Atria and Draco walked together back from the hospital wing with her newly bandaged hand.

Draco had sat in silence as madam Pomfrey slowly bandaged and soothed Atria's charred hand, before assuring the young girl it would not scar and be fine within a day or even a few hours.

Entering the empty common room Draco's eyes continued to flicker over to Atria as held her injured hand close to her chest.

"Don't worry by tomorrow it will look brand new," he said in an attempt of comfort.

Atria gave a small shrug, "let's hope so," she said turning towards the stairs that led to her dormitory. "Goodnight Draco."

He filled with distress but quickly acted before she could leave, "Atria" Draco called after her but she ignored him.

"Atria, Come back," He called to her but this time louder.

"What," she said snapping as she turned to look at him in frustration. She saw the angry flicker in his eyes at her response but continued in his quest. She watched as he walked over to the desk where his abandoned things still sat from earlier that day. He picked up his bag before he retrieved a single phial from the front pocket.

Atria glared at the grey potion in his hand, "No," she sternly said her hand aching as it gave an involuntary clench.

"Atty please."

"What have I told you about calling me that," Atria snapped at her childhood nickname.

"Atria Please," His voice was demanding, but Draco Malfoy had just used the word please.

He walked up the remaining stairs that separated them until he was standing in front of her, "you need to sleep." His voice was soft as he looked at her tired eyes.

Atria raises her head and looked down her nose at him "Why do you care about this so much."

His eyes filled with anger once more as his feature scrunched in frustration "Because I care about you."

Atria took the last step down which was between them, taking the vile from his hand and swallowing it down.

"Thank you," he said as she returned the phial to him.

"Goodnight Draco," she said, before turning and walking up the large stairs that led to her dormitory.

"Goodnight," Draco said softly after her, watching her as she disappeared at the top of the stairs. But still, as he turned to make his own way to bed, he was unable to shake the guilt he felt.

Walking up the stairs she felt exhaustion begin to get the best of her but she couldn't sleep. She had to know. She had to think, she had to speak and sleeping would only waste the time she had now. She tiptoed past her sleeping roommates towards the bathroom before she closed the door softly behind her and turned the lock.


Atria sat in the courtyard reading Secrets of the Darkest Arts. The weather was only getting colder and colder, and people wondered why she had a constant need to be in the outdoors. She hated the cold but hated company even more, and Daphne had made it her mission recently to never let Atria out of her sight. So this morning while Daphne had been talking away to some Ravenclaw boy, Atria had silently turned the next corridor the led to where she was now.

She had just reached the next chapter which spoke of spells to amplify the effect of curses and hexes when a pair of grey trouser legs stopped to stand in front of her.

"Professor Lupin," she said lifting her head and closing her book.

"Hello Atria," Remus said taking a seat next to her on the bench.

"How was the other night in the great hall?" He asked.

Her neck almost cracked at the memory of sleeping on the hard cold ground. "As well as can be expected for a hard matt on a stone floor," she said sarcastically.

He gave her an amused look, "I will take that as a No."

She nodded her head, before being bombarded of the terrible feelings that night brought on. "I think no one was very pleased with me after it happened, you should've seen the looks I got when I got to the great hall." It was true, the glares were imprinted on her brain forever.

"Well, I don't think anyone can claim that it was your fault."

Atria bowed her head before revealing to professor Lupin, "Snape seems to think it was me."

"Thinks what was you?" Remus asked turning to her, his eyes filled with bafflement.

"He thinks I had something to do with letting Sirius Black into the castle."

Lupins mouth dropped open in shock, "That's absurd you're a child," He said shaking his head, "What business would you have letting an escaped convict into the castle father or not."

"Well I've never been his favourite student," she said humorously.

Remus wrapped his cloak tighter around his body, "Somehow I believe that, no matter how bright you may be."

Atria's head titled in query, "What do you mean by that?"

He gave a small laugh before smiling at Atria. "Well let's just say Severus Snape isn't known for liking anyone, actually he takes to disliking people much faster."

"And somehow I believe that," Atria replied returning her professor's smile.

They spoke some more on the school year and Remus spoke about the oddities of being a student and working with the ones who taught him it wasn't long before the conversation died down that atria found her chance to ask.

"Sir?" Atria asked.

"Yes."

Atria hesitated before asking wondering if now was the time for the conversation they both knew would eventually come. "What was my father like? when you knew him? We've just talked so much about everything else he's sought of faded into the background."

His brow raised in intrigue at her request before he answered: "It's hard to remember exactly when someone you thought you knew so well turns out not to be the person you thought they where, everything gets twisted with the reality of now."

"Please try," she pleaded.

Remus looked up and his eyes moved as if seeing ever past moment play out before his eyes. "He was quite a character, very unruly and headstrong, always had his own way of doing things."

"What was he like with my mother?" she asked hurriedly, Almost bursting to ask the question.

"Your father met Marlene around the same time he met me. She was a bit more tamed then Sirius, but just a fierce. I think they loved each other from the first moment their eyes clapped onto one another and then from 4th year on, they were almost inseparable," Remus recollected.

"Do you think with everything he was, he still loved her?" She asked softly, her eyes lowered watching the snow melt and rise as more fell from the sky.

Remus's eyes joined her on the ground as he spoke. "I think he loved her more than anything else in the world and then when you came," But Remus stopped himself. People don't lie when they say the eyes are the windows to the soul, because in that moment Atria could see the hurt and confusion flash in his lost eyes.

Silence fell as neither knew what to say to save or continue the conversation. Atria had many questions which Remus no doubt had the answer to but whether he had the strength to, she did not know.

"Why do you think he came here?" Atria murmured under her breath just loud enough for Remus to hear, she turned to face him once more. " He's up to something and whatever it is, it brought him to Hogwarts. But why?"

He locked at giving her a sad smile, "I don't know," he said softly.

Atria nodded slowly before looking out to the courtyard. He had been here in the castle he had tried to get into the Gryffindor common room while she had been out in the forest. What was in Gryffindor that he wanted so badly. A death eater in an attempt to avenge his fallen master. Harry Potter was what he was after, and she couldn't understand why some small part of her felt infuriated by that. Jealousy ebbed at her core as she realised that some selfish part of her that hoped maybe he was here for her.


Wiping her lips Atria looked at her bloodshot eyes in the mirror as her face returned to its usual ivory white. She took some water into her hands and took a large gulp before leaving the bathroom.

Daphne lay already in bed, one would think she was already asleep. While Millicent and Viola sat at their desks finishing whatever homework they had not earlier in the day.

Pansy sat on her bed watching as Atria left the bathroom, her arms crossed as she stood up, her eyes glinting with malicious intent. "So Atria ready to talk about you and Draco's secret meetings before bed."

Atria rolled her eyes at Pansy's jealousy but the other girls intercepted her standing directly infant of her until they were a mere few inches away.

"As usual Pansy, none of your business," Was Atria's short reply.

Pansy shot her look filled with animosity before a cold exterior covered her hatred. "It won't be long before Draco tells me anyway, I was just giving you the chance to tell me first," Pansy said mockingly before passing Atria and entering the bathroom.

Atria walked to her bed before getting under the covers and opening her book. It wasn't long however before a piercing scream and shouts of disgust came from the bathroom. It sounded like Pansy was being of the girls including a passed out Daphne sat up in panic as Viola moved towards the door.

"Pansy whats going on," She urgently asked knocking on the locked door.

The door opened, violently banging on the wall to reveal a frazzled Pansy. "There's a rat in the bathroom," She all but screamed.

Viola's face, as well as all the other girls, dropped into one of annoyance.

Viola pinched the bridge of her nose before raising her eyes to Pansy's fearful form. "Where?" Viola asked before walking into the bathroom running her eyes over every surface and space.

"Just sitting in the shower," Pansy said pointing towards the place where the rat had supposedly sat.

Viola gave a sturdy check of the bathroom, checking under the sink and in the cupboards before coming to the conclusion the rat was gone, "Well I think it's gone now," Viola said before walking to her own bed and climbing under the sheets.

"No it's still in there it just ran off," Pansy said watching the doorway, to make sure the rat didn't escape.

"It's gone for the night Pansy so can we worry about it later," Daphne said before throwing the quilt back over her head.

"What if it comes in here, though," Pansy said in her panicked high pitched voice as her eye darted between the girls hoping someone would stand by her.

"I doubt it," Atria said before flicking her wand and putting out all the candles that filled the room with light.

"Bitch," Pansy whispered under her breath as she made her way to her own bed and Atria couldn't help but smile.

When everyone was asleep and the sound of steady breathing filled the room Atria grabbed out the item from under her mattress. She closed the curtains around her bed before whispering the spell, "Lumos," and as light filled the space she opened the remains of the diary.


Atria sat next to Daphne as they waited for professor Lupin to arrive in the defence against the dark arts classroom.

The door opened with a bang and Atria turned expecting to see Professor Lupin walking into the classroom but was surprised to see Severus Snape striding into the room. He flicked his wand, and the blinds slammed shut behind him as he approached the front of the class.

He turned to face the baffled students before addressing the class loudly, "Your professor is incapable of teaching at the present time so for today I will be taking his place. He left no topic for me to lead on after, so I will take it this class is as unorganised as there professor."

Atria raised her hand before Snape nodded to her to speak.

"Sir where is professor Lupin?" Atria asked.

Snape eyes turned charcoal black before replying to her coldly, "That is none of your concern Miss Black and off topic."

"Sorry I'm late, Professor Lupin, I .." The whole class turned as Harry Potter rushed through the door his eyes stuck on Snape.

"This lesson began ten minutes ago, Potter, so I think we'll make it ten points from Gryffindor. Sit down."

But Harry didn't move. "Where's Professor Lupin?" he asked mechanically.

Snape rolled his eyes at the already asked question. "He says he is feeling too ill to teach today," said Snape with a twisted smile. "I believe I told you to sit down?" But Harry stayed where he was. "What's wrong with him?"

Snape's black eyes glittered, "Nothing life threatening," he said, looking as though he wished it were.

"Five more points from Gryffindor, and if I have to ask you to sit down again, it will be fifty."

Atria watched as Harry cautiously took his seat before Snape addressed them again. "As I was saying before Potter interrupted, Professor Lupin has not left any record of the topics you have covered so far.."

"Please, sir, we've done boggarts, Red Caps, kappas, and grindylows," said Hermione quickly, "and we're just about to start…"

"Be quiet," said Snape coldly. "I did not ask for information. I was merely commenting on Professor Lupin's lack of organization."

"He's the best Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher we've ever had," Atria spoke up. All heads turned to her and atria sat in shock at the fact that for the first time in a long time she had not been in control of herself.

Snape's eyes widened in shock as he sneered down at her. "You are easily satisfied. Lupin is hardly overtaxing you I would expect first years to be able to deal with Red Caps and grindylows. "

Atria watched him flick through the textbook, to the very back chapter, which he must know they hadn't covered.

"werewolves," said Snape.

"But sir," said Hermione, seemingly unable to restrain herself, "we're not supposed to do werewolves yet, we're due to start hinkypunks. "

"Miss Granger," said Snape in a voice of deadly calm, "I was under the impression that I am teaching this lesson, not you. And I am telling you all to turn to page 394." He glanced around again. "All of you! Now!"

With many bitter sidelong looks and some sullen muttering, the class opened their books.

"Which of you can tell me how we distinguish between the werewolf and the true wolf," said Snape.

Everyone sat in motionless silence; everyone except Hermione, whose hand, as it so often did, had shot straight into the air.

"Anyone?" Snape said, ignoring Hermione. His twisted smile was back. "Are you telling me that Professor Lupin hasn't even taught you the basic distinction between.."

"We told you," said Parvati suddenly, "we haven't got as far as werewolves yet, we're still on.."

"Silence!" snarled Snape. "Well, well, well, I never thought I'd meet a third-year class who wouldn't even recognise a werewolf when they saw one. I shall make a point of informing Professor Dumbledore how very behind you all are..."

"Please, sir," said Hermione, whose hand was still in the air, "the werewolf differs from the true wolf in several small ways. The snout of the werewolf "

"That is the second time you have spoken out of turn, Miss Granger," cut Snape. "Five more points from Gryffindor for being an insufferable know-it-all."

It happened again, her mouth began moving without her consent, like the switch between her mind and lips no longer worked. "Sir you asked a question and she answered is that not what you wanted."

Snape slowly turned, his eyes solid in their resolve. He spoke in a cool and collected voice, "Into the hallway miss Black."

Atria sat, unmoving, surprised by his request. She had never been removed from a classroom. Her record was almost perfect.

"Now," he demanded not pleased with her insubordination.

Atria stood stiffly from her desk, ignoring her housemates disapproving eyes as she passed them.

Making her way into the hall, she leant against the wall and waited for the professor to join her as she knew he would.

It wasn't long before the door to the classroom swung open and her professor joined her in the corridor.

Atria Kept her eyes downcast as he approached her. She heard his steps grow closer until she knew he was standing right in front of her. "Do you like attention Miss Black?" He asked her.

Her puzzled eyes raised to him. "No sir," she murmured.

He nodded his head slowly before continuing, "Then why is it, that at every chance given you make sure that all eyes are on you."

"I don'.."

He held up his hand telling her to stop talking. Over the last few years, she had learnt that this was his way of telling her to shut up. "Have you've been taking your potions?" He asked before lowering his hand.

"What does that have to do.."

He interrupted her again, speaking slowly and clearly, "Have you been taking your potions?"

"Yes," she said, the sound barely escaping through her gritted teeth.

He leant back cooly raising an eyebrow, "Well maybe it isn't your sleeping habits but your blatant impertinence that is the problem."

She glared up at him and the two pairs of eyes met in a stormy blaze.

He stared down at her furious eyes with a sick amusement. "Detention tomorrow night my office now return to class."

She did not need to be told twice before she stormed back into the classroom. Her relationship with the potions master had always been one filled with detest. But something had changed this year, she had felt it in her first potions class. His hate was stronger and so was his vengeance. She had never wronged the professor. She had tried her hardest to stay out of his way and gave him no reason to bother her. But when she met his eyes, it was like he was looking at someone else. Like a mirage was between the two and her image changed into something completely different.

The rest of the class sat writing in silence when Atria returned to her seat.

"What happened?" Daphne whispered subtly over to Atria.

"Detention tomorrow, What did I miss."

"An essay on werewolves and how to spot them," Daphne whispered to her as Atria turned to page 394.

Snape too returned to his classroom and walked watching over the students making sure they stayed on task. As the end of the lesson grew closer, another disturbance took place. An owl flew in through one of the windows before flying in circles over professor Snape's head. The black owl landed on the desk and a single letter dropped from its beak.

The class watched while under the cover of work, all eyes towards the professor as he opened and read over the letter in his hand.

Snape's eyes filled with intrigue as his eyes clapped on one particular student.

Grey and Black eyes met once more before Atria looked back down to her work. But Snape's glimmering eyes remained on her. He placed the letter down before rising from his desk and walking among the room spying over his student's shoulders once more.

When class was over, Atria gathered her things before she followed Daphne into the hallway.

"Miss Black," she heard the stern voice call from behind her. Atria turned to face the dark figure as he walked closer until he towered over the two young girls.

Snape's eyes landed on Daphne before he spoke, "Miss Greengrass isn't your presence required elsewhere."

Daphne gave a small nod towards their head of house before looking to Atria, "I'll see you later," she said before leaving for her next class.

Atria gave her friend a nod in return before she turned once more to the straightfaced professor.

"Miss Black, follow me," Snape said before turning on his heels and walking down the corridor hastily not bothering to check if she was following.

Atria walked quickly after him unable to keep up with his large strides. "Sir, where are we going?" she asked.

"Quiet," he snapped his eyes set on the path before him.

Atria followed her professor through the corridors and up the stairs until she came to an area of Hogwarts she had walked past but never been invited to. Gargoyle corridor.

Part of her hoped that they would walk past the headmaster entrance but she knew in her gut that was not the case.

Professor Snape stopped in front of the large stone Phoenix before loudly speaking the password. "Acid pops," he said his voice full of purpose.

The large statue began to shift with motion and life before the phoenix had moved entirely out of the way, revealing a large set of steps.

Without looking back to Atria, Snape strode up the stairs as she timidly followed behind.

The shelves that lined the walls were filled with odd objects some Atria recognised some she did not.

Walking further up the stairs voices began to fill her ears as she got closer and closer to the headmaster's office. It sounded like an argument was taking place.

"Its what's best Albus," a somewhat familiar voice spoke.

"Cornelius this was the agreed upon plan, by all parties," Dumbledore spoke up.

"But things have changed Hogwarts may not be as safe as once thought and if her guardians want her home than we cannot stand in their way." spoke Cornelius Fudge.

A third voice hissed like a snake as it cut through the air, "I must agree with the minister."

All of a sudden she felt like she was walking to the gallows. Every step was closer and closer to a sticky end. She wanted to turn and run, every cell in her body begged her too but it was too late. Resigned to her fate she straightened her back and held her chin high as she finally reached the top stairs.

And there he was, long blonde hair standing in his pristine suit. Cane in hand.

Lucius Malfoy was here.

The next chapter should be up by Sunday next week. As usual, reviews welcomed, please tell me what you like, if there are moments you like more than others so I can know what to focus on. Hope you all enjoyed it.