This is my first fan fiction that I've posted, but I still appreciate critics who want to help me improve my writing, and will try to reply to reviewers as quickly as possible. Its not a one-shot, but it's a bit sad, though it will get happier. Contains slash. I am not J.K.Rowling. I think that covers it.

Amanda Jess was a Griffindor, first-year nonetheless. Curious and innocent. So when the prefects had all gone to bed, it was nothing to her to slip out and go exploring. Tonight she had followed the dungeon steps to down near where she believed the Slytherin common room to be. She had noted a tunnel coming here when exploring after potions a few days ago.

She found it easily, and, keeping her wand lit, she followed it. She found no resistance but a single door unlocked with Alhamora and a sign written in red paint: STAY AWAY

She had entered regardless. She was not afraid, never had been. At the end she had found a single room, with a bed covered in ancient blankets that looked used although the bed was unmade. There was a small table which held remains of candle drippings. There was a pale remain of something pinkish on the floor.

And the boy. He came suddenly, out from behind her, and looked at her but through her. She looked twice and realised that he was in fact a ghost, but something told her that he was not like the friendly ghosts that haunted Hogwart's halls. He looked haunted himself, wearing Slytherin robes and had pale blonde hair.

He sat on the bed, and waited. Hours. Amanda knew that it was nearly morning, but she simply watched him as he watched the closed door. Finally, with less than ten minutes to dawn, she stood and made a ran for it. Before she reached the end of the corridor she heard the boy say, "Harry…?" with such hope that it broke her heart.

Something passed her but she didn't know what. Suddenly she heard his screams, heard him cry out in anguish and despair. She raced out, too frightened to go back. She made to run to her tower, but she ran head first into Professor Potter, DADA teacher and head of her house.

He beckoned to her and she followed him slowly, aware that she was in trouble. They sat in his office and he poured her tea. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

"He was my lover" Professor Potter said sadly. "We would meet there every night. One day I found that a Slytherin "Friend" of his knew and was planning to kill him that night. I couldn't warn Draco, so I painted a sign in red hoping that he wouldn't go. But the Slytherin saw the sign and magicked it away. Draco went in and I couldn't get there. Near Dawn the plot took place and he was murdered."

Amanda looked at him solemnly. "I'm so sorry, sir."

He shook his head. "It was a long time ago. I've made peace."

Amanda shook her head. He had still been in that room, watching the tunnel, too scared to step forward. He seemed to understand. "I'm not ready. Now go to bed. I'm not going to punish you this time. I was curious myself once." He smiled sadly at his words. "Once."

Amanda stood to walk back to the tower. As she stepped outside, she muttered. "He needs you, Harry" but she was too scared to say it loud enough for her words to be heard.

The next year, September 15th, she walked down those steps, ready to see the room with the bed, the table and the faded bloodstain, and sit through the whole thing all night once more. Halfway down the tunnel she stopped, for she had just heard a whispered unlocking spell and the glimpse of a Griffindor cloak. She smiled as she went back to the tower.

The next morning, she saw Professor Potter sitting at breakfast, the happiest she had ever seen him, looking like a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. And Amanda knew that if she returned the next year she would see no signs that a lost, lonely boy had haunted the place.

However she thought that her exploring days might be over. Draco and Harry had moved on, and so was she. Quiddich season started next month.