"And also make sure you know where you're going. First year, I got lost after the staircase changed right as I was on it and missed all my afternoon classes." Stepping through the platform, Carissa smiled at the familiar sight of the Hogwarts Express. She turned her head to watch her Aunt and cousin cross the threshold, Draco pushing his own cart with his belongings. Carissa could not believe that her cousin was finally joining her at Hogwarts. She had been talking to him about it all summer, giving him tips before he reached the castle. He had told her he knew everything, but she knew deep down he was thankful for the help, whether he would admit it or not.

"I think I may have better direction than you dear cousin." Draco said smugly, Carissa sticking her tongue out at the back of his head. She stopped when she saw the look on her aunt's face, giving her a sheepish grin. The three moved towards the train, depositing the school trunks. Carissa could see her aunts eyes glaze over with unshed tears. She knew how hard it was for her with Draco going to school. He was her son and her baby. She knew it would be hard on Draco as well. He was already upset Lucius was not there with them to see him off, being at the ministry for work reasons he had said. Carissa had tried to talk to Draco about it but he had shrugged it off.

"Write to me all right, both of you." She gave them a smile, hugging them each before heading back to where the other parents stood. Looking around the platform, Carissa caught sight of red hair. "Hey Draco I-" she stopped when she noticed her cousin no longer with her. Looking around, she saw him talking to 2 boys, both stocky in build before the three entered the train. Draco turned in her direction, giving her the faintest smile before disappearing in the train. She knew it would be hard with her cousin at Hogwarts. The ideas her family had on blood purity were prevalent with him. Carissa had lost count on how many times she had been belittled and ridiculed by Lucius for her associations with so called blood traitors and mudbloods. Her aunt had a little more tact, never coming out with her views in Carissas presence. That she had been thankful for.

Maneuvering past people, she finally made her way to the other side of the platform were she saw the twins, Percy and Ron speaking with their parents and Ginny. Sneaking up quietly, she pounced on one of the twin's backs, her arms around his neck. "Guess who?"

"Carissa!" the twin whose back she was clinging too yelled, pulling her around to hug her close. When she got a look at his face, she realized it had been George. Nobody including the twins knew exactly how she could tell each of them apart. It was a secret she did not divulge to anyone, not even the twins. "Hi Georgie."

"Honestly you have to tell us how you can tell us apart. Our own mother can't even do that." Fred teased, earning a thump to the back of the head from his mother. "Oy that hurt."

"Hello Carissa dear. Did you have a good summer? Do you have everything you need, all your books?" Mrs. Weasley asked as Ginny hugged her tightly. Ever since the first Christmas she spent with the Weasleys, Molly had welcomed her to the family with open arms. It felt nice to have that when she did not at home. That was why she wore her sweater proudly at Hogwarts at every chance she could

"I did thank you Mrs. Weasley. Hey Ron are you excited to be starting school?" she asked, looking at the youngest Weasley brother who held the family's rat scabbers in his hands.

"Oh yes. I hope I'll get in Gryffindor like you all." He said, smiling brightly.

"You better or will disown you from the family." Fred said lowly as George continued, "That's what happened to Adam, are other brother." Ron visibly gulped, Mr. and Mrs. Weasley giving them a stern look as Carissa smacked their arms. The train whistled blared, alerting every one of the impending departure. After a few last minute goodbyes, the group of students headed on to the train, waving with the other students as the train rolled out of the station.

"Did you guys hear? Apparently Harry Potter is coming to school this year?" Angelina said, taking her seat next to Carissa and across from the boys. Over the years, Carissa had become good friends with the qudditch chaser, sharing a dormitory with her. It was nice to have a female friend, someone she could talk to when she wasn't able to talk with the twins.

"As in the Harry Potter." Carissa said, her eyes a little wide. She, like many others, had heard the story of Harry. How he, at just 1 years old, destroyed the Dark Lord. Growing up, she had felt bad for the boy. To have your entire family killed, to be known for something that intense must have been overwhelming at times. She could relate to him in that way.

After a few moments, the doors to the great hall opened and Professor McGonegall walked in, a crowd of eager first years following behind her. Carissa could spot out Ron, walking with a black haired boy in classes as well as her cousin. She smiled, waving to him excitedly. He gave her a smile, waving back slightly before continuing to the front of the hall. They watched and listened as a few people were sorted. She clapped, scooting over when a young girl named Hermione Granger was sorted into Gryffindor, taking a seat beside Carissa.

"Welcome to Gryffindor." She said to the girl, who smiled up at her excitedly. Carissa watched as Draco was sorted into Slythern, the hat barely touching his head. He clapped a little. A small, small part of her had hoped he would have been sorted into Gryffindor with her, but he had too many qualities of a Slythern. When Harry Potters name had been called, she like every other person starred anxiously, whispers going around the room. She could see the slight nervousness in his face as the hat was placed on his head. It stayed there, longer than the others who had been sorted. She could see him mouthing something quietly to the hat but she did not know what.

"Better be Gryffindor!" When the hat finally shouted out, the hall broke out into applause, the loudest coming from the Gryffindor table. Carissa stood up with her friends and cheered as Harry made his way to the table, taking a seat beside Ron. After the last few students had been sorted, Professor called for the start of the feast, plates of food appearing before everyone.

"Harry those are my brothers Fred and George and Percy's down there next to them. And this is Carissa Black. She's best friends with the twins." She heard Ron say before he started piling food onto his plate.

"It's nice to meet you Harry. Welcome to Hogwarts and Gryffindor." Carissa said giving the boy a kind smile which he returned.

"Thank you. I still can't believe all of this is real. I never knew about magic before." The young boy stated as he put food onto his plate. Carissa was a little confused by his answer but did not want to prod.

"So we have a few ideas for the beginning of the term." Fred said, looking over at Carissa around George.

"No, no you are not dragging me into anymore of your schemes. I refuse to spend another night cleaning cauldrons in the dungeons. I couldn't get the smell off of me for weeks after." She shuddered as both twins pouted.

"Oh come on Rissa, we need are third partner in crime. You complete us." George said batting his eyes at the girl. Sighing, she rolled her eyes. "Fine but only a few and if we get caught you both take full responsibility. I don't need another owl to be sent to my aunt and uncle."

A week later

"I really hate you both you do know that right." Carissa glared over at the 2 red heads as she continued to scrub the gunk out of the bottom of the cauldron.

"Were sorry Rissa, how were we to know Professor Mcgonegall would be in that girls bathroom at that exact moment when you were planting the prank." George said, giving his best friend a sheepish grin. They had finally figured out how to try and blow up one of the schools toilets but had been caught in the act by Mcgonegall. She pleaded with the professor to not write home to her relatives. He had agreed, but the punishment had been a week of detention with Snape cleaning out the Potions classroom and supplies. At least she did not have to do it alone.

"Please forgive us, were your best friends in the whole wide world." Fred continued. She rolled her eyes, unable to keep the smile off her face.

"Of course you 2 gits are. You always will be." She laughed as the 2 tackled her into a tight hug. She could never stay mad at them, not ever.