Caley's POV
I was dreaming a very nice dream about scythes, blood, and all that good stuff until the alarm woke me up, a sharp noise breaking into my brain just as the dream vanished straight out the window. Turning my head to glare lazily at the electronic clock, the black numbers displaying the glorious day on which I had to return to dear old Hogwarts. With a jolt, I sat up, pushing the covers off myself immediately, clumsily making my way to the bathroom.
Minutes later, I was standing in front of the mirror in the hallway, wand in hand, decked in the school uniform, and checking over my appearance. After all, this was the year of which I was finally going to prove to my family - well, the majority of my family - that I am not just some evil, useless brat. Patting down my robes, I nodded sharply to myself, before uncharacteristically pumping my fist in encouragement.
This is the year.

Or maybe not.

"Dammit, Gryff, where are you?" I groaned to myself, shifting my legs impatiently, tapping them on stone flooring of the train station. Having arrived at the train station a whole half hour ago, I had already finished counting the number of wizards heading to train station 9 ¾ (the number wasn't small at all), finished reading a book, and still that annoying and too-nice-for-his-own-good cousin wasn't here.

Leaning on my luggage which was sitting right beside me on the bench, I silently ran through the reasons why Gryff could be late in my head: he could've been too caught up in reading (I loved books too, but the reading trait was twice more common in Ravenclaws), he could've found an injured animal on the way, he could've injured himself -

"Caley! There you are!" I turned my head, attempting to peek over my two boxes of luggage, and to my satisfaction, I saw a blob of raven-black hair rushing towards me, and to my surprise, Gryff was carrying another person, who's long hair flipped about in the wind, on his back as he ran.

Seeing him, I stood immediately, rushing past him to help my poor uncle who had his hands full with, which I presumed, Gryff's luggage.. Picking up one of the heavy brown trunks and smiling back at the grateful grin my uncle gave me. Shifting the trunks in my hands (was it normal for guys to bring so many things to school?), I turned towards Gryff, raising my eyebrows.

"So, late again, huh?" I questioned, annoyance oozing out my voice, but to be honest, Gryff had been late every single time we'd arranged to meet at the train station, so I didn't really know why I had been expecting for him to be punctual.

"Sorry!" the black-haired idiot had the audacity to quip back to me, a good-natured grin taking its usual place on his face. I tried to frown, but ended up smiling gently. Gryff had that type of optimistic let's-be-happy effect on people, so I reached forward to ruffle his hair again, as I usually did. And as per normal, he had to remark on my hair, again.

"Purple, this time?"

I nodded, sifting my own fingers through my hair, looking at the single bunch of purple strands in a sea of black from the corner of my eyes. Turning towards the girl that Gryff had helped, I noticed the cloth on her left foot and easily recognized his handkerchief. So Gryff, I rolled my eyes. She was of average height, and her long, almost waist-length dirty blond hair framed a somewhat tanned face, accentuated with two cerulean blue orbs for eyes. There was a certain slant to her eyes, and I narrowed my eyes right back at her, but she turned away quickly.

"Yeah, and we should get going." I said, tilting my head towards the sudden crowd of people with owl cages and cats in their arms. The Ministry of Magic's going to have to do something, I mused, the amount of robed people with owls, cats, and broomsticks, is way too suspicious.

And they aren't even well behaved, I thought, watching with a tiny smile gracing my lips as a cat attempted to claw at an owl in the near distance. Their owners were flapping their arms around, as if they can control their pets by doing so, but honestly, they were pretty ineffective.

Heading over, I lightly reprimanded on the two, who I found, were going to be first-years, so I smiled and sent them on their way. They waved at me, but I only thought to myself, that's why you have to do your best this year. Allowing myself the luxury of lifting my head up just a tad higher (hey, I was going to be in the oldest grade this year at Hogwarts) ,I dragged Gryff behind me, trunks in hand, glaring at the stupid boy who still pulled along the blonde girl and not helping my uncle with the trunks. Immature.

"Hey, hey Caley!" My cousin cried as we made our way inside the train, cross-eyed from entering the 9 ¾ station.

"What?" I replied, not even turning my head to look back at him.

"Can she," Gryff gestured towards the blonde girl, "stay in our compartment for the train ride?"
At that question, I stopped immediately, halting in my tracks as I turned around the glare at my cousin, eyebrows raised in shock. For the six years we had attended Hogwarts , not once, you heard that right, not even once, had Gryff asked for someone to join us in our little "family" compartment.

Yeah, partially because of you, I thought in my head, and I sighed. I guess this invasion of my privacy could be overlooked for now. But only for now.

"Fine." I answered, stomping towards the furthest and most isolated compartment in the school train. Seeing the other students around me stare and whisper, I silently groaned. Just because I didn't like to interact with people in general didn't mean that I had to be famous for being unapproachable and that I should be some kind of Ministry of Magic spy. In another group of idiotic girls conversing, I was usually a shapeshifter, sent by that famous (for some odd reason) and utterly annoying writer Rita Skeeter, sent by her to investigate the hottest news in Hogwarts.

Well, too bad Hogwarts doesn't have a house for crazy people, I mused, though that would be good. They could have sleepovers and clubs where they can continue dreaming of the day when I work for Rita Skeeter of all people.

Rolling my eyes, I purposely brushed against the robes of one the gossiping girls, and she jumped away immediately, staring at me as if I was some type of holy being that was not to be touched at any cost. I smirked, remembering that the reason I even allowed them to do this was for the sake of my entertainment. Looking back, I saw Gryff laughing his head off and thought, maybe for Gryff too.

It took me a second to realize that I was thinking about that time again, so dazed that I was half-walking half-stumbling towards the last section of the train. I slapped my head lightly, somewhat mortified that I had let my cold, unapproachable, perfect demeanor slip like that.

Careless, Caley, careless, I lightly scolded myself, mentally stomping on my own feet as I looked around, almost horrified to think that someone had seen me and my perfect mask had been blown, but luckily, the only one who had seen was Gryff, who is currently laughing his head off. The result? He tripped on his own feet and nearly fell on me, but as the Seeker of the Slytherin Quidditch Team, I prided myself on my great reflexes, and managed to dodge him, neatly plucking the edge of his robes, stopping him from plunging headfirst onto the floor.

"What will you do without me, really?" I muttered, and Gryff smiled sheepishly as he ruffled his messy black hair good naturedly. I almost laughed. The first sounds of it began to escape my throat, but I managed to catch myself at the last millisecond, and the remains of what would have been a laugh vanished the end of the corridor, I turned sharply towards the right, and shoved the other two trailing behind me into our - mine and Gryff's - usual compartment. Suddenly, I noticed that the blonde girl was still standing there, her face still contorted into a thinking expression.

Why is she still here?, I thought, puzzled. Most people usually leave us alone.

But somehow, I couldn't find the words to tell her to get out, scram, and leave us alone like so many other people do.

Instead, I resorted to questioning, because my gut demanded some answers from my cousin. I sat opposite of them, and I saw them both visibly flinch at my scorching gaze. I crossed my legs in a kind of sadistic satisfaction.

"So…," I said coldly, eyebrows raised in question, "Gryff, do explain how you picked up this girl here."

Gryff POV

I could not help but flinch when Caley's glare was directed at me. I pouted slightly.. My cousin's an awesome wizard, really, but her temper is really a force to be reckoned with. I grinned sheepishly in answer to Caley's glare as I recalled what happened when I had been on my way to the train station.

I swear, I woke up with enough time to get to the train station on time. Well, kind of. At least, I had around half an hour left to get to the train station after I had woken up and gotten dressed, and my house was only half an hour away from the train station, right?

But no, because I had forgotten to pack all my books, and it took me a good ten minutes just to find all of them, and another ten to attempt to shove them all into my smallest trunk. I knew I shouldn't have thrown away that other trunk, no matter how old it was. Curse Caley and all her OCD.

I was tiptoeing and craning my neck to see over the crowd in a lousy attempt to find my cousin's black blob of hair with highlights streaking through it. I strained my eyes against the sun, but found nothing. Again. I swear she is getting harder and harder to find every year, I thought, groaning quietly.

Sighing in frustration, I bent down and picked my luggage up. I stumbled towards the entrance to the train station, trying to balance my weight of the suitcase filled with books and my owl cage with my other hand.

A tiny shriek drew my attention and as my eyes swiveled to locate the source of the sound, I noticed a familiar blond girl with tanned skin sprawled on the pavement. Her face was contorted in pain and she was swearing profusely as she gripped her ankle.

What happened to her? Without thinking, I ran over to her and knelt by her side. "Are you alright?" I inquired, my voice laced with concern. My eyes strayed to her ankle where blood gushed out like a red waterfall. I winced as if I felt her pain and fished out my handkerchief from my pocket and pressed it against the wound.

"It's fine. I am okay, i think…" the girl mumbled as she tried to sit up. She flapped her hands at me like she did not want me to help her. Actually, now that I look closer, I realized I recognized her from my house, Ravenclaw.

I wracked my brain and thought for a while, "Wait… you are that girl… um… Torie right?" I looked towards her questioningly. Surprise flashed across her face for a fleeting moment before her face brightened, "Yeah, I remember you! You are Gryff!"

I nodded absent-mindedly, ignoring her as I focused on her ankle scrape. "How did you get injured? It is quite a deep cut." I commented, curious about her accident. I gave her a moment as she tried to pull herself up into a standing position. I let her lean on to me as I feared she might fall again and injure herself even more.

"Okay," She said breathlessly while we made our way slow lumbering way to the platform, "I was trying to make my owl, barney, calm down since it kept on flapping its wings and making shrieking noises. It won't listen to me! I was not looking at where I was going and something caught my foot and I went flying. Then a little fat kid waddled over and tripped over me, causing me to scrape my ankle along the ground." She said all that in a breath.

(AU) *Tell me when you heard Barney the barn owl you started singing,
Barney is a dinosaur
from our imagination
And when he's tall, he's what we call
a dinosaur sensation *

After that lengthy explanation, she turned her really big blue eyes to me and pouted, making me feel terribly sorry for her. "Don't worry, I will help you get on the train okay?" I tried to reassure her and she nodded, albeit tearfully.

Together we made our way through the crowd until I finally spotted my cousin.

I went through all this in detail hoping to satisfy my cousin who was burning holes into Torie. I looked over to Torie, who looked like she was still hurting, and shrugged apologetically. But when I glanced back at Caley, her expression showed that she was trying to tell me something, but I shrugged it off. It was probably nothing.
Instead, I leaned back into the plush red seats and fiddled with my wand to pass the time. My eyelids started to drop and I was nearly asleep when Caley's voice startled me back awake. I blinked blearily and looked around confusedly, "Whaa…?"

She shook her head in annoyance with a tiny smile on her face. "I asked if you spoke to your mom about getting that brand new broom for both of us. We really need to find a way to kick Gryffindor's ass!" She leaned forward, anticipating my answer.

But just as I was about to answer her questions, Torie cut in 'But the Celer 9000 Quidditch broom is mighty expensive! How could your mom afford to buy one? Let alone two!" Her face displayed shock and disbelief.

Before I could explain Caley did my job, "Oh, Gryff's family is really wealthy. He can definitely afford to buy it." She waved her hand dismissively. I tried to protest, to say that I was not that rich, but she finished before me, "Even if Gryff is too humble or modest or whatever to say it. He is still filthy rich."

I pouted, What is with them people interrupting me today? Nonetheless, I answered Caley's previous question, "I asked mom and she said yes!" I gushed out excitedly. I was not crazy about Quidditch, but you have to admit, the Celer 9000 looks totally badass.

Caley nodded firmly, "Finally a chance to beat those all-time winning Gryffindors!" I looked over to Torie, but she was sitting stoically , her eyebrows furrowed as if she was thinking deeply.

I stared in confusion at her, but once she noticed my gaze, she shook her head and offered a weak attempt of a smile at me. I did not understand so I turned back around, not before noticing Caley's suspicious scrutiny of Torie. I made a mental note to ask her that later.

"So…., what are your plans for this year? Have you chosen your lessons yet?" I asked, trying to diffuse the tension suddenly forming in this compartment. Thankfully it worked as Torie straightened and declared, "My goal is to get as many good grades this year, I would hope to achieve at least 2 outstandings." She smiled smugly.

Caley rolled her eyes and said, "Not much to expect. Though I finally took Peeves up on his offer to help with pranking the first years. That I can anticipate when we reach Hogwarts." She clasped both hands together and widened her eyes, doing a creepy impression of a maniacal look. Seriously, the resemblance was blatantly obvious.

"Well, around the same here. But this year, I decided to take up Care for Magical Creatures and Divination instead of Muggle studies and Arithmancy like last year." I shuddered as I recalled those subjects last year, they were bloody horrible.

"Why don't you want to join Arithmancy this year?" Caley asked in a sing-song voice. I sighed in defeat, knowing the answer I was about to give would bring her triumph. "It was too boring." I mumbled.

"HA! I told you so! And Griffy here did not listen to me!" She teased mockingly, pitching her voice to a baby tone when she said my childish nickname. I shook my head, she was too pleased. "You had to say i told you so, didn't you?" I grumbled.

"Of course! I would never give up the chance!" She replied, smiling sweetly. Deciding to forget about this, I asked her, "So what subjects did you choose then?" I cocked my head to one side, waiting impatiently for her answer.

She flipped her hair and answered, "I took Study of Ancient runes and divination. So i guess that is one class we will be together in other than the main subjects. How about you?" She turned to Torie reluctantly as she asked the last part.

"Oh me? I took Divination, Arithmancy and Muggle Studies. I chose three." She announced triumphantly. Before Caley could ask why, she continued, "Well, three because I believe I have the brains to keep up with the work and I would manage this even if I have to work extremely hard."

I could not help but smile goofily at her as I admire her determination, she seemed so passionate about her grades and study. Caley rolled her eyes again and huffed. I looked questioningly at her, but she gave me a look that said, "are you stupid or what?"

I opted to ignore that and instead started a new topic. "Who do you think will be the new head prefects this year? I heard the signing up begins tomorrow and the election takes place a couple of weeks later."

Immediately, Torie and Caley leaned forward, eager to talk about this. Torie said,, 'I really wonder… It might be Brent? His grades seemed to have improved over the last few days last year… And he seemed really eager to get it. " Caley waved her hand as if dismissing Brent to be nothing, "In his dreams. He needs to get over his study problem first… And maybe his weight problem."

"What about Ashley? She seems like quite a smart girl and she is very kind to everyone." I put in, thinking about it. Caley and Torie continued dissing the other possibilities for the rest of the train ride as I sat there listing the names of the people I know of.

"Cannot be him. No one will vote for him, he is too ugly."
"He is bad with grades. The teachers would not allow it."
"Who would vote for her?"
"I have never seen anyone fatter than him. No way."
"Nuh-uh! Not possible."

As time passed by, I slowly fell asleep, feeling like I could still hear them arguing.

I jolted awake as Caley slapped me in the arm to bring me back to the land of the living. "Time to change, we've nearly reached Hogwarts."

I bolted upright and rushed to heave my suitcase out from under my seat to fish my uniforms out. I saw Torie having trouble with hers so I reached over and helped her. By the time we all slipped our cloaks on top of our clothes, the train and begun to slow its movement.

It finally screeched to a stop and there was a split second of compartment doors being pushed open before students dressed in cloaks spilled out of the train like a sea of black ants.

The three of us managed to get out after being jostled here and there by elbows and luggages. I looked back to make sure Torie was fine before jogging to catch up with Caley who had scaled half of the gentle-sloping hill to get to the carriages.

After we all got on, the carriages started moving, dragged along by thestrals. I looked up at the majestic castle lit up in a warm and dimly lit glow. It towered over us in the black night, and the magic seemed to pulse from within it. I grinned to myself, its good to be home again.

Torie POV

I looked all around me to see the bustling of black robes all around. This was going to be my year. The year I would get flying colors in my N.E. and the year that everyone in the school would see I am much better than they thought I was.

No matter what, I am going to achieve what I have dreamed ever since I was a young witch, and that was to get the role of Head Prefect.

It was simply by chance that I met Crawford. I already knew who Gryff was - after all, it's kind of hard to be inconspicuous when your family is one of the richest among the wizard world. - but we never really talked much. I admit, he is a really sweet guy, but he was way too nice for his own good.

And that Caley girl, who was his cousin, as I'd heard from numerous people around school (being a gossip queen had its benefits) - was, well, not as bad as I thought she was. I definitely liked her badass I-don't-give-two-shits-about-you personality, and I did admire the fact that she was, somehow, popular without doing anything at all. Anything.

I had to admit, if I was going against someone like Caley this year, there'd probably be some major difficulties ahead, but I am the most influential witch in Hogwarts, after all. There was nothing I couldn't do.

The fact that Caley Diablo even had a fan club, you heard that right, a freaking fan club, did irk me though. I could get some money to force one of my minions to make a fanclub for me though… that could work. Maybe Jane?

By then, what would she have that I don't? Maybe money… but that can be altered.

I followed the two cousins that I shared the compartment with giving up on finding another carriage with my friends since we made our way out the Hogwarts train late, leaving me not enough time to find them.

I sighed in frustration, I am still stuck with Caley and Gryff. A frown appeared on my face while I tried to heave my heavy suitcase onto the the carriage but to no avail. I whipped my head to fling hair from my eyes and I directed my glare to the pair already seated on the carriage, demanding them with my eyes to help me.

Caley's eyes skimmed over me and my luggage before she smirked and purposefully looked away. I could feel my expression morph into outrage, "How dare she not help me? Can't she see I am having trouble?" I let out a huff of anger.

Gryff heard it and being the gentleman he was, he easily picked up my hot pink suitcase and helped lift it onto the carriage. Then, he held out his hand to me which I took gratefully. Finally, someone doing what they are supposed to. I sent a smug smile to Caley and she rolled her eyes at Gryff shaking her head with a smile, choosing to ignore me.

Sitting down opposite Gryff, I smoothed out my uniform and fixed my long blonde hair into a long braid that rested on my back.

I looked over to where Gryff sat, twisting and turning his silver ring on his finger, I am struck again by how much he has, all the wealth and riches. Everything I don't.

As the thestrals pulled the horses up the hill closer and closer to the beautiful grand castle, my thoughts drifted off to my main plan of the year. Head Prefect.

This year, the teachers decided the students should have a chance to vote for the Head Prefect, instead of them only electing this privileged role. This new system threw me off my plan, as my straight Os and excellent behaviour in class and definitely satisfy the professors.

Now, I have to focus more on my popularity status in the whole school. Well, duh, I am the head of my gang of friends, that should count for something. But the problem was finding a way for everyone to choose me as the rightful head prefect, not some other worthless nerdy competitor.

I need to beat the others. Nothing , and I do mean nothing, stops Torie Mellor from getting what she wants.

I flipped my hair back and added a touch more of makeup as the school drew nearer and nearer. This school year was almost officially starting.

"Ravenclaw!"

I clapped from the end of the table as the rest of my house erupted in whoops and cheers. Everyone was back at school and they were just wrapping up the sorting of houses for the first years with the final person also being in Ravenclaw. All the applause and chatter fell into silence when the sound of a spoon being tapped against a gold goblet rang out in the great hall.

Professor Dumbledore, the Headmaster, stood in his sky-blue cloak and long bearded glory. His eyes twinkled as he peered over his glasses at the students.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts, fellow witches and wizards. As a yearly reminder, do not wander into Forbidden Forest, hence the name 'forbidden'. I am sure you are all familiar with the news of electing the head prefect this year?"

Cheers erupted among the students, they were finally given a choice in the Head Prefect.

'Silence." Everyone kept quiet once again, "Gryffindor's year head will be Professor Mcgonagall, Slytherin's head will be Professor Snape, for Hufflepuff, it will be professor Linnaeus and finally Professor Lilian is in charge of the ravenclaw house."

"This year we have three new teachers among our midst. First is Professor Draco Malfoy teaching Potions class." A man with slicked blond hair and startling grey eyes stood up and nodded his head stiffly at us. I think he might be like Snape, hopefully he would not be bias towards Slytherin.

"Secondly, we have Professor Lilian. She will be teaching the Arithmancy class." A woman with long black hair and a stern frown on her face stood and waved at us. I perked up when I heard Arithmancy, this was the class I was taking this year. Looks like I have another teacher's good list to get on.

"Last but not least, Professor Linnaeus, teaching Muggle Studies class. Now please give a round of applause to our new teachers." Doing as we were told, everyone clapped for the new teachers sitting at the table at the front.

"Now, before our feast begins, I would like to remind all seventh years that the sign up for head prefect will begin tomorrow. And now, a toast to a brand new school year." Professor Dumbledore held up his cup towards the school and slowly everyone did the same. "Now please, everyone. Dig in."

With his final words, all the students started reaching forward to bring all sorts of food to their plates. All except for the half-blood and muggle born first years that were all just bewildered by the sight of dozens of dishes filled with mouth watering food to suddenly appear in front of their eyes. I laughed silently at the sight of their faces. Every year, there would be new students that would have a surprised face plastered on their faces. I remembered that I wasn't much different to them when I had first arrived at the school.

Being half-blood, I wasn't really exposed to much magic. Given the fact that my father had also died when I was very young, I was left with my mother to take care of me who was a muggle and so the amount of knowledge I had on the magical world was also less. My mother had told me about my father's background but I never believed a word she said. It was why I was so surprised when I received my Hogwarts letter.

"Torie? Earth to Torie? Hey!"

The sound of Gryff's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Oh! Sorry Gryff. What were you saying?"

"What were you thinking about? You totally spaced out." Gryff asked curiously, cocking his head to one side.

"Oh, it was nothing." I brushed it off, shaking my head.

I played around with my remaining food after feeling full from the spaghetti and meatballs on my plate. That moment I felt as if someone was watching me. Turning around, I saw a pair of emerald green eyes staring at me from the Slytherin table. I could see Caley narrowing her eyes at me. I gave her a cold look and with the flick of my hair, I turned back to face my table.

"Have some ice cream.." Gryff said as he offered me a cup of deliciousness I gave him a grateful smile before taking a small bite of the desert. I watched as turned to start talking to his large group of friends that were hanging on to his every word. Hmm, this guy could be able to help me get even higher on the school's popularity chart not that I wasn't already on the top. But I seriously need to know the deal with his annoying cousin.

"So what's the story of the infamous Caley Diablo?"

"What do you mean?" Gryff looked up from his food and peered over my shoulder at his cousin.

"Well," I said taking a gulp of ice cream, " She is like the black sheep of your family, right? Since she's the only one in your long family history," I stretched her arms to emphasize my point, "to ever get into Slytherin instead of Ravenclaw. Is it true that she is evil? And also, is it true that you are the only one that talks to her in your whole entire family? Isn't that like 50 people? That must suck. I even heard that she doesn't even have a heart!"

I took a deep breath form saying all that in one breath. I could not help but let venom leak into my words as I repeated what everyone were whispering whenever she walked past.

Gryff looked at me, his face showing shock. "Where on earth would you hear that? Those are all rumors. She definitely not the black sheep of our family. She is just special okay? Just because most of the family…"

"Everyone in the family," I corrected him. Except her, I thought darkly. I was so tempted to say it out, but I had to get on Gryff's good side, and see what help he can offer me.

"Fine just because everyone in the family was in Ravenclaw so far doesn't mean that we all must be in Ravenclaw. Caley is no where near evil and is actually one of the more tolerable girls I have ever met. Also, I am not the only one that talks to her. My parents do to."

I chuckled to myself. Caley? Tolerable? Ha. Since when? Maybe to him she is but to the rest of the world, she is a cold unapproachable bitch. And like the fact that only 2 other people talk to her in their family. I mean come on.

"Also, Caley definitely has a heart! Even if she might have done something-" Gryff suddenly stopped, slapped his hand to his mouth.

Bingo. That was what I needed.

I leaned forward and asked urgently, "What is it? What did she do?" Gryff just shook his head, hands still on his mouth, refusing to say anything about it.

I see now that he won't say anything now. I just need to notice when he has a slip-up. This was what I needed to hold against Caley. If she ever tried to do anything to do anything that would affect how people thought of me or that would affect my level of popularity, I would use this against her. She holds nothing over me. And I will find out what the 'something' is. No matter what.