Before you know it, time passed and the Easter holidays appeared yet they were not relaxing at all. Carina was forced to fit everything in her program, the pile of homework, Quidditch practice, and keeping an eye on the rebellious group of Slytherins. Let's say that she looked a little bit less tired than Hermione Granger, who studied in advance for the final exams nonstop, with Draco and Cedric on her side she was able to relax a little bit more in contrast with the Gryffindor girl whose friends still didn't speak with her because according to rumors her ginger cat ate her ginger's friend rat. Oh, that rhymed!

So, here we are today, at Hogwarts's Library, Carina staring at Cedric Diggory, our favorite Hufflepuff who seemed unsure, and Draco looking quite amused. Cedric cleared his throat then glanced at the bushy-haired Gryffindor two tables away from them "Don't you think you're a little absurd?"

Carina scorned at him "Look, it's quite simple. You go there. You talk to her and persuade her to sit with us. Maybe, even flash a charming smile, that usually works. But then again we are talking about Hermione Granger, here."

"I still find it kinda silly the fact you're afraid to speak with her, yourself." Cedric frowned.Carina took a deep breath frustrated "I fear nothing! But that doesn't mean that I want to get rejected and have the whole school talking about it."

Draco chuckled "Come on now, Ced. Nobody can resist the charming rebel of Hufflepuff. Granger, at most, will politely say no and we can continue our day."

Cedric sighed "Fine. But you own me!" he replied pointing at Carina who smirked in response and gestured him to get going.

The twins watched the elder boy walk toward the third-year Gryffindor and take a seat opposite her. He stayed there for almost a minute, Hermione paying him no mind as she continued to study. He awkwardly sifted before he cleared his throat finally gaining her attention as she raised her head and her tired brown eyes met his clear grey keenly.

"Um, hi." the boy almost stuttered as the girl raised an eyebrow annoyed that she was interrupted. An uncomfortable silence passed for a minute or so before Hermione hissed seeming irritated since her bushy hair flared even more "Well?"

"Well, what?" Cedric blinked.

"Well, are you going to say what you came here for or are you going to continue looking to me like a buffoon?"

"Oh, sorry!" Cedric replied, "I was wondering if you wanted to sit with us, I mean the Malfoy twins and I? We can help you study or something.

Hermione huffed stubbornly "I assure you, I am in no need of any sort of assistance."

Cedric pursed his lips and scolded the girl "Granger, you have shadows under your eyes and I assume you're pretty close to having a breakdown. Now, come and sit with us, you can review anything you need with Carina since all your classes are together. Besides, I can help you with being a fifth-year and all."

Hermione frown and tilted her head "Shouldn't you be studying for your O.W.L.s right now?Cedric dismissed "I have everything under control, now," he said while stood from his seat and pointed at the twins "Are you coming?"

Hermione glanced at him then the twins before she shyly stood up saying "Well, a little more help doesn't hurt anybody." and proudly with her head high walked toward the Royal Duo of Slytherin leaving a grinning Hufflepuff to follow her.

Over the study hour, both Carina and Draco noticed the side glances of their dear friend threw at the Gryffindor girl and the arguments they would get over homework advancing in other discussions, such as politics and animal rights before Carina or Draco would remind them that they're supposed to be studying.

Carina and Draco exchanged a look, amused by their way of acting, shy and animated they both are but not awkward or hurtful to each other at least for the time being.

Does that mean what we all think it means?

Well, only time will tell.

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The morning that everyone anticipated, the Final Quidditch Match finally arrived. Carina entered the Great Hall with the Slytherin Team noticing that the Gryffindors were already there glaring at them, the Firebolt obviously in the display. Carina rolled her eyes and ignored the stare of Harry Potter as usual, since after the last time they spoke, he became even more insufferable. Calling her in the halls as if they're friends, trying to butt in her studying sessions with Granger by making remarks that would urge her to roll her eyes, thankfully, Hermione would set him straight.

Carina felt the hair on her arms stand up as she walked onto the field. There was a tidal wave of noise, she noticed Gryffindor and Ravenclaw crowds wearing scarlet badges and waving flags with the Gryffindor lion upon them. Whereas her favorite loyal Hufflepuff with her cunning Slytherins applauded and cheered ferociously painted in colors of the rich emerald green and silver.

"And here are the Gryffindors!" yelled the Gryffindor announcer, Lee Jordan. "Potter, Bell, Johnson, Spinnet, Weasley, Weasley, and Wood. Widely known as the best team Hogwarts has seen in a good few years –"

Lee's comments were drowned by a tide of 'boos' from the Slytherin and Hufflepuffs end. Have I mentioned, how much we love Hufflepuffs?

"And here comes the Slytherin team led by Captain Flint. He's made some changes in the lineup that surprisingly make sense?" said the Gryffindor not bothering to hide the awe in his voice.

However, he was not wrong. Flint used to choose his players by size rather than skill before Draco made some better suggestions. Carina guessed that since Flint will be graduating this year, Draco if not next year then definitely in fifth will become the next Quidditch Captain. They'll make sure of that since more power means more control and the Malfoy twins want as much control as possible.

"Malfoy, Flint, Urquhart, Vaisey, Malfoy, Bole, and Warrington." he finally announced and the two teams stood opposite each other.

"Captains, shake hands!" said Madam Hooch.

Wood and Flint approached each other and gasped their hands very tightly. It looked as though each was trying to break the other's hand.

"Mount your brooms!" said Madam Hooch "Three... two... one... "

Fourteen brooms rose into the air as her whistle blew. Carina's nerves left her as soon as her feet left the ground, she rose higher than any of the players, and at once her cold blue eyes sharply scanning over the field. Suddenly, the hairs of Carina's arm stood up and she moved forward, dodging whatever almost hit her. She looked around and scowled when she saw it was none other than that damned Harry Potter with his stupid Firebolt.

"Oh, grow up!" she snapped and Harry only raised an eyebrow with an arrogant look on his face.

"Sorry! Didn't see you there!" he replied sarcastically.

"You petty, petty boy." she sneered.

The match soon turned into one of the dirtiest games that Slytherin and Gryffindor have ever played in all those years she was attending Hogwarts. Penalties were given to both teams, noses were broken, blood painted almost all the fourteen players. Both Slytherin and Gryffindor were playing maliciously and dirty.

Carina noticed Harry put a huge burst of speed above him, she followed closely however she was no much for the Firebolt, so playing dirty it is. Once she was close enough by his side, she threw herself to him resulting in him pushing him off his track and nearly making him fall from his broom. She was panting but at least she achieved what she wanted. Harry took his eyes off the Snitch and it disappeared.

Harry glared at her, his green eyes blazing. Carina turned her head, she needed to find the Snitch and win! She refused to lose to that boy. They were now knee to knee, each trying to block the other from finding the Snitch first. And then she finally saw it, the Golden Snitch.

She was miles ahead but Harry was gaining speed by second. Bole sent a Bludger at him, but he flattened himself on the broom handle as he was by Carina's ankle resulting in the Bludger hitting her instead. Carina a sharp pain on her side that forced her to lose grip of her broom and the next thing she knew is that she falling. Again. She should stop playing Quidditch, especially against Harry Potter since most of the time she finds herself in hospital.

She felt herself speeding towards the ground, her side hurting when she out of the blue she felt arms hugging her then she was once again in the air, not falling anymore. She turned, her blue eyes meeting the shining emerald ones of Harry Potter, who hugged her gently in order not to damage her side more. He was grinning happily "I guess, this is my win."

Carina forgot for a moment her pain as a look of confusion took over her sweating, reddened face. In response, Harry took one of his arms away, not before making sure that she wouldn't fall again, and showed her a tiny golden ball in his fist making the stadium exploded.

"YES!" shouted Lee "HARRY POTTER CAUGHT THE GOLDEN SNITCH AND CARINA MALFOY! GRYFFINDOR WINS THE CUP! FINALLY!"

When they reached the ground he continued to hold her until the Slytherin Captain appeared with Draco beside him and took her in his arms moving towards the Castle, his destination the Hospital Wing. Carina glanced for a brief second from behind her, once again her gaze meeting his as he lifted the Cup into the air.

His win, indeed.

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The thrill and the excitement that overtook the Gryffindors of finally winning the Quidditch cup didn't last that long since Exam week was approaching and there was an unnatural hush that fell over the castle. The students were forced to remain inside the castle, trying their best to concentrate as the summer air drifted through the window. Cedric was due to take his O.W.L.s, so like every year, officials from the Ministry to servile N.E.W.T.s and O.W.L.s, even the Minister of Magic will make an appearance to wish well to those students.

Carina didn't even notice when the Exams began and finished, D.A.D.A being the last and guess what, it was a Bogart. It was about five in the evening and Carina was walking the corridor returning from the library making her way to the Kitchens to meet Cedric and Draco since tomorrow is a big day for the elder Hufflepuff until she heard someone calling her in a calm "Miss Malfoy."

She turned her head and she was met with the sight of Professor Dumbledore with his hand behind his back, a grandfatherly smile, and the never-changing twinkle in his blue eyes that Carina doesn't trust. She successfully managed to disguise the look of suspicion with a polite expression and smiled kindly "Professor Dumbledore."

"Miss Malfoy," he began to walk to her and gave her a closed envelope as he said "Would you do me a favor and give this to Professor Snape? Unfortunately, I have some people from the Ministry to entertain."

Carina bit back a snort and nodded "Of course, Professor. I'll go find him at once in his office." Better get it done quickly.

However, Dumbledore shook his head "I am afraid that you won't find him in his office, try Professor Lupin's instead." he replied and at that Carina couldn't help but stare at him bewildered.

She briefly nodded "I'll get going then Professor." she was about to walk away when she heard him say "Good luck, Miss Malfoy."

Carina watched him walk away with pursed lips and shook her head "That man makes no sense."

Not long after that, she was at Remus Lupin's door, she knocked twice and nobody answered then suddenly she heard something from inside the room. She noticed the door was unlocked, she opened it and she almost closed it again when she saw Severus Snape standing over Lupin's desk with a dangerous or more correctly murderous expression on his black eyes. He seems like he's about to kill someone.

"Professor?" she asked cautiously "Is everything alright?" But he didn't seem to hear her or even see her, she realized, the feeling of vengeance took over all his senses. He threw a small bottle he was holding into the desk without breaking it and sprinted, sprinted I say, out of the room nearly pushing Carina out of the way.

Carina glanced at the desk and made her way over it, curiosity taking over. She picked up the small bottle and inspected it closely. She frowned and opened it to smell it when she immediately saw faint blue smoke coming from the bottle and closed it. Her eyebrows rose "Wolfsbane?" she wondered out-loud then she noticed another strange thing in Lupin's desk.

As she put the bottle inside the pocket of her dress, she grabbed a piece of paper that appeared to be some kind of map. She opened her mouth shocked when Carina became aware that this was a map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade showing every single student, teacher, shop worker, and guests anywhere they were.

"What the bloody hell is this?" she said more confused than ever then she shrieked when it finally caught her attention. In the Shrieking Shack, the names are written in a beautiful cursive letter, R. Weasley, H. Granger, H. Potter, and S. Black.

"Oh, Salazar!" she hissed and ran with the map in her hands. She searched around for any thoroughfare to get quickly to the Shack when she saw written in the map under the Whomping Willow, pock the knot in the trunk, it paralyzes it. Well, let's just trust the unknown map, if this is any sort of prank, someone's going to pay with her anger.

"Cara!" she heard as she ran toward Hagrid's Hut, she stopped and spoke to Draco as fast as she could "Go find the Minister of Magic and his Aurors! Urge them to go to the Shrieking Shack!"

"Wha-" he was interrupted by a desperate Carina "Go! We have no time to waste!"

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She reached the Whomping Willow, which almost beheaded her, and fortunately the map works, so she made it quite alright into the underground passage under the tree. Carina didn't stay long to observe it but followed the instructions of the map when she found a staircase leading up and then she noticed new names inside the room with the previous ones. Professor Snape and Professor Lupin.

She folded the map and put it in the pocket with the Wolfsbane potion. She grabbed her wand and slowly made her way up as she listened to the conversation ahead.

"Give me a reason to do it, and I swear I will." she heard Snape say.

"Professor Snape, it- it wouldn't hurt to hear what they've got to say, would it?" timidly asked Hermione.

"Miss Granger, you already facing suspension from this school," he spat "You, Potter, and Weasley are out-of-bounds, in the company of a convicted murderer and a werewolf. For once in your life, hold your tongue."

"But if- if there was a mistake-"

"KEEP QUIET, YOU STUPID GIRL!" Snape shouted, sounding completely deranged "DON'T TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND!" everyone fell in silence "Vengeance is sweet. How I hoped, I would be the one to catch you..."

"Once again, the joke's on you, Severus" snarled an unknown voice "As long as this boy brings his rat up to the castle, I'll come quietly."

"Up to the castle? I don't think we need to go that far. All I have to do is call the dementors once we get out of the Willow. They'll be very pleased to see you, Black. Pleased enough to give you a little kiss, I daresay..."

Carina shivered, this was a fate that she didn't wish for anyone to face.

"You, you've got to hear me out," Black croaked desperately, hoping for something "The rat! Look at the rat!"

"Sirius is innocent." she heard the heartbroken voice of Alphard Black whisper in her head.

"Come on, all of you. I'll drag the werewolf. Perhaps the dementors will kiss him too-"

"Immobulus" Carina said pointing at Severus Snape's back making him at once freeze and fall to the floor. She walked ahead, confidently and threateningly, her wand pointing now at the so-called murderer. Professor Lupin stared at her cautiously, Hermione with wide eyes while Ron and Harry were completely speechless until the Boy-Who-Lived comprehended what exactly is happening."

"Carina!" yelled Harry and made a step toward her "Go away! It's dangerous!" he would have made more moves to her but his two friends were holding him back, not wanting for him to come any closer to Sirius Black.

She stared at him to his grey eyes, Alphard's eyes, Draco's eyes, and stared back boldly. He looked like a man beyond thirty, aged too early, he had a gaunt, sunken face, waxy skin, yellow teeth, and long, matted hair. A living corpse, she thought.

"So," she started to speak with a mocking tone "We have a fugitive criminal, a werewolf" she looked dauntingly at Lupin " three people that for some reason whenever there is trouble, you'll find them in the opposite end and a vengeful teacher." she smirked, "Is this some kind of a greek joke or what?"

Nobody answered her making her sigh.

"Tough crowd." she titled her head and said" I don't think we had the pleasure to meet." she greeted the man before her "My name is Carina Malfoy."

"Hello, there Carina Malfoy." replied the man amused "I am Sirius Black."

"Ah!" she explained "I have heard of you. You know you have made quite a notorious name of yourself."

Sirius shrugged "Notorious is my second name."

"Really? I thought it was Orion?"

"What the bloody hell is happening?" cried Ron.

"Believe me, Ron, I don't understand either." said Remus Lupin.

Sirius made a step to Carina when suddenly he was faced with the angry look of Harry Potter who stood before Carina, pushing her in the back "Don't come near her!"

Carina rolled her eyes "Honestly, Potter, it's rude to butt into other people's conversation like that."

Harry gaped at her "What is wrong with you?"

Carina's expression changed into a gentle one "I'm trying to hear a story. Don't you want to learn the truth?"

Harry frown and glanced at Sirius who waited for any sign then he exchanged an understanding look with Carina "So, what about the rat?" he asked.