Disclaimer: Alright I just got an owl from JKR saying I own everything! ….Ok I lied, I own nothing.

Chapter Ten

Dear Harry,

Sorry it took so long to write back, I haven't really had a lot of time to myself. You were right, the school is amazing. I can't wait till classes start and of course, to see you again. Oh! I met Hagrid, he's really nice. He told me a lot about you, don't worry it was all good things. I'm slowly learning my way around, hopefully by the time you come Ill know the castle as well as you. I'm guessing Hedwig got tired of waiting because I can't seem to find her… Well see you soon, Harry!

Sincerely,

Rachel

Rachel read over the letter a few times. She propped herself up on her bed. It was well into the afternoon, the sun was shining brightly through her window; its warm rays a nice contrast to the cool air.

A knock at her door brought her from her thoughts. Curious, normally people didn't come in the afternoon; they only escorted her to breakfast and dinner. She jumped off her bed, slightly intrigued as to who it was. She walked over to the door and opened it only to meet a smiling Mr. Lupin.

"Hi!" Rachel said surprised.

He gave her a warm smile, "Hello, Rachel."

He seemed to be in a chipper mood but he appeared quite the opposite. Dark circles were present under his tired eyes; he was very pale too, almost sickly looking. "How have you been?" he asked.

"Um good and yourself?"

"Oh just fine, thank you." Rachel doubted that. "So what have you been up to? Don't tell me you've shut yourself up in your room the whole time?" he said jokingly. She laughed, "No, I've been walking around a bit. I was just about to mail a letter."

"Well, don't let me stop you. I'll walk you to the owlery."

"Ok, thanks. Just let me get it." She said dashing into her room. She came out with a white envelope with Harry's name written on the front in big purple letters. With a nod, the two began walking down the sun soaked corridor.

"I've heard you're wandering around too much." Lupin said smiling down at her.

She blushed recalling the previous day. "No need to worry," he laughed "Believe it or not, Severus does warm up once you get to know him. He's a bit hostile with everyone, don't take it personally."

"Oh…" she said wishing a topic change would come about. Lupin sensed this and complied, "Excited for term to start?"

"Yeah, I can't wait." She said smiling slightly.

"I'm sure you'll like it. I certainly did when I attended."

"You went here?" she asked taken aback.

"Oh yes, I was in Gryffindor with Harry's father and godfather, you met Sirius haven't you?"

"Yeah," she said recalling the dog man.

They climbed up a spiraling staircase that led to a circular stone room in which many owls were perched and sleeping. "Here we are," he said waiting just outside the door.

"Uhh which…?" she half-asked pointing to the owls.

"Oh, it doesn't matter, just mind your fingers." He said looking out at the landscape.

She hesitantly approached one of the owls, a small brown one that didn't look too intimidating. "Umm," she thought how to go about this, "Excuse me I uh need you to wake up…. Please?" She looked over her shoulder feeling dumb for talking to a bird but Mr. Lupin didn't seem to be paying attention. She turned back to the owl, "Hello…?" She was about to try and poke it but remembered Lupin and Harry's comments of 'minding fingers' and 'pecking eyes out' and thought better of it. Instead she clapped her hands in front of the owl; a flutter of wings came from behind her then slowly the tiny owl opened one of its amber eyes. "Hi," she said to it. The owl glared at her then closed its eyes. "No, no wait I need you to take this to my friend." She said quickly startling it again. She held out the letter; the creature eyed it and puffed out its chest. Reluctantly, after realizing she wouldn't leave, the owl grabbed the letter in its beak and flew to one of the glassless windows.

"Take … this… to… Harry," she said loud and slowly to the owl letting her words sink in. It just looked at her coldly and flew off; she watched it go hoping it was on its way to Harry and not to make nice with other owls; it was like sending off a S.O.S. note in a bottle and praying for it to find its way to the Coast Guard.

"Nice day out," said Lupin, "Care to take a stroll?"

"Sure," said Rachel stepping out of the room, a dozen glaring amber eyes glaring at her.

The pair ambled slowly along the forests edge, talking to each other about whatever seemed to cross their minds. It was peaceful, all of Rachel's troubles seemed to melt away…Then a slight rustling caused her to stop. She peered into the thick forest but saw nothing through its numerous trees. She made to step into the forest when Mr. Lupin called her, "Rachel, best not go in there." She withdrew and jogged over to him, "Sorry, forgot."

"There are dangerous creatures in that forest…it's in your interest not to wander in." he said in a firm voice.

She nodded, "Sorry again, I just thought I saw something." She said as they sat near the lake.

The sun was almost blinding as it shone over the immense grounds of Hogwarts. It glittered over the surface of the lake; every now and then a large shadow would cross it. Then to Rachel's surprise, while gazing into the lake, she spotted the castle's reflection. She looked up at it. It was once again the smoldering ruin she had first seen. 'I thought I'd look different now that I was inside…'

Mr. Lupin stood up suddenly. "If you'd excuse me, Rachel. I have to see a man about a tonic." He smiled. "See you at dinner."

She waved bye and watched him disappear into the castle. She laid down on the cool grass letting the warm sun wash over her. She closed her eyes soaking it all in… She could hear the birds chirping from within the forest, the lake's gentle lapping over the stone shore and the soft breeze that rattled the leaves on their branches. Just then the leaves began to shake violently; her eyes snapped open and she quickly sat up looking towards the forest. There was nothing. She waited a moment before lying back down. Again she closed her eyes and tried to relax but she couldn't quite shake the feeling of being watched from her, as if someone was standing over her. She only opened her eyes once, just to make sure then after that she was able to slowly drift off.

By the time she came to, the sun was just beginning to fall behind the horizon. She rubbed her eyes and shakily stood. With one look around she made her way into the castle. She checked her watch; its green numbers flickered and changed randomly. 'Oh yeah, I forgot…' She looked around for a clock but instead walked over to a portrait of a grey haired man in a pointed hat. "Excuse me, what time is it?"

"Hmm? Oh, it's quarter after seven, dear." He said looking at a pocket watch.

"Thank you," she said with a nod and walked off in the direction of the Great Hall. 'At least I'm not that late.' She held her breath as she pushed open the oak doors. The table was more filled than before, Lupin was there too and to her somewhat relief, Snape wasn't.

"Ah Rachel, I was just about to come looking for you." Lupin said as she took a seat next to him. She noted that he looked better than before, some color was in his cheeks.

"Lost track of time," she said sheepishly. Automatically food appeared on her plate, steaming hot and her goblet filled with an orangey liquid. Dinner went by rather fast; in no time, Rachel was done her meal and listening to Mr. Lupin tell of his time in the castle. Some ways off, a clock rang nine causing him to abruptly stop; he pulled a watch from his pocket and stood tucking it away. "Sorry, Rachel but I must leave."

"Oh, okay," she said a little saddened. She stood too. "Do you need help getting back to your room?" he asked in a hurried voice.

"Uhh no, I'll manage alright."

He nodded, "See you again soon, Rachel." He said clapping her on the shoulder. "Bye." She said as he walked off through a side door.

It was dark out, she noted looking up at the enchanted ceiling; small stars shimmered but couldn't compare to the splendor of the full moon. 'Better get to bed straight away, don't want another episode like the other night.' She thought taking her eyes from the heavens.

She hurried through the empty corridors as fast as she could without running. Thankfully, she made it to her dorm without any getting lost or running into people (or ghosts). She almost thought it was too easy, 'I don't know how I couldn't find my way back before…' She faced the suit of armor, 'Wait… what was it again? Err golly wit? Gangly week?' She made a face, "Gal…Gee…uh gully…golly, oh duh, Gillyweed!" she said laughing at herself. But the armor didn't move. She stared, "Gillyweed, that's it right?" It didn't respond. "Gillyweed, I'm sure of it." She gaped at it and it stared blankly back.

"Actually it was the password."

Rachel looked behind her, and in the painting was none other than Sir Cadogan. "What do you mean was?" she asked slowly.

"Was as in, not anymore, no longer, past tense … was."

She sighed impatiently, "What's the new one then?"

"Oh, well I can't tell you."

"Why not?!"

"Well," he said indignantly, "because how do I know if you're really Lady Rachel? I don't, you could be one of those horrible imposters!"

"But I'm not!" she protested.

He gave a harrumph of disbelief and dashed off into another portrait, forgetting about his trusty steed. Rachel stared at the painting open mouthed. "No way…" After a minute's struggle of trying not to scream in frustration or kick a wall, she finally managed to calm down. "Ok, it can't be that hard…" She thought for a moment, "Open Sesame." Nothing. "Ok, umm Abra Kadabra?" Nothing. She sighed, 'Worth a shot' "Mellon? …Ok I didn't think so, uhh…"

She kept at it for about twenty minutes-it wasn't like she had anywhere to go. She sat against the wall opposite the suit of armor, staring at the door. Charging the stupid tin can wasn't an option, she wanted to get to bed but not the big bed if you know what I mean. And try as she might, since it was probably a magic oriented password she hadn't a snow cone's chance in hell of guessing it. So there she sat, in the middle of the hall, on the stone floor. At some point she gave up guessing and tried to find a comfortable position on the floor which as she found out, was a lot easier said than done.

'So much for this being easy…'

AN: Yeah, I'm not really satisfied with this chapter, its ok though I guess. I'm not really at the top of my game, my minds still elsewhere… Yeah so review people, I'll go on an updating strike if I don't get at least five reviews. (call me a Review Nazi, I don't care, I just want to know what you people think! Oh yeah, shout out to Evey and Bella! 3 lol