Author's note – Wow…it's been awhile, I think, please don't quote me, but I think I have a handle on where I need to go to finish this story and get into Order of the Phoenix. Sorry I've been away for a while, needed to take a break.

Shout Outs –

paula90 – No it's not good and I go into why I didn't have her say anything to Sirius about it. I didn't have Ron get new robes because the day that Harry and Sirius spent together before the World Cup was when Sirius bought Harry the dress robes. With everything going on with Dahlia and Harry and the Tournament, while it would have been a very nice gesture, it just didn't fit anywhere.

ImsebastianstanButter – Thank you!

ForeverTeamEdward13 – I explain why she didn't tell him, she should have but there's a reason behind it.

Thank you for following and adding this to your favorites – Ms Poison Ivey and aniaco!

As always please enjoy, read, and review!

The next couple of days flew by; Dahlia hadn't traveled much outside of the Ravenclaw common room. Harry and Cedric were too preoccupied with figuring out the second task and she couldn't interfere or help them figure it out. She was there if they needed to talk to someone but Harry was keeping to Hermione and Ron and Cedric was keeping to his circle in Hufflepuff and Cho so she occasionally saw him in the common room.

Sirius was staying closer to Dahlia rather than Harry as Karkaroff had casually threatened her before the ball. She never told him or Severus what Igor had told her that night, just more doubt and lies, she was sure of it, and she didn't want them to be more worked up over something that none of them had control over. There was an ominous feeling in the air; it had gotten heavier as the year went on. From the moment Harry's name had come out of the cup consequences were set in motion like a stone causing an avalanche, there was no stopping it. Whatever was coming, whether it be Voldemort or his minions still loyal to him, it was coming and seemingly out of nowhere.

Dahlia didn't want to think about it, but somehow the Dark Lord haunted her dreams, she saw the faces of those she loved, Harry, Hermione, the Weasleys, Remus, Albus, and especially Sirius all dead. Gone. Ashen faces after being hit with the killing curse from Voldemort or his followers. The grinning snake like mouth of the Dark Lord baring his sharp teeth to her making her watch as he killed those she held dear. It was one of the rare times she was outside Ravenclaw tower meandering the hallways trying to find some way to be useful to herself, the students, or the school other than fretting about Harry and Cedric and the Tournament. She was so focused on trying to figure out how to be helpful she didn't hear the thud of Moody's metal limp from behind her.

"You ought to be more careful Miss Dumbledore," the soft growl hit her ears making her jump and yelp before turning to see the DADA professor.

"Professor," she said after she regained composure.

"Escort me to the library," he asked the growl softening a bit.

"Of course," she told him.

They walked half way to the library in relative silence before Alastor broke the silence, "You found your cameo?"

"Yes, Karkaroff returned it to me, said that he found it."

Moody made a grumbling noise, "I assume you had Albus check it out."

"Of course, Albus and Lupin," she told him as he nodded, "Sirius and Snape took a look at it as well."

"They did," he arched an eyebrow, "Find anything?"

"From what they told me, nothing out of the ordinary, the charms were enhanced on it and given back to me."

"You should have had me take a look at it," he muttered.

Dahlia smiled, "You're probably right Professor, but Albus didn't see a need for it and with three teachers placing charms on the pendant, I don't think that he thought one more was necessary."

"Perhaps not," Moody told her, his face had an odd expression on it, "Wait here," he told her as he hobbled into the library.

Dahlia didn't think the conversation was odd as she waited for a few moments before the door to the library pushed open revealing Ron and Hermione. The trio stared at one another for a moment before Moody emerged.

"I need to get them to McGonagall," he said gruffly, "walk with me."

"Yes Professor," she said walking ahead of the ex-Auror guiding the two Gryffindors toward Minerva's office. "Is Harry alright?"

Hermione looked at Dahlia as they walked, "I hope so, the second task, we still haven't figured out how he's going to complete it."

"He'll figure it out," Moody said from behind them.

"He better," Dahlia mumbled ushering Ron and Hermione on to their head of house.

Once they reached McGonagall's office Dahlia was asked to wait outside as she took in Ron and Hermione. Moody nodded to the Transfiguration Professor before taking Dumbledore's niece under his arm and leading her away.

"You said three teachers," Moody questioned bringing the conversation back to Dahlia's cameo. "Was the third one Lupin?"

The lilac haired witch looked at the DADA Professor cautiously and curiously, it was odd that he would be asking this. What's more that Albus didn't bring him in to help with the charms, the wheels in her head were turning trying to figure out why he was so fixated on the object that she didn't have on her as Sirius wanted to keep it just in case there was something that they couldn't see right away.

"Yes, Remus helped out," she told him, "which is why I'm sure Albus never told you about it."

Moody nodded his head, "Yes that makes sense," he told her; his voice was contemplative making the usual rough brogue softer. He looked at the teaching assistant, "I could always add an extra layer of protection."

"Thank you Alastor," she told him giving him a small smile.

"There you are," Sirius' voice entered the conversation making his way to the Ravenclaw. He took her from under Moody's grasp, "I've been looking all over for you, and you need to get some sleep before the task tomorrow little love."

Dahlia nuzzled into the wizard, "You're right," she turned to Moody, "See you tomorrow?"

"Of course lass," he told her before walking away. He was only moments away from corrupting the spells and charms protecting her from the Dark Lord. Sirius needed to be dealt with, but not here, it was too risky with all the eyes watching. He'd never let her out of his sight for more than a moment and Moody was sure that Sirius had placed his own charms on the cameo and scrutinized every millimeter of it and was no doubt checking it constantly. Love, the DADA professor made a face hobbling away, those in love make stupid mistakes; it was only a matter of time before either Sirius or Dahlia made one then she would be returned to who she rightfully belonged to.

Author's note - Just a small chapter in between the Yule Ball and the second task, wanted to put a more serious and sinister tone in after the Ball. I would love to hear from you! Drop me a line and say hi!