Belinda

My schedule tells me I need to go to Defendoatrum. My body tells me I should not. I go. It's in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. When I walk in, there's no one in here, so I sit, putting my books down and taking a deep breath.

"Belinda," I hear an all too-familiar voice behind me and heavy footsteps. A chill runs up my spine. Why him? Why am I in a class with only him? Slowly I turn around and stand up.

"Professor Snape," I say. He walks past me and puts his things on the desk.

"You're here for a reason Belinda. You may not know everything about you're father that you should know, you're mother was always like that, but you are in somewhat of a grave danger," Snape explains.

"You know my mother?" I breathe.

"I attended Hogwarts with your parents, Ms. Black. I suppose your mother hasn't told you many things."

"We don't talk to each other very often. We never have."

"You probably remind her too much of your father. Which to her would be a scary thought."

"And why is that?"

"I don't have the authority to be telling you this. I'll tell you what I can tell you though, which is this: You Belinda are going to find yourself in a difficult situation in a fairly short amount of time. I'm going to put it as Dumbledore put it. Difficult times lie ahead. We're all going to have to choose between what is right and what is easy. This class is for only you Belinda because you do not nearly realize how powerful of a witch you are. Your father left you with a burden and with amazing power. This class is me teaching you the things we can't teach every student here. The especially Dark Arts. You're going to need to learn how to protect yourself, Ms. Black. And I'm here to teach you that," He explains, never taking his cold, grey eyes off of me. I stare at him, open-mouthed and in disbelief.

"But...why…?" I stutter.

"I'm going to let you go, today. Let all of that information sink in a little bit. I don't want to overwhelm you. Besides, it'll help if you're informed of your father," Snape says, picking up his things and walking towards the door.

"And Belinda?" he says, turning back towards me. I look at him.

"Be careful. And the information that was given to you in this room, goes to no one. Especially your cousin, Draco. Or Ms. Granger, she can't keep her mouth shut."

"Yes, sir," I reply quietly. He turns and leaves.

"Be careful," Are the last words I hear. Slowly, I gather my things and leave the Defense Against the Dark Arts room. It seems as though everybody knows about my own life except me. I sigh, and walk towards the Gryffindor Common Room. Along the way, I see a few things that disturb me: Draco and Kyla snogging in the hallway, Snape heading towards Dumbeldore's office, and Hagrid with a rather large, disgusting looking creature. I really, really don't want to know. About any of what I just saw. On second thought, the Common Room doesn't sound very appealing. Hermione's in there. So, I stop in the hallway, sit, and lean my back against the wall.

"Mr. Malfoy, Ms. Hornsby, that's not appropriate for school," Dumbledore says as he walks by them. Draco sneers at his back.

"Ms. Black, are you alright?" he asks, stopping in front of me.

"Yes, I'm fine," I reply, not looking him in the eyes.

"Very well. I'd like to see you at 8 o'clock this evening."

"Yes sir," I answer, not moving. He walks away. I close my eyes and lean my head back against the wall. Someone crouches next to me.

"Belle?" It's Draco. I open my eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asks.

"I'm fine," I lie, getting up and grabbing my things.

"You don't look alright," he replies skeptically.

"I think I just need some sleep," I tell him.

"You should go back to your Common Room and go to bed," he says, like any big brother would.

"Thanks, Draco," I say quietly. Without another word, I head back to my common room. There's a fire going, and it's empty. I throw my books somewhere and curl up on the plush red couch, the heat from the flames wrapping me up.

Harry

I hate the first day. It makes my head spin, all of the directions, talking, and speeches. Blech. I walk into the Common Room with the goal of sleeping in front of the fire. It's empty except for Belinda, curled up on the big red couch and staring blankly into the fire.

"Belinda?" I say cautiously. She looks up at me slowly with glassy eyes.

"Oh, hi Harry," she replies softly, looking back at the fire. Is she okay? She doesn't look okay. I slowly walk over and sit next to her on the couch. Then I realize she's started to cry.

"Hey, what's the matter?" I ask, cautiously touching her arm. Freaking her out would be bad. She wipes her eyes.

"I just think I got more than I bargained for by coming here," replies Belinda shakily. "I have no idea what's going on, I've been warned more times than I can count, and now I'm apparently in danger."

"Join the club," I say, attempting to make a joke. She laughs a little bit. Good sign.

"Yes, I probably shouldn't be complaining to you."

"No it's okay. I think we're the only people that'll understand it," I reply. She smiles.

"Thanks, Harry," she says quietly. I smile.

Draco -8:45-

"Look, I really don't want to be talking to you, but technically I can't go in there and my cousin is 45 minutes late for a meeting with Dumbledore," I quickly explain to Hermione Granger.

"That's probably the semi-nicest thing you've ever said to me. So yes, I'll go look," Hermione replies.

"Thank you," I say surprised. I stand there for a moment, Kyla's hand in mine. I know, I know, but I REALLY like Kyla. When Hermione comes back, the look on her face tells me I'm about to get news that I won't enjoy.

"Okay, yeah, I don't really know how to tell you this because you're going to be pissed, so I'll just let you go in. I am a prefect."

"Oh shit," I reply. "Stay here," I say, turning to Kyla. She nods. The sad thing is, I don't even have to go all the way into the Common Room to see exactly what Hermione is talking about. Belinda and Harry, yes that Harry, curled up on the couch, fast asleep. Her head is on his shoulder, his arms around her. Bloody hell. I quickly spin around racing out of the room.

"Thanks, Granger," I say quickly, grabbing Kyla's hand and racing back towards Dumbledore's office, the way we came.

"Draco, what's the matter?" Kyla asks, hurrying to keep up with me. I don't answer. I am PISSED OFF.

"Draco!" Kyla says. The she stops, making me trip.

"DRACO! What is going on!" she demands. I take a deep breath.

"She's in there with POTTER. They're asleep on the Common Room couch with their HANDS ALL OVER EACH OTHER!" I exclaim. She promised me. She did.

"Draco," Kyla sighs, walking up towards me and putting her hand on my shoulder. "There's only so much control you can have over your cousin. She's her own person." Now do you see why I like her? I rest my head on her shoulder and I feel her arms go around me.
"Just let Belinda be and when that protective cousin instinct comes in, decide whether it should be used or not."

"Okay."

"Good. Now let's go tell Dumbledore," Kyla says. I take my head off of her shoulder, give her a quick kiss and grab her hand again.

Dumbledore

"She's asleep," Draco tells me. Although I can tell there is more to this story than he reveals.

"I see," I reply. "Is there something else you would like to tell me?"

"Um...eh...well...er...she's...um, Kyla can you?" Draco begins. Kyla leaves.

"She's getting involved with Potter!" Draco exclaims.

"I see. Well, we'll let it be. If things get crazy, then maybe we'll intervene," I say calmly.

"That's all you have to say about that? That's all?"

"Yes."

"Grrrr..." Draco mumbles some under his breath, and then leaves, slamming the door. Temper can be the death of you if you're not careful.

Belinda

My eyes flutter halfway open and I realize I am in a warm, comfortable place. I remember talking to Harry, a lot, and then I guess I fell asleep. I feel someone shift. Oh my god. I'm practically ON TOP of Harry. How embarrassing. Slowly, I attempt to get off of him. His arms are around me. And strangely, that gives me a good feeling.

"Belinda, are you okay?" Harry mumbles. He doesn't move.

"Yeah," I reply. His breathing changes again. I should go to the girl's dormitory. But I don't want to move. I just don't. So, I settle back where I was before.