My entire October and part of November became routine. I trained on the weekends and became stronger and more agile than ever before. I went to another Slug Club luncheon where Winter and Roy were present and much to Winter's joy most of my predictions had been right. The entire club enthusiastically got into the conversation and half-way through the evening I'd steered the conversation to the lack of healing spells in the school curriculum, much to Slughorn's delight who was more than happy to bring the idea up with Professor Dumbledore. I got called on more and more to take care of incidents and this was the dirty work of my job.

I won't lie to you, it wasn't pretty. We had a group of 'regular' Slytherin followers that would be our audience and an abandoned classroom on the third floor was where we carried out the deed. Gender or year did not matter. Slytherin's would come to me and after curfew we would go out and take care of them. I walked down the corridors and a mixture of awe and fear followed me. There was some part of me that screamed at me to stop – that I was turning into Sirius and James Potter, but the problem was it was effective. The amount of Slytherin's getting hexed was decreasing and it was the practical part of my brain that told me to keep on going and I did.

During lunch I sat by Bella who was more than happy to have me in her company, no longer challenging me, though I sometimes did waver in interest when she began talking about Voldemort. A new thing that happened was that I'd joined the duelling club and after spending relentless nights with Cleo and Yelena training, the three of us were now the stars of the club and there was a boost in Slytherin's who had decided to join. These months gave the Slytherin's the time they needed to acknowledge us and I found them all smiling and waving to me in the corridors. There was one thing however that I couldn't fix – Severus. No matter how much I tried to look out for him, he always slipped through my defences and would get hexed. We were sitting in Potions one morning when I finally couldn't take it anymore, spotting the ugly, purple welt on his face as I saw the 'Marauders' giggle about it. "Evans," I called and she turned around

"Isn't Severus your friend?" I asked her. She frowned and nodded, "You know who's hexing him don't you? Why don't you stick up for him?"

"He doesn't like it," she said lamely and she could tell by my expression what I thought of her

"Severus has a soft heart," I told her, "He cares about you a lot. The only reason he's getting attacked is because he's your friend. Either you should take care of him or I'll take him from you." She looked surprised by my comment as I put my hand up and showed Professor Slughorn our finished potion and walked out.

The second half of November was spent actually learning how to fight with Alexander. He taught me an array of kicks first, like roundhouse kicks, side kicks even back kicks and he wouldn't let me progress till I learnt them all, then moved onto the punches and finally the blocks. When he was happy with all of that, he began teaching me combinations and finally, he slowly began versing me. "Block, block, kick – good!" he said as I blocked his slow punches. As we quickened the pace I began throwing my own kicks. He threw a punch and I cartwheeled out of the way and swung my foot up and kicked him in the side "Good," he said, approving. December finally hit and I didn't feel ready for an actual fight, but I wanted to see Uncle Orion badly, so I used every afternoon I had in the Room of Requirement with a practice dummy, learning combinations. One morning an invitation came to me and I opened it to find it was Slughorn's Christmas Party Invitation. Yelena let out a sigh when she read it – it meant work for her to make three dresses while I recited conversation topics as I kicked the dummy and Cleo researched the list of famous people coming.

"Excited about the Christmas Party?" I looked up to see Lucius Malfoy sitting on the couch by the fire.

"As long as I can get away from Potter and his Quidditch talk," I said. Severus snorted and Lucius smiled. I suggested to Lucius that Severus needed looking after and he'd taken Severus under his wing. I was sitting neatly on the floor with my homework out next to Bella who was sitting on the chair. "Have you seen the guest list?" Lucius asked, her knew I had

"It'll be a bore, like every other year," Bella snorted and I nudged her lightly

"Don't worry there are a few Death Eaters there," I said, lightly
"Nobody important," she said. I shrugged

"There's the head of St Mungo's Hospital," I said, someone I was interested to listen to, "Allastor Moody from the Head Auror's Department. A few Ministry Officials – maybe the Minster of Magic himself, but it would probably to speak to the headmaster then the actual party, a few star Quidditch players from the world, Ollivander, Nimbus broomstick inventor, a few ambassadors, confectioners, spellmakers and that's to name a few – plus some creatures."
"Creatures?" Lucius asked

"Apparently he has a dear old vampire friend who likes to come to these things," I said, dryly
"Talking about creatures, have you heard about the 'shrieking shack'," I turned to see Narcissa Black join us. "If you're referring to that building in Hogsmead, it's preposterous," Bella answered swiftly.

"Why is it called the Shrieking Shack?" I asked

"Apparently you can hear voices coming from it," Narcissa said, "They say it's haunted. Even the ghosts don't go there." I frowned, there was something odd about that building, but my curiosity was overcome by the amount of things I had to do.

I spun around and looked for any imperfections at all. Nope, my simple satin white gown looked beautiful. It had a embroided white belt around the bottom of my chest "You've outdone yourself," I called to Yelena who came in wearing a beautiful blue dress and Cleo in her green dress. I checked my hair and saw not a single strand had come out of the braided bun. I was satisfied knowing I looked better than I'd ever done in my life as I walked down to the other Slytherin's waiting. Bella was beautiful in a black dress and we all went to Slughorn's party together. I could see Yelena looking like her head was up in the clouds, but I knew she was reciting the plan. I would prove to my Uncle I could network perfectly. We got to the room to find it tastefully designed with the other guests already there. Step 1 – stay away from the Quidditch captains and James Potter. I saw him in the centre speaking to Gordon Harrison with Roy Barns. I saw that he'd used his plus one to invite Sirius. Winter was right behind me and before he could drag me off, I pulled away from the crowd and found Regina Joice, the Head Healer of St Mungo's. She was chatting lightly to a seventh year Ravenclaw "So wolfsbane can be used like that?" the girl said in surprise

"Oh yes," Regina said. I found an opening and took it, I went over to the girl and smiled
"I'm so sorry for interrupting like this, but I couldn't help but find your conversation interesting," I said, "I've always been interested in healing spells."

"Have you?" Regina said.
"Yes, I'm Ariana Dumbledore," I said and her eyes widened

"I heard there was another Dumbledore enrolled in Hogwarts," she said.

"Adopted Dumbledore, but I was actually meaning to ask you, how do you go about becoming a healer? I'm finding Hogwarts lacking in its Healing courses," I said.

"It's a specialist program you take in third year," the Ravenclaw said dully. I had to stop myself from glaring at her "Can you tell me more about the training program?" I asked Regina

"Oh well it's similar to Hogwarts, it's a three year degree and you follow a mature Healer around to learn the spells," she said and I nodded

"But every case is so different," I said, "What happens if you've graduated and there's an unusual case?"
"Well that's the beauty of healing, as long as you stick to common sense most problems are healed," she said. I continued to probe her about every aspect of Healing and she seemed more than happy to answer me. "I know it's early to say, but would you mind if I contacted you if I had any queries about Healing?" I asked her. She smiled

"By all means, it refreshing to see someone be as interested in Healing as I am," she laughed and I smiled "Saving a person's life on a daily basis? I don't know how anybody could turn up an opportunity like that." I turned my head "You'll have to excuse me, I've rudely forgotten to say hello to the host." I turned and walked off to Professor Slughorn and saw him speaking to Gilbert Manroe, a master spellmaker "Professor Slughorn," I said and he turned

"Ariana, my dear how are you?" he asked

"I just wanted to say what a wonderful party you've thrown, I'm thoroughly impressed," I said

"You look marvellous Ariana, what a pretty dress," he said. I smiled

"Yelena made it for me," I said, "It seems she wanted to show off for Gabrielle Huxley." Gabrielle was a famous designer in robes for witches and I could see the two chatting to each other. "Gilbert Monroe, right?" I asked, turning to the plump old man. He smiled

"Yes, I believe so," he said. I offered him my hand
"A pleasure sir, I've heard so much about you," I said.

"From Slughorn?" he asked

"Believe it or not, but I've read your autobiography. You can say I'm a huge fan," I said – not till I knew he was coming to the party I hadn't been. He beamed and I asked him about spell making and he was more than happy to tell me you usually needed to think of what you wanted the spell to do, then find the word in ancient languages, such as latin or Greek and after a few tweaks in pronunciation you had a spell. The hand movements were simply to stabilise the spell. A minister joined us and I was surprised to see Professor Dumbledore here in deep conversation with the Minister of Magic, Millicent Bagnold "Two of the most powerful people in England," Professor Slughorn said when I saw them. "I wonder what they're speaking about," I admitted

"Probably the war," Professor Slughorn said and I turned and smiled at him

"Professor, this is a joyful occasion and practically everyone here's owes something to you! Enjoy it!" he smiled "You're right Ariana, I'll go try the punch," he said and turned and walked off. I scanned the room for the next person I wanted to talk too, when I stopped dead looking at someone in the corner watching me – Allastor Moody. Cleo told me his eye made him see a lot of things normal people couldn't and I was afraid of him seeing the Ketometrix – but Uncle had said it was virtually undetectable. I turned and walked over to the human ambassador for giants and listened to his conversation about the Giants Treaty, but someone pulled my arm and I turned to see James grinning at me "Ariana!" he said and I had to stop myself from groaning "Hey Gordon – this is the girl!" he cried and dragged me to the centre of the party. Gordon Harrison was only fifteen, but his father was a Quidditch star too so he was home schooled. "Gordon Harrison, it's an honour," I said politely while I internally thought of ways to leave the conversation. "Potter here says you're a fan," he said.

"More than I can say for him," I said, "He thought you were going to lose to Spain."
"That was before I knew of their handicap," James said, shamelessly.
"Even I have to admit Spain is good," Gordon said.

"Well with an attitude like that of course you're going to lose," I said, coldly. He looked at me surprised "Sorry about that, that's just Ariana's personality," Sirius said, quickly

"Yeah, it's part of her charm, now about English Premier League, is Jones really that good?" James said. They were brushing my comment off because they wanted to talk about one thing – Quidditch. I saw Adolf Goer hide a laugh and I wondered what he was doing here. "What do you think?" I turned to see James asking me. "Pardon?" I asked

"Henry Stars, do you think the Godric Giants made the right choice recruiting him?" he said patiently

"No, they were too hasty, Henry's only been playing two years and though he shoots goals he can barely stay on his broom and that's without the bludger's aiming at him," I said.

"See, I told you she's good," Winter said, pointing me out as if I were his star pupil.

"Fine," Gordon said, "What about Chelsea Charmers against Lionsberg Lions?"

"Chelsea Charmers," I said easily, "Cudberg's injured and the substitute Keeper is terrible."
"What position do you play?" Gordon asked

"She doesn't play!" James cried as if it were a crime against humanity

"First years don't get drafted," I tried to explain

"That didn't stop me! I still call myself a seeker and I'm not part of the Gryffindor team," he said, "And Sirius' a bludger." Somehow the idea of Sirius batting balls at me in the air made me glad he hadn't made the team. "Yeah," Sirius said, "Surely you play at home."
"I like chess," I began and the two of them groaned – even Gordon got into the dramatics and laughed at us "Chess is so boring, come on Ariana, you must play a position," James said

"If I had to pick, I'd be the manager," I said.
"That's not a position," Winter cried, "The Captain's the manager." I sighed

"I'm already part of the duelling club thank you," I said, "That's enough for me."
"But you have so much potential," Winter cried.

"Even I want you on his team and you'll be versing me!" Roy chimed in.

"I'll think about it," I said shortly

"That's what you said last month," Winter said

"And the month before that," James added.

"Do you think your pro material?" Adolf asked, not bothering to hide the fact he was listening anymore "I don't know, I haven't played Quidditch in years," I admitted.

"Why not?" James asked, "Don't tell me you have a fear of heights."
"No, I had an accident," I said, shrugging, that was partly true

"What happened?" Sirius asked
"It's nothing, if it makes you happy I'll get on a broom and see how I go, but don't expect any miracles, it'll take me a while to get used to it again," I said. Truth be told I had never been on a broom much before. I really did like chess as a child, not flying around on a broomstick, but I was Ariana Dumbledore – and in this state I was not going to tell people my weaknesses. I just had to be smart – find a way to blow them off about Quidditch. James led the cheer and the room quietened to see what had happened. "What position will you play?" Winter asked. "What position do you have free?" I asked

"Consider them all free," he said and I had a feeling he'd be happy to fire one of his players

"I guess a Quaffler," I said, I wasn't much aim for Keeper or Bludger and seeker – don't make me laugh. "I'm a Quaffler too," Roy said proudly, "I can't wait to see what you're made of." Oh, prepare to be disappointed, I thought dismally to myself. "I know how hard it can be coming back from an injury," Adolf said, "If you need any pointers I'd be happy to help." To think – here I was developing relations with a Quidditch player when there were hundreds of other people here I actually wanted to connect with. "Thanks, I might actually pick you up on that offer," I admitted and he smiled and handed me his address. I turned to see James and Sirius had left and I excused myself before going to find the ambassador for Goblins, something far more interesting to me and listened to him speak to a Death Eater and Bella. Bella welcomed me into the conversation and I listened intently. From what it seemed the Goblins were willing to side with Voldemort in this battle. I was surprised, goblin's tended to keep to themselves, I wondered how they'd managed to get them to pick a side. "Bloody auror," I heard Bella mutter and I turned to see Allastor Moody close in on us
"They say that eye of his picks up the Dark Mark, get the hell out of here Bella," I hissed in her ear

"Seems like you lot are plotting something," he said. With Slytherins by my side it was amazing how strong I felt as I turned to him and saw his eye spinning "Typical auror, always coming in with your assumptions," I growled.

"I'm sorry I didn't quite catch your name," he said

"Looking for some link with a Death Eater?" I asked him.

"Yes," he said, shortly

"Ariana Dumbledore," I said and he frowned, both his eyes looking at me. I pushed Bella to go and she did walk away with the other's. "Pretty little thing you have on your heart," he said. So he could see it

"I need it to live, got a problem with that?" I asked.

"How so?" he asked.
"I was attacked as a child and it ripped my heart open. It helps keep everything together," I lied, "Any more questions."
"You have quite the attitude don't you," he growled

"That's because I've watched my friends and family get questioned over and over again by the aurors over false claims they're Death Eaters," I said.

"It's standard procedure," he said,

"There are rumours going around you're a death eater," I said, eying him, "But I don't see anyone hauling you in for questioning." I expected him to angry, but instead he smiled
"I would like to see someone try to bring me in for questioning," he said and his eyes looked down at my chest "How exactly does it keep your heart together?" he asked, but suddenly somebody groaned. I turned to see a vampire turning into – well a donkey. I scanned the room and saw Potter and Sirius giggling amongst themselves "I do hope you haven't tried the punch," I said, dryly, glad I hadn't either as the Ravenclaw Captain turned into a bunny. "This prank is brought to you – by the MARAUDERS!" Sirius and James said in unison, standing on a table.
"Your face is red," Cleo whispered, coming back to my side. I could almost feel a vein pop – I needed this night! Why the heck were they ruining it for me. Here I was trying to make a bright future for myself and BAM they destroyed it just for a bit of fun "Let's get out of here before I ask Slughorn how to perform the Killing Curse," I whispered back to her and she agreed and found Yelena and the three of us walked out of the party.

I pulled the shoes off my feet and lay onto my bed and groaned, they hurt badly "How was it for you guys?" I asked.

"Amazing, I met so many designers Ariana, they give me heaps of designs for winter clothes," she said, "I'm so excited to make them."
"I spent the night talking to a few property investors, fascinating stuff," she said.

"Have you got enough money to invest in property?" I asked her. She smiled

"My family does," she said, "I don't know how willing they'd be to give it to me though."

"Well it was going smoothly till that stupid prank," I said, changing out of my dress and putting my pyjamas on "If I didn't need them so much I would have permanently turned them into two rats," I growled. "Give it time Ariana," Cleo sighed, crawling into bed, "You'll get your chance." I lay in my bed and sighed, this was why I hated being dependant on people.

…

Christmas Holidays came and I was to spend it with Alexander in Russia till my first fight. Cleo and Yelena were going to go home for the break. We blew each other ridiculous air kisses at the station as we made to depart. One plus to the holiday's was that Sirius was going to spend it at Hogwarts which meant he wouldn't be there when I spent the night at the House of Black. My two friends caught the train while I went over to Hogsmead. I had told Uncle Abe I would be spending the Christmas break at Hogwarts to catch up on homework and he'd readily agreed because the amount of Death Eater's in his bar had tripled. An arm grabbed me and I turned to see Uncle in the shadows "Ready to go?" he asked. I nodded and took a quick look at the Hog's Head before grabbing my pendant and teleporting to Alexander's cabin. He was happy to see me and checked my progress, happy with my advancements. For this entire break, Alexander told me I'd be fighting him. For the first two weeks, I was completely covered in bruises, even though I'd win sometimes, Alexander was as ruthless as the other street fighters and he used a lot of illegal attacks. I learnt to instinctively block them when they came to me and fight back "Good," he would say and at night when Uncle sat down to have tea with him, I'd grab the kitchen knives and use his dart board to practice my aim. For the last week of practice Alexander grabbed a thick chain "We'll teach you how to fight against weapons now," he said which resulted in him lashing it out and me dodging it. If I thought I'd gotten hurt from the previous last two weeks, I was wrong. Two days before the tournament, Uncle came in and had to heal my whole body "Doesn't this take some of my life away?" I asked him. He shrugged

"DIdn't harm me," he said and sat next to me "I didn't think you'd work so hard Ariana, I'm proud of how far you've come. I think you have a real shot at this fight."
"I'm desperate. I want to avenge my family," I told him,

"Well you will eventually. You should relax these last two days," he said. I shook my head

"No, I'll work hard till the end," I said, "You shouldn't underestimate these fights. They may be easy for you, but they certainly aren't for me."

"Suit yourself, I'm going to bed," he said and turned and walked off. I looked at the harsh coldness outside of Siberia before turning and going to bed too.

Thank you for your reviews Kelly Pearl and Diamond of the Night - I loved your review! And for character weaknesses when she's in her normal state she has physical weaknesses, but when she's at Hogwarts, her weaknesses are all mental (you may see that as the chapters progress!)

I hope you enjoy this chapter and tune in next time for Ariana's first fight as well as the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black