The food disappeared from the tables and the students started filtering out of the Great Hall. Draco had to go and usher the new first year Slytherins to their common room, so Riley followed a gathering of Ravenclaws to the Ravenclaw common room. She was pretty sure that she wouldn't have too many classes for her N.E.W.T year, but she wanted to get plenty of rest. She wanted to have plenty of options for her future, but she only wanted to take Charms, Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions. Only four classes a day would give her loads of free time to do whatever she wanted and plenty of time for homework. Riley had no control over when she was to have the classes, but she would get to start late in the morning and get done in the early afternoon. Two before lunch and two after. To Riley, it was perfect.

Once she reached the common room, she immediately claimed her favorite chair. There was a small group of first years gathered in a corner, chattering excitedly, shooting her looks of awe and pointing. She smiled and waved at them, and one of them jumped. Eventually, they mustered up the courage to talk to her.

"Are y-you r-really part w-w-werewolf?" one of them asked, and all of them smiled. She took special care in getting really close to them before answering.

"Yes," she said, and they all gasped in unison. "So watch it on the full moon, I might come and get you…"

All but one of the first years darted away. It was a little girl, and she didn't even look scared.

"You're lying," she said, arms folded.

"What makes you think that?"

"Werewolves aren't allowed in Hogwarts," she said, sounding like she knew more than anyone.

"Have you heard of a man named Albus Dumbledore?" Riley asked, getting slightly agitated.

"Yes, they say he was the best Headmaster Hogwarts has ever seen," she said, trying to be smart again.

"I knew him, and so did my father, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. You know Harry Potter? He's a good friend of mine, and he'll tell you Professor Lupin is the best werewolf ever, and his daughter is the best half werewolf ever," said Riley, and the girl got wide-eyed.

"Y-You know Harry P-Potter?" she stuttered, clearly amazed.

"Of course I do, we've been friends since first year…do you want to meet him?" Riley asked, smiling. The little girl nodded excitedly.

"Then find me in the common room tomorrow morning and I'll take you down to breakfast to introduce you," she said, patting the little girl on the head. "Now, go and get some sleep. I don't think you want to be sleepy and tired when he first sees you."

The girl ran up the stairs to the girls' dormitories and Riley chuckled. First years were so fun to mess with. Harry would find it amusing.

Harry and Ron were sitting in the two squashy armchairs and Hermione was sitting with her back to the fire on the floor in the Gryffindor common room. Harry was deep in thought, trying to make a decision. Why does Riley have to like Draco?

"Harry, are you alright?" asked Hermione, spotting the saddened look on Harry's face.

"Still haven't gotten over her have you, mate?" asked Ron, joining in on the conversation.

"No," Harry said miserably. Why did she do this to him? He's liked her all summer, but she didn't catch on.

"I think you should tell her," said Hermione, but Harry shook his head.

"I know she doesn't like me, Hermione...I'll just get shot down and..." said Harry, but Hermione cut him off.

"If you keep thinking that, then that's what will happen. Just tell her how you feel about her, I'm sure she'll understand. She's just like Lupin, she is his daughter after all," said Hermione and Harry sighed.

"Just do it. I bet she fancies you as well," said Ron, trying to reassure him.

"No, she fancies Malfoy," Harry said bitterly and Hermione stared at her lap.

"I was beginning to think that, but it didn't look like she fancied him. She just wants to help him, you know her, Harry. She can't help it. Malfoy came across the right person to help him out, even if he doesn't deserve it. She's not his type anyway," explained Hermione, and Harry nodded. He stood up and went to the boys' dormitories to get some sleep before he told Riley he liked her. A lot. That is, if he would be able to sleep.

Draco stared up at the green canopy of his four-poster bed, hands laced behind his head. It had to be getting close to midnight, and he hadn't gotten a drop of sleep. Riley was unlike anyone he had ever met in his life. She stuck up for herself, but was the nicest person he had ever met. She was everything that he wasn't, yet she was just like him. He thought no one would understand anything, but she listened, and understood. He unlaced his hands and held up the one that she touched and smiled. Good thing it was dark, or else he would have to curse whoever was staring at him funny.

He would have to talk with her tomorrow morning. There were more things that he would have to tell her, things he couldn't get into detail with on the train. If she knew anything at all, she would have to know everything down to his last feeling. Hopefully, he won't ever have to tell her he loves her. Of course he doesn't now, but Draco had the feeling that it was a possibility.

Riley woke up earlier than normal, unable to fall back asleep. She grabbed clean robes and uniform, threw them on and went into the bathroom. The black eyeliner from the day before was smudged around her eyes, making it look like she was dead. She washed it off and decided not to wear make-up. While brushing her hair, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her ring glinted in the candle light, and her silver eyes looked dull, like they always did when she was tired or sad. She walked back to her bed, grabbed her black and blue striped tie, and put on a pair of shoes. She tossed her book bag over her shoulder, and she tied her tie while she walked down the stairs to the common room. Once she reached her bottom of the stairs, she spotted the little girl she promised to introduce to Harry waiting for her on the couch.

"He won't be at breakfast for a little while, so we'll go down to breakfast in thirty minutes okay?" said Riley, and the little girl nodded. She sat down next to the girl and decided to talk to her, since she was the only one down in the common room.

"So what's your name?" Riley asked.

"Ashley Flatblade," she answered.

"So what are you?"

"Huh?" asked the girl, confused.

"Oh, I keep forgetting first years don't know things like this yet. Are you Muggle-born, half and half, or a Pure-blood?" asked Riley, getting things straight.

"What's a Muggle-born?"

"When both of your parents are non-magical folk," explained Riley, and the little girl nodded.

"That's me," she said, and Riley smiled.

"I'm three quarters witch. One of my parents is a pure-blood, and the other was half…but it's none of your business which is which," said Riley when the girl looked like she was going to ask a question.

People began to come down into the common room, looking drowsy. Once more than half of the Ravenclaws were out of their dormitories and into the common room, she decided to take Ashley to meet Harry.

"Come on Ashley, we can go down to breakfast now," said Riley, nudging her. Ashley jumped up, face practically glowing with excitement. Just before they exited through the portrait hole, Riley caught her sticking her tongue out at her friends.

When they reached the Great Hall, Riley spotted Harry walking over to the Gryffindor table, yawning. Hermione was already sitting, and Ron followed just behind Harry. Ashley looked like she was going to faint.

"Harry!" Riley called, and Harry looked around. He spotted the source of the noise, and grinned broadly.

"Morning Riley," he said, stretching.

"Harry, I'd like you to meet Ashley Flatblade...she's a first year, and she wanted to meet you, so here she is," said Riley, and Harry had an amused smile on his face.

"Hi Ashley," he said, and Ashley's jaw dropped.

"H-Hi," she said shakily.

"There's no need to be nervous, Ashley. Why don't you come over here and say hi to my friends Hermione and Ron?" Harry asked, giving Riley a smile. A very nice smile. Riley thought she was going to melt on the spot. Ashley nodded excitedly, and Harry grabbed her hand and led her to where he, Ron and Hermione were sitting. Ron's ears turned slightly pink when the little girl started talking to him, and Hermione looked like she was enjoying her company. Harry looked like he was trying to suppress laughter.

Riley left Ashley to talk with Harry and walked over to the Ravenclaw table. She sat down and put some food on her plate. A tall figure sat next to her, and she caught a waft of cologne. Not too strong, but not too faint either; she saw the white blonde hair and immediately knew it was Draco. He smelled really good...

"Good morning," she said, beginning to eat her breakfast.

"Do you know your schedule yet? I need to talk to you again," he said, sounding desperate.

"Almost, here comes the Head Girl," said Riley, and the girl handed Riley her schedule. She also handed Draco his, and he snatched it from her. Riley peered over his shoulder, getting a look at his schedule. It was the same, but almost all of the seventh years would be in the same classes.

"Looks like we have the same classes," said Riley, and Draco looked relieved.

"Once the first classes start, I'll take you to a place I went to...all last year..." he said, staring at the tabletop. The Great Hall was filling up, and Draco stood up.

"Meet me back at the Slytherin table," he said, and hugged her. "I would really be a mess without you."

Riley couldn't explain the butterflies in her stomach when he hugged her, but she shrugged it off. She finished her breakfast, and was sipping at her pumpkin juice when another person came and sat next to her.

"Hey Riley," said Harry's voice.

"What's up, Harry?" Riley asked, smiling at him. She could seriously get lost in those bright green eyes.

"I...um, wanted to talk to you about something..." he began, sounding nervous.

"What is it?" she asked, almost in a daze.

"Are you and Draco, you know, dating?" he asked, and Riley blushed.

"No, of course not. I'm just helping him," she answered, and Harry nodded.

"Oh...okay...then I wanted to tell you that...I um..." he stopped when the bell rang, and Riley smiled.

"That's the bell, Harry. Can you tell me later?" she asked, and he nodded, looking sullen. In an attempt to cheer him up a little, she pulled him into a hug. She had to take special care to actually let go, and waved goodbye. She walked over to meet Draco at the Slytherin table, and he was sitting there all by himself. He saw her and got up to meet her.

"Come on, follow me," he said, and he started walking at a quick pace. Riley nearly had to jog to keep up with him. They kept going up flights of stairs until Riley was sure they were on the sixth or seventh floor. He took her through a part of the castle she had never been in, and stopped before a long stretch of empty wall.

"Now, walk by this empty space three times, concentrating hard on what you need," he said, and she nodded. Walking back and forth, concentrating hard, Riley wondered what in the world this was supposed to do. Suddenly a door appeared that definitely wasn't there earlier. She opened it, and inside was everything that she needed. Scented candles, comfy chairs and anything else she could possibly ask for to do what she did best. Soothing music was playing from nowhere, and she beckoned Draco over.

"Will this work?" she asked, smiling; something that she seemed to be doing a lot of around Harry and Draco.

"It's perfect," he said, walking inside. Riley closed the door behind him and watched him sit down in the loveseat. There was a chair across from it, and she sat in it.

"Now, what is it that you wanted to talk about?"

He told her everything. The planning, the failed attempts to kill Dumbledore. He even told her how many times crucio was used on him, and things that nearly brought him to tears just remembering them. She was sitting next to him now, rubbing his back with one hand and holding his hand with the other. She looked on the verge of tears herself.

"Draco, I can't believe how much has happened to you...you're only seventeen," said Riley, voice quivering.

"How is it that my past affecting you as much as it's affecting me?" asked Draco, still amazed by her.

"I put myself in your shoes...and I..." she began, but the rest was replaced with her weeping. He scooted closer to her and held her, letting her cry on his shoulder. She had very silky hair...

"I'm sorry, I just...will he come after you?" Riley asked quietly, resting her head on his chest.

"It's a possibility," he answered, and she let a few tears fall down her face. He stroked her hair, keeping it out of her face.

Riley didn't know what came over her. She cared about people who had no one else, but not this much. There was something about Draco...it almost seemed that if he was gone, a piece of her would disappear. Just hearing his memories of being cursed and being in such immense pain it was almost unbearable made her want to scream, but she just met him yesterday...everyone else she ever cared about she had known for months, even years. Not even then did they get her in a state like this. She felt bad for Draco the moment she saw him, and wanted to help him before she even knew him.

It felt like she had known him her entire life, even though they had never even met. The instant her eyes met his, it was as if something clicked. Maybe the loneliness he had endured was worse; he had been alone all sixth year, the fate of his family resting on his shoulders. Or could it be that it was the evil of it all? She moved herself away from Draco, and he spotted her ring.

"Where did you get that?" he asked, picking up her hand to look at it.

"Oh, that. I found it in my room...that's the only finger it fits on," explained Riley, and he set her hand back down.

"Can I see it for a minute?" he asked, and she nodded, taking off the ring. What did he see in that ring that she didn't?

He turned to face away from her, and dug his hand into his pocket and pulled something out. He began muttering to himself, pulling more things out of his pocket. What in the world was he doing?

She moved herself away from him, and Draco saw a ring on her left ring finger.

"Where did you get that?" he asked, trying not to sound too anxious. He took her left hand to inspect the ring and had to fix his face to stay calm. Oh Merlin, I didn't think that...

"Oh, that. I found it in my room...that's the only finger it fits on," Riley explained, and Draco set her hand back down.

"Can I see it for a minute?" he asked, trying to contain his enthusiasm. She nodded, and handed him the ring once she took it off.

He turned away from her and pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket. It was a verification process, to prove that this was the ring. He held it up to every last picture and it was a perfect match, every time. That could just be coincidence. He pulled out another piece of parchment, much smaller than the last. It was a spell he put on it to make sure it was really the one he was looking for. The memory was still fresh in his mind.

He was bowing down, and when he caught sight of the hem of the Dark Lord's robes he held his breath. He was going to die, and so was the rest of his family. But the Dark Lord said something that surprised Draco.

"You have failed, Draco," he said, and Draco's heartbeat doubled.

"I am sorry, master..." said Draco, unable to say anything else.

"You know the penalty for failure," said the Dark Lord, and Draco nodded.

"Yes, master."

"But the mission was completed; Dumbledore is dead, even if it wasn't by your hand," he said bitterly, and Draco felt a glimmer of hope.

"Because the operation was finished, I will not kill you," Draco nearly sighed with relief, "instead, I have planted a ring in a random house. A girl whom you will not know, and eventually come to hate will find this ring, and wear it on her left ring finger. She may appear everything you have ever wanted, and help you in all the right ways, but she will put you through more pain than death could ever cause you."

It didn't seem so bad, but he didn't doubt a word the Dark Lord said. He wouldn't.

"Here are tools you can use to determine if the ring you find is the real one. It will be wrought in silver, with an emerald resting between two diamonds," he said, and dropped two pieces of parchment in front of Draco's face. What could be so bad about going through some girl troubles?

"There's something else I should tell you before you try and find her," he said, sounding as horrifying as ever, "I will know the moment you know, and once you perform the spell you will receive a letter...not only will this girl cause you unimaginable pain, you will be bound together by the heart and you will feel for her like you would a wife, but she will be unaware until you can charm her into marrying you...the spell will trigger the feelings, and the letter will explain everything else...don't tell her a single thing, or I will have you and your family killed...slowly. Oh yes, and if you decide to abandon this punishment, you will be all alone...forever until you find her." He swept away, cackling.

Draco took a deep breath before performing the spell on the ring, but he knew he had to do it. He muttered the incantation written on the small piece of parchment, and feelings like he couldn't imagine flooded through him, and he shoved the parchment pieces back into his pocket and turned around to face Riley. Her eyes were bloodshot, and concern was etched on her face. He thought he could have stared at her all day. He slid the ring back onto her left ring finger and very grudgingly stopped himself from kissing her.

"What did you do?" she asked, smiling.

"Oh, I was just checking to see if the jewels in that ring were real...they are, to let you know..." he said, smiling back at her like he did when he got to experience Christmas for the first time. He never thought he would smile like that ever again. The bell rang, signaling the end of first period, which meant they only have forty-five minutes before their first class began.

"Well, I better be off. I have other people to talk to, Draco, don't look at me like that," said Riley when Draco gave her a pleading look.

"Can I at least come with?" he asked, all but begging on his hands and knees. He just wanted to be around her, but eventually that wouldn't be enough.

"Of course you can. I think it would be good for people to know that we're only friends," she said, headed for the door.

"Yeah...only friends..."

Riley walked out into the corridor, which was empty. She wanted to go see Harry. He was saying something before the bell stopped him, and now she was curious to know what it was. Draco trailed behind, looking like he was having a hard time. He would have to let it all out later; at the rate they were going, people were going to be thinking they were dating, which they certainly weren't. Not that she wouldn't if he asked, but she liked Harry.

He would probably be in the library with Ron and Hermione, or in the Gryffindor common room. She headed to the library, but only Hermione was there, nose in a book like usual.

"Hermione," Riley whispered, and she looked up and around, then spotted Riley.

"Hi Riley! Come here for a second," she said, and Draco followed Riley to the table Hermione was sitting at.

"Where's Harry? He was telling me something before the bell rang, and now it's driving me crazy," said Riley, and Hermione pointed to a row of books.

"Thanks, Hermione. Draco, wait here for a minute," she said, and he took a seat opposite Hermione. Riley walked over to the bookshelf Hermione pointed at, and looked on both sides. On the left side was Harry, and on the right was Ron. Harry was scanning the shelf, probably looking for something to help him in Potions. She walked over to him, and he nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw her.

"Oh, hey Riley," he said, beaming at her.

"Harry, you were saying something before I left...what was it?" she asked, and he started blushing.

"I was saying that...I um, that I..." Riley felt her heart racing, and she had a good idea of what he was going to say, "I really like you and I was wondering if we could go out sometime?" he said quickly, getting it over with. Riley looked down at her shoes, screaming victory cheers in her mind, and looked back up at him, smiling.

"Of course, Harry!" she said, and flung her arms around his neck.

"So, does that mean we're going out now?" he asked, not nervous anymore.

"I think it does..." said Riley, feeling happier than she ever had in her entire life. Oh no, Draco...she just left him there with Hermione.

"Meet me at the lake at five thirty, I have a surprise for you," he said, and she gave him a peck on the lips.

When she stepped out from the bookshelf, Hermione immediately looked in her direction, and knew what the huge grin on Riley's face meant.

"So?" asked Hermione as Riley took the seat next to Draco, who was looking miserable.

"We're dating!" Riley squealed and Hermione's face lit up.

"Oh, really! That's wonderful, Riley!" Hermione squealed back. Draco looked as if he had just been told his mother died a tragic death and his father was the one who did it.

"I have to go get something from my room, I'll see you in Defense Against the Dark Arts, Riley," he said, and walked out of the library.

"He's really changed," said Hermione, a sympathetic look on her face. "It's as if he's a new person...and I think he likes you Riley...no, judging by that reaction, I think he loves you."