Dislcaimer: I don't own anything except Cat and her family...as much as I wish I did.

Catania's POV

While we did manage to secure the compartment next to Draco's, the train ride was fairly uneventful. First Tori and I met up with our dorm mates Maria, Kassandra and Alice. We spent a good chunk of the train ride exchanging stories about our summers, constantly finding a way to one-up the others with the exotic places our families traveled.

Not that I could contribute much, all of my family's property is in Europe. How low-class of us.

About halfway through the trip we split off into different conversations about stupid things like clothes, which special charms could keep your hair in place the longest, or how to perfectly match your winged eyeliner. Since I wasn't particularly interested in what I deemed 'trivial girly things', I figured it was probably the best time to run to the bathroom.

"I'm headed to the toilets real quick; does anyone want to go with?"

Tori's hand shot up immediately. "I'll go! Maria you should come and show me that charm for making a braided crown while we have a big enough mirror." Tori smiled coyly, "I want to look super cute for Draco at the feast."

Draco was the one boy who Tori had set her sights on to marry, mainly for his money and status, and also for his 'devilishly good looks'.

Cue eye roll…

Unfortunately for everyone else she was extremely stubborn and didn't settle for anything less than what she asked for plus some.

Sorry Draco, I would not have wished such a fate on my worst enemy.

I could tell Maria wasn't 100% convinced to join us, but the power of Tori's persuasive smile was too strong and she dragged herself off of the bench anyway. It was the moment after Tori slid open the door that the train suddenly lurched to the left and one of the trunks from the shelves slid dangerously close to the edge.

"Shouldn't we wait until the train is more stable?" Maria asked, "We don't want to fall in the corridor and make a fool of ourselves, what if Draco sees?"

Unfortunately for me, Maria was just as good at manipulation as Tori was.

Damn Slytherins.

Tori fell right into it, taking a step around me to reenter the cabin. Then the train lurched again and out of the corner of my eye I could see the large trunk falling off the rack and straight towards my head. A small pinch of fear rushed through me, and I raised my arms to protect myself. Right as I shut my eyes, waiting for my impending doom, I heard someone shout.

"Whoa there!"

Tori let out a small yelp and I snapped my eyes open to realize I was now face to face with an upperclassman boy.

Holy…

I stood completely still, too awkward to say anything as the mystery boy shoved the trunk back into place.

"Blaise where the bloody hell did you- oh. Did one of the baby first years catch your eye?"

From behind the boy I now recognized as Blaise Zabini, I saw none other than Tori's 'true love' Draco Malfoy smirking.

"Actually Draco," Blaise retorted, "I was just saving this fellow Slytherin from being crushed. You know, house loyalty and all that."

"You're welcome by the way." He said to me waving offhandedly and retreating to the corridor where the rest of Draco's posse gathered.

"Hi Draco," Tori greeted in what was probably her best attempt a flirting, "How was your summer?" Clearly she was trying to goad him into asking about hers, but he didn't take the bait.

He glanced down at her before responding with a cold "Fine." and walking the rest of the way down the corridor to his own cabin next door.

He's so rude. What does she see in him? Of course if I try to tell her how much of an asshole he is, she'll just call me stupid for not seeing his potential, then be glad she won't have more competition. Though I would like to think our friendship is greater than that.

In response to being so flatly ignored, Tori 'hmphed' and plopped down on the bench. It was awkwardly silent for several minutes as we watched her fume, waiting for her to say something.

My bladder was still full though, and I didn't see any point in waiting.

"Well, I still have to go to the toilet so whether you're interested in coming or not, I'll be back in a few minutes." I shrugged and pushed open the door, warily eyeing the luggage on the rack.

Alice gave me a weird look, probably for my unusual bluntness.

Normally I'm only that 'up front' in my head I guess, oh well.

Tori begrudgingly stood and grabbed my hand, dragging me to the bathroom like a ragdoll. As soon as the bathroom door shut behind us Tori immediately began her rant.

"I mean honestly what is his problem? It's like I was some useless Ravenclaw or worse, a half-blood! As the daughter of a well-known pureblood ministry official, it's the least he could do to respond in a polite manner. It's not like I told him I wanted to have his babies or anything!"

I snorted at her interesting way of putting things, locking the stall while she continued to complain.

"How am I supposed to get a chance at him before his parents sign that god-awful betrothal with the Parkinsons?"

"Now their kids are something I would like to see." I joked, imagining Draco's pointy chin and Pansy's pug face.

Honestly Tori he's such a daddy's boy he'd probably do whatever his parents said, no matter what he felt for you.

"It's just so hard to find a nice, handsome, rich, influential, older, pureblood, Slytherin boy!" Tori whined, jumping off the counter so I could wash my hands at the sink.

I just laughed. "I'm surprised you haven't mentioned how he called us first years yet."

She raised her hands up to the ceiling in frustration, "Ugh! Don't even get me started!"

I slid open the door, and we started back down the hallway, giggling the entire way.

"First years? Come on Draco I expected more from you, I know Cat is like barely five feet tall but still!"

"Hey," I countered, "I'm not that sma-"

Oof! What is with me and being so clumsy today?

"Hey there! What's up with you, are you trying to get hurt?"

Dear Merlin, I just ran into Blaise. Again. My luck is ridiculous.

"Hello? Are you there? Did you hit your head or something?" Blaise waved a tan hand back and forth in front of my face.

Great, now he probably thinks I'm a freak.

"She's fine. Come on Cat let's get back." Tori spoke for me, deciding that I was being too awkward and weird to answer for myself.

"If you say so…." Blaise ran a hand through his short black hair.

Wow his hair is a nice color…and is that, Acqua di Parma?

Tori yanked my arm, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, umm. Sorry! About running into you I mean…and thanks for not letting that trunk land on me earlier." I quickly shouted as I was being dragged yet again down the corridor.

He laughed, "No problem, Slytherin loyalty and all."

With that I was pulled into the compartment and roughly squished in between Kassandra and Maria.

"Hey watch it!" They both protested.

Tori sat directly across from me and looked me straight in the eye, "Alright, spill."

"Spill? Spill what?" I asked, slightly concerned as all eyes turned towards me.

"Blaise of course! You were totally weird around him, I know you're quiet but you didn't even say anything after you ran right into him." Tori gushed, leaning forward in her seat.

There was a chorus of squeals from the other girls.

"You like Blaise?!"

"Since when? Why didn't you tell us?"

"And you're both Italian how cute!"

"Guys please! Calm down. I never said I liked him anyway, and I did apologize after you decided to yank me down the hallway." I flailed awkwardly trying to deflect the attention everyone was paying towards me.

"Oh come on Cat, you know just as well as I do that your awkwardness around a boy that you find attractive is completely different from your awkwardness in public and that was definitely the first kind of awkward." Tori waved her hand around like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Am I really so awkward that my friends are able to categorize it? Merlin help me...

Maria leaned forward, "What did you find so attractive about him? Was it his deep eyes? His perfectly styled hair? Or his sharp masculine jawline?"

There was a chorus of oohs and ahhs as the rest of the girls went off into their own fantasies.

I could feel a blush start to rise to my cheeks but I immediately squashed it, using a basic skill that everyone Slytherin had mastered by the start of their first year.

Maybe some Slytherin traits aren't so bad…

Tori narrowed her eyes, waiting to catch me slip up while I thought everyone was distracted. Even daydreams about equally handsome boys could not distract from her Draco obsession.

I'm starting to think nothing could come close to holding a candle against him now. Her mind is a dangerous place indeed. Draco, you should be afraid, very afraid.

*Snap*

I flinched and swatted Tori's hand away.

For someone so proper she has such trivial ways of getting your attention.

"I think the others will agree with me when I say that your little moment right then was highly suspicious." She looked at our door mates, almost threatening them into nodding along even though we all knew fully well that none of them were paying attention.

"So tell us, what exactly did you find so dreamy about him?"

"Nothing guys, really. I just thought he was cute is all." I shrugged, brushing my bangs out of my face to reinforce the idea I wasn't hiding anything from them. "It isn't a big deal can we please just drop it?"

Was that too obvious?

Tori narrowed her eyes even further. "Now if you weren't being weird before, then you definitely are now. Come on, spill."

That's a yes…I guess I'll have to tell them all eventually so I might as well while everyone's here.

"Okay I'll tell you, but remember, no gossiping." I held up my pinky for all of them to promise. Once each of the girls agreed to silence I sighed.

"My father told me he found an interested suitor, I think he means someone has made an offer for me."

The girls gasped, while it wasn't uncommon for arranged marriages in the pureblood community, it was a bit strange nowadays for it happen to someone as young as us.

"Did he say who?" Kassandra asked. Out of all of us she had the most experience with betrothal, currently she was promised to a business man at least twice her age from the American Ministry, a move to further her father's business exploits in foreign territories.

"No, he didn't say there was an official agreement either, just that they had committed with an investment of sorts."

I specifically left out the part about the investment paying my mother's hospital bills. Despite the fact that we were all friends and promised not to gossip, in a room full of Slytherins one could never be too careful about arming them with future ammunition.

"If that's all, then you should be okay for now. Nothing is concrete without an agreement and you can still get out of it, there's just more obligation for your father to go through with the deal." Kassandra reassured me, "And even if you do get engaged, as long as you're careful when hashing out the terms then you can still keep plenty of lovers."

After that we decided to change the topic, it was awkward enough for me, and in an attempt to stop the pity stares I told them I didn't want to start off the year on such a bad note.

Honestly that's not even an excuse, it's just the straight up truth.

By the time we had made it to the station, we were giggling like nothing had ever happened.

"Come on guys hurry up so we can all get a carriage together!" Maria shoved us roughly down the stairs.

Unfortunately for her, Tori had spotted her one and only true love.

"Cat," she whispered to me, taking a step back so the others wouldn't hear. I could literally see the gears in her head whirring away at some plot to get close to him.

"There's Draco's group, let's wait until they're almost full and hop on at the last second."

I rolled my eyes, "Really? Tori what if he starts to think you're despera— oof!" She yanked my arm through our group of friends and up into the carriage where Pansy, Blaise, and no other than Draco 'Perfect' Malfoy were sitting. On my way up the step I caught the edge of my boot and I started to fall face first into the bench.

This time it was Draco who stopped me, catching me before shoving my shoulders carelessly and launching my small body into Blaise on the opposite bench.

"What the hell is wrong with you firstie? These are real dragon leather boots, not like you would know. Where were you raised? By muggles?"

I'd rather have hit the floor you pompous asswipe. And you would know blondie.

As much as I wanted to I didn't respond, dropping my gaze out of respect for Tori instead. She widened her eyes at me from her place next to Draco as if trying to tell me to "chill out".

You're the one who dragged my into this just because of your Draco obsession, who are you to tell me to chill out?

"We really need to stop meeting like this," Blaise interrupted my silent fuming, scooting over so I could sit across from my so called 'friend'.

"I don't believe we've been formally introduced before, I'm Blaise, Blaise Zabini." He held out his hand for me to shake. I opted for a slight nod instead, following etiquette lessons from years prior.

I'll show you I wasn't raised by muggles Malfoy.

"Catania, but everyone calls me Cat."

"Catania," he repeated shaking his head, "how much more Italian can you get?"

I allowed myself a small chuckle, "I know. What kind of parents name all of their children after cities in Italy?"

"You're kidding," Blaise leaned forward, "I mean it's not like you have a ton of siblings right?"

"Actually..." I began, counting the tally in my head.

"Blaise, you should have higher standards than firstie over there, let's go!" Draco turned around with a smirk, hopping from the carriage and striding towards the castle like the stuck up Daddy's boy he was.

Whoa there Cat, deep breaths.

As I calmed myself down, an outstretched hand appeared in front of me. I followed the finely tailored sleeve to see Blaise watching me.

"It's no wonder you're so clumsy," he smirked, "I would be too if I was so easily caught up in my thoughts." I hesitantly grabbed his hand and hopped off the carriage, landing on the path with a small thump.

"You should probably catch up to him." I nodded to Draco as Blaise matched my pace to the castle.

Wouldn't want pretty boy to get his feelings hurt.

"Wow, I guess I should have expected a little fight out of someone whose friends with Astoria."

I looked at him wide eyed, "Merlin, I didn't mean to say that out loud!" I mentally face palmed.

Stupid.

Blaise only chuckled, "Don't worry about it. I won't say a word."

"Promise?" I asked, holding up my pinky

"Promise." He agreed before holding out his arm to lead me upstairs.

I declined, tugging my robes tighter around my body to stop them from flapping in the wind instead.

He didn't make a face at my small rejection, but knowing he was a Slytherin I had the feeling he was just very practiced at hiding it.

We chatted openly as we made our way up to the castle, and he stopped just short of the entrance to the Great Hall.

Not quite sure what to expect, I stood awkwardly in front of him. He laughed at my strange behavior and ruffled my bangs.

Well that doesn't make me feel like a little kid at all…

"Don't feel awkward Cat, it's no big deal." He removed his hand from the top of my head. "A little flirting never hurt anyone."

Is that what we were doing? And why do I get the feeling you're reassuring yourself more than you're trying to reassure me?

But I agreed nonetheless.

"Yeah. You're right, sorry." As I gazed at the ground I felt his presence start to fade.

"I'll see you around alright?" Blaise called out to me as he turned his back, walking towards Draco and the rest of their group at the end of the Slytherin table.

I didn't respond, instead turning the corner and banging my head on the stone wall.

I. Am. An. Idiot.

"Miss Acerbi!"

I jumped, quick lifting my hand to cover the spot on my head where I had been hitting it against the wall. Just in case there was a mark.

"What in Salazar's name do you think you're doing?"

Of course it had to be Snape. He already doesn't like me because I suck at potions but now he's going to think I have mental problems.

"Nothing professor! How is your evening so far?" I greeted cheerfully, pasting on a smile that probably looked more like a grimace.

"Just get to your seat before the ceremony starts." He brushed past me, not even bothering to answer my question.

I stuck my tongue out in my head.

My evening is going fantastically professor, thanks for asking!

He whipped around as if reading my mind.

"Your seat, Miss Acerbi." He hissed before swooshing his robe and stalking off to the teachers table.

Oops...might as well do as he says though. I don't need another reason for him to fail me in class.

Finally making my way towards our table on the far right, I scoured the bench for my friends. Sure enough they had saved me a seat on Tori's right, halfway down the table where we always sat. Close enough to hear gossip from the older and the younger students, and obviously, Tori's choice.

"Where have you been?" Tori reprimanded me," You're going to miss out on all of the important gossip."

Cause I won't hear it all again later tonight anyway...

"Shhh! The sorting is about to start."

I saw Tori glare down the table, following her gaze to the guilty party. Anger started to bubble in the pit of my stomach.

Pansy Parkinson did you just shush me?! And since when did Slytherins care about what Dumbledore had to say?

I turned my head towards the front of the great hall in order to stop myself from retorting, but as soon as the ancient headmaster opened his mouth I began to zone out.

Blaise was right, I do get distracted often. Speaking of Blaise...

Was I too awkward about talking to him? Maybe he changed his mind and doesn't like me anymore. Did he even like me in the first place? Merlin I'm going to be in real trouble if I can't figure out how to decipher these types of things.

He did say that a little flirting never hurt anyone, so does that mean he actually was flirting? I hope so...

Wait? What am I saying? Does that mean I like him?

I held back the temptation to bang my forehead on the table.

Being a teenage girl is so frustrating.

In the midst of my inner turmoil I felt a small pinch on the back of my hand. It was Tori.

Of course, who else would get someone's attention by causing pain?

"What?" I asked, slightly irritated.

She ignored my tone and gestured to the creepy figure behind a pillar near the front of the hall.

"Is that…?" I squinted, suddenly intrigued.

"Mad-eye moody." Tori confirmed.

"My father said he was to be the new Defense against the dark arts teacher, but I thought it was so outrageous it couldn't possibly be true." Marie added.

"It seems not all rumors are just that." Tori pursed her lips.

"What could Dumbledore possibly be thinking by hiring a mad man like that?" I mused, "Surely he would want someone sane enough to teach?"

"Or Moody was the only one insane enough to take the job. Either way it's bad news for us." Tori said grimly.

Marie and I exchanged puzzled glances, "What do you mean?"

"I mean that someone who hunted dark wizards for a living isn't going to appreciate the same wizard's children mucking around in class, not that we muck around, but we'll have to keep our heads low until we see how biased he is." She explained. There was a loud groan and we turned to watch as the entrance doors swung open to reveal Professor McGonagall and a mass of first years.

Dumbledore rose to welcome them, "Let the Sorting Ceremony commence."

I strained in my seat, looking for my little brother in the crowd. I spotted him near the back, his shoulders straight and his chin held high. I allowed myself a soft smile, he's a Slytherin for sure.

I hope Turin made some friends on the train, it'll give him an advantage to have strong alliances right off the bat.

His name was called early on and I tucked my hands in my lap to hide the nervous tapping from my fingers.

"There's an ambitious desire for knowledge I see, and that cunning pride, hmm, I know just where to put you—Slytherin!" The sorting hat called out. A large cheer rose from our table and Tori nudged me on the arm.

"Looks like your family did something right raising him."

I smiled back at her, thankful for the rare compliment.

It may only be an insult disguised as a compliment, but I'll take what I can get.

The rest of the sorting ceremony was rather drab, except for a few rowdy boys who all ended up in Gryffindor, and the pair of Crowley twins who sat across from my brother, the first years seemed docile and relatively unimportant.

Internally I let out a small sigh, my little brother was right where I could look after him.

Secretly of course.

As the feast ended not even Tori could stifle a yawn, and we decided to hold off on discussing any new gossip until tomorrow.

It's not like that much can happen overnight.

Or so I thought….

AN: Sorry this chapter is sorta long, but who wants three chapters worth of exposition? I don't want to write it, most of you don't want to read it, it's a win-win. Besides, now the real fun begins.

And a cliffhanger already? It's only the second chapter! What can I say, I'm a rebel ;)

Please review!