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THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES COMES AND GOES. Carina swears her twin sister to secrecy about the job in Romania, and they don't speak of it again.
The second week of classes at Hogwarts means quidditch tryouts. Carina never enjoyed the sport, but Charlie had been on the team since their second year. This year, his second year as Captain, was the first year Fred and George were able to tryout.
Because she was apart of a different house, Carina was not allowed to attend Gryffindor quidditch practices. She waited at the entrance to the castle for them to finish.
"Am I'm looking at Gryffindor's newest beaters?" She called gleefully when two identical figures approached her. Rushing towards them, she shrieked, "Congrats, you two!"
They allow her to pull them into the tightest hug she can manage and ruffle their hair, but she notices the glum expressions on their face when she steps back. Her grin morphs into a frown immediately.
"What's the matter?" Carina asks worriedly. "You made the team, didn't you?"
The pair nods, but they don't speak.
Carina's frown deepens. "Aren't you happy?"
"We only made the team 'cause of Charlie," Fred huffs.
George nods, "Everyone's saying it."
Carina crosses her arms over her chest and quirks a brow.
"He's the captain. He's why everyone's on the team."
She watches other students walk by. Charlie will likely be the last one to head for the castle, but the rest of the Gryffindor's from the tryout are walking to the entrance.
One boy in a red quidditch sweater throws a sneer their way, and Carina stiffens. It isn't often that she exercises the fierceness her house is famous for. Most days, she's on the gentle side.
Not today.
"He's the one saying these things to you?" Carina asks in a dangerous voice. The twins both freeze at her tone before nodding.
"I've got to go hand in an essay for potions. Meet me down at the quidditch pitch in twenty minutes."
The boys blink at her for several moments.
"For what?" They chorus.
"Top secret twin business," Carina winks. She turns and walks calmly to the castle, peeking over her shoulder to see them heading back to the quidditch pitch.
Carina's eyes search the corridor for a moment before landing on the boy that hurt the twins' feelings.
Quickly catching up to him, she darted in front of him. She tucked her wand under in chin before he had time to blink. His eyes widened at the glint in Carina's eyes.
"Afternoon, mate," she drawls lazily. "Have a good time at quidditch tryout? Make the team?"
The boy in question fumbles for a response as students stop and start to whisper. Carina lowers her voice and smiles sweetly.
"You'd best keep your mouth shut about Fred and George Weasley, or you'll have me to deal with," she spits. "Nod if you understand."
Nymphadora stops to see what everyone is looking at, and she drops her books at the sight of her sister holding another student at wand point.
"Carina?" Dora blurts out in surprise. Carina doesn't take her eyes off the Gryffindor until he nods frantically.
"Dora, I'm glad you're here," she lowers her wand and spins to face her sister. "We've got to get to the quidditch pitch. Come with me."
"For what?" Dora asks incredulously.
Carina gives her a mischievous smile that Fred and George would be proud of and links their arms. She begins to pull Dora toward the entrance and lazily throws a wave over her shoulder.
"Nice chatting with you, mate," Carina chuckles. She ignores the look of disbelief her sister is wearing and keeps walking. "We've got some top secret twin business to take care of."
-
After spending several hours on the quidditch pitch dodging bludgers, Carina and Nymphadora both plop heavily onto the bench at the Gryffindor table. Fred and George do the same directly across from them.
Charlie eyes Carina's messy hair and the dirt on her clothes, then surveying how sweaty and tired the four of them look.
"Do I even want to know?" Charlie sighs.
Carina opens her mouth to speak, but she shuts it promptly. Charlie follows her gaze to a third year down the table from them. His eyes go wide at the sight of Carina before he looks down at his plate.
"Rina..." Charlie starts cautiously. "What exactly did you four get up to this afternoon?"
She gives him innocent eyes and smiles coyly. Nymphadora snorts loudly and leans around Carina to see Charlie's face.
"She had some poor bloke by the throat with her wand," Dora tattled. "Then she made me run from bludgers all afternoon while those two knuckleheads got to have all the fun."
Fred and George grin, both reaching out for a high five that Carina delivers happily. Charlie's left eye twitches, and Percy rubs his temples from his place next to the twins.
"You realize I'm a prefect, doll?"
"Are you gonna give me a detention, Charlie?" Carina teases, smiling up at him. She knew very well he was not going to do that.
She laughed when all he did was groan and return to his dinner.
He couldn't help but smile at the way she took care of his family like his own. How did she get more perfect everyday?
