Previously

Edward POV

Carlisle stood behind the couch, his hand resting on Esme's shoulder. Across from them, standing next to fireplace stood Albus Dumbledore.

Carlisle's ashen face looked up at us. He looked almost green.

"Edward," he started.

"I need your help," Dumbledore stated. "As you already know, Audrianna's life is in danger."

Edward POV

Venom ran through my veins like ice. I felt cold. My mind refused to process his words. Bella. My little Bella. She could have died. The Avada Kedavera curse. I had hoped that my limited knowledge of the wizarding world had lead me to the wrong conclusion, that it had been a different spell. No such luck.

Dumbledore watched my expression with no emotion, save the pain already in his eyes.

"The concert," I choked out. "We were just there."

He nodded. "So I heard. I must say Kingsley reacted rather better than I expected."

"Alice had us leave before he even got there," I remarked dully.

Dumbledore shook his head, his eyes closed as he chuckled. "You underestimate the training of aurors. It's much along the lines of Audrianna's intelligence. She will make a good auror."

I pursed my lips slightly, not liking the idea of Bella in a potentially life threatening career.

He noticed the slight change in my expression with raised eyebrows but he said nothing on the matter, instead continuing with his point of visiting. "Hogwarts is hosting the Tri-Wizard tournament this year."

My head snapped up to glare at him. "You're holding a tournament, a game! People have died in that tournament. Bella might…"

"I had no intention of allowing either of the Potter children to enter the tournament," he interrupted me in a firm voice. His piercing blue eyes looked back at me the same intensity in mine. "Do you honestly think I would allow anything to happen to either of them?"

I shook my head. "No but the Tri-Wizard tournament! Two schools from across the globe. Who knows what some of them may be thinking or whom they serve! It would be so easy for one of them to slip into the castle and…"

He interrupted me again, putting up a hand to stop me. "That is why I am here. I have no intentions what so ever of letting harm of any sort come to them. Teachers will patrol the hallways at night, Minerva, Aurora, Alastor, and Severus alternatively watching the Gryffindor hallway. All four of them requested protecting the Potters and will do so with their lives. Unfortunately witches and wizards, as skilled as they are, cannot keep out everyone. I have come to ask your help. I would appreciate it very much if you and your family would return to Hogwarts castle to watch over them."

I gaped at him, stunned. "Bella, I mean Audra wouldn't want that. She and Harry probably hate me."

Alice's small hand caught mine. "Us. We all left. We all hurt her and through her, her brother. Albus they won't want us there. I know that."

He nodded understandingly. "She won't be the happiest to see you," he agreed. "But she hurts more than she lets on. Her hurting hurts Harry and she thinks he deserves more than that."

I shook my head again, this time in disagreement. "How can that be? How can you tell?"

"It can be because she loved you, all of you," he said forcefully. "There are songs she sings alone because she won't let Harry hear them. She won't let anyone hear. She doesn't want anyone to hurt because of her."

"What are they?" Esme asked softly, looking up at him with desperation.

He waved his wand and Bella's enchanting voice filled the room.

Catch me as I fall

Say you're here and it's all over now

Speaking to the atmosphere

No one's here and I fall into myself

This truth drives me

Into madness

In Dumbledore's mind I could see his memories. His memory seeing Bella singing to herself. She knelt in the Forbidden Forest. Leaves and twigs were stuck in her hair. Thin, shallow scratches streaked her exposed face and arms. Her head was bent, her hands gripping the outer seam of her jeans. She sang into her lap, tears running down her dirt powdered face.

The sight broke me. I fell back onto the piano bench, steadying myself with one hand against the unused instrument. Esme had bought it in desperation, attempting to bring me out of my depression. It had not worked. I couldn't play without Bella. It wasn't right. It brought back to many memories of the two of us, sitting beside each other as I played countless made up tunes.

I know I can stop the pain

If I will it all away

If I will it all away

Don't turn away

(Don't give in to the pain)

Don't try to hide

(Though they're screaming your name)

Don't close your eyes

(God knows what lies behind them)

Don't turn out the light

(Never sleep; never die)

I'm frightened by what I see

But somehow I know

That there's much more to come

Immobilized by my fear

And soon to be

Blinded by tears

I can stop the pain

If I will it all away

If I will it all away

Don't turn away

(Don't give in to the pain)

Don't try to hide

(Though they're screaming your name)

Don't close your eyes

(God knows what lies behind them)

Don't turn out the light

(Never sleep; never die)

Fallen angels at my feet

Whispered voices at my ear

Death before my eyes

Lying next to me I fear

She beckons me

Shall I give in

Upon my end shall I begin

Forsaking all I've fallen for

I rise to meet the end

Don't turn away

(Don't give in to the pain)

Don't try to hide

(Though they're screaming your name)

Don't close your eyes

(God knows what lies behind them)

Don't turn out the light

(Never sleep; never die)

Don't turn away

(Don't give in to the pain)

Don't try to hide

(Though they're screaming your name)

Don't close your eyes

(God knows what lies behind them)

Don't turn out the light

(Never sleep; never die)

Don't turn away

(Don't give in to the pain)

Don't try to hide

(Though they're screaming your name)

Don't close your eyes

(God knows what lies behind them)

Don't turn out the light

(Never sleep; never die)

Bella's voice faded away.

"If that isn't enough listen to this," Dumbledore ordered, seeing our faces.

Once upon a time,

I believe it was a Tuesday

When I caught your eye,

We caught onto something

I hold onto the night,

You looked me in the eye

And told me you loved me.

Were you just kidding?

Cause it seems to me,

This thing is breaking down

We almost never speak.

I don't feel welcome anymore

Baby what happened, please tell me

Cause one second it was perfect,

Now you're halfway out the door

And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called

And then you feel so low you can't feel nothin' at all

And you flashback to when he said forever and always

Oh oh, and it rains in your bedroom,

Everything is wrong

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone

Cause I was there when you said forever and always

Was I out of line?

Did I say something way too honest?

Made you run and hide like a scared little boy

I looked into you're eyes

Thought I knew you for a minute,

Now I'm not so sure

So here's everything coming down to nothing

Here's to silence that cuts me to the core

Where is this going?

Thought I knew for a minute, but I don't anymore

And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called

And then you feel so low you can't feel nothin' at all

And you flashback to when he said forever and always

Oh oh, and it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone

Cause I was there when you said forever and always

You didn't mean it baby, I don't think so, oh oh

Oh back up, baby back up

Did you forget everything?

Back up, baby back up

Did you forget everything?

Cause it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone

Cause I was there when you said forever and always

Oh I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called

And then you feel so low you can't feel nothin' at all

And you flashback to when we said forever and always

And it rains in your bedroom,

Everything is wrong

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone

Cause I was there when you said forever and always

You didn't mean it baby, you said forever and always, yeah

"We get it!" Rosalie screamed. "We know! We hurt her! We didn't mean to!" A sob broke from her chest. Emmett's arms snaked around her waist, holding her tightly to him. He murmured words of comfort in her ear, rubbing a gentle circle on her back.

Alice was staring brokenly at the floor. Barely audible cries made her shoulders tremble. Jasper took her in his arms, comforting her as best he could.

Esme was crying silently into Carlisle's chest. "We never meant to hurt her."

I stayed silent, Bella's words resonating in my mind. No one's here and I fall into myself. This truth drives me into madness. I had promised her. I had promised her the world and let her fall.

"We'll go," I said immediately, pushing myself to my feet, staring with determination at Albus.

Everyone's heads snapped around to look at me.

Esme's face was alight with hope, Alice's with excitement, Rose's with pure happiness. Carlisle looked thankful.

"She won't want us around her," I said as strongly as I could, feeling the words sting my throat as they came out. "But I won't let her get hurt anymore. I promised her nothing would ever hurt her again and I won't break that."

Audra POV

I was running; I was eight. I was in the forest. I was calling for Edward. He was gone.

A scream tore from my lips as I sat bolt upright. I gasped for breath, holding me knees to my chest.

"Audra?" Ron's groggy voice questioned. The lamp flicked on. Harry's green eyes were understanding as he sat up to look up at me on the couch. Fred, George, and Ginny were awake too, all looking at me.

"I'm fine," my voice quavered unsteadily.

Fred raised an eyebrow at me, sadness touching his eyes. "You still aren't any better at lying to us Audra. You lie to the press, you lie to the world, you lie to yourself but you can't lie to us."

Harry sat down next to me. "He's right you know," he murmured. "You suck at lying."

I yanked my pillow off the floor, swinging it at him. It hit him, hard, knocking him off the couch.

"Is that a challenge?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I grinned impishly, glad that the mood had lightened. George's pillow smashed into the back of my neck at that moment. I flew forward off, bowling into Fred.

"Pillow fight!" Ginny yelled, throwing herself into the fray.

We slammed against each other, hitting each other with all our strength.

"What's going on down here?" Remus asked, waving his wand at the crystal chandelier. The bulbs flickered to life, glowing with a pure white light.

I rolled off of Harry, laughing maniacally. "Hey!" I laughed. "Hey Dad!"

"What's going on?" he repeated.

"Bad dreams and pillow fights," Harry explained standing up. He brushed some feathers from a busted pillow off his pants.

"Well it took you lot long enough," Sirius chuckled coming out of the kitchen. "Get ready or you'll all be late to meet Hermione at the train station."

At Hogsmead Station

"See you later," I called to everyone. I gave each of them a fleeting hug before hurrying off down the platform to meet Hagrid.

"Hagrid!" I yelled happily. I threw my arms around my half giant friend.

"Ay? Oh, Audra, good to see yer," he said patting my back with one huge hand. "How's the concert?"

"We nearly got blown up by Death Eaters," I explained as we walked towards the boats.

"What!" he roared, turning to glare down at me with his black eyes. Several people jumped, older students heads turning to look at us.

"Death Eaters," I said again. "They tried to blow us up. But let's move on. The feast won't start without us and Fred and George will beat me to a pulp if I'm not in Gryffindor."

He pursed his lips, glowering down at me for one more second. "First years into the boats," he instructed.

I slid into a boat and waited. A boy, pitch black hair and startlingly blue eyes sat next to me.

"Audrianna Potter," he sneered.

I already knew I would hate him. His smug, over confident tone was enough to make me despise him on the spot.

"You are?" I asked, my voice flat.

"Marcus Daniels," he drawled. "What house are you going for? Gryffindor like your… brother."

"As a matter of fact yes," I snapped, turning my head away. "You would do well in Slytherin. Or in Hell," I added.

A curly hair blonde girl laughed lightly, seating herself next to me. "Daniels get lost," she said flippantly, glaring with her sea green eyes. He smirked, settling himself back against the seat.

"Vivian Presmonte," she said, shaking my hand as the boat began to glide across the smooth black lake. "Aspiring to the great house of Ravenclaw."

"Audrianna Isabella Potter," I introduced myself, smiling at her.

She laughed again. "Oh I know, I'm a big fan."

"Thanks! I'm so glad…" my voice trailed off as something pressed against the back of my neck. The point of a wand.

"Make one noise and I'll curse you," he threatened.

Vivian shifted slightly. Her neatly manicured hand formed a fist, smashing into his jaw. A blue flash of light soared over my shoulder.

"Incastlous!" I shrieked, my wand aimed at Marcus. Ropes flew from the tip of my wand, binding themselves around him. His wand clattered to the bottom of the boat.

"Oy!" Hagrid yelled. "What's goin' on over there?"

"Marcus Daniels," Vivian spat. "Tried to curse Audra."

"Is everyone alright?" he asked loudly.

"The two of us are," I chuckled darkly. "Daniels won't be when I'm done with him."

"Now Audra," he laughed boisterously. "Ye haven't even be sorted yet and you want to cause trouble."

"Fine," I grumbled, slumping back onto the seat.

"We could always do something to him later," Vivian suggested in an undertone.

I laughed, linking an arm through hers. "Viv I think we will make very good friends."

"Viv? I like it!" She laughed along with me, gazing up at the sky. Lightning flashed and rain began to pour down on us. "Oh wonderful!" she sighed sarcastically.

"Hold on a sec," I waved my wand over both of us. "Impervious." The rain rolled straight off of us, collecting around us but the two of us remained dry.

"How do you know all these spells?" she asked in amazement.

"I used to have a lot of free time," I explained as another first year boy held out a hand to help me off of our boat. (A/N. I think that would be so cute. A ten year old boy, totally entranced by Bella, helping her off the boat.) A second boy reached out to help Vivian down. "I read spell books when I have nothing better to do."

The castle doors swung open. I ran up the stairs, taking them two at a time, too familiar with the lay out of the castle by now.

"Aunt Vera?" I called looking about wildly.

Minerva McGonagall stood at the top of the staircase, parchment in hand, smiling down at me. "Audra dear it's so good to have you back!"

I flew up the stairs, throwing my arms around her. "Hogwarts finally," I said grinning.

"You had better be in my house Potter," she said, shaking her parchment roll at me.

"I hope for it."

"Good evening," she greeted everyone, who had finally caught up with us. "Follow me please."

She glided through the oak doors, the throng of first years trailing after her. The four tables broke into applause as we flooded in. I spotted Harry, who I waved to. He waved back, raising an eyebrow at my dry robes and everyone else's sopping ones. I shrugged impishly tapping my wand inconspicuously. He rolled his eyes, shaking his head at my untamed talent.

Aunt Vera(A/N. Audra calls Minerva Aunt Vera.) called the first years up one at a time. Each one quivered with nervousness as they sat on the stool, the Sorting Hat upon each of their heads.

"Presmonte, Vivian," her voice rang out above the cheering. I squeezed Vivian's arm in well wishing before she hurried up the dais.

"Ravenclaw? Are you sure?" the hat asked her. "Gryffindor could do you well you know."

Vivian's eyes flicked to me, panic written across her face.

"Just say whatever you want," I mouthed.

She nodded in thanks, her lips moving soundlessly to the hat.

"Very well. Ravenclaw."

The table on the far right broke out in cheers. She hurried away, seating herself next to the first year boy that had helped me out of the boat. She shook hands with a few older Ravenclaws.

"Potter, Audrianna." Screams and whistles echoed through the high ceiling room.

I stepped up onto the dais, waving to the room. I perched myself elegantly on the stool, feeling the butterflies fluttering in my stomach as she placed the hat upon my head.

"Another Potter?" The room fell absolutely silent as the hat began to speak. "You have the choice I gave your brother. Powers beyond your wildest dreams await you in Slytherin. Nobility and strength is achievable in Gryffindor. With your brain you would do well in Ravenclaw, while your personality could be tamed in Hufflepuff."

"I stand by my brother," I stated softly. "We started out together; we stayed together; we move on together." My voice was determined, echoing my thoughts.

"So be it. Gryffindor!"

The red and gold table down the right side of the isle burst into wild cheers. Everyone shifted over a seat, making space for me between Harry and George. I ran down the isle, giving the guys a high-five as I passed. George ruffled my hair in congratulations as I sat next to him.

Dumbledore stood as the sorting finished. "Ladies and gentlemen," his voice was steady. "As many of you may be aware, Hogwarts will be hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament this year. For your own safety, no one above the age of 17 will be permitted to enter."

Boos and catcalls followed his statement. "Not fair," I yelled along with Fred and George.

"We want to enter!" George added to the yelling crowd.

"Silence!" Dumbledore roared. "My word is final. No one under the age of seventeen may enter the tournament. The opposing schools, Beaux-Baton and Dermstrang, will be arriving within the week. Now, let the feast begin."

The feast began, people all around us chatting animatedly about the upcoming Tri-Wizard Tournament.

Suddenly the double doors swung open. Conversation died as everyone turned in their seats to see who the late guests were.

I froze, my muscles locking down as my gaze zeroed in on the seven figures standing in the doorway. I barely registered the ripple of whispers around me, my whole body immobile.

"Audra," Harry murmured.

George snarled angrily, "What the bloody hell do they want?"

Harry's arm wound around my shoulder, turning me away from the isle. An angry breath blew from his nose.

"May I have your attention?" Dumbledore called over the hissing and whispering through the crowd. When the entire hall of students was quiet he continued. "As I have just informed you, the Tri-…"

"Wizard Tournament will be happened here yeah we get it," Fred yelled, glaring from the unexpected guests to Dumbledore.

George squeezed my shoulders softly.

A wave of confusion washed over the students and the murmuring started up again. "What does he have against them?" someone whispered. "Why is Audra acting like someone just forked her?" someone else hissed. "Harry looks like he's going to kill someone."

"Thank you Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore responding, nothing but polite. His glittering blue eyes were upon me, understanding and sorrow in them. I glared up at him, betrayal like daggers in my brown ones. "I have invited some old friends of mine to watch over the tournament. They are here as much to enjoy the tournament as to assure the safety of the contestants. Please give a very warm welcome to my very old friends, the Cullen family."

I clenched and unclenched my fists in my lap, my muscles quivering with what emotion, I wasn't sure. Anger, hate, betrayal, pain, longing, wistfulness. It was too much. I shoved off the bench, allowing my wilder form to take over. My body lengthened, my limbs strengthening. My claws scraped against the stone floor as I fled. I streaked past them in flash of orange and black, a fully-grown tiger, not a weak, young, naïve cub.

Harry POV

I watched Audra flee from the hall, questions breaking out yet again. I pushed off the bench, glowering at Edward with all the hate I could muster. His expression, however, was not what I had expected. Self-hatred, remorse, pain. I didn't pause to think about it. I could feel Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny behind me as I stormed into the Entrance Hall. Everyone's eyes were upon us.

"Accio brooms," I called, holding out an arm. My firebolt jumped into my hand, everyone else's doing the same.

"Find Audra," I ordered, circling above them. "Meet back here by eight." Instructions made, we all soared off in different directions.

Edward POV

"We're late," Alice whined. "I wanted to see Bella's sorting."

"Just be glad we're going," I grumbled. I was still unsure of this, but I couldn't refuse. That night, the concert, had been all the proof Dumbledore had needed to make his statement clear. Bella was in danger. Bella needed our help.

"Stop arguing, both of you," Esme scolded.

The wide double oak doors of the Great Hall swung open to admit us. The noise in the hall, children talking, eating, laughing, faded to stunned silence. I didn't bother to block out the thoughts, I didn't make the effort. I didn't listen to them either, just letting them flow through me. A few however, caught my attention.

What the hell is he doing here? Harry's thoughts were bitter, angry. Very understandable.

Fred and George's were along the same lines of fury. Hermione's were worried for Audra. Ginny's were caught. Half of her was angry, half of her was worried.

People hissed among themselves. Boys were murmuring about my two sisters and Esme. Girls were giggling about my brothers and I and even my father. I gagged slightly. Carlisle chuckled softly at my reaction, his arm around Esme's waist tightening. Jasper and Emmett reacted similarly. Emmett snarled protectively. Rosalie wound her hand into his, casting him a gentle smile. Jasper bent his head to whisper lowly in Alice's ear. She giggled, turning her head and pecking him on the lips.

I looked away, squashing my feeling of jealousy. I wanted to hold Bella the way they all held onto each other now.

I heard the thoughts of disappointment from both boys and girls at seeing six of the seven of us taken.

Dumbledore, calm as ever, cast us a small smile before turning his attention to the room at large. "May I have your attention? As I have just informed you, the Tri-…"

"Wizard Tournament will be happened here yeah we get it," Fred growled angrily. His voice echoed through the cavernous room, carrying for everyone to hear. He cast an infuriated glare from Dumbledore to us. His twin George squeezed Audra's shoulders comfortingly.

Students began murmuring and hissing once again. "What does he have against them?" someone whispered. "Why is he so angry?" "Why is Audra acting like someone just forked her?" someone else hissed. "Harry looks like he's going to kill someone."

"Be ready alright," a pale blonde boy drawled. "With the Potters reputation they might kill us all." Slytherins around him guffawed with moronic laughter.

I snarled softly at the insult to Bella. How could he? How could anyone insult someone so perfect?

"Thank you Mr. Weasley. I have invited some old friends of mine to watch over the tournament. They are here as much to enjoy the tournament as to assure the safety of the contestants. Please give a very warm welcome to my very old friends, the Cullen family."

The room gradually broke into applause, people still casting confused glances from our family to the Black Magic band. Audra was facing away from us, from me. Her shoulders quivered, with pain or anger, maybe both.

"Audra don't!" Harry warned but she didn't seem to hear him. She pushed roughly away from the table, her small form exploding into the fearsome tigress. Even her animaigus form had changed. Changed from the small, young, innocent cub to the hardened, worn full-grown tiger. The muscles in her strong legs bunched and released as she ran. She flew past us. We all heard her. Soft whimpers emanated from her throat. She disappeared, weaving through the castle and out of sight in a fraction of a second.

I turned, wanting to follow her but Emmett's hand grabbed my arm. "Let her go," he murmured at a inhuman level. "We can't help her."

I ground my teeth anxiously. I stared longingly at where she had vanished, wishing I could chase after her. I wanted to tell her everything. I wanted to hold her in my arms. I wanted Bella. Pain shot through my unbeating heart, knowing she might never forgive me. I didn't deserve to be forgiven. I had done the unthinkable to abused eight-year-old angel. I had made her already miserable life into a living hell. I didn't even deserve to be around her.

Harry and his friends shoved the bench away from the table. Harry in the lead, they half ran after her. He glared daggers at me as they passed. Hate, anger, and to my surprise, confusion. My expression was pained. I hated myself. I deserved to burn for hurting Bella.

"Find Audra," he ordered, his broom jumping into his outstretched hand. "Meet here by eight."

Minerva POV

Audra transformed in a flash. A streak of orange and black vanished out into the castle.

I turned my glare upon Dumbledore. "Everyone is dismissed," my voice shook with suppressed fury. "Go! Now!"

Confused conversation still echoing through the hall, students trickled out through the different wings of the castle.

"We have something to discuss, Albus," I stated angrily.

"Yes I suppose we do," he sighed. "Not here. My office."

I stalked off towards his office, him keeping pace easily. We glided through the hallways in silence, an angry dead silence.

"You knew," I shrieked, when the door to his door swung shut. "You knew what they did to her! Yet you invite them here in full awareness of what they did! How could you do that to the poor girl? Hasn't she been through enough? Haven't they hurt her enough?"

"I'm sure we'd all like to know that," Professor Sprout stated from the doorway. Behind her stood Professors Flitwick and to my great surprise, Snape.

"What were you thinking Dumbledore?" Professor Flitwick snapped, his small form trembling with fury.

"It is not within my power to tell," Dumbledore said firmly and calmly. "It is not my secret after all."

"But it is within your power to tell us why you would do that to Lily and James' only daughter!" I screeched. "Did you think any of this through?"

"Yes Minerva I did," he said rather loudly for someone of his temper-meant. "Do you honestly think I would intentionally hurt Audrianna?"

"Well no," I stuttered, "But Albus really! The Cullen family?"

"They are here because they want to be," he continued. "They want, as much as we all do, to keep the Potter children safe."

"Keep them safe and keep them unharmed are two completely different matters Headmaster," Severus sneered, his voice quivering slightly. "It seems to hurt the Potter girl more to have them near her than to have Death Eaters chasing her down the streets of London. Then what hurts her, hurts the boy."

I glanced up, stunned. "Never," I almost laughed. "Never in all my years did I think Severus Snape would say something to benefit a Potter."

"We are all in the same boat now," Flitwick noted with a small smile. "We all have to manage Audra. As if it wasn't hard enough before, such a free spirited little girl. Now an angry one."

Harry POV

The clock chimed eight times signaling time to meet back with the others. I sighed, distressed, before spinning my broom around to soar back to the Entrance Hall.

Everyone else was already there. I had taken the long way back, going through the secret passageways and peering in classrooms. Audra was nowhere to be found.

They all shook their heads.

"Hey Harry!" another first year, Vivian Presmonte, came running up to us. "Have you found her yet?"

I shook my head. "No, why?"

"I road in the boats with her," she explained. "She was really nice to me and I was worried."

I opened my mouth to thank her but a third voice cut me off.

"Hey! Potter!" Cedric Diggory was hurrying down the marble staircase, a group of Hufflepuffs trailing behind him. "We searched the astronomy tower and the north wing and Cho Chang and her friends got the Ravenclaw wing."

"Thanks Cedric," I sighed, running a hand through my hair. We had met him at the quidditch world cup and he had seemed nice enough.

"Harry," Hermione exclaimed suddenly. "The Marauders Map! Check the map!"

In all my worry and anger I had completely forgotten the Map. Sirius and Remus had given it to me before my first year, saying only, 'use it well.'

I yanked the map out of my trunk, which was mercifully still in the hall.

"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good," I murmured hurriedly, tapping it with my wand.

My eyes scanned frantically over the map, checking once, twice, three times to no avail. Audra's tiny black dot was no where to be seen on the map.

"I have to talk to Dumbledore, now!" Without pausing to explain I flew off past the Hufflepuffs on the staircase and up to the statue of the gargoyle out front of Dumbledore's office.

"The password!" I yelled, incredulous. And to my great surprise and delight, the statue moved.

I didn't wait for the stairs to rise, flying up the door and slamming it open. I jumped off my broom, landing on the floor with both feet.

"We can't find her anywhere," I gasped. "I even checked the map. She isn't on it." I tossed the Marauders Map onto Professor Dumbledore's desk. The five professors leaned over it, examining it carefully.

"The Potter boy is right," Snape drawled. "The girl isn't on this map."

I stared, stunned at Snape. He had never so much as smiled in my presence and yet here he stood agreeing with me.

"Don't ask Harry," Aunt Vera commented quietly, seeing my startled expression with understanding and amusement.

"This map only shows Hogwarts castle," Dumbledore murmured, looking up at me with his penetratingly blue gaze. "Which means…"

"Audra isn't in the castle anymore," I groaned.

"Minerva, call all staff members to the staff room. I must send a message to Remus," Dumbledore ordered, already moving towards the fireplace.

"Harry come along dear," Aunt Vera called, gesturing for me to go with her and the other professors. She tapped her neck with her wand, muttering, "Sonorus. All students return to your house dormitories at once. All teachers report to the staff meeting immediately." Her voice rang out, clear and loud, through Hogwarts. She tapped her wand against her neck again, "Quietus." And her voice returned to normal.

We were the last to reach the staff room, with the exception of Dumbledore.

"What is it Minerva?" Professor Vector asked urgently in her smooth voice. Her dark violet robes swished around her as she moved forward.

When she moved, I could get a clear view of the entire staff room. All of the staff was there, Professor Binns floating dreamily a few inches above his armchair. Even Madame Pomphrey was present.

Poppy bustled forward. "Harry dear what's happened?" she asked in a hushed whisper.

But I froze, my eyes locking on the corner of the room and narrowing in disgust. She followed my gaze. A sigh of anger blew from her mouth.

"We're just as curious why the Headmaster invited them here as you are but at least be courteous," she breathed, turning me away. "They will be teaching an elite class, non-magic, but protection. Fighting. There will be the same consequences for disrespecting them as any of the rest of us."

The staff door flew open with a bang. Standing in the doorway were not two figures, but three. Professor Dumbledore at the head of the trio, Remus standing at his shoulder. Alastor Moody, ex-auror, stood at the other side, leaning on a knarled walking stick. An electric blue eye replaced the normal, spinning and whizzing in odd directions, coming to rest on me.

I shuddered softly, but ignored the discomfort, moving to Remus. "I'm sorry," I murmured, unable to look at him. "I tried to find her, we all did. Me, the Weasleys, Hermione, a new girl Vivian Presmonte, Cedric and his friends and Cho and her friends. We all looked but no one could find her."

"Did you use the…" he began. His voice was ragged, lost, worried. He had always been the more mature of Sirius and him. He had always been the one to worry. Now with Audra missing on Hogwarts grounds, where so much had gone wrong, had him panicking. He saw Audra as his little girl. His little daughter.

"I checked the map. She's not on it," I answered dismally.

"Someone bloody well explain why we're all here," Professor Babbling demanded, her dark black eyes flicking from me to Dumbledore then to Minerva.

I turned my green gaze up to Dumbledore.

"Audrianna is missing on school grounds," he sighed, worry in his deep blue eyes.

All at once shouts and cries of disbelief echoed in the small room. It was easy to tell how favored Audra was among Hogwarts staff. Even Snape had concern in his black eyes.

"Harry and his friends have searched the entire castle," Dumbledore continued as if there were no interruptions.

"How do we know he got everywhere?" Professor Burbage questioned. It wasn't an accusation but there was doubt in her voice.

"He has my old map," Remus explained. Most of the staff rolled their eyes, chuckling softly among themselves.

Dumbledore seemed to take no notice and he carried on, "Audrianna is too smart to simply wander the grounds when she wants to be alone. She will be the one place no one will be too eager to follow."

"The Forbidden Forest," Professor Sprout breathed.

"Search the forest. But do not talk to her. With the best of situations she'll listen to Harry. Red sparks if you're in trouble; green if you find her. Trail her and wait for Harry. Half of the staff will remain here. Carlisle, your family should do well maintaining the students. Professor Binns and Madame Hooch will stay to assist you."

Carlisle nodded, his lips moving too quickly for any of us but his family to understand; he and his family disappeared.

Madame Hooch fingered her whistle with a worried expression. Audra was her little favorite for her unassailable quidditch talents. But she nodded, pushing herself to her feet.

"Alright," she agreed, sweeping out of the room. She disappeared down one of the corridors to the left.

Dumbledore and the rest of the staff began off in the opposite direction, towards the Entrance Hall.

I raced after him, running to keep up with Remus' quick, long strides.

"I'm sorry," I said again.

He rested an arm over my shoulders, giving them a tight squeeze. "You love her as much as I do but this time it isn't either of our faults. Albus made the decision." His voice was hard. "The only thing we can do is find her. You have to promise me something Harry."

I looked up at him, surprised at the intensity in his voice. "Of course Remus but…"

"You have to promise me that you'll do everything in your power to keep Audra from getting hurt."

I nodded, knowing exactly what he meant.

"Just promise you'll take care of her, protect her from them. They hurt her so much already, I don't see why Dumbledore would invite them back into her life. Don't let them do it again, please," he begged, desperation filling his voice.

"I promise," I complied easily. "I don't want them around my little sister any more than you do. I'll do my best. The Weasleys and Hermione will help too. But Audra, when she's angry, she won't listen to anyone."

"She'll listen to you," he said firmly. "She'll listen to you and only you. She loves you more than the world itself. She'll do anything for you."

"She would for you too," I pointed out as the rain began to pelt down on us. We hurried together through the grounds, my firebolt still in my hand.

He smiled slightly. "She would do a great deal for me yes, but you two have a bond. It's different. You two on that night, do you remember?"

I nodded. "Mum died for me. I died for Audra. Mum's spell saved me so I'm still here; mine saved Audra."

"But your protection, your mother's limited it, you could not die no matter how you wanted to. You both died."

I UPDATED!!!!!!! AREN'T YOU PROUD OF ME? I know I said I probably wouldn't update until after Christmas but this is my Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanza/what ever anyone celebrates present to all of you! A cliffy! You get to think about it until I update. How did they both die if they're both there? How did Harry die for Audra?

Review. I write faster and longer chapters that way. Don't you want to know how and why they died? And if Audra will ever forgive Edward? Or any of them? Or what will happen in the forest? Or with the tournament? How will it change now that the Cullens are there and Harry has Audra?

Love you all and Happy Holidays!

Sea of Topaz