The Dark Lord's Bride (Draco X OC)

Enroute Hogwarts

Ariana's POV

We strolled onto the platform, Percy and the twins leading the way, followed by Ginny and the entire Weasley family. 

Then it was our turn – Harry, Ron, and me. But, well, our entrance was less graceful. In a collision of limbs and groans, we bumped into each other. "Ouch, that hurt."

"Karls, you alright?" I asked, concerned about my companion who found himself inside my dress pocket. His response "~hiss yesss I'm finessss~"

Our awkward moment didn't go unnoticed as a security guard approached. 

"What are you three doing here?" he inquired. Harry's smooth response: "Lost control of the trolley." 

A whispered conversation followed about the sealed gateway.

As the clock chimed, Harry said, "The train leaves exactly at 11 o'clock, and we've missed it." Ron worried that if we couldn't get through, maybe his parents couldn't get back. 

Harry suggested heading back to wait at the car, and Ron's eyes widened at the mention of the car. "The car!"

So, we retreated to the enchanted automobile, with Ron at the wheel, Harry in the passenger seat, and Hedwig calmly riding beside me. 

"Ron, most Muggles aren't used to seeing a flying car," Harry cautioned. Ron, nonchalant as ever, replied, "Right," and activated the invisibility mechanism.

Our magical joyride took a chaotic turn. As we dipped lower near the tracks, the invisible train approached suddenly behind us. Panic set in. 

"Ron, are you trying to kill us?" I exclaimed as Harry teetered on the edge. Quick reflexes saved the day, and I pulled him back inside. 

"Thanks," he muttered, and together, we continued our mad chase to reach Hogwarts. Our joyride took an unexpected nosedive, literally. 

The enchanted car went rogue, malfunctioning like a mischievous poltergeist. 

We found ourselves tangled in the clutches of the notorious Whomping Willow, a tree with a penchant for automotive destruction.

The tree went berserk, taking swings at the car, but in a stroke of magical luck – or sheer survival instinct – we managed to escape just in time. 

The car spat out Harry and Ron like disobedient passengers but, lo and behold, my door opened graciously, and I descended with a touch of dramatic flair. 

The car, having thrown our luggage and pet into the wild unknown, vanished into the Hogwarts wilderness.

Inside the castle, amidst the chaos of our arrival, we deposited our luggage and embarked on the grand staircase. 

Harry, ever the harbinger of insightful observations, proclaimed, "So, a house-elf shows up in my bedroom, we can't get through the barrier to platform 9¾, and a tree almost killed us. Clearly, someone doesn't want me this year."

Alas, our escapades caught the ever-vigilant Filch's attention, and he promptly escorted us to the formidable Professor Snape. 

Now, there we stood, in the formidable presence of the Potions Master. 

Meanwhile, Karls, ever the curious companion, wandered around Snape's office, perhaps contemplating a budding friendship with the stern professor.

"You were seen by no less than seven Muggles. Do you know how serious this is?" Snape scolded, emphasizing the gravity of our reckless adventure. 

"You have risked the exposure of our world, not to mention the damage you inflicted on the Whomping Willow that's been on these grounds since before you were born."