Ah, another chapter! Hooray! Please review, leave ideas, suggestions, anything! I might actually be getting over this writers block!

The next morning was filled with the hum of voices as everyone was talking about the incident the night before in the Great Hall. Bella, in her usual brusque manner, simply ignored the entire thing, her green eyes silently daring anyone to cross her.

Another humming filled the hall as well, as the poor Hufflepuffs dealt with their punishment. There were more bees at breakfast than there had been the night before. Apparently, the Badgers had not heeded Bella's warning…something she looked rather pleased about. Many sported small welts from being stung, and rumor had it that Madam Pomfrey was refusing to give them anything for it, saying she felt it was a just punishment for gossiping.

Lockhart had not yet made his appearance, but from time to time random Opera songs could be heard from somewhere within the castle.

Perhaps, then, it only makes sense to believe that Bella was, in fact, truly happy, as she sashayed through the halls of Hogwarts, head high and smirking, every bit a true Slytherin.

That evening…

Ariay watched the dying rays of the sun dance over the crystalline lake. The cold wind blew gently, brushing snow and playing with her hair. She knew she should be with the group, helping to get the S&G LTD room set up but…

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, the smell of the crisp twilight air filling her lungs. She never did like closed in places, they never suited her, just as idle foolishness would never suit Bella.

Mreow.

Ariay opened her eyes to look at Arthos. He sat at her feet, looking up at her expectantly. She smiled.

"And what can I do for you my friend?" she said, crouching in front of him.

A nice warm fireplace would be exceedingly nice. His big green eyes looked hopeful.

She laughed.

"Of course."

He 'meowed' happily and leaped onto Ariay's shoulders.

"Not yet, Arthos." Ariay placed him on the ground gently and stood up again.

The cat cocked his head to one side.

What are we doing, then, Mistress? He yawned.

Ariay waited to reply, watching the sunset. Soon the stars lit up the dome of the sky. She took off her sunglasses and slid then into her robes.

"Are you afraid of wolves, Arthos?" she asked listlessly, staring at the twinkling heavens.

No, Mistress. Why do you ask?

Ariay turned her head to look at Arthos, her golden cat eyes gleaming eerily in the light of the moon.

"I feel like being a wolf tonight." As soon as she had spoken these words, a large black wolf stood tensed and poised in her place. When she moved, the muscles under her fur rippled powerfully.

Arthos gazed at her thoughtfully.

Mistress, it may not be wise to wander as a wolf on the night of a full moon.

The wolf smiled, a set of long, white razor sharp teeth revealed.

I'll be back soon.

She disappeared into the trees and darkness, keeping a steady pace. She wound around the lake, enjoying the feel of the wind through her fur. She hadn't been able to do this for weeks. She listened to the tiny scampering of small animals as they hid from her. A unicorn watched from the trees, glistening white like new fallen snow. She barked a happy hello. The wolf loped into the forest, dodging and winding through the trees, the snow beneath her paws soft. The night smelled clean and crisp and earthy. The moon lazily stretched across the sky, now, it's full splendor lighting the forest and castle in it's dazzling light, it's reflection dancing playfully across the still waters of the lake. As she neared the side of the lake closest to the castle, she could hear familiar voices. Ariay loped quietly towards them, hidden behind bushes.

Bella stood impatiently with her snake, ranting in Parseltongue.

"That giiirlll wiill be myyy deathhh" she hissed angrily.

"Missstressss…" the snake hissed pitifully, trying to calm Bella.

Ariay sent a quick mental flare to Arthos, asking him to come to her. She silently stepped out from behind the bushes and pranced up to Bella happily, her tongue lolled out. She nodded to Nyra. They generally got along, and played together once in a while, but Nyra was too serious sometimes, much like Bella.

"Where have you been, Ariay!!" she shrieked. Ariay put her tail between her legs and whined.

I'm sorry, Bella…

"You're sorry?!" she seethed.

Please, Bella…I just wanted to run. I felt claustrophobic.

Bella sighed, annoyed. "I'm not mad that you weren't helping, and that you were out running, I'm upset that you disappeared without a word to me of where you were going. You had me worried sick! Honestly, you're like a child sometimes."

I really am sorry, Bells She sat and wagged her tail sorrowfully, her large head cocked to the side. Do you forgive me?

Bella mumbled something unintelligible before picking her precious pet up, letting her wrap around her neck.

Ariay whined, her golden eyes pleading.

"Don't do that!" Bella cried. "Oh, alright…but you have to go to bed now so you won't fall asleep in potions again." Ariay jumped up and licked her face happily.

"EW! " She wiped off the dog slobber. "Disgusting!" But she smiled at Ariay.

Must I go to bed now?

"Ariay, don't push it." Bella growled.

Ariay transformed back into her human form.

"Oh, alright." She pouted as they walked to the castle. She slid her glasses onto her face again.

"When are you going to stop wearing those ridiculous things?" Bella said, confused at why she'd even want to.

"When I'm sure I won't scare the bejesus outta anyone." Ariay replied, pushing a piece of hair out of her face.

"It's going to scare Ron, no matter what." Bella stated matter-of-factly. "So you should get it over with. Besides, since when have you been ashamed of your eyes?"

"I'm not." She paused. "If anyone asks why I wear the sunglasses, I'll take them off, 'k?"

Bella shrugged. "If you must wear sunglasses, can't you wear something that looks good? Those are hideous and atrocious and belong in the trash or at the bottom of the lake."

"You sure you'd wanna do that to the poor mermaids?" Ariay asked, grinning.

Bella couldn't help but smile.

They walked in silence to the great castle door. Suddenly, Arthos appeared on her shoulders, looking tired and annoyed.

You could've been kind enough to come get me, Wolf girl.

"I'm sorry, Arthos." She looked at him imploringly.

Mistress, you shouldn't apologize for things so much…I'm simply agitated because you roused me from my nap.

Ariay shook her head. Even animals seemed to know her sensitivity to making anything unhappy. It was a nuisance.

"Good night, Bella." Ariay said to her silent friend.

"Good night, Ariay." She replied pleasantly, not looking at her.

"Sweet dreams."

Bella said something unintelligible as she walked away.

Ariay sighed and continued to the Gryffindor common room. Inside, she sunk into the big red comfy chair by the fire. Arthos was already curled in front of the fireplace, purring contentedly.
"Where were you today?" a voice said from behind her. Ariay looked up to see Harry leaning on the back of the chair.
"Homework." she replied, looking back at Arthos. She hated lying.
"Oh." he paused, staring tiredly into the crackling fire.
"You're welcome to sit, Harry." Ariay gestured to the couch. He shrugged but walked over and sat on the couch.
He looked at her quizzically again. More specifically her sunglasses.
"Its rather rude to stare, Harry." she teased, smiling slightly. Harry felt foolish.
"Sorry." he replied. "You just never seem to go anywhere without those sunglasses on. It's rather curious."
Ariay sighed, leaned toward him, and took off her sunglasses. Harry almost fell off the couch. Her cat eyes glimmered with amusement.
She replaced the sunglasses and leaned back in the chair.
"Ask and you shall receive, my child." she grinned wickedly, a strange likeness to Bella seeping out. Harry wasn't quite sure what to say.

Ariay's grin faded. " Harry, I'd rather no one else find out just yet."

He nodded.

"It's not that I care much about what people think, nor am I ashamed, but just imagine a less open-minded person reacting to my little secret, and you can imagine the chaos it could cause." Harry blushed a little, feeling more foolish. She smiled.

"I hold nothing against you for your reaction, Harry. I expected nothing less."

"I don't think you're a freak or anything, Ariay, you just caught me off guard." he paused thoughtfully. "And why show me, anyway?"

"You asked." she replied. "I promised Bells to show those who asked why I wore the glasses the reason, and so I have kept my word. Thus far."

The two fell into a comfortable silence, both losing track of time as they contemplated.

"Good night, Harry." Ariay was standing over him, making him jump. "Sorry."

He stood, nodding to her.

"Good night, Ariay." she grabbed his arm as he turned towards the boys dormitory.

"Where i come from, we give the people we care about hugs. " she opened her arms. Harry stood there, dumbfounded. First Bella's kindness, now this...he wasn't sure how to react. Ariay laughed musically.

Covering the foot of distance between them, she wrapped her arms around him in a quick embrace. He returned it, and then they parted.

"You'll get used to it." she promised. "If Bella can, you can."

She began the assent to her bed.

"Ariay?" she half turned.

"Thanks."

She smiled, waved, and disappeared up the flight of steps.