1Chapter 22

Something in the dead undergrowth of the backyard had jumped out at Carina as she drew close. There right before her was a huge rat running at her. She bellowed a scream and took of at a sprint not looking where she was going. She turned her head to see the rat hot on her trail. Screaming even louder she leapt over a hedge but as she brought left leg over the hedge a branch tangled around her foot. Once she landed she kept running until the branch pulled sharply on her leg pulling her back toward the rat.

"SEVERUS! REMUS! DADDY!"

Inside Albus, Severus, and Remus were in the second floor study still discussing the plans they were making for Carina. "The old Charms classroom could easily be turned into an office, she could arrange it any way she wants. When her day is over she can floo back to Grimmauld Place and stay in her home."

"Speaking of which, when are we going to move it out back." asked Remus

"I can do it tonight." Albus answered.

"Do we need to gather all Order members tonight as well?" Severus asked from his seat in the shadows.

"I think that all the key Order members need to be aware, especially anyone who will recognize her at Hogwarts." Came the firm answer from Albus.

Severus sneered at some laughter coming from the hall, then turned his sneer to Dumbledore. "Just to double check, Albus, at Hogwarts she will go by Ms. Hannah, correct?"

"Yes Severus, and you needn't make that face, I feel for sure things will be better now. She will be closer if anything were to happen. Remus will soon be visiting the refuge werewolf camps, but I plan to have him spending nights here with Carina, and if you so choose you may also plan to stay here as well."

"I would like that." Severus again sneered at the noise coming from the hall, it was those danged Weasley twins, more then likely up to some form of mischief. As he opened his mouth to speak they grew even louder. He stood and crossed the room in three smooth strides. He yanked open the door to see the two leaning over the banister trying to see into the yard. "Will you two please...

His next rant was cut off by an alarming scream coming from the yard. The two began to laugh hysterically and so did several over teens around them. When the screams became more horrified and Snape, Remus, and Dumbledore ran down the stairs, the laughing faces turned guilty and as if realizing their mistake they too ran down the stairs.

Carina looked up from her ankle to the rat that was leaping toward her, it felt like her heart was about to explode with fear as the rats body began to grow and shift. 'How could this be happening again!' her mind screamed at her. Then as it's enlarged arms enveloped her it turned into a cloud of purple smoke. A colorful paper banner wrapped loosely around her and reading the word 'gottcha' she burst into tears of embarrassment and relief. Her shame grew as Severus reached her and tore the banner off and picked her up off the ground. She grew pink as she looked up to see a small crowd gathered at the back door, almost the whole house was out in the yard looking at the hysterical women who felt more like a small stupid child.

As Albus walked up Severus let Carina stand, after checking her over his gaze turned to the group of young people huddled together looking extremely guilty at Carina. Albus was now holding her head into his chest and let her weep bitter tears that seeped from her eyes into his violet robes and even farther piercing his heart.

She had never been this weak, she hated this feeling. She supposed to be the strong one who never let anything bother her, but here she was crying, from frustration of being so helpless, embarrassed at her outburst in front of complete strangers, and most of all the fear that had now wrapped itself so firmly around her heart that she wondered if she would ever be as strong as she once was. She hadn't even registered the ranting of one whom took true the name of The Knights of the Princess of Hogwarts.

As soon as Severus had seen that Carina was okay he turned his eyes the Weasleys, Granger, and Potter. The caring and compassion that had been there not just two seconds ago was drowned by the vengeful anger that seethed through his very person.

"Think its funny to play pranks with rats on someone who was nearly rapped by Peter Pettigrew!?"

The group gasped and had the good grace to lower their heads and even blush. The boys balled up there fist in anger at the former member of the Order and a Gryffindore who had turned so completely evil. Hermione and Ginny reached out for each others hands.

"We didn't know, we swear we meant no harm."

"No matter what you meant it was a terrible thing to do and after we move inside you can explain yourselves to Carina." Remus too was standing over the group and looking down at them. He turned and watched as Albus lead Carina who was now only red with embarrassment inside and away from her unneeded self shame. He could tell that she was almost sick just from all the confusion of such a large group plus all last night and the afternoons events.

"Remus, what's going on?" Asked Harry stepping forward with earnest concern and an enlightened look at Carina, Albus, and Severus. "Who is she really?"

As Remus looked down into those almond shaped emerald green eyes he couldn't help but feel ashamed that he hadn't notice just how much like Lily Harry was. Well first he would need to tell them who she was, and he knew that would only add lemon juice to their fresh cut. I"M BACK!!!! yay! I went to support a friend in a ½ marathon these last few days but ME HOME NOW. And tired. But I figured you guys deserve a chapter especially since I left on such a mean cliffy I'm beginning to think that maybe Heartless03-2003 is right and I'm a sadist when it comes to chapter ends muhaha. Smile123 thanks for the review and I tried to edit this chapter, so did you like it better? Marauders-pride thanks for your review I'm so happy you like it you! And btw I love the name!IF YOU WANT THE NEXT CHAPTER YOU BETTER REVIEW!!!!!