their Common Room when they heard an outraged voice saying "I am a prefect! Nothing's going to attack me!"

Ahead of them, they saw the oldest Weasley child in the castle glaring down at Crabbe and Goyle whom seemed really tensed since they kept glancing at one another in a nervous manner. Draco and Carina shared a knowing look as Carina gestured him to move forward. They protect their own, that's what Slytherins do.

"There you are!" drawled Draco looking at them. "Have you two been pigging out in the Great Hall all this time? I've been looking for the two of you, Carina wants to revise our essays for McGonagall." he then glanced at the elder Weasley and sneered "And what are you doing here Weasley?" the older boy seemed furious.

Before having the chance to answer, Carina appeared "Draco that's enough." she glanced at Goyle and Crabbe,noticing that Goyle was staring at he intensely making her raise an eyebrow as he turned his eyes away blushing.

"You can leave now Weasley." spoke Carina "However it is rather dangerous for a Gryffindor such as yourself to be wandering around the snake's deck, don't you think?"

Not having the slight of chance to snap at her, Carina turned her back at then with her brother behind her as he mentioned Goyle and Crabbe to follow them, They turned into the next passage as Draco started to talk "That Peter Weasley-"

"Percy." corrected Crabbe.

"Whatever." said Draco then he turned to his sister "I've noticed him sneaking around a lot lately and I bet I know what he's up to. He thinks he's going to catch the Slytherin's Heir single-handed."

Carina chuckled and smirked at him "Typical Gryffindor." they stopped walking and stood before the stone wall as Carina spoke in a soft voice "Pureblood" and the wall slid open.

The fire was crackling, the Basilisk portrait's emerald eyes shone brightly as Carina allowed the boys to sit in the sofas. Waiting for them to take a seat, she stood before them her hand in her waist and her icy blue eyes narrowed.Goyle and Crabbe glanced at each other in slight fear.

"What were you thinking?"she scolded in a dark voice. 

Goyle cleared his throat "What do you mean?"

Carina's eyes blazed with anger and Goyle took a deep breath "Did we or did we not agree that we'll keep our heads low until this Slytherin Heir nonsense is over? Well angering a stupid Gryffindor opposes to that." 

"Why? Is it because the Heir is among you-US!" said Crabbe making Carina glare angrily at him "Are you a complete daft?" spat Carina "Were you not here when the Slytherins had the meeting?"

"Mates did you hit your heads somewhere?" asked Draco staring at them weirdly.

Goyle then spoke "You must have some idea who's behind it all..."

Carina rubbed her forehead obviously annoyed "For the last time, no we do not. What we know for sure is that it's not a Slytherin."

"Or that doofus Potter." pointed out Draco.

"Of course he is not." said Carina in a monotone voice not seeing the gentle gaze that Goyle sent towards her "He is too much of a Gryffindor to be the Heir."

"Anyway," spoke Draco "father won't tell  us anything about the last time the Chamber was opened either. Of course, it was fifty years ago, so it was before his time, but he knows all about it and he says that it was kept quiet and it'll look rather suspicious if we know too much about it."

"But we do know one thing," added Carina "the last time the Chamber of Secrets was opened a Muggleborn died." then she realized something strange about Goyle who flinched under her gaze. Did he always had this eye-shape? 

"Ho!" suddenly called Crabbe with widen eyes as both he and Goyle jumped in their feet then sprinted away.

"What the hell is wrong with them?" asked he stared bemused towards their leave.

Carina narrowed her eyes in suspicion "I honestly do not know."

"Cara?" called Draco when he glanced at the clock and Carina hummed in response.

"Happy New Year." he smiled adoringly.

Carina smiled gently at her brother "Happy New Year, sweet Dray."

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Later that night Carina woke suddenly when she remembered where the powered horn of a Bicorn and a shredded skin of a Boomslang were used for. She stood up and from her bag she pulled her book of Potions called Moste Potente Potions  and read;

"The Polyjuice Potion, which is a complex and time-consuming concoction, is best left to highly skilled witches and wizards. It enables the consumer to assume the physical appearance of another person, as long as they have first procured part of that individual's body to add to the brew (this may be anything — toenail clippings, dandruff or worse — but it is most usual to use hair). The idea that a witch or wizard might make evil use of parts of the body is an ancient one, and exists in the folklore and superstitions of many cultures. The effect of the potion is only temporary, and depending on how well it has been brewed, may last anything from between ten minutes and twelve hours. You can change age, sex, and race by taking the Polyjuice Potion, but not species."

Carina chuckled. She shut her book putting it back in her bag then she once again laid in her bed closing her eyes. Well, that explains Goyle's eyes...

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The next day Carina learned that Hermione Granger was being attended in the hospital wing.She guess that something went wrong with the Polyjuice Potions. She didn't tell her brother that Goyle and Crabbe was actually Potter and Weasley. She figure out that the reason behind their strange behavior to find out if Draco or her was the Heir. So if she confessed that she knows what they've done they might misunderstand that everything was just an act. So she chose to be silent.

Hermione Granger remained in the hospital wing for several weeks.There were rumors going about her disappearance when the rest of the school arrived back from their Christmas Holiday. Everyone thought that she had been attached and would come around the hospital wing to catch a glimpse of her. Unfortunately for them, Madam Pomfrey placed curtains around her bed to spare her from the preying eyes.

Carina had been visiting Hermione over they weeks she stayed in the wing in order to give her, her notes. She was able to from some kind of understanding with the muggleborn witch after the first visit.

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Carina held her well-written notes tightly in her gasp as she made her way to the Hospital wing. She opened the door and with the petrified bodies she saw Potter and Weasley standing before a bed with blinds.

"Malfoy?" asked Harry "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to give Granger here the homework as well as my notes for the day. We can't leave her too far behind with school work, can we?" she replied as she reached towards them calling "Granger?"

"Yes?" squeaked Hermione.

"Can I move the curtain in order to talk to you like a normal ?" she asked raising her eyebrows.

"Well, um... You see Malfoy..." started Ron uncertainly sharing a glance with Harry.

"Hermione is afraid that you'll catch her cold!" said Harry making Carina look at him.

"Do I seem like an idiot?" she questioned and Harry tried to explain however she turned away from him.

 "Granger?" started Carina "I'll not make fun of you." she stated.

For a second there was silence when suddenly the curtain was pushed away and Carina blinked. Hermione's face was covered in a black fur. Her eyes had turned yellow and there were long, pointed ears poking through her hair.

Carina smiled lightly as she went to pet Hermione's head making the Golden trio gape at her. "A cat?" she said "Do you also have a tail? Oh you do!" she pointed out making Potter and Weasley laugh outloud.

"You said that you'll not make fun of me!" 

"I am not. I love animals, although... I'm more of a dog person." she replied and once again they laughed except from Carina who ignored the adoring look Harry sent her way as she started to explain her notes to Hermione.

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The mood at Hogwarts became more hopeful than before. The sun began to shine more daily heading into the February and there had been no more attacks since the Hufflepuff boy and the Gryffindor ghost. Madam Pomfrey was pleased to announce that the Mandrakes were soon leaving childhood and will be ready repotting. After that,they will be cutting up the Mandrakes and stewing them. Filch seemed pleased at the news of having Mrs. Norris back since he was being less cruel these days.

If you don't know what Mandrakes are then let me explain it to you.  A Mandrake, also known as Mandragora, is a plant which has a root that looks like a human (like a baby when the plant is young, but maturing as the plant grows). When matured, its cry can be fatal to any person who hears it. They will be used in order to make Restorative Draught Potion to revive all those who had been petrified.

Anyway, Lockhart seemed to believe that he made the attacks stop and could be overhead boasting about this to McGonagall as the Slytherins were leaving for their next class.

"You know," began Lockhart "what school needs now is a morale booster to wash away the memories of the last term! I wont say any more now, but I know just the thing!"

Lockhart's idea of a moral booster was made clear on the breakfast of February fourteenth. The Malfoy twins entered the Great Hall and gaped at the sight before them.

"Unbelievable..." Carina murmured a little, not noticeable enough, open mouthed.

The walls were all covered with large lurid pink flowers. Heart shaped confetti was falling from the blue ceiling. She looked at the teacher's table and saw Lockhart wearing pink robed, waving for silence making her frown in disgust. The teachers on either side of him were stony faced, well, maybe except Dumbledore he seemed entertained enough. The muscles on McGonagall's cheeks were twitching and Snape looked like he would rather have an earwax flavour jelly bean than sitting through this.

"So... Much... Pink." explained Carina as if she wanted to vomit. She truly and absolutely loathed that color.

"Well I guess someone is not that fond of pink." said Cedric's voice from behind them as he appeared grinning.

"Cara?" let a laugh Draco as he pointed at his sister "She hates pink. You should have seen what she did to the pink dresses that mother bought when were about five years old or something."

"Happy Valentine's Day!" shouted Lockhart through out the Great Hall "And may I thank the forty-six people who have sent me cards so far!" Yes, I have taken the liberty of arranging this little surprise for you all and it doesn't end here!"

He clapped his hands and through the doors to the Entrance Hall marched a dozen surly looking dwarfs who were all wearing golden wings and carrying harps. They certainly did not look happy, not that I blame them.

Carina just blinked in astonishment.

"He cannot be serious." whispered Draco gaping.

"Oh my God." said Cedric his mouth ajar.

"My friendly, card-carrying Cupids!" beamed Lockhart "They will be raving around the school today delivering your Valentines! And the fun doesn't stop here of course! I'm sure my colleagues will want to enter into spirit occasion! Why not ask Professor Snape to show you how to whip up a Love Potion! And while you're at it, Professor Flitwick knows more about Entrancing Enchantments, than any wizard I've ever met, the sly old dog!" he winked at Flitwick.

He in return buried his face in his hands in utter embarrassment and Snape looked at every single student in utter distaste.

"I bet five Galleons that whoever asks his for a Love Potion is going to be given poison instead." snickered Cedric to the twins.

Carina scoffed and Draco smirked amused "If anyone has the guts to ask him to."

All day long, the dwarfs kept barging into their classes to deliver Valentines to teachers' nuisance. The dwarfs were not graceful and surely not romantic, not at all. They would disrupt classes deliver their message in front of everyone and leave without ant kind of apology to the fuming teacher.

Carina and Draco till now have received about three poems, five singing ones and some chocolate. However, Cedric beat them by far. He had so many Valentines had they couldn't even count them, both from older and younger girls, guys too.

Later that afternoon, as Carina and Draco were walking towards Herbology and on their way met Cedric who had Muggle Studies decided to accompany them  when they suddenly heard "Oi you! 'Arry Potter!" shouted a grim looking dwarf, elbowing people out of the way.

Carina observed the scene in front of her. Potter and Co. were standing in front of a group of first years that also included the Weasley girl. Potter stared at the dwarf in utter horror and tried to escape but the dwarf was too quick and reached him.

"I've got a musical message to deliver to 'Arry Potter in person." he said, twanging his harp in a threatening sort of manner.

"Not here!" hissed Potter, trying to escape.

"Stay still!" grunted the dwarf grabbing hold of Harry's bag and pulling him back.

"Let me go!" he snarled tugging.

Suddenly his bag split in two. Everything spilled out onto the floor and his ink bottle covered everything. Carina pursed her lips, taking a pity to the boy, shot a quick glance to her brother and moved towards Potter who was kneeling in order to pick up his stuff with his friends helping. When she reached him, she too kneeled and started grabbing his things.

Harry raised his head slightly seeing the Slytherin tie and stood there staring at her. He never had the chance to talk to her since the time she visited Hermione the first time because shockingly even though he came by the hospital everyday she always managed to get there and leave before him. So, he just smiled at her softly with a gentle expression on his face.

"What's going on here?" came the cold voice of Draco who very much disapproved of his sister's behavior.

"What's all this commotion?" said another familiar voice as the elder Weasley appeared.

Harry then remembered what caused all this. He jumped straight, making Carina titling her head in puzzlement as she also stood up, he shot a desperate look to Carina and tried to make a run for it, but the dwarf seized him around the knees and brought him crashing to the ground.

"Right" the dwarf spoke as he sat on Potter's ankles "Here's your singing Valentine;

His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad,

His hair is as dark as a blackboard.

I wish he was mine, he's really devine,

The hero who conquered the Dark Lord!"

"As green as a fresh pickled toad?" thought Carina amused and she would have let out a giggle if she wasn' a Malfoy. She stared at Harry who tried to laugh valiantly with everyone else while he tried to read her blue eyes to try to understand what she was thinking.

The dwarf cleared his throat "Yes, Carina Malfoy?" and she hummed turning her attention to the little guy as Harry got on his feet looking at the dwarf with mistrust.

"Here's  another poem." said the dwarf giving the young girl a letter as she smiled politely in return thanking him.

"Wait, another?" Harry much more stated than asked as he narrowed his emerald eyes towards the envelope then glanced at her in accusation "How many did you get?", he didn't sound happy, not at all.

Carina looked at him who was eagerly waiting for an answer "I do not believe that it is any of your business." she responded as she put it inside her pocket of her robes. Then her eyes caught the brown ones of Ginny Weasley who was as red as her hair, she seemed really embarrassed. Guess whom the singing poem belonged to...

"Off you go, off you go," cried the older Weasley shooing some of the younger students away 'The bell rang five minutes ago, off to class now. And you Malfoys-"

"What's this?" Draco wondered as he bent down and snatching something from the floor. Draco showed to Cedric who shook his head and Carina frowned her eyebrows, doesn't that textbook seem familiar?

"Give it back." demanded Potter quietly.

"Wonder what Potter's written in this?" smirked Draco spitefully.

Carina grabbed the textbook from his hands ignoring his protest and studied carefully, her eyes widen for a second, it's the so called Diary that she searched in her father's office. She narrowed her eyes blue eyes turning to the green ones who stared boldly back at her, what was doing with the Golden boy? 

"Why do you have this?" she questioned accusingly.

"Do you know what this is?" Harry threw a question back.

A hush fell over the onlookers. Carina caught the Weasley girl switching her gaze from the Diary to Potter, looking absolutely terrified. She paled considerably when her eyes met Carina's making her even more suspicious.

"Is this yours Malfoy?" Harry asked once again gaining her attention.

"I know that is not yours, that's for sure." she answered instead.

"Give it to me Malfoy." said Potter stretching his hand. However seeing her making no move he pulled his wand and quickly Carina threw the Diary to her brother as she pulled her own wand.

"Cara!" explained Draco, he glared at Potter "What do you think you're doing?"

"Dray, stay out of this." said Carina. Draco studied his sister, nodded his head and took a step back, standing next to Cedric.

The older Weasley and Cedric tried to reason with them but their words fell into deaf ears. Ron and Hermione exchanged a worried look as they gazed to the scene before them and as for Draco he had his wand in his head with narrowed eyes waiting for Potter to make a wrong move towards his sister.

While Harry and Carina were in a dueling position staring deeply at each other eyes, Harry spoke "Do not make me curse you Malfoy."

"I only hear words and see no action Potter." she mocked "Besides, I am not afraid of you the so-called Slytherin Heir."

Harry smirked "You don't believe that I'm the Heir." he stated confidently.

Carina hummed, not agreeing or denying the fact even though she knew that he was there when she explained that he was too much of a Gryffindor to be one, and waited patiently for him to make the first move.

"I did not order the snake to attack you." he finally confessed what he had been trying to weeks ago.

"I've already guess that." she replied then too late she noticed his eyes glancing briefly behind her as he shouted "Expelliarmus!"

Carina turned to see the Diary fling into the air from her brother's gasp to Ron Weasley's. The older one was not pleased, not one bit, and Draco gazed at Harry furiously at Potter then glanced at his sister apologetically. She just sighed and looked at Harry in a bittersweet smile, one that Harry did not like.

She put her wand pack to her robes "You've won this time." and she walked away with Draco and Cedric, feeling Potter's stare in her back the entire time until she disappeared from the corridor. Well, she was always a sore loser.