I unfortunately do not own the world of Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J. K. Rowling.

I would just like to say a quick thanks to Allen Pitt, harmony2009, M-Pensiever, PrimiGrl, SlytherinChick24, A Proud Slytherin, Seraya-Cullen, Princess-Lazy-Chan, panneler-san, Loonynamelass, AnonymousMSQ, Celeste Belle, narniagirl18, Dandruff Chick x, xandromedax, Black Clad Butterfly, ILoveIggy, AcroPrincess, silentloud13, and SisterOfAnElvenWannabe.

This is my first fan-fic. Hope you like it! (And if you haven't guessed by now, reviews are greatly appreciated!)

I am writing 5 other fan-fics at this time as well. If you could please check out my profile and check them out, I would greatly appreciate that. Thanks! :)

Chapter 29:

Nice Saves

Since they returned from the holidays, Ariella found herself finding (just a bit) less time in her secret room than usual. She also noticed that Draco left her alone for the most part…well, maybe that wasn't exactly the case. But he did demand a bit less, which gave the girl more time to do homework. Things were going fine until one Saturday morning.

She was sitting quietly in the stands watching, but not really paying attention to the Gryffindor vs. Ravenclaw match, (Quidditch was never really her thing…not that she'd be allowed to play if it were,) when she realized that it was about fifteen minutes into the game, and Draco still hadn't come up to sit in the stands. Then she saw something down on the field, and a light bulb went off in her head as she groaned before watching the scene unfold.

She remembered how the evening before, Draco was sitting in a secluded corner of the common room, talking with some of his friends on how to "sabotage Potter" as "payback". She had gone to bed before she heard anything else. It was late, and it hadn't really clicked when she heard that. But, luckily, it didn't turn out quite the way he wanted it to.

The plan was for him, Crabbe, Goyle, and Marcus Flint, the Slytherin team's captain, to stand on each other's shoulders, with a black robe over both figures, and to pretend to be dementors. What they didn't plan on was Harry being prepared this time. He sent a full patronus straight towards them, and caught the snitch a moment later. His patronus took the form of a stag.

As the four Slytherin boys tried to untangle themselves from the overly large black cloaks, Professor McGonagall towered, fuming, over them.

"An unworthy trick!" she was shouting. "A low and cowardly attempt to sabotage the Gryffindor Seeker! Detention for all of you, and fifty points from Slytherin! I shall be speaking to Professor Dumbledore about this, make no mistake!"

Ariella's first reaction was a bit of joy…Gryffindor had won, and Draco had gotten in trouble for once. But as she made her way back to the common room, she found herself a little envious of Harry. He had been able to produce a full patronus, while all she could manage was a little silver wisp. Not even a full shield. Did that mean she was weaker than him? She didn't know. But what she did know was that she would conjure a full patrons if it was the last thing she did.

The next morning at breakfast, bad news reached Ariella's ears: Sirius Black had once again broken into Gryffindor Tower (though this time, Sir Cadogen had apparently let him in…how he had gotten the passwords, Ariella had no idea). He had been standing over Ron Weasley's bed with a knife when the red-headed boy woke up, and Black escaped. Personally, even though she was on the opposite side of the school, Ariella was still nervous, and that was a call to close for comfort. Of course, none of the other Slytherins seemed to be having a problem with this, but then again, when had she of all people ever been a normal Slytherin? She sighed, and headed out of the Great Hall.

The next Hogsmeade weekend was soon upon them. Ariella was on her way to the library to pick up another book on Patronuses to see if she could get anymore help when she ran into both Harry and Neville. And standing right in front of them was Professor Snape. He was questioning their motives. Ariella groaned, and then kept walking, slowing slightly. She pretended to just now see the two Gryffindor boys. Snape spoke first.

"Miss Lyons. And what are you doing out and about the castle?"

"It's the weekend, isn't it, Professor? I thought we were allowed to walk around the castle freely if we so chose to." She replied innocently. Snape's eyes narrowed.

"Well, move along then. You were going…where?" he asked.

"The library." She said, then, turning to her classmates, said,

"Would you like to come, too?" Snape's eyes were now slits.

"Er…sure." Harry said quickly, Neville staring, slightly shocked, but nodded quickly.

"Don't let me catch you around here again," the Potions Master said menacingly, before stalking away, his black cloak billowing out behind him. As soon as he was out of site, Harry turned to her.

"Thanks! You saved us." He said. Ariella shrugged.

"No problem. I don't like Snape much myself to tell you the truth. I guess I'll see you later." She said, and started to walk off when Neville asked,

"How come you're not in Hogsmeade?" Ariella turned to face him.

"Because I'm not allowed to go." She said simply.

"You're not? But surely your parents…" Ariella, however, didn't like the way this was going, and cut him off,

"I'm not allowed to go. End of story." She sighed once, and then said,

"It was good seeing you, but I really do have to go to the library."

"And what exactly are you looking up? The Dark Arts?" Neville questioned suspiciously. Ariella smiled slightly, before looking straight at Harry, saying,

"Patronuses," where she then turned on her heel, and walked off, leaving a very confused Neville Longbottom, and a dumfounded Harry Potter.

I KNOW NEVILLE IS A BIT OUT OF CHARACTER HERE, BUT I NEEDED HER TO HAVE SOME REASON TO SAY THAT LINE TO HARRY!!! SORRY ABOUT THAT!!!!!!

Sorry for the long wait!

Thanks to all who are reading, and liking it. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments, please feel free to review/private message me. Also, if you have any ideas at all, or would like to see something happen, let me know, and I'll consider putting them into a chapter. Thanks! ~ Leanora