Disclaimer: Not mine, anything else you recognise probably isn't mine either but I never know for sure since I've read so many stories that I can't tell anymore whether or not it was my idea in the first place.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait. RL kept me busy and not everything was as peachy as it should be. Anyway, we got our grades for last term a couple of weeks ago and I did well enough since September.
But people STILL scold me for spending too much time on fanfictions and before my computer so I had to limit myself to writing on paper. I've so many new story ideas floating in my head that I can't seem to concentrate for long on a single story alone.
I hope you can bear with me and I again want to make it clear that this series definitely WILL be finished. It might just take a while to do so. Enough ranting on my part - enjoy the chapters and leave me a review. ^_^
~...~ Parseltongue
/.../ Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ Flashback or changing POV
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Chapter 05 - Diaries and Strange Incidents or Holiday Heaven and Dobby
Ginny didn't know what to think anymore. How could Hermione just smile at such an insult? Malfoy had called her a 'Mudblood' for Slytherins sake! That was the worst thing you could call a Muggleborn wizard or witch.
Why was she so damned calm about that? Ginny was glad her father had punched Malfoy. It was what that bastard deserved. She wondered what might have happened if the Potter twins had been there too. Carya surely would've tried to hex him and Harry would've helped her.
'But wait,' she thought, 'were was Draco? I thought he always accompanied his father in 'Diagon Alley'? He once told us it was important to keep appearances and going together was crucial for that. Why was Malfoy alone this time?'
This was really confusing. Hermione was already asleep, so Ginny crept out of the room with parchment, quill, ink in one hand and her new book under her arm. She silently went to the living room and thankfully it was empty.
Ginny lit the candles near the fireplace and started reading. Suddenly a small leather bound book fell out. It looked like an ordinary muggle Calendar by the looks of it. But how came this into her book?
'I wonder whom this belonged to' she mused and carefully opened it.
It was indeed a Muggle calendar from about fifty years ago. Nothing out of the ordinary. But she knew that it had belonged to someone whose initials had been 'T.M.R.'. These three letters were written onto the inside of the cover.
'Strange, why would someone leave their calendar in a book in the bookshop and don't use it instead? It's been bought in a shop near 'King's Cross'. We went there last year with the twins ... I think I'll keep this.
There's only enough potion for two books and I always wanted a diary of sorts,' Ginny said, not realising that she was talking to herself. The Charms book lay forgotten as she started writing her fears, doubts and hopes into her new diary.
When she awoke the next morning it was still dark outside. Ginny felt much better now. After relieving herself of all those negative feelings and everything that was bothering her she was feeling refreshed.
The youngest Weasley decided to spare her mother some work and started making breakfast. When Molly got downstairs Ginny smiled at her, the first real smile since last summer.
"Morning, mum! Have you slept well?" Ginny asked.
Molly was simply stunned. Ginny had been happy when the Potter twins and Sirius Black had visited them, had been excited when they'd allowed Hermione to stay with them but she hadn't been this cheerful and happy since she'd started school.
"Good morning, Ginny, dear. Are you alright? You're up early today," Mrs. Weasley said concerned.
"No, mum, I'm perfectly fine. Everything's okay. I just woke up earlier than usual and decided to help you a bit," replied Ginny cheerfully.
Molly was still worried but somewhat happy that Ginny had found her cheerful carefree self. Over the next few days it became apparent that not even the boys could annoy her anymore. She just ignored every taunt or prank that was directed at her.
The two girls even played a 'two-against-two'-Quidditch match with the twins - Fred and George. The females had won the game and they obviously had made a bet before. So now the Weasley twins were serving the two girls for a whole weekend.
She knew why when she overheard Fred the other day talking to his twin.
"Damn, if I'd known they were that good I'd never accepted that bet," Fred began.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm only glad that the Slytherin's haven't found out about Ginny yet. With her and Potter on the team ... well we wouldn't stand a chance anymore. Not that we ever had a chance against them to be honest," George admitted.
"You're right but think about if Hermione got chosen for the Ravenclaw team! She's one hell of a chaser. Thankfully she doesn't really like flying in general. With her and that seeker - Cho Chang - we'd probably not even get the second place in the cup ... ," Fred continued and Molly stopped eavesdropping.
So Hermione and Ginny both were really good at Quidditch but chose not to play? That was interesting. But she'd heard that the three girls - Ginny, Carya and Hermione - were always to be found in the Hogwarts library.
'They must be really good players if my boys admit their skill. Especially because they are in their opponents houses,' Molly thought and went back to her laundry.
Mrs. Weasley was really happy right now. Her children didn't fight constantly anymore, Ginny was back to her old self even if she was a bit withdrawn now but she blamed that on the families behaviour towards her for the last two years.
She hoped that this year would be a little quieter than the last one but didn't really believe that it was possible. Her daughter's friends seemed to attract trouble without any effort at all. Molly sighed. In a few days her little girl would leave and only come back next summer.
On July 15th Hermione and Ginny got ready to floo over to Black Manor. Fred and George were saying goodbye and asking them to write about Remus and Sirius but the two girls just laugh at that and tell the boys to write themselves. They knew that the twins were a bit afraid of Carya's temper.
Everyone who had seen what had happened to Lavender and Ron before was afraid of angering her. She had a fiery temper and when she was deeply hurt and insulted or accused of something she didn't do she would get very angry.
Only her brother could stop such outburst when he noticed them early enough. At quarter to three in the afternoon Ginny and Hermione grabbed a pinch of floo-powder each, stepped into the fire, through the powder into it and called 'Black Manor!'
~*~*~ Black Manor an hour earlier ~*~*~
It was about half past two when the children as well as Sirius and Remus finally finished lunch. They'd argued the whole morning what they'd do when their friends arrived. Each of them had had good arguments but no one was giving in.
In the end they decided to take a bit of everything and formed a plan. Harry and Remus had gone upstairs and prepare the rooms for the two girls - one for each of them since there was plenty of room in the manor. And they were located close to Draco's and the twins rooms.
Sirius, Carya and Draco were arranging the arrival of the two girls. Draco would hide in the library until the initial greetings were over. The twins and Sirius would give the girls a little tour and drop the luggage in the rooms while Remus would join Draco in the library.
This would be the next stop. Under the pretence that they'd have tea and cookies in there Sirius and the twins would lead them to the library. Then it was Draco's turn. He would answer something to a carefully planned conversation between him and Carya.
He was really curious what Hermione's and Ginny's reactions would be, they all were. They had finished the preparations at three that afternoon. Soon the two girls would arrive so Draco headed to his hiding spot in the study adjourning the library and looked into the little spy sphere.
They were practically illegal but Sirius had been allowed to keep it because of his auror past. Right now it was quite useful. This way Draco would be in hiding but still could attend the welcoming of Ginny Weasley and Hermione Granger.
~*~*~ End Black Manor an hour earlier ~*~*~
~*~*~ General POV - Quarter past three at Black Manor ~*~*~
The fire turned green and out of the fireplace stumbled two girls, better known as Ginny and Hermione. They fell to the floor in an ungraceful heap and slowly got up to dust themselves of when they heard a snicker somewhere behind them.
Ginny turned around and saw the twins smirking at them. Sirius and Remus were just looking apologetic. The girl nudged Hermione's shoulder and she too turned around. The two looked at each other, ran over and hugged the twins although they were still soot-covered.
"Ugh, Ginny, you're evil! You did this on purpose, didn't you?" Carya said and tried to sound stern but failed miserably because they were all laughing by now.
Sirius suggested he gave them a little tour on the way to their rooms where they could clean themselves up a bit. They accepted and Remus excused himself mumbling something about preparations for tea and cookies in the library.
The four children followed Sirius upstairs and talked about the days since they'd met the last time. Harry and Carya found out that the Weasley twins now were behaving quite different from last year and laughed at that.
"It's only because they want to be taught pranks by Padfoot and Moony," she told smirking and the others agreed.
"Hey, Harry, you know what? Hermione and I beat the twins at 'Two-on-two' Chaser's match! We won by fifty points after an hour," Ginny told them.
"You did what? That's great Ginny. You really should try out this year. I've told you so since the beginning of second year but you wouldn't listen. The same for you Hermione! Gryffindor wouldn't stand a chance against Ravenclaw with you as a Chaser and Chang as Seeker," Harry said excited.
"I think Ginny will probably try out Harry, but I really hate flying. I only played because Ginny asked me to. It's just for fun. I'd rather read a good book," Hermione replied.
"Right Hermione! I like watching Quidditch better than playing it too although I do like flying itself," Carya said supporting her first study partner ever.
"Harry's given up trying to convince me of Quidditch quite quickly, mind you, I'm a decent Keeper but I really don't like Quidditch that much that I'd risk my neck for it," the girl told her.
Ginny and Hermione chuckled. They could imagine how Carya's 'convincing' must've looked like. Soon they reached the rooms and the four children quickly changed clothes and cleaned themselves up a bit. Ten minutes later Sirius lead the little group to the library.
On entering the visitors could see Remus sitting at some kind of coffee table. It was set up for seven people which made the girls wonder who'd be the seventh.
"Do you expect further guests, Harry?" Hermione asked confused.
"Why do you ask Hermione? Something wrong?" he questioned in return.
"No, nothing's wrong it's just, there is ..." she stated before Ginny continued for her.
"What she means is why there are seven dishes when we're only six people," Ginny said and Hermione nodded.
Neither of the girls had noticed the seventh member of this little party entering from a room besides them.
"Have I missed something?" Draco asked politely.
Ginny and Hermione at first didn't recognise him. He looked different. His hair wasn't slicked back but fell softly into his face.
"Nope, you didn't miss anything, Dray! Just come over. You can play perfect gentle-man and help these two ladies to their seats," Carya replied smirking at everyone and Draco in particular.
At the name 'Dray' Hermione and Ginny's heads shot up. They had known that he was somehow familiar but no, they'd never associated this boy with him. Never in a million years because he looked so ... well, different.
"D ... Draco? Is that really you?" Ginny asked stuttering slightly while Hermione just had to sit down.
"Yep, in flesh and blood. Sorry, I didn't tell you earlier, Ginny. I had to get used to this first," he told the girl.
Now Hermione found her voice, "But, how? How come you're here at Harry and Carya's place and not at home or at least Hogwarts?" she wanted to know.
"That not so easy to explain but I'll most likely live here until graduation and a bit beyond if that answers parts of your questions?" he said and looked a bit uncomfortable.
Sirius piped in and asked, "Anyone want some tea and chocolate cookies?"
The children turned around. The twins were smirking, Draco was smiling slightly and the other two girls just looked dumbstruck. Everyone sat down and they drank their tea in silence. Half an hour later the children went back to their rooms.
Ginny and Hermione were helped with unpacking. Harry helped Hermione while Carya and Draco helped Ginny. They had agreed to meet in Harry's room after they'd finished this. Harry and Hermione were finished first because Ginny couldn't keep her eyes of Draco.
She didn't believe that this was real. How much had she wanted to be able to be his friend again? She didn't remember anymore. He was here, he was staying and she was too nervous to talk to him at all.
This was again a case for her diary. She always felt better after writing down her miseries and even her happiness. The diary helped her to solve any problems she had. Strange as that was but it was a bit like a drug. She couldn't stop writing because it helped her far too much.
The children talked long after dinner and went to bed when the sun was rising again. Sirius and Remus let them sleep as long as they needed this time. It had been quite a shock to the girls to see Draco here and they were both sure that Harry, Carya and Draco had a hard time answering all upcoming questions.
Carya and Draco were the first of the five to wake up. They came downstairs around lunch. Two hours later Hermione followed. Ginny and Harry didn't wake until four in the afternoon. They ate dinner early that day and the children were sent to bed around ten despite their protests.
Sirius and Remus promised that they'd be allowed freedom concerning those matters until middle of August if they obeyed this one time. The kids weren't stupid and quickly agreed to that because they knew it would be fun to have free reign over their time.
The next days were spent in the library, playing Quidditch or doing anything else. On Saturday, July 24th they decided to finally do some homework. As usual the whole load was split up.
Carya was doing Potions, Harry was working on Defence against the Dark Arts, Hermione was writing down everything they needed for History of Magic, Ginny was looking through their Charms books to find suitable information and Draco was beginning with Transfiguration.
This was quite effective and by dinnertime they'd finished this part of their homework. They'd actually made a bet who could get the most information into the shortest essay or better into the requested length. It was common knowledge that Hermione and Harry had some difficulties to stay within the assigned length.
They often had up to double length essays in the end. That had to be corrected in the future. The next day they'd exchange their work and write the other essays based on the information of the other's works without actually copying it.
By Sunday evening they'd finished all summer homework and were discussing the upcoming school-year as well as the twins birthday. They talked about the additional courses they'd chosen and were surprised at the outcome.
"What did you all chose as additional classes? We all get Theory of Magic but in addition I choose Latin, Ancient Runes and Arithmancy. What about you?" Carya asked her friends.
"Well I did chose the same as you, dear sister as you should know and you forgot to tell that we'll take the new Survival class even if Snape's the one teaching it," Harry said teasingly and the other three snickered at the twins display.
"I'm taking the same courses as you but haven't decided if I should take Survival too. I really don't know if I can manage all the studying," Ginny added.
"Eh, I do have those classes too and took another course which is Care of Magical Creatures but I have been thinking about talking to Professor Grubbly-Plank. I might drop that one in favour of Survival," Hermione explained and everyone looked at Draco expectantly.
"Well, it seems we're all interested in the same things. Lucius made me take different courses but the headmaster allowed me to change my choice at the beginning of the holidays. I'm taking, Latin, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes next year as well as Survival class," Draco told his friends.
They looked at each other for a few silent seconds and then suddenly started laughing. It was really funny. Not one of them had actually taken Muggle Studies or Divination. Well, Hermione had considered taking Muggle Studies.
She had already handed in her parchment but later dropped the subject anyway. She had come to the conclusion that she knew enough about Muggles already just like the twins had told her from the very beginning.
Hermione, Carya and Harry didn't need to take Muggle Studies while Draco and Ginny simply didn't want to take the class. They'd learn everything they needed to know from their friends. Divination though was a different matter.
Not one of them believed in that subject even though there were a few true seers in the world. Care of Magical Creatures was okay but not really necessary. Most of it you could teach yourself through books or asking someone with a bit of experience.
They'd unconsciously all chosen the same subjects. They would be able to continue 'homework sharing' as they called it and even the teachers didn't object because they all wrote the essays themselves. Even if only one of them was the source of information.
One evening Ginny and Hermione asked how Carya and Harry had reacted to finding Draco in their home. They told them and when they got to the point where Carya hugged him and said those teasing things Ginny glanced at her suspiciously.
Carya noticed and quickly cleared the situation.
"Don't worry Ginny, I'm not fishing in one of my best friends waters, you know? I think of Draco as a brother and it's good he's back with us. I was thoroughly annoyed and Harry was getting on my nerves with his complaints about being stuck with three girls all the time.
Although the whole school envied him for that much female attention, you know ..." Carya said smirking quite evilly and teased her brother to no end.
"Hey, it's not my fault. You three were always dragging me into the library when I'd rather played Quidditch with someone!" exclaimed Harry in his defence.
By now everyone was laughing. Ginny was the first to calm down and ask the twins if they'd now tell what had happened on the first day of July that they didn't want to tell until now.
Carya sighed. She had hoped her friend would forget about that but she hadn't. She looked at Draco and Harry but they only shrugged. She was once again stuck with having to tell everything.
"Okay, I'll tell you but don't interrupt me until I'm finished and then you have to tell us what has been so exciting about your visit to 'Diagon Alley'!" Carya said and started the tale, "It all began about ten in the morning on that day ...
~*~*~ Black Manor - July 1st ~*~*~
It was already ten in the morning when the three children got up. They were currently sitting in Harry's room when they heard the soft popping sound that was made when a house-elf appeared. But this wasn't one of the Black's elves. Only Draco recognised it.
This was Dobby! He belonged to Lucius and so Draco hid behind the bed as long as the little creature was still disorientated. He drew his wand just in case and stayed hidden.
"Who are you?" Carya demanded and Harry scowled darkly at the uninvited intruder.
"Dobby, Madam, Dobby the house-elf," the creature introduced himself.
/As if the last part wasn't obvious. Holy Slytherin, does he think we're stupid/ Carya muttered mentally so that only Harry could hear her.
"What do you want?" Harry asked sternly.
"Dobby is warning Miss Carya and Mister Harry Potter, sir. You must not return to Hogwarts this year. You is not safe there. Mister Harry Potter and Miss Carya have to be safe, have to stay home! You must stay away," the small elf demanded politely.
"And why should we do that, eh? We want to resume schooling and no one's going to stop us. Not even Voldemort himself!" Carya all but yelled and she was sounding very much like Snape when he yelled at the Gryffindors.
Even Draco listened closely now. It was quite interesting to watch Carya if you weren't on the receiving end of her anger.
"Terrible things will happen at Hogwarts this year. You is to be safe. You cannot go back. You is too important to get hurt! You promise Dobby not to go back," the elf said while trying to convince the twins.
Draco had enough. How dare this elf talk like that? He was sure his father was behind this all so he did what he had to.
"What has my 'father' planned this time, Dobby? You're telling me immediately why you're really here or else ... !" Draco demanded and sneered at the word 'father' with obvious disgust.
Dobby gave a startled yelp when he heard Draco, "Eeek, ... young Master? What is you doing here?"
Draco paled. He had just revealed his new home to his father, "Did he send you? Did Lucius send you here for spying? If you tell him where I'm staying you will be sorry. I'll curse you from now until the end of time if you tell anyone, is that clear?" he threatened.
Dobby seemed quite scared now. He had never seen an angry Draco before and for once did believe the threats his young master threw at him. He vanished and for a few seconds all that was left of him was a small cloud of yellowish smoke.
"Well, that was definitely strange ... You knew this elf, didn't you Draco?" Harry asked his friend.
"Yeah, but he belongs to Lucius. I have the distinct feeling that we're in for something big this year. He is trying to stop you from going back. That means he thinks you could interfere with his plans. I'm pretty sure about that. We might have one hell of a school-year this time.
What worries me is that Dobby was here to 'warn' you. Although it would be possible that Lucius actually did send him here I somehow doubt it. But then again. This particular elf has always been insolent enough to try something like this on his own accord.
You have to know that most pure-bloods don't treat their house-elves very well. Those who do like Sirius are the big minority. And it was even worse when 'You-Know-Who' was in power ..." Draco told them.
Carya frowned. "This isn't good. We should tell Sirius and Remus about this incident and hear what they think about it!" she said and both boys wholeheartedly agreed with her.
They went downstairs and told the adults. Sirius was worried. He had thought no one uninvited would be able to get through the wards. Especially not someone or something magical.
"I'll go and check the wards immediately. They have to have some flaws. I don't even want to know what would've happened if this had been something other than a house-elf!" he shouted while running outside to begin his inspection of their protective wards.
Remus stayed inside with the children and gave them a new set of rules for the rest of the holidays, "I want you to stick together whenever you leave the protection of Black Manor, okay? And we'll tell Hermione and Ginny too when they arrive on the 15th. It's very important.
But don't worry. We'll still allow you to go to 'Diagon Alley' after your birthday, Harry, Carya, okay?"
~*~*~ End Black Manor - July 1st ~*~*~
"... two hours later Sirius came back inside and told us that the wards were now as perfect as they could be and we discussed everything again. He too wanted us to obey these rules. Now you know why we told you not to leave the grounds without us all being together or with Moony or Padfoot.
We will go back to school but have to stay alert all the time. If something unexpected happens we are to write Sirius and Remus or tell the headmaster about it," Carya finished her story.
Ginny and Hermione were looking really worried by now. They could hardly believe it but both boys had confirmed this.
"Well, I think it is time we tell you about June 30th. The day my father fought hand-on-hand with another wizard - with Lucius Malfoy. We were at Flourish and Blotts when someone shoved me from the behind and sent me crashing into Lucius ..."Ginny told what had happened that day and when Draco Harry and Carya heard of Mister Weasley's attack they were gaping at her.
Hermione just nodded at everything Ginny said and the three kids were even more astonished. But when Draco and Carya heard what Lucius had called Hermione and said about Ginny, they exploded.
"That bastard!" Draco yelled.
"I ought to hex him and hang him from a flag-pole by his $%#&," Carya growled menacingly and now everyone gaped at her.
(A/N: Last words are omitted since this story is supposed to be PG-13 only *smirk*. I believe you can imagine something suitable that I wanted to write ^_^)
"Wow, tell me to never get on your bad side Carya, okay?" Draco and Ginny said at the same time.
They all knew Carya had a temper but this was different. She really hated Lucius Malfoy and if she met him anytime soon, she would probably hex him on the spot. The kids had noticed that Draco was leaving their group earlier every evening and wondered why.
On the same night they decided to investigate. What they found was not what they'd originally expected but it was very useful. Now they really were back together and the Weasley twins would have some challenge this year!
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