Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of its characters. They belong to J.K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. Helena Lyn Blackwell, however, is my own creation.

Chapter One

It was dark. The night sky shone bright with millions of twinkling stars. I lay on the earthen floor. My best friends surrounded me. A large bonfire was blazing in the background. Could it have been a more perfect scene? Everything was so peaceful. My eyes slowly drifted shut... When I opened them, the world was gone. Everything was gone. "Harry? Ron? Hermione?" Nothing. "Anybody?" A shadowy figure appeared in the distance. As it approached, I could just make out that slightly shaggy brown hair, round glasses, and the build of a young man. "Harry? Is that you?" They didn't say anything. Instead, the figure offered me an outstretch hand. "Come with me, Helena." I reached toward them, and as I accepted the person's offer, their body began to shake and blur as though losing their shape. All I could do was stare at my hand intertwined with theirs. The fingers changed shape as I watched. They became elongated, with sharp, pointed nails. When I looked up, I could only gasp. My best friend had transformed into the most frightening thing I could ever imagine. There, standing in font of me with my hand in his, was the Dark Lord...

"Good morning, Sleepyhead!" The loud thundering of voices shouting in synchronization woke me from my nightmare. Fred and George stood only too happily at the foot of my bed. I jolted upright in shock with a scowl painted on my face. The twins just laughed as I attempted to send a pillow hurling in their direction and somehow managed to miss by a mile.

"Get out!"

"Alright." George began.

"No need to get your knickers in a knot." Fred smirked at me.

I trailed closely behind as they headed to the door and standing under the doorframe, I

called, "And stay out!"

Sighing to myself, I plopped back down on the hard mattress and closed my eyes. Images flashed on the inside of my eyelids. All I could think about was that damn dream. 'Come with me, Helena. Come with me.' Never. I'd never join the Dark Lord. A knock on the wall snapped me out of my thoughts. Harry stood cautiously in the doorway.

"Breakfast is ready."

"I'm not hungry. Just tell Molly I'll be down when I'm ready."

Walking over to my trunk, I pulled out some clothes to wear. When there was no answer, I looked over my shoulder to say something, but he was gone. Assuming he had gone to relay my message to Mrs. Weasley, I began getting dressed.

While tying my shoes, I noticed something glistening on the vanity. Upon further investigation, I realized it was my mother's necklace. It had been a gift to her from my father on their third anniversary. It was the outline of a heart. In the center was a beautiful emerald. The name 'Aurora' was carved in the bottom right corner. But what was it doing on the vanity? I could have sworn I had left it in the usual place under my pillow. Then again, I had been known to misplace things every now and then. Deciding not to rack my brain for an answer, I put the necklace around my neck, locked my trunk, and lugged it

downstairs.

Mrs. Weasley was hurrily washing the dishes from breakfast - or rather, watching them wash themselves - when I finally made my way into the kitchen.

"Oh! There you are, dear!" She exclaimed when she nearly walked into me. "Come, come now! The others are waiting for you outside. Hurry along! I'll take your bags." She took my things from my hand as she rushed me out the door.

***************

The ride to Hogwarts was relatively uneventful. Ginny had run off to find some of her old friends, and Ron, Harry, Hermione, and I all sat together in a compartment. The others started a conversation while I stared deep in thought out the window. 'That dream... that bloody dream... Isn't it bad enough that it haunts me everyday of my life? Must it invade my only sanctuary? No matter. I've made up my mind. Never will I obey the Dark Lord's command. I will not join him.'

"Trolley!" A large woman pushing a cart full of a variety of wizard candies down the hall broke me out of my reverie. She stopped in front of our room and turning to me she asked politely, "Would you like anything, deary?"

"No, thank you." I answered dejectedly.

"What about the rest of you?" She asked, turning her gaze to my friends.

"A licorice wand, please." Ron's eyes went wide as the woman took the candy from the cart.

"That'll be two Sickles."

The red-head began digging through his pants' pockets and when he came up empty, with a disappointed look on his face, he added, "On second thought, nothing for me..."

The plump woman smiled and continued down the corridor. Ron slouched in his seat as though pouting, and stared at the floor. Watching him, I unconsciously reached into my pocket and pulled out some money. I offered it with an outstretched hand.

"Here, Ron. Buy whatever you like."

"But there's ten Sickles there..."

"Just take it."

"Thanks..."

"Don't mention it."

He gleamed as he practically skipped out the door to trial after the trolley woman.

"I should go with him." Hermione, who had been reading through her Potions textbook, suggested.

"Actually, I think I'll go, too. Would you like anything, Harry?" I asked over my shoulder.

"No, you go ahead." He answered.

"Suit yourself." And I headed out to find Ron and Hermione. But I couldn't find them.

They were no where to be seen. I started heading through each car in search of them.

Faces flashed as I walked by. But, there was one face I didn't see. 'Where could he be?' I wondered. 'Probably off snogging some girl he's just met. Whatever... why should I care? That git can do anything he wants. It's none of my business anymore.'

Just as I was about to reach for the door to the next car, strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me closer.

"Going somewhere, Lena?"

"Hello, Draco." The name felt like fire on my tongue.

"It's been much too long since I've seen you."

"It's only been three months." I retorted.

"Three months too long." Malfoy was quiet for a moment. I could feel his lips pressing

repeatedly against my neck.

"Draco..." My eyes darted to the compartment next to me. No one seemed to have noticed us... yet.

"Hmm?"

"Draco, stop. What if someone sees us?" He didn't seem to have heard me. "Dammit, Malfoy! Get off of me!"

That sure got his attention. His arms slid off my waist, and he grasped my wrist before turning me to face him. My gaze met his. Draco's eyes were as cold and as hard as his icy heart. It scared me. When had he become like this? He wasn't the boy I use to know anymore...

The boy tightened his grip on me. I was now trapped in his iron lock as he yanked me into the nearest empty room. When I yelped in pain, he let me go. But, not before pushing me into the back wall. He pulled out his wand and, with the flick of a wrist, locked the door behind us. With another movement, the blind fell shut.

Nothing was said. Nothing had to be said. I could see it in his eyes. He was angry. Very angry. But... there was something else there, too. Was it a crushed pride? Impossible to tell.

Draco drifted closer and closer until his face was just inches from mine. I flinched.

"Who is you that you don't want to see us, Helena?" He asked viciously. "Is it Potter?

I couldn't say anything. I was afraid if I did, it would just upset him more and I'd be digging a bigger hole for myself.

He watched me for a moment. My eyes stayed glued to the ground.

"I will not be rejected, Helena." He hissed, forcing my chin upward.

Less than a second later, Malfoy's lips crashed on to mine. I wanted to vomit. My hands pressed against his chest, trying to push him away, but to no avail. His hands gripped my wrists and he slammed me into the door, pinning my arms on either side of my head. He forced his tongue into my mouth.

"Helena?" Harry's voice sounded outside in the hall. Crap.

Draco pulled away for a minute. At least I could breathe.

"Dammit, Potter..." He muttered.

The pressure was released from my wrists, and they dropped to my side. I was free of Draco's grasp. I'd have to thank Harry for that later.

Malfoy backed up and sank into the seat. I practically sprinted away.

"Meet me outside the Great Hall after classes tomorrow. There are some matters we need to discuss." He stopped me before I could even reach for the door handle. I nodded and slinked out of the compartment.

Harry was just a little ways down the corridor when I finally escaped.

"Harry!" I shouted in his direction.

"Helena?" He spun quickly around at the sound of my voice. "Helena, where the bloody hell were you? I looked all over."

"I... I just thought I'd drop in on an old friend." Well, it wasn't a complete lie.

"When you didn't come back with Hermione and Ron, I... uhm... I mean, we, were worried! We thought something happened."

"Sorry, Harry. I didn't mean to worry you." Harry sighed outwardly and pulled me into a hug.

"I'm just glad you're okay." Smiling to myself, I squeezed him lightly.

Too bad I couldn't stay like that forever...