There was a lot of excited chatter going on in the Slytherin common room after the feast. It had already gotten around that Draco had picked the quidditch tournament for them to host and it was the best choice. There was also the Yule Ball, an academic competition and a dueling competition. It was clear to most everyone which House was going to get which event.

Draco sat with other members of his team discussing which special guests from their favorite quidditch teams they were going to invite to the tournament. They would also invite other teams from other magic schools to join in. There was no doubt in their minds, though, that Slytherin would, of course, win it all.

Having no interest in the subject, Rhyann had sat with Pansy and the other seventh year girls for a while. She fazed out their inane prattling about who had done what over the summer and who had changed their hair for better or for worse. She wondered if they just shrouded themselves in these shallow things to protect themselves from the harsh realities of the world, but then just as quickly as she thought that, she pushed it away. No, they knew nothing of cruelty and what lay beyond the safe walls of Hogwarts. She felt as though she were living in a different realm then them altogether.

Making some excuses about being over-full and tired from the day, the dreamer retired to the dorm early. Draco paid her little attention as he was too involved in his discussion. The only eyes that she felt upon her as she left the common room were the Mulciber twins'. The two of them sat together in a chair with proud little expressions not unlike the one she saw often upon her boyfriend's face. She knew they were going to be trouble and wished she were back on the island so she could keep the brats in line with a good switching.

Rhyann went to the floor where the seventh year girls stayed. Her bed was the one in the far corner. She unpacked a few things and took a quill in her hand. She could write her uncles now and tell them all that had transpired over the summer. Yet she paused, not moving to get some parchment. Was it truly safe now to send them a letter like that? She did not know if Lucius would have it arranged to intercept her letters or have her uncles give them up to him first before they were read to test that she was behaving herself.

She brushed the soft feather of the quill over her chin as she thought about it. It was better to be safe than sorry, of course. Yet now that the teen knew where her uncles were, she could seek them out in their dreams! She let out a little laugh to herself. She had been so upset about things during the summer, the thought had never occurred to her. She at once felt a bit idiotic and gleeful knowing that it would be much more safe to go into their sleeping minds.

Lucius was by no means a stupid man though. He was cunning and would no doubt think she might try a thing. Rhyann pursed her lips trying not to let that last thought ruin her mood. Perhaps if she wrote a letter that would be acceptable, and wrote it right away as was what was probably they would expect her to do, they would not think she would contact her uncles by other means.

Nodding to herself, Rhyann composed an innocent enough letter. She wrote about her uneventful summer and how much she missed her family. She told them how very much enjoyed seeing them at dinner the previous night and wished to be home soon with them. She said nothing negative about the Malfoys. She barely mentioned them at all. She also added on a bit about Hogwarts' anniversary and the events for this coming year. She was not sure if families were allowed to come to these events, but would love to see them if they were.

Satisfied that the letter was very much her and that nothing was in it to make Lucius keep it from Darcy and Tristian, she sealed it in an envelope and did an owl summoning charm to call Knell to her. The flapping of the owl's wings was the only thing that alerted her to his arrival. She had only heard him hoot once and it had been with the arrival of news about the death her uncle Morden.

Rhyann gave the bird a treat and told him to take the letter to Rookwood Manor. She also informed him that if he wanted to spend the night there away from the noisy tower that kept all of Hogwarts' owls, he could do so. Knell seemed to give a silent nod and then flew off into the night.

She then prepared herself for bed and sent herself off to the dreaming realm before any of the other seventh year girls came up. It was not that late when she entered her world and she did not expect neither Darcy nor Tristian to be sleeping. She reacquainted herself with the minds at the school and noted there was no barrier around Gryffindor this year. Either the old one had deteriorated and no one knew, or else the Headmaster did not think he needed it any more.

Neither Harry, Ron nor Hermione were sleeping. She could recognize their energies easily though. She found Dumbledore in his office with McGonagall, Flitwick, Snape, and a few other of the professors. It seemed like an odd time for them to be having a staff meeting, but she suppose that any time was the right time for the old wizard to be talking about his students and the school.

Finally enough time had passed and the dreamer left Hogwarts to direct herself to Rookwood Manor. There was only Darcy home and thankfully she did not have to wait for him to go to bed as he was already sleeping. Rhyann zoomed quickly towards the familiar energy and then slowed herself down to approach more cautiously. She did not think her uncle would set up any traps for her, but that did not mean someone else didn't.

Checking carefully, she found nothing and slipped into his sleeping mind. There was a warm feeling of comfort at being there and she smiled as she entered his dream. It was a mundane thing of a crowded meeting and dark robed wizards mumbling. Darcy wore the same type of black robes and drifted away from the group to a balcony outside. There was a magnificent view of a city with old colorful buildings, brightly flowering trees and twisting cobblestone roads.

Rhyann made herself visible, wearing a robe of black as well. She approached her uncle with her telltale fae smile and called out his name. "Uncle Darcy!"

Turning, the eldest of the Rookwoods smiled broadly and opened his arms to welcome her. "Rhyann! I had been so hoping to share with you this view!"

She let herself be enfolded in those strong arms. It was safe and there was no feeling of one betrayed. It was pure unconditional love. She did not want to let go. "I missed you so much! I did not know if I would ever see you again."

"You're with me wherever I go." Darcy murmured into her hair, seemingly unwilling to let her go as well.

She glanced up at him. Her chin poking against his chest. "You do know this is a dream, don't you, uncle?"

"… a dream?" He blinked his dark eyes unsurely, but when he looked down at her, he only smiled again and repeated, "You're with me wherever I go."

Rhyann knew that most people weren't even aware that they were dreaming and were easily confused. She did not have the time to be patient with him though. With her energy, she closed the balcony doors, blocking out the noise and activity of the other wizards. She then focused her clarity upon him and hoped that he would realize that it really was her in his sleeping mind. "It's me, uncle. I'm really here. It's the only safe way I can talk to you."

Darcy pulled back a bit, frowning slightly. He studied her for a moment. "You sent a letter earlier tonight."

"Yes," she nodded, glad that he was beginning to think more clearly. "I sent you a letter but I didn't really say anything in it. Not the things I wanted to say."

"What did you say in the letter?" He asked suspiciously.

The dreamer knew that he had a right to be wary. She had no idea what he and Tristian had gone through in Europe. "I told you that I missed you and that I had an uneventful summer. I really enjoyed our dinner last night even with the Malfoys there. I also said that his year is a special anniversary for Hogwarts with events hosted by each House and I hoped that you could attend if you were allowed."

Darcy's face softened and he pulled her against him again. "I'm sorry, Rhyann. I just have to make sure. So much has happened. I did not think I'd ever get to see you again either. I'm sure it was as much of a surprise to you as it was to us that Lucius let us have the dinner together." He kissed the top of her head. "I've missed you."

She could feel her heart well up. "Oh, uncle! I had been so frightened! I thought that Lucius was going to have you and Tristian killed. He told me to do whatever he told me to do or else you would pay the price! He still hangs that threat over my head even now."

"We're still alive, my dear." Darcy soothingly stroked her head. "I won't deny that the Malfoys have the power and influence to do as they wish, but our mission was not unsuccessful in Europe. We have won good standing and favor with our Lord. And it seems you have made an impression on him as well. Lucius would not dare make a move against any of us at the moment. Did they mistreat you? Hurt you?"

"No. No, Narcissa bought me clothes and every accessory to go with them. Lucius only had me do some dreaming for him for some business stuff. And Draco, well, he just gloated that he had me there with him." It was definitely a relief to here. She did not care whether they won good standing and the approval of the Dark Lord. Rhyann only cared that they were safer now than before. "What were you doing over there, uncle?" She drew back a bit, leaning on the marble rail with one arm still encircling his middle.

"We were meeting with the leaders of the Death Eater covens and making sure they were still were staying loyal to our master's plans. We also met with other pureblooded wizards with similar minds to win them over to our side. We have many wizards who agree with us and will support us. Still as many who are sympathetic to our mission and who won't fight, but won't do anything to oppose us either when it is time for the final battle." Darcy told her all this with humble pride. It was not the same the arrogance she was use to from the Malfoys.

"When will it be? Surely it can't be that far off now." She gazed up at him.

"We estimate that we should strike come May or June next year." Darcy reached out and caressed the side of her face. "You needn't worry though. I expect to go quite quickly and with only a little struggle by those left loyal to Dumbledore. We have too many loyal in high positions in the wizarding world."

Rhyann nodded. She did not think she needed to remind her uncle that it was best not to under-estimate the Headmaster, but she trusted him when he said they had enough wizards loyal to the Dark Lord to make his transition into power smooth as it could be. "So once it's all over, I can come back home and live with you?"

The dream changed from the tranquil Italian afternoon to the main sitting room in Rookwood Manor. There was a fire crackling in the fireplace and there was even the hint of a scent in the air that told them that Darcy's favorite meal was being prepared in the kitchen. The dark décor of the room did not make it feel any less welcoming to the two of them. Both smiled with that relaxed smile of one happily and finally at home.

Darcy's became a bit tight though. "I will do all I can to make sure that you're able to come home with us, Rhyann, but the Malfoys want you to wed the boy. It seems as though our Lord has approved the match as well."

The warm fuzziness within her threatened to flee and the teen made a desperate grab at it. "I was told as much as well, but our Lord also told me he wants me to have for him another dreamer."

There was some surprise peeking through his usually cool demeanor. It was not something he ever suspected his niece would voluntarily want to talk about and certainly not sounding as though she wanted it to happen as well. "He told you this?"

Rhyann still had no desire to fulfill any familial duty of that sort, but she wanted away from the Malfoys. It was the lesser of two evils for her and since it did not have to be any time soon, she would deal with it when it did happen. She nodded more fervently. "He told me this himself in a dream. From his very own lips."

"Does Lucius know about it?"

"No, I didn't tell anyone." The lie slipped out easily enough. She had told Draco, but she suspected he did not share that with his father because of the nature of it.

There was a thoughtful look in his eyes and then a bit of righteous satisfaction. "If our Lord himself has said such a thing, I'm sure he will let you come back home then. There would be nothing the Malfoys could do for they would not dare to go against his wishes."

"Do I have to stay at Hogwarts then? Could I come home..?"

Darcy gave a sad shake of his head, stopping her from asking anything more. "It is best that you stay there for the year, my dear. It is safer and then none would suspect anything of you or us. Besides, you are our Lord's eyes and ears amongst the students."

"Draco's here for that.." Rhyann made a bit of a sniffing noise.

"You have eyes and ears where he doesn't." Darcy reminded her gently and gave her hand a squeeze. "Tristian and I will be too busy. Oh, be sure we want you here with us and it is hard to be parted from you, but we all must use a bit of patience. The Rookwoods have survived worse than this."

"I know." She sighed and leaned against him again. "I cannot wait for it all to be over with."

"We all wish that." Darcy echoed her sighed and kissed her forehead again. "Best you get going now. I am not aware of all our Lord's resources or powers. I would not have you suffering just to see me."

"I will come back tomorrow night." Rhyann stated instantly.

"Ah, I wish you could. It just isn't wise, my dear. Maybe every so often, but every night… No, we can't let anything happen to guarantee the Malfoys a victory over us." Darcy sounded truly disappointed himself. His words were more forced than usual as if he fought with them when he really wanted to say something else.

She knew he was right. The dreamer didn't like it one bit, but it was wise to be cautious in these times. "Next week then. Or the week after. I won't think any specific time and then I won't even know." She gave him a little smile a that which widened at his approving one in return.

"You take care, Rhyann. Stay safe." He hugged her fiercely again, seemingly unwilling to let go. "We all love you. You make us so proud."

"I love you too." She whispered back, kissing him on the cheek. Then she faded from his dream with her uncle's arms still around her. She kept that feeling with her as she let herself fall into a dreamless restful sleep.