Author's Note: This time, Carina's Story starts in the summer. If I get enough demand, I'll write the Quidditch World Cup from Year Three
Chapter One- Sirius Black
"Are you ready, Carina?" Dumbledore asks. I nod. He points at the piece of paper and says, "Portus." The paper glows blue. "I've already sent your trunk and owl ahead." He says. I quickly grab the Portkey, and I'm whisked off to a dining room.
A man is sitting at the table. "You're Sirius Black, aren't you? I recognize you from the Daily Prophet." I ask. He nods. "And you must be Carina Malfoy. Welcome to Number Twelve Grimmauld Place. Your trunk is already upstairs." He says. Sirius looks slightly worn out, I'm guessing from the years in Azkaban. "If you were in Azkaban, did you ever see my aunt Bellatrix?" I ask tentatively. "Yes, once in Azkaban and many times before. Bellatrix Lestrange is my cousin, though I don't really call that half of my relatives family." Sirius says.
"So that makes you, what, my second cousin?" I ask. "Yes." Sirius says. "That's pretty cool." I smile. "Are you in the Order as well?" I ask. Sirius nods. Another man and woman walk in. "Professor Lupin, you're in the Order, too?" I ask him as he walks in. Lupin nods. "Welcome to the Order of the Phoenix." He says. "Who are you?" I say curiously to the woman. "I'm Tonks." She says cheerfully. "Is that a last name?" I ask. "You wouldn't want to be called 'Nymphadora' either." Tonks says. "No, I don't think I would." I agree. Her pink hair suddenly turns purple. "Hey!" I exclaim. "You're a Metamorphmagus! That's awesome!" Tonks turn her hair back to spiky pink. I spot Sirius and Lupin looking on amused. "Watch this." Tonks says, adding whiskers to her face. "Woah!" I say.
"Carina, meet your cousin, Nymphadora Tonks." Lupin says. "How did I never know about this?" I wonder out loud. "I have the best cousins ever!" Sirius smiles again. "Glad you think so." He says. "Dumbledore's coming in a few minutes." Sirius says to Lupin. "Mad-Eye as well." Tonks adds.
As if on cue, the door opens, and in comes Mad-Eye Moody, Professor Snape, and Dumbledore. I point at Snape in surprise, and splutter "but, you... Father said... you're a Death Eater!" Dumbledore smiles. "Professor Snape is our spy." He waves his wand and conjures up a few more chairs, which everyone sits down in.
"Now, in about two weeks, the Weasleys are coming, just forewarning you, Sirius. Then, there is the matter of the prophecy." Dumbledore starts. I'm confused, but decide to say nothing. "Nymphadora, if you would fill Carina in on that afterwards, it would be splendid." Tonks nods acknowledgement. "We'll need to watch the Ministry, no doubt the Death Eaters are already planning how to get at it." Dumbledore says. "It's a shame Kingsley couldn't make it today; he knows more about manners of retrieving prophecies than I do." "We need to set up a guard. 24/7 around the clock." Mad-Eye says in a gruff manner. "Yes, that would be advisable, Alastor, except that, as the Ministry doesn't believe our story, we'd be in serious trouble. Besides, the Unspeakables are inside during the day." Dumbledore says.
"Set up a night guard then." Mad-Eye says. Snape and Lupin nod agreement. "Have people pop into the Ministry every so often, check who's there." Lupin says. "My father's usually in and out of the Ministry, I bet he'll try to put Ministry officials under the Imperius Curse." I offer. "Good. That's a start. Severus, is this the plan?" Dumbledore turns to Snape. "Nothing had been decided the last time I spoke to the Dark Lord." Snape says. Dumbledore nods. "I think for now, all we can do is set up the night guards."
He turns back to me. "You're underage. Luckily, this house is hidden from the Ministry's sight. I've seen your marks in Defense Against the Dark Arts, they're all extremely good for someone your age." Dumbledore says. "Thank you." I nod. "Still, I would like you trained in higher level defense. Remus, I trust you can do that?" Dumbledore says. Lupin nods. I glad it's Lupin teaching me. He was my favorite professor. "Good. I think that's all for now. Nymphadora, I believe they're expecting you back at the Ministry." Dumbledore gets up, and leaves. Mad-Eye, Snape, and Tonks follow, leaving Lupin, Sirius and I in the kitchen.
"I guess now would be a good time to start." Lupin says. "Has your shield charm improved since last year?" I shake my head. "Not really. It's still pretty bad." "Good. We'll practice that first. Ready?" Lupin asks. I nod. "Stupefy." Lupin says. "Protego!" I exclaim. The Stunning Spell simply bounces off my shield charm. Lupin looks at me pointedly. "You have been working on your shield charm. Much better. Tomorrow, I'll teach you a good way to send messages." "Thank you." I say
