As we run, the clocks are ticking, time keeps passing as we're running blind. Running from the fate that we don't wish to face. Our destiny has been decided for us and handed to us as a deck of cards, now it's our turn, this is our game. These are the cards that we were dealt.

Chapter 1: The Joker, the Suicide and the Heart

September 1, 2006, the Hogwarts Express pulled up to platform 9 ¾. The sun reflected off of the bright scarlet train. The saddened parents and eager students floated around the plateau with good-byes on the tip of their tongues. It was that time of year when new and old Hogwarts students couldn't wait to go back to the aging castle with tales of their summers and the newest gossip on politics, fashion, and love lives. The Express sounded its whistle, calling all students to board with a timely manner.

The "Chosen One", with his lengthened, shaggy black hair and faded jade eyes hugged Mrs. Weasley and shook Mr. Weasley's hand. He had been fed up with the fact that Dudley kept breaking his glasses this past summer and he couldn't use magic to fix them. With the added fact of his publicity, he changed his appearance. His eyes no longer sported the hideous round glasses that had been doted on him in his earlier years; Magical corrective eye surgery was his option of choice. His clothing actually fit his form due to his much needed shopping spree. Those that knew him best had seen the noticeable change in his attitude since his Godfather's death. He frequently stalked the night life, drinking and partying with no notice to neither his elders, nor of his peers. His subdued, but content appearance during social gatherings disturbed Hermione and Ron, but never did they say anything about it because it was his way of coping with death.

Harry sighed mentally to himself and turned to his new Godfather, Remus. "Be safe on the mission, I don't want to lose you too." Harry choked, trying to keep the intense emotion out of his voice. He had rarely let his emotions get the best of him after that night with Dumbledore, and he wasn't about to break down again in front of the entire student populace.

Remus' scared face contracted in pain before he shook his head and pulled the younger man into a hug. "You don't need to worry about me. Just go have fun at school, your life's already far too complicated for someone of your age."

Harry nodded, and gave a quick gesture to Ginny before boarding the train without so much as a glance backwards. Remus looked worriedly after his godson, but bowed his head in defeat. It was time to face the inevitable fact that his good friends would not be coming back to help either of them in this desperate time of need.

The Joker

Walking through the barrier, Danielle Christensen blared her Ipod to drown the sound of the bustling crowd. Her wavy raven colored hair blew slightly in the breeze, annoying her as it swept past her eyes. She pushed the strand back into place behind her ear to reveal somber slate black eyes. Some of the younger students stared at her black adder, Jean, coiled around her left arm. Underneath his darkened body was one of the identical black-leathered elbow length arm links. Her long lean body was shown well beneath the tattered black shorts and dark violet halter. Again some of the student's stopped to stare at her; whether it was the snake, her pale skin, or gorgeous body. Although at the same time her body language screamed composure and foreboding.

Danielle sighed causing Jean to hiss moodily in response, "Sssstupid kidss. I wisssh you would jussst let me loosse on them sssometime Danii." His body began to tighten as if to strike.

Danii shook her head and laid her hand upon his head. In Parseltounge, which frightened those nearest to her, she warned the adder. "Now if I did that, you'd never be able to come in public with me again, and I know you don't want that Jean."

Jean flicked his tongue out at her and retreated his head inside her jacket pocket mumbling, "I'ssss never getsss any fun Daniis. Ssstupid bitch!"

Danii chuckled as she boarded the train, more of the students unconsciously backing away from the forboding feeling creeping up their skins.

The Suicide

Platinum blonde hair clashed as the Ice Prince, Draco Malfoy, embraced his silently sobbing mother. As he pulled away he patted her on the back, attempting to calm her with little success. His once childish face had transformed over the hard summer into one of a young, and stressed man. His stormy eyes seemed to go deeper than ever before and his once perfectly trimmed hair had grown well past his cheek bones. To top his look he wore his father's ring on his right hand and the usual black robes which billowed in the soft breeze. He looked as if he had stepped into his father's place among his family with grace and ease and that was exactly what many in the community were saying.

Narcissa continued to sob desperately into her hands, the past months had proved to much for her. Now with her son, and only protection leaving her she had nowhere to turn. All of Draco's soothing words and attempts to comfort her proved useless.

When soft and delicate hands wrapped around her own, Narcissa looked up into the face of a beautiful young woman. The tan face before her bore a striking resemblance to her son; the same storm filled eyes and the same beautiful, yet dangerous features graced the girl's face. The same platinum hair framed her face, a clear sign of her lineage. The only differences between the two teens were this girl's slightly upturned eyes and beautifully tan skin.

"Alexandra…" The older woman said with slight surprise as she wiped at her tears. The quick job she had done of trying to clean herself up left her carefully applied make-up smeared.

"She has been hysterical all morning, nothing I do seems to help." Draco said softly as he scanned the crowed, glaring every so often at those who stared in his direction.

Alexandra nodded and released Narcissa's hands, "Why don't you stay at my manor for now, I think the company will do you some good. You will be safe from the constant hounding of the press and far from the riffraff that Britain seems to attract." The blonde's voice held an air of demand even in her seemingly comforting tone. Her accent was something to marvel at as it seemed to originate from no one place; the only for sure thing about it was that there was a definite British undertone to it.

Narcissa nodded and smiled feebly as a figure clad in deep blue robes walked out of the crowd and to Alexandra's side. His face was hidden in the shadows cast by his hood, only his blue eyes shone threw the black pools cast over his features. "My Lady, the train is preparing to leave. We need to board now." A smooth Romanian accent poured from the shadows of the robes, catching the trio's attention.

Alexandra and Draco looked at each other and then nodded in unison. With one last look at Narcissa the two teens headed for the train with the cloaked man following closely behind. The crowd of students parted for the infamous Slytherin Prefect as he lead the two strangers onto the Hogwarts Express.

The Heart

A complete opposite pair came burrowing through the barrier with hushed bickering tones. The male had delicately spiked, dirty blond hair. His angular, yet feminine jaw line and button tipped nose was held higher, and his body more erect as he entered the wizarding world. He rolled his aqua-blue eyes at the rather short girl beside him. Many knew him as Trent Corio, best friend and confidant of Draco Malfoy, although he generally kept his life out of the main light. The shorter and slightly younger maiden was his sister, Kari Corio. She had porcelain white skin and long straight blonde hair, not bleached, nor dirty, but somewhere in the between. Kari's eyes mirrored his almond shape, with the exception of the color. Her eyes were uniquely her own; the right was the exact same as Trent's, the beautiful aquamarine. The left was what set her aside. It was amethyst, just like her mothers.

While Trent donned his robes, Kari was again the exact opposite. She had torn blue jeans and a black tank with matching high top converses. Her arms, which bore black arm warmers, were crossed with one hand fiddling the ruby chocker around her neck.

"Kari, hush!" Trent snapped as he continued to scan the vast crowd of students. He was currently looking for the familiar bit of platinum that would be gracefully flowing among the sea of immature bodies.

Kari continued to look forward, seeming like she hadn't heard him. Which was probably true considering she had small headphones in each ear and was tapping her finger on the ruby of her choker in tune to the music she was listening to from her Ipod. She finally took one of the small listening devices out of her ear and regarded her older brother with annoyance.

"Sorry, did you say something? I wasn't listening." She asked in an American accent with a hint of French that was nowhere near her brothers British one.

Trent glared menacingly at her. He turned away from her before bitingly saying, "Nothing. You know your Ipod won't work inside of Hogwarts. Just to let you know so you don't come running to me asking if I tampered with it." He looked ahead before suddenly spotting the touch of blonde he had been looking for. Whatever her reply was, he wasn't going to stick around to hear it. Swiftly he took off, passing smooth and unnoticed through the swarm of students and parents.

Kari rolled her eyes and looked away, "Whatever." She saw him run off from the corner of her eye and turned to where he had been standing, shouting after him, "Trent! Wait damn it!" She ran forward slightly, her bracelets jingling with her sudden movements. "Quelque grand frère que vous êtes…" She muttered under her breath and sighed heavily as she switched the weight of her backpack to her other shoulder and headed for the awaiting train.

The interior of the scarlet train was shaking with the entire Hogwarts student body running about the corridors. Danielle ignored anyone that would stare at her, but as she passed she could still feel the eyes boring into her dorsal body. Jean occasionally came out of the pocket to snap at some of the more annoying students, nearly causing a few first years to wet their pants. Danii inwardly laughed but reprimanded him aloud.

Finally near the end of the train she found an empty compartment, all to herself. She wasn't nearly ready enough to play nice yet, a certain someone had heightened her blood pressure before she apparated out of the house. After stowing her belongings, she sat down, making sure not to crush her adder in the process. She sighed and sunk lower into her seat before sitting up ridged again as the sliding door opened.

Kari glanced around inside the train, looking for an empty compartment. Trent had run off so she had no clue where she was going or if there was a specific place new students were supposed to sit. "Damn it… Trent" She mumbled. She peeked in different compartments looking for an empty one, but most were packed full. The blonde let out an irritated sigh and opened another compartment, seeing only a raven haired girl sitting in the far corner. She pulled one of her headphones out of her ear so she could hear. "Um…Hi. Do you care if I join you?"

Eying the blonde, Danii shrugged, "Why not." Reluctantly, she pulled one of the headphones out of her ear as well.

"Thanks." Kari replied as she stuffed her things away and then plopped down opposite of her by the window, letting her bangs stay in her face, slightly hiding her different colored eyes. She smiled, "The names Kari Corio, nice to meet you."

"Pleasure," politely shaking her hand, "Danielle Christensen, just call me Danii though." she briefly looked out the window before looking expectantly at the compartment door again.

Just as Danii expected, a head of black, unruly hair popped through the opening. The boys long shaggy hair fell across his face, but the emerald orbs couldn't be hidden.

Harry looked up at the two girls and smiled sheepishly. "OH sorry I didn't realize anyone else was in here. Do you mind if two more of us join you." he asked gesturing to the ginger-headed female behind him.

Ginny pushed him in, "Who cares, there is no where else to go! Plus it's just you joining them, I'm going to go find Dean." She said dumping her trunk on the luggage rack before disappearing down the corridor again.

The green eyed boy followed her with his eyes before looking back at the two girls. "Sorry." Harry shrugged. "So can I join you?"

Kari laughed slightly and shrugged, "I don't mind." She glanced over at Danii, "Do you?"

Danii appraised the young man. He was tall, with a slightly built body, but not overly built. She noticed as he swept his hair out of his eyes that there was that famous lightening bolt scar across his forehead, which disappeared again as the same strand of hair just fell back into place. She gave a brief smile, "Neither do I."

"Thanks," said Harry, with a timid smile in return. He set his stuff on the rack and sat next to Danii. "Harry Potter." He said introducing himself, with his hand extended to shake hers.

"I can see that." Danii said brushing his hair away from his forehead. She then looked at his hand and his face again when suddenly Jean snapped at his extended hand.

Harry quickly pulled his hand back, blushing at both Danii's gesture and his embarrassment. Jean hissed his forked tongue at Harry, "Daniis whats with all the people, I wass trying to sssleep."

Danii chuckled and shook her head, "I'm sorry Jean, but you didn't have to snap at the poor kid."

"Hey, I'm not a kid!" yelled Harry indignantly.

Kari looked at the two questioningly, "You both speak Parseltongue" She noted and her face turned to one of disgust as she saw Jean. "Ew…gross!"

Danii smirked and asked innocently, "Are you afraid of snakes or something?" She pulled Jean out, wrapping him around her neck. "You really shouldn't be, I mean they are wonderful pets. And yes I speak Parseltongue." She said matter-of-factly.

"Can I snap at her too?" asked Jean with a hint of humor in his voice.

Harry stared at Jean, "You're an evil little bugger aren't you."

Danii chuckled and gave Harry an intense, questioning gaze. "You speak Parseltongue too?"

"Great…" Kari said quietly and sighed heavily. "Isn't Parseltounge what He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named used to speak?

Harry looked away from the questioning gaze. "Yes, unfortunately it is. I'd rather not be so connected to someone so evil." He said uncomfortably.

"Well I personally like that people can't understand me." Danii grinned evilly and looked at the blonde, "Isn't that right Kari? "

"I'm not one for snakes, but I could care less what language you speak." Kari said, eying Jean warily.

"There are some snakes I can live with out." Harry muttered to himself.

"Voldemort?" Danii questioned.

Harry gave her a look of astonishment. One because she heard him and two because she said it as if it were nothing out of the ordinary. "Yeah, I was referring to him. You said his name, that's rare." He said approvingly.

Kari grimaced at the thought of him, "He can drop dead, I mean nobody would miss his psychotic ass." She said gritting her teeth.

Danii reprimanded her mockingly. "Whoa, such graphic language." Danii again looked towards the compartment door expectantly.

And again the door opened. Trent's spiky head looked in and mumbled, "Fuck where is that damn snake!"

Kari glared at her brother, an annoyed look crossing her face. "Trent, get out!" She said hotly as she crossed her arms, not wanting to see the porcupine.

Trent looked up at Kari. "I was going to but now I think I'll stay." He sneered, letting his gaze linger over Harry before connecting with Danii. He smirked, "And who is this young beaut?"

Danii returned the smirk, "Danielle Christensen, and you are?"

Glaring at Trent, Kari said for him, "My older brother, Trenton Corio. There, the introductions are complete. Sors-maintenant tu abruti."

Trent smirked at his little sister, but before he could retort he was violently pushed forward. He steadied his balance, trying not to land on Harry. He turned around with an immediate scowl across his face. "What the hell Draco!"

"Did you find that damned thing!?" Draco asked quickly before looking around at his company and straitening up. " Apparently not…" The blond ran his fingers through his hair and turned his attention to Kari, " Well who is this." The sneer that had once been on his face quickly transformed into a charming smile.

Trent shook his head, "You don't want to touch that. She's my sister unfortunately, plus she's a half blood." He said dejectedly.

Draco shuttered, "Oh never m-m-m-." Draco's face contorted with fear as a large boa cured tightly around his leg and made its way up to his torso. The unexpected intrusion was made all the worse by the sudden noise of the door sliding open once again.

Alexandra appeared behind Draco with a small smile playing on her lips, "Don't worry guys I found Osiris." Her voice was cheery as she took in the sight of her younger brother's disgruntled and violated expression.

"Bloody hell Alexei!! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!?" Draco asked as he tried futilely to pry the large slithering menace from his body with some help from his best friend.

Alexei smiled innocently, "Of course not little brother, why would I want to do such a thing?" The blonde held out her hand in front of the snake and it detached from Draco and latched itself to her, "Now what did you want to show me?"

Osiris rapped loosely around his master's body and looked up into her eyes , "I heard other parseltongues in here."

Harry looked between the three Slytherin intruders. He had known Malfoy and Trent for years, but it seemed odd to have three new female students in the same year coming to Hogwarts at an unusual age. " Please, do not tell me that you are another Malfoy." He stated as he glared at the blonde female. "And she just happens to speak Parseltongue." he added sarcastically.

Alexei quickly turned to face Harry, her small smile changing into a hard, and cold expression. " Yes, I do happen to be a Malfoy. And among many other talents, yes I do speak Parseltongue." She said with a regal tone.

He rolled his eyes. "So either your dear brother has been hiding something from us all these years or you're not of the exact same blood." he replied as he took in her tanner complexion, but similar Malfoy hair and facial structures.

Draco stepped forward and opened his mouth to say something obviously venomous by the look on his face, but was quickly silenced by Alexei. She raised her hand slightly, a signal for Draco to calm himself. " You are quite the nosy one aren't you Potter?" Alexei said with an overly calm tone, " If you must know, we have different mothers." She glanced back at Draco who seemed less than willing to share such information with his rival.

Before Harry could reply, they turned their attention to Danii who had been hissing, or speaking to Jean. "No Jean." Harry smiled as Danii seemed to be struggling with her adder who was violently trying to escape her grasp.

"Lets goes of me Daniis. They are invading mes territoires." Jean hissed hysterically while trying to free his small body from his masters firm squeeze.

Danii looked up at the Malfoy heiress. "I am sorry, but can you please either leave or just remove your snake.. Jean is very territorial and I know that within seconds he would be dead if he were to go up against your boa." she smiled apologetically with no menace in her voice to reflect her adder's struggle.

Osiris, who had been watching the struggle between the small snake and its master, suddenly tensed. " Foolisssh little one, do you really believe yourssself ssstrong enough to fight me?" the much larger snake bared his fangs at the tiny threat.

"Calm yourself Osiris, show some manners and respect!" Alexei hissed venomously, " No matter how little you are shown yourself." The young woman added as she stared pointedly at Jean.

Jean looked up at his opponent, "I will try my bessst. You posses a threat to my Daniis." he replied baring his fangs as well.

Osiris bowed his head apologetically then looked back to Jean, "You are luckysss may lady isss merciful todayss, for otherwise you would be dead." The boa hissed calmly.

Danii gritted her teeth, "Sorry Jean." she said before casting a full-body bind on the snake in her hands. She glanced up at the other occupants of the room. "I really am sorry. He is just used to being around me, and when I was bitten by a rattlesnake a couple of years ago he went berserk. Please excuse his rashness." she said again with a purposeful gaze to Alexandra.

Alexandra patted Osiris on the head as he hissed in a way that almost sounded like a laugh. " I understand, snakes can become over protective if not trained properly. Such rashness is common among certain breeds as well." She said, stressing 'certain' more than necessary, as if not just referring to the snakes anymore.

Danii gave the blonde a quizzical look, but continued by introducing herself. " So it was rude of me not introduce myself. My names Danielle Christensen. And pipsqueak here," gesturing to her pocket where the adder resided, " is Jean."

"Alexandra Amun-Malfoy, and this is Osiris." Alexei said as she gestured towards the large snake. " It seems the rumors were true, Hogwarts has a few newcomers this year. That is of course besides the first years." Her stormy eyes shifted to Kari then back to Danii as she spoke.

The pale raven nodded, "So it seems."

Trent looked up from his silent glaring contest with his sister. "Alexei, I hate to interrupt, but we should be getting back to the compartment to change and discuss some new information." Trent said with slight hesitation, he wasn't sure what should be said in front of the strange group that had gathered.

Draco nodded in agreement with Trent and opened the compartment door, " We don't want to keep Armand waiting, he will no doubt start searching the train for you soon. We really don't want that." The Slytherin said gravely as he stepped out into the hall.

"No, we wouldn't want that. He might scare the poor young ones." She eyed Harry and with a small, knowing smile swept out of the room and down the hall with her brother.

Kari glared after the Slytherin trio. "I hate my brother and I already hate that Malfoy chick. She seems so stuck up." she said moodily as she roughly took her Ipod from her pocket and shoved the ear buds in her ears. "Please don't mind me right now. My brother just really pisses me off. " she said apologetically as she sat further into her seat before tuning out all but the music.

Harry nodded his head and shared a shrug with Danii. He glanced once more at Kari before launching into a conversation with Danielle. "So, what have you heard about Hogwarts?"