As predicted I hadn't slept for what little of the morning had remained. I had managed to half unpack, finish a book and tested out the rather imposing looking bath all before I started to hear the first students heading for breakfast. I had no idea where the Great Hall was and I was grateful I could just follow the crowd rather than seeking out a student for directions. The first year students had started at Hogwarts a couple of weeks prior so they didn't even give me a second glance as I hurried by. But the older students immediately picked me out from the crowds as a new face and were not afraid to stare at me as I passed or elbow their friend next to them to point me out. Obviously this wasn't the kind of school people just transferred to in the last year. I tried to keep my head up and pretend I couldn't see all the eyes looking at me as I way my way down the corridors with all the other students. I was aware of attracting a different type of attention as I got older. Admiring glances from boys I had encountered at the centre and from my rare excursions out whether they be permitted or not. I had inherited the best of my parent's features. A mixture of their hair colour which resulted in a dark auburn that was naturally curly and I wore to just past the bottom of my shoulder blades. I had my mum's large hazel eyes and small nose. My mum would often joke that I had inherited my dad's mouth when I was sulking. I wasn't receiving any appraising looks today though just curious students wanting to know who the strange face was.

When I entered the Great Hall I tried not to gawk about the room but I did allow myself to steal quick glances around. There had been a whole chapter dedicated to the hall in the book Dumbledore had given me and I had looked up disappointed that this morning the ceiling wasn't enchanted. It reminded me of a cathedral I had seen on a school trip when I was younger all the gothic arches and statues. In the middle of the room there were four long oak tables that stretched the entire length of the room with benches either side. I went to the top of the table to the furthest side of the wall away from the groups of students that had started to fill the vacant benches. There was an array of every type of food you could imagine on the table I took some bits of fruit and pastries and started to eat with my head down trying not to engage any of the staring eyes.

I was thinking about going back to my room when a hand was suddenly on my shoulder.

'Ava how lovely to see you again, settling in okay?' Professor Dumbledore, a familiar face in my new surroundings.

'Getting there,' I said it came out a bit more desperate than I had intended.

'And I understand you've already met Professor Snape,' said Dumbledore gesturing with his hand behind me.

I slowly turned on the bench to see the figure that had been stood behind me. Dressed very much the same as last night my eyes settled on the black eyes in his expressionless face.

'Um yes we met last night while I was trying to get my bearings,' I was looking back at the bench in front of me now not willing to meet either sets of eyes.

'Yes wandering the corridors at two AM.' Professor Snape's voice was smooth with an edge of agitation.

'Not to worry it's my own fault I should have come to see you yesterday but alas I was waylaid,' Dumbledore's voice in contrast was light and cheerful, 'I will see you in my office after breakfast, I've got some things I need to go over with you.'

I looked at him now and nodded and they took their place at the head table that ran adjacent to the one I was sitting at. After a few minutes of playing with some bits of strawberry I had on my plate I allowed myself a quick look to the top table only to be met with two dark eyes staring back at me. At that I got up and left the Great Hall with many sets of eyes following me as I went.

I had asked a rather enthusiastic girl for directions to Dumbledore's office figuring I would wait for him there while he finished breakfast.

'I'll take you there if you like,' she'd said a smile plastered to her freckled face.

'No honestly it's fine if you point me in the right direction I'll find it,' I didn't know how far the office was the last thing I wanted to do was make small talk with an excitable twelve year old.

Unfortunately she had insisted on taking me and talked constantly asking me question after question but never pausing for me to answer.

'Here you go,' she'd said after we had ascended a spiral stone staircase, 'Headmasters office and if you do need anything else please do not hesitate to ask.'

With that she was gone, I was just about to knock on the heavy oak door when it opened.

'Come in,' Dumbledore cheery as before. I thought it strange he was back already he must have left at the same time to get here before me. Dumbledore was sat at his large desk parchment and other items littered it. Then I noticed the dark figure that was looking intently out of the window at first but turned as I approached the desk.

'As your Head of House I thought it best professor Snape attend in case you have any questions or concerns.' I merely nodded at Dumbledore as I took a seat trying not to look at the professor, why of all people did I have to be in his house?

'Ava as you know you have joined us here very late, some may say too late,' he had said this more to himself but by the way Snape suddenly shifted behind him I realised he was addressing his doubts as well.

'We must first teach you the basics of magical control and for that we will need to start, well, at the beginning,' the Headmaster gave a little sympathetic smile and I could see where this was going.

'I'm not going into first year if that's what you're getting at,' I had looked him in the eyes and kept my voice steady to convey the seriousness of my words.

'You will go into whichever class we deem to be suitable,' Snape had suddenly unfolded his arms and was leaning across the desk obvious anger in his voice now.

'It's alright Severus,' Dumbledore had said putting a hand on his arm to calm him.

'I mean it I didn't want to come here in the first place I already stick out like a sore thumb and now you want to put me in a class with, with little kids?' I was getting angry now this whole situation was humiliating I could imagine myself surrounded by little excitable brats looking like a complete dunce.

'It is just until you have mastered the basics then we will move you up accordingly, we think it will be the best way to teach you the skills you need.' The smile had not Dumbledore's face and I could feel my anger building. This place is just like the centre pretending we had a choice but ultimately ensuring the only choice we had was the one they had for intended for us in the first place.

'I couldn't give a shit what you think,' I hadn't meant to swear it had just come out. Professor Snape was around the desk in a flash and I stood to meet his face that was now in mine.

'Now you listen here girl you might be used to speaking that way and disobeying rules where you've come from but it will not be tolerated here there will be consequences,' we were practically nose to nose but I refused to move an inch and stood my ground never taking my eyes from his.

A hand came in between us as now, Dumbledore flustered by how quickly the discussion had turned sour.

'Now that's enough, Ava I suggest you go back to your room. I have had some books sent to your dorm for you to read in preparation for you to start lessons next week.' His smile was gone but his voice was steady indicating the discussion was over and there was no point trying to argue my case any further. I allowed myself one last glare at Snape before I turned and left walking steady until I reached the bottom of the staircase and running back to my room tears threatening to spill over.

I threw myself on the bed hating that they had made me lose control. I had shown emotion and let them get to me and for that I was mortified. It was Wednesday and they intended me to start lessons the following Monday. I had no intention on being around long enough for that humility. I had ran away from the centre plenty of times before sometimes I would be missing for days other times merely hours but every time enjoying the short periods of freedom. I had half expected someone to come to see me after my little performance in Dumbledore's office but after a few hours I realised no one would come. I took the books that had been left on the desk for me and put them away in the wardrobe the covers seemed to almost mock me. I missed lunch and I missed dinner, I didn't want to see another person as far as I was concerned I would simply bide my time until I could escape this place.

Exhausted from lack of sleep from the night before and events of the day I finally got in bed and immediately fell into a deep sleep. I heard the familiar voice call my name softly long before I saw his striking face.

'Ava, you are so close to me now it is only a matter of time before we can be together.' His voice was like silk.

'But when I hate it here,' I was calling out into the darkness I hated how I sounded so needy, so childlike.

'Soon I promise I'm coming for you and nobody will be able to stop me.' I believed him, I believed in him. And then he stepped out first his face materialising over mine the light, translucent face, dark hair with a slight wave pushed back off his face and then the eyes. Ice blue clear and intense. He was above me now and he stroked my hair back I could feel his cold fingers on my face.

'Soon my love.'