"Aillie, dear, could you hand me my travel notebook?" An old gentleman asked. It was a late afternoon and Mr and Mrs Burke were just about to set out on a journey to London. There wasn't anything strange about that, they did so very often. They usually returned after two or three days and continued to run their small family hotel. And their daughter Ailish looked after the hotel for them in the meantime. Ailish was a young brunette woman in her twenties. Her skin was pale and her hair was of shoulder length, slightly vawy. She had pink, full heart-shaped lips and was average-sized in all proportions, or, rather, you could say she was a bit smaller and slimmer than all the other girls of her age. She rarely smiled, and was always very modest and quiet. But her parents loved her, and knew that she was in fact a kind and sensitive girl. The strangest thing about Ailish were her eyes, which were fluorescent pale torquoise – well, that wouldn't be anything unusual, human eyes come in many different colours – the unusual thing was that she could stare at people for a long time without winking. Together with her usual manner that she scarcely smiled, she looked like a cat that is staring at its pray with a fixed look. She wasn't the best student in her house when she was at Hogwarts, but she was one of the bravest girls there. She was in Slytherin, although she was very, very kind – but you wouldn't say so due to the way she looked at you, but really, she was the kindest girl in her year. She was exactly the type of student that quietly does what she's told. However, she was not as popular as the others, mainly because she never took pleasure in practising the Dark Arts, and partly because she never showed emotion. The Slytherin students disliked her for her unbiasness and for her willingness to mate with other houses, but the other houses disliked her for being a Slytherin. She managed to flow through the school with good grades, although she didn't study much. She dedicated her study sessions in the library only to the subjects that interested her (mainly Transfiguration and Charms). She dreamed of working for the Gringotts, however, her fate had a different scenario in store for her. After graduating from Hogwarts, she had to help her parents run the family hotel and hasn't seen a sparkling of her dream becoming true since.

How strange of me to think of those long gone days, she thought as she was sitting down behind the receptionist desk and opened the guest drawer to have it ready for immediate use. Their hotel was lovely. It was a small hidden hotel for wizards right at the centre of Dublin, located at the main street where wizards could go shopping. The street wasn't as good and as famous as Diagon Alley, but still, when you needed a piece of parchment or a robe, there was a place to go. The name of the hotel resembled the name of the family, Burke's Hotel. It had three floors, but the house was rather narrow and tall, so there were actually only twelve rooms to be used by guests. Then Ailishh had one, her parents had one and Mrs. Pearce had one – Mrs. Pearce was a lovely elderly housekeeper who worked with the family as a cleaning maid and a cook. When her parents were present, they took turns in managing all the task and sometimes, Ailish was even needed to do the cleaning and cooking. But she was a good girl, God bless her, so she never complained about anything.

"Good evening, Miss Ailish, are your parents travelling again?" Asked Mr Touchett who was smiling at her from across the receptionist's counter, having his top hat perched on his head as always. Mr Touchett was a lovely man, working at the Ministry and travelling a lot. He was very fond of the Burke's Hotel, he and his wife stayed there very often.
"They are, Mr Touchett," Ailish smiled a bit and looked up from her records she was writing. This was her way of expressing politely that she was listening.
"Is that a new blouse you're wearing?" Mr Touchett asked with a flirtitious wink, and only himself and Ailish knew he didn't mean any harm. He and Mrs Touchett were happily married for more than thirty-five years. Unfortunately, they were childless.
"No, thank ye, it's old, I've just stiffened it." Ailish gave a weak smile again.
"Henry, are you making Miss Ailish uncomfortable again? I told you to stop it at once!" Mrs Touchett called from the top of the staircase. Then her eyes met Ailish's and the young receptionist could see that the corners of Mrs Touchett's mouth were twitching. They all knew this was a game, and the old wizards and Ailish together took great plasure in playing it. Mr Touchett gave Ailish the key of their room and was off with his wife. Ailish put it onto the beautiful ebony hanger behind her and sat at her desk with her lamp illuminating the paperwork she was doing for her father, her face expressionless, her clothes always neat, her attire always smart. The guests thought she didn't wear anything else than blouses, skirts and dresses. They haven't seen her wearing anything different. She always had a bit of rouge on her cheeks and her wavy hair tied into a tiny ponytail. She didn't use much makeup otherwise. Ailish was a very modest girl, she was happy with what she had. But she worked really hard that day.

"Get her, Amy!"
Swish! A spell just missed Ailish's ear as she was running through the corridors. Three Gryffindor girls went after her, determined to have their go. Ailish was sensitive and couldn't defend herself. She hid in a cubicle at the girls' bathroom and hoped with bated breath that they won't find her. But the girls bursted all doors open and as soon as they discovered Ailish's hiding place, they started to beat her with their fists and to kick her with their feet. They often gave her such beating. Ailish shut her eyes and hid her face in her hands. She was so ashamed of herself. She hoped this would be over soon. Suddenly, she could feel the girls stopping the beating, quick steps sounding on the tile floor and a strong hand pulled her from under them.

"Miss Ailish, wake up! You've fallen asleep at your bookkeeping again, haven't you?" This was Mrs Pearce's voice waking Ailish up back to reality. "Look at the time! God gracious, you should go to bed immediately!"
"Thank ye, Mrs Pearce," Ailish sat straight at her chair and after realizing she was dreaming she got to her feet, turned off the lamp and went to bed.

"How could you let this happen?!" He shouted at her. She stood in his office and looked at her feet, covered in bruises and wet with tears. "Tell me, what made you hide the consistent maltreatment the other classmates effected on you to that extent that I had to interfere myself? What a loatheful moment!" His face was crooked in disgust as he recalled himself having to enter the girls' bathroom to rescue her.
"I don't know, Sir…" She squeaked. "I was afraid–"
"You're dim and cock-handed, you have no sense of pride to your own house. You have no brains to be in Slytherin whatsoever." Professor Snape snapped and was rummaging through his cupboard behind his desk, standing with his back towards her.
"I-I'm so sorry, Sir!" She squeaked and tears were pouring down from her eyes. He turned towards her and despite the tears, she could see his expression being far less angry than his voice seemed.
"This will help you." He said and giving her a small bottle containing a red liquid.
"Sir?" She whispered.
"Draft of Peace, Dim-Witted." He growled.

The following day was all grey and foggy. The usual routine began: Mrs Pearce was making breakfast, guests were checking out, Mrs Pearce was cooking lunch and cleaning the rooms, Ailish sat in the reception and gave advice and maps of Dublin to newcomers. Then Mrs Pearce cleaned the corridors and the reception bathrooms and Ailish checked in the last arriving guests. In the evening she sat down to bookkeeping again, using this opportunity to finish what she promised her father to do. She swore she would not fall asleep this time. She didn't know why she was dreaming of Hogwarts so much. She was out of the school for about five years. She was a grown up girl, yet she had some bad memories connected to that place that were still swirming in her like worms.

She was bringing a potion sample to the teacher's desk. As she was extending her hand and placing the flask on the table, a thin fingers snapped her hand.
"What's this?" Hissed Professor Snape and his eyes narrowed spitefully.
"I-I just touched the hot cauldron." Ailish said and gave a weak smile.
"You're a lubber." She could hear him hissing, "I wouldn't be surprised if they were after you again."

Someone burst the front door half open. Ailish jerked and spilled her ink bottle all over her desk. She fell asleep at her desk. Two hooded characters walked into the lobby with loud thudding steps. They stood facing her and she realised the shocking truth. They were Death Eaters. She even didn't have her wand ready, one simple accio was enough for the front man to hold it in his hands. The second man pointed his wand at her and the first said in a harsh voice:
"Get up!"
Her pretty eyes popped out, she slowly did as they asked her and stood up. She didn't make a sound, she just stared. Then the same voice said to his companion:
"Search her. I'll go through the desk."
The second man grasped her hand firmly and pulled her aside from the reception desk. Ailish was completely silent. No one of the whole house had any idea of what was going on at the reception. Everybody was asleep. But, strangely, Ailish wasn't thinking of crying, or shouting. Actually, the contempt she experienced at Hogwarts from Professor Snape made her stronger. She was determined never to cry, she wanted to be strong as he was – or it had seemed so when she was at school. She just stared at the two men, accusing them silently with her turquoise eyes. She was prepared to face this all alone. She would endure it for her father and mother, who certainly didn't wish a scandal happening in their hotel. She hoped they would just get some money from the desk, some jewelry she wore and leave. But, the other Death Eater didn't take her silver necklace nor her earrings. His wand pointed at her chest, he was slowly moving it to her waist and to the rim of her pencil skirt to check any hidden pockets or things she could possibly use to distract them or defend herself. But there was nothing.
"Cuff her, for God's sake, or else she'll run away!"
"Don't give orders, Dolohov, not to me." Snapped the one standing next to her. "She's standing right next to me, you fool, what do you suppose she could do?"
Her eyes were open wide. She knew that voice. This changed everything. She began panicking in her head. Because this wasn't something that would be over. This was something that concerned her personally. This involved her and had to do a lot with who she was. To whom she owed whom she was. Also, the facial mask of the first Death Eater vanished since the second Death Eater said his name aloud. Upon not finding anything else than books, notebooks and a few galleons, Dolohov shouted at her: "Where's all the money your guests are paying you?!"
"I-It's gone, it's in the bank." She answered dully.
"We'll see." Dolohov said and his voice sounded slyly. He pointed his wand at her.
"Cru-"
"No! Please! I swear! Take my jewelry if you please, but I swear, that's all there is!" He made a few steps towards her and violently ripped her necklace off. Examining it in the light of the lamp, he threw it away: "Silver is cheap, you silly cow!"
"This isn't what we're here for, Dolohov." A cold voice next to her sounded. She turned around and looked at him, her eyes wide, accusing. Her cheeks red from shame and fear. But there was nothing, just the Death Eater's mask to see.
Dolohov turned around and said with his back towards her: "Wake everyone up. I want to see who's in this place right now. Go with her, Snape."
Her knees were shaking and her hands were trembling, still, she managed to walk up the stairs into the first floor. She was amazed at this detail because she wore her best high heels which she didn't expect to serve her well in that situation. Her follower went straight after her. But she paid no attention to him, she had nothing to tell him, nothing else than how horribly he'd disgusted her this evening. Instead, she focused on what she would tell the guests. How could she let it happen? Her mother and father will never forgive her that she dared to disturb their guests in the middle of the night. The Burkes based their successful business on treating every customer as a king. She won't be able to look them into their face when they come back. She knocked on each door and callled every guest with her voice tight with anxiety: "Mr Touchett, Mrs Touchett, wake up please." Then she wanted to open the door and go inside, but she realised she didn't have any light. She would be creeping around her guests like a murderer. She turned to her abductor who was still pointing his wand at her and said with her trembling soft voice: "I-I need some light. They might get scared and might attack me in the darkness if they don't recognize me." Upon her saying it, a candle appeared next to her head. She snatched it and went into the rooms, waking all the guests up - however, some of them gave a start anyway, because they thought she had been a ghost. "Miss O'Donovan, please, wake up, there is a raid, no worries, just come with me." Some of them didn't want to come and she had to beg them to go. The Death Eater still stood in the doorway so when the guests spotted him and heard her desperate voice, they went. Mr Touchett whispered upon waking up: "Is it bad, Miss Ailish, my girl?" And she whispered back: "Not yet."
The guests lined up in the lobby and the Death Eaters took away their wands. Poor Mrs Pearce stood there with bare hands and Ailish had to shield her with her own body to prevent Dolohov from torturing her. The truth was that Mrs Pearce was a squib and it took Ailish several seconds to explain why Mrs Pearce was absolutely necessary for their business. Then they made Ailish show them the files of the guests, who they were and how many times had they stayed with the Burkes and when. Miss O'Donovan sobbed into her laced handkerchief and Mr Roberts was grinding his teeth and at one moment, he cried: "What the hell does this mean? That's a scandal! As soon as I inform the Ministry-!" A second later there was a flash of green light and Mr Roberts was killed on the spot. Miss O'Donovan shrieked, and Mesdames Touchett and Lacey fainted. Ailish didn't jerk an inch. She was just staring into the open space, trying to convince herself this was all just a very unfortunate nightmare. But she was dreaming of Hogwarts and Snape a lot, couldn't it be? She lifted her arm slightly and immediately, she felt the tip of the Death Eater's wand poking her back. Since Dolohov was busy interrogating the guests who were all herded in the lobby, she turned her head slightly and whispered:
"I wanted to pinch myself."
The pressure of the tip of the wand in between her shoulder blades increased.
"I've been dreaming of you lately, I want to know whether this is another of those silly dreams of mine."
"Stupid girl." She could hear his grumble, but she couldn't feel his wand anymore. She rolled up her sleeve and pinched herself sharply. No change. She slowly hung both her arms alongside her body and her face remained unchanged. She didn't turn around anymore.
"You! Come here!"
There was a slight nudge in between her shoulder blades and she walked forward, her knees shaking so much she could barely stand.
"I'll have a look at all the rooms in this hotel, I want the best ones of them for myself and my companion. You'll stay here and will be at my disposal whatever I'll want tonight."
"Yes, Sir." She answered and her face was very pale. Then, sooner than she could stop herself, she blurted: "The best rooms are me room and the room of me parents, Sir." She didn't want any of her guests be further inconvenienced by having to move in the middle of the night. Dolohov turned around and gave her one last look before walking up the stairs, and Ailish wasn't sure if that was the one of surprise, disbelief or contempt.
"This is outrageous!" Mrs Touchet cried and while partially hiding behind her husband, she gave the remaining Death Eater a disdainful look.
"Quiet!" He roared and pointed his wand at Ailish who was right in front of him. "Or she'll die." Seconds later they could all smell smoke coming from upstairs. Ailish sprang forward, she couldn't bear this anymore. She jumped aside to dodge a curse sent by the Death Eater which missed her arm only by inches. She kicked off her shoes in order to be able to run faster. The Death Eater sprang after her. She hoped this will give her guests a chance to escape. When she reached the third floor, she could see that the room of her parents was on fire.
"Why did ye do this?!" She shrieked and tried to wrestle with Dolohov, she didn't know why. Maybe she was in a desperate want of a wand so that she could reverse the damage. She felt she needed to do something. She was the one who let that to happen to her parents' possessions. Then she was thrown to the ground by Dolohov and before he could perform a fatal curse on her, Snape stupefied her.

"I told you that I would help with your dueling skills, not that I would listen to your silly yelping and weeping." Snape growled and having his wand still pointed at her, his sharp black eyes were piercing her. Ailish was getting up from the stone floor where she ended up when Snape stupefied her. She wasn't aware of any weeping taking place from her side, and if she yelped, well, she could have, she won't deny it. She got up for a hundredth time that day, however, her eyes suggested she was resolute to continue. She just got her wand ready and answering: "Yes, Professor!", she waited for another round.

"Oh, Miss Ailish! Miss Ailish!" She could hear Mrs Pearce lamenting and opened her eyes. She was sprawled on a sofa which was located in a small closet behind the reception which was usually used as a storage room for luggage. However, it was rather dusty and unkempt because no one had used that cupboard for years. Ailish could see all her possessions piled on the floor, all her clothes and books and photos and even her flowers. Everything was dusty and dirty, and ragged and broken.
"Oh, Miss Ailish! How glad I am that you are awake!" Mrs Pearce took her hands into her wrinkled ones and gave her a wide cordial smile. However, her face was scared and her eyes just a little bit popped out.
"Please, Mrs Pearce, tell me that last night was just a dream." Ailish moaned and closed her eyes again.
"I'm afraid it wasn't, darling." Whispered the old woman. "And it's high time you woke up. They'll be wanting you soon."
"Mrs Pearce, what am I to do?" Ailish wailed and covered her face with her hands.
"Do as you're told, child. As far as I learnt they do not want to destroy this place. Your parents will know what to do when they come back. Try to hold this place together as it is." The old woman smiled again. "You always have to believe in happy endings, Miss Ailish."
"Where are the guests, Mrs Pearce?"
"They have all disappeared, my dear, as soon as you went after that first man upstairs. But you mustn't do anything like this ever again. What would I tell your poor mother and father if there was any harm done to you?"
"At least the guests are safe."
"Don't talk like that, Miss Ailish! Don't you have any self-value?!"
As soon as Ailish managed to dig some least dusty clothes from her pile on the floor, she was wanted by Dolohov who had in few seconds transformed her parents' room into his own luxurious chamber. He didn't even bother with his Death Eater mask that day. There were no guests anyway.
"You're not to eat for two days for your stupid attempt to save the room of your blessed mother and father." He spat with a sneer. She stood motionless with her expressionless face that told nothing. She was neither frowning nor smiling, as she did often. Maybe that's what got Dolohov so angry with her. He'd expect her to cry, to beg, to revolt. Instead, she stood there like a statue and answered him indifferently: "Of course." He raised his wand, pointing it at her, and gave a hideous sly smile which was foretelling what he was about to do next. Suddenly, his movements froze and he moved no more. As if anyone stopped the motion from finishing.
"How many times am I to repeat the orders for you?" A voice sounded from the doorway. "The orders are clear: to take over the hotel with the absolutely necessary staff. Use as little harm as possible. Which part didn't you understand?"
"Stop curbing me, Snape." Spat Dolohov and gave his companion a fierce glaze. "I know the orders well enough."
Ailish turned on the spot and walked out from the room. When she was passing by Snape, she heard his voice: "Has the gentleman dismissed you?!"
"No." She whispered and turned back to Dolohov with her face as unchanged as before.
"Anything else, Sir?"
"You are not to have your wand. At least for the time being." Ailish wasn't even surprised. It could be said that at that time, she expected anything to happen. So she wasn't even surprised.
"Indeed. What else?"
"What else!" Dolohov spat and pointed his wand at her, his hand shaking with anger. "What else! Did you hear that ghastly worm, Snape? She asked me as if I were her bloody dog or something!"
"She asked you perfectly fine, Dolohov." Snape replied, his hands folded on his chest as he was leaning onto the doorframe.
"That'll teach her the lesson." Dolohov smiled and this time, Ailish wasn't spared the Cruciatus curse. She just shut her eyes and clenched her teeth. She was proud of herself that she didn't make a sound.
"Bloody creatures those girls! They can endure- so- much!" Raged Dolohov, hitting her again and again.
"Stop it, Dolohov. She was already punished." Growled Snape.

Ailish was swearing and scrubbing the floor of her cabinet that was now her only shelter. Her stuff was piled on the old dusty sofa and Ailish swore to replace it as soon as she would be finished with the dust. Everything was much harder when she couldn't use her wand. At least the guests are out, she thought, so that they don't see me labouring here like a slave. She felt so poor, so low. She didn't even feel like a witch, like the daughter of her parents. She felt like a failure. When she moved the sofa to scrub the floor underneath, she noticed her silver necklace lying on the floor in the corner. And she was sure this wasn't where Dolohov had thrown it. She was wondering at the state of things and enjoying her solitude. This was the only time Ailish had for herself. Otherwise, she was expected to wait on Dolohov and Snape, or to show them all files she had in the drawers, or to cook, or to clean. Something big was about to happen, the men were both nervous and peeved.
"Am I wanted, Sir?" She gave a start as she noticed the Death Eater standing at the door.
"No, no." He answered somehow mildly, closed the door behind him and said:
"You mentioned having dreamt about me. What was in the dream?"
"Nothing significant." She said blankly. She didn't give a damn about the conversation, and he could see that. She was answering him as if he were a Ministry clerk in a filling office. God knows if she felt a feeling of familiarity for him after all this, she herself didn't know if she did, but even if that were so, she wouldn't show it. She couldn't help herself dreaming of his peaceful years at Hogwarts so much. Isn't it always the case when you think you lost something?
She could feel his penetrating look even though she wasn't looking at him.
"Don't be so strange with me, Ailish." He growled, half whispering.
"You happened to be strange with me, Sir." She whispered.
"There was Dolohov and all the other people…" He murmured by the corner of his mouth. What was that supposed to mean? She stood up, letting go of the brush. She stood there in front of the Death Eater, her hair loose and wavy, her eyes crystal clear, dressed in an apron and old skirt and shirt.
"How are you feeling?" He asked softly, stepping closer to her and lowering his voice as he did so. Now they stood only a few inches apart, he being taller than she was. They stood as close so that they could hug each other, or kiss each other. But that hadn't been even thought of by any of them. They were just standing this close and avoiding each other's face.
"What do you mean?" She asked indifferently.
"Has the Cruciatus curse had any maleficient effect?"
"No, I hope not, no." She stummered and blushed. Why did she blush?
"Grave things are going to happen." He growled, barely audible, standing as close to her as possible so that no one else could hear, even if they were standing behind the door.
"Horrible things?" She whispered.
"Don't be stupid again, Ailish." He growled. Her head was spinning around to have him so close. She closed her eyes and patiently waited for his next move.
"I'm needed." He murmured quetly, turned abruptly around and rushed away. She stood there in her ragged clothes, uncapable of thinking rationally of the situation. She then shrugged her shoulders and continued decluttering the closet. As soon as she was done with the mess, she had a shower, changed her clothes and went to ask a permission to go and buy a new bed. The permission was granted and so she went.

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