"I don't like it, Albus."

Professor Albus Dumbledore didn't look up from the parchment he was writing on. His deputy headmistress, Minerva McGonagall, had been talking to him about the same subject for the past hour. "I know that, Minerva," he said mildly. "But I have made my decision."

Professor McGonagall pursed her lips. "But Diana Woodburn?" she asked. "You know what she was like when she was at school. Haughty, proud… even downright nasty at times. She used her prefect status to her advantage."

Professor Dumbledore said nothing. He merely continued to let his quill scratch along the scroll in front of him, carefully writing in a neat, slanting script. Apparently irritated at his lack of response, Professor McGonagall tried again.

"For heaven's sake, Albus, she's engaged to be married into the Carter line." She lowered her voice somewhat as she added, "And I don't think I need to remind you that both the Woodburns and the Carters were avid supporters of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

Professor Dumbledore glanced up at her. "Actually, Miss Woodburn is no longer engaged to Mr. William Carter."

The older woman's thin eyebrows rose a fraction. "Is that so? What happened there? Their families arranged that match while they were still at Hogwarts."

The headmaster seemed not to have heard her question. He said only, "She will be a fine addition to the school."

The deputy headmistress let out a displeased hmmph and sank into one of the squashy chairs in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk. "She was good at Herbology," she admitted. "Very good, in fact. And I know that we're desperate to find a new teacher for the subject, what with Professor Sprout's illness coming on so suddenly." She leaned forward. "But surely there's a more appropriate choice?"

"I trust her, Minerva. That should be good enough for you, and for the rest of the staff."

"Yes, like you trust Severus, no doubt," Professor McGonagall said, rolling her eyes in a fashion that was very unlike her. "You seem so keen on filling our ranks with Dark witches and wizards, Albus, and yet you claim that You-Know-Who isn't –"

He eyed her from behind his golden half-moon spectacles. "Voldemort, Minerva. Call him by his name."

Professor McGonagall's nostrils flared. "You claim he isn't gone for good," she said tightly, ignoring the name altogether. "All of these decisions of yours… they might come back to haunt you."

Professor Dumbledore laid down his quill and tapped the bottom of the scroll with his wand. The scroll rolled up obediently, sealing itself without a seam or wrinkle. "I'll remember that," he said, not unkindly. "For the time being, Miss Woodburn will teach at Hogwarts."

The deputy headmistress opened her mouth, not yet ready to give up the ghost. At that moment, however, there was a knock on the door of the headmaster's study. The two looked at each other for a moment, like they were daring each other to speak. "Come in," Professor Dumbledore said at last. The door to his study creaked open.

Diana Woodburn was framed in the entrance, looking slightly unsure of herself. Professor McGonagall was surprised – this wasn't an expression she'd ever seen on the young woman's face, not in all seven years she had taught her in Transfiguration class. Professor Dumbledore beckoned her inside the tower room, and she closed the door behind her before entering.

The three years since Diana had been a student at Hogwarts had changed her somehow. She was still uncannily beautiful, her long dark hair tied in a loose bun at the nape of her neck and her light eyes, framed with thick lashes, fixed steadily on the two professors. Freckles sprinkled her pale skin like constellations above the neck of her dark robes.

But when Professor McGonagall looked closely, she was stunned. There was evidence of a black eye around her right eye, the bruise just shy of being completely faded. A thin scar ran from her left temple to the bridge of her nose, only just visible in the flickering torchlight. And the look in her blue eyes was hunted, frightened. There was none of the confidence, none of the arrogance that had announced her presence at Hogwarts. This version of Diana Woodburn looked like she would be scared of a Summoning Charm.

"Miss Woodburn," Professor Dumbledore said, smiling at the young woman gently. "It's a pleasure to see you again. I trust you are well?"

"Quite well, Professor, thank you," she said softly. Diana folded her hands in front of her and glanced at Professor McGonagall. "It's good to be back at Hogwarts."

The deputy headmistress sniffed. "I'll leave you to your business," she told the headmaster. With another careful look at Diana, Professor McGonagall left the office. But as she closed the door behind her, an unpleasant feeling churned in the pit of her stomach. What had happened to the girl?

Professor Dumbledore smiled again as soon as the other woman had left. "Please have a seat," he said, motioning to one of the chairs in front of his desk. She did so, perching on the very edge of the cushion as the headmaster passed the sealed scroll to her. "The details of your salary and teaching duties are enclosed within there. You will also be acting as the interim Head of House for Hufflepuff in Professor Sprout's absence, Miss Woodburn, and that will require attending a few meetings each term. But we've already spoken about the curriculum, of course. There should be no surprises."

"Yes, sir."

"Please let me know if you have any questions. And welcome back to Hogwarts, Miss Woodburn. We're very pleased you've accepted the role of Herbology professor this year."

"Thank you, sir." Diana traced the edge of the scroll with her finger.

Professor Dumbledore steepled his fingers and studied her intently. Silence oozed out across the tower's stone walls, punctuated only by the soft hisses and clicks of the spindly silver instruments scattered around the headmaster's office.

"Is there anything you wish to ask me, Miss Woodburn?" Professor Dumbledore asked at last.

Diana raised her gaze to meet his. She sucked in a deep breath. "Yes," she said in a rush. "I just… can you assure my safety here?"

Professor Dumbledore frowned slightly. "Of course you are safe here. There is hardly a safer place in the world than Hogwarts."

Diana leaned forward. "Professor, I think you know about my engagement," she said, speaking so quietly it was almost a whisper. At the headmaster's nod, she swallowed hard and continued. "My family are furious that I broke it off, and so is William. They don't know I'm here. At least, I don't think they do. But I do know that they're going to be looking for me."

Professor Dumbledore watched as Diana gently touched the bruised skin around her eye with the tips of her fingers. "Miss Woodburn," he said gravely. "I can assure you that I will not tell a soul."

She nodded. "Thank you, sir. But William's younger cousin still attends Hogwarts. I'm afraid…" She trailed off, her porcelain skin going even paler.

"Ah, yes. Hugh Carter." Dumbledore's lips thinned. "We will watch him closely, Miss Woodburn. As long as you are within the walls of Hogwarts, no one will be able to touch you. Not a soul will gain entry unless I've said so. I promise you that."

She seemed to collapse into the chair. "All right," she said. "Thank you, sir." Diana rose from the chair, clutching the scroll to her chest.

Professor Dumbledore's gaze softened. "Hogwarts will always be there to offer sanctuary for its students, Miss Woodburn. Even after they have long since left its doors. I am glad that we could help you through a difficult situation."

For the first time since she'd entered the office, a genuine smile passed across the young woman's lips. "I truly appreciate it, sir."

He returned the smile and rose from behind his desk. "As you know, term begins in a week. Until then, you have full run of the castle and grounds. You may begin preparing your lessons." He waved an arm at the door leading out of his study. "Your quarters are near the Hufflepuff common room, beside the kitchens. The door is behind the portrait of a cheese and wine spread, beside the painting of a fruit bowl."

Diana blinked. "Really?"

His blue eyes twinkled. "Yes. The password is 'swan song.' You will be able to change the password at your leisure. If you have any questions or concerns about your quarters, you may of course let me know at once."

Professor Dumbledore watched the girl go, amused at her befuddlement over his instructions. But as her footsteps echoed down the gargoyle staircase beyond his door, his amusement faded. The headmaster sank into the chair behind his desk, studying the opposite wall without truly seeing it.

Diana Woodburn would be safe at Hogwarts; he had given his word, and he would make sure it was true. But William Carter had always been an exceptionally clever, cunning young man. Both his family and the Woodburns had powerfully Dark connections, too – Professor McGonagall had been right about that. If Diana's ex-fiancé was really as angry as she had said, he had no doubts that he would try and get at her, no matter what it cost him.

The headmaster only hoped he could keep Diana within Hogwarts's walls. No one could get inside, even if they had found out she was there. But if she stepped beyond those walls, he couldn't promise that he could keep her safe. And if the faint remnants of her injuries were any indication, great danger lurked out there for her.