I do not own Harry Potter or its characters, I only own my own ideas and characters. Please read and review, whether its positive or negative I am always interested in knowing what people think of my work.

Chapter One

It was August twenty-first 1971 when hiding in a darkened room of the orphanage an eleven year old girl wiped dirty tears from her swollen eyes. Her long black hair stood out against her pale white skin. Her eyes even though they appeared bloodshot were a deep emerald color. A storm was raging outside, as the black night lit up an owl flew against the lonely window. Feeling a bit brave and yet very nervous she crept towards the windows her small hand stretched out to touch the pane as a voice ripped through the night. "Aramina where the hell did you go this time."

Fear crept back up on the child and she returned to the darkened corner praying that Helen would not find her. Tucking her head between her knees and keeping her voice nonexistent she wrapped her dirty arms tightly around herself. The day had started off like any other day, the other children made fun of her, pulled her hair and Helen had smacked her for riling the other children up. To make matters worse Helen always reminded her of how useless and unloved she was since she was abandoned as a child to the orphanage.

As the hours ticked by Aramina slowly fell asleep, and remained unnoticed by Helen even though the woman swore she searched everywhere. Morning crept upon the sleeping child, and as the sunlight warmed her cold skin there came a firm knock on the front door. "Hold your horses, I'll be there in a moment," came the tired voice of Helen.

In the doorway stood an odd man with a long flowing white beard, wearing a deep purple robe. On his face was a pair of spectacles that rode on the tip of his pointy nose. His eyes were gray and appeared to be kind, and he was surprised to see the frown upon the woman's face. "Ah, good morning my dear lady. I'm here on this fine day to possibly adopt a child that is in your care."

Helen looked the strange man up and down then allowed him into the front room. "Are you looking for a boy or a girl?"

"Well to be honest I am actually looking for a young girl by the name of Aramina. I believe she resides here if I am correct."

"She does but no one ever wants a trouble maker I have a couple of girls that are younger then her, even better behaved."

"He smiled sweetly at Helen, "You think that someone would want to rid themselves of a trouble maker rather then keep one."

Helen watched him closely but failed to see him wave a hand at her softly. Her face gave out a soft smile as if she had changed her mind. "Of course our little Aramina can go with you. Let me go collect the girl for you, just a moment headmaster..."

Dumbledore chuckled to himself lightly, then spotted the very girl he had come to see. "Hello Aramina, please come here for a moment you wonderful little child."

Looking to both her sides she slowly makes her way to him. Her voice like a whisper on the wind was brave as she asked, "who are you sir?"

A hearty chuckle escaped his lips as he looked down at her over the rim of his glasses. "I'm headmaster Dumbledore and I would like to invite you to attend Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry."

He expected her to ask why if not other questions but her reply was simple, "okay."

A smile crossed his lips as Helen returned to the room. "I have her bag ready for you sir, is there anything else you require?"

"Yes Helen there is, for now on you will treat all your children as if they are precious," his hand waved slightly once more before he turned and made his way towards the door.

Aramina picked up her bag and quickly followed him out the door. Turning towards her again Dumbledore takes the bag from her hands and with his free hand holds her much smaller one. "What ever you do, do not let go," he said with a wink. Turning the dissipate and appear in a bar known as the Leaky Caldron. Aramina gasps for breath but recovers quickly. Leading her upstairs to a small room that contains a single bed he places her bag down. "Aramina, this will be your room until school starts."

She nods her head and he smiles sweetly. "Tomorrow morning Hagrid will be here to escort you to Diagon Alley to retrieve your school supplies. Now is there anything I can help you with?"

Aramina held her hands behind her back then slowly opened her mouth. "I only need to know who Hagrid is and how I can tell it is him."

Dumbledore looked at her in surprise, "Hagrid," he gestured with his hands "is a large man with brown hair, bigger then most men my dear girl. Is their anything else I can help you with?"

"No headmaster, I'll just stay in here until tomorrow."

"I'll have them bring you up something to eat, but if you need anything else just feel free t ask alright my dear child."

Once more she nods her head and turns her back to him as he leaves the room. Walking to the only window in her room she stares out at the already darkening sky. Where in the world was she, letting out a soft sigh she sits down in front of her bag. A bit later a soft knock is heard on the door, before she can reply it slowly creeps open. A lady with medium blond hair and a roundish face comes in carrying a tray filled with food. "Here you go my deary some dinner for ya to nibble on if you like."

Turning towards the girl she lets out a gasp, "child your filthy!"

Aramina blushes and tilts her head down in shame. Placing the tray down on the table the lady walks over to her and tilts her head up slightly. "how about a nice hot bubble bath before you eat, and maybe something a bit nicer to wear when you get out?"

Tears glisten in Aramina's eyes at the ladies kind words and all she can do is nod gently. Taking the girl by the hand she leads her to a large bathroom. The tub is already filled with warm water and bubbles slide over the edge of the tub carefree. Helping Aramina the lady carefully removes her dirty old clothing and helps her slim frame into the tub. "Would it be alright if I helped wash your hair?"

"Yes please," Aramina said softly.

Time went slowly as the kind lady scrubbed then dried Aramina. Wrapping an oversized towel around the girl she placed her upon a chair as she began to brush out her hair after using magic to dry it. Now that it was dry and clean the lady was shocked to see that it was actually a dark midnight black color that fell nearly to her ankles. "You have such beautiful long hair" the lady cooed into Aramina's ear.

Shortly with the towel still wrapped tightly around her body the kind lady leads her into her room. Letting the girl sit down and finally begin to eat she turns to leave. "I'll be back shortly with something for you to wear deary."

After a few bites the girl let out a soft yawn slowly rising to her feet she heads towards the bed just as the lady returns with clothing in her arms. "Sorry it took some time sweetie just had a bit of trouble remembering where my daughters old clothes were."

Walking over to Aramina she slipped a soft nightgown over her head then carefully pulled the towel from her body. After that she placed several more outfits onto the table. "These are for you my sweet, now into bed and try and get a bit of sleep. Your going to have a long day tomorrow."

Placing a chaste kiss on Aramina's head after pulling the covers up to her chin the lady leaves the room quietly. Sleep comes quickly to Aramina and for once she is not afraid. Morning comes quickly and before she is even awake her nose is filled with the smells of bacon and eggs. Opening her eyes slowly she sits up in her bed. The kind lady is back with a tray and places it right on her lap. "Eat up sweetie, Hagrid will be here shortly and you still need to get dressed."

Without needing another invitation Aramina quickly eats most of her breakfast then slips out of bed. Walking to the table with the tray in her hands she places it down. Then she quickly removes her nightgown and pulls on a black skirt with a red t-shirt. Finally she bends down to pull her sneakers onto her feet and to her surprise finds that they are like brand new. Just as Aramina steps away from the table the lady returns and with a damp cloth wipes her face gently. "There now your all clean."

Turning Aramina gently she quickly pulls her hair into a high ponytail before turning toward her once more. "Hagrid is here sweetie, when you return I'll have your nightgown cleaned and something hot brought up for you alright?"

"Thank you for everything."

"It is my pleasure sweet one, and if you like you can call me momma." With a wink, "that's what everyone here calls me anyways."

Wrapping her small arms around the lady she hugs her gently, "thank you momma."

Smiling she returns the hug then leads Aramina downstairs to meet Hagrid. Leaning against the counter of the bar stood a man far bigger then most men. Aramina knew it was wrong to stare but she could not help herself finally she pulled her eyes away from him. "This can't be that lass Dumbledore wants me to escort," Hagrid teased.

"You be surprised what a warm meal and a hot bath can do Hagrid. Now stop teasing the poor lass and take her to get her school supplies."

"Your right about that momma." Turning towards Aramina he smiled, "well lass are you ready to go to Diagon Alley?"

Nodding her head slightly Hagrid leads her out the back door to a brick wall. Pulling a worn umbrella from his large brown leather coat he touched several bricks. Slowly the wall pulls away forming an arch way and with a soft push Aramina walks through it. Her eyes widen in surprise as she sees hundreds of witches and wizards walking with dozens of other kids. Bending down near her ear Hagrid says in a low voice " welcome to Diagon Alley."

Not sure where she is suppose to go Hagrid reaches into his pocket and pulls out two pieces of parchment. Handing one to Aramina he reads the other. "That there is your list of school supplies. Hmm-mm Dumbledore thinks that you may have some wizard money in the vaults. Well first stop is Gringotts then from there to get your things."

"Hagrid, what if I don't have anything in the vaults?"

"Then Hogwarts will pay for everything lass, but lets just go see first shall we."

She practically had to run with Hagrids fast pace to keep up. They entered Gringotts in silence and Hagrid lead her straight up to a goblin sitting at the far end of the room. "Dumbledore believe she may have a vault."

Looking down at the girl over his glasses the goblin says "name please."

"Aramina"

He glares down at the girl "full name please."

"I don't know what my last name is," she answers softly.

With a roll of his eyes he climbs down and taking a small dagger pricks her finger before she can do anything. Placing the drop of blood into a glass vial he sends it straight to testing. "Just a moment while we figure out her name."

Minutes tick by slowly then finally another goblin runs up to the head goblin. They talk quietly for a minute, "well then retest it," the head goblin yelled.

"We did three times each time it came back as the same."

Turning towards the girl he coughed gently "well if miracles do not ever cease we have Death on our doorsteps."

"What do you mean," Hagrid asks?

Ignoring him the head goblin turns towards Aramina, "this way Aramina Grim we will lead you to your vault."

It felt like a long time had passed before they stopped in front of a vault blacker then the night. The goblin walked towards it then stopped. "Place your hand on the circle, girl."

Placing her hand gently on the circle a blinding white light surround it then slowly where her hand touched the door receded and opened. Aramina was shocked the whole vault was littered with piles of wizard money and various other artifacts. Hagrid passed her a small purse and she scooped three handfuls into it. The door closed as soon as she left the vault and they traveled by cart back up into the main room of Gringotts. As they left Hagrid was still a bit shocked and had not said a single word. Turning towards Aramina he smiled softly at the child. Hagrid wondered to himself if Dumbledore knew who this girl was.

Aramina grew excited as she read the names of the stores she passed. Hagrid after leaving Gringotts had lead her to get her wand next. it took him quite a while to find a wand that worked decently for her but nothing was perfect. Which surprised the shop owner greatly. With a couple more stops her arms were loaded with various things and Hagrid finally remembered that she needed a trunk to keep it all in. They made a quick detour to get her trunk before they stopped off to get her books. With a smile on her face they made their way back to the Leaky Cauldron. The next couple of days fly by, then it was time to head to Kings Cross Station.

Momma crept into the room and with a smile upon her face she leaned down and woke up Aramina. "Time to wake up sleepy head."

Aramina peeked out from under her covers then with a bolt of speed she threw her arms around the kind ladies neck. "Momma I'm going to miss you."

"Nonsense my dear, I'm taking you to the King's Cross Station myself, and once you get to Hogwarts you can always send me an owl."

Aramina smiled as the woman helped her dress and pulled her hair up one last time. Using her magic she packed Aramina's trunk for her and lead her out of the Leaky Caldron to catch the bus to the train station. Upon their arrival Aramina looked around confused she could not find platform 9 3/4. Momma taking her hand leads her to a pillar between platforms 9 and 10 walking with her head held high she pulls the girl into the pillar and to the other side where the train waited. Her trunk was loaded onto the train as she said her goodbyes. "Momma, thank you for everything."

"It was my pleasure Aramina. I hope you make lots of friends and don't be afraid to be yourself. If you ever need anything just send me an owl and I'll see what I can do."

With one last hug she boarded the train. Walking among the compartments she let out a soft sigh. Towards the end of the train she found an empty seat and sat down. Across from her were a young man with black hair that framed his face, and a young girl with bright red hair. Suddenly the girl spoke up, "are you a first year as well?"

"Yes, my names is Aramina Grim."

The boy lifted an eyebrow at her but remained quite. Where as the girl replied, "I'm Lily Evans and this is Severus Snape my best friend, would you like to be our friend as well."

"I'd like that Lily," turning towards Severus "I'd also like to be yours as Well Severus."

He let out a soft sigh then extended his hand. Slowly Aramina reached out a shook it gently. A soft smile appeared on his face then quickly disappeared. The ride to Hogwarts was very interesting to Aramina, her friendship with Lily and Severus grew as they came closer to Hogwarts. As with all first years when they arrived they all had to climb into boats that would take them the rest of the way to Hogwarts. The three climbed into one and they chatted quietly as they drifted across the lake.

As they drew towards the middle of the lake Aramina glimpsed over the edge. Swimming with the boat was what appeared to be a mermaid, although not how they were depicted in many stories she had read. She reached down to touch the surface of the water with a single finger. Without warning the lake grew a bit noisy as heads emerged from under the waves and students who were surprised cried out. Several mermaids swam towards Aramina's boat and her friends watched in silence as the mermaids appeared to bow their heads at her before diving under the water once more. They had never heard anything like that happening before and grew quite after their boat landed. Their stood Professor McGonagall, "alright first years line up and be quick."

Without another word they were lead into Hogwarts to the dining room. The room was lit with floating candles and all the teachers sat at the front of the room watching the new students walk in slowly. Leaving them in the middle of the room, the professor walked to the teachers table and sat down. Aramina looked around the room in wonder. There were four long tables and students were divided up by groups. Up front on a chair by the teachers sat a tarnished old wizard hat.

"Welcome to Hogwarts, I think this year we will begin with the students last name in reverse order," Dumbledore proclaimed.

After a couple of minutes Severus was called up and the hat bellowed out "Slytherin."

Minutes ticked by and as students were placed Lily was called up. "Gryffindor."

Finally Aramina was called forward and the hat was placed upon her head. "Brave to a fault, yet not a Gryffindor." (Please I don't want to be alone she thought.) "Many fine quality and yet a princess in her own right and not just in name." (The hat looked deeper into her mind then with an astonished cry screamed out "Slytherin."

Aramina quickly moved to the Slytherin table and sat down next to Severus. She knew that even though Lily was in another house that all three of them would remain friends. Time went slowly for her that first year, many boys tried to get her attention including a couple of older boys. She wasn't interested instead she stuck with Severus and Lily as much as she could.

It was hard for Severus though, she knew he really cared for Lily but because of the different houses they did not spend much time together. During their second year Aramina noticed them falling away from each other more and more as the boys teased Severus to no end. Finally Severus and her grew more fond of each other and as close friends do sometimes they gave each other a small trinket to remind them of each other. Severus had given Aramina a simple little silver ring he had bought one day in Hogsmead, he had also bought Lily a beautiful Locket. Where as Aramina gave both of them silver rings with her name engraved on the inside that she made herself.

In the middle of her second year Aramina began having trouble with her spells. They were becoming stronger by the day and she was scared that she might end up hurting someone. Finally one day around Christmas two adults showed up at Hogwarts. Dumbledore had them in his office and spoke with them quietly. Near the end of the day Aramina was called up to see him.

"You wanted to see me headmaster."

"Yes of course my dear please sit down."

Taking a seat quickly she watched as a woman with long blond hair and a man with dark black hair sat beside her. "Now Aramina, this may be hard to believe but these are your parents."

Looking at the two she smiled kindly to them. "As you may have noticed your magic is becoming harder for you to control, am I correct?"

"Yes headmaster, she replied softly."

"Well your parents have come to collect you to give you some special training. Do not fear child you will of course get to come back once your training is done."

"When do I leave sir?"

"Tonight," her father answered.

Then her mother spoke, "you may of course go and say goodbye to your friends my dear."

Turning towards the headmaster, "I already have your belongings packed and ready to go. You may pull your friends from their classes to say goodbye."

With a quick nod Aramina rushes out to find Lily and Severus. As she pulls Lily from her class she tells her what is about to happen. The tears spring up in her friends eyes and they hug for a bit. Finally Lily's teacher sticks his head out of the classroom and has Lily come back in. With one last goodbye she makes her way towards the dungeon where Severus is in class.

He walks out of potions and bumps into Aramina who runs a dry hand across her wet cheeks. "What's wrong," he asks?

"I have to go away Severus and I'm not exactly sure when I will see you again."

He takes her hand in his and smiles at her warmly. "As long as you keep this ring on your finger I'll always will be with you."

Without another word she presses her lips gently against his . His eyes grow wide but he doesn't pull back. "Finally she breaks the kiss, Severus no matter what happens I will come back to you. I'm sorry but I love you." She runs away from him afraid that he would tell her he loved Lily. He slumps against the wall, and touches his lips softly. "I'll never forget you Aramina."

That night Aramina disappeared with her parents, as well as the memory of her among many students. Yet oddly enough though she was gone two people remembered her as if she wasn't a dream. Even though Lily and Severus never spoke about her they would never forget her either.

Years passed and as things go things change. Well things changed for many people. you see Lily got married to James Potter. As for Severus he never married. Then tragedy struck Lily and James were pronounced dead, but as fate would have it they were never buried. Because though everyone believed they died, they were actually in St. Mungo's with many other victims from the first war against the Dark Lord. Yet lying on their hospital beds they looked dead to the world.