I close my eyes as I sit with Lily out by my tree. Both of us stared out at the Lake.
"I've always loved this Lake," I say softly, breaking the silence.

"I've never thought much of it until this year," Lily admits.

"Oi! What's got you two up in knots?!" a male calls with his group.

Lily turns to look at them. I remain staring at the Lake. The Potter Four sit by us. Remus is the only one to sit by me. Lily glances at me. She wasn't sure how I would react to the group.

"It's our last week. Why are you two so down?" Potter asks as he glances from Sirius to me.

"Nothing." Lily was unsure of what to say and she disliked lying to James Potter.

"Taking in the peace before we have to go out into the real world," I lie smoothly.

I rise smoothly, my black sun dress dancing about my knees. The seventh years had no reason to wear their uniforms now. We were here to wait out our graduation.

Lily grabs my hand fast. The look in her eyes showed her worry. I send her a weak smile. Sirius was watching us, frowning at my smile and the worry in Lily's eyes.

"I'm fine, Lily. I have work to do," I say softly. "Nothing to worry about."

She relaxes into Potter. She sends me a smile. "Don't work yourself a s hard this time."

I become serious. "Lily, I have limited time. If it is a risk to myself or not finishing it..."

"Riana," she says quickly. "You have more than your-"

"Do not worry," I snap. "I'm well aware of who it affects."

I turn and go toward the castle. Dumbledore isn't there when I get there. I lift the special quill and begin. This was only one of many things I was doing.

I sat in the lawn on surrounded by Slytherins. The lounged about me as I sat working. I was the only one working and not relaxing. My quill scribbled away in the text book. Sirius stood with a group a small distance away. I could see him glancing at me frequently.

"Ethriana," Severus says, breaking my focus on my work.

My eyes lift as all of the Slytherins fall silent. Severus stands with Poppy. She looks nervous from the look in my eyes. She flinches as my eyes land on her.

"Ethriana," she gasps as she pushes through the students to me. They watch her lazily as she rushes to me.

"Is there something wrong?" She flinches at my voice. It was cold, dead, ethereal.
I stand smoothly. She takes hold of my elbow. Severus snatches my things from the boy reaching for them. I husseled to the school. I'm frowning as I try to fight Poppy's hold. The halls were empty. All seventh years were outside and the other students in classes.

I'm pushed into the Hospital Wing easily. Severus shuts the door behind us. I fall onto a bed as Poppy finally lets go. She bends to get close to my eyes and look into them.

"You need to shield from them when you aren't working, Ethriana," Poppy says sternly. "You've been pushing yourself too far."

"They come as they please, Poppy."

"If not for us, Ethriana, then for your work."

I look at her. She was so worried for me. My eyes close as I focus. When I open my eyes she scrutinizes them. She sits back releived. Severus stood by.

"Can I go now?"

"No."

I look up at the door opening. Dumbledore comes in. He smiles at me as he sees me. I frown as I see Severus leave, setting my things on the table away from me.

"What is it now, Albus?" I demand with a light glare as I stand in challenge."What more do you want? My soul? My mind? My promise of my first born? My death?"

"Relax, Mrs. Riddle. I only wish to help."

I let a sarcastic laugh out. "Help? Not me of course."
"Lily has been worried."

"She has nothing to worry over. I'm doing everything in my powers to fix things for her."

"She's worried for you."

My mouth snapped shut. I look away. I couldn'y meet his eyes now.

"I've told you, Albus," I say, my voice is soft and sad, pained. "If it is my life or their's, I would give mine hundreds of times in the most painful of ways."

He says nothing as I close my eyes. "I'll do anything. Anything."

"You know I could help," he says softly.

My eyes open as I look at him. Tears reach my eyes but never fall. "No."

"Come on, Ethriana."

Lily smiles as she pulls me into her compartment. This is the last time we shall be so free together. The last time we could smile happily at each other. I'm pulled into the dark room.
I giggle as Lily and I hold tight to each other. We're pulled apart playfully. Girlish squeals escape us as we fall into our captors' arms.

I turn in mine's graps to see their face as the lights flick on. Remus smiles down at me as I look up at him with a smile. I kiss his cheek and stand.

Lily and James kiss deeply as They take their moment. Peter and Sirius weren't in here. Sirius wouldn't talk to me. Peter followed him and gave me sad looks when he had to rush off after the angry Black.

I look out the window sadly as I sit. I never wanted this to end.

"He'll forgive you, Riana," James says suddenly in a soft voice.

"I hope so, James. I just hope when he does, that it's not too late, that he will forgive me of things I've yet to do," I whisper while sadly lOoking at the scenery.

I stand. Lily looks sad as they all look at me.

"Just a little longer?" Lily pleads as she looks up at me with teary eyes.

Everyone looked sad. I have to be strong, we all do.

"I can't, Lily."

James looks sadly at me. "We'll never forget, Riana. No matter what must be done, you'll still be our friend."

"No. Remember me," I say sternly, my voice hardening, becoming strong and cold as it should. "Forgive me if you must, but you will have to hate me. The next time you see me... I shall be your enemy."

I open the door and leave them behind.