She found herself in a silky darkness. There was movement, like hair in a breeze.

You have done so well, Aurora.

She knew that voice.

One thousand years is a long time, isn't it?

Why was she here?

Are you enjoying your new life? Is moving through time everything you thought it would be?

There was cold laughter.

Enjoy your life – enjoy your new friends and your precious school. I know what is coming, I know what you are fighting against. And Aurora?

There was a beat of silence that echoed louder than the words

It will take your life.

She awoke in Dumbledore's office.

There were rows of candle's flickering and the headmaster's concerned face was in shadows.

"How do you feel, Miss Townsend?"

She tried to answer, but no sound came out of her mouth. There was no air. She tried to take a breath, but her throat wouldn't open. She sat up in a panic.

The headmaster caught her arm. He gripped it tightly and stared at her over his half-moon glasses. "Your potion," he said quickly. "Have you taken it?"

The potion.

In the excitement over the Death Eaters, she had forgotten to take it.

Dumbledore moved to a cabinet on the other side of the office and returned with a small glass vial. He opened it and tipped it to her mouth. As she drank, the contents seemed to force air down her throat.

She took a violent, ripping breath.

The headmaster didn't say anything as she took several more ragged breaths. Her mind began to slow. She realized it was dark outside – she must have been unconscious for hours.

It was then that she realized they weren't in the office alone. Professor Highmore was in the headmaster's office too.

Aurora stilled and Dumbledore's eyes studied her carefully.

"Thank you," she said in a hoarse voice. "I forgot…." She trailed off, looking to Professor Highmore.

"Yes," the headmaster said. "You're lucky Auberon was in the hall to catch you and bring you up."

She turned to the younger man. "Thank you, professor."

He nodded.

"You'll be completely fine in a few moments," Dumbledore assured her. "You may wait here until your breathing has returned to normal. I must go –"

"Wait," she said, remember the reason for her original panic. "I need to find the Ravenclaw house ghost."

"Why do you need to do that?"

"Nicholas…Nearly Headless Nick told me to find her. She has some…information about my family history."

The headmaster nodded.

"You needn't be coy on my account, Miss Townsend," Professor Highmore said.

Aurora turned slowly. The young professor was standing with his arms crossed. His expression was calm, almost blank.

"I know who you are," he said, looking right at her.

Aurora's heart started to beat faster again. Am I still dreaming?

"Yes, he is correct," the headmaster cut in. "But there is no reason to be alarmed, Aurora. Auberon is here to help you."

"This has worked out fantastically, actually," Dumbledore said, clasping his hands together. "Auberon can take you to find Helena and then you two can get started."

"Get started?" Aurora balked, throwing another cautious glance at the new professor. "Get started on what?"

Dumbledore waved his hand at her question – and Aurora was suddenly very aware of the many paintings, filled with many blinking, curious headmasters, staring at them from the walls.

"Helena should be in her tower," he said, looking at the clock on the wall. He turned to her, looking serious. "May I ask again why you need to speak with her?"

Aurora looked to Professor Highmore and then back to the headmaster. "She knows about me."

"Well, of course she does," the headmaster replied. "You knew her mother after all."

She frowned.

"Of course I have already spoken with her about discretion," he continued. "Although, I must say I did overlook Nick. Do you know any of our other ghosts?" His eyes were curious.

"Yes," Aurora answered dismissively, watching the professor again.

He pursed his lips.

"Well," Dumbledore cut in. "If you have no need to visit Helena, you can begin your work with Professor Highmore immediately." He paused. "That is, if you are feeling well enough."

Aurora nodded.

"Very good," he said with a small smile. "I must go, but do try to remember your potion in the future, Miss Townsend. As you have seen, the world can go a bit wonky if you don't."

She nodded again and forced a smile.

Dumbledore then left the main office and moment later there was a loud cracking sound. Aurora jumped and stared after him in horror.

"He's fine," Professor Highmore said. "He's only Apparated."

Aurora stared at this new almost-stranger. Since they had first been introduced, she had not seen him once around the castle. He attended no meals. He taught no classes.

But Dumbledore trusted him and since none of the many stone gargoyles in the office were jumping to her defensive, the castle must not have found him to be a threat either.

That has to count for something.

"What is 'Apparated'?" she asked slowly, still studying him carefully.

He didn't smile at her ignorance. "It's a form of travel," he said. "Just for witches and wizards. It was created in the fifteenth century and legalized in the seventeenth, so I guess it would have missed you."

For a moment, he looked at her with something akin to awe.

She nodded.

"Miss Townsend," he said quieter. "I know you don't trust me and you shouldn't, not yet. But you have my word that I will keep your secret."

She stared at him a moment, weighing his words. "Who are you?"

"I'm your new teacher and according to the headmaster, our lessons start immediately. So, if you will come with me, I will show you our classroom."

She paused. "Alright," she said. "I'll have a lesson with you. But I want to visit Helena first."

"But Dumbledore said –"

"I want to speak to her myself."

His brow furrowed. "Do you not trust the headmaster?"

"I just want to speak to her myself," she said. "Her mother…well, I don't think I can imagine what she has heard about me."

Professor Highmore's eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. "Fine," he said. "I'll take you to the common room. But it will have to be quick."