Alli headed to Defense Against the Dark Arts with an odd feeling about the way Draco had responded earlier. His tense muscles, cold expression, and deep voice made it seem as if he knew more about the situation than he was letting on. However, it could have just been the fact that she mentioned He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. Alli tried to shrug it off, but she decided she would need to have another conversation with Harry about it.
Defense Against the Dark Arts was fine, but she had the feeling that Snape didn't like her much. His attitude towards her wasn't nearly as bad as it was towards Harry, Alli observed. But, she obviously wasn't his favorite student. Actually, no one seemed to be his favorite student by any means. Alli decided that Snape was just a bitter, old professor desperate to torture his students with every raise of their hands. Not to mention the stares she received in class because of last night's festivities and the story of her past spreading throughout the school. After Snape dismissed them, Alli waited by the exit for Harry.
"I say you turn that book in," Hermione demanded to Harry, as they neared the exit.
"Not bloody likely," Ron snapped, "He's—"
Ron stopped talking when he saw Alli waiting for them.
"Harry, I need to talk to you real quick," Alli interrupted.
"See you in class," Hermione told Harry. Ron nodded once and followed Hermione out of the classroom.
"See you," said Harry.
"So," Alli began, "I had another nightmare last night after Slughorn's awkward party."
"Were there a bunch of wizards sitting at a table having a meeting with Voldemort?" asked Harry.
"Yes," said Alli, "I wanted to talk to you about it because..." she lowered her voice, "Listen, these dreams are starting to get more real now. I'm worried that-"
"That Malfoy may have something to do with it?" Harry finished.
"Yeah," replied Alli, looking down. She rubbed her left arm as they stood facing each other.
"Why don't you say something?" Harry suggested.
"Say something to who?"
"Dumbledore."
Potions was next on Alli's schedule. She walked with Harry and had a surprisingly good conversation with him on the way.
"Your classes going okay?" asked Harry.
"So far," said Alli, "Although, I have this weird feeling that Professor Snape doesn't like me."
"Join the club," Harry replied. Alli laughed.
"He hates you," Alli told him, blatantly, as if it was something he hadn't yet realized. Alli looked around as they walked. "I honestly don't understand how you memorize where all these classrooms are. Every hallway looks the same," said Alli. Harry shrugged in response. "Kind of like your neighborhood," Alli added, with a small laugh.
The classroom was full when they arrived. Harry left Alli to sit next to Ron and Hermione. A table was placed at the front of the classroom. Four cauldrons sat on the surface, all filled with a different potion. Alli found the last empty seat and sat down without a glance of who was sitting beside her, until that person opened her mouth.
"Potter."
Alli recognized her voice and narrowed her eyes as she turned to Pansy Parkinson.
"Bitch," Alli addressed her, with a smirk.
"What are you doing here?" Pansy sneered.
"Uh, class," Alli said, matter-of-factly.
"I know why you're sitting next to me," Pansy continued.
"Really, you do?" asked Alli.
"You want to tell me off. You just can't let it go. Draco is—"
"Oh, I can't let it go?" Alli laughed, haughtily, "Are you actually kidding me?"
"I know you're jealous of what Draco and I had over the summer, but—"
"Right, I'm so jealous," Alli agreed, with a roll of her eyes, "I'm jealous of your pug-nosed beauty and your superficial intelligence. I'm jealous that Draco won't pay attention to you. Man, I wish I was just that cool," Alli laughed, with a sarcastic smile, "Oh well."
"You better shut your mouth, Potter. You—"
Before Pansy could finish her sentence, Professor Slughorn cut off their conversation with a clap of his hands.
"Welcome, all! As you can see there are four potions on this table. Can any of you guess what they are?"
Hermione's hand immediately shot up in the air.
"Miss Granger?" Slughorn called. "Why don't you come up and take a look?"
Hermione got out of her seat and stepped over to the table. She peered into the first cauldron.
"This one is Veritaserum," she announced, "It's a colorless, odorless potion that forces the drinker to tell the truth."
"Very good, very good!" said Slughorn, proudly. He gestured to the second potion.
"The second is Polyjuice Potion, sir," said Hermione, without hesitation.
"Excellent! Now this one here, Miss Granger?"
"This one is Amortentia," she announced, "It's the most powerful love potion in the world. The mother-of-pearl color and the steam rising in an upward spiral is very characteristic. It is also supposed to smell differently to each person according to what attracts them," said Hermione, hesitantly. "As for me, I smell freshly mown grass, new parchment, and… well…" Hermione trailed off without giving another example.
"Very good, Miss Granger. I am quite impressed!" said Slughorn, enthusiastically. Hermione sat back down with a smile and a bounce of confidence. Alli rolled her eyes. She found Hermione's perfect responses to every question asked in every class to be a bit annoying.
The rest of Slughorn's class passed quickly. Of course, she was still caught up in what Harry had told her about the dreams and informing Dumbledore. So, afterwards, Alli pulled out her map to find her way to the Headmaster's Office. She surprisingly found it without getting lost. She stood near a tall gargoyle statue, searching for the entrance. When she couldn't find it, she sighed.
"What the hell?" Alli muttered. She looked over her shoulder and caught a student walking past. "Hey!" she called to him.
"Yeah?"
"How do you get into the Headmaster's Office?" Alli asked him pointing at her map. "It says I'm here, but I don't see it anywhere."
The student pointed at the gargoyle statue. Alli gave him a blank look.
"It's here, but you can't just go inside," the student told her.
"Why not?" said Alli, frustrated.
"It's password-protected," said the student.
"Okay..." Alli said, slowly, "So, what's the fucking password?"
"How should I know?" he snapped, matching Alli's annoyed tone. "Only the heads, prefects, and teachers could tell you."
"Well, could you tell me where I can find one of those? I really need Professor Dumbledore."
The student looked past Alli and nodded once. Alli narrowed her eyes.
"And, what exactly do you need me for, Allison?" said Dumbledore's voice from behind her. Alli spun around to face the headmaster.
"Oh, hey," said Alli, with a nervous laugh. The student excused himself and continued down the corridor. "It's kind of private. Can we talk in the office, by any chance?"
"Certainly."
The inside of the circular Headmaster's office was strange, yet magnificent. Hundreds of portraits hung on the walls, all showing a Hogwarts Headmaster from the past. A third of the portraits were empty; their subjects roaming off somewhere else in the castle. Another third of the old headmasters were sleeping and the rest were leaning out of their seats to get a look at who had entered the room. Alli followed Dumbledore to the desk placed in the middle of the room. It was cluttered with parchment along with a black book that had been horribly destroyed with a giant hole through the center and an interesting ring placed on top of it. These items caught Alli's attention. Strange, hushed voices seemed to be emanating from them, whispering words she couldn't quite make out. She, then, had a sudden urge to touch it. She had already begun to reach out, when Dumbledore cleared his throat. Alli looked up quickly and drew her hand back. Her cheeks flushed red at her sudden curiosity. Dumbledore opened a side drawer in his desk and placed the strange book and ring inside.
"What was that?" asked Alli, curiously. Dumbledore smiled lightly and closed the drawer.
"Nothing to worry about," said Dumbledore. "Why were you needing to see me?"
"Oh," said Alli, slightly embarrassed. Dumbledore just continued to smile, patiently waiting for her to speak. Alli took a deep breath and began, "Lately, I've kind of been having dreams, well nightmares. They are starting to scare me a little because they are becoming too realistic. They began right after I met Harry this summer."
"Ah," replied Dumbledore, "what are these about?"
"They're about... they're about You-Know-Who," Alli told him.
"Voldemort," said Dumbledore, plainly.
"Yes."
Alli had a crippling feeling after she left Dumbledore's office. Alli found it difficult to forget the look Dumbledore had given her. It was a perplexed expression; yet intriguing. Alli felt as if Dumbledore hadn't told her everything he knew. The best explanation he gave her was what Harry had already told her. It was confirmed. Voldemort had an insight into her mind just as he did with Harry. There was a connection. However, Dumbledore had refused to explain why or how that was possible. "Later, Miss Potter," he had said. Alli sighed as she paced just outside the Slytherin Common Room entrance.
"Alli?" Draco called as he strolled towards her. Alli faced him. "Where've you been?" he asked.
"Hey," she answered in a hushed tone. Draco tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear. "I went to see Professor Dumbledore."
"Why?" Draco sneered, wrinkling his nose in disgust.
"To talk to him about the dreams I've been having," said Alli.
"Alli, about that," said Draco, "I need to talk to you about something." He swallowed nervously.
"Okay," Alli replied, hesitantly.
"I just," Draco sighed, "I think you need to stop worrying about them so much."
"Why not?" Alli asked.
Draco didn't answer immediately. Instead, he touched her hand and leaned in to kiss her lips. Alli kissed him back feeling that rush of excitement again.
"Would you like to come up to my dormitory?" Draco asked her. Alli nodded.
"Sure."
Alli followed Draco to the sixth-year boys' dormitory, but he stopped just outside.
"Do you remember that day on the train?" Draco asked her. Alli nodded her head. Draco took a deep breath. "Come closer."
Alli took a step closer to him. Draco inhaled deeply, then touched the back of her neck and pulled her face to his. He leaned down and kissed her lips. All felt her heart flutter. Draco touched his other hand to her jaw and traced it with his fingers. He pushed her back against the door and kissed her lips harder. Alli placed her hands on his hips, keeping him just a few inches away from her body. Draco's fingers slid down her shoulders, then her arms, until they grazed the hem of her shirt. Alli shuddered when she felt Draco's hand on her bare skin. Then, he moved his lips down to her neck. He pushed her body against the door and his hand had begun to trail up towards her chest when Alli stopped him.
"Draco, hold on," said Alli. Draco exhaled and drew away from her. Alli's head felt light and a warmth spread from between her legs throughout her entire body.
"Sorry," said Draco, with a smile. Alli laughed quietly.
"It's okay," Alli told him. Draco reached for her hand and drew it to his lips. Then, let her hand drop and cleared his throat. "What's up?" she asked.
"Nothing," said Draco. "We should get to class."
Lord Voldemort places a hand on the head of his pet snake, Nagini, as he paces inside the dark room once again. Then, there is a single knock on the door.
"Come in, my friend," says the Dark Lord. The door creaks open slowly and Severus Snape stands in the doorway. "Ah, Severus. I have been expecting you."
"You asked to see me?"
"Yes," says Voldemort. "As you know I have given the Malfoy boy a mission, but you also know that he is inclined to fail. I am aware that you spoke with Narcissa over the holiday."
Snape opens his mouth to say something, but thinks better of it and stays silent.
"Oh, yes," Voldemort continues. "I know you have made the unbreakable vow to watch over him."
"Yes," Snape admits.
"And, I am also aware that if Draco should fail, you will carry out the mission, yourself?" says Voldemort.
"Yes."
"And I take it you will accept the consequences if you should also fail?" Voldemort looks for the hint of fear in Snape's eyes, and finds it.
"I will."
All of the covers fell to the floor as Alli sat up in bed. She put a hand to her chest, feeling her heart beating rapidly beneath her fingers. She closed her eyes and thought back to her nightmare. 'Draco,' Voldemort had said. Alli laid her head back down on her pillow and chewed nervously on her lip. Why would You-Know-Who want Draco? Should I tell Draco what I dreamt? No, he would be furious. Besides, he told me they aren't probably anything. But, Harry... Harry said that You-Know-Who could get into my head. Is this what's happening or am I just paranoid?
Alli shook her head, frustrated. She sat back up and looked frantically around the room. Ashley was still asleep. Alli decided she needed to escape to clear her head. She tried to be silent as she crept out of her dorm towards the common room. But as she turned the corner, she drew in a sharp breath. Draco was sitting on the couch in front of the fire with his head in his hands.