The next twelve days went by faster than I anticipated. I had managed, after much pleading and flattery to get Lina and Angelo back in my life. They were both completely appalled at Septimus's reaction to my news, and so vowed not to speak to him. I didn't care to talk to him or wish him farewell. As much as I had cared for him, he had hurt me and behaved reprehensibly. As for Odette, Claudius suggested I stay away from her due to her continuously foul mood. So it appeared I would only be corresponding with my family, Angelo, and Lina. The separation from the di Lucas couldn't have come at a better time.

I had been a nervous wreck. Packing and repacking everything I thought I'd need. Aside from a trunk full of clothing, books, essentials, and pictures, I was bringing an additional bag, my broomstick, and the only stuffed animal I'd been able to salvage from my parents' house- a grizzly bear in a Gryffindor quidditch robes. Also packed was a monumental present I had bought for Harry. Something to make up for each and every birthday. Maybe I had gotten a little carried away, but what boy wouldn't appreciate new quidditch gear, a life-time supply of chocolate frogs, an auto-answer quill, a solid gold set of gobstones, and a jacket that could adjust to any temperature or atmosphere?

It was five minutes to noon. I was expected at the Burrow at twelve sharp, and as a result was running around my house frantically collecting my things.

"Do you have everything you need in your trunk?"Asked Gwen trailing behind me.

"Yes."

"And extra space for your text books and robes?"

"Yes."

"Your Scarlet Falcon?"

"Broom's on top of my trunk."

"Demeter's in her cage?"

"Knew I forgot something!" I called running up to my room. Nestled in her cage by the window was my orange Sokoke Scops owl, Demeter. "How could I almost forget you?" I cooed at her as she hooted sweetly.

I took one long look around my room. My mounted vintage broomsticks on the wall, the large bookshelves on either side of my balcony, the numerous Quidditch posters and disenchanted muggle band posters, along with the muggle records piled next to the record player. Moving my hand over the music in one swift motion, they shrunk down to pocket size. Might need these. I really could not live without my muggle music and books.

Constantine, Gwen, Claudius, Angelo, and Lina all stood by the fireplace as I entered the room.

"Where are my things?" I asked looking around.

"I took the liberty of getting them to the Burrow ahead of you. The Weasleys are waiting as we speak. They're quite anxious to meet you." Smiled Constantine.

"Thanks, Constantine." I said setting Demeter's cage down.

"That's so weird," said Angelo, "I'm so used to you calling him dad in front of us."

"It's going to be even weirder with you gone." Said Lina on the brink of tears.

"Oh come here, you!" I said bringing her into a tight hug, "You are my best friend, Lina. We'll still keep in touch. It's not goodbye."

"I suppose it's see you later, then?" she said sniffling.

"Yeah," I said pulling away, "See you later." I turned to Angelo next pulling him into another tight hug. "You take care of our girl alright?"

"You take care of yourself and we'll call it even, Rin." He teased.

I smiled sadly pulling back. I turned to my family. All tall, raven-haired, and handsome, the lot of them. Constantine embraced me first.

"Oh, my girl. My carrot top. You be careful. Enjoy yourself, but don't get into too much trouble, alright?" he said tousling my hair.

"Of course. Thanks, for everything. I'll see you soon as I can." I promised wiping away a stray tear.

"Come here." Muttered Claudius grudgingly pulling me into a hug. "Harry's lucky. Getting a sister like you I mean."

"I'm still yours too, don't forget." I joked pulling out of the hug. I looked into his ghostly grey eyes smiling. I'd miss this git. Most definitely.

Lastly, but more importantly, there was Gwen. My surrogate mother, best friend, guardian angel Gwen. I owed her so much. The two of us were so much alike in certain ways- both having been orphaned young, raised by infectiously loving family, and both clinging to one another out of comfort when the going got rough. She smiled, and I smiled. There were no tears in this farewell. We hugged silently, shortly.

"Thank you." I mouthed as I stepped into the fireplace with Demeter's cage. I took one last look at them. It would be months before I saw them again. "Write me. The Burrow!"

After brief claustrophobia and whooshing I landed unceremoniously out of a fireplace nearly squashing Demeter's cage. My only salvation was landing on someone instead of on the hardwood floor.

"Oof!" I heard the person exclaim. Demeter started hooting wildly as I set down her cage. I managed to hoist myself off whoever I'd just crushed.

"I'm sorry! I didn't think someone would be that near the hearth." I said helping them up.

He was tall, with chocolate brown eyes, subtly cute freckles, and a mop of light ginger hair. I'd been out of the dating game for some time, what with being committed to Septimus for a few years, but I could not help but notice the way he smiled at me. Couldn't be my imagination. Then again, my head was still whooshing.

"Don't worry about it. My own fault for being so inquisitively close. Are you Catherine then?" he asked without breaking eye contact.

"Yeah, that's me. Most people don't bother with the full name though. It's just Rin most of the time unless I'm in trouble that is," I ranted at my expense and his obvious amusement, "You are?"

"Fred Weasley. Friend and teammate of your brother's. Pleasure to meet you, my lady." He said kissing my hand, sending a surge through my whole body. I could feel my cheeks flush, in turn making his ears flush a cute shade as well.

"So you're in Gryffindor then?" I asked.

"Whole family is. If we're lucky we'll have a few more minutes before-"

"Oi! Mum! She's here!" called a younger ginger haired boy who stepped into the room.

"Thanks for that, Ron." Said Fred throwing him a glare. Ron looked down at my hand. I followed his gaze noticing that my hand was still in Fred's. He let go a moment later, to my surprising displeasure. I need to get a grip on myself.

"See you two have gotten acquainted then. I'm Ron." He said walking over.

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Rin." I said smiling. His ears turned red as Fred's had. Suppose it's a family thing.

"Well, we all know who you are. Harry's in for a shock. I'm telling ya." He said being friendly.

"He doesn't know yet, does he?" I asked.

"No, mum swore us to secrecy. Forced me into an Unbreakable Vow. Only way I wouldn't have told him I reckon." At that moment more people rushed into the room, all with the same red hair.

"Oh good, you're here! Hello, Catherine dear. I'm Mrs. Weasley." She said pulling me into a warm hug. From over her shoulder I noticed Fred still smiling at me.

"It's nice to meet you too, ma'am. Thank you for inviting me, really. It's very kind of you." I said as she'd pulled away.

"It's no trouble at all, dear." She said smiling.

"She prefers the name 'Rin', mum." Said Fred leaning against the wall.

"Have you two already met then?" she asked looking between me and Fred.

"More like bumped into each other. This one could bring down an ox by sheer will power alone." He teased. I gave a short giggle. We were going to get along just fine.

"Oh you! Make yourself useful and take her owl up to Ginny's room." She said impatiently. He rolled his eyes picking up Demeter's cage. After directing one last smile at me he disappeared up the stairs. "Now, Rin, I do believe introductions are in order."

She brought me over to the rest of the group: a younger ginger haired girl, an older boy with glasses, and…Fred? The older boy with the glasses was the first to introduce himself.

"Catherine, it's quite splendid to meet you. I'm Percy Weasley. If you have any questions or need some friendly or professional advice do not hesitate to ask," he said shaking my hand briefly, "First piece of advice would be to not pal around with the likes of Fred and George."

"Already talking us up, Perce?" said who I figured was George. Rather than respond to him, Percy kept talking.

"Now I hear you're from Nascosto, Italy. I hear it's quite the sprawling wizarding community, especially for a settlement its size." He said. George and Ron rolled their eyes. Percy was just not my cup of tea. I never much liked the boring professional types, being truly my father's daughter.

"It is very impressive actually. The shops there are quaint. I'd say they only rival Diagon Alley because of how scenic they are. I grew up there so I'm kind of used to it." I said equally as polite.

"I would love to hear more from you about it at dinner perhaps. I've got official ministry business I've simply got to deal with. Do excuse me." He said marching up the stairs.

"Now that the scary kid's gone," joked the ginger haired girl, "I'm Ginny. This here is my brother George. He's Fred's twin."

"Fred's twin? Is that all I'm good for?" he said indignant.

"Well it certainly isn't at obtaining OWLs." Shot Mrs. Weasley coming up behind me. "I'll be in the kitchen if you need anything, Rin. Just make yourself at home."

"I take it your idea of an endeavor lies outside academia?" I joked.

"Spot on," said Fred walking down the stairs, "Don't tell me you disagree. I'll be heartbroken if you get put in Ravenclaw."

"Don't make me laugh. Gryffindor, definitely." I shot back.

"Fantastic. We're all in Gryffindor as well. It'll be nice having another girl around, aside from me and Hermione." Said Ginny.

"Who's Hermione?" I asked.

"'Nother friend. She'll be here tomorrow." Said Ron sitting down on the landing.

"Plenty of time to get acquainted them." Said Fred with an irresistible grin.