Dislcaimer: I don't own anything except Cat and her family...as much as I wish I did.
Catania's POV
When I first blinked open my eyes the morning was like any other. The sun was shining brightly through the large window opposite my bed causing the chiffon curtains to emit a soft emerald glow. I sighed.
Everything is always green.
I stretched my arms above my head, simultaneously snapping my fingers to summon my house elf. Every member of my family had their own, mine was a small male with large floppy ears and a pushed in nose. I chose him because he looked like a puppy.
*POP*
"You called, Mistress?" Cagnolino bent forwards in a deep bow.
"Can you start a bath and fetch me a towel? Also, let Papá know I'll be down for breakfast shortly."
"Whatever you desire Mistress."
Cagnolino waved his tiny hand as he apparated out of the room. I stretched again, but this time I pushed aside my sheets, placing my feet on the cold hardwood floor. I fingered the edge of the fabric, scowling at the way they matched every other piece of cloth in the room.
Doesn't anyone in this family understand you can coordinate without matching?
I hoisted myself into a standing position using the dark wood bed post and shuffled to the other side of the room. The curtains swirled in the soft breeze coming from the cracked window, and I pushed them aside to admire the expansive gardens my bedroom overlooked. Outside rows upon rows of bushes sat, trimmed to form spirals and other abstract shapes. Latching the window shut, I turned and entered the adjoining bathroom. Inside there was already a steaming bath filled with mint scented bubbles and lined with an excessive amount of French Vanilla soaps. I could see the steam rising off of the water as I dropped my silver nightgown, taking a moment to tie my hair in a loose bun and choose which soap to use.
Sometimes expensive things are nice, I guess. Perks of being a Pureblood.
I dipped my legs into the bath first, and slowly lowered the rest of my body into the oversized tub. I barely had time to take a relaxing breath when shouting coming from downstairs permeated the room. Of course, it wouldn't be normal if there wasn't at least one intense argument between my 8 siblings. This time sounded like my 11 year old brother Turin and—
"You ungrateful little fly! How dare you! You are the rudest little boy I have ever had the displeasure to meet, and that's including all the idiots from school!"
Oh, it's Milan, how unexpected.
I rolled my eyes; she was by far the prissiest person in the entire house, and the prissiest 17 year old I had ever met. She even convinced my parents she needed two house elves because only one wasn't efficient enough.
The only way I could see her house elf taking too long to do something is if she ordered it to do a million things at once.
Which honestly wasn't outside the realm of possibility. She was also studying to become a full time stalker, or at least that's the impression I got from the way she obsessed over any boy who caught her eye. Not that she would actually pursue them of course, unless they met her two requirements; rich and pureblood.
No point in marrying down right? Because love is totally something purebloods made up to excuse their rebellious children. That's if they didn't disown them first.
I carefully scrubbed my skin with one of the washcloths from the rack and listened to bits and pieces of the fight continuing below. From what I could tell, Turin was entertaining the idea of being in Ravenclaw. Milan was in Slytherin herself, along with our older brother Roman, who graduated a couple years prior, my older sister Florence who was a fourth year, and my awkward 13 year old self.
More voices chimed in, taking up the other side of the argument. Meaning Vincenza and Genoa, the Irish twins of the family, were defending their own house (Ravenclaw).
Taking into account that Roman was already at work at the ministry, Florence liked to keep her opinions to herself, and I was in the bath, Milan was the only one arguing for Slytherin.
And honestly she's still more than enough.
Eventually, after Papá's deep booming voice commanded a truce, everything quieted down, and I decided it was safe to head downstairs to eat. I stepped out of the tub and wrapped myself in a fluffy towel, which was to no one's surprise, emerald green. By the time I managed to change into my school uniform, since today was the first day of the new term, and gracelessly thunder down the spiral staircase, the only noise coming from the dining room was the occasional clink and scrape of silverware on overpriced, ridiculously ornate, glass plates.
Perks of being a Pureblood. Everything you could possibly break is that much more expensive.
I took my place at the table, between my sister Genoa and my brother Turin, and greeted my family with a polite,
"Good morning everyone."
There was a chorus of "Good morning Cat, Catania, Tanya" and the various other nicknames I accumulated throughout the years.
At least Turin didn't try to call me Cathy, Merlin I hate the name Cathy.
"Are you excited for your first day back Kitten?" Papá asked, setting down his knife and fork on his empty plate.
"Yes Papá" I answered politely, looking down the table at his expectant face, he met my gaze, giving me a subtle wink.
Totally still the favorite.
"So Cathy-"
'So Cathy', what a brat.
"That's not my name Tadpole" I interrupted, intentionally using the nickname I knew he hated.
All is fair in love and war.
He glared at me and started again, "So Cathy," I scowled but otherwise let him continue, "Do you think I'll be in Ravenclaw or Slytherin?"
I looked down at my plate which had been magically filled with pancakes and started to pour an unhealthy serving of syrup over the top.
"Personally," I began, pausing to bring a finger to my chin.
If you are dumb enough to start a fight with Milan there's no way you'll be in Ravenclaw, and your tongue is more lead than silver…
He looked at me expectantly.
I say you're going to be in Hufflepuff.
I shrugged nonchalantly, "I have no idea what house you'll be in. It's up to the sorting hat to decide."
Hehehe, there's nothing like passive non-confrontation for revenge. That's what you get for calling me 'Cathy' you little brat.
I smirked, flicking a blueberry from my plate into my brother's face, there was a small splat and the mushy fruit stuck to his cheek. His grimace transformed into a wide grin and he swiped a dollop of whipped cream from his waffle to smear on my nose.
I reached for my spoon, quickly loading another blueberry for launch.
"Kitten," My father gave me a stern look.
A downside of helping around the house is that Papá believes I'm more mature than I actually am.
I dropped my arm, slowly lifting the spoon to my mouth and innocently eating the offending fruit.
Papá shook his head, "If you are all done with your breakfast I would like you to pack your bags and bring them downstairs to the floo. It's almost time to for you to leave."
The sound of five chairs scooting across the wooden floor and chatter between my family members filled the dining room. I pushed in my seat and began walking towards the stairs.
"Kitten?" My father called as I approached the staircase.
"Yes Papá?"
"You have finished packing correct?" He didn't even wait for me to answer, "Please get your little sister dressed. You know Sienna is too fussy with anyone else and I don't have time to dress her and clean up Verona before we leave." He motioned to the drooling toddler in the high chair at the head of the table and the six year old bouncing in her seat.
"Of course I will, Papá." I replied and I reached out help Sienna from her chair. Usually it was the two of us that watched out for my younger siblings. Most pureblood families would leave the dirty work to the house elves or hire a nanny or a maid, but Papá loved Mamma, and he often reminded us that we were half his children too. Out of the rest of my sisters, I was the most maternal, but I didn't mind helping taking care of the babies; it was part of our family crest after all, famalia super omnia, loyalty to family above all else.
By the time I fought Sienna into a silver dress with matching slippers, everyone else was waiting with their luggage by the fireplace.
"I'm sorry i miei tesori but I will not be seeing you off this year." My father announced as I approached the group. Immediately my siblings launched into protest,
"Papá!"
"Why not?"
"That isn't fair…"
Turin was the loudest of them all. "How come you went to see everyone for their first year, but not me?!" He stomped his foot and crossed his arms. My father gave Turin a one armed hug on account of the baby he was holding in the other.
"Turin, your siblings will look after you," He said giving us all a pointed look. "Your Mamma is being released from St. Mungo's soon and it's important for her to know that we support her and miss her. You would not want her to get lonely would you?"
That's right, I almost forgot. It'll be strange to have her back in the house after so long.
"But Papá—"Turin argued.
"That is enough. No son of mine is going to be so whiny or selfish. You are an eleven year old boy, how can I expect you to watch out for tuoi sorelle at school if you cannot be mature and look after yourself?" My father took a step back giving Turin 'the look'.
Damn. He played the selfish card AND the 'look after your family' card. Savage.
Turin ducked his head in shame, "Yes Papá, you're right. I'm sorry."
"That's mio figlio." My father clapped his hand on my brothers back, "Now off you go, you don't want to miss the train your first year do you? You've heard that story about Harry Potter, and trust me you will not get off so lightly."
It was just what my brother needed to jump into the fire without hesitation. We didn't actually floo straight into the station, naturally, but rather to a wizarding business nearby from where we walked the last few blocks.
As I was about to step into the fire I let go of Sienna's hand, nudging her towards my father before he suddenly pulled me into a hug.
"Remember Kitten, you are getting to that age where boys will start to like you back."
"Oh stop it Papá, please I've already heard this from Milan—"
"No!" He interrupted sternly. "It is important as a daughter of this family that you uphold your duty. I have already been approached by an interested suitor that has graciously offered to cover some of your mother's hospital bills. Just keep that in mind so you do not get carried away when a pretty boy from school catches your eye. Alright, Kitten?"
You practically tell me you've agreed to an offer of betrothal? And you expect me to be okay with that?!
He kissed my forehead before nudging me into the floo, my mouth still open in shock.
"Be a good girl for tuo Papá."
With that he threw the powder into the fireplace and I was whisked off to meet the rest of my siblings.
Instead of bumping into Florence, who had gone ahead of me, I ran into someone much shorter, someone with much shinier, curly blonde hair.
"Cat! Oh my Merlin it's been all summer since I've seen you, how have you been? Is your mother doing well? You have to hear about what Daphne got caught doing with one of my Father's business associate's sons, it's absolutely scandalous!"
Still unbalanced from what my father told me, and completely unprepared to be bombarded by my insane friend, I ended up taking both of us as well our luggage sprawling across the floor of the shop.
"Astoria!" Mrs. Greengrass exclaimed, "How un-ladylike of you! What would your father say if he saw you like this?"
Tori and I scrambled to pick up our things and dust off our robes.
"I'm very sorry Mrs. Greengrass, it's my fault. I was unsettled coming through the floo."
Mrs. Greengrass waved off my apology, "Oh of course dear don't worry about a thing. The floo can be such a dirty way to travel. It'll be life changing when you finally learn how to apparate. Oh how you're all growing up so fast." Then her gaze shifted down the hall and she practically sprinted towards the Parkinsons.
At least my family isn't that desperate to get in with the elite crowd.
"Oh well," Astoria shrugged, "so are you going to answer any of my questions? I want to know everything you did while I was gone."
I laughed, "Okay Tori, but it will have to wait until we find everyone else alright? You know I hate repeating myself."
She huffed in annoyance but complied, reaching out to grab her own luggage and quickly walking out of the room. I took a second to roll my eyes before gathering the last of my things and setting out to follow her.
The platform was extremely busy, and I almost felt self-conscious about the space that my siblings and I occupied as we waded through the crowd. I followed Tori, diligently listening to the tales from summer holiday that she hadn't had the patience to write in our letters.
"And then my mother walked in on them right as he was taking off her shirt! Apparently they had forgotten to lock the door, amateurs." Tori shook her head, "If that was Draco and me then I would have made absolutely sure that not even Merlin himself could interrupt us."
I rolled my eyes, "and what would you have done Tori? Locked the door twice?"
She turned and smacked my arm playfully. "I know a few spells…" She trailed off and a glazed look came over her face. She grabbed my elbow, pulling me behind a family of Ravenclaws.
"What are you—"
"Shhhh!" She cut me off, peeking around a cart. "Draco is right there, do you see him?"
Sure enough, a little ways down the platform stood the Malfoys. They were dressed in sleek fitting muggle clothes to blend in with typical Kings Cross passengers, but even though their clothes were muggle, anyone could tell the status they held.
"He looks so much more attractive than last year, I can't wait to see how handsome he'll be when we're old enough to get married."
Just what I need, someone else swooning over that rich brat.
While the Malfoys and I didn't have any personal history, it was still awfully clear how they looked down on my family. It was traditional for there to be a single male heir, which was the complete opposite from my family of ten.
As Draco boarded the train he was joined by another fourth year Slytherin, Blaise Zabini, and while Draco wasn't my cup of tea I didn't mind the company he kept.
The pair soon became a quartet as Draco's usual lackeys Crabbe and Goyle arrived, and doubled again when Pansy Parkinson came squealing along with the rest of her posse.
On second thought, I'm even less fond of his friends than I am of Draco.
As the mass of Slytherin 4th years vanished onto the train, Tori pulled me back onto the front of the platform.
"If we hurry we can sit in the compartment next to theirs, and then maybe I can plan an 'accidental' encounter in the corridor. If we'll be in close quarters should I spray on more perfume?"
"Honestly Tori I can smell you from here, you should be fine. Wouldn't want him to choke on too much Aphrodesia No. 7.
"Hmm you're probably right, what would I do without you Cat?"
Wear too much perfume?
"Now let's hurry, everyone else can find us later. If we sit next to Draco it'll be worth it." She pulled her luggage with on hand and my arm in the other.
We were almost to the train when someone with a cart slammed into my shoulder, jostling me and Tori from the door, and nearly knocking me to the ground.
"Sorry about that love!"
"Accidents happen you know."
"We'll make it up to you later—"
"Perhaps with a prank on your worst enemy,"
"If you have one that is…"
The pair of ginger twins quickly swung their trunks onto the step.
"On second thought…"
One of them said, looking at his identical brother. They both nodded and with one swift movement they grabbed Tori and my trunks placing them onto the train as well.
"How chivalrous of you Gred."
"Why I'd have to say the same to you Forge."
They bowed to each other and then to us, before tipping their imaginary hats and disappearing down the corridor.
"Ugh," Tori grumbled, "putting our trunks on the train was the least they could've done. It doesn't count as chivalry if you are the one who was rude in the first place, that's just common courtesy. Of course, what can you expect from a family like the Weasleys, am I right Cat?"
"Mhmm" I nodded, preoccupied with trying to push our luggage out of the doorway.
"I mean there's no way you can afford etiquette lessens when you're so poor, and poor blood traitors at that. I'm actually surprised they apologized at all, even if it was insufficient. I had heard they were heathens."
I smirked and blew a strand of hair out of my face, "Actually, I've heard worse, I heard they were Gryffindors."
Tori laughed, "Too right Cat, you are too right. Oh! There's Pansy, she's got to be sitting with Draco. Let's go!"
She ran ahead, and again I was left to deal with both massive trunks. I sighed.
She may be self-centered, but Tori is still the same girl I became friends with when I was seven, and if that's not a good sign for the year then I don't know what is.
AN: I'm not very familiar with the Italian language so please forgive me of any grammatical mistakes, I'm going off of my limited knowledge of French and Spanish. Feel free to correct/educate me in the reviews! Even if you aren't you should review anyway, I'd love the feedback.
Italian in this chapter
i miei tesori: my treasures
tuoi sorelle: your sisters
mio figlio: my boy/son/child
tuo Papá: your father
Cagnolino: puppy dog
P.S. If you're wondering why all Cat's siblings have weird names it's cause I tried to name all of them after Italian cities. I'm basic af. Sorry not sorry :p