An alarm clock shattered the silence of Ottery St. Catchpole. The morning dew still clung to the grass in the 5:30 chill. It was just like every normal day… A tall girl, around 16 years old, climbed out of her bed, fully dressed. She quietly pulled her broomstick out of her closet and secured her bag on her back. Flying lower than necessary, she darted over to the next house.

"Damn," she whispered, staring up at all three stories. "I always forget which window it is…"

As she peered into each windowpane, she finally spotted her destination. She rapped on the glass and giggled as a boy with flaming red hair thrashed in his tangled bed sheets and flopped onto the floor. Grumbling and rubbing his eyes, he slowly opened the window and moved back to let her in.

"Bloody hell Renae," he moaned. "Do you always have to come this early?"

"Of course!" she said brightly. "If we're going to be playing Quidditch this year, we got to be in the best shape!"

"Fine…" he mumbled. "Go get Fred and George while I throw some clothes on…"

Renae Cantera was your average 16-year-old girl. She loved Quidditch, shopping, partying, and boys. Her long chestnut hair stretched down to her lower back in soft waves that went magnificently with her hazel eyes. Renae had a curvy figure and a slight bit of acne, but, then again, who didn't at age 16? Exactly 34 days ago, Renae had arrived at Ottery St. Catchpole with her mother, two brothers, and sister. Renae was the oldest and was the only one of her siblings present when they discovered that their father was murdered. She was only eleven years old when a Ministry official arrived at her house with the bad news. Her mother worked double shifts seven days a week for five years. Her efforts were amazing, but it wasn't enough. Not able to support four kids by herself any longer, the Cantera family moved to Ottery St. Catchpole in hopes of a new beginning.

Renae had moved in to a house next door to the Weasley's. In a matter of days, she had fallen in love with the family and became good friends with Ron, the second youngest. Her two twin brothers, Caleb and Derek, had caught a glimpse of Ginny and were immediately addicted to tagging along with Renae on her daily visits to the house. They were both 15, the same as Ginny, and extremely conceited. She didn't mind all of the attention they gave her. Actually, she though it was a good change. Renae's youngest sister, Greta, was 13 and very shy. She usually kept to herself and sat in trees, writing songs in a little yellow notebook.

Mrs. Cantera, whom everyone called by her first name, "Diane", had taught her children magic from the day they could hold their wands. She was more like a sister to her kids, and didn't want them to leave her for nine months every year for school. This year, however, she had finally plucked up the courage to let her little ducklings go. Renae was the most excited of all, seeing that she would be with Ron. He was her best friend. To be exact, he was her only friend. That was all going to change.

Renae crept over to the next room and opened the door a few inches. The twins were already up with their brooms ready to go.

"Mornin' gorgeous!" said Fred.

"Oh my God, do you have to say that every day?" she laughed.

"I suppose not… I'll save it for Angelina," he said thoughtfully.

"Well, let's not sit around all day," George said, standing up and grabbing his broom. "We need to help ickle Ronniekins and his newest girlfriend train."

Renae punched him hard in the shoulder. He rubbed it and pouted. She had never really liked Ron as a boyfriend and absolutely detested when the twins made fun of them.

"C'mon, let's go," she muttered darkly.

"I think I've touched a nerve," George whispered.

"Well, you better shut your mouth before there aren't any left in your arm," Renae spat over her shoulder.

"Oh, what did they say this time?"

Ron had just stumbled sleepily out of his room with his broomstick. Renae rolled her eyes and murmured "Nothing" and headed downstairs. The wonderful mix of sausage and eggs drifted from the kitchen. It was enough to make any mouth water.

"Good morning dears, would you care for a bit of breakfast before heading out?" Mrs. Weasley asked as she stirred a pot of porridge with her wand.

"No thanks Mum," Ron said. "Don't want to be throwing up on my broom this early in the morning."

"Oh, all right then," she sighed. "I can't get you to eat anything these days."

"Maybe afterwards we can have some," Fred said.

"Yeah, that sounds good," George added.

"Well, you should go start before the sun comes up," Mrs. Weasley directed. "After all, there's only a week left until term starts. You and your brothers and sister are coming with us to Diagon Alley, right Renae?"

"Yep, bright and early, Monday morning," Renae informed her.

"Now that that's settled, we better not waste any more time," Ron cut in. "Let's go already!"

"Alright," George sighed. "Don't get your undies in a bunch."

"Not unless you'd like to do the honors?" Renae laughed.

"I'm very tempted, but I think I'll save it for a rainy day," he answered.