"I'm going out." Rebecca stated, as she stood from their usual table in the corner.

Ron and Harry were playing wizards chess again. Ron had taken it upon himself to teach Harry the game, like he had done her. He thought it was a good idea to have a tournament between the three of them at the end of the holiday, when Harry had had a bit more practice.

"Do you want me to come with you?" Harry asked looking away from the game as Ron took his move.

"No, I'll be okay on my own. But thanks anyway." She replied.

The castle was eerily quiet as she walked through its halls. Most of the students had gone home for Christmas, there wasn't the usual chatter and destruction – which there had been a lot of in the run up to the holidays. Today there was snow covering all the grounds, and from the windows it had looked beautiful. Walking through the halls, Rebecca realised that a scarf might have been a good idea. There was a chill in the air within the large stone walls, and she could just imagine the bitter breeze that would sting her cheeks as soon as she left the front doors. But she didn't mind, having lived in Scotland nearly all her life, she just hoped it would clear her mind for a while.

She pushed the enormous wooden doors open. Instantly she felt the ice sharp wind strike at her. She pulled her jacket round her tightly, she thanked herself for having been wise enough to put on an extra layer under her clothing this morning. But the cold was still present, finding a way through all the gaps and holes in all the layers she had on. Despite the cold, it was beautiful outside. It was sunny, and the ground glistened pure white, almost too bright to look at.

She made her way down to the edge of the lake. She stood for a while looking out over the frozen surface. She contemplated the potential of skating on its surface, but realised soon that if there was snow the ice may not be strong enough to hold a person's weight. She stood for a few more minutes looking out at the ice, wondering what it was best to do.

Back in the village she had always gone on walks when she felt cramped in the house, or like she needed space to think. She hadn't had much time to be out and go on walks since she had been at Hogwarts. Most of her time was spent with Hermione in the library or with the boys or the twins. She couldn't go back to where she had previously lived, nor did she want too, but it had meant she missed her walks around the countryside.

Her need for some air had arisen when she realised she had nothing to give to Ron and Harry. She didn't have the means to be able to get anything either. The twins had told her about Hogsmead, but she couldn't go there for the obvious reason that she was only in first year.

She sighed as she decided to go for a walk around the perimeter of the lake. She walked slowly taking careful steps, hoping to lengthen the time that she could avoid trying to find a solution to her problem. It wasn't just the idea that she didn't have anything to give, it was also that she wouldn't be receiving anything. She didn't mind this at all, she had never received a single thing from Mr Jefferson, but her friend's opinions did matter to her. She just didn't want them to judge her. She knew they wouldn't stop being friends with her - to think like that would be pure stupidity – it was mostly the idea of pity. She didn't want nor need anyone to feel pity for her, in the end it would only make her feel worse.

However, the thought past Christmases did throw into light other questions, which created more anxieties for her. Since Professor McGonagall had come, her previous guardian Mr Jefferson had fled. She didn't know what this meant in terms of her care. Would she be placed in an orphanage? Did wizards even have orphanages?

Rebecca couldn't remember much about before she was adopted by Mr Jefferson, but she did have some memories. She remembered the rooms were mostly bare, at least the bedrooms were. The downstairs had been more decorative for the eyes of potential carers. She could remember hating it there, however, the memories of the people and the home were fuzzy. There were times when she would dream strange dreams. Those were the worst nights.

The dreams were always strange and very fuzzy. Some of them were nice and some were horrible. And although they were all different, they seemed connected somehow. Someone singing a lullaby, someone laughing, a warm safe embrace, and… and screaming, bangs, and flashes of light. The later was all encompassed in one dream that was truly terrifying. She hadn't had it recently, not until last night anyway.

The dream was always the same. It started out while she was sleeping, and then there was a crash which had awoken her, but whenever she went to scream there was a dark figure with a terrifying silver mask looming over her. The dream would seem to turn strange here. The hands of the person would try to grab her, and she would evade them for a short period but they always caught up and held her tightly. But all through the while, she felt as if she were flying. But it wasn't a nice gentle gliding, it was rough. She and the dark figure would spin and spin and spin, until she almost felt physically sick, and roused from her nightmare. She would wake when there was a loud shout and a dull thud as the figure was hit by bright red light, then she would be falling as the hands released her. She would wake up in a cold sweat, heart racing, whenever she hit the ground.

She had never been keen on heights because of the dream, but she managed to stomach them. The dream was the same one she had had ever since she could remember. Nothing about it had changed when she had it last night. Except maybe one thing… Usually the dream was just that, a dream. But it felt different, like it wasn't just a dream but a memory. However, this was truly stupid, Rebecca had reasoned, and it must have been the familiarity of the dream that made it feel so.

By now she had made it to the other side of the lake. The forbidden forest was behind her, and a fallen tree provided the perfect place to sit and look out at the lake with the castle behind it. She let herself relax and just enjoy the typical Scottish winter weather. For now, she would forget the dream, the uncertainty of her future and the upcoming festivity and just live in the moment.

#

"Shall we, my dear?" Albus asked holding out his elbow for Minerva to take.

She smiled at her husband and placed her arm through his, standing close to his side. After all the mornings wind, that they had just stepped into, was colder than she had anticipated. She sighed and leaned onto Albus further as they started to stroll toward their favourite space to sit.

It was a regular custom of theirs to walk in the mornings of the half-term break around the lake. Since most students had gone home for the holiday, it was the perfect opportunity to enjoy some private time between them. All the staff knew about their marriage, but still they preferred to be discreet, not that they didn't trust any of the staff.

It was just then that a thought struck McGonagall, and she stopped within her tracks.

"What is it my dear?" Albus asked, concerned that there was something wrong.

She looked at him with a look of realisation. As if she had been given the greatest epiphany.

"Our daughter…" At these words Albus smiled gently, but raised an eyebrow, unsure of where this was going. Minerva seemed to hold a look mixed of mirth, worry and dread.

"She…the prank," She half continued. "Oh, Merlin." Albus's smile broadened.

"I quite agree," Albus said smoothly, eyes twinkling. "She will be quite the handful. Especially now that we know she has her mother's boldness within her."

Minerva's face was half way between a smile and a look of dread. She didn't even want to think about the possibilities of the trouble that she would get into. Add that to the influence and friendship of Misters Potter and Weasleys', and there may be absolutely no hope of keeping her out of trouble. She just prayed that Miss Granger would keep her in check, if only a little bit.

"Come on, my dear, before we are late for breakfast" Albus returned to her side, and retook her arm.

They rounded the corner of trees that would lead to a fallen tree, when Albus stopped, making Minerva stop with him. She looked to him curiously, but saw he had a gentle smile on his face and was looking forward at something. Minerva frowned and followed his gaze.

Sat on their usual log was Miss Jefferson. Her face was turned upward slightly toward the sky, the sun casting a slight yellow hue over her skin. Her face was devoid of all emotion except peacefulness. It was the most relaxed either had seen her look. Usually she was concentrating in class or was smiling with her friends. They smiled at each other, unaware that the girl was meditating away her worries. This was why she had not heard them approach, her mind preoccupied with other things, despite her efforts to get away from them.

Albus released Minerva's arm, who was still in a daze of maternal feelings, and sat beside her. Minerva watched on, waiting to see what Albus was up to. He cleared his throat gently, and Rebecca jumped, eyes snapping open to look at the new company. Her eyes quickly fond the headmaster's.

He chuckled at her gentle and placed a hand upon her shoulder, as if it would help to steady her. She smiled at him a moment, and then looked past him at Professor McGonagall who had not moved from her position. Albus turned his smiling face to Minerva before looking back to her.

"Good Morning, Miss Jefferson," He greeted her cheerfully.

Rebecca couldn't help it. Despite the growing worries, she felt, it was as if his cheerfulness was infectious. She smiled back at him, almost grinning. She gave him a quieter good morning of her own, and nodded to Professor McGonagall, who had come to sit by Albus. She didn't want Miss Jefferson to feel hemmed in, after all, she was in the presence of the Headmaster and his Deputy, who also happened to be her teacher.

"Lovely morning for a stroll, don't you think?" He inquired softly.

"Yes," Replied Becca, then after a moment's hesitation she added. "I used to go for walks all the time around the village. Helps to clear everything."

Albus smiled elatedly at her, and she smiled tentatively back, happy that she felt comfortable enough in his presence to share such personal things. He knew, of course, that she had no idea how their relationship had changed.

"I most certainly agree," He smiled. "Although, when I was your age, I found talking to some of my most trusted friends worked a treat too, you know."

He winked at her. Becca felt as though he could read her mind, and wondered if he had used an x-ray thought spell. She had been contemplating initiating a conversation between her, Hermione and the boys, to share things about themselves. She realised now how little she felt she had shared with them. Not even Hermione knew most of it, only that she had lived in Scotland since she was five, and even this was about as much as Ron knew from the week they had first met.

"Thank you," It was just barely above a whisper, but both professors heard, and were surprised to say the least.

"Your welcome," Albus replied, glad that he had made a good decision in giving her some subtle advice on a troubled mind. He had guessed she must have been feeling some kind of unrest with herself, if what she had said about going on walks was true. "I do believe it is our jobs as teachers to mentor those who are in our care."

She smiled brightly at him. She couldn't explain the vibe that she felt from Professor Dumbledore, she just knew that it was. He brought about a calmness and safety within her. She felt connected to him, and she could almost sense the connection between both professors, not to mention she could see it.

She spied their hands upon the log, resting next to each other barely touching. Not only this but more than once she had observed Dumbledore's hand holding McGonagall's under the table through meal times at the top table. It was obvious they were trying to be discreet, but it was as if they would forget sometimes, as people do, and would almost openly display their affection.

Her smile widened into a grin and her eyes twinkled with mischief, all too much like her father. Minerva almost commented on the cheeky look of her pupil, but Rebecca spoke before she had the chance to open her mouth.

"You know, your awfully cute together," Her grin turned less cheeky and softened. "In fact, I'd be willing to wager with the twins that you love each other very much."

She stood with this, and started to walk away. She stopped and looked back at their shocked expressions and smiled at them both, and reassured them of their secrecy.

"But don't worry, I won't tell anyone."